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--> --> No tree permits for residents By Myles Murphy Ashland Daily Tidings The Ashland Tree Commission will not hold private residents to the requirements of a proposed tree ordinance. The commission Thursday directed Ashland Planning Director John McLaughlin to draft another version of the controversial ordinance, removing language which restricted tree cutting by owners of residential lots smaller than 25,000 square feet. "It would be pointless to keep pursuing this with the residential piece," Commissioner Rich Whitall said. The other commissioners agreed. "It'll be a cold day in hell if the ordinance ever passes (with the residential piece) in Ashland, realistically," Commissioner Bryan Holley said. Owners of land larger than 25,000 square feet may still be included in the commission's recommendation because their land could conceivably be used for larger development in the future. "As a property owner, it's frightening," Resident Barbara Hinds said Thursday. "It would cause people not to plant trees because they would see them as a liability. That's the point of view of someone who loves trees but doesn't want the ordinance." The ordinance came under fire by residents at a recent Ashland Planning Commission study session. Many believed it to be a threat to rights as private property owners. "Listening to the barrage from the public on private property rights has been sobering, but I don't' want to quit," Commissioner Greg Covey said. Commissioners agreed to move forward with the remainder of the ordinance, which would require permits for removal of trees greater than 6 inches in diameter on private non-residential land, and on multi-family zoned lots, and for the removal of trees greater than 18 inches in diameter on public land. Whitall noted that - heated input at the planning study session aside - aspects of the ordinance which don't impact private property rights have been supported by letters and e-mails to the commission. "We do have a broader base of support than was apparent at that meeting," Whitall said. City tree expert Don Todt praised the decision, but not because it upholds the rights of property owners. He said that there has been no link shown between tree cutting on private property and an overall reduction in the city's tree canopy. "In fact, the canopy has increased over the years," Todt said. Ashland City Councilor and Tree Commission liaison Cameron Hanson said he would likely support the rewritten ordinance. "As it was, it was a hot potato that I did not want to hold on the council," Hanson said. A new draft will come back to the commission for consideration in March. The Ashland City Council will have the final say on the proposed ordinance. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing