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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-0718 REG MINMINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL July 18, 1995 CALLED TO ORDER Mayor Golden called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers. Councilors Laws, Reid, Hauck, Hagen, Winthrop and Thompson were present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the Regular meeting of July 5, 1995 were accepted as presented. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS: 1. Presentation by WWTP Project Coordinator of public hearing process for decision on selection of preferred alternative. Paula Brown, WWTP Project Coordinator, presented proposed process and agenda to Council for public hearing and decision on selection of preferred alternative. The Council will hold a Study Session on July 31 from 2-9pm as they proceed toward making a final decision. Council will hold a Public Hearing on the issue at a special meeting August 9, 1995 and expects to hear all final concerns prior to conclusion, at which time the Public Hearing will be closed. On August 15, 1995, Council will make a final decision at their regularly scheduled meeting. It was requested by Council that the August 9 special meeting be made available for public viewing through cable access. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Minutes of Boards, Commissions and Committees. 2. Departmental Reports for June, 1995. 3. Memorandum from Public Works Director on Bear Creek Watershed Council activities. 4. Confirmation of Mayor's appointments to Conservation CommissiOn. 5. Authorization for Mayor and Recorder to sign contract amendment with ODOT for addition of traffic signal at Maple and N. Main Streets. Councilors Hauck/Reid m/s to approve consent agenda. Voice Vote: all AYES. (7-18-95.rain} - pg. I PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Request for annexation of 47.7 acres located east of Interstate 5 and west of East MainI zone change from C-1 to R-1-5; and request for outline plan approval for 173 lot subdivision (Diamond D Corporation, applicants). Mayor Golden read guidelines to Land Use Public Hearings with procedure for participation. LAND USE PUBLIC HEARING OPEN: 8:10 p.m. Mayor Golden requested from Council any member who would like to abstain, declare conflict of interest or report any exparte contact. Councilor Laws reported site visit, noted distance from shopping and after judging bridges he questioned pedestrian and bicycle safety. Stated he could be ojective. Councilor Reid reported site visit, noted bridges, had received numerous calls and letters. Stated she could be objective. Councilor Hauck reported site visit, noted bridges, had received letters and phone calls. Stated he could be objective. Councilor Hagen reported site visit, received letters, personal contacts, phone calls, noted access from development to bus stop, inclusion of southeast corner, is a member of Thousand Friends of Oregon and Jackson County Citizen League. Stated he could be objective. Councilor Winthrop reported site visit, noted accessibility issues surrounding development, had received phone calls and letters questioning appropriate urban form; affordable housing; separation from City and I-5; overburdened facilities; etc. Stated he could be objective. Councilor Thompson reported site visit, noted over-passes and intersection of East Main and Greensprings Hwy; had received phone calls concerning overburden of facilities and separation from City; had personal discussion regarding pre-judgement of fact, written letters regarding sprawl and infill and has stated in the past his opposition to annexations, but articles and statements by Thompson were made at time when there was not a current request for annexations. Stated he could be objective. No participant questioned or challenged the reports of the Council members. Planning Director John MacLaughlin presented staff report and the criteria was displayed by an overview for public and Council. He stated that this application was heard by the Planning Commission (7-18-95.rain) - pg. 2 on May 9 at which time they voted to approve the annexation as well as the zone change. Annexation of approximately 40 acres to be zoned R-1-5P (Single Family). Zone change for approximately 8 acres within the City Limits from C-1 (Commercial) to R-1-5P (Single Family). Planning Department encouraged the applicants to go with Traditional Development Pattern, with alleys, smaller lots and front porches. Site does allow options for alleys and issues are addressed in staff report. Findings support Planning Commission's decision for approval. Presented criteria for approval of annexation to the City of Ashland: 1. That the land is within the City's Urban Growth Boundary. 2. That the proposed zoning and project are in conformance with the City's Comprehensive Plan. 3. That the land is contiguous with the present City limits. 4. That adequate City facilities for water, sewer, paved access to and through the development, electricity, urban storm drainage, and adequate transportation can and will be provided to and through the subject property. 5. That a public need for additional land, as defined in the City's Comprehensive Plan, can be demonstrated, or; A zone change is a Type III amendment. Type III amendments are applicable whenever there exists: a public need, the need to correct mistakes, the need to adjust to new conditions, or where compelling circumstances relating to the general public welfare requires such an amendment. Councilor Hauck requested response from applicants as to whether safety was being addressed at the intersection of East Main and Greensprings Hwy. McLaughlin responded that this was not an unsolvable situation but a matter of engineering design and can be solved with the subdivision process. Councilor Winthrop has concern that there is not an outline plan but only an annexation and zone change request. It was clarified for Council that the affordability requirement will run with the annexation for any future development. Also, there will be full streets as it becomes urbanized which would be done all at once instead of putting city requirements on county roads. The County envisions this happening along the frontage of the property as it develops. It was stated that the applicant will provide a bus stop in the most direct route. G-18-95.min) - pg. 3 Questions regarding current criteria standards for affordable housings was addressed by McLaughlin. He stated that the 25% is the affordable level established by resolution that set housing cost levels. These are not guaranteed over time, and apply to the initial buyer. Initial homes must sell at the affordable cost provided in the resolution. There is high probability of sidewalks on East Main which will be tied to the urbanization of that street. Sidewalks will occur on Tolman Creek Road to the Middle School but the timing is not known. Applicant has checked into cost regarding overpass and sidewalks and will be reporting on this. It was clarified that affordable housing is an option rather than a need. Mike Multari/Representing property owner Diamond-D: Stated that they had checked into the Citiy's regulations and requirements for annexations and found the affordable housing option an incentive. They are willing to work with the community to develop criteria regarding affordable housing. Agreed to share the cost of intersection improvements, county requirements, and pedestrian and bikeways will be explored. The outline plan, will be done if annexation is approved and he presented highlights of the Outline Plan. Addressed issues regarding concern of appropriate site for development which he did not feel were valid concerns. He urged the Council to follow the Planning Commission's recommendation and felt they had met the criteria. Regarding the Zone change, they feel they had met the criteria in that the City would be correcting a mistake in zoning. Questions raised by Council were addressed by Multari regarding improvements recommended by the Oregon Department of Transportation; the property owner anticipated sharing in cost of improvements. They are not planning to rely on current transit system but plan to build a new transit stop. The question of cost involving a stand-alone bridge was addressed and was reported that the cost varied from $250,000 to $1,000,000. The property owner stated that they could give a fairly substantial commitment to their share of this cost. PUBLIC HEARING OPEN: 8:40 p.m. IN FAVOR: 8-95 .rain) - pg. 4 Kathy Hauck/500 YMCA: Feels young people are the future and there needs to be a safe environment for raising families. Urges Council to strongly consider affordable housing. Matt Kocmieroski/565 Allison: Involved with affordable housing committee and felt this was a chance to get a large area as designated as affordable housing. Felt that there would be closer shopping than in other areas of the city. Brice Farwell/290 W. Nevada: Felt there were three matters that needed exploring in deciding on the proposal a) Policy; b) Aesthetics; and c) Practicality. Wayne Leeman/147 Blue Heron Lane: The community should not allow short-run resource constraints to dominate decisions that will be beneficial in the long run. The supply of water, wastewater treatment, education, and transportation are in-elastic in the short run. But the long-run supply of these facilities and services is elastic. An increase in price leads to an increase in the quantity supplied. Feels that Ashland needs affordable housing and more middle-level housing. Failure to approve the annexation and development proposed tonight is almost certain to increase the price of buildable land in the city. Questions who are the property speculators. Everyone who owns a home in Ashland can speculate on a rise in the price of his or her property. The best way to promote this speculation is to oppose an increase in the supply of land. IN OPPOSITION: Barbara Bean/510 Terrace: Questions criteria, affordable housing. In past has seen problems with Local Improvement Districts. Would like to see charging developers to have appropriate appraisal done. Feels water supply issue is important. Bob Taber/108 5th street #S: Feels project is ill-fitted and undesirable for development. Notes airport danger and noise potential. Zone change should be addressed, but only as commercial zoning not residential. Jim Moore/1217 Park: Doesn't see that zoning meets criteria and believes there is potential liability with the airport so close. Carola Lacy/140 Third: Feels City of Ashland is on "red alert". Noted remarks from a letter submitted by John Enders. Urges Council to sustain planning and stop growth before it gets started. Propose charter amendment for a city wide vote on all annexations. (TdS-95.mjn) - pg. 5 Anne Bodin/119 Cypress Circle: Expressed objection to annexation: 1) site does not adhere to infill, 2) 25% affordable housing has substantially clouded Ashland's unique character, 3) serious questions regarding traffic problems by addition and multi- surfaces; shortage of water and sewer. Feels financial burden will be put on the residents of Ashland. David Allen/558 1/2 Iowa: Noted water situation and that the City is a high desert area with no abundance of water. Does not feel we have enough water supply for this size of development. Arthur Brayfield/410 Monte Vista Dr: Suggests Council consider two economic laws: 1) comparative advantage and 2) marginal utility. Russell Whitaker/875 Jacqueline: Feels the lots are too small and that the growth of Ashland is a local problem, affordable housing is national problem. Affordable housing should not be considered. Joan Steele/332 Glenn St: Noted concern regarding water supply. Mary Lou Lucas/11233 Corp. Ranch: Suggests Affordable Housing Plan be reviewed. Marjorie O'Harra/1235 Tolman Creek Road: Mayor read letter into record. Clair Collins/315 High: Would like to see resources and infrastructure addressed. Stated city is semi-desert in a wildfire area. Asks that as part of the vision there be better criteria with more clarity. Mary Ruth Wooding/727 Park St: Feels Ashland is the best place to live and doesn't want to see it change. Does not feel there is enough money to build another school. Barbara Ryberg/373 Vista: Opposes annexations and is a visionary. Questions need and notes the current housing market. David Lane/1700 E. Main: If criteria is met, has to be approved. Disagrees with Type III procedures because of the use of the word "may" not "must". Questions compliance with comprehensive plan. John Fields/845 Oak: Questions zone change, feels is a "pod" development. Physically cut off from town, traffic criteria problems. Debbie Miller/160 Normal: Important that all annexations follow comprehensive plan. Does not feel criteria from comprehensive plan has been studied closely. Consider EFU issue and air pollution. (7-18-95.rain) - pg. 6 Johann Fisher/77 Mallard: Opposes annexation because of overload on city services and schools. Challenges assumption that it would take 15 years before it is completely developed. Cate Hartzell/8Sl E. Main: Questions water availability for this development. Feels it is irresponsible to not address problem of intersection at Tolman and Hwy 66. Affordable Housing commission has not set priorities. Asks Council to pursue Cl availability. Should consider traffic load. Vicki Neuwanschander/455 Tolman: Does not feel annexation meets criteria regarding City services. Noted the overcrowding of elementary schools and busing of students. LUBA is not anxious to annex. Lars/183 Vista Street: Does not agree with proposed developers' criteria regarding zone change. Does not feel any of the criteria has been met. Weak arguments. Councilors Hauck/Winthrop m/s to continue Public Hearing until August i Council meeting. Voice vote: all AYES. PUBLIC FORUM None Councilors Hagen/Hauck m/s to continue Regular meeting past 10 p.m. Voice vote: all AYES. NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: 1. Memorandum from Director of Public Works regarding ongoing discussions with Medford and Talent on waterline inter-tie. Public Works Director Steve Hall requested Council to authorize participation in the Medford Water Inter-tie Steering Committee to evaluate a potential water line to serve Phoenix, Talent and Ashland; appoint Council liaison to serve on Steering Committee. Council appointed Public Works Director as technical representative and Councilor Reid as liaison to serve on Steering Committee. Councilors Hauck/Laws m/s to approve City participation in Inter- tie. Voice vote: Laws, Reid, Hauck, Winthrop, Thompson YES. Hagen No. Motion passed 5-1. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: 1. First reading of "An Ordinance amending the A.M.C. Section 9.08,120 to increase ground clearance of vegetation over roadways for ten feet to twelve feet." (7-1 8-95.min) - pg. 7 City Administrator Almquist requested that this ordinance be pulled, Council agreed. Second reading by title only of "An Ordinance adding Section 15.04.105 to the A.M.C. relating to Barrier Removal Plans for buildings, and establishing enforcement terms." Amendments from the first reading on July 5, 1995 to broaden the type of security acceptable to the city were read for the public. Councilors Hauck/Reid m/s to approve second reading. Laws, Reid, Hauck, Hagen, Thompson YES; Winthrop absent. Motion passed. OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS Councilor Thompson requested Council consider at sometime in the future a second to his previous motion regarding directing the Planning Department to go through the Comprehensive Plan to determine if there are any hardships regarding the A.D.A. Councilor Reid suggested he add this to the now-scheduled third meetings of the Council as a side-bar issue. Mayor Golden noted that O.D.O.T. would be replacing the spruce tree which is to be removed with two 3" maple trees. She expressed her desire that there be more longevity trees planted rather than shorter life span trees. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m. usa~ Reid, Aci~ng Mayor (7-18-95.rain) - pg. 8