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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-10_Planning MIN Planning CommissionMinutes Note: Anyone wishing to speak at any Planning Commission meeting is encouraged to do so. If you wish to speak, please rise and, after you have been recognized by the Chair, give your name and complete address for the record. You will then be allowed to speak. Please note the public testimony may be limited by the Chair. June 10, 2025 REGULAR MEETING Minutes I.CALL TO ORDER: Chair Verner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street. Commissioner Perkinson attended the meeting via Zoom. Commissioners Present: Staff Present: Kerry KenCairn Brandon Goldman, Community Development Director Lisa Verner Derek Severson, Planning Manager Gregory Perkinson Aaron Anderson, Senior Associate Planner Russell Phillips John Maher Susan MacCracken Jain Absent Members: Council Liaison: Eric Herron None II.ANNOUNCEMENTS 1.Staff Announcements: Community Development Director Brandon Goldman made the following announcements: The Climate Friendly Areas modifications had their second reading at Council on June 3, rd and the Economic Opportunity Analysis (EOA) Ordinance had its first reading. The Council determined to fill the vacant Council seat from a pool of candidates and selected Derek Sherrell. At the June 17 Council meeting, the EOA will have its second reading and the Council will th hear an appeal on the Commission’s approval of 231 Granite Street. At the June 24 Planning Commission meeting the Commission will consider adoption of th the SOU Master Plan. At the July 15 Council meeting, the Council will consider the Hamilton Creek floodplain th map amendments and the Request for Proposals for the remaining six affordable units on the city-owned lots in the Beach Creek Subdivision. At the August 5 Council meeting, the Council will conduct a hearing and first reading of th the ordinance for the Grand Terrace Annexation 2.Advisory Committee Liaison Reports Page 1 of 4 In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please email planning@ashland.or.us. 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 1). Planning CommissionMinutes Commissioner MacCracken Jain announced there would be a dedication event for the newest Playwright’s Walk Plaque on Sunday, June 22 at 2:00 p.m. at the Railroad Park on nd A Street, and noted that she has invitations for anyone interested. She explained that this plaque would honor the “Say Their Names” memorial & Black Lives Matter, and would tie in to Juneteenth celebrations. III.CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Minutes 1. May 13, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes Commissioner Phillips suggested that in the “Staff Announcements” on page 1, it should refer to the May 27 meeting rather than the April 29 meeting. thth MacCracken Jain/Phillips m/s to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Voice vote: All AYES. Motion passed 6-0. IV.PUBLIC FORUM – None V.TYPE II PUBLIC HEARING PLANNING ACTION: PA-T2-2025-00056 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 120 Westwood Street PROPERTY OWNERS: Ian and Amie Crisp APPLICANTS: Rogue Planning & Development DESCRIPTION: A request for a variance to the maximum allowed lot coverage to allow for an addition to the existing garage. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Low Density Residential; ZONING: RR-.5; MAP: 39 1E 08 BA; TAX LOTS: 904 Ex Parte Contact No ex parte contact was disclosed, Chair Verner stated that she conducted a site visit. Staff Presentation Senior Planner Aaron Anderson presented the staff report, outlining the request for a variance to lot coverage to allow the construction of a small addition to an existing garage to the property that currently exceeds the permitted lot coverage. He concluded that the Planning Commission could make findings that the approval criteria had been met and that the request is reasonable given the improvement in the nonconforming situation as well as the planning history and surrounding development patterns (see attachment #1). Page 2 of 4 In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please email planning@ashland.or.us. 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 1). Planning CommissionMinutes Questions of Staff Commissioners discussed lot coverage, and whether requiring the removal of impervious surface proposed as appropriate or necessary. Applicant Presentation Amy Gunter of Rogue Planning and Development Services, LLC gave the applicants’ presentation. She explained that the space being added was for project cars which are not driven regularly, and as such didn’t require paved access to the driveway bay. She emphasized that the applicants would support not being required to remove impervious already in place. She further noted that the applicants were concerned with requiring a deed restriction relative to cover as it would have the potential to impact future sales. She requested that the condition be removed or amended to avoid impacting the ability to sell the property. Questions of the Applicant Commissioner MacCracken Jain asked if other alternatives were considered to reduce coverage, including removal of the curved driveway. Ms. Gunter responded that the driveway surface has a decorative design that would disrupt the appearance of the property, and further noted that this decorative treatment has been in place for over 25 years. She suggested that the removals proposed made the most sense. Commissioner Maher asked about other properties’ coverage compliance. Ms. Gunter responded that she had calculated all other properties within the subdivision and found that they were at well over 20 percent coverage. Commissioner KenCairn suggested that most of the hardscape to be removed puts gaps in site circulation that weren’t practical for the functional use of the property. The property owner responded that they in fact wanted to reduce the impervious coverage as proposed. Chair Verner closed the Public Hearing at the Public Record at 7:34 p.m. Discussion and Decision There was discussion of whether to include deed restriction relative to the second kitchen discussed in the staff report. Mr. Anderson confirmed there is already a deed restriction to not install a kitchen, and the applicant had provided photos demonstrating that the second kitchen had been removed. Staff stated that they are confirming with the Building Official whether a formal inspection would be needed, but that no additional conditions with regard to the kitchen are needed. Commissioner Perkinson suggested allowing applicants to work with Staff to adjust the language for a lot coverage deed restriction. Page 3 of 4 In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please email planning@ashland.or.us. 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 1). Planning CommissionMinutes Commissioner KenCairn suggested allowing the Variance and capping the lot coverage percentage at the 50.5 percent proposed. Commissioners Phillips/Maher m/s to approve application with conditions to require: 1) All conditions of the applicant; 2) Require a deed restriction to memorialize this planning approval with lot coverage to be limited to 50.5 percent, and 3) That prior to final project approval, the applicants’ proposed removal of hardscape material shall be completed and verified by the Staff Advisor. Roll call vote: All AYES. Motion passed 6-0. VI.UNFINISHED BUSINESS Transportation System Plan Public Engagement Plan Mr. Severson provided some brief background. Commissioner MacCracken Jain requested that the Public Arts Advisory Committee be added to the “City Bodies” list of stakeholders. There was discussion of why the Ashland School District and Willow Wind were noted separately. Mr. Severson explained that both were noted by the Transportation Commission specifically, and Mr. Goldman added that Willow Wind is located outside the city limits and the urban growth boundary and might not otherwise be included. Commissioner Phillips questioned how success would be measured. Mr. Severson responded that success would be measured both by demonstrating that typically underserved members of the community were involved in the process, and that there input was incorporated into the Transportation System Plan. He added this would likely be documented through a report attached to the Plan. Mr. Goldman noted that a joint meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee and Planning Commission would likely occur in January or February. VII.OPEN DISCUSSION - None VIII.ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m. Submitted by, Michael Sullivan, Executive Assistant Page 4 of 4 In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please email planning@ashland.or.us. 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 1).