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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Eyes on the skies: $16.7 million would keep radar stations in top shape through 2030 ... Quills & Queues: Turning the eyes of poetry towards aging ... Police Reports ... Eyes on the skies: $16.7 million would keep radar stations in top shape through 2030 ... Quills & Queues: Turning the eyes of poetry towards aging ... Police Reports ... OUR VIEW Our View: One tree vs. the Ashland community Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Apr. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Apr 7, 2015 at 6:56 PM Posted Apr. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Apr 7, 2015 at 6:56 PM » Social News City officials forced to choose between cutting an old tree and building new affordable housing in the region's least affordable city are in a tough spot, but there is really only one correct choice. The Housing Authority of Jackson County is purchasing a nearly 1-acre lot at Clay and Villard streets from the city for the same price the city paid in 2008. The sale is contingent on the city's granting a permit to cut a 250-year-old cottonwood that stands on the property. The City Council agreed to that condition last month. The Tree Commission will take up the matter at a future meeting, and is expected to say no to the tree-cutting permit. The decision would then go on appeal to the Planning Commission, but the City Council has the final say. (This paragraph has been changed to reflect that the date the Tree Commission will hear the issue has not yet been determined.) Very old trees lend a special character to a town. It's understandable that many residents want to see this tree saved. But that would mean restricting the Housing Authority to building eight or 10 housing units instead of 15 to 20. The city made a deliberate choice not to expand its boundaries to accommodate growth. The result is a real-estate market out of reach of many people who work in Ashland but cannot afford to live here. Leaving one tree in place means not providing affordable housing for perhaps 50 people. An arborist has taken cuttings from the tree to plant elsewhere. So, in a real sense, the tree will continue growing. If the housing is built as planned, the community will, too. DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Apr. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM Updated Apr 7, 2015 at 6:56 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501