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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-25 Planning MIN B ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES February 25, 2020 CALL TO ORDER Chair Roger Pearce called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street. Commissioners Present: Staff Present: Troy Brown, Jr. Bill Molnar, Community Development Director Michael Dawkins Maria Harris, Planning Manager Kerry KenCairn Dana Smith, Executive Assistant Haywood Norton Roger Pearce Lynn Thompson Absent Members: Council Liaison: Alan Harper Stefani Seffinger, absent ANNOUNCEMENTS Community Development Director Bill Molnar announced there would be site visit to the 476 North Laurel Street cottage housing development in lieu of a Study Session March 24, 2020. Ashland was recognized by the National Association of Home Builders for best practices regarding the cottage housing ordinance. PUBLIC FORUM DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Draft Amendments to Open Space Standards Community Development Director Bill provided history on the process. This was an opportunity for the following:  To make the code clearer and more consistent.  Ensure the standard allowed flexibility in having common open space and private open space.  Clarify what could be included and what should not be included in the common areas.  Clear up general standards. Planning Manager Maria Harris provided a presentation (see attached):  When is Open Space Required? What Stays the Same?  Multifamily Development: 231-235 Proposed Amendments for Hersey Definitions  Attached Single-Family Development: Proposed Amendments for 429 Scenic Common Open Space  Attached Single-Family Development: Proposed Amendments for 1068 East Main Private Open Space  Single-Family Detached Development: Open Space Terminology Helman Springs Subdivision  Next Steps Ashland Planning Commission February 25, 2020 Page 1 of 2 Ms. Harris clarified a parameter setback could not be used for common space but could for private yard area. It did not apply to the front yard. The language needed to be cleaned up. She confirmed the minimum dimensions for common open space was 20 feet. Commissioner KenCairn suggested changing the private yard requirement from six-foot depth to an eight-foot depth. The Commission agreed with staff’s recommendation to delete “Common open space may include areas that provide for the preservation or enhancement of natural features such as wetlands, floodplain corridors, ponds, larger tress, and rock outcroppings,” from the following sections:  Section 1. 18.4.2.030 Residential Development, (H) Open Space, (h) Natural Areas.  Section 3. 18.3.9.050 Performance Standards for Residential Developments, (3) Common Open Space Required (a)(iii).  Section 4. 18.6.1.030 Definitions, Common Open Space. The Commission reviewed each section and made changes to the following: Section 1. 18.4.2.030 Residential Development  Rewrite H. Open Space Section 2 (b) Dimensional Standards.  H. Open Space (1)(g) Credit for Proximity to a Park. Change the walking distance from one- quarter mile to one-eighth of a mile. Section 2. 18.2.5.080 Residential Density Calculation in R-2 and R-3 Zones, (F) 3. Density Bonus Point Criteria (b) Common Open Space.  Remove the purpose statements.  Add a reference to Section 1 (H)(2) in (F)(3)(b) Common Open Space, sentence “A one percent sentence bonus shall be awarded for each one percent of the total project area in common open space in excess of the base requirement.” Section 3. 18.3.9.050 Performance Standards for Residential Developments.  In (A)(3) Common Open Space Required (a) Required Area (iii) Natural Areas include the ability to provide unenclosed structures. Section 4. 18.6.1.030 Definitions  First sentence in Open Space, add “Unless otherwise specified in this land use code,” at the beginning and revise “…or structuring urban development and form (or creating a pattern of development).”  Under Open Space, revise the language in Private Open Space to exclude the indication that front yards could be used. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m. Submitted by, Dana Smith, Executive Assistant Ashland Planning Commission February 25, 2020 Page 2 of 2