Agendas and Minutes

Tree Management Advisory Committee (View All)

Electronic Tree Commission Meeting

Agenda
Thursday, November 03, 2022

TREE COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
November 3, 2022
Draft MINUTES

I.  CALL TO ORDER 
Commission Chair Christopher John called the meeting to order at 6:00 via Zoom.
 
Commissioners:  Commissioners: 
Christopher John              
Asa Cates
Cat Gould 
Eric Simpson
Stephen Jensen, absent
  Park Liaison:
  Peter Baughman
   
  Staff Present:
  Aaron Anderson, SeniorPlanner
 
II.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES 
 
A.  Tree Commission Regular Meeting of September 8, 2022.
 
Commissioners Simpson/Gould m/s to approve the minutes of September 8, 2022 with the following correction: Under Approval of Minutes, correct motion to read “Commissioner Gould abstained as she was not present at the previous meeting.” Voice Vote: All Ayes. Motion passed 4-0.
 
III.  LIAISON REPORTS
 
Parks & Recreation Liaison – Mr. Baughman announced the Japanese Garden is now open. He also reported that street trees located downtown will need to be pruned harder in the future due to an impact with a large truck; the standard is 14’ vertical clearance at the curb.
 
Community Development Liaison – Mr. Anderson noted the commission will discuss the transition to a Management Advisory Committee (MAC) at the end of the meeting.
 
IV.  TYPE I REVIEWS
 
PLANNING ACTION:  PA-TREE-2022-00191
SUBJECT PROPERTY:  855 Mountain Meadows Dr.
OWNER/APPLICANT:  Keila Miramontez for Mountain Meadows Owners Association
DESCRIPTION:  A request for approval to remove seven non-hazard trees located at 855 Mountain Meadows Dr and the surrounding Mountain Meadows property. The trees are located inappropriately for their species type and are currently marked with yellow ribbon. Please contact city staff for clarification of trees proposed for removal. Consistent with the city of Ashland Land Use Ordinance, mitigation plantings will be required. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Health Care; ZONING: HC; MAP: 39 1E 04 AD; TAX LOT: 233.
 
Staff presented the application and stated the trees were either inappropriate for their location or in poor health. Keila Miramontez from the Mountain Meadows Owners Association was present and clarified the trees in between the buildings would be replaced with ornamentals and noted their arborist had suggested Japanese Maple. Commissioner Cates noted that at least two of these are street trees. Commissioner Gould suggested that Madrones could be appropriate, however Commissioner John noted that they are not fire safe and are difficult to transplant. Commissioner Simpson commented that the trees between the building didn’t have enough space. The commission discussed appropriate mitigation trees.
 
Commissioner Cates stated the street trees appear to be suffering from lack of water and noted the ornamentals didn’t appear to be in poor health, but just a little tall. Commissioner John stated that this may be an aesthetic call and was imagining something small and full. Commissioner Cates noted that the street trees appeared to be lacking from appropriate water and wanted to make sure that the mitigation tree is properly irrigated.
 
Commissioners Cates/Gould m/s to approve the application with the condition of approval that all plantings be mitigated with appropriate species and that they be appropriately irrigated. Voice Vote: all Ayes. Motion passed 4-0.
 
PLANNING ACTION:  PA-TREE-2022-00194
SUBJECT PROPERTY:  1671 Clark Ave.
OWNER/APPLICANT:  Tate Dunn
DESCRIPTION:  A request to remove one large Scots Pine at the east side of the property at 1671 Clark Avenue.  The tree is a fire hazard, it has been weakened from frequent topping to avoid interference with powerlines, and it is suffering from a Western Pine Beetle infestation. The application includes a letter from Table Rock Tree Care LLC recommending removal. Two trees are proposed as mitigation. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial; ZONING: C-1; MAP: 39 1E 15 AB, TAX LOT: 8104.
 
Commissioner Cates stated he couldn’t confirm it was a beetle infestation and didn’t think that he saw substantial die back. He further noted that from a fire perspective the tree has been pruned and the cedar fence represents a larger danger. Mr. Baughman thought that there was some pitch but stated that was fairly typical for a Scots Pine of this age. Commissioner John agreed with Commissioner Cates and stated he isn’t sure about the beetles but added that it is not a very attractive tree. There was further conversation about pruning and the location of the tree. Commissioner John stated that it is a ‘messy tree’. Commissioner Cates stated it is not a very good specimen and when considering its location and the power lines, approving the removal seems reasonable so long as it is being mitigated with a replacement planting. Commissioner Gould voiced her agreement.
 
Commissioners John/Cates m/s to approve the application with two mitigation plantings. Voice Vote: all Ayes. Motion passed 4-0.
 
V.  TYPE II & III REVIEWS - None
 
VI.  STREET TREE REMOVAL PERMITS
  • PA-TREE-2022-000191, 812 Plum Ridge
  • PA-TREE-2022-00193, 544 Mountain Meadows
VII.  DISCUSSION ITEMS
  • MAC Update
  • New Development Code Provisions (potential streamlining)
  • Meeting in Person
VIII.  ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
 
 
Next Meeting:  December 8, 2022

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