HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-08 Planning PACKET
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
June 8, 2021
AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER:
7:00 PM
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS
III. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of Minutes
1. May 11, 2021 Regular Meeting
2. May 25, 2021 Special Meeting
IV. PUBLIC FORUM
V. TYPE III PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. PLANNING ACTION: PA-T2-2021-00031
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 375 & 475 East Nevada Street
APPLICANT: Rogue Planning & Development Services, LLC for
OWNERS: Peter & Laura Schultz (), David Young
owners, 375 E. Nevada St.-Tax Lot 1000
()
owner, 475 E. Nevada St.-Tax Lots 1100,1200 & 1300
DESCRIPTION: A request for a Minor Comprehensive Plan Map Correction to clarify the City
of Urban Growth Boundary for four properties located at 375 & 475 East Nevada
Street. The application asserts that there are differences in the location between the
official paper maps and the current GIS maps in use by both the County and the City, and that
the original scales were such that the line width could significantly alter the boundary
location. The application asks to make clear that the portions of the four properties in
question are within the City of Urban Growth Boundary as Residential Reserve
(1.37 acres of Tax Lot 1000) and North Mountain Neighborhood Plan (2.08 acres of Tax Lots
1100, 1200 & 1300). PLEASE NOTE:
The 1982 Ashland/Jackson County Urban Growth
the Comprehensive Plan Map by both the Ashland City Council and Jackson County Board
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential
of Commissioners.
Reserve & North Mountain; ZONING: RR-.5 & NM-MF; MAP: 39 1E 04A; TAX LOT #: 1000,
1100, 1200 & 1300.
VI. 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
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES - Draft
May 11, 2021
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Haywood Norton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Commissioners Present: Staff Present:
Michael Dawkins Bill Molnar, Community Development Director
Alan Harper Maria Harris, Planning Manager
Haywood Norton Brandon Goldman, Senior Planner
Kerry KenCairn Derek Severson, Senior Planner
Roger Pearce Dana Smith, Executive Assistant
Lynn Thompson
Lisa Verner
Absent Members: Council Liaison:
Paula Hyatt
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS
Community Development Director Bill Molnar announced the LUBA opinion expected April 30, 2021 on the 1511
Highway 99 annexation had not posted yet. The Ashland School District was getting closer to a resolution regarding
the Walker Elementary School project. Staff would present the duplex code amendments and the Housing Capacity
Analysis to the City Council at their study session May 17, 2021. Community Development Department and Fire
Department staff would propose the final piece of the fire adapted model. It would require all new construction to use
noncombustible or fire-resistant materials. This would apply to Ashland within city limits.
III. PUBLIC FORUM
- None
IV.CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of Minutes
1. April 13, 2021 Regular Meeting
2. April 27, 2021 Special Meeting
Commissioner Thompson/Dawkins m/s to approve the Consent Agenda. Voice Vote: all AYES. Motion
passed.
V. PUBLIC FORUM
- None
VI.
A. PLANNING ACTION: PA-T1-2021-00141
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 599 East Main Street
APPLICANT/OWNER: Rogue Planning & Development Services, LLC for Livni Family Trust (Gil
Livni, Trustee)
DESCRIPTION: A request for Site Design Review approval to modify the existing building at 599 East
Main Street including converting the former church to use as office/assembly space and adding a new
entry. The application also includes requests for a Conditional Use Permit as it involves the alteration
Ashland Planning Commission
May 11, 2021
Page 1 of 5
of an existing non-conforming development where no off-street parking is available, and Street Tree
Removal Permits to remove and replace two Callery Pear street trees (10.2-inch & 12.7-inch DBH) in
the park row planting strip along East Main Street. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
DESIGNATION: Commercial; ZONING: C-1; MAP: 39 1E 09AC; TAX LOT #: 7600
Chair Norton read aloud the rules for electronic public hearings.
Ex Parte Contact
Commissioner Dawkins explained he had lived across the street from the project site for nineteen years. There had
always been an abundance of parking in the area. Commissioners Pearce, Thompson, and KenCairn declared no ex
parte contact and no site visit. Commissioner Harper, Verner, and Norton had no site visits, but each had discussed
the project with staff.
Staff Report
Senior Planner Derek Severson provided a presentation (see attached):
Additional Items Received Parking Spaces off the Alley
Technical Memo Parking Parking Spaces off the
Technical Memo Trip Generation Staff Recommendation
Parking Spaces off the Alley behind Fellowship Hall
Based on the technical memo provided, staff thought a finding could be made that the proposal satisfied the
applicable criteria for a conditional use permit (CUP) and merited approval.
Questions of Staff
Commissioner Pearce asked for the rationale of having the parking stay with the church property. Mr. Severson
explained the parking was available through the nonconforming development that consisted of both lots. Having
them separate and potentially have the spaces vacant while the other lot was generating demand on the
neighborhood seemed questionable. The applicant continuing to contribute what little parking they had control of
was beneficial.
Amy Gunter/Rogue Planning and Development Services/Medford, Or/ Gil Livni/Magnolia Fine Homes
LLC/Ashland/
Ms. Gunter provided a presentation:
Historic Renovation 599 E Main Street East Elevation
Graphics of the general area of the property West Elevation
Subject Property South Elevation
Site Plan Impact Area
Existing Structure Conclusion
North Elevation Proposed Conditions 10 and 11
Their concern was setting up a negative impact on an adjacent use by dedicating the parking. Mr. Livni explained
that giving the parking to the church property made the other property useless. There was also the potential of losing
one of the three spaces if they converted it to an ADA parking space.
Questions of the Applicant
Commissioner Pearce asked what the current use of the fellowship hall was. Mr. Livni explained it was being used to
cook meals and other activities for the homeless community.
Ashland Planning Commission
May 11, 2021
Page 2 of 5
Commissioner Dawkins asked if Mr. Livni would be willing to stripe the three parking spaces so people would stop
parallel parking there. Mr. Livni responded he would and added he wanted to improve the landscaping there as well.
Commissioner Harper was struggling with the no greater adverse material effect on the livability of the impact area
criteria. He wanted to get to an approval that allowed all on-street parking, no on-site parking with no greater
adverse material effect on the livability of the impact area than having the required on-site parking. He was not sure
how to say it had zero impact.
Ms. Gunter explained that was why it was compared to the existing use of the site as a church. There was not a
good analysis in the code for the project. There was no comparison to a 4,600 square foot building with no on-site
parking. This was a rare instance. City code would not let them tear down a historic building that was economically
viable nor would the code let them look at what the current uses of the property were. The only alternative was
demolishing the building and rebuilding at a reduced size to incorporate a parking lot. Mr. Livni thought they were
doing less impact with the proposal. If they kept it as a church, it would be a greater impact. Ms. Gunter added the
code did say livability of the impact area and this was a commercial zone. Of the twenty-one properties in the impact
area, more than half were commercially zoned. They were trying to compare it to the use they were forced to use.
Commissioner Verner thought the proposal from staff was to ask the applicant to allow the uses of the parking area
now but then they would be jointly used by both properties if the second property developed. Mr. Livni explained he
would be unable to develop the property or sell it if he had to keep the three parking spaces on the property.
Ms. Gunter explained there was a condition of approval for the church when they built the fellowship hall to put in
adequate parking. The applicants at that time did not do that and had not met the building permit requirements. Ms.
Gunter and Mr. Livni were aware of the parking concerns at 48 5 Street. The use of that 1,500 sq. ft. building was
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going to require three or four parking spaces for its use. If they remove a portion of the building it would require a
separate site review and would be analyzed at that time. They wanted to retain the parking spaces because they
would be necessary when it was used as an office.
Commissioner Pearce asked about the permit history of the fellowship hall. Mr. Severson explained in the applicants
submittals it was approved in 1993. A building was demolished, and the fellowship hall was built. It was accessory
to the church use but was not part of the sanctuary. There was a statement the parking spaces were not required in
the planning approval for the fellowship hall but were shown on the building permit just not striped. They had
volunteered more parking than what was required.
Public Testimony
- None
- None
Chair Norton closed the hearing and the record at 7:54 p.m.
Deliberation and Decision
earlier concern. She thought it might
be possible to argue that in utilizing the exception to site design development and land provision there was a unique
or unusual aspect of the structure in that it was a historic nonconforming building onsite. It was nonconforming
because it did not satisfy the parking requirements. The CUP target use comparison to the retail use would
incorporate the exception standard, the recognition that it was a nonconforming structure without parking then look at
whether granting the CUP would substantially negatively impact the adjacent properties. It might not because the
impact of having an office versus retail would not increase the parking demand beyond the status quo.
Commissioner Harper thought it could be argued. Because it was a pre-existing development, it would be compared
to something with an exception to retain the structure. Commissioner Pearce thought it was a good way to think
Ashland Planning Commission
May 11, 2021
Page 3 of 5
about it. His concern regarding the parking was alleviated when he found out the spaces were not required. The
traffic analysis showed eleven office trips in the p.m. peak hour where retail would have 27 trips.
Chair Norton noted conditions 10 and 11. One condition required parking be shared and the other required it to be
recorded. He thought the conditions should be addressed in the motion.
Commissioner Pearce/Harper m/s to approve PA-T1-2021-00141 for 599 E Main to change the use of the
building of church to office use and delete Conditions 10 and 11 from the proposed Findings and that the
Findings include there was an exception or the parcel was already built and committed to a historic structure
and was part of the analysis that considered the livability in the neighborhood.
DISCUSSION:
Commissioner Harper thought the findings should include they found an exception, or that the parcel
was already built and committed to a historic structure and was part of the analysis that considered the livability in the
Roll Call Vote: Commissioner Verner, Dawkins,
neighborhood. Commissioner Pearce accepted the amendment.
Thompson, Harper, KenCairn, Pearce, and Norton, YES. Motion passed.
VII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Approval of Findings for PA-T1-2021-00141, 599 East Main Street.
Item was moved to the next Planning Commission Meeting.
VIII. LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. PLANNING ACTION: PA-L-2021-00010
APPLICANT: City of Ashland
DESCRIPTION: A public hearing on a legislative amendment to the Ashland Municipal Code
Title 18 Land Use to update the allowances and standards for duplexes and accessory
residential units as required by House Bill 2001 from the 80 Oregon Legislative Assembly, 2019
th
Regular Legislative Session. The proposed amendment includes a series of changes to the
following chapters of the Ashland Land Use Ordinance including 18.1.4, 18.2.2, 18.2.3, 18.2.5,
18.3.4, 18.3.5, 18.3.9, 18.3.10, 18.3.12. 18.4.2, 18.4.3, 18.5.2, 18.5.7 and 18.6.1.
Staff Report
Planning Manager Maria Harris provided a presentation (see attached):
New Items
Conversion of nonconforming structures
o
Building separation in multifamily zones
o
Existing lots over 35% slope
o
Duplex parking
o
Questions of Staff
Commissioner Harper wanted to know if there were reductions for System Development Charges (SDCs) and water
meters for duplexes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Ms. Harris explained SDCs were reduced for units under
500 square feet (sq. ft.). Senior Planner Brandon Goldman further explained that transportation SDCs were reduced
50% for units under 500 sq. ft. and 25% for units that were 500 to 800 sq. ft. There was a 25% reduction of parks,
water, and sewer for units under 500 sq. ft. SDCs were based on unit size and not a designation of accessory
residential units, duplexes, or apartments. Ms. Harris explained meter sizes and other costs were based on single-
family or multi-family and technical factors like water line size. She noted earlier comments made by Mark Knox that
ARUs were being charged a higher multi-family base rate for utilities. Staff had contacted the Utility Billing Division
and was looking into it. Mr. Goldman clarified water and electrical meters were driven by building code, not land use
code. Separate dwelling units could be occupied independently and required a separate meter. That was federal
law. Mr. Molnar provided history on an earlier discussion during a City Council study session a couple years before
to waive more fees for ARUs.
Ashland Planning Commission
May 11, 2021
Page 4 of 5
Commissioner Thompson asked about allowing multiple structures on a lot with a severe slope. Allowing ARUs and
duplexes would congest development on a steep slope. Ms. Harris agreed and explained there were parameters in
the hillside standards that would be applied if someone proposed a separate structure. The Commission discussed
building ARUs or duplexes on a severe slope and how the hillside standards applied.
Public Testimony
None
Chair Norton closed the public hearing at 8:37 p.m.
Deliberation and Decision
Commissioner Pearce thought Ms. Harris had done a good job incorporating the new changes. It met the state
requirements.
Commissioner Pearce/Verner m/s to recommend adoption of PA-L-2021-0010 Duplex and ARU code
amendments to the City Council. Voice Votes: ALL AYES. Motion passed.
Ms. Harris explained the item would go before the City Council at their study session on May 17, 2021. The public
hearing and first reading would happen at their meeting on June 1, 2021. Second reading and adoption would occur
ng on June 15, 2021.
IX.ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m.
Submitted by,
Dana Smith, Executive Assistant
Ashland Planning Commission
May 11, 2021
Page 5 of 5
.¤¶ )³¤¬²
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES - Draft
May 25, 2021
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Haywood Norton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Commissioners Present: Staff Present:
Michael Dawkins Bill Molnar, Community Development Director
Alan Harper Maria Harris, Planning Manager
Haywood Norton Derek Severson, Senior Planner
Kerry KenCairn Dana Smith, Executive Assistant
Roger Pearce
Lynn Thompson
Lisa Verner
Absent Members: Council Liaison:
Paula Hyatt
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A.LUBA decision for PA-T3-2019-00001, 1511 Hwy 99 North (Attached)
DISCUSSION ITEM
Item was added to the agenda under .
Community Development Director Bill Molnar explained the Housing Capacity Analysis and code revisions for
duplexes and accessory residential units went before City Council at their study session on May 17, 2021. First
reading of the Wildfire Mitigation Construction Standards went before the City Council meeting on May 18, 2021.
Second reading would occur June 1, 2021.
III. PUBLIC FORUM
- None
IV.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Approval of Findings for PA-T1-2021-00141, 599 East Main Street.
Ex Parte Contact
The Commission had no ex parte contact on the matter.
The following changes were made to the Findings:
Page 6, first full paragraph, added to last sentence,
Page 8, after bulleted items and second full paragraph, add,
proposed office use requires ten off-street parking spaces, based on the ratio of one off-street
parking space per 500 square feet of general office use found in AMC Table 18.4.3.040 (4,630 square
feet/one space per 500 square feet = 9.36 spaces). The Commission finds that the application does
not meet the parking requirements because it is a nonconforming development with regard to
parking. Nonconforming developments can be altered or expanded pursuant to AMC 18.1.4.040.B
Ashland Planning Commission
May 25, 2021
Page 1 of 3
where the Conditional Use Permit criteria are met. The Conditional Use Permit criteria are discussed
in section 2.4 below.
The Planning Commission further finds that the proposed office use requires one bicycle parking
space for every five required automobile spaces and that fifty percent of these spaces must be
sheltered as provided in AMC 18.4.3070. In this case, ten automobile spaces are required (4,630
square feet/one space per 500 square feet = 9.36 spaces ) and two bicycle parking spaces are
required (10 spaces/one bicycle space per five automobile spaces = 2 spaces). While the site
currently has no bicycle parking in place, the applicant has proposed to provide three U-racks for
bicycle parking which more than satisfies the requirements. Conditions have been included below
to require that bicycle parking be included in the permit submittals and that it be provided on site
The Planning
Now page 11, first paragraph, change wording at the end of the sentence to read,
Commission notes that the application includes a Technical Memo from Sandow Engineering which
assesses the trip generation for the previous church use, proposed office use and target retail use
using the ITE Trip Generation Manuals, 10 Edition, as illustrated in the table below, and concludes
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that the proposed office use has less of a trip generation impact to the neighborhood than the target
the benefits of
Now Page 12, third full paragraph, add wording to read,
preserving and renovating the historic building may be weighed against the generation of traffic and
its effect on the surrounding streets that result from the continuing parking non-conformity. With all
of things considered, the Commission concludes that the effect of parking and trip generation on the
surrounding streets for the proposed office use has a lower impact than the target use as evidenced
in Technical Memo, particularly when weighed alongside the benefit of preserving and
renovating the historic
Commissioner Thompson/Pearce m/s to approve the Findings for PA-T1-2021-00141, as amended during this
meeting. Voice Vote: all AYES. Motion passed.
B. Approval of Findings for PA-L-2021-00010, Duplex and Accessory Residential Units code
amendments.
Commissioner Pearce/Harper m/s to adopt proposed Findings for PA-L-2021-00010, Duplex and
Accessory Residential Units code amendments and forward them to City Council with the Planning
recommendation. Voice Vote: all AYES. Motion passed.
V. DISCUSSION ITEM
A.LUBA decision for PA-T3-2019-00001, 1511 Hwy 99 North (Attached)
Mr. Molnar had read through the decision
critical one where LUBA reversed the decision. He was
not sure if the other two would have caused a reversal. He provided a presentation (see attached) on the
assignments of error in LUBA No. 2021-009 Final Opinion and Order:
proposed annexation area
1 Assignment of Error Improperly approved an Exception
St
An annexation may be approved if the proposed request for annexation conforms, or can be made to
o
conform through the imposition of conditions, with all of the following approval criteria:
Ashland Planning Commission
May 25, 2021
Page 2 of 3
Public Facilities Chapter 18.4.6 applies to all new development, including projects subject to Land
o
Division (Subdivision or Partition) approval and developments subject to Site Design Review, where
public facility improvements are required.
The application, as part of annexation, required compliance with city street standards. The applicant proposed
having a significant portion of the sidewalk construction at curbside and not separated from the curb by a park row. It
was proposed to deal with some constrictive right of way issues. During the planning commission discussion at that
time, it was deemed more appropriate to be taken up at the time development was proposed. During the City
Council decision, an exception to the design standards to allow curbside sidewalk was available through the
annexation process. LUBA focused on these areas of the annexation standard. With annexation, there was not
really an allowance to deviate. It needed to meet the requirement, or the city needed to condition the annexation
approval, so the proposal met them. LUBA noted the Public Facilities Chapter 18.4.6 where the criteria for exception
to street standards was contained and it stated the public facilities chapter applied to all new development including
projects subject to land division approval and developments subject to site design review. Since this was an
annexation, there was no development or land division, and no site review that would allow an exception. LUBA did
not provide guidance or make a decision if a development was proposed concurrently with an annexation whether an
exception procedure could be used.
2 Assignment of Error Contiguity Issue
(LUBA did not rule on this issue)
nd
property in the proposed annexation to
o
make a boundary extension more logical and to avoid parcels of land which are not incorporated but
are partially or wholly surrounded by the City.
Portions of the ODOT property and the railroad were included for the purposes of providing contiguity and an orderly
city boundary. The Findings spoke to the purpose of making the boundary extension more logical and was absent in
terms of addressing the second part that avoided parcels of land which were not incorporated but were partially or
wholly surrounded by the city. LUBA was also concerned about
standards. Under Oregon state law a parcel is a property created by a land partition and a lot was a property created
through a subdivision. It showed inconsistency in the code. The City code definition of lot included a piece of land
that could be created through partition or parcels or lots could be used similarly.
3 Assignment of Error Not supported by substantial evidence
(LUBA did not rule on this issue)
rd
Pedestrian and bicycle destinations from the project shall be determined and the safe and accessible
o
pedestrian and bicycle facilities serving those destinations shall be indicated.
condition nor do-Appellant
o
dequate was not supported by substantial evidence. Mr. Molnar was not
sure how LUBA would have ruled on that. The appellants arguments were reasonable. They did point out there
discretionary and potentially difficult to provide direction to
an applicant. LUBA noted the speed study was not a condition nor would it necessarily ensure a reduction in speed.
Mr. Molnar recommended adding an item to a future City Council agenda to get direction from Council. There were
inconsistencies in the code that would affect future annexations. The applicant still wanted to move forward with the
annexation. The Commission discussed the need to review the annexation code and the transportation section and
was interested in updating the code.
VI.ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.
Submitted by,
Dana Smith, Executive Assistant
Ashland Planning Commission
May 25, 2021
Page 3 of 3
TYPE III
PUBLIC HEARING
_________________________________
PA-T2-2021-00031
375 & 475
East Nevada Street
Planning Department, 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, Oregon 97520
541-488-5305 Fax: 541-552-2050 www.ashland.or.us TTY: 1-800-735-2900
NOTICE OF ELECTRONIC PUBLIC HEARING
PLANNING ACTION:
PA-T2-2021-00031
SUBJECT PROPERTY:
375 & 475 East Nevada Street
APPLICANT:
Rogue Planning & Development Services, LLC for
OWNERS:
Peter & Laura Schultz (owners, 375 E. Nevada St.-Tax Lot 1000), David Young (owner, 475 E. Nevada St.-Tax
Lots1100,1200 & 1300)
DESCRIPTION:
A request for a Minor Comprehensive Plan Map Correction to clarify the City of Urban Growth
Boundary for four properties located at 375 & 475 East Nevada Street. The application asserts that there are differences in the
location between the official paper maps and the current GIS maps in use by both the County and the City, and that the
original maps scales were such that the line width could significantly alter the boundary location. The application asks to make
clearthat the portions of the four properties in question are within the City of Urban Growth Boundary as Residential
Reserve (1.37 acres of Tax Lot 1000) and North Mountain Neighborhood Plan (2.08 acres of Tax Lots 1100, 1200 &
PLEASE NOTE:
1300). The also requires review and
approval of applications to correct errors in the Comprehensive Plan Map by both the Ashland City Council and Jackson County
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:
Board of Commissioners. Single Family Residential Reserve &North
ZONING: MAP: TAX LOT #:
Mountain; RR-.5 &NM-MF; 39 1E 04A;1000, 1100, 1200 & 1300.
ELECTRONIC ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING: Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 7:00 PM
th
OVER
Notice is hereby given that the Ashland Planning Commission will hold an electronic public hearing on the above described
planning action on the meeting date and time shown above. You can watch the meeting on local channel 9, on Charter
Communications channels 180 & 181, or you can stream the meeting via the internet by going to rvtv.sou.edu and
RVTV Prime.
The ordinance criteria applicable to this planning action are attached to this notice. Oregon law states that failure to raise an
objection concerning this application, or failure to provide sufficient specificity to afford the decision makers an opportunity
to respond to the issue, precludes your right of appeal to the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) on that issue. Failure to
specify which ordinance criterion the objection is based on also precludes your right of appeal to LUBA on that criterion.
Failure of the applicant to raise constitutional or other issues relating to proposed conditions of approval with sufficient
specificity to allow this Commission to respond to the issue precludes an action for damages in circuit court.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, application materials are provided online and written comments will be accepted by
email. Alternative arrangements for reviewing the application or submitting comments can be made by contacting (541)
488-5305 or planning@ashland.or.us.
A copy of the application, including all documents, evidence and applicable criteria relied upon by the applicant,
and a copy of the staff report will be available on-line at www.ashland.or.us/PCpackets seven days prior to the
hearing. Copies of application materials will be provided at reasonable cost, if requested. Under extenuating
circumstances, application materials may be requested to be reviewed in-person at the Ashland Community
Development & Engineering Services Building, 51 Winburn Way, via a pre-arranged appointment by calling (541)
488-5305 or emailing planning@ashland.or.us.
Anyone wishing to submit comments can do so by sending an e-mail to PC-public-testimony@ashland.or.us with the
June 8PC Hearing Testimony
June 7, 2021. If the applicant wishes to provide a
rebuttal to the testimony, they can submit the rebuttal via e-mail to PC-public-testimony@ashland.or.us with the subject
June 8 PC Hearing Testimony
June 8, 2021. Written testimony received by these
deadlines will be available for Planning Commissioners to review before the hearing and will be included in the meeting
minutes.
Oral testimony will be taken during the electronic public hearing. If you wish to provide oral testimony during the electronic
meeting, send an email to PC-public-testimony@ashland.or.us by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 7, 2021. In order to provide
June 8
testimony at the public hearing, please provide the following information: 1) make the subject line of the email
Speaker Request
2) include your name, 3) the agenda item on which you wish to speak on, 4) specify if you will be
participating by computer or telephone, and 5) the name you will use if participating by computer or the telephone number
youwilluse if participating by telephone.
In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please
-488-6002 (TTY phone number 1-800-735-2900). Notification 72 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 I). If you have questions or comments concerning this request, please feel free to contact Senior
Planner Derek Severson, the staff planner assigned to this application, at 541-488-5305 or e-mail:
derek.severson@ashland.or.us
Minor Map Amendments or Corrections (Type II). \[AMC 18.5.9.020.A.\]
The Type II procedure is used for applications involving zoning map amendments consistent with the Comprehensive Plan map, and minor map amendments
or corrections. Amendments under this section may be approved if in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and the application demonstrates that one or
more of the following.
1. The change implements a public need, other than the provision of affordable housing, supported by the Comprehensive Plan.
2. A substantial change in circumstances has occurred since the existing zoning or Plan designation was proposed, necessitating the need to adjust to
the changed circumstances.
3. Circumstances relating to the general public welfare exist that require such an action.
4. Proposed increases in residential zoning density resulting from a change from one zoning district to another zoning district, will provide 25 percent of
the proposed base density as affordable housing consistent with the approval standards set forth in subsection 18.5.8.050.G.
5. Increases in residential zoning density of four units or greater on commercial, employment, or industrial zoned lands (i.e., Residential Overlay), will
trial land supply as required in the Comprehensive Plan, and will provide 25 percent of the
proposed base density as affordable housing consistent with the approval standards set forth in subsection 18.5.8.050.G.
6. The total number of affordable units described in 18.5.9.020.A, subsections 4 or 5, above, shall be determined by rounding down fractional answers
to the nearest whole unit. A deed restriction, or similar legal instrument, shall be used to guarantee compliance with affordable criteria for a period of
not less than 60 years. 18.5.9.020.A, subsections 4 and 5 do not apply to Council initiated actions.
ASHLAND PLANNING DIVISION
STAFF REPORT
June 8, 2021
PLANNING ACTION:
PA-T2-2021-00031
APPLICANT:
Rogue Planning & Development Services, LLC
OWNERS:
Peter & Laura Schultz (375 E. Nevada St.)
David Young (475 E. Nevada St)
SUBJECT PROPERTIES:
375 East Nevada Street
(39 1E Map 04A, Tax Lot 1000)
475 East Nevada Street
(39 1E Map 04A, Tax Lot 1100-1200-1300)
ORDINANCE REFERENCES:
See
https://ashland.municipal.codes/LandUse
AMC 18.1
Introduction and General Provisions
AMC 18.1.2
Title, Purpose & General
Administration
AMC 18.2
Zoning Regulations
AMC 18.2.1.030
Determination of Zoning Boundaries
AMC 18.5
Application Review Procedures and
Approval Criteria
AMC 18.5.1
General Review Procedures
AMC 18.5.9
Comprehensive Plan, Zoning, and
Land Use Ordinance Amendments
AMC 18.5.9.020.A
Minor Map Amendments or
Corrections
AMC 18.6
Definitions
Ashland Comprehensive Plan (see
http://www.ashland.or.us/Files/Comprehensive_Plan-
updated_6.2019.pdf)
UGBA
1982 Urban Growth Boundary Agreement ()
between City of Ashland & Jackson County (See
https://jacksoncountyor.org/ds/DesktopModules/Bring2
mind/DMX/API/Entries/Download?Command=Core_D
ownload&EntryId=34685&language=en-
US&PortalId=16&TabId=1460)
120-DAY TIMELINE:
Not Applicable (see ORS 227.188)
Planning Action PA-T2-2021-00031 Ashland Planning Division Staff Report (dds)
Applicant: Rogue Planning & Development Services, LLC Page 1 of 13
REQUEST:
The application is a request for a Minor Comprehensive Plan Map Correction to
clarify the City of urban growth boundary for four properties located at 375 & 475
East Nevada Street. The application asserts that there are differences in the location
between the official paper maps and the current GIS maps in use by both the County and the
City, and that the original scales were such that the line width could significantly alter the
boundary location. The application asks to make clear that the portions of the four properties in
(1.37
question are within the City of urban growth boundary as Residential Reserve
acres of Tax Lot 1000)(2.08 acres of Tax Lots 1100,
and North Mountain Neighborhood Plan
1200 & 1300)
as illustrated on the attached Staff Exhibit S-1.
-judicial procedure may be used for minor map
amendments or corrections. However, in this instance the 1982 Ashland/Jackson County Urban
Growth Boundary requires review and approval of applications to correct errors in
the Comprehensive Plan Map by both the Ashland City Council and Jackson County Board of
Commissioners. As such, the application is being treated as a procedure because it
requires a Council decision. If the City Council approves the current request, the applicant would
then need to make a similar application to Jackson County for consideration by the Board of
Commissioners before either body adopted an ordinance correcting the boundary line.
I. Discussion
The application requests approval of a Minor Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment in the form
of a map correction to clarify the urban growth boundary. The application materials assert that the
record of the exact location of the urban growth boundary line has been inconsistent, and recording
a plat to further urbanize the subject properties within the city limits would leave Jackson County
RR-5 zoned remnant properties outside the Urban Grown Boundary with less than the minimum
required lot area under their county zoning.
Goal 14 of Oregons statewide land use-planning goals deals with Urbanization. In the Oregon
Administrative Rules (OAR), OAR 660-004-0040 discusses the Application of Goal 14 to Rural
Residential Areas. The subject properties here are within the counties Rural Residential zone
(RR-5). With regard to rural lands planned for residential uses such as the properties here, Goal
14 prohibits the urban use of these rural lands, and to that end prevents the creation of new lots or
parcels smaller than the minimum size (which is generally no smaller than two acres in Goal 14,
and specifically five acres here under the Countys RR-5 zoning) without an exception to Goal 14.
Recording a plat to partition or divide the portions of the properties within the city limits would
create new discrete parcels out of the remnant pieces of the properties that lie outside the city limits
and urban growth boundary, triggering the exception. This would be a costly action with the
County and in a pre-application with County staff, they have indicated to the applicant that
approval of such an exception appears extremely unlikely.
There are portions of four tax lots included in the request for clarification of the urban growth
(39 1E 04A Tax Lots: 1100,
boundary. These properties are located at 475 East Nevada Street
1200 & 1300)(39 1E 04A Tax Lot 1000).
and at 375 East Nevada Street In 2017, the Planning
Commission approved a Comprehensive Plan Amendment from Single Family Residential
Reserve to North Mountain Neighborhood Overlay Zoning; a Zone Change from Jackson County
Rural Residential, ½-acre minimum (RR-5) to North Mountain Multi-Family (NM-MF) Zoning
Overlay; Outline Plan and Site Design Review approvals for a 20-lot/23-unit Performance
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at 475 East
Nevada Street.
The application materials explain
applicant met with Jackson County staff regarding the split-zoning of the property and the need,
with subdivision of the property, to create discrete lots for the remnant properties outside the urban
growth boundary. The application suggests that at this point, it became apparent that there were
8 and the maps the County used in
implementing their development regulations.
The application concludes that the request is that the portions of tax lots 1100, 1200 & 1300
totaling 2.08 acres at 475 East Nevada Street, and the approximately 1.37 acre area of tax lot 1000
at 375 East Nevada Street which are depicted on the current city maps as being outside the urban
growth boundary instead be included within the City of Ashlandurban growth boundary as it
was drawn in the official 1989 map, explaining that while the present Geographical Information
System (GIS) maps show the properties divided by the City of Ashland urban growth boundary
roughly mid-way between the north and south property lines with the urban growth boundary
following the city limits boundary, the 1989 map is of such a scale that the pen stroke is larger
than the specific location of the UGB on the subject property per the GIS maps. The application
materials emphasize that the issue at hand must be addressed before further action can be taken to
complete the approval and development of the Katherine Mae Subdivision.
II. Analysis
The expansion of the urban growth boundary other than through the correction of a mapping error
would trigger a minor amendment to the Greater Bear Creek Valley Regional Plan. When the
Regional Plan was completed in 2012, the City of Ashland was the only participating city in the
region that chose not to identify urban reserve areas for the future expansion of its urban growth
boundary. Ashland instead committed to accommodating a doubling of the regional population
over the next 50-60 years through more efficient land use within the existing city limits and urban
growth boundary. Should the city now seek to expand its urban growth boundary by not more
than 50 acres, it would require a minor amendment to the Regional Plan be processed by Jackson
County with the City of Ashland as the applicant.
In discussing the application with Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD)
staff, they have confirmed that if the application is truly a clarification of the UGB boundary
based on the interpretation of historic documents, it does not constitute a UGB amendment and
can be treated as a correction
The request here is to determine whether the current maps reflect the originally intended placement
of the urban growth boundary, or if the urban growth boundary was incorrectly placed in the
transition from the original paper maps to the currently adopted electronic maps and thus merits
correction.
Minor Map Amendments or Corrections
As detailed in AMC 18.5.9.020.A, minor map amendments or correction may be approved if
in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and the application demonstrates that one or more of
the following:
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1. The change implements a public need, other than the provision of affordable
housing, supported by the Comprehensive Plan.
2. A substantial change in circumstances has occurred since the existing zoning or
Plan designation was proposed, necessitating the need to adjust to the changed
circumstances.
3. Circumstances relating to the general public welfare exist that require such an
action.
4. Proposed increases in residential zoning density resulting from a change from
one zoning district to another zoning district, will provide 25 percent of the
proposed base density as affordable housing consistent with the approval
standards set forth in subsection 18.5.8.050.G.
5. Increases in residential zoning density of four units or greater on commercial,
employment, or industrial zoned lands (i.e., Residential Overlay), will not
negatively impact the commercial and industrial land supply as required in
the Comprehensive Plan, and will provide 25 percent of the proposed base
density as affordable housing consistent with the approval standards set forth in
subsection 18.5.8.050.G.
6. The total number of affordable units described in 18.5.9.020.A, subsections 4 or
5, above, shall be determined by rounding down fractional answers to the nearest
whole unit. A deed restriction, or similar legal instrument, shall be used to
guarantee compliance with affordable criteria for a period of not less than 60
years. 18.5.9.020.A, subsections 4 and 5 do not apply to Council initiated actions.
Determination of Zoning Boundaries
AMC 18.2.1.030 also speaks to the of Zoning and provides that:
Unless otherwise specified, zoning boundaries are lot lines, the centerlines of streets, and railroad
right-of-way, or such lines extended. Where due to the scale, lack of scale, lack of detail or illegibility
of the Zoning Map, or due to any other reason, there is uncertainty, contradiction or conflict as to the
intended location of a zoning boundary, the Staff Advisor or, upon referral, the Planning Commission
or City Council, shall determine the boundary as follows:
A.wźŭŷƷƭΏƚŅΏǞğǤ͵ Boundaries that approximately follow the centerlines of a street,
highway, alley, bridge, railroad, or other right-of-way shall be construed to follow
such centerlines. Whenever any public right-of-way is lawfully vacated, the lands
formerly within the vacated right-of-way shall automatically be subject to the
same zoning designation that is applicable to lands abutting the vacated areas. In
cases where the right-of-way formerly served as a zoning boundary, the vacated
lands within the former right-of-way shall be allocated proportionately to the
abutting zones.
B.tğƩĭĻƌͲ ƌƚƷͲ ƷƩğĭƷ͵ Where a zoning boundary splits a lot into two zones and the
minimum width or depth of a divided area is 20 feet or less, the entire lot shall be
placed in the zone that accounts for the greater area of the lot by the adjustment
of the zoning boundary. Where a zoning boundary splits a lot into two zones and
the minimum width and depth of both divided areas is greater than 20 feet, the
lot shall have split zoning with lot area designated proportionately to each zone.
C.WǒƩźƭķźĭƷźƚƓ ĬƚǒƓķğƩǤ͵ Boundaries indicated as approximately following a City or
County boundary, or the Urban Growth Boundary, shall be construed as following
said boundary.
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D.bğƷǒƩğƌ ŅĻğƷǒƩĻƭ͵ Boundaries indicated as approximately following the
centerlines of a river or stream, a topographic contour, or similar feature not
corresponding to any feature listed in section 18.2.1.030, above, shall be
construed as following such feature.
Ashland/Jackson County Urban Growth Boundary Agreement (UGBA)
In addition to the Ashland Municipal Code (AMC), there is an County Urban
Growth Boundary Agreement which was adopted in 1982. The UGBA sets forth the
mutually adopted urbanization program between the City and Jackson (and) establishes
an Urban Growth Boundary, an Area of Future Urbanization, Areas of Mutual Planning Concern,
joint policies governing the urbanization of lands, and revision and administrative procedures.
The UGBA requires review and approval of applications to correct errors in the Comprehensive
Plan Map by both the Ashland City Council and Jackson County Board of Commissioners as
follows:
/ƚƩƩĻĭƷźƚƓ ƚŅ 9ƩƩƚƩƭ͵ If the City Council or the County Board of Commissioners become
aware of an error in either the map or the text of the mutually adopted urbanization
program, both bodies may cause an immediate amendment to occur to correct the
error, after mutual agreement is reached. Such a correction shall be in the form of a
public hearing and an ordinance, conducted separately or jointly by both bodies, which
may take effect on an emergency basis. Public hearings before the Planning
Commissions shall not be required where an amendment is intended specifically to
correct an error.
Generally, an error is a cartographic mistake or text misprint, omission or duplication.
Such errors are not derived from new data or suggested errors made in interpretations
of the attitudes of the public, the governing bodies or data; the latter error types are
considered under the amendment provisions cited herein.
In discussions with Jackson County staff, they have confirmed that if the city determines an error
has been made and the map requires correction, they would forward the issue to the Board of
Commissioners for a decision, as detailed in the 1982 Urban Growth Boundary Agreement.
For staff, the most applicable criterion in considering a minor map correction is AMC
18.5.9.020.A.2, that A substantial change in circumstances has occurred since the existing zoning
or Plan designation was proposed, necessitating the need to adjust to the changed circumstances.
clear that the transition from the original paper maps to a computer-based Geographic
Information System (GIS) enabled mapping by the city and county to become much more precise
and represented a substantial change, and the key question is whether the more precise mapping
resulted in the incorrect identification of the intended urban growth boundary. The original paper
maps often did not show tax lot boundaries or clearly illustrate how the city limits or urban growth
boundary lines related to one another or to individual properties. As the applicant notes, in some
of the adopted paper maps, the UGB line was drawn with a width which equates to more than 200
feet on the ground, while the current request deals with tax lots that are in some instances only 250
feet in depth. While staff believes that boundary lines including the UGB should follow property
lines wherever possible, as provided in AMC 18.2.1.030, in reviewing the maps provided by the
applicant and other maps in city records, staff are unable to identify any clear error in the placement
of the urban growth boundary lines.
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The Tarp The original working map used in developing the current zoning and Comprehensive Plan
maps is often referred to as as it was created from a large canvas tarp. This is not an officially
adopted map, but has been used as a reference tool for staff when boundary questions arise. Staff
estimates that The Tarp dates to the early- to mid- as it was in use as a reference tool when the
current Community Development Director was hired in the late A photo of The Tarp as it illustrates
the subject properties is shown below - with a red rectangle added by staff to identify the subject
properties:
Figure 1
While The Tarp does not illustrate a clear distinction between the city limits and urban growth boundary
here, it does clearly show the subject tax lots and does not identify Comprehensive Plan map designations
for the portions north of the city limits line shown, suggesting that even from this early date, boundary
lines were located so that they left the portions of the subject properties in question here outside the
boundaries. Based on the scale, the boundary line is shown at just over 150 feet from the north
boundary of the Nevada Street right-of-way.
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1982 Urban Growth Boundary Agreement (UGBA) Map
The city and county adopted an Urban Growth Boundary Agreement in 1982 which included an
Urban Growth Boundary Map as A. A portion of that map depicting the subject
properties is copied below, with a red rectangle added by staff in the general area of the subject
properties:
Figure 2 1982 UGBA Map
This UGBA exhibit map does not identify individual tax lots and is generally lacking in clear detail.
The scale on the map is difficult to read and imprecise, but the city limits and urban growth
boundary lines appear to scale to less than 200 feet north of the north boundary of the Nevada
Street right-of-way. (The current GIS map has this boundary at between 153 feet and 167 feet
north of the right-of-way. If adjusted as the applicant requests, the boundary would be between
250 and 329 feet north of the Nevada Street right-of-way.)
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1982 Comprehensive Plan Map from Urbanization Element (Adopted by Ord. 2227)
A new Comprehensive Plan and Comprehensive Plan map were adopted in 1982 as Ordinance
#2227. The Urbanization element of the Comprehensive Plan included a map illustrating the
urban growth boundary; the portion of this map depicting the subject properties is copied below,
with the general location of the properties, the urban growth boundary and city limits identified
in red:
Figure 3 1982 Urbanization Element Map
This 1982 Comprehensive Plan map does not identify individual tax lots and is generally lacking in
clear detail. The scale on the map is difficult to read and imprecise, and identifying the exact
intended location of the urban growth boundary is complicated by the fact that the width of the
boundary line itself scales to slightly more than 200 feet and obscures the north boundary of the
Nevada Street right-of-way and the city limits line beneath it. The associated Urbanization
element of the Comprehensive Plan does include a narrative description of the urban growth
boundary based on lettered points called out on the map noting, The urban growth boundary
returns to the city limits at point Q. The only other departure of the urban growth boundary (line
from the city limits line) is from point R to point S, where it includes the sewage treatment
plant and a portion of the Bear Creek Greenway. The subject properties are between point S and
the starting point A, suggesting that in this vicinity the city limits line and urban growth boundary
line were one and the same in 1982.
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1982 Adopted Zoning Map
Staff have obtained a digital copy of the original zoning map sent to the state for
acknowledgement in 1982. The portion relevant to the subject properties is illustrated below,
with the general location of the properties in a red rectangle:
Figure 4 Officially-Adopted Zoning Map (1982)
The city limits and urban growth boundary line are one and the same here. Individual tax lots are
not identified, however the boundary line scales as approximately 120 feet north of the north
boundary of the Nevada Street right-of-way.
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1989 Urban Growth Boundary Agreement Map
The application materials provided include a map described as being part of a 1989 Urban Growth
Boundary Agreement. The relevant portion of this map, with the notes in the red box,
is included below.
Figure 5 UGBA Map (1989). hŅŅźĭźğƌͪ
Staff cannot locate an adopted 1989 Urban Growth Boundary Agreement, and as such cannot
confirm that this is an official map. There was an Urban Growth Boundary Agreement update
process initiated in 2001, but it never came to fruition, and both the city and the county are still
currently working under the adopted 1982 Urban Growth Boundary Agreement discussed above,
and are unaware of an adopted 1989 update. While the map provided includes individual tax lots,
the tax lot lines are unclear with regard to the subject properties here, and the map provided does
not include a scale.
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2008 Officially Adopted Comprehensive Plan Map
In 2008, the city adopted new zoning and associated overlay maps in digital format with
Ordinance #2951. These are the current official maps. A portion of the official Comprehensive
Plan map depicting the subject properties is shown below, with a red rectangle added by staff
around the subject properties.
Figure 6 Current Officially-Adopted Comprehensive Plan Map (2008)
In the current officially-adopted maps, the city limits and urban growth boundary lines are one
and the same in this vicinity, similar to the way they were depicted on and described
in the narrative description in the 1982 Element of the Comprehensive Plan. This
currently adopted official GIS map has the boundary lines at between 153 feet and 167 feet north
of the north boundary of the Nevada Street right-of-way, which splits the subject properties
between city and county, leaving remnant portions outside the city and urban growth boundary
under the county jurisdiction.
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III. Procedural
AMC 18.5.9.020.A Minor Map Amendments or Corrections
The Type II procedure is used for applications involving zoning map amendments consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan map, and minor map amendments or corrections. Amendments under this section may
be approved if in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan and the application demonstrates that one or
more of the following.
1. The change implements a public need, other than the provision of affordable housing,
supported by the Comprehensive Plan.
2. A substantial change in circumstances has occurred since the existing zoning or Plan
designation was proposed, necessitating the need to adjust to the changed
circumstances.
3. Circumstances relating to the general public welfare exist that require such an action.
4. Proposed increases in residential zoning density resulting from a change from one
zoning district to another zoning district, will provide 25 percent of the proposed base
density as affordable housing consistent with the approval standards set forth in
subsection 18.5.8.050.G.
5. Increases in residential zoning density of four units or greater on commercial,
employment, or industrial zoned lands (i.e., Residential Overlay), will not negatively
Comprehensive Plan, and will provide 25 percent of the proposed base density as
affordable housing consistent with the approval standards set forth in
subsection 18.5.8.050.G.
6. The total number of affordable units described in 18.5.9.020.A, subsections 4 or 5,
above, shall be determined by rounding down fractional answers to the nearest whole
unit. A deed restriction, or similar legal instrument, shall be used to guarantee
compliance with affordable criteria for a period of not less than 60 years. 18.5.9.020.A,
subsections 4 and 5 do not apply to Council initiated actions.
Ashland/Jackson Urban Growth Boundary Agreement (UGBA)
Section 11.D of the 1982 UGBA between Ashland & Jackson County addresses of
as follows:
Correction of Errors. If the City Council or the County Board of Commissioners become aware of an error
in either the map or the text of the mutually adopted urbanization program, both bodies may cause an
immediate amendment to occur to correct the error, after mutual agreement is reached. Such a correction
shall be in the form of a public hearing and an ordinance, conducted separately or jointly by both bodies,
which may take effect on an emergency basis. Public hearings before the Planning Commissions shall not
be required where an amendment is intended specifically to correct an error.
Generally, an error is a cartographic mistake or text misprint, omission or duplication. Such errors are not
derived from new data or suggested errors made in interpretations of the attitudes of the public, the governing
bodies or data; the latter error types are considered under the amendment provisions cited herein.
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IV. Conclusions and Recommendations
Staff believes that the boundary lines would have been much better placed to follow property lines,
and staff is equally frustrated that the size of resulting remnant properties in the county prevents
further urbanization of these properties, however in reviewing the application materials and
associated maps, staff have been unable to identify any clear error in the urban growth boundary
current placement that suggests it was placed differently than was originally intended and
needs to be corrected. While each of the various maps pose some challenges in terms of clarity,
scale and the identification of individual tax lot lines relative to the boundary line locations, all of
them are generally consistent in depicting a straight urban growth boundary line in the same
location as the city limits line as was described in the Comprehensive Plan narrative in 1982
when the boundary was established - rather than having the boundary follow property lines. As
such, staff are unable to say that a correction is merited here.
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Received 3.15.2021
ROGUE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, LLC
Minor Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment
375 East Nevada Street
475 East Nevada Street
ROGUE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, LLC
Received 3.15.2021
Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment
Subject Property
Property Address: 475 EAST NEVADA STREET
Map & Tax Lots: 39 1E 04A Tax Lots: 1100, 1200; 1300
Property Owner: Young Family Trust
348 South Modoc Street
Medford, OR 97504
Property Address: 375 EAST NEVADA STREET
Map & Tax Lot: 39 1E 04A Tax Lot: 1000
Property Owner: Peter and Laura Schultz
375 E Nevada Street
Ashland, OR 97520
Surveyor:Hoffbuhr & Associates
880 Golf View Drive; Suite 201
Medford, OR 97540
Planning Consultant: Rogue Planning & Development Services, LLC
Amy Gunter
1314-B Center Dr., PMB#457
Medford, OR 97501
Comprehensive
Plan Designation: Single Family Residential Reserve
Zoning: SPLIT: City of Ashland RR-.5
Jackson County Rural Residential (RR-5)
Adjacent Zones: NM-R-1.5; NM-MF; Rural Residential (RR-.5); Jackson
County RR-5; and Jackson County Exclusive Farm Use (EFU)
Findings of Fact
March 5, 2021
Request for Modification of Comprehensive Plan Map
Page 1 of 12
Received 3.15.2021
Request:
The application requests approval for a City of Ashland Comprehensive Plan Amendment from Jackson
County Rural Residential to Ashland Residential Reserve/North Mountain Neighborhood Plan.
It can be found that the record of the exact location of the Urban Growth Boundary line has been
inconsistentand leavesJackson County RR-5 zoned remnant parcels of landthat necessitate Goal 14
exceptions due to the limited lot area of the legal parcels of record of the areas north of and outside of
the city of Ashland Urban Growth Boundary.
There are portions of four parcels of record included in the request for clarification of theUrban
Growth Boundary. The properties are 475 East Nevada Street (39 1E 04A Tax Lots: 1100, 1200; 1300)
and 375 East Nevada Street (39 1E 04A Tax Lot: 1000).
In 2017, the Katherine Mae Subdivision obtained Comprehensive Plan Amendment from Single Family
Residential Reserve to North Mountain Neighborhood Overlay Zoning, a Zone Change from Jackson
County Rural Residential, ½ Acre minimum (RR-.5-P), to North Mountain Multi-Family (NM-MF) Zoning
Overlay; Outline Plan and Site Design Review approval for a Performance Standards Subdivision to allow
for the future development of a phased subdivision in 2017.
At the time of the subdivision request, it was believed that the property was divided by the city of
Ashland Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) that is shown on the 2008 adopted maps from the city of Ashland
as roughly half-way between the north and south property lines. Following discussions and meetings
with Jackson County regarding the “split zoning” of the property and the need to create separate and
discrete parcels of recordnorth of the UGB that areseparate from the property on the south side of the
UGB.
Following inquiries at the County, it became apparent that there is question to the adopted maps on file
with the city of Ashland and dated July 2008 and the maps that Jackson County uses in the
implementation of their development regulations. In the research of this issue, the ability to readily
manipulate the boundary lines presently when mapped by the Geographic Information Services (GIS)
mapping software versus the lines drawn on the adopted Comprehensive Plan Mapsbecame more
apparent.
The property owner and the project team find that there is an important issue at hand that must be
addressed before further action can be taken concerning the Final Planning of the adjacent Katherine
Mae Subdivision.
According to the present Geographical Information Systems (GIS) drawn maps, theproperties are
divided by the City of Ashland Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) roughly mid-way between the north and
south property lines. The UGB is shown following the city limits boundary. The official map is dated 1989
Findings of Fact
March 5, 2021
Request for Modification of Comprehensive Plan Map
Page 2 of 12
Received 3.15.2021
and is of such a scale that the pen stroke is larger than the specific location of the UGB on the subject
property per the GIS maps.
The request is for the 2.08-acre portions of 1100, 1200 & portions of 1300, and an approximately 1.37-
acrearea of 375 East Nevada Street that is on the north side of the GIS drawn line to be included into
the City of Ashland Urban Growth Boundary as drawn upon the 1989 official maps.
Property Descriptions:
The properties proposed for proposal consists of four properties, tax lots #1000, 1100, 1200, and 1300.
The properties are on the north side of East Nevada Street west of the intersection of East Nevada Street,
and an unimproved, remnant portion of the North Mountain Avenue right-of-way.
The subject properties are Comprehensive Plan designated as
Single-Family Residential Reserve. Tax lots 1100, 1200, and
1300 have been rezoned to North Mountain Multi-Family
Residential.
Tax lot 1000 is a city of Ashland RR-.5 and Jackson County RR-5
zoning.
The properties are all within the Performance Standards Overlay.
North of the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) and the City limits
boundaries, the properties are Jackson County Rural Residential, Five Acre Minimum (RR-5).
Tax lot #1200 is occupied by a 1,785-square foot single-story, single-family residence that was
constructed in 1954. There is a detached garage on the county side of the property. Another outbuilding
exists behind the residence. Tax lots #1100 and 1300 are vacant.
The properties to the east and west are also split by UGB and split zoned by Ashland RR-.5 and Jackson
County RR-5. The property to the east is too small and constrained to be considered.
Findings of Fact
March 5, 2021
Request for Modification of Comprehensive Plan Map
Page 3 of 12
Received 3.15.2021
The property to the west at 375 East Nevada (39S 1E is included in the proposalat the recommendation
of the City of Ashland. This property is occupied by a single-family residence and associated outbuildings.
The property to the north at 1059 North Mountain Avenue (39S 1E 04A; 201) is zoned Jackson County
RR-5. This lot is occupied by a vacant mobile home. This lot is zoned Rural Residential, five-acre minimum,
and is more than five acres in area.
The property at 1260 Oak Street (39S 1E 04A; 300) is to the north of 375 East Nevada Street. This property
is zoned Exclusive Farm Use and is 21.97 acres.
Across the North Mountain Avenue overpass to the southeast, the properties are zoned Healthcare (HC).
These properties are part of the Skylark Assisted Living Facility and Mountain Meadows Retirement
community.
The properties to the south, across East Nevada Street, are within the North Mountain Neighborhood
Plan Overlay. There are North Mountain Single Family (NM-R-1-5); North Mountain Commercial (NM-C);
and North Mountain Multi-Family (NM-MF) zones within the North Mountain Neighborhood Plan
Overlay.
The four parcels included in the request are bound by East Nevada Street along the south property lines.
According to the street classification in the Transportation System Plan (TSP), East Nevada Street is an
Avenue or Major Collector. East Nevada would be considered a two-lane avenue. Avenues have a right-
of-way width of between 59 – 86 feet. There is generally, 60-feet of ROW along the frontage of the
properties. In the area of steep, rocky slopes between the subject property and the driving surface of
East Nevada Street, there is more than 120-feet of ROW. East Nevada Street is not improved to Avenue
Standards. Due to the topographical constraints within the ROW, East Nevada Street is narrow,
constrained by the development to the south, and by the rock outcropping on the north side. East
Nevada has a varying width of improvements.
Along the frontage of the properties, East Nevada Street is improved with pavement, curb, and gutter.
There is a 22-foot paved travel lane, curb, and gutter. On the south side of East Nevada Street, there are
various street improvements within the varying width ROW. Across from 475 East Nevada, there is curb
and gutter, no sidewalk. This property is “under-developed”, and street improvements will be required
with future site development. West of the intersection of Camelot Drive and East Nevada Street, the
street improvements include 22- feet of driving surface, with curb, gutter, varying width park row, and
sidewalk. These improvements continue down the hill to the intersection of Camelot and Kestrel
Parkway. None of East Nevada Street has dedicated bicycle lanes.
The right-of-way that forms the east boundary of the property is North Mountain Avenue because it falls
within a remnant of the North Mountain Avenue right-of-way, but the actual surface street North
Findings of Fact
March 5, 2021
Request for Modification of Comprehensive Plan Map
Page 4 of 12
Received 3.15.2021
Mountain is above the property and transitions from surface street to bridge over the Interstate. The
“street” is not improved more than the narrow gravel driveway that serves the five-acre parcel to the
north of the subject properties. This new street is approved to be named Franklin Street.
Details of the Request:
The request is to acknowledge the adopted 1989 Urban Growth Boundary Map and that the north side
of the pen stroke (the north property lines of the properties at 375 E Nevada Street and 475 E Nevada
Street) is the location of the UGB.
Discussions regarding the property boundaries of the Katherine Mae subdivision began in earnest with
Jackson County and the City of Ashland in early 2016. At the time of the Subdivision application to the
City, Jackson County had indicated that the Urban Growth Boundary Line was a defacto property line
due to jurisdictional overlap.
The County found they could not approve a partition of the “non-conforming” parcels that are north of
the presently mapped GIS database for a few reasons.
1) All of the subject parcels that are divided by the GIS version of the UGB are zonedJackson County
Rural Residential (RR-5) lots. Torevise thelegal description of the properties north of the UGB, a partition
application in Jackson County is required. The resulting lot areas of the separate parcels to the north of
the UGB are substantially less than the minimum lot size in the RR-5 zone.
2) Rural Residential lands that are outside of the UGB and are less than the minimum lot area of two
acres, requires a Goal 14 Exception. The property is unique from what appears to be assumed with
Goal 14 review, that future division of existing parcels to create lots that are less than the minimum lot
area cannot be approved. This property consists of three, discreet parcels that exist with the UGB
creating the boundary division.
Allowing the land to be urbanizeable to the standards of the City of Ashland prevents the application of
Goal 14 to the rural residential land.
Oregon Administrative Rules: 660-004-0040
Application of Goal 14 to Rural Residential Areas
(1) The purpose of this rule is to specify how Goal 14 “Urbanization” applies to rural lands
in acknowledged exception areas planned for residential uses.
(2) For purposes of this rule, the definitions in ORS 197.015, the Statewide Planning Goals,
and OAR 660-004-0005 shall apply. Also, the following definitions shall apply:
(f) “Rural residential areas” means lands that are not within an urban growth
boundary, that are planned and zoned primarily for residential uses, and for which
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Request for Modification of Comprehensive Plan Map
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Received 3.15.2021
an exception to Goal 3 “Agricultural Lands”, Goal 4 “Forest Lands”, or both has
been taken.
5) The rural residential areas described in subsection (2)(f) of this rule are “rural lands”.
Division and development of such lands are subject to Goal 14, which prohibits urban use
of rural lands.
(6)
(a) A rural residential zone in effect on October 4, 2000, shall be deemed to comply
with Goal 14 if that zone requires any new lot or parcel to have an area of at least
two acres, except as required by section (8) of this rule.
(b) A rural residential zone does not comply with Goal 14 if that zone allows the
creation of any new lots or parcels smaller than two acres. For such a zone, a local
government must either amend the zone's minimum lot and parcel size provisions
to require a minimum of at least two acres or take an exception to Goal 14. Until
a local government amends its land-use regulations to comply with this subsection,
any new lot or parcel created in such a zone must have an area of at least two
acres.
(7) After October 4, 2000, a local government's requirements for the minimum lot or parcel
sizes in rural residential areas shall not be amended to allow a smaller minimum for any
individual lot or parcel without taking an exception to Goal 14 pursuant to OAR chapter
660, division 14, and applicable requirements of this division.
(8)(a) The creation of any new lot or parcel smaller than two acres in a rural residential
area shall be considered an urban use. Such a lot or parcel may be created only if an
exception to Goal 14 is taken. This subsection shall not be construed to imply that the
creation of new lots or parcels two acres or larger always complies with Goal 14. The
question of whether the creation of such lots or parcels complies with Goal 14 depends
upon compliance with all provisions of this rule.
To facilitate orderly development as envisioned in the adopted Comprehensive Plan and to retain
consistency with the adopted Comprehensive Plan adopted maps and plans, recognizing the adopted
UGB “line” extends to the north property boundary of the parcels in question eliminates the dividing line
that created Goal 14 exception land outside of the UGB.
The benefits of acknowledging the north property line as the UGB provides many benefits to the City of
Ashland. The additional 3.45 acres has the potential base density of 41 dwelling units. The property is
Findings of Fact
March 5, 2021
Request for Modification of Comprehensive Plan Map
Page 6 of 12
Received 3.15.2021
directly adjacent to the city limits and the areahas had various mapping that leads one to believe the
boundary is not officially mapped and clarification is sought.
This request does not include site design review of any of the future residences on the properties as they
would be developed at a later date, following the annexation of the area in question.
On the following pages, findings of fact addressing the criteria from the Ashland Municipal Code are
provided. For clarity, the criteria are infont and the applicant’s responses are in
Times New Roman
Calibri font.
Findings of Fact
March 5, 2021
Request for Modification of Comprehensive Plan Map
Page 7 of 12
Received 3.15.2021
Findings of Fact
Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment and Zone Change:
18.5.9.020 Applicability and Review Procedure
Applications for Plan Amendments and Zone Changes are as follows:
A. Type II. The Type II procedure is used for applications involving zoning map amendments
consistent with the Comprehensive Plan map, and minor map amendments or corrections.
Amendments under this section may be approved if in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan
and the application demonstrates that one or more of the following.
Applicant’s Finding:
According to the 1982-024 Jackson County and Ashland Urban Growth Boundary Agreement, Minor
Boundary Line Agreements, are minor adjustments to the UGB that are defined as focusing on individual
properties and not having a significant impact beyond the immediate area of the change. In 2004, the
Jackson County Land Development Ordinance adopted a process for correcting minor mapping errors.
The Jackson County criteria regarding minor amendments are similar to the Ashland Municipal Code
requirements and an application for amendment is necessary at the county level following the decision
at the City of Ashland.
1. The change implements a public need, other than the provision of affordable housing, supported
by the Comprehensive Plan.
Applicant’s Finding:
The change implements the public need for the additional land area adjacent to the existing
developable land area that allows for diverse housing stock.
The requested change is consistent with the State of Oregon Legislative goals and is in line with a
recent effort by the Department of Land Conservation and Development pilot program for minor
UGB amendments though a state-assisted process, Ashland was not part of the project area but
qualified if it had sought the program.
The proposal implements Statewide PlanningGoal 14: Urbanization, to provide for an orderly and
efficient transition from rural to urban land use, to accommodate urban population and urban
employment inside urban growth boundaries, to ensure efficient use of land, and to provide for
livable communities.If undersized, substantially smaller than minimum five-acre portions of RR-
5 zoned land remaining, it is an inefficient use of level, buildable, connected land that is best suited
for urbanization instead of remnant rural residential lands.
The addition of connected, owned in common properties to the Urban Growth Boundary furthers
Comprehensive Plan Goal 6.10. Which seeks to ensure a variety of dwelling types and provide
housing opportunities for the total cross-section ofAshland’s population, consistent with
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Request for Modification of Comprehensive Plan Map
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preserving the character and appearance of the city. The development standards of the North
Mountain Overlay (anticipated with future rezoning and development of these portions of the
properties) ensure the character and appearance of the city are maintained. The North Mountain
Overlay allows for single-family attached and detached, clustered, and multi-family style
development patterns. This is consistent with the character and appearance of the city.
The proposal is consistent with Comprehensive Plan Policy 6.11 as it relates to growth form, City
policy should encourage the development of vacant available lots within the urban area while
providing sufficient new land to avoid an undue increase in land prices. This shall be accomplished
with specific annexation policies.Allowing portions of existing parcels that are in the same
immediate vicinity, served by the same public streets, adjacent to the same freeway, restricted to
the same solar orientation standards, lot coverage, stormwater drainage, parking, open space
requirements, heights, orientation, scale, etc. as the properties to the east as part of the Mountain
Meadows development including Skylark Place, and the other developments within the North
Mountain Neighborhood to the south, and southwest is an inefficient use of land that allows for
additional housing area to meet Ashland’s housing needs.
The proposal furthers the Energy, Air, and Water Conservation goals and policies of the
Comprehensive Plan Goals, Chapter 11. The proposal adds land that is physically connected to the
city limits. The land has access to city electricity, sanitary sewer, stormwater drainage, and water.
The site has excellent solar orientation and solar electric generating systems would be possible.
1059 N Mountain Avenue (39 1E 04; 200) though outside of the city limits and UGB has city water
service.
The city shall strive, in every appropriate way, to reduce energy consumption within the
community. The Council's goals include leveraging the city resources to provide additional lands
for housing development. Allowing for a small area of land to be included within the UGB to allow
for future urbanization demonstrates the city's efforts to increase the developable area to
increase housing stock.
The proposal furthers the goals outlined in Chapter 12, Urbanization which seeks to maintain a
compact urban form and include an adequate supply of vacant land to not hinder natural market
forces and ensure orderly and sequential development of the land in the city limits.
2. A substantial change in circumstances has occurred since the existing zoning or Plan designation
was proposed, necessitating the need to adjust to the changed circumstances.
Applicant’s Finding:
The state regulations imposing Goal 14 exceptions when a parcel area of Rural Residential land is
smaller than the minimum lot area was adopted in 2000.
The city limits were adopted pre-1900. The urban growth boundary was adopted in the early
1980s, the North Mountain Neighborhood Plan was adopted in 1997. The subject properties were
Findings of Fact
March 5, 2021
Request for Modification of Comprehensive Plan Map
Page 9 of 12
Received 3.15.2021
part of the large area of underdeveloped land on the north side of Bear Creek, accessedonly by a
gravel-surfaced, North Mountain Avenue. Between 1997 and today, major public and private
expenditures were made to bring paved streets, sewer, and water to this area.
The current property owners understand the great value in working with the City and providing
additional developable land consistent with the adjacent property zones and development
patterns allowing for furthering the Comprehensive Plan concerning urbanization.
The various Comprehensive Plan Maps lead one to speculate that there is a discrepancy between
the paper maps adopted in the 1970s and 1980s and the 2000s changes to the state laws
regarding Goal 14 exceptions for RR-5 zoned land that is smaller than minimum lot areas, is a
substantial change that necessitates the requested modified Urban Growth Boundary to create
remnant parcels that cannot be developed or are area deficient and requires an exception to state
regulations of rural residential lands.
3. Circumstances relating to the general public welfare exist that require such an action.
Applicant’s Finding:
N/A
4. Proposed increases in residential zoning density resulting from a change from one zoning district
to another zoning district, will provide 25 percent of the proposed base density as affordable
housing consistent with the approval standards set forth in subsection 18.5.8.050.G.
Applicant’s Finding:
The area of the 475 E Nevada Street parcels is 2.08 acres. Of this, approximately 11,300 square
feet (.259 acres) of tax lot 1200 has slopes of 35 percent or greater. The remaining 1.82 acres has
a base density of 21.85 dwelling units. When these properties are annexed, five (21.85 X .25 =
5.46) affordable housing units would be provided when the portion of the property in question is
annexed and developed.
The area of 375 E Nevada Street that is north of the city limits line is 2.34 acres. Of these 2.34
acres, 5,200 square feet is the floodway of Bear Creek and 25,860 square feet is FEMA's 100-year,
special flood hazard area. The area of the property outside of the floodplain and floodway is 1.63
acres and the base density is 19.66. When this property is annexed, four (1.63 X .25 = 4.91)
affordable housing units would be provided when the portion of the property in question is
annexed and developed.
Adequate numbers of affordable housing units that comply with the standards of subsection
ALUO 18.5.8.050.G. will be provided when the subject properties are annexed into the city.
Findings of Fact
March 5, 2021
Request for Modification of Comprehensive Plan Map
Page 10 of 12
Received 3.15.2021
5. Increases in residential zoning density of four units or greater on commercial, employment, or
industrial zoned lands (i.e., Residential Overlay), will not negatively impact the City's commercial
and industrial land supply as required in the Comprehensive Plan and will provide 25 percent of
the proposed base density as affordable housing consistent with the approval standards outlined in
subsection 18.5.8.050.G.
Applicant’s Finding:
N/A
6. The total number of affordable units described in 18.5.9.020.A, subsections 4 or 5, above, shall
be determined by rounding down fractional answers to the nearest whole unit. A deed restriction,
or similar legal instrument, shall be used to guarantee compliancewith affordable criteria for a
period of not less than 60 years. 18.5.9.020.A, subsections 4 and 5 do not apply to Council initiated
actions.
Applicant’s Finding:
The total number of affordable housing units varies depending upon the future uses and the level
of AMI restriction. The future development of the subject properties will demonstrate compliance
at the time with the required number of affordable housing units as required per ALUO
18.5.9.202.A.
The property owner and the applicant find that to facilitate orderly development as envisioned in the
adopted Comprehensive Plan and to retain consistency with the adopted Comprehensive Plan adopted
maps and plans, recognizing the adopted UGB “line” extends to the north property boundary of the
parcels in question eliminates the dividing linethat created Goal 14 exception land outside of the UGB.
The benefits of acknowledging the north property line as the UGB provides many benefits to the City of
Ashland. The additional 3.45 acres has the potential base density of 41 dwelling units. The property is
directly adjacent to the city limits and the area has had various mapping that leads one to believe the
boundary is not officially mapped and clarification is sought.
This request does not include site design review of any of the future residences on the properties as they
would be developed at a later date, following the annexation of the area in question.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Gunter
Attachments:
Snip of Ashland Acres SubdivisionPlat Map (1923)
Draft UGB map (1” = 4000’ dated 2/22/1979)
Findings of Fact
March 5, 2021
Request for Modification of Comprehensive Plan Map
Page 11 of 12
Received 3.15.2021
Draft UGB map (1” = 2000’ dated 2/22/1979)
Adopted UGB map (dated 11/2/1982)
UGB Map from 1989 UGB Agreement (dated 7/1989)
Official Map of City of Ashland (dated 2004)
Jackson County Development Services map of the property
(dated 12/14/2018 and 1/23/2019)
Jackson County Pre-application Conference Summary
Letter from Attorney Brett Hall (dated June 7, 2020)
Findings of Fact
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Request for Modification of Comprehensive Plan Map
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Development
Services
Charles Bennett
Planner III
10 South Oakdale Avenue, Room
100
Medford, OR 97501-2902
Phone: (541)774-6115
Fax: (541)774-6791
bennetch@jacksoncounty.org
Pre-Application Conference
Summary Report
File: 439-18-00012-PRE(PA-NON)
\[This is nota Land Use Decision and is for Informational Purposes Only.\]
1) GENERAL INFORMATION:
LegalDescription
: Township 39, Range 1E, Section 04A, Tax Lot1100&1200 & 1300
Location:
The property is located at 475 East NevadaStreet.
Property Owner:
Young Family Trust
Meeting Time:
A meeting was held on Friday,December 21, 2018, at 2:00 PM.
Agent:
Amy Gunter, Rogue Planning & Development Services LLC
Staff:
Charles Bennett & Craig Anderson
Proposal:
The property owner wants clarification on location of the Urban Growth
Boundary.
Acreage:
2.08 acres
Zoning:
The property ispartially within the City of Ashland and partially in the County
zoned Rural Residential-5 (RR-5).
2) DISCUSSION:
Staff and the applicants discussed the location of the Urban Growth Boundary based
on review of current mapping (GIS) and historic maps. GIS maps are not official maps. The official map
is dated 1989 and is of such a scale that the pen stroke is larger than the specific location of the UGB
on the subject property. Most of the historic maps indicate that the UGB is a straight line that
corresponds with Ashland City limits. The UGB also appears to be consistently approximately 1320’
from the Section line to the northin this area. A previous version of the GIS mapping had the UGB
following the subject taxlotsjust north of the Ashland City limits which appears to be the least consistent
with official historic maps. GIS mapping currently indicates the UGB to be a straight line along the city
limits.
Jackson County File #439-18-00012-PREPage 1
Received 3.15.2021
3) REQUIRED APPLICATIONS:
The Ashland/Jackson County Urban Growth Boundary Agreement and
the 2004 Land Development Ordinance (LDO) provide for the process to correct minor mapping errors.
The applicants first need to obtain Ashland City Council acknowledgement of the error and then file for
a Type IV Zone Map Amendment ($7,078)addressing the map error procedureand criteria whichthen
would go to the Board of Commissioners for final review(skipping the Planning Commission per
procedure). The applicants couldalsoapply for a Type II or Type III partition along the UGB line(Section
10.2.3). The applicants may also apply for a Type IV application for a Goal 14 Exception to expand the
UGB to includethe entire subject tax lots, but approval appears extremely unlikely.
4)CONCLUSION / DISCLAIMER:
Notice:
There was no public notification of this PRE-APPLICATION proposal (This is not an
application. It is a pre-application.)
Information:
This report is for informational purposes onlyand represents the Planning Departments
best understanding of the applicant’s request at this time. No guarantees have been given in this pre-
application as to whether or not the application will be approved or denied. The burden of proof rests
solely with the applicant to provide the necessary information to approve such a request based upon
the applicable standards and criteria of the County Land Development Ordinance.
If you have any questions feel free to give me a call at 774-6115.
Sincerely,
Charles Bennett
Planner III
Date: 1/25/19
Attachments: Copies of Maps, UGBA, Section 5.1.4 of LDO
Jackson County File #439-18-00012-PREPage 2
Received 3.15.2021
June 7, 2020
Planning Division, City of Ashland
20 East Main Street
51 Winburn Way
Ashland, OR 97520
Dear City of Ashland:
I represent the Young Family Trust. The Young Family Trust owns Tax Lots 1100, 1200 & 1300
in Township 39 Range 1E, Section 04A; the street address is 475 East Nevada Street. There is
currently an approved Planning Action 2017-02129 in place for development of this property
into a 20 lot, 23-unit subdivision, with associated proposed Comprehensive Plan designation
changes. The planned development is consistent with the goals of the City of Ashland and
Oregon land use law, and will benefit the City of Ashland. It will provide additional housing for
the City’s residents, and will include low income housing. The purpose of this letter is to request
a formal interpretation pursuant to Ashland Municipal Code § 18.1.5.020 et seq., of the Urban
Growth Boundary (UGB) line along these three tax lots.
There is currently a question as to the location of the UGB along the north side of these three tax
lots. The City has previously taken the position that the UGB follows the City limits boundary,
which is approximately 100 feet south of the northern most property line of each lot. This
position appears to be based on a visual interpretation of a thick marker line on the latest
Comprehensive Plan map, and a GIS map adopted by City Council. It is our understanding that
this position is also inconsistent with previous maps and agreements as jointly adopted and
agreed to by Jackson County and the City, such as the Ashland/Jackson County Urban Growth
Boundary Agreement dated May 20, 1982. See Attachment 1, Ashland/Jackson County Urban
Growth Boundary Agreement. See also, Attachment 2, Excerpt from 1982 Comprehensive Plan;
Chapter 12: Urbanization (Comprehensive Plan Map Pg. 9), adopted November 2, 1982, ORD
2227. It is also inconsistent with the Jackson County Planning Office’s interpretation in
December 2018. See Attachment 3, Pre-application Conference Request, Katherine Mae
Subdivision at p. 2. See also Attachment 4, 1982 map received from Jackson County. And
finally, maps based on GIS mapping and not physical surveys, such as the one adopted by the
City of Ashland, are necessarily imprecise by virtue of the imprecise method in which they are
created, as opposed to maps from actual surveys which can and did serve as the legal basis of the
1982 agreement between Jackson County and Ashland.For these reasons the exact location of
the UGB with respect to these properties is unclear.
In addition, the City’s position would result in that land being subject to County jurisdiction, and
we understand a Goal 14 Exception is not feasible. (ORS-660-004-040 Application of Goal 14 to
Rural Residential Areas). If, on the other hand, that land is within the UGB then the property
could be annexed, brought into the development and provide additional housing for the City of
Ashland and its citizens.
1
Received 3.15.2021
Accordingly, pursuant to Ashland Municipal Code § 18.1.5.020 et seq., we request a formal
interpretation of the exact location of the City of Ashland Urban Growth Boundary
\[Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 12; Urbanization: Adopted November 2, 1982. ORD 2227\] along
Tax Lots 1100, 1200 & 1300 in Township 39 Range 1E, Section 04A, and to determine whether
the adopted line from the aforementioned map has a width of along the adopted city limits
boundary, which would be the south edge of mapped line, or along the north property line
boundary of the subject property, which would be the north edge of mapped line.
Again, we believe the map from with the 1982 boundary agreement with the County is the
accurate map and is not based on GIS interpretation which is generally not a precise form of
map. Please contact me if you have any questions. In the meantime, we look forward to the
City’s formal interpretation.
Best regards,
Brent H. Hall
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Ashland/Jackson County Urban Growth Boundary Agreement.
Attachment 2: 1982 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 12: Urbanization (Comprehensive Plan Map p.
9). Adopted November 2, 1982. ORD 2227
Attachment 3: Pre-Application Conference Request, Katherine Mae Subdivision
Attachment 4: 1982 Map received from Jackson County
cc: Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development
Amy Gunter, Rogue Planning and Development Services
Client
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Received 3.15.2021