MINUTES
November 9, 2006
CALL TO ORDER –Chair Bryan Holley called the Ashland Tree Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. on November 9, 2006 in the Siskiyou Room in the Community Development and
Commissioners Present |
Council Liaison |
Bryan Holley |
David Chapman, absent |
Mary Pritchard |
|
Laurie Sager, absent |
Staff Present |
Ted Loftus, absent |
Amy Anderson, Assistant Planner |
Steve Siewert |
Anne Rich, absent |
Colin Guiley |
Carolyn Schwendener, Account Clerk |
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Second page under Discussion Items second paragraph down should read Chapter 18.72. Pritchard/Siewert m/s to approve the minutes of October 5, 2006. Voice vote: all AYES, Motion passed. The minutes of October 5, 2006 were approved as corrected.
PUBLIC FORUM
None present
PUBLIC HEARINGS
PLANNING ACTION #2006-00612 Site Review approval for a mixed-use development comprised of general office space and six residential condominiums for the property located at
APPLICANT: Siskiyou LLC/James Batzer
Ř Re-review of landscaping at corner of Helman and Van
Site Visits and Ex Parte Contacts – All the Commissioners did a site visit previously when this Planning Action was first reviewed by the Tree Commission at the October 5, 2006 meeting.
There was no new staff report.
Applicant testimony - Mark Knox, Urban Development Services, 320 E Main Suite 202
Recommendations:
1) That the street tree root barriers shall be installed laterally along the sidewalk, the building and the street.
2) That the Tree Commission supports the proposed meander of the sidewalk to increase the planting area at the corner of Van Ness & Helman streets.
Mr. Knox asked to speak regarding the tree that fell at
PLANNING ACTION #2006-01663 A request for an Annexation and Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map change from Jackson County zoning RR-5 (Rural Residential) to City of Ashland zoning R-2 (Low-Density Multiple Family Residential), R-1-3.5 (Suburban Residential) and R-1 (Single-Family Residential) for an 11.64-acre site comprised of five parcels located at 87 W. Nevada St. and 811 Helman St. (Ashland Greenhouses). The Ashland Comprehensive Plan Map identifies the site for Single-Family Residential development (R-1 zoning), and therefore, the proposal includes a Comprehensive Plan Map Change to modify the Single-Family Residential designation to Suburban Residential (R-1-3.5 zoning) and Low Density Multi-Family Residential (R-2) designations. The proposal requires Outline Plan and Site Review approvals to develop the property as a 78-unit multi-family development and subdivision under the Performance Standards Options Chapter 18.88. A Tree Removal Permit is requested to remove a 36-inch diameter at breast height Oak tree. Exceptions to the Street Standards are requested to install a curbside sidewalk on one side of one of the proposed streets, for not locating a street adjacent to natural features and to build two dead-end streets. Variances are requested to reduce the on-street parking requirement from 78 to 38 spaces, to reduce the rear yard setback requirement for six of the town homes in the northwestern corner of the site from 20 feet to 12, 14 and 16 feet, and to reduce the required distance between buildings for the 27 cottages in the southwestern corner of the site. An Administrative Variance to the Site Design and Use Standards is requested to have the primary orientation to the south rather than the street as required. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: (Current) Single-Family Residential to (Proposed) Multi-Family Residential & Suburban Residential; ZONING: (Current) RR-5 & R-1-7.5 to (Proposed) R-1-3.5 & R-1-7.5 & R-2; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 4B; TAX LOTS: 800 & 1100 and ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 4BB; TAX LOTS: 700, 800, & 900
APPLICANT: Forrester & Williams
Site Visits and Ex Parte Contacts – All the Commissioners did a site visit.
The staff is asking for a continuance of this Planning Action and Amy confirmed that the issues that were addressed in the staff report that are recommending continuance have nothing to do with landscaping, open space or tree removal. Everything that the Tree Commission would recommend would be incorporated into the final plan that would come back to the Commission as a Type 1.
Applicant Testimony – Applicants Valri and Greg Williams were present. Kerry KenCairn, Landscape Architect spoke representing the applicants. Ms. KenCairn said that no tree report was submitted because she felt that the maps were sufficient enough. Ms. KenCairn explained the purpose for removing the trees that are designated for removal.
Holley commented that citizens are urging the Tree Commission to plant native trees especially Oaks and encouraged Ms. KenCairn to plant the native Oaks wherever possible. Pritchard said she would like to see more conifers planted.
Holley asked if the individual landscaping plans for the various buildings will be coming before the Tree Commission. Amy said that the R-2 development properties are subject to site review and cottages would be required to have separate landscaping plans so they would come back before the Commission.
Recommendation:
1) Tree Commission supports project outline plan as proposed.
ACTION ITEMS
Fire Dept. Ordinance subcommittee volunteers. Sager and Holley will be representatives at this time.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
Liaison Reports - No reports given
Land Use Ordinance Review (Siegel Report) - Tabled until next month’s meeting.
Changes to the agenda – Holly asked that Ordinance Revisions be dropped from the agenda, that the year 2007 is added to Tree Walks and that Tree Grates/Sager is added under Old Business. Amy suggested that the Commissioners visit the YMCA and Gathering Glass on
The Commissioners briefly discussed the future of the Tree Commission. The Commission is down to six members with no new applications received at this time. Holley said there appears to be some political energy in town questioning the value of all the Commissions. The Commissioners agreed to put this on next month’s agenda.
Tree of the Year Winner: The Pacific Madrone at
Beginning next month Holley will be asking Sager to take over the responsibility of the Daily Tidings Backpage Articles.
Commission Powers and Duties 2.25 –The Commissioners discussed the revisions made to the ordinance.
The Commissioners discussed the idea of the metal grates. Amy was typing a memo regarding the City’s support of tree grates and felt that it should be written by the commissioners as opposed to her.
Siewert will write the article about Living Christmas Trees in time for Thanksgiving in hope that the Tidings will publish it in a timely manner.
ADJOURNMENT - Commissioner Holley adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Carolyn Schwendener, Account Clerk