HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-09 Hearings Board MIN
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
HEARINGS BOARD
MINUTES
MAY 9, 2006
CALL TO ORDER – Commissioner Dave Dotterrer called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. at the Ashland Civic Center, 1175
East Main Street, Ashland, OR.
Commissioners Present: Council Liaison:
Dave Dotterrer Kate Jackson, (Council Liaison does not attend
John Stromberg Planning Commission meetings in order to
Michael Dawkins avoid conflict of interest.)
Staff Present:
Absent Members:
Derek Severson, Assistant Planner
None Amy Anderson, Assistant Planner
Sue Yates, Executive Secretary
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND FINDINGS – To be approved at tonight’s meeting.
TYPE I PLANNING ACTIONS
PLANNING ACTION 2006-00451
REQUEST FOR A FINAL PLAN APPROVAL FOR A FIVE-LOT SUBDIVISION UNDER THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS OPTIONS
CHAPTER FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1500 OREGON ST. THE APPLICATION INCLUDES A MODIFICATION OF THE
OUTLINE PLAN APPROVAL FOR A TREE REMOVAL PERMIT TO REMOVE TWO TREES THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED TO
BE PRESERVED.
APPLICANT: MIRIAM TASSINARE
This action was approved.
PLANNING ACTION 2006-00279
REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A 476 SQUARE FOOT ACCESSORY RESIDENTIAL UNIT FOR THE
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 208 SLEEPY HOLLOW DR.
APPLICANT: ROSEMARY D. DALTON
This action was approved.
PLANNING ACTION 2006-00608
REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND SITE REVIEW APPROVAL TO CONVERT AN EXISTING 450 SQUARE FOOT
STUDIO AT 415 E. HERSEY ST. INTO AN ACCESSORY RESIDENTIAL UNIT.
APPLICANT: RAY MIKOTA
This action was approved.
PLANNING ACTION 2006-00441
REQUEST FOR A SITE REVIEW AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR AN ACCESSORY RESIDENTIAL UNIT FOR THE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 160 NOB HILL. THE PROPOSED UNIT IS 460 SQUARE FEET IN SIZE, AND WOULD BE ATTACHED TO A NEW
GARAGE ON THE SOUTHEASTERN PORTION OF THE PARCEL.
APPLICANT: DAN HELLER & DON SEVER
This action was approved.
PLANNING ACTION 2006-00617
REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND SITE REVIEW TO CONSTRUCT A 4,000 SQUARE FOOT STORAGE BUILDING
FOR THE ASHLAND ARMORY FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1420 E. MAIN ST. THE METAL STORAGE BUILDING WILL
REPLACE THE EXISTING METAL SHIPPING CONTAINERS ON SITE.
APPLICANT: STATE OF OREGON MILITARY DEPARTMENT
This action was approved.
TYPE II PLANNING ACTIONS
PLANNING ACTION 2006-00456
REQUEST FOR LAND PARTITION TO DIVIDE THE EXISTING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2235 ASHLAND ST. INTO TWO PARCELS
WITH THE NORTHERN PARCEL ON YMCA WAY SERVING AS A PARKING LOT FOR THE ASHLAND FAMILY YMCA. THE PARKING
IS LOCATED 278 FEET FROM THE FRONT DOOR OF THE YMCA AS MEASURED AS A PEDESTRIAN WALKING FROM THE
PARKING LOT TO THE FRONT DOOR. AS A RESULT, A VARIANCE IS REQUESTED FOR LOCATING PARKING MORE THAN 200
FEET FROM MAIN ENTRANCE.
APPLICANT: ASHLAND FAMILY YMCA
Site Visits and Ex Parte Contacts - Site visits were made by all.
STAFF REPORT
Severson disclosed that Lisa Molnar, Executive Director for YMCA is married to Bill Molnar, the City’s Interim Community
Development Director. Bill has not been involved in this application and not present at this meeting. If any questions from
Commissioners or audience members arise after this hearing, they should be directed to a planner other than Bill. Stromberg
said the conflict of interest law also requires that there is a clear financial gain or loss that would occur to the person or spouse.
What is the financial gain or loss? Severson said the spousal relationship implies there is a shared financial interest.
This action is a request for a land partition to divide the existing property. The portion of the parking lot that is being split off
is proposed to provide additional parking for the nearby YMCA. The proposed parking is located approximately 270 feet from
the front door of the YMCA. When measured as a pedestrian walking from the parking lot to the front door, a Variance is
required to allow off-street parking more than 200 feet from the main entrance.
The Staff Report contains the details of the project and is included in the record. The partition will create 26 parking spaces for
the bank and 13 spaces for patrons and staff of the YMCA. Staff believes the impact is minor. Ten spaces are already being
used. Severson referred to 18.12.050 discussing “similar use.” The Variance criteria appear to have been met. The applicants
have noted there is a significant lessening of the impact of the use from a restaurant to a bank. Also, the Y gym addition
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approved in 2001 was based on the Institute of Traffic Engineer’s (ITE) 2 Edition that required approximately 200 parking
spaces. Under the most current ITE it would require an additional 45 parking spaces for the same use. Several City Staff have
observed overflow parking in the area frequently filling all available off-street spaces, all on-street spaces, and even
overflowing to the Albertson’s parking lot. By partitioning, the bank and Y come nearer to meeting their current parking
requirements.
Benefits are greater than any adverse affect – The applicants are proposing to upgrade the parking lot landscaping and
proposing to provide a pedestrian connection from Barclay Square to YMCA Way, a last link in a pedestrian path from Clay
Street to Tolman Creek Road to the Albertson’s parking lot.
Circumstances or conditions have not been willfully or purposely self-imposed. The conversion of the adjacent parcel to a
much less intense use with a lesser parking demand and the resultant availability in location of the proposed parking were
beyond the control of the applicants. The current proposal represents the applicants attempt to find a balance between its
increased parking demand and its neighbor’s reduced parking demand.
Staff has recommended approval with the added Conditions.
PUBLIC HEARING
MARK KNOX, 320 E. Main Street, Suite 202, represents the YMCA. Knox reiterated the information in their findings. On Page 8
the Variance criteria has been addressed.
JEANNE TAYLOR, Board Member, YMCA,1176 Highwood Drive, Ashland, urged the Commissioners to pass this application. The
Y has over 7300 members and they really need the parking.
JED MEESE, 88 Granite Street, urged approval. In order to continue the Y services provided, it is important to provide adequate
parking.
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
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HEARINGS BOARD
MINUTES
MAY 9, 2006
SIDNEE DREYER, Premier West’s legal counsel, Huycke, O’Connor, Jarvis & Lohmon, LLP, 823 Alder Creek Drive, Medford, 97504,
said this has been a cooperative application.
PAUL HILL, 975 Walker Avenue, believes this is a unique opportunity to benefit the City by improving traffic safety and reducing
the number of people crossing Tolman Creek Road to get to their cars. It will benefit Premier West Bank and Y by getting
their parking more in balance. The Variance is a win-win situation.
LISA MOLNAR,155 Hillcrest, Director, YMCA, stated the Y is an incredible resource for the town. As schools continue to close
and school days decrease and people feel increasingly disconnected, people are turning more and more to the Y for their
programs and services. All of their programs are at a record high. More than a third of the community is members. They save
the Ashland community tax dollars by providing essential programs. They have become one of the key community centers.
They need parking for that. Currently, it is very unsafe for children to cross Tolman Creek Road to the Albertson’s parking lot.
Increased parking should increase safety. If they were building the building today, they would be required to have more
parking. This is a win-win situation for everyone.
ROBBIE HARFST, 2230 Morada Lane, YMCA Board President, said the parking is critical to our continued service, to the
community and to the members. He reiterated the points others had made.
PETE HAAS, 431 Courtney Street, said he and his wife want go on record as supporting the Variance.
Staff Comments
Severson responded to questions about Premier Bank having too much parking. There was no discussion at the time of their
remodel because they only needed a building permit. There was no requirement for them to have a Site Review discussion.
Rebuttal
Knox said if a building or a use is non-conforming, the code does not address a site. One day the bank could revert back to a
restaurant and then they will need more parking.
The new ITE book talks specifically about YMCA’s in suburban environment and the parking ratio has gone way up. There is
clearly a distinction between racquet club/spa center versus child care, youth activities, exercise and all the other things the Y
provides.
Stromberg/Dawkins m/s to approve PA2006-00456 with the stipulation that we find in these particular circumstances that this
private lot is equivalent to a public lot for the purposes of this decision. Roll Call: The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Susan Yates, Executive Secretary
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
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HEARINGS BOARD
MINUTES
MAY 9, 2006