SHADE TREE COMMISSION

MINUTES OF MEETING OF AUGUST 17, 2005

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

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Andy English, Dan Miller, Dana Clay and Secretary Barb McCoy

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

 

The minutes of the meeting of July 20, 2005, were approved with the following correction:

 

Page One, 4th paragraph for Infinity Bar and Grill. - Change “this is required to code…” to

 

 “this is required by code…”

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

·                    Landscape Plan - Enchanted Care Learning Center – 17650 Echo Drive

 

Andy English, landscape architect, submitted a color rendering of the landscape plan.  Mr. English stated the developer is committed to a good plan.  Unfortunately, this site will loose quite a few trees but they will be able to save all the trees on the east side of site.  Hoping to save the grouping of trees at the northwest corner of the property.  Existing street trees will be able to remain or be transplanted or they will be replaced with same species.  Not removing anything above 30” – need to replace total of 32 trees according to the submitted tree preservation plan.  There will be 16 trees in front of the two buildings.

 

It was noted the existing street trees are located approximately 30’ off Echo Drive and they will be required to be moved to the correct location.

 

Mr. Morse stated this plan looks like they have done everything possible.  Mr. Adler commented it appears a lot of the property is being used for the buildings and parking lot.  Mr. Miller stated the buildings cover 17% and with the parking and drive areas it covers 28%.  Lot coverage is 40% in the B-R zoning district, which only means structures not paved area.  Mr. Miller stated the amount of trees being replaced far out weighs amount of parking lot.  There is a trade off with amount of trees they are proposing to retain.  There are 16 crab apples, 22 shade trees, 7 street trees and 14 evergreens proposed.

 

Mr. Morse stated in the past the Commission has counted street trees on tight lots.  It was noted there are no trees proposed for the south side because of the future development being proposed for that area.  Mr. Hoffman stated this site is very well laid out but noted the tulip poplars are not a good choice in this area because of the wet soil.  They will probably not survive.  Mr. English said they would take those three out and do another type of grouping.  Mr. Hoffman stated assuming that all the trees make it, it is a good tree preservation plan.  The Commission needs to address issue of whether some of the trees come down – they will need to be replaced.

 

In review it was noted that 20 trees are required for the vehicular use area; 32 replacement trees and the street trees.  Mr. Morse stated it appears they are making an honest effort.

 

Mrs. McCoy suggested making a motion to justify approving when it is not absolutely 100% in compliance with the ordinance. Discussion held concerning future development of the remaining of that area.  Because of the number of trees it will be practically impossible to have a tree preservation plan 100% in compliance and allow the area to be developed.  Mr. Morse made a motion to approve the landscape plan with the following changes:

 

Ø                                        Replace three (3) proposed tulip poplars on north side of property to a smaller variety of tree with a minimum of five trees being grouped

Ø                                        Add three (3) small ornamental trees between buildings

Ø                                        Landscaping required to be planted around monument sign

Ø                                        Required to follow tree preservation plan, replacing any existing trees that may not survive under the construction of the site.

Ø                                        Provide detailed plan of how the trees will be preserved

 

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Bushong.  Voice vote was unanimous.  Street tree plan for to be revised and resubmitted to Shade Tree Commission for final approval.

 

MISCELLENEOUS:

 

Mr. Adler stated now is the time of year to inspect commercial properties for trees that have died so that property owners can be notified to replace them in the fall.  There is a concern of large number of trees not being replaced.  Suggestion was made for the City to try to address this issue the best they can.

 

Dana Clay, Street Department, stated the honey locust trees planted on Poppy Lane are hanging too low but if they are trimmed the way they should be trimmed there will be nothing left but at the top of the trees.  Mr. Morse stated you should cut a couple limbs at a time until the shape is achieved.  Mr. Hoffman stated you should not be concerned about the shape of the trees now – it is necessary to do it correctly at this time however.

 

Discussion held concerning the definition of “Landscape Material” in Chapter 1140.03.  Mr. Morse stated he believed it was the Commission’s intent to have “ornamental lawn grasses”, not “lawn grasses”.  A memo was requested to Planning Commission recommending to amend the ordinance.

 

Mr. Adler stated inspections should be done in the City on all ash trees in the City right-of-way because of the potential of the ash borer.  Consensus was the City should hire a professional to do this inspection.  Mr. Hoffman stated even firewood brought into the county from other areas of the state or country can bring in the ash borer.  Decision was made to contact Lisa Bowers from ODNR for any suggestions she may have for this type of inspection.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

This meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.