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Planning CommissionMinutes
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April 14, 2026
REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
I.CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Vernercalled the meeting to order at 7:00p.m.at theCivic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E.
Main Street.
Commissioners Present: Staff Present:
Lisa Verner Brandon Goldman, CommunityDevelopment Director
Jay Lininger Derek Severson, Planning Supervisor
Susan MacCracken Jain Michael Sullivan, Executive Assistant
Russell Phillips
John Maher
Kerry KenCairn
Eric Herron
Absent Members: Council Liaison:
Jeff Dahle (absent)
II.ANNOUNCEMENTS
1.Staff Announcements:
Community Development Director Brandon Goldman made the following announcements:
Community Development office hours have changed to 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Monday–
Thursday, with walk-in hours from 1:00–4:00 p.m. at the Community Center.
April is Fair Housing Month; the City is collaborating with the Fair Housing Council of Oregon
and Oregon Shakespeare Festival on a display highlighting Oregon's fair housing history, on
th
view through April 20.
The Perozzi fountain has been removed for restoration; carving is expected to begin shortly.
A Type 1 planning approval was issued for renovation of the former automotive site at A Street
and First Street into a food and outdoor seating area.
2.Advisory Committee Liaison Reports–None
III.CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Minutes
1. March 10, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes
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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
Commissioners Maher/ Liningerm/s to approve the consent agenda as presented.
CommissionersKenCairn and Herronabstained from the vote due to their absence from the
th
March 10meeting.Voice Vote: Commissioners Maher, Lininger,Phillips,MacCracken Jain,and
Verner:AYE. Motion Passed 5-0.
IV.PUBLIC FORUM–None
V.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Approval of Findings for PA-T2-2026-00066, Kestrel Park Area 7
Ex Parte Contact
Commissioner Herron abstained due to a potential business conflict. Commissioner KenCairn
recused herself as she had worked on the project. No Commissioners reported ex parte contact.
Decision
Commissioners MacCracken Jain/ Maher m/s to approve the findings as presented.
Commissioner Herron abstained due to a potential business conflict. Commissioner KenCairn
recused herself as she had worked on the project.Voice Vote: Commissioners Maher, Lininger,
Phillips, MacCracken Jain,and Verner: AYE. Motion Passed 5-0.
VI.DISCUSSION ITEMS
Discussion of Legislative Updates in Response to State Requirements
Presentation
PlanningSupervisorDerek Severson presented an overview of required code amendments under
Senate Bill 974 (All Housing), which aims to remove procedural impediments to housing production,
with a compliance deadline of July 1, 2026(see attachment #1). Four topic areas were discussed:
1.Zone Changes / Up-Zones:SB 974 mandates Type 1 staff decisions for increased residential
density without public hearings, conflicting with ORS 227.186, which requires a public hearing.
The Commission recommended waiting for state rulemaking to resolve this conflict.
2.Performance Standards Option (PSO) Subdivisions / PUDs:Initial urban housing application
decisions must be made without hearings, but appeal hearings are permitted. Staff was
directed to research the definitions of "initial decision" and "final decision" as the Commission
considered retaining the two-tier process.
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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
3.Variances:Variances related to urban housing applications must be Type 1 decisions.
Discussion included adjusting thresholds in SB 1537. Staff was asked to analyze how these relate
to current variance procedures.
4.Design Standards for Subdivisions:SB 974 limits the application of design standards for
projects with 20+ single-or two-family lots. Staff noted minor amendments needed for
compliance, with no immediate direction required from the Commission.
Staff indicated that a model code from DLCD is not expected until early 2027, and that a parallel
regional code review through the Rogue Valley Council of Governments is underway but not due for
completion until July 2027. Staff will return with proposed code language in advance of the July 1,
2026 deadline.
VII.OPEN DISCUSSION
Chair Verner distributed a brief guide on how to structure and deliver motions during Commission
deliberations, and noted that staff will include a recommended motion in future staff reports to
assist commissioners(see attachment #2).
VIII.ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:15p.m.
Submitted by,
Michael Sullivan, Executive Assistant
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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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