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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-05 Historic MIN ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION Meeting Minutes November 5,2014 Community Development/Engineering Services Building –51 Winburn Way –Siskiyou Room REGULAR MEETING -CALL TO ORDER: 6:01p.m .–SISKIYOU ROOM in the Community Development/Engineering Services Building, located at 51 Winburn Way Historic Commissioners Present: Ms. Renwick, Mr. Skibby, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Shostrom, Mr. Emery, Mr. Swink Commission Members Absent: Mr. Giordono (E),Ms. KenCairn (U) Council Liaison : Mike Morris, Absent Staff Present: Staff Liaison: Amy Gunter, Clerk: Regan Trapp APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mr.Whitford motionedto approve the minutes from October 8, 2014. Ms. Renwick seconded. No one opposed. PUBLIC FORUM: There was no one in the audience wishing to speak. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT :No report was given Mr. Skibby read aloud the procedures for public hearings. PLANNING ACTION REVIEW: PLANNING ACTION: PA-2014-01695 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 488 N Main Street APPLICANT: Michael Lisk OWNER: Vic and Claudia Lively DESCRIPTION: A request for a Site Review approval for a change of use to convert the existing office / residential building located at 488 N Main into a medical marijuana dispensary. No changes to the structure are proposed. The location complies with the recently adopted standards regarding location and is considered as special permitted use in the zone. An exception to the Site Design and Use Standards for parking lot COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: landscaping buffering is also requested. ZONING:ASSESSOR’S MAP: TAX LOTS Employment;E-1;39 1E 05DA; : 3500 Mr. Skibby opened the public hearing for staff comments. Ms. Gunter gavethe staff report. She stated thatthe only changes to the building would be achangefrom residential usage back to office and mercantile/retail. The building had previously been used for offices and retail. Unit 1 & 3 will be used as office space and unit 2 would be used as retail/merchantile, this would eliminate any need for fire separation between different uses. She stated that due to the size of the lot and the placement of the existing structures, an exception will not negatively impact adjacent properties and is consistent with the stated purpose of the standards. The existing handicap parking spot in the front will stay as is and the parking in the back will be moved immediately to the south, allowing the old parking spaces to be used as a place to backup and turnaround. Ms. Gunter mentionedthat there will be no new landscaping but that some will be removed to allow for additional parking spaces. The covered parking space in the back will be converted into a covered bicycle parking area and a screened area for trash. Ms. Renwick motioned to approvePA-2014-01695and Mr. Skibby seconded, no one opposed. PLANNING ACTION: PA-2014-01837 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 95 Winburn Way (“The Ice Rink parking lot”) OWNER/APPLICANT: City of Ashland, Ashland Parks & Recreation DESCRIPTION: A request for Site Review approval to place a canopy over the Ice Rink, a recreational facility within Lithia Park, located at 95 Winburn Way. The application includes requests for Exception to the Site Design and Use Standards (II-C- 1-a and IV-C ) and for a Variance to allow the canopy structure to be placed within the COMPREHENSIVE PLAN required ten-foot side yard setback along Winburn Way. DESIGNATION:ZONING:ASSESSOR’S MAP: Single Family Residential; R-1-7.5; 39 TAX LOTSTAX LOTS 1E 09; : Part of Tax Lot #100 (Lithia Park lot) E 05DA; : 3500 Mr. Skibby opened the public hearing for staff comments. Ms. Gunter gave the staff report. She noted that Winburn Way is part of our local Historic district and is outside the boundaries of the national zone. She stated that this is being treated as a site review butthatin the past was treated as strictly a building permit. Ms. Gunter said that since then the codes have changed and they have had todo asite/land use review. Ms. Gunter emphasized that the primary reason for concernis the white material from the ice rink cover, reflecting sunlight on the neighbor,directly behindthe rinkon Granite. The hope is that spectators can enjoy this facilityduring the season, butthatthe cover is an eyesore to some neighbors. Mr. Skibby asked if this was the same cover that has been used in years pastand Ms. Gunter replied that yes, it was the same one used last year. Mr. Skibby opened up the public hearing to the applicants. Michael Black, Parks and Recreation Director,for Ashland Parks and Recreation addressed the Commission about the planning actionandbriefly outlined the history of the ice rink cover. Mr. Emery questioned what the monthsof operation of the ice rink are andMr. Black told the commission that the cover would need to be on for 4 months. He stated that they replace the cover with something more adequate that better fit the rink itself. He went on to say that the ice rink has a history inLithia Park and he felt, they better replaced what was damaged in the past. Mr. Skibby asked what the material of the cover was and Mr. Black commented that it is a white vinyl and manufactured to serve all kinds of purposes. Mr. Shostromasked if they have contacted the manufacturer to see if there is anything they could do to the cover to prevent glare. Mr. Black stated that there is an option to drape it with some sort of material, called dura-last,but is not sure of the look, or if the tent would hold it, or if the manufacturer would cover it under the warranty. Ruth Kennedy,homeowner at,94 Granite Street, addressed the Commission and went on to say that she opposes the application of the ice rink cover. Ms. Kennedyexplained thatlast year the cover did not come down until mid-Apriland conveyed that the effect this has on her property value is tremendous. She elaborated on the effect that the cover has when the afternoon sun hits it and went on to say that she has to close her drapes because of the glare.Ms. Kennedy called attention to the fact that the tent is massive compared to years pastand it’s 75% bigger than in years past. Ms. Kennedy noted that her realtor told her that if the structure wasapermanent structurethat she should sell her home now. Ms. Kennedyadded that landscaping would help the current situation but that would come at a high cost. J.W.Lion,homeowner at128 Pioneer, lives directly across from the parkand addressed the Commission. Mr. Lionstated the impact that the coverhas on his view is considerablyless than what it is for Ms. Kennedy but said that the size difference is significantly bigger. He conveyed that if the tent were the same size as the original,then hewould have no problem with the cover.Mr. Whitford asked if if Mr. Lion lived in his home when the old tent was up and Mr. Lion stated that no, he did not live at the address when the old tent was up. Mr. Black remarked that yes,the tent is biggerbecause the smaller one was inadequate. Mr.Black conveyed that Ashland Parks and Recreationistrying to provide a recreational opportunity in Lithia Parkandwant to do whatever they can to mitigate the problems. He stressed that they would like to use the covered space for future events during times when the ice rink is not openand to make the purchase useful to the people that use the park. Mr. Black pointed out that the new tent meets the criteria and remained positive that this will be approved by the Planning Commission. Mr. Swink asked about the cost to set up/take down the tent and Mr. Black replied that it takes $11,000 to set up, take down, and store for the season.Mr. Swink also asked about where the cover is stored and Mr. Black replied that part of it is stored at the golf course, maintenance shop, and the other part is stored in Portland, Or, where the manufacturer is located. Mr. Swink askedhow long the vinyl material would last and Mr.Black responded that they have 2 covers because the company sent them the wrong one to begin with but said that they could keep it for backup. Mr. Black elaborated and said the first tent that the company sent them wasthinner and may not be able to be used because of snowloads. Ms. Renwick asked about heavy duty shade cloth andMr. Black stated that putting up the shade cloth would be very hard to make fit. Mr. Black is asking the Commission to considermitigatingthe issuewith the homeowner and provide the visual screening or a suggested resolution. Mr. Shostrom asked for clarification on thepotential of it being a permanent structureandMr. Black said that is was never meant to be a permanent structure but that the Parks Commission would like to keep it up longer in order to hold events there, because the cost to put it up and take it down is costly. Mr. Skibby opened the discussion up for the Commission. Mr. Skibbypointed outthat historically white rooftops are commonin the city and notedthe white dome roof on Chataqua Square.Ms. Renwick said that this is a tough decision and Mr. Whitford said the cover is not an attractive addition to the community. Mr. Swinkdisagreed and said that aesthetically,it’s a beautiful structure andMs. Renwick stressed that the glow from the cover at night seemspretty bad. Mr. Swink said that he is not sure that the landscaping would work, but recommendedtheidea of some sort of cloth(fabric)and stanchionidea(not permanent)to shield the structure from Ms. Kennedy’s view.Mr. Shostrom commented that the structure could be a wind issue butMr. Emerydisagreed andsaid that he doesn’t see it being a problem if it’s not permanent. Ms. Renwick suggested that the ice rink season be cut short but Mr. Emerydisagreed and sees itas more of a community value. Mr. Skibbyagreedthat the cover is neededbut Parks and Recreationwill need to take it down in a timely manner and keep the season short. The Commission emphasized not expanding the use of the rink cover to more than 4 months out of the year. Mr. Shostrom added that the glare is an issue and agrees that the shade cloth would be a good idea.Ms. Gunterimpressed upon the Commission that they shouldfocus on the design standardsand the impact it would have on Lithia Park. Ms. Renwick motionedto approve PA-2014-01837, with the condition to limit skating season to five (5) months from November 1 to March 15, or the “usual” historic season. Mitigation should be achieved on City property and on the adjacent neighbor(s) property to screen the structure and the glare created. Mr. Swink seconded, no one opposed. OLD BUSINESS: There was no old business to discuss. NEW ITEMS: A. Review Board Schedule B. Project Assignments for planning actions C. Iron Mike- Ms. Gunter reported on the news article. She stated that Steve Walker, from the Water Department is going to take over the project of restoring this. Mr. Walker has been in contact with Warner Brothersand SHIPO.Iron Mike is in storage and Mr. Walkeris working to get this project underway. DISCUSSION ITEMS: Mr. Skibby talked about the fountain at Chataqua Square and said that he went to the City Council meeting to address it. He says it’s important to save it as it’s a big part of our culture. Review Board Schedule Nov 6thKeith, Bill, Nov 13thTerry, Sam, BIll th Nov 20Terry, Allison, Bill Nov 26thAllison, Dale, Tom Dec 4thSam, Keith, Allison COMMISSION ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA: Ms. Renwick said that she met with someone on the downtown beautification committee. If there is an opportunity to collaborate with them would we be interested in using some funds for the walkway/alleyway nearEarthly Goods. She is asking that we consider looking into this collaboration. The Commission agreedthat collaborating with this committee is a good ideaand would like to further explore this opportunity. Project Assignments for Planning Actions –Review Update PA-2014-01388107 Fork St.Emery 345 Lithia Way-Gas station conversionto retail/restaurant- PA-2014-01126No building permit yetGiordano PA-2014-00725121 Manzanita-Under constructionWhitford PA-2014-00725469 Allison-Under constructionSwink PA-2014-Swink and 00710/711143/135 NutleyWhitford PA-2014-01283172 SkidmoreShostrom BD-2013-00256175 Lithia Way –Under constructionGiordano PA-2014-0025130 S. First St. –No new permits issuedWhitford PA-2014-00491566 Fairview St. –Under construction/almost doneShostrom BD-2013-00813374 Hargadine –Under construction/almost doneSwink PA-2013-0138814 Calle Guanajuato(Sandlers) Restaurant-Under construction/almost doneRenwick PA-2013-01421270 N. First St.(NishaJackson)-Building permits issuedRenwick ANNOUNCEMENTS & INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Next meeting is scheduled for Dec 3, 2014, at 6:00pm. There being no other items to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 7:57pm. Respectfully submitted by Regan Trapp