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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-21 Croman Advisory_MIN CROMAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 2009 CALL TO ORDER Chair Matt Warshawsky called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way. Committee Members Present: Staff Present: Richard Hendrickson, Airport Commissioner Bill Molnar, Community Development Director Eric Navickas, City Councilor Brandon Goldman, Senior Planner Russ Chapman, Conservation Commissioner April Lucas, Administrative Assistant Keith Swink, Historic Commissioner Graham Lewis, Housing Commissioner Jim Lewis, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Larry Blake, Planning Commissioner Matt Warshawsky, Transportation Commissioner Kerry KenCairn, Tree Commissioner Pam Hammond, Chamber of Commerce Representative Paul Steinle, SOU Representative Absent Members: David Wilkerson, Public Arts Commissioner Rylan Heyerman, Neighborhood Representative Mary Kay Michelsen, Neighborhood Representative Ben Bellinson, Neighborhood Representative APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 CROMAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES The minutes of September 9, 2009 were approved as presented. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED CROMAN MILL SITE DESIGN AND USE STANDARDS AND IMPLEMENTING ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 18.53) Community Development Director Bill Molnar explained at tonight’s meeting staff will review what occurred at recent Planning Commission meetings and review the changes that have been proposed. He stated questions were handed out to the group at the beginning of the meeting and he invited the Committee to send their thoughts and comments to staff after tonight’s meeting. Mr. Molnar briefly commented on the purpose of this Committee and clarified it is to suggest minor adjustments to the plan, to provide a different viewpoint from the groups they represent, and for them to brief the other groups at their respective meetings. th Staff reviewed the Croman plan elements that were discussed at the September 29 Planning Commission meeting. Senior Planner Brandon Goldman commented on the Planning Commission’s outline of questions and noted the Planning Commission held a vote on whether the land use designations and how they are laid out is appropriate. He stated the Planning Commission also reviewed the Land Use Matrix and what uses should be allowed in each of the overlay zones. Mr. Goldman clarified the Planning Commission asked staff to look into providing flexibility to the child/daycare center provision to allow it to be open to the public in case this is needed to keep it viable. He stated another change is the option for a manufacturing plant to have a retail outlet to allow goods to be sold on site. Staff was also asked to look at whether public offices should be a conditional use. Mr. Molnar noted if the Committee does not agree with any of these changes, or any of the uses outlined in the matrix, now is the time to discuss it. Croman Advisory Committee October 21, 2009 Page 1 of 3 Mr. Molnar commented briefly on the City’s conditional use permit process and clarified these uses would only be allowed under certain circumstances. Comment was made questioning if these circumstances will be clearly defined since it may be difficult to remember the intent 10 years from now when a proposal comes forward. Staff continued their review of the last Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Goldman noted the Commission’s discussion of whether the southern portion of the site should be annexed, and what the implications might be. He stated there has been a lot of concern that annexing this property would facilitate changes in the land uses quicker than desired; and the direction from the Planning Commission was to not recommend annexing the southern piece at this time. Mr. Molnar clarified even though we don’t propose annexation at this point, this area would still be included in the plan. He stated the central boulevard proposed to pass through the southern portion could still be built to City standards, and by not annexing it, this would allow the farm and trailer park to remain until a proposal comes forward that is consistent with the Croman plan. Mr. Goldman noted the rail and transit standards included in the proposed Design Standards, and commented on the rail spur easement requirements. Mr. Molnar noted some Planning Commissioners expressed interest in increasing the compatible industrial zone near the railroad, however there are grade and topography issues that would need to be addressed, and staff also has concerns with moving the industrial area too close to the office corridor. Mr. Goldman commented on the proposed residential overlay in the mixed-use and neighborhood center areas, and clarified residential would be allowed, but 100% of the ground floor is reserved for commercial use. He stated the plan’s guiding principles are clear the intent is to provide for a large number of jobs, however, staff is looking into creating opportunities for live-work situations. He stated as part of the special permitted use, upper floors could be developed for residential so long as they meet the maximum number of residential units per acre that will be embedded in the ordinance. Comment was made questioning if there will be any protection for businesses, and whether they could run a swing or graveyard shift without getting opposition from the residential units in the area. Mr. Goldman noted where the residential would be located and clarified it is a fair distance from the industrial areas at the southern end of the site. Mr. Molnar suggested a possible solution to complaints could be requiring residential property owners to sign hold harmless agreements. Comment was made voicing support for this and indicating if they are going to have a residential component, there should be a clear understanding what can and will occur on that site. Comment was made questioning the kennel and veterinary clinic provision, since these uses are not necessarily high employment. Mr. Goldman clarified even though this is listed as an allowed use, the employee per acre component still has to be complied with. He added the restrictions on outdoor running tracks would also limit a large kennel from locating on the Croman site. Mr. Goldman briefly reviewed the City’s buildable land inventory and the industrial land available. He also commented on the street alignment plan and clarified the Planning Commission asked staff to explore more of an east-west street layout to address solar issues for the buildings. Mr. Goldman stated the next Croman Advisory Committee meeting will be on November th 18, and staff will bring forward an alternative street layout at that time. Mr. Molnar added while staff is currently exploring this possibility, the intent it to keep the package as a whole intact. He stated the street layout may be more important for residential than commercial, and noted it might be possible to address the issues through specific energy requirements for the buildings. Mr. Molnar added the main problem for commercial buildings is keeping them cool, followed by lighting the interior. Mr. Goldman noted in addition to changes in traffic flow, a new street layout would also create impacts on block widths. Mr. Goldman stated the last element discussed by the Planning Commission was the alignment of Tolman Creek Road. He stated the recommendation from the Planning Commission was for the plan to identify the objective of the central boulevard, but to defer the final design to a later date after the TSP update is complete and the land has been acquired. Mr. Molnar commented on the Design Standards and explained how they are structured. He stated it might appear that the standards are lengthy, but 60% already exist and were pulled over into this section. He also noted the addition of a sustainable standards section, which will address green streets, stormwater management, and parking. Commissioner KenCairn commented on possibly allowing parking at the front of the building if it is attractive, incorporates green tactics, and serves the public better at that location. Croman Advisory Committee October 21, 2009 Page 2 of 3 Mr. Goldman provided clarification on the proposed active edges and stated this will be required in the highest profile locations where most of the traffic and activity is. He noted the proposed limitations on the number of access points off the main boulevard and around the park area, and clarified this is consistent with the original Crandall & Arambula plan. Mr. Goldman commented briefly on green streets, and stated this is not a new concept, but is relatively new to Ashland. He explained this will allow stormwater runoff to stay on the site to the greatest extend possible, instead of flowing to the City’s water treatment plan. He added buildings will also be asked to capture stormwater and use it in their landscaping. Commission KenCairn voiced concern with this provision and stated it is not feasible to collect stormwater for year-round irrigation of landscaping unless you have a huge storage capacity. She added the plan could require storage, but not a percentage to be used for landscaping. KenCairn suggested a possible matrix be developed if they want to successfully achieve this element. REVIEW NEXT STEPS Staff explained the next steps are for the Committee members to update their commissions and groups, and to be prepared to th form recommendations at the November 18CAC meeting. The Committee chair and other members were also invited to attend the public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council. The grant proposal for the central boulevard was noted, and Mr. Molnar explained this is going before the City Council in November. He noted these types of grants (gas tax revenues) are quite competitive and are generally tied to job creation. Staff noted the three questions handed out at the beginning of the meeting and asked that the members email their responses to staff. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, April Lucas, Administrative Assistant Croman Advisory Committee October 21, 2009 Page 3 of 3