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
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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
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