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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-22_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. July 22, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING Minutes I.CALL TO ORDER: Chair Verner called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. at the Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street. Commissioners Present: Staff Present: Lisa Verner Brandon Goldman, Community Development Director Susan MacCracken Jain Derek Severson, Planning Manager Eric Herron Michael Sullivan, Executive Assistant Russell Phillips Absent Members: Council Liaison: John Maher Jeff Dahle (absent) Kerry KenCairn II.ANNOUNCEMENTS 1.Staff Announcements: Community Development Director Brandon Goldman made the following announcements: The Council passed first reading of an ordinance to adopt the SOU Master Plan on July 15th with amendments: Maximum height for solar installations was increased from 25 feet to 38 feet o Heights for the SO zone were modified to allow 60-foot height outright and o 70-foot height with a conditional use permit (different from Planning Commission's recommendation of 50 feet with 60 feet for affordable housing with CUP) Heights along the Ashland Street corridor adjacent to the Climate Friendly o Area would follow the Planning Commission's recommendation of 50-foot height, 60-foot with affordable housing and higher (up to 110 feet) with a CUP. Second reading scheduled for August 5, 2025 o The Council also approved first reading of an ordinance amending the Hamilton Creek-Ashland modified floodplain, with second reading scheduled for August 5, 2025 Commissioner Phillips asked if the Council's amendments to the SOU Master Plan would affect the ability to develop a building on the corner of Walker and Ashland Street up to 110 feet. Director 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 Goldman confirmed that there was no height cap proposed in the amendments for developments with a conditional use permit. 2.Advisory Committee Liaison Reports – None III. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Minutes 1.June 24, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes Commissioners MacCracken Jain/Phillips m/s to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed 4-0. IV.UNFINISHED BUSINESS A.Approval of Findings for PA-T2-2025-00056, 120 Westwood Street Ex Parte Contact No ex parte contact or site visits were disclosed. Decision Commissioners Phillips/MacCracken Jain m/s to approve the Findings as presented. Roll Call Vote: all AYES. Motion passed 4-0. B.Approval of Findings for PA-T3-2024-00011, 1511 Highway 99 North Ex Parte Contact No ex parte contact or site visits were disclosed. Decision Commissioners Herron/MacCracken Jain m/s to approve the Findings as presented. Roll Call Vote: all AYES. Motion passed 4-0. V.TYPE II PUBLIC HEARING SUBJECT PROPERTY: Fern Street Public Right-of-Way north of 648 Roca Street OWNER / APPLICANT: City of Ashland/Public Works Department 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 DESCRIPTION: The Planning Commission will consider a request to vacate a portion of the Fern Street right-of-way just north of 648 Roca Street and make a recommendation to the City Council. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Southern Oregon University; ZONING: SO; MAP & TAX LOT: Public Right of Way Staff Presentation Planning Manager Derek Severson explained that the proposal was for vacation of a section of Fern Street right-of-way to the east of Roca Street. He noted that the existing right-of-way would never be extended through due to grade, the presence of a creek, and lots on the east side. The request was to vacate it to SOU, who owns the properties to the north and south. Mr. Severson noted that the Comprehensive Plan seeks to retain public bicycle and pedestrian access when vacating public right-of-way. Mr. Severson explained that the area has been used by the public with numerous trails through it. SOU had improved it as an arboretum as intended in their last master plan and installed a frisbee golf course that is popular in the community, along with a trail system used by neighbors for recreation (see attachment #1). Staff recommended that the Planning Commission forward a favorable recommendation to the City Council and ask that public pedestrian access and public utility easements be retained to provide a connection from Roca Street to Madrone Street, and to accommodate existing utilities in place within the segment of right-of-way to be vacated. Questions of Staff In response to questions from Commissioners, Severson clarified: An existing sewer line runs diagonally across lot 628 in the Roca Park subdivision and continues north to Ashland Street, but it already has an easement The land would be split equally between the abutting SOU properties The water resource protection zone extends 30 feet on either side of the creek, and severe constraint lands with slopes over 35% are considered unbuildable A pedestrian easement would likely be 8-10 feet wide but given the steep terrain, it would not be accessible to all users Applicant Presentation Alan Harper and Rob Patridge represented SOU. They reported investigating the trails and access to Roca Canyon since the last meeting. Harper stated that SOU's preference for the pedestrian easement would be to link it to the parking lot and go back up, noting that many people use the parking lot to access the trails (see attachment #2). Mr. Harper and Mr. Patridge proposed gifting to the City the riparian corridor and steep slope areas where the trails are located, explaining that the University doesn't maintain these areas but they are 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 used by the public. They showed photos of the area and explained that SOU would retain some access rights for maintaining equipment like a seismic monitoring device. Public Comments The following submitted public comments which highlighted the ecological and recreational importance of maintaining pedestrian access through a natural trail system in the Roca Canyon area, expressing concerns over potential impacts of the proposed right-of-way changes: Alison Laughlin Bruce Bergstrom (see attachment #3) Jeannine Grizzard (see attachment #4) Amy Swan Chair Verner closed the Public Hearing and Public Record at 8:11 p.m. Deliberations and Decision The Commission discussed SOU's proposal to dedicate the riparian area to the City. Commissioner Phillips asked for clarification on where the dedication line would exist in relation to the creek, riparian setback, and unbuildable lands. SOU representatives confirmed it would encompass the riparian corridor and steep slope areas. Commissioner Herron expressed concern about recommending vacation of the storm drain easement without confirmation from Public Works Director Scott Fleury about whether the infrastructure exists or is needed. Chair Verner questioned whether the Parks Department would want to accept the proposed riparian area, with Mr. Goldman noting that the City would need to consider maintenance costs, including wildfire and riparian mitigation. Commissioners Herron/MacCracken Jain m/s to reopen the Public Record for written testimony to be accepted through August 26, 2025, and to continue the Public Hearing to August 26, 2025, at 7:00 PM to deliberate on the proposal. Roll Call Vote: Commissioners MacCracken Jain, Herron, and Verner: AYE. Commissioner Phillips: NAY. Motion passed 3-1. VI.OPEN DISCUSSION - None VII.ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:22 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).