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About Cannon Beach gazette. (Cannon Beach, Or.) 1977-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 4, 2015)
10A • December 4, 2015 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com City wants to evaluate all trees before cutting Only unsafe, dying trees may be removed By Dani Palmer EO Media Group Cannon Beach is taking another gander at its tree or- dinance, working to better protect the piece of nature that allows it to lay claim to a Tree City USA status. Planning Commission members discussed the or- dinance during a work ses- sion Nov. 23, but made no decisions. Instead, they plan to seek public input. Those who wish to cut down trees in Cannon Beach must demonstrate a safety hazard or show the tree is dying and receive a permit. One idea suggested at the commission meeting was requiring tree-removal-per- mit applicants to submit to an inspection by the city’s arborist, Will Caplinger. Caplinger examines city trees’ health, but in order to inspect trees on residential property, he needs permis- sion ¿rst. Commissioner Lisa Kerr said the city arborist has no checks and balances on “hired guns” brought in by property owners to evaluate trees. A preliminary city vis- it before any trees are cut could lower citations, Com- missioner Ryan Dewey added. Kerr said a city arborist allowed on residential prop- erty could help resolve sim- ilar issues. Dewey expressed con- cern, however, over peo- ple intentionally damaging trees to get what they want. He also brought up the city’s replacement policy, and suggested allowing people to donate a tree to the city if, in rare circum- stances, a replacement tree wouldn’t ¿t well on their property. “It’s about doing the right thing,” he said. “It’s about replacing something you’ve taken.” Instead of basing pen- alties on the number of trees, Commissioner Hank Johnson said they should examine the possibility of assessing ¿nes on the value of the trees. For example, an older tree 4 feet in diameter would be worth more than a younger 10-inch one. The current ¿ne is 00 per tree. Whether the tree is na- tive or not should not mat- ter, Johnson added. He sug- gested protected statuses for historical or heritage trees, as well. Commission President Bob Lundy asked if such a change could lead to an- other Measure 49 situation. Barnes answered it poten- tially could if the protected status renders a property unbuildable. Measure 49 allows property owners to claim compensation from local or state governments when their property value is reduced by environmental or land use regulations. Commissioner Joseph Bernt said the city needs to also think of protecting resi- dents in the ordinance. “This ordinance is all about preserving trees and protecting trees,” Bernt said. “It doesn’t deal so much with worrying about trees that are likely culprits in storm damage.” If one of the city’s trees are problematic, Cannon Beach staff can remove it, Barnes said. But if the tree is on personal property, it would be between neigh- bors. Insurance could cover damage costs, but the city could not do anything about it. The commission did address an issue on Larch Street that caused com- munity ire. The city was planning to cut down two spruces in the right of way, deeming them unhealthy. But neighbors protested and the tree removal was can- celed. Being a Tree City USA, Dewey said he thinks there needs to be more than a 100-foot neighborhood no- ti¿cation. “I think this is really im- portant,” he said, adding they need to talk with the community and do much consideration before mak- ing changes. Kerr agreed, but said the city should begin a draft with the ideas presented. Barnes said he had enough to do so. It will be January, at the earliest, before the issue comes back to the commis- sion. DANI PALMER/CANNON BEACH GAZETTE Boy scout Jeff Lafferty, 15, of Astoria, helps plant a tree during Cannon Beach’s Tree City USA celebration in Sep- tember. The city is planning a revision of its ordinance. Response to new market has been ‘overwhelmingly positive’ Market from Page 1A Tim said they will work with local vendors to supply items like baked goods and partner with Sleepy Monk for the coffee portion. The cafe area will feature an in- side eating area seating 17, an outside sitting area and Wi-Fi connection. A second Àoor will con- sist of of¿ces. Tim said they expect the volume of customers to be about the same as Manzani- ta Fresh Foods. “It could potentially be much larger,” he added. “We’re trying not to get the cart before the horse but based on lodging” and vis- itor numbers, there could be more customers at the Can- non Beach location. The Manzanita location receives 800 to 3,000 trans- actions daily. Tim Welsh added they have had numer- ous people from Arch Cape and Cannon Beach stop by. With Manzanita Fresh Foods growing, an inÀux of visitors from the South Clat- sop County area and its in- crease in tourism, Jon Welsh said Cannon Beach seemed the ideal place to expand. But they were also cau- tious about planning, he added, as “commercial real estate is hard to come by there in Cannon Beach.” However, within two weeks SUBMITTED PHOTO/CANNON BEACH GAZETTE A large wine selection is coming to the new Cannon Beach Fresh Foods. of seriously discussing the new store, the family had secured the land. “It came together really quick,” Jon said. The family has spent time during the last six months meeting with gen- eral contractor Vito Cerelli from O’Brien and Company and speaking to other local businesses. The response from Can- non Beach has been over- whelmingly positive, they said. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Court Carrier has called Fresh Foods a great addition to the food and beverage industry in Cannon Beach. The store plans to hire 30 employees. “We realize people have bills to pay, a life to live, so we try to offer them full-time,” Tim Welsh said. Part-time is available for those who seek that option. Employees work harder over the summer during the 18TH ANNUAL Providence Seaside Hospital Foundation invites you to be GD]]OHGDQGGHOLJKWHGWKLVKROLGD\VHDVRQ SATURDAY, DEC. 5 COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE FEATURING SANTA CLAUS 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free admission G Beautiful Christmas trees G Kids’crafts G Cookie decorating GALA DINNER AND AUCTION Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets: $100 per guest; $1,000 for table of 10 Entertainment by Acústica World Music SEASIDE CIVIC AND CONVENTION CENTER 415 FIRST AVE., SEASIDE, OR 97138 For reservations or more information, please call 503-717-7601 or visit www.ProvidenceFestivalOfTrees.org/Seaside. 4VSGIIHWFIRI½X TVSKVEQWERHWIVZMGIW WYTTSVXIHF] tourist season, but the store doesn’t have to let anyone go in the off-season, he added. Produce manager Ezra Irving and store manag- er Khy *rif¿n have been training at the Manzani- ta location in preparation. Both have experience with natural foods. Tim said they hope to set a time for groundbreak- ing ceremony this week. Meanwhile potential Can- non Beach customers may check out Fresh Foods Can- non Beach on Facebook to offer product selection in- put. “It’s a chance to make the store theirs,” Jon said.