HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-01-10 Hearings Board MINASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
HEARINGS BOARD
MINUTES
JANUARY 10,1995
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairperson Jenifer Carr at 1:35 p.m. Other
Commissioners present were Jarvis and Bass. Staff present were Molnar, Knox,
Madding and Yates.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND FINDINGS
The Minutes and Findings of the December meeting will be approved at tonight's
meeting.
TYPE II PUBLIC HEARING
PLANNING ACTION 94-148
REQUEST FOR A SITE REVIEW TO CONSTRUCT FOUR APARTMENT UNITS ON
THE EAST SIDE OF CHESTNUT STREET AT LUNA VISTA. VARIANCES ARE
BEING REQUESTED FOR A REDUCTION IN DRIVEWAY WIDTH FROM 20 FEET
TO 17 FEET AND A REDUCTION IN THE REAR YARD SETBACK FROM 20 FEET
TO 10 FEET.
APPLICANT: SCOTT FOSTER/HOUSING AUTHORITY OF JACKSON COUNTY
Site Visits or Ex Parte Contacts
Site Visits were made by all.
STAFF REPORT
This project is located at the intersection of Luna Vista and Chestnut. The lot has
some slope to it and the proposal is to construct four units. The project has been
challenging to get a design that complies with the City's complex site design process
and still work within the budget constraints of HUD. Two variances were requested--
one for a driveway width of 17 feet instead of the required 20 feet. The other variance
would allow a 10 foot rear yard setback instead of the standard 20 feet.
This application was called up for public hearing by a neighbor. A letter was
submitted from that neighbor, dated 1/9/95 outlining concerns about this action.
The driveway width was a concern because of emergency vehicle access. Staff has
met with the Fire Department to see if the width of the driveway posed any problems,
particularly in serving the back unit. Staff looked at the driveway as though it were a
flag lot serving a duplex. The Fire Department was more concerned about adequate
work area than the width of the driveway. Assistant Fire Chief, Don Paul felt that a fire
truck could be brought back to where the two compact spaces are located and fire
apparatus could be parked there. The four foot walk adjacent to the driveway will
allow for additional clearance around the truck. Overall, the Fire Department thought
there would be adequate space for fire equipment.
The rear yard setback variance is an unusual circumstance. The original proposal was
for one building with the parking area at the far rear but because of the grade change,
a large retaining wall would had to have been constructed. This design would be less
appropriate for the neighborhood using a 20 foot rear yard setback. Even though
there is multi-family development in the area, the neighborhood is fairly single family in
nature with smaller building envelopes and smaller masses. This allowed the
development to be broken up with a larger building uphill, creating the parking area
between units, allowing views out toward the mountains between the two buildings.
The grade changes and the positive impacts upon what Staff considered a better
design with more positive impacts on the neighboring properties, warranted the
variance.
There were concerns about the location of the driveway, in relationship to the
Chestnut intersection. The driveway is located as far down Chestnut as possible,
given the parcel's limited street frontage (65 feet). The vehicle trips generated will be
relatively low. The driveway will meet vision clearance standards.
Staff recommended approval of the application and the two variances with the
attached eight Conditions. Condition three addresses the fence.
Bass wondered if the property line dispute that was mentioned would any way affect
the width of the driveway. Molnar said it shouldn't because the dispute is to the rear
of the property.
PUBLIC HEARING
THERESA PRESTON, ABELOE & ASSOCIATES, representing the Housing Authority of
Jackson County said the applicants worked out an agreement with the neighbor where
any fence will be replaced that is damaged during construction with a wood fence and
if any portion needs to be taken down, a temporary fence will replace it within a certain
time period so the neighbor's animals will not get out. The plans say "remove existing
fence" on topography plan, but that wording should have been stricken. The fence will
remain and be maintained during construction.
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
HEARINGS BOARD
JANUARY 10, 1995
MINUTES
The driveway has been located as far to the north property line as possible. They
tried to keep the driveway level as it approaches Chestnut to provide as much visibility
as possible before making a transition onto Chestnut Street. They tried to keep the
units at about 1600 square feet which is comparable in size to the houses in that
neighborhood. Preston explained that in order to have the parking in the right place,
they needed to push back 10 feet into the required 20 foot setback. The front of the
building is set back 20 feet.
Jarvis wondered how the second stow of the building will impose on the properties
below. Molnar said there are no upper stow decks and there is no second stow
window on the north side of the second stow.
COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSION AND MOTION
After a discussion with Don Paul, Jarvis felt her concerns had been addressed with
regard to emergency access. Jarvis moved to approve PA94-146 with the addition of
Condition 9. Condition 9 would state that driveway vision clearance standards be met.
Bass seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
TYPE I PLANNING ACTIONS
PLANNING ACTION 95-001
REQUEST FOR FINAL PLAN APPROVAL OF A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED
(OUTLINE PLAN) 12-LOT SUBDIVISION UNDER THE PERFORMANCE
STANDARD OPTION LOCATED IN THE OAK KNOLL SUBDIVISION (PHASE 4).
APPLICANT: JERRY AND ERVIN TONEY
This application was approved.
PLANNING ACTION 95-003
REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND SITE REVIEW FOR
EXPANSION OF A FOUR UNIT TRAVELLER'S ACCOMMODATION TO A SIX UNIT
TRAVELLER'S ACCOMMODATION AT 137 NORTH MAIN STREET (THE
COOLIDGE HOUSE).
APPLICANT: BRAD PARKER
This application was approved.
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
HEARINGS BOARD
JANUARY 10, 1995
MINUTES
PLANNING ACTION 95-004
REQUEST FOR A MINOR LAND PARTITION TO DIVIDE A PARCEL INTO THREE
LOTS LOCATED AT 1361 EAST MAIN STREET.
APPLICANT: DON BALLEW
This application was approved.
PLANNING ACTION 95-006
REQUEST FOR FINAL PLAN APPROVAL OF A 12-LOT SUBDIVISION ON 7.6
ACRES UNDER THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS OPTIONS, FOR THE
PROPERTY LOCATED BETWEEN THE DITCH ROAD AND SCENIC DRIVE, AND
BETWEEN NUTLEY STREET AND LOGAN DRIVE.
APPLICANT: JOHN BARTON; BRUCE ROBERTS; POKII ROBERTS
This application was approved.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 2:45 p.m.
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
HEARINGS BOARD
JANUARY 10, 1995
MINUTES