03/13/1978 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Haws wondered how the exceptions work and who would determine whether or not they were applicable. Mr. Long said an individual would cut a tree at his own risk, and if he were to make an error in judgment he would do so at his own peril. Mr. Long said the Parks Department and the Building Department probably would be receiving many requests asking for advice before trees were removed. He also noted private citizens usually do not cut on rights-of-way, but the City and EWEB would be responsible for clearing trees in those areas. - Mr. Bradley wondered if there were anything in the Code to prevent the following situations: a developer who owned 50 acres and subdivided it into 100 parcels with 20,000 square feet or less from applying for building permits and clear cutting the area. Mr. Long said there was nothing to prevent such a situation, but the practical economic constraints of a person obtaining that many permits and the fact that the lots would be worth less with no trees would probably curtail such activity. Public hearing was opened. Those speaking in favor of the tree cutting amendment were as follows: . Jerry Jaqua, 2490 West 21st Avenue, Hawkins Highlands Neighborhood Organization, referred to the Zellner tree cutting in the South Hills. He felt the proposed tree ordinance would tighten the restriction and will eliminate further wholesale cutting. Jim Johnston, 179 West 37th, Crest Drive Neighborhood Association, 4IIt expressed that Association's concern about the saving of trees especially in the South Hills area. He referred to the Zellner cutting of trees in that area and said it was his understanding that Mr. Zellner was going to cut 60 more trees recently. Additional cutting of trees is contrary to the Cityls planning and at odds with the proposed ordinance. He urged Council to adopt the proposed ordinance to prevent further deterioration of the valuable resource in the City. Those speaking against the tree cutting ordinance were as follows: Robert Horne, 2333 West 29th, who cited the recent ice storms and the danger of trees falling on his house. He questioned who would be liable if in a strong wind storm or a subsequent ice storm a tree were to fall across his house. He was also concerned about the safety regarding cutting of dangerous trees. He noted he was a member of the Lane County Safety Commission and asked, again, who would be liable for the trees falling on other people's property. George Zellner, 92456 Coburg Road, addressed the question of dangerous trees. He noted if houses were built under or next to large trees and strong winds were to occur, there could be a danger involved to the houses located in such an area. He refuted the statements that he had clear cut in the Panorama Subdivision area. He said all small - 3/13/78--2 '5~ Ii