SHADE TREE COMMISSION

MINUTES OF MEETING OF MARCH 17, 2004

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Barry Adler, Chad Morse, John Hoffman, Kevin Behrens, Barb Bushong and David Burke.  Dennis DeWeese was excused.

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Terry Brennan and Barb McCoy.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

The minutes from the meeting of February 18, 2004, were approved with the following changes:

 

          Report of Secretary:  Change agrees in third line to advises.

Revised Landscape Plan for Kinetico:  Change last line to “If six trees are planted…

 

REPORT OF SECRETARY: 

 

COMMENTS BY CITIZENS:  None.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

·                    Landscape Plan  - Honda Dealership at Coleman’s Crossing

 

Terry Brennan, contractor for the project, reported that the Coleman’s Crossing project is in limbo; however his company may take on the project.  Within 30 days will come back to this commission for the next approval.  Entire project will be a “campus” when complete.  Will merchandise toward Route 33.  Honda stipulates they want no trees because of the birds and tree sap not mixing with new cars.  Finished grade of the complex will be 1 ½’ higher than current grade.  Route 33 is 3 ½’ higher than the land. 

 

After reviewing Blake Rafeld’s comments, the following was noted:

 

·        45 interior trees required – 0 provided

·        Cannot grant variances

·        Role is to enforce ordinance to provide shade trees, beautify, environmental benefits

·        Cannot substitute 4’ shrubs for shade trees

·        Chapter 1140.02 states purpose of ordinance is not to screen products for automobile                                                                                                                                               

       dealerships

·        Will be approving Honda dealership property only

·        Areas in islands where trees would not cause the problems

·        Can use smaller trees with 15’ diameter total spread where limbs would not be above cars (i.e., Japanese lilacs, ornamental fruitless crabapples)

·        All of parking lot is not dedicated to new and used cars – area dedicated to customer and

employee parking can have trees

·        Suggestion made to plant trees along access road next to dedicated drainage easement

reservation – can plant 4’ off curb

·        Evergreens can be used in area above

·        Any bed that is 8’ across or more have plant shade tree without overhanging of branches on new cars

·        Need one tree in landscape areas to break up 25’ parking space

·        Are they really parking spaces for new and used cars or display areas?

 

After discussion, Mr. Brennan stated he will take the drawing back and place 16-17 trees in the interior, use 4 street trees (medium trees) and the remaining trees will be evergreens along the drainage easement and resubmit.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

·        Revised Landscape Plan – Kinetico at Coleman Crossing

 

Changes were made to the plan as required

 

·                    Changed site data to street trees required 7

·              Changed size 18” to container size of 2 gallons or larger

 

Landscape plan was approved.

 

·                    Arbor Day Activities 2004

 

Discussion held Arbor Day activities with the following noted:

 

Arbor Day activities to be held Monday, April 26, 2004, with rain date of Tuesday, April 27, 2004.   Sean Sech from the Union County Health Department will coordinate and schedule with schools.

 

The time schedule is as follows:

 

Ø                 9:00 a.m. – Mill Valley Park

Ø                 9:30 a.m. – in front of Middle School (newspaper to take pictures)

Ø                 10:00 a.m. – Eljers Park

 

Lane Stillings to have holes dug and trees in place.  Joe Tracey is ordering trees.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

OTHER:  

 

Shade Tree Commission requests Joe Tracey review types of trees to be planted along N. Maple Street with them.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

The next regular meeting scheduled for April 21st.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.