ASHLAND TREE COMMISSION
MINUTES
July 7, 2011
CALL TO ORDER –Ashland Tree Commission meeting was called to order at 6:05 p.m. on July 7, 2011, in the Siskiyou Room in the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, Oregon.
Commissioners Present |
Council Liaison |
Russ Neff |
Russ Sibliger - ABSENT |
Casey Roland |
|
Tom Meyers |
Staff Present |
Tracy Peddicord |
Michael Pina, Assistant Planner |
Bobby Townsend – ABSENT |
Anne Thayer - ABSENT |
|
|
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
June 9th Tree Commission Minutes – Peddicord motioned/Neff seconded to approve the June 9th, 2011 regular meeting minutes Voice vote: all AYES, Motion passed. The minutes were approved as submitted.
WELCOME GUESTS
Ali True, Firewise Communities Coordinator. Ali gave a 20 minute presentation on Firewise landscaping and the benefit it has on the safety of residents. In the case of the 2010 Oak Knoll fire, Ali indicated how landscaping alone helped to both fuel and stop the fire onto neighboring properties.
PUBLIC FORUM
None
TYPE I PLANNING REVIEW
PLANNING ACTIONS: 2011-00738
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 1405 Tolman Creek Road
APPLICANT: Malibar Group, LLC
DESCRIPTION: A request for Outline and Final Plan approval for an eight-lot Performance Standards Subdivision to be developed in three phases for the vacant property located at 1405 Tolman Creek Road. The application also includes requests for a Variance to reduce the number of on-street parking spaces by fifty percent in order to preserve a large (60-inch diameter) maple tree; an Exception to Street Standards to not install sidewalks along a portion of the new street; and a Physical & Environmental Constraints Review Permit to allow utility installation within the Hamilton Creek floodplain along Tolman Creek Road.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 23 BA; TAX LOT: 308 and 501
Site visits were performed by all.
Michael read the staff report.
Mark Knox and Laurie Sager were in attendance on behalf of the applicant.
Michael Hitchcock (2360 Lupine) and James Lindow (2370 Lupine), residents west of the Green Meadows subdivision, west of proposed subdivision were also in attendance.
John Fields (845 Oak) was also present for James Lindow.
The Commission heard testimony from the applicant. The project Landscape Architect Laurie Sager told the Commission that the applicant has gone to great lengths to preserve the Large Maple at the end of the proposed Street and other significant trees on the property; including the Black Walnut and Pine tree located on the west property boundary. Two adjoining neighbors of the Green Meadows Subdivision also spoke regarding cluster of trees along the west property line of the project. They stated that they appreciate the applicant is taking steps to preserve the significant trees on the lot, but had questions regarding the preservation of the trees after development occurs on the individual parcels. Staff stated that we can condition the approval of the subdivision to preserve the trees during construction and place a deed restriction to protect the trees. The Commission also discussed the need for sidewalks to be placed on both sides of the street when the street length is so short and the subdivision is so small. Mark Knox stated that this is City standard. Staff concurred with Knox and added that an Exception to Street Standards would have to be requested by the applicant to approve the exception. Overall, the Commission was disappointed in the multiple errors on the Landscape Plan, and requested that the revised tree protection plan be submitted with protection measurements in feet from the trunk, rather than at the drip line of the tree.
Commissioner Neff moved to approve, all were in favor.
PLANNING ACTION: 2011-00787
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 540 YMCA Way
APPLICANT: YMCA/Adroit Construction
DESCRIPTION: A request for Commercial Site Review to place a 144 square foot mechanical building at 540 YMCA Way. The structure will be placed in the northeast corner of the next to the Tolman Creek right-of-way. The application is also to remove a multi-trunk Elm tree placed in a landscape median adjacent to Tolman Creek.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial;
ZONING: C-1; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 11CD; TAX LOT: 1000
Site Visits all.
Michael presented the staff report.
The Commission shared staffs concern regarding the applicant “using their best judgement” when trenching in within the tree’s root zone. Staff proposed two conditions for the Commission’s review as recommendations. All agreed that a licensed arborist should supervise the work on site.
Commissioner Myers moved to approve, all were in favor.
PLANNING ACTION: 2011-00696
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 636 Ashland Creek Road
APPLICANT: Peter L. Cipes Building Design
DESCRIPTION: A request for Physical and Environmental Constraints Review Permit approval to construct a 3,475 square foot single-family home on slopes greater than 25 percent for the property located at 636 Ashland Creek Drive. The application includes a request for an Administrative Variance from the Development Standards for Hillside Lands to allow for two small sections of the south vertical wall to be at 21 feet, and 21 feet, 6 inches high respectively on the downhill side of the home where only a 20 foot downhill wall height is typically allowed; and a modification of the Lithia Creek Estates subdivision (PA-94-003) to allow the allocation of some lot coverage from subdivision open space to the subject property.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: RR-.5
ZONING: RR-.5; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 17AA; TAX LOT: 1128
Site Visits all.
Michael presented the staff report.
The Commission had no comment on the application except that they questioned the need to remove the 7” Cedar that appears to be outside of the building envelope, and within the proposed tree protection plan.
Commissioner Roland moved to approve, all were in favor.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Groasis Water Boxes: Staff relayed the information that we were not able to purchase the Goasis boxes with an order of 10 units. The Commission felt disappointed that no one called us back regarding out purchase inquiry. Perhaps we can find another innovative product at some point to try out.
The Commissioners also discussed procedures for filing tree removal/landscaping notification procedures. Some Commissioners had had trouble meeting applicants on site during their inspection of the property and trees. Roland asked if staff could ask the applicants for a window of time to perform site visits. Also, in light of in accurate plans, can the trees be marked in a non-invasive manner so that Commissioners know they are looking at the right tree.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
Liaison Reports
None
New Items:
None
Current Balance $750.00
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM. Next Meeting: Thursday, August 4, 2011
Respectfully submitted by Michael Piña, Assistant Planner