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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-27_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. January 27, 2026 Planning Commission,City Council, and Housing & human Services Advisory Committee Joint Study Session Minutes I.CALL TO ORDER: Chair Vernercalled thejointmeeting to order at 7:01p.m.at theCivic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street. Commissioners Present: Councilors Present:Committee Members Present: Lisa Verner Tonya GrahamNoah Werthaiser Eric Herron Eric HansenJames Dykstra Jay Lininger Bob KaplanMontana Hauser John Maher Derek Sherrell John Maher Susan MacCracken Jain Absent Commissioners: Absent Councilors:Absent Committee Members: Kerry KenCairn Dylan BloomAshley Laube Russell Phillips Jeff Dahle Gina DuQuenne Council Liaison:Staff Present: Jeff Dahle (absent)Brandon Goldman, CommunityDevelopment Director Derek Severson, Planning Supervisor Linda Reid, Housing Program Manager Michael Sullivan, Executive Assistant II.ANNOUNCEMENTS 1.Staff Announcements–None 2.Advisory Committee Liaison Reports–None IV.PUBLIC FORUM–None V.DISCUSSION ITEMS Manufactured Home Park Zoning Code Concepts Page 1of 2 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 Review and discuss proposed development code concepts and recommendations for establishing a new Manufactured Home Park Zone (MHPZ) designation, intended topreserve existing parks and align Ashland’s code with state housing statutes and bestpractices. The study session will focus on key policy choices related to density,redevelopment flexibility, tenant protections, and design standards to inform direction priorto drafting hearings-ready code amendments. Brandon Goldman, Director of Community Development, introduced the manufactured home park zoning project as one of approximately 15 strategies from the 2023 Housing Production Strategy aimed at supporting and maintaining manufactured home parks as criticalhousing resources. The joint session provided an opportunity for participants to learn about the project, ask questions, and identify areas needing further consideration for code amendments. Funded through a Department of Land Conservation and Developmenttechnical assistance grant, the project incorporated input from a Management Advisory Committee. Scott Fregonesefrom 3J Consulting presented an overview, focusing on facilitating housing protection, affordability, and housing options (see attachment #1.)He stated that the consulting team conducted case studies of Portland, OR, Bellingham, WA, and Fort Collins, CO to identify successful approaches.Recommendations included modernizing lot standards, increasing dimensional flexibility, simplifying landscaping requirements, creating redevelopment paths, allowing community-serving uses, updating unit standards, strengthening tenant protections, clarifying procedures, and updating definitions. Discussions arose around wildfire safety and balancing density with safety considerations. The group highlighted the importance of pathways to resident-owned communities and the necessity of considering Ashland's land costs when incentivizing new parks.There were questions about how to balance density with fire safety, particularly regarding setbacks, accessibility for emergency vehicles, and fire-resistant materials.Additionally, they discussed how annexation of parks should adhere to affordable housing requirements. It was clarified that existing parks wouldn't be required to fully comply with new standards when making limited improvements, instead using a conditional use permit process. The Planning Commission emphasized the importance of involving park residents in discussions, planning an open house to gather input. VI.ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Submitted by, Michael Sullivan, Executive Assistant Page 2of 2 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).