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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-07-23 Planning MIN ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES July 23, 2013 CALL TO ORDER Chair Melanie Mindlin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street. Commissioners Present: Staff Present: Troy J. Brown, Jr. Bill Molnar, Community Development Director Carol Davis Maria Harris, Planning Manager Michael Dawkins April Lucas, Administrative Supervisor Richard Kaplan Debbie Miller Melanie Mindlin Tracy Peddicord Absent Members: Council Liaison: None Mike Morris ANNOUCEMENTS Commissioner Dawkins commented on the City Council proceedings for short term vacation rentals. He remarked on how he felt the Planning Commission and staff put forward a good ordinance, but stated the Council decided to bring this item back for further discussion. Council Liaison Mike Morris shared his perspective of the proceedings and stated the ordinance and proposed changes will be discussed again at the Council’s August 19, 2013 Study Session. Community Development Director Bill Molnar announced the Housing Needs Analysis and an ordinance creating a combined Housing and Human Services Commission will go before the City Council on August 20, 2013. PUBLIC FORUM No one came forward to speak. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Unified Land Use Ordinance: Definitions. Planning Manager Maria Harris provided a brief overview of the Definitions section of the Unified Land Use Ordinance. She explained the materials before the commission is a first draft but stated staff wanted to give them a first look. She explained the formatting will be corrected in the next draft, and the graphics will also be inserted. She added there are some definitions in the model code that are worded better than our existing ones, and those many be inserted as well in upcoming drafts. Ms. Harris noted language that was deleted or changed is clearly marked in the packet materials, and highlighted a few of the recommended edits, including: 1) Removing the definition for “Family”, 2) Combining the definitions for “Hotel” and “Motel”, and 3) Editing the definition of “Temporary Use” to read: “a short-term, seasonal, reoccurring, or intermittent use. Such use shall be approved by the Conditional Use Permit only, with such conditions as the City approval body deems reasonable.” Ms. Harris commented on the Focus Group meeting that was held on June 10, 2013; and noted an Open House was held on June 20, 2013. She stated the Focus Group had a few comments, but for the most part were in agreement with what has been put forward. She explained some of the suggestions made at the Open House included decreased setbacks on alleyways and looking at smaller lot sizes, but pursuing these ideas might need to be a next step since they will likely need more involved discussion than the current timeline allows. The Commission expressed their desire to hear the ideas that were put forward and Ms. Harris agreed to bring this back to the group. Ashland Planning Commission July 23, 2013 Page 1 of 2 Commission Comments and Questions:  Comment was made questioning the use of “calendar year” on pg. 5-32 instead of “within twelve months.” Ms. Harris stated this is the way it was worded in the model code, but agreed to look into this.  Recommendation was made for the code to include definitions for “long-term” and “short-term”.  Comment was made questioning the two definitions for “Tree Removal” and Ms. Harris acknowledged that staff is still looking into how to resolve this. She noted most of the other double definitions were easy to sort out, but this one is more difficult. OTHER BUSINESS A. Bi-Annual Attendance Report (January – June 2013) Informational item only. No discussion was held. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Ashland Planning Commission July 23, 2013 Page 2 of 2