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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-12_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. May 12, 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 Eric Herron Carmel Zahran, Deputy City Attorney Russell Phillips Michael Sullivan, Executive Assistant John Maher Absent Members: Council Liaison: Kerry KenCairn Jeff Dahle (absent) Susan MacCracken Jain II.ANNOUNCEMENTS 1.Staff Announcements: Community Development Director Brandon Goldman made the following announcements: Assistant City Attorney Carmel Zahranwas introduced and welcomed as a resource for the Commission, noting thatthe City Attorney's office intends to follow Planning Commission meetings on an ongoing basis. Author Greg Coulter will present on homelessness and housing resources at Southern Oregon University May 13th 2026,at 11:00 AM and 6:30 PM. The Oregon Land use Board of Appeals (LUBA)remand of 231 Granite Street was noted: LUBA found the city's approval of a variance for a driveway grade exceeding 18% was not supported by code, and remanded the decisionback to the City. The applicant had not yet determined whether to proceed via remand or new application, but the matter may return before the Commission. 2.Advisory Committee Liaison Reports–None III.CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Minutes Page 1of 3 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 1. April 14, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes Commissioners Herron/Maherm/s to approve the consent agenda as presented.Commissioners Maher, Lininger,Phillips,Herron,and Verner:AYE. Motion Passed 5-0. IV.PUBLIC FORUM–None V.UNFINISHED BUSINESS PLANNING ACTION: PA-T1-2026-00297 SUBJECT PROPERTY:40 N Main OWNER:Pacific Rental Properties LLC APPLICANT:LaNier Land Consulting, LLC DESCRIPTION:A request for a ‘similar use’ interpretation of the Land Use Ordinance (LUO) with regards to the distinction between “private” and “public” parking lots. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Downtown;ZONING: C-1-D;MAP: 39 1E 09 BB;TAX LOT: 10,000 The applicant was not present. Afterabrief discussion, the Commission voted to proceed with the hearing, noting that attendance is not required and the meeting had been properly noticed. Ex Parte Contact All Commissioners disclosed site visits except for Commissioner Lininger, though he noted his knowledge ofthe site. No ex parte contact was disclosed. Staff Presentation Mr. Goldman stated that the application sought a determination that a privately owned, fee-based parking facility open to the general public constitutes "public parking" as a similar use under AMC 18.1.5, and that staffhadelevated the matter to a Type 3 legislative process due to its significant citywide policy implications. Staff's position, concurred with by Assistant City Attorney Zahran,was that the distinction between public and private parking turns on ownership and operational control —not public accessibility. Under this interpretation, a privately owned, commercially operated parking lot remains a private use regardless of whether the public may pay to access it. Staff stated that the code expressly permits public parking (government-owned/operated) as an outright use in all zones, while private parking is only permitted as an accessory use tied to a primary development. Staff further noted that Ashland's downtown planning history, dating to 1967, reflects a deliberate policy to discourage standalone surface parking lots inthe downtown core. Chair Verner closed the Public Hearing at 7:30pm. Page 2of 3 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 Deliberations and Decision The Commission concurredwith staff's analysisandsupported denial of the interpretation, though it raised the question of whether the Commission should also recommend that City Council investigate creating a new land use category for private paid parking. CommissionersMaher/Liningerm/sthat the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council deny the requested similar use interpretation and affirm that privately owned, fee-based commercial parking facilities do not constitute "public parking" as contemplated by the Ashland Land Use Ordinance, do not qualify as a similar use, and are not permitted as a primary use under the Ashland Land Use Ordinance. Commissioners Maher, Lininger,Phillips, Herron,and Verner: AYE. Motion Passed 5-0. CommissionersPhillips/Herronm/sto recommend that City Council investigate allowing private paid parking in the City of Ashland and potentially creating a new primary land use category for that purpose. AMENDMENT: CommissionersHerron/Phillips m/sto amend the motionto broaden the recommendation to include fee-for-service parking in a variety of configurations —including subsurface, surface, and parking integrated within mixed-use building envelopes. Amendment Vote: Commissioners Maher, Lininger,Phillips, Herron,and Verner: AYE. Amendment Passed 5-0. AMENDED MOTION: Commissioners Maher, Lininger,Phillips, Herron,and Verner: AYE. Motion Passed 5-0. VI.OPEN DISCUSSION–None VII.ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:44p.m. Submitted by, Michael Sullivan, Executive Assistant Page 3of 3 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).