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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-23 Planning PACKET Note: Anyone wishing to speak at any Planning Commission meeting is encouraged to do so. If you wish to speak, please rise and, after you have been recognized by the Chair, give your name and complete address for the record. You will then be allowed to speak. Please note that the public testimony may be limited by the Chair and normally is not allowed after the Public Hearing is closed. ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM, Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street II. ANNOUNCEMENTS III. AD-HOC COMMITTEE UPDATES IV. PUBLIC FORUM V. PRESENTATION A. RVTD Transportation Demand Management Presentation by Edem Gomez, TDM Planner. VI. DISCUSSION ITEM A. Discussion of Master Planning Approach VII. ADJOURNMENT In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Community Development office at 541-488-5305 (TTY phone is 1-800-735-2900). Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title 1). Memo DATE: September 23, 2014 TO: Ashland Planning Commission FROM: Maria Harris, Planning Manager RE: Discussion of Master Planning Approach SUMMARY The City Council identified an assessment of the master planning approach as one of three planning projects for the next 24 months. Specifically, the focus is to evaluate the advantages and drawbacks of specialized zoning designations and development standards in neighborhood plans. BACKGROUND The project was originally identified at the December 17, 2013 meeting of the City Council. The issues raised were whether or not the master planning approach adds unnecessary time and complexity. Specifically, the Council questioned creating special districts and rules for different geographic areas. In terms of timing, there was a concern that producing a new tailored set of standards for specific neighborhood plans may be extending the timeline of the projects. Past neighborhood master planning efforts resulted in the adoption of new Comprehensive Plan designations, zoning districts, and development standards specific to that planning area. Chapter 18.30 NM North Mountain Neighborhood and Section VII North Mountain Neighborhood Design Standards were adopted in 1997 to implement the North Mountain Neighborhood Plan, and Chapter 18.53 CM Croman Mill and Section VIII Croman Mill District Standards were adopted in 2010 to implement the Croman Mill Site Redevelopment Plan. Master plans, also known as neighborhood plans and specific area plans, are generally defined as a relatively detailed plan for the development of a particular part of a city. A few of the commonly discussed benefits are listed below. Provide a method for planning to meet housing or employment needs while also providing a connected street system, preserving environmental resources, integrating neighborhood character and architecture, and increasing neighborhood amenities, such as stores, parks, trails, and schools. By looking at a neighborhood as a whole and within the context of the larger community, this planning tool provides a framework for making tradeoffs so that neighborhoods evolve in a balanced way and the community achieves its overall vision. Play a proactive rather than reactive role in shaping development by spelling out the land use policies and regulations applicable to the development of a particular area and the capital improvements needed to support that development. Page2 of 2 Provide predictability for both existing neighbors and for developers. Ideally, by involving the public in the planning process at an early stage, the resulting plan represents a consensus between residents, public officials, and developers. Neighborhood plans can serve as a way to integrate future development while preserving and enhancing the character of neighborhoods. ATTACHMENTS 1. March 18, 2014 Council Communication and attachments 2. December 17, 2013 Minutes for the Regular Ashland City Council Meeting 3. Neighborhood Plans, Planning and Urban Design Standards, American Planning Association, 2006 DEPT. OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Tel: 541-488-5305 20 E. Main Street Fax: 541-552-2050 Ashland, Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900 www.ashland.or.us Council Communication March 18, 2014, Business Meeting Prioritization of Future Planning Initiatives FROM: Maria Harris, Planning Manager, harrism@ashland.or.us SUMMARY: The City Council and Planning Commission identified three high priority long-range planning projects at a joint study session on January 28, 2014. Staff requests the Council affirm the three high priority long-range planning projects, including the review of downtown zoning, assessment of approach to master planning, and infill strategies along transit corridors, identified at the January 28 joint study session. Upon the Council’s endorsement, staff will proceed with developing a timeline and work plans for the high priority projects. BACKGROUND: The Council and Commission met on January 28, 2014 to discuss the list of future planning initiatives. The following projects were identified as the highest priority from a list of eight potential long-range planning projects. Review of Downtown Zoning (including Winburn Way corridor) Analyze zoning in the downtown and areas adjacent to the downtown, and develop options for potential changes to designations, permitted land uses, and code standards. Assessment of Approach to Master Planning Evaluate advantages and drawbacks of specialized zoning designations and development standards in neighborhood plans. Infill Strategies Along Transit Corridors Create and analyze development scenarios accommodating varying levels of future employment and housing growth for the transit corridors in the southeast portion of the city. Identify strategies to encourage a concentration and mix of housing and jobs (i.e., transient- oriented development) and increase the desirability of the corridors for residential living. The Council initially reviewed the future planning initiatives at the December 17, 2013, meeting and recommended a joint meeting with the Planning Commission to prioritize the projects. The Planning Commission reviewed the future planning initiatives in September 2013. Initially, staff compiled a draft list of potential projects based on if the projects address Council goals, were included in the biennium budget, and provide incentives for accommodating future housing and employment growth. Subsequently, the Council added two projects at the December 17 meeting. The list was revised a second time by the Council and Commission at the January 28 joint study session. The revised list of future planning initiatives is attached, and was used to help facilitate the discussion at the joint study session. Page 1 of 2 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: Existing resources will be used to develop timelines and work plans for high priority projects. STAFF RECOMMENDATION AND REQUESTED ACTION: Staff recommends the Council affirm the three high priority long-range planning projects identified at the joint study session of the City Council and Planning Commission on January 28, 2014. SUGGESTED MOTION: I move to affirm the three high priority long-range planning projects, including the review of downtown zoning, assessment of approach to master planning, and infill strategies along transit corridors, identified at the joint study session of the City Council and Planning Commission on January 28, 2014. ATTACHMENTS: List of Future Planning Initiatives, prepared by staff for January 28, 2013, Joint Study Session Minutes, January 28, 2014 Joint Study Session Page 2 of 2 Future Planning Initiatives Potential Projects Review Zoning Around Downtown (includes Winburn Way corridor) Housing Element Update Croman Mill District Plan Railroad Property Master Plan North Ashland Gateway Overlay Assessment of Master Planning Approach Airport Overlay Infill Strategies Along Transit Corridors (includes vertical housing development zones) Projects in Progress Normal Neighborhood Plan Code Incentives for Affordable Workforce Housing (ULUO) Miscellaneous Code Amendments (e.g., short term rentals in R-1 zones, zoning for marijuana dispensaries) Downtown Parking Management and Multi-Modal Circulation Study Historic Preservation review Process (non-structural exterior changes) from 1/28/2014 joint study session prepared by staff ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION JOINT STUDY SESSION MINUTES January 28, 2014 CALL TO ORDER Mayor John Stromberg called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street. City Council Present: Planning Commissioners Present: John Stromberg, Mayor Melanie Mindlin, Chair Pam Marsh Troy J. Brown, Jr. Mike Morris Michael Dawkins Rich Rosenthal Richard Kaplan Dennis Slattery Debbie Miller Tracy Peddicord Staff Present: Absent Members: Dave Kanner, City Administrator Greg Lemhouse Dave Lohman, City Attorney Carol Voisin Bill Molnar, Community Development Director Maria Harris, Planning Manager Brandon Goldman, Senior Planner Derek Severson, Associate Planner April Lucas, Administrative Supervisor DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Discussion and Prioritization of Future Planning Initiatives. Mayor John Stromberg provided some background on this item. He explained on December 17, 2013, the City Council discussed the draft list of future planning projects compiled by staff and recommended that a joint meeting with the Planning Commission be scheduled so that the two bodies could prioritize the list of projects. Community Development Director Bill Molnar provided a brief summary of each of the projects, which are: Review Zoning Around Downtown Winburn Way Corridor Analysis Vertical Housing Development Zones Housing Element Update Croman Mill District Plan Railroad Property Master Plan North Ashland Gateway Overlay Assessment of Approach to Master Planning Airport Plan Infill Strategies Mayor Stromberg asked each Planning Commissioner to identify their top priority. Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Brown selected assessment of approach to master planning; Commissioner Mindlin selected infill strategies; Commissioner Peddicord selected vertical housing development zones and infill strategies; Commissioner Kaplan selected vertical housing development zones; and Commissioner Dawkins selected the Railroad Property Master Plan. Ashland City Council & Planning Commission Joint Study Session January 28, 2014 Page 1 of 2 City Administrator Dave Kanner called attention to the regional problem solving process and reminded the group that Ashland declined to add any land to its urban growth boundary and did so with the promise that Ashland would adopt innovative infill strategies to accommodate future growth. Mr. Molnar indicated staff has the resources to take on two significant projects within the next 12-18 months, and this would leave some room to take on any minor projects that may arise. Mayor Stromberg asked for the Planning Commissioners second choice. Commissioner Kaplan selected the Railroad Property Master Plan; Commissioner Brown selected the review of zoning around downtown followed by vertical housing development zones; Commissioner Miller selected the review of zoning around downtown; Commissioner Peddicord selected assessment of master planning; Commissioner Dawkins selected infill strategies and vertical housing development zones; and Commissioner Mindlin selected the Housing Element update. Mr. Kanner updated the group on the status of the railroad property. He explained the owner of the property came forward with a plan to clean up the property; however they proposed cleaning it to DEQ standards and not to t cleaning to DEQ standards would leave quite a bit of contamination on the site and the property owners decided to re-evaluate greater development potential. The Planning Commission and City Council held general discussion on the potential projects. Councilor Marsh recommended they pursue infill strategies, downtown planning and circulation, and the approach to master planning. She added the master planning item is more of a discussion and evaluation than a long range project and believes all three can be addressed with the given resources. Councilor Morris stated with the exception of a few, most of the projects are inter-related and agreed that the approach to master planning needs to be looked. Councilor Rosenthal asked staff which project they would choose. Senior Planner Brandon Goldman stated vertical housing development is a concrete project that could be completed within a short timeframe and provide outcomes; and it also relates to the vision for the City to provide workforce housing and would stated infill strategies is a project that touches on almost all aspects of planning and hits on transportation, jobs, housing, and also looks at fulfilling our regional obligation. Community Development Director Bill Molnar selected infill strategies and stated this project moves beyond land use planning and will require an inter-department approach to the issue. Associate Planner Derek Severson also selected infill strategies. He noted he was the staff member who represented the City of Ashland at the regional problem solving meetings and advocated for this concept. Mayor Stromberg asked for the group to provide any final feedback to staff. Comment was made that it is clear citywide infill strategies has been identified as a priority. It was noted that Winburn Way Corridor Analysis, Review of Downtown Zoning, and Downtown Parking Management and Circulation Study, which is already in progress, should be combined and made a top priority. Additionally, it is clear that master planning should be looked at. The Mayor recommended that the Airport Plan also be included on this list and requested Mr. Kanner put together a proposal to move these items forward. Mr. Kanner acknowledged this request and stated he would meet with staff, determine what resources can be dedicated to these projects, and bring forward a proposal. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Ashland City Council & Planning Commission Joint Study Session January 28, 2014 Page 2 of 2