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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-28 Planning MIN ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 28, 2016 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 Michael Dawkins Maria Harris, Planning Manager Melanie Mindlin April Lucas, Administrative Supervisor Haywood Norton Roger Pearce Absent Members: Council Liaison: Debbie Miller Greg Lemhouse, absent Lynn Thompson ANNOUNCEMENTS/AD HOC COMMITTEE UPDATES Community Development Director Bill Molnar announced the City Council approved first reading of the ordinance modifying the Verde Village development agreement with two modifications: 1) a requirement for the homes to be Earth Advantage zero net ready, and 2) for the applicants to work with staff to provide additional east/west pathways. PUBLIC FORUM Huelz Gutcheon/2253 Hwy 99/Commented on climate change mitigation including: solar panels, windmills, led lights, and electric vehicles. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A.Adoption of Findings for PA-2016-00684, Union Pacific Railroad Property. No ex parte contact was reported. Commissioners Pearce/Dawkins m/s to approve the Findings for PA-2016-00684. Voice Vote: all AYES. Motion passed 5-0. DISCUSSION ITEMS A.Comprehensive Plan Amendment – Citizen Involvement and Participation Chapter. Planning Manager Maria Harris explained in April 2016 the City Council unanimously approved a modification to AMC Chapter 2.27 to designate the Planning Commission as the city’s committee for citizen involvement. Ms. Harris provided the background information on state planning goal #1 and the former Citizens Planning Advisory Committee (CPAC). She stated the Planning Commission will now be responsible for those duties, which include enhancing citizen involvement in land use planning and evaluating the process being used for citizen involvement. Ms. Harris stated in order to reflect the City Council’s recent decision the Ashland Comprehensive Plan will need to be modified to remove the reference to the CPAC. This will require a public hearing before the Planning Commission and an ordinance by the City Council. Staff was asked about the language in state planning goal #1 that references a geographic representation. Mr. Molnar clarified the geographic area for Ashland is very small, at just over 6 square miles, and by having more than 100 citizen volunteers serving on city commissions and committees there is an adequate geographic cross section being represented. He added staff Ashland Planning Commission June 28, 2016 Page 1 of 2 has consulted with the local representative for the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development and he had no concerns about Ashland meeting the requirements. Staff went on to explain that following the public hearings and ordinance adoption the Planning Commission may want to consider forming a small subcommittee to evaluate citizen involvement and how that might be improved. B.Council Initiation of Zone Change – North Pioneer Street. Community Development Director Bill Molnar stated this item is for informational purposes and clarified the formal public hearing will be held in August or September 2016. He explained in February 2016 the City Council unanimously directly staff to prepare a land use application that would modify the zoning of 150 N. Pioneer. Mr. Molnar commented on the surrounding area and the former and current use of the property and explained the application would rezone the lot from R-2 multi-family residential to C-1 commercial. Stan Potocki/150 N Pioneer/Stated he is the property owner and was assured back when the city’s parking lot went in on the adjacent lot that his property would be commercially rezoned. However that never occurred. Mr. Potocki stated his property has served as a commercial business for over 40 years and the properties across the street and next door are all commercial as well. He shared the issues he has had to deal with by having a city parking lot next door, including a large volume of vehicle traffic and parking issues, car alarms, dogs barking, and in the evenings people consume alcohol along the property line and throw their cans and bottles into his yard. Mr. Potocki stated this property is simply not suited for residential use. Mr. Molnar stated the merits of the rezone will be discussed at the public hearing and tonight’s presentation was to provide the commission with the background information. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Submitted by, April Lucas, Administrative Supervisor Ashland Planning Commission June 28, 2016 Page 2 of 2