ASHLAND TREE COMMISSION

MINUTES

December 9, 2010

CALL TO ORDER –Ashland Tree Commission meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. on December 9, 2010, in the Siskiyou Room in the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, Oregon.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

November 4^th, 2010 Tree Commission Minutes – Roland motioned/Meyers seconded to approve the November 4^th, 2010 regular meeting minutes Voice vote: all AYES, Motion passed.  The minutes were approved as submitted.

WELCOME GUESTS

No guests

PUBLIC FORUM

None

TYPE I PLANNING REVIEW

PLANNING ACTION:         2010-01364

SUBJECT PROPERTY:     495 S. Mountain/351 Walker Ave.

APPLICANT:                    SOU/State of Oregon

DESCRIPTION:                A request for a Hazard Tree Removal Permit to remove 2 trees located on SOU property. One is a half-dead Maple tree is located in parking lot #36, at the intersection of S. Mountain Avenue and Ashland Street; and the other is a Deodara Cedar located on the athletic fields, north of the Facilities Maintenance and Planning building, west of Walker Street.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:  SOU;

ZONING: SO; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 09DD/10CD; TAX LOT: 7400/100

The Tree Commission has recommended the following for the above planning action:

1)   Applicant to choose an appropriate tree from the tree planting list that will do well in a parking lot for the removal of the diseased Maple in parking lot #36. And a tree that will be the same stature once mature as the one removed.

2)   The Tree Commission recommends denial of removal of the Cedar adjacent to the FMP building off Walker Ave. If removal is approved, then chosen replacement is a poor choice and Commission recommends that the applicant chose another tree suitable for that area.

PLANNING ACTION:         2010-01596   

SUBJECT PROPERTY:     585 Clay Street

APPLICANT:                    Stratford Apartments

DESCRIPTION:                 A request for a Tree Removal permit to remove 5 damaged or diseased trees located in the common open space within property boundaries of the apartment complex. The trees have been evaluated by a certified arborist. 

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:  Multi-family Residential;

ZONING: R-2; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 14BB; TAX LOTs: 800 & 900

The Tree Commission has recommended the following for the above planning action:

1)      The Commission recommends removal of trees as shown on the submitted plans.

2)      The Commission also recommends that the Crimson King and Autumn Blaze Maples not be planted near sidewalks or other walking surfaces.  Perhaps a Corinthian or American Linden.

PLANNING ACTION:         2010-01605   

SUBJECT PROPERTY:     546 Scenic Dr.

APPLICANT:                    Lowell & Susan Masters

DESCRIPTION:                 A request for a Tree Removal permit to remove 1 damaged Mulberry Tree located in the front yard at 546 Scenic Drive.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:  Multi-family Residential;

ZONING: R-2; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 05DA; TAX LOTs: 5302

The Tree Commission has recommended the following for the above planning action:

1)   Applicant to choose an appropriate tree from the tree planting list that will do well under power lines.

2)   Applicant should choose a species with a thicker bark that will do well with southern sun exposure and street side impacts.

ACTION ITEMS

DISCUSSION ITEMS

As part of 2011-2012 Goal setting agenda, the Tree Commission discussed projects that the TC can attempt to accomplish in the coming years. The following list is the result of a brainstorming session that the Tree Commission members had at their regular meeting.

·         Produce a biannual report (at Arbor Day and Tree of the Year presentations) to the City Council regarding projects and events.

·         Create an educational pamphlet that speaks to water uses, hiring a contractor, proper pruning techniques, and other information that can go in the utility bill. Also place ISA brochures in the utility bill.   

·         Work with the Public Works Dept on developing Green Street standards as it relates to trees and planting the park row.

·         Revisit an Urban Forestry program.

·         Transfer older inventories (Lithia Park, Siskiyou Blvd, etc.) into digital format and see if there are opportunities from the GIS dept to create a “tree layer” to make inventories more workable in the future. Phase Two will be to have a city-wide tree inventory and develop a management plan.  

·         Tree planting assistance program.

ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS

Liaison Reports

None

New Items

Roland mentioned that he has noticed several outfits performing work on trees that are not licensed by either the CCB and/or LCB in Oregon. He wonders what enforcement action the City can take to help reduce the number of illegal contractors working on trees in our community. Staff noted that this is a problem, but we don’t have the resources to be out on the streets at all times, and we will rely on the community to be our eyes and ears. One method for identifying the individuals is for citizens to fill out a code compliance complaint form with the offender’s name and business so that we can send them a letter stating that they are in violation, and require they have a valid CCB license in addition to a City Business license. Kate Jackson noted that a new protocol for approving city business license renewal is to have staff make sure that the applicants submit all of their required licenses and fees before renewing their business license and therefore permitting them to perform work within the city.

ADJOURNMENT– The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Michael Piña, Assistant Planner