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Ashland tree rules exempt most owners By TONY BOOM Mail Tribune ASHLAND - Most private property owners are likely to be exempt from the city's new tree removal rules. The city's tree commission last week directed planning officials to revise a draft ordinance to exclude most private lots at its meeting. Revisions will be brought back for commission consideration at its March 7 meeting. Overwhelmingly negative comments on inclusion of private property in the ordinance were received at public sessions and in correspondence. Residents strongly urged that private property rights be respected. The draft ordinance, nearly two years in formulation, was subject to public open houses last spring and to scrutiny and comment sessions in January. "I am of the belief that people kind of overreacted to some of the language," said Commissioner Bryan Holley. "It didn't suggest tree removal would come to an end. It just suggested that neighbors and permits would be part of the process." Private property owners would have needed a permit to remove any tree bigger than 18 inches in diameter. The permit process included notice to neighboring property owners. "The goal is to keep all the standards and things in for development, but remove the requirement for private residential properties," said John McLaughlin, city planning director. Developers and some public agencies may be held to the new standards. The rules need approval by the Tree Commission, the Planning Commission and finally the City Council before they become effective. Commissioners directed McLaughlin to consider what lot size should trigger the ordinance. The draft called for a permit to remove trees over six inches in diameter on lots over 25,000 square feet. "You have to treat similar things in a similar fashion, otherwise you are guilty of discrimination," said Jack Blackburn, a property owner whose Oak Street lot exceeds 25,000 feet. "I expect that's kind of the attitude of most people in the city. "We've got more trees in this city than we ever had," said Blackburn, who credits private property owners for their presence. "When you look at (old) pictures of this city it was almost bald." Another resident is worried about other draft items. "I'm a suspicious enough creature that I want to see the new draft ordinance," said Paul Mensch, who spoke against regulations on private property. "I think that (the commission action) addresses most of my concerns. They realized they weren't going to win." Business licenses could be revoked for violation of any portion of the proposed ordinance, said Mensch, a small business owner. He's also concerned about how multi-family residential lots will be handled. Permits would be needed to remove trees six inches or more in diameter under the draft. "It ends up being the difference between individual home ownership vs. multi-family," said McLaughlin. But the issue isn't settled. He expects the commission to consider how condominiums, duplexes and similar properties should be treated. Public agencies receive varying treatment under the proposal. The Parks Department is excluded from regulation, but must submit an annual report on proposed removals. Southern Oregon University and the Ashland School District would need to seek approval to remove trees larger than 18 inches in diameter. City projects would fall under the same standards as developers. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.