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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07-12 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 REGULAR MEETING JULY 12, 2011 AGENDA I. RECOGNITION OF JOHN RINALDI, JR’S SERVICE ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION II. CALL TO ORDER III. ANNOUNCEMENTS IV. CONSENT AGENDA A.Approval of Minutes 1. June 14, 2011 Regular Meeting 2. June 28, 2011 Study Session V. PUBLIC FORUM VI. TYPE II PUBLIC HEARINGS A. PLANNING ACTION: #2011-00738 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 1405 Tolman Creek Road APPLICANT: Malibar Group, LLC DESCRIPTION: A request for Outline and Final Plan approval for an eight-lot Performance Standards Subdivision to be developed in three phases for the vacant property located at 1405 Tolman Creek Road. The application also includes requests for a Variance to reduce the number of on-street parking spaces by fifty percent in order to preserve a large (60-inch diameter) maple tree; an Exception to Street Standards to not install sidewalks along a portion of the new street; and a Physical & Environmental Constraints Review Permit to allow utility installation within the Hamilton Creek floodplain along Tolman Creek Road. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 23 BA; TAX LOT: 308 and 501 VI. OTHER BUSINESS A.Planning Commission Retreat Schedule B.Bi-Annual Attendance Report 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). ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES June 14, 2011 CALL TO ORDER Chair Pam Marsh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street. Commissioners Present: Staff Present: Larry Blake Bill Molnar, Community Development Director Michael Dawkins Derek Severson, Associate Planner Pam Marsh April Lucas, Administrative Supervisor Debbie Miller John Rinaldi, Jr. Absent Members: Council Liaison: Melanie Mindlin Russ Silbiger, absent ANNOUNCEMENTS Commissioner Rinaldi noted the final meeting of the Economic Development Ad-Hoc Committee was held yesterday and they voted to advance the final Plan to the City Council. He provided a brief overview of the Plan’s elements and stated the City Council will discuss it at the June 20, 2011 Study Session. Commissioner Marsh requested the final plan be provided to the Planning Commission once it is approved by the Council. Community Development Director Bill Molnar noted the additional joint meetings that could be added to the Planning Commission’s schedule in order to finish up the Transportation System Plan update. He stated the next joint meeting with the Transportation Commission will be July 26, and they are proposing another joint meeting in August. He stated the draft Plan should be ready by November, and the formal public hearing has been tentatively scheduled for February, 2012. CONSENT AGENDA A.Approval of Minutes. 1.May 10, 2011 Regular Meeting. Commissioners Rinaldi/Miller m/s to approve the Consent Agenda. Voice Vote: all AYES. Motion passed 5-0. PUBLIC FORUM No one came forward. TYPE II PUBLIC HEARINGS A.PLANNING ACTION: #2011-00397 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 2234 Siskiyou Boulevard (accessed from Chitwood Lane) APPLICANT: Groundworks Community Development Corp. DESCRIPTION: A request for Outline and Final Plan review, and Site Review approval to construct a five-unit townhouse development under the Performance Standards Options Chapter (AMC 18.88) for the property located at 2234 Siskiyou Boulevard, also known as Chitwood Park. The applicants have also requested a Tree Removal Permit to remove three trees six-inches in diameter or greater at breast height; Exceptions to Street Standards to allow a dead- end street in excess of 500-feet in length, a private drive to serve five units, and a separation between driveways of less than 24 feet; and an Administrative Variance to the Site Design & Use Standards to allow a reduction in the separation and screening between residential units and parking areas. Ashland Planning Commission June 14, 2011 Page 1 of 3 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 14 CB; TAX LOT: 100 Commissioner Marsh invited the Applicant to come forward. Kerry Kencairn/Applicant’s Representative/Announced they are withdrawing their application and provided a brief explanation as to why. Ms. Kencairn stated they tried to carry forth a project that was desired by the Housing Commission and City Council, and their intention was to create something that the community said they wanted. She noted the issues that have come up and stated because this is an affordable housing project they cannot afford the legal fees and time delays, and at this point they cannot afford to move forward. Commissioner Marsh noted that a number of citizens had signed up to speak and asked if any of them would still like to come forward. Edward McBride/2241 Chitwood Ln/Requested confirmation that the Commission received his letter and pictures and that they would be included in the record. Marsh clarified the Commission did receive the materials submitted by Mr. McBride. Matthew Terreri/2252 Chitwood Ln/Stated he is saddened that this project will not move forward and would have liked to seen something done with that land. He commented on the importance of doing a project right and getting the facts straight, and stated there were a lot of things that were not taken into consideration by the Applicant. PRESENTATION A.Firewise Presentation Firewise Communities Coordinator Ali True provided an overview of the City’s Firewise program. Ms. True’s presentation covered: General overview of the Firewise Communities program and concept Fuel arrangement and fire behavior Home ignition zone concept and defensible space zones Basic concepts of Firewise landscaping, including fire-resistant plants and which fire-prone plants to avoid Mr. True explained that by taking away the fuels, you can affect how a fire burns or whether it burns at all. She encouraged fire resistant landscaping and building materials, and stated involving planners in the landscape and construction design is an important factor of the Firewise program. She explained that by controlling the fuels within 100 ft to 200 ft of a home, you can impact how a fire burns; and in urban areas like Ashland this is often a shared responsibility between neighbors. Ms. True reviewed plantings that are fire-prone (including Junipers, Italian Cypress, and Rosemary), and suggested Firewise approved alternates that could be used instead, including those that are appropriate for privacy screening. Ms. True clarified there are some communities in California that have mandated Firewise landscaping requirements; however, in Ashland participation is voluntary. She also clarified all of the City’s street trees are fire resistant. Mr. Molnar asked about privacy screening for upper floors. Ms. True stated there are some tall, narrow tree varieties (such as Aspen and Maple) that tend to provide the same type of screening as Italian Cypress, but in a much safer way. Ms. True commented on the outreach she performs. She stated she teaches a Fire Resistant Landscaping course to contractors, and it will be offered for nursery associations and local contractors through the OSU Extension office. She added it will also be offered by SOU and RCC as part of their credit program. Commissioner Marsh thanked Ms. True for providing this presentation and recommended the Firewise Program information be handed out by staff to anyone who gets a building permit. Ashland Planning Commission June 14, 2011 Page 2 of 3 OTHER BUSINESS A.TSP Joint Meeting Follow-up Discussion. Commissioner Marsh commented on the TSP Subcommittee meeting she attended, and asked if the commissioners had any other TSP related items they wished to discuss. Commissioner Blake commented on a commuting survey that was done at SOU regarding whether students would be supportive of a quarterly fee to cover bus passes; and whether they would be more likely to support this fee if there was better service. He stated there was a fair amount of support for this, however a bus pass fee would not be likely to pass until RVTD improves their connectivity. Associate Planner Derek Severson noted the Census statistics that were reviewed by Senior Planner Brandon Goldman which showed that Ashland is less car-centric that any other metropolitan area in the State, including Portland. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, April Lucas, Administrative Supervisor Ashland Planning Commission June 14, 2011 Page 3 of 3 ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES June 28, 2011 CALL TO ORDER Chair Pam Marsh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way. Commissioners Present: Staff Present: Larry Blake Bill Molnar, Community Development Director Michael Dawkins Derek Severson, Associate Planner Pam Marsh Melanie Mindlin Absent Members: Council Liaison: Debbie Miller Russ Silbiger, absent HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGN STANDARDS UPDATE Associate Planner Derek Severson provided a brief overview of the project that is underway to revise Ashland’s Historic District Design Standards and introduced J. Todd Scott who is the project consultant. Mr. Scott provided a presentation to the Commission on the proposed revisions to the Design Standards. He commented on why it is important to revise the standards, and listed the areas of key interest as: additions, imitations, and height. He presented pictures of several historic district structures, and listed what elements were successful and where he would have recommended changes to the design features. Mr. Scott reviewed the proposed revisions to the Design Standards, and recommended the City develop brochures that cover what kinds of things you should and should not do with historic buildings. Mr. Molnar asked how Mr. Scott would address a second-story addition in the downtown, on a block such as the one where the Columbia Hotel is located. Mr. Scott discussed the need to protect the historic integrity of existing single-story buildings, noting that additions to single-story volumes can be more problematic than on taller, multi-story buildings. In general, he suggested the best way to protect the historic integrity of the building would be to set the second-story addition well back from the existing façade line. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Commissioner Marsh commented on public education being a key component to all of this. She noted the ideas put forward are counter-intuitive to most people, including that windows and new materials should not exactly match those of the existing historic structure. Mr. Scott agreed and stated you want to be able to tell what portion of a building is new. He discussed the educational component of this project, which could involve fact sheets to act as handouts to supplement the Standards document. He discussed the sample fact sheet he prepared for windows, and noted that these could be prepared for a number of other relevant topics. Commissioner Marsh spoke to the issue of driveway and garage placement in historic districts and stated this can have a big impact in how a block feels. There was a general discussion of how development patterns have changed over time to address the role of the car in American life, including the evolution from narrow, long lots to lots that are wider than they are deep. Additional comments were made regarding the need to address how pedestrian access from the sidewalk to a home is treated. Commissioner Marsh noted her concern of the how Floor Area Ratios are calculated and suggested they consider revising this. Mr. Severson commented on the next steps in the process and explained the consultant will take the comments and suggestions presented tonight and make his final refinements to the Standards, which will then be presented to Council for review in August. If the City Council is supportive of the revised Standards, staff will move forward with drafting an ordinance and formal public hearings will be held before the Historic Commission, Planning Commission and City Council. Ashland Planning Commission June 28, 2011 Page 1 of 2 OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Marsh commented on the membership of the Planning Commission and noted Commissioner Rinaldi has resigned and they are now down to five members. She encouraged the current members to solicit persons they feel would be a good fit on the Commission and invite them to submit an application to the Mayor’s office. Commissioner Dawkins asked about the Planning Commission’s Retreat schedule and recommended they hold this at the same time each year either in the spring or summer. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, April Lucas, Administrative Supervisor Ashland Planning Commission June 28, 2011 Page 2 of 2 Memo DATE: July 12, 2011 TO: Planning Commission RE: Planning Commission Attendance Report Pursuant to AMC 2.10.025, below is the Planning Commission’s attendance record for January through June 2011. Meeting Date Meeting Type Absences January 11, 2011 Regular Meeting 0 January 20, 2011 Joint Study Session 0 February 8, 2011 Regular Meeting 0 February 10, 2011 Joint Study Session 1 – Melanie Mindlin February 24, 2011 Joint Study Session 1 – John Rinaldi March 8, 2011 Regular Meeting 1 – John Rinaldi March 10, 2011 Joint Study Session 1 – Debbie Miller 4 – Pam Marsh, Debbie Miller, Melanie Mindlin, March 17, 2011 Joint Study Session John Rinaldi March 29, 2011 Study Session 1 – Debbie Miller April 12, 2011 Regular Meeting 1 – Debbie Miller April 26, 2011 Joint Study Session 1 – Debbie Miller May 10, 2011 Regular Meeting 1 – Melanie Mindlin May 24, 2011 Joint Study Session 1 – John Rinaldi June 14, 2011 Regular Meeting 1 – Melanie Mindlin June 28, 2011 Study Session 1 – Debbie Miller AMC 2.10.025 All members are expected to attend all regularly scheduled meetings, study sessions and special meetings, when applicable. If a member will be absent from a meeting the member must notify the chair or the staff liaison at least two hours prior to the meeting. Any member who has two or more unexcused absences in a six month period [i.e. January 1– June 30 or July 1 - December 31] shall be considered inactive and the position vacant. Further any member not attending a minimum of two-thirds (2/3) of all scheduled meetings (inclusive of study sessions and special meetings) shall be considered inactive and the position vacant. Attendance shall be reviewed by the commission or board during the regularly scheduled meetings in January and July, with a report sent to the Mayor and City Council advising of the need for appointment or re-appointment, if necessary. Department of Community Development Tel: 541-488-5305 20 East Main St. Fax: 541-552-2050 Ashland, Oregon 97520 TTY: 800-735-2900 www.ashland.or.us