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Home My WebLink About2025-08-26_Planning MIN Planning CommissionMinutes Note: Anyone wishing to speak at any PlanningCommission 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. August 26, 2025 SPECIALMEETING DRAFT Minutes I.CALL TO ORDER: Chair Vernercalled the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.at theCivic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street. Commissioners Present: Staff Present: Lisa Verner Brandon Goldman, CommunityDevelopment Director Eric Herron Derek Severson, Planning Manager Kerry KenCairn Michael Sullivan, Executive Assistant Russell Phillips Jordan Rooklyn, Deputy City Manager Absent Members: Council Liaison: John Maher Jeff Dahle (absent) Susan MacCracken Jain II.ANNOUNCEMENTS 1.Staff Announcements: Community Development Director Brandon Goldman made the following announcement: The Southern Oregon University (SOU) master plan adoption, previously scheduled to be heard by City Council on August 19, was postponed until October 7, 2025. He explained that SOU sought clarification on the application of conditional use permits for projects within 50 feet of privately-held, residentially zoned property. The Grand Terrace development at 1511 Highway 99 was postponed from the August 19 City Council meeting to September 16 at the applicant's request. This delay was to allow time for the recording of a boundary line adjustment that was one of the Planning Commission's conditions, which Jackson County had approved but not fully processed. 2.Advisory Committee Liaison Reports–None III.PUBLIC FORUM City residents Bruce Bergstrom and Allison Laughlin spoke regarding drainage problems on Roca Street. Page 1of 4 In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, pleaseemail 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 Chair Verner and Brandon Goldman advised the speakers that the Planning Commission does not have jurisdiction over infrastructure for existing developments, and that their concerns would be better addressed to the Public Works Department. Goldman noted that Public Works had identified the problems and were likely looking to make improvements. He also mentioned that since these comments related to an agenda item (the Fern Street right-of-way vacation), they should be presented to City Council when they hold their public hearing on the matter, tentatively scheduled for October 7, 2025. IV.TYPE II PUBLIC HEARING –Closed –Meeting Limited to Commission Discussion & Decision SUBJECT PROPERTY: Fern Street Public Right-of-Way north of 648 Roca Street OWNER / APPLICANT: City of Ashland/Public Works Department 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 Chair Verner noted that the Public Hearing had been closed on July 22,2025,but the record was left open for written testimony until 4:00 PM on August 26, 2025, and directed the Commission’s attention to public comments submitted prior to the meeting, including a memo from SOU which was submitted after the packet had been posted(see attachment #1.) Chair Verner closed the Public Record at 7:15 p.m. Ex Parte Contact No ex parte contact was disclosed. Deliberations and Decision The Commission discussed several key issues surrounding the application, including the drainage concerns, pedestrian public access, and the dedication of the riparian area and steep slopes. Commissioners Phillips/KenCairn m/s that the Commission recommend that the City Council approve the requested right-of-way vacation consistent with staff’s recommendations with the following conditions: a pedestrian easement be provided extending from RocaStreet to Madrone Street; the inclusion of a 10-foot public utility easement for a future storm-drain installation along the frontage of Roca Street as necessary; a deed restriction, for public use of the steep-slope area on eastern portion of the property and the riparian area along Roca Creek,shall be provided for permanent public access. Roll Call Vote: All AYES. Motion Passed 4-0. Page 2of 4 In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, pleaseemail 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 V.DISCUSSION ITEMS 1.Special Permits Deputy City ManagerJordan Rooklynpresented on streamlining the City's special event permitting process. She explained that currently the City has 11 different short-term event permit types across six different departments, making it challenging for event organizers to navigate(see attachment #2). Ms. Rooklyn's goal is to consolidate all short-term event permitting into one section of code, overseen by one department, with one application that all departments can review together, and one permit issued to the permit holder. She explained that creating this system would require code changes, including two short-term permits currently exist within Chapter18 that would be moved to Chapter 2 under the Administration office: Temporary uses (18.2.2.030.H) Short-term food truck events (18.2.3.0.145) The Commission expressed appreciation for the streamlining effortsand supported moving forward with the proposed changes without waiting for a joint session with the City Council. 2.Legislative Updates Planning Supervisor Derek Severson presented a summary of legislation from the 2025 state legislative session affecting land use regulations. The changes primarily focused on housing, with additional regulations concerning child care facilities, wildfire risk, and other planning matters.Key legislation included: House Bill 2138: Addressing middle housing and infill development barriers Senate Bill 974: Imposing timelines on engineering plan review House Bill 3560: Requiring cities to allow child care centers as outright permitted uses in residential zones with density over 12 units per acre Various bills addressing wildfire risk, recreational immunity, and other planning topics Chair Verner asked how HB 2005 (citing of psychiatric and behavioral health care facilities) might apply to a previously reviewed permit for a respite center. Mr. Goldman andMr.Seversonexplained that respite centers were not under the same definition as residential treatment facilities, with Page 3of 4 In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, pleaseemail 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 residential treatment facilities being used as residences while respite centers had limits on length of stay. IV.OPEN DISCUSSION The commission scheduled its annual retreat forTuesday, October 28, 2025, with the exact time to be determined. The retreat would include discussions of public meeting law with the City Attorney, wildfire safety issues with the Fire Marshal, and potential tours of new developments in the city, including apartments at Iowa and Garfield as well as the Goodwill development. V.ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:10p.m. Submitted by, Michael Sullivan, Executive Assistant Page 4of 4 In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, pleaseemail 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). 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