ASHLAND TREE COMMISSION

MINUTES

August 7, 2008

CALL TO ORDER –Commissioner Rinaldi called the Ashland Tree Commission meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. on August 8, 2008 in the Siskiyou Room in the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

NO Minutes to approve

GUEST SPEAKER

Barbara Christensen – City Recorder attended the meeting and discussed public meetings law. She also explained to the commissioners what they are to do when they are uncomfortable with a situation that is happening at the meeting. She also explained that anyone can attend a meeting but if they wish to speak they then have to provide their name and address.

TYPE I REVIEW

PLANNING ACTION:  2008-01005

SUBJECT PROPERTY: 637 / 649 East Main Street

APPLICANT:  Donnan and David Runkel

DESCRIPTION: Request for a Conditional Use Permit and Site Review approval to construct two additional motel units for the two properties located at 637 & 649 East Main Street, Anne Hathaway’s Cottages. The motel units will be located at the rear of the 637 E Main Street property.  The application includes a request for a Tree Removal Permit to remove an 11-inch diameter at breast height Ash tree, a request for an exception to the Site Design and Use Standards to not install the required five-foot landscape buffer between property lines and an exception to Street Standards to not pave the alley.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial; ZONING: C-1; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 09 AC; TAX LOTS: 7700 & 7800

Discussion: The Commissioners expressed concern for the trees shown on the plan proposed at the rear of the property which will be very close to the new construction and are already constrained by the paved parking area.

Recommendations: 

That if the trees at the rear of the parcel do not survive construction they shall be replaced with appropriate landscaping.

PLANNING ACTION:  2008-01136

SUBJECT PROPERTY: 404 Bridge Street

APPLICANT:  Ashland Community Land Trust (ACLT)

DESCRIPTION: Request for Site Review approval to convert an existing two-unit apartment to condominiums and construct two new condominiums on the site for the property located at 404 Bridge Street. The application also includes: 1) A request for a Variance to allow one less parking space than required - the applicants propose to provide seven parking spaces where eight spaces are required; 2) An Administrative Variance to the Parking Lot Landscaping and Screening Standards to provide parking within 4˝-feet of a residence where 8-feet is required; and 3) Tree Removal Permits to remove three trees larger than six-inches in diameter.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: High Density Multi-Family Residential; ZONING: R-3; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 10 CC; TAX LOTS: 1400

Recommendations: 

1)     That the street tree nearest the northern lot line shall be moved to the south away from the large cedar tree on the adjacent property.

2)     That an additional tree shall be planted at the rear of the existing duplex in the lawn area near the bicycle parking rack.

3)     That the Tree Commission supports meandering the sidewalk with a meander that begins at the Tree Protection Zone.

4)     That a revised Tree Protection plan shall be submitted that accurately depicts the tree protection fencing locations, outside of the proposed building footprints.

PLANNING ACTION:  2008-01137

SUBJECT PROPERTY: 255 Helman Street

APPLICANT:  Dreamsacks, LLC

DESCRIPTION: Request for a Site Review approval to enlarge and upgrade the existing office space at the old Parsons Pine building for the property located at 255 Helman Street, a request to remove an 18”black locust tree. Also included is a request to install landscaping and arbor structures on the adjacent E-1 zoned property to the south which is under the same ownership.  The application also includes a request for an exception to the Street Standards.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Industrial & Employment; ZONING: M-1 & E-1; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 04 CC; TAX LOTS: 200 & 1700

Recommendations:   None

PLANNING ACTION:  2008-01181

SUBJECT PROPERTY: 720 Walker Street

APPLICANT:  Maria Luisa Guzman

DESCRIPTION: Request for a Conditional Use Permit and Site Review approval to convert two existing houses, previously used as a group home for the property located at 720 Walker Street. The application also includes a request for an exception to street standards to install sidewalks on Clark Street that do not conform to City standards.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single-Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 15 AC; TAX LOTS: 9100

Discussion: The commission expressed concern regarding the proposed preservation of the Cedar trees. The trees need to be continuously topped to allow clearance room for the powerlines and that trees health will be further compromised. Wrong tree, wrong place.

Recommendations: 

1)     That one street tree for every 30 feet of frontage shall be installed along the Walker Avenue All street trees shall be chosen from the              adopted Street Tree List and shall be installed in accordance with the specifications noted in Section E of the Site Design and Use                 Standards. The street trees shall be irrigated.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

PLANNING ACTION: 2008-00596    

SUBJECT PROPERTY: 165 W Fork Street

APPLICANT:  Ashley Jensen

DESCRIPTION:  Physical and Environmental Constraints Review Permit for the development of hillside lands including severe constraints land. The proposal is to construct a new single-family residential home, the associated excavation for utility installations and driveway construction. The application also includes an Administrative Variance for the height of the retaining wall along the north property line to exceed the allowed five-foot height limit.  Property is located at 165 W. Fork.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single-Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 09BC; TAX LOTS: 3600

Discussion: No recommendations – support Arborist’s recommendations regarding trenching for utilities near trees #11 and #12.

PLANNING ACTION:  2008-00801

SUBJECT PROPERTY: 960 Harmony

APPLICANT:  Bill Emerson for Jendrisak and Berry

DESCRIPTION:  Request for a Conditional Use Permit and Site Review approval for a 592 square foot Accessory Residential Unit above a proposed two-vehicle garage accessed from the alley for the property located at 960 Harmony.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 15AC; TAX LOTS: 1500

Recommendations:   None

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Tree Walk: Anne Rich, Kelly and John planned a tree walk for September 20 from 2 PM to 4 PM in Lithia Park. North Mountain Park printed the info about it in their guide.

Tree of the Year: Its time for Tree of the Year to begin. Nomination forms are available on the City of Ashland website, and Amy will write an article for the Backpage of the Daily Tidings and the Local’s Guide. Ballots need to be created after the October meeting. Each Commissioner will write a description for the ballot.                 

Current Balance - $500.00

ADJOURNMENT - Commissioner Sager adjourned the meeting at 8:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Amy Anderson, Assistant Planner