ASHLAND TREE COMMISSION

MINUTES

October 6, 2011

 CALL TO ORDER –Ashland Tree Commission meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m. on October 6, 011, in the Siskiyou Room in the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, Oregon.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

September 8^th Tree Commission Minutes – Townsend motioned/Peddicord seconded to approve the September 8^th, 2011 regular meeting minutes Voice vote: all AYES, Motion passed.  The minutes were approved as submitted.

WELCOME GUESTS & PUBLIC FORUM

None

TYPE I REVIEW

PLANNING ACTION:                        2011-01283                            

SUBJECT PROPERTY:          440 Normal Avenue

APPLICANT:                          City of Ashland           

DESCRIPTION:                      A request for a Conditional Use Permit to allow the temporary relocation of Fire Station #2 equipment and personnel to the Mountain View Cemetery offices located at 440 Normal Avenue for the duration of construction for the new Fire Station #2 building.  Cemetery offices will be temporarily housed in a modular building to be placed on the site during this period.  The only proposed exterior modification to the existing cemetery building is the enlargement of an existing garage door to accommodate ambulance parking in the building’s garage.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Low Density Multi-Family Residential;

ZONING: R-2; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 10 DD; TAX LOT: 100

Michael presented the application.

Essentially the project composes of the Fire department utilizing the existing cemetery building as a temporary Fire Station Number 2 while construction occurs across the street. A temporary modular trailer will be placed under a large tree canopy and on top of long established root zones to house personal. The commission discussed the trailer placement and impacts due to trailer placements and foot traffic in the root zone.  After reviewing the application, the Commission recommended that the trailer be relocated south of the proposed location and outside of the root zone. 

ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS

Groasis Box: Commissioner Townsend stated that SOU is interested in purchasing 2 of the 10 requested Groasis boxes that we are ordering. Michael stated that we are in the process of ordering the boxes, however due to the Dutch banking system, payment is difficult. Staff will continue to work in the ordering. 

Process Discussion: Townsend contacted staff a few weeks ago to discuss the Tree Commission’s role in educating the community while not having to dismiss themselves for planning actions. Staff said that either Derek or Bill are willing to attend a future Tree Commission meeting to better explain the process.

Liaison Reports

            Anne Thayer, Parks    

            Russ Silbiger, City Council Liaison

New Items

Current Balance $750.00

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 pm. The Next Meeting will be Thursday, November 3, 2011

Respectfully submitted by Michael Piña, Assistant Planner