TREE COMMISSION MINUTES
September 6, 2012
CALL TO ORDER –Ashland Tree Commission meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. on September 6, 2012, in the Siskiyou Room in the Community Development and Engineering Services Building located at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, Oregon.
Commissioners Present | Council Liaison |
Ken Schmidt | Greg Lemhouse - ABSENT |
Tracy Peddicord | |
Tom Myers - ABSENT | Staff Present |
Casey Roland | Michael Pina, Assistant Planner |
Russ Neff | Anne Thayer, Parks Horticulturist - ABSENT |
PLANNING ACTION: PA-2012-01122
SUBJECT PROPERTIES: 175 Lithia Way
APPLICANTS: First Place Partners
DESCRIPTION: A request for preliminary plat approval of a six-lot subdivision for the four vacant properties located at 165-175 Lithia Way, at the corner of Lithia Way and First Street. Also included is a request for Site Review approval to construct a three-story 18,577 square foot mixed-use building with a basement consisting of commercial and residential space on the first floor and residential space on the second and third floors. An Exception to the Site Design and Use Standards’ Downtown Design Standards (VI-B-3) is also proposed to allow for recessed balconies on the front of the building.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial; ZONING: C-1
ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09BA TAX LOTS: 10100, 11601, 11701 and 15000
Piña presented the staff report. In January of 2009, an 18–month extension was granted to the 2007 Site Review approval for the subdivision and building. While a substantial portion of the subdivision’s infrastructure was installed under this extension, outstanding conditions of approval were not addressed, and both the Site Review and Subdivision approvals ultimately expired. With minor exceptions, the building is largely the same as that which was previously approved under the 2007 Planning Action. The Commission reviewed the landscape and tree planting plan and felt it met the requirements of the Site Design and Use Standards, and recommended approval as submitted.
TYPE I REVIEW
PLANNING ACTION: PA-2012-01219
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 56 Third Street
APPLICANT: David McNeil for Barbara Allen
DESCRIPTION: A request for a Tree Removal permit to remove 60-inch in diameter at breast height Redwood tree in the front yard of the property located at 56 Third Street. The tree has damaged the steps, the porch and the sidewalk. The structure is a circa 1900 Historic Contributing structure.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial: ZONING: C-1
ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 09BD TAX LOT #: 1200
All commissioners visited the site. Piña presented the staff report. The property is a small commercial lot that contains a historic-contributing structure. In the front yard, there is a large, 60-inch DBH, juvenile redwood tree that is damaging the structure by lifting the porch and separating the tongue and groove ceiling of the porch. The owner stated the porch and stairs were rebuilt several years ago, and now they have to be rebuilt again due to the tree’s aggressive root system. Commissioner Roland expressed that this particular tree is a great example of its species, and could not find anything wrong with the tree that would require removal; other than being planted in the wrong location. Roland added that since both the home and porch are supported by post and pier construction, that both structures can be rehabilitated to bridge over the roots structure in order to preserve the tree. In fact, all commissioners voiced their reluctance to recommend removal when they felt that alterations to the porch and home could be made that would both preserve the historic integrity of the structure, and preserve the tree. However, the commission also noted that it’s only a matter of time before the tree will eventually outgrow the space, and any future potential damage would only be exasperated by the delay in removal which would become even more costly. Eventually the Commission recommended not to remove the tree at this time, and have a contractor look into rebuilding the porch.