10/27/2004 - Minutes TREE BOARD
Minutes of October 27, 2004 meeting
Members present: Mr. Tinnin, Mr. Cancelosi, Mr. Haack, Mr. Callan, Mrs.
Gillis
Staff Present: Matt Stine, Dick Bewersdorff
Guest Present: John Frewing
Citizens Present: Alice Ellis-Gaut, Kathy Meads, Pat King (Tigard
Times), Sue Bielke, Dona Hibert, Julie Russell, Lisa
Hamilton-Treick.
1. Meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M.
2. Guest speaker, John Frewing, gave a presentation providing thoughts and
ideas for changes to Tigard's Municipal Code, specifically, Sections
18.790 and 18.745. His outline is:
a. Basis for the Tree Removal Ordinance (TRO)
b. Role of Trees
c. Tigard's Actions
d. Charge to Tigard
e. Economics
f. Useful TRO changes
3. Meeting adjourned 8:45 P.M.
Mr. Frewing;s notes are attached for reference.
TREE BOARD PRESENTATION OCT 27, 2004
Introduction - Frewing, all others
In a previous meeting, you heard how the Tigard Tree Removal Ordinance
(18.790) doesn't work for developers. At the bottom line, it was an issue of
economics, calculating the price of land, the price of development and building
and the market for houses. You heard that the developer community wants to
save trees but cannot with Tigard's ordinance. It was a plea for no ordinance at
all from developers who don't live here.
Washington County has no specific tree ordinance. I thought we should start
with a discussion of why should Tigard have ANY tree ordinance.
- The Bible - quote your own story of scourge of the earth
- English history - tragedy of the commons (Garrett Hardin)
- US Declaration of Independence - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
- Western expansion - pioneers and ranching exploitation of resources
- Teddy Roosevelt - federal protection of some resources
- Wilderness, Endangered Species, Migratory Bird Treaty Acts
- Oregon Land Use Planning Goals (scientific and political bases)
- Tigard Comprehensive Plan has policies to save trees
- Tigard Beyond Tomorrow - survey results 1996, 2004 support trees
Second, we should discuss the role of trees generally and in Tigard.
- History (logging, drinking water, heritage trees)
- Soil erosion, Watershed protection
- Energy (solar, wind breaks)
- Regeneration of soils
- Wildlife habitat - map of tree cover, METRO studies on non-protection
- Aesthetics - influence on market price
Third, we should look at Tigard's past actions
- Tigard's forest history - trees then and now - heritage trees
- Impact on water quality
- Comp Plan omissions
o Mapping of existing vegetation as Goal 5 resource
o NO open space zoning, all res/comm./ind
o Omission of ASC 10 (Senn property) upon 1987 annexation
- Noncompliance
- Nonenforcement - three examples
o Ventura Estates - denuding lots
o Durham Oaks - crowding the largest tree
o Weigela Terrace as an example
Layout of Red Cedar Way parallel vs perpendicular to creek
Error in mitigation calc (12.5 in vs. 282.5 in), developer correct? NO
Changes to tree plan - no show of#10,11 on 10/1 map, fewer save trees
10/13 Itr has no ref to map of a certain date
10/13 Itr says #67 in bldg area - not per plan of same date
10/13 Itr says #10 in new street R.W - not per plan of same date
no tree protection fencing a week after clearing/logging
Fourth, we should look at our charge to PROTECT and RESTORE
Statewide Goal 5
Metro Goal 5 efforts - goals, mapped canopy, connectivity emphasis
1994 Metro Study which led to current Goal 5 efforts
Fifth, we might usefully look at the economics of tree protection
Recent economic analysis of 30,000 homes in Portland show 9 percent
increase
- Int'I Soc of Arborculturists valuation shows large values
- IRS accepts ISA methodology
Finally, we should look at useful changes to Tigard's tree ordinance
- Don't have to start from scratch - index of Oregon tree ordinances
- Change name
- Clarify rules for conversion of forest land under state deferred taxation
- Identify to builders techniques for saving trees - post/piling vs ring
foundation
0 Drill vs trench
o Meander sidewalks
o Reduce setbacks
o Use retaining wall
o Save largest trees
o Define 'significant' cost increase as 10 percent
Clarify that the penalty for violation is the city's cost PLUS the fine
Environmental review/disturbance area limits (PDX) - alternatives
Independent arborist
Cash assurance