HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-07-11 Hearings Board MINASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
HEARINGS BOARD
MINUTES
JULY 11, 1995
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Jenifer Carr at 1:30 p.m. Other Commissioners present were Peter
Finkle and Hal Cloer. Staff present were Molnar, Knox and Yates.
TYPE II PUBUC HEARINGS
PLANNING ACTION 95-061
REQUEST FOR A MINOR LAND PARTITION AT 348 IOWA
APPUCANT: EVA COOLEY
Site Visits and Ex Parte Contacts
All Commissioners had a site visit.
STAFF REPORT
This planning action was called up for a public hearing by several neighbors. The applicant proposes
vehicular access to the lot from the alley. Staff would like to see only minimal alterations to the alley.
Several letters were submitted regarding improvements to the alley, house size and the flag drive. Staff
has recommended approval with the attached 9 Conditions.
FinMe was trying to visualize how many other lots could ultimately access off the alley and he came up
with two. Knox said every lot could eventually have access if they wished; he would say up to six.
Cloer noticed a liquid gas tank on the south side. Knox said the alley is 20 feet wide.
Molnar said there would be some difficulty partitioning all the remaining lots because of lot size.
PUBLIC HEARING
EVA COOLEY, 348 Iowa Street, requested approval by the Planning Commission to have access off the
alley. In response to neighbor's concems, Cooley responded by agreeing to obtain an engineer's report
on the alley and she will put in drainage in the low spot in the alley. Damage to private neighboring
property has not happened at this point. An initial review of the surface drainage on Meade is being
done by Marquess & Associates. A final house plan has not yet beer~ determined. Cooley prefers the
alley access off a flag drive. She submitted a letter from Bryan Frazier in support of the application.
FRANK PAPEN, 267 Meade Street, expressed his concerns about the narrowness of the alley and that it
would possibly be better to access the rear parcel off a flag drive from Iowa Street. The alley will be
difficult for trucks to access during construction. The alley is as narrow as nine feet in some places
according to Knox.
DON PAUL, explained that the distance from the juncture of Meade and the alley is closer than from
Iowa to the new lot. It would not be practical for a fire truck to use the flag drive. As an alternative to a
structure being located close to a hydrant, the Fire Department would require an interior fire sprinkler
system.
DOYLE BRIGHTENBURG, 350 Phelps Street, designer for Cooley, would like the new house to fit into
the neighborhood. The house is in the preliminary design process and open to change.
LYNN LEDBE'I'rER, 280 1/2 Meade Street, submitted pictures showing how her property will be
impacted. She has the propane tank In the alleyway. Presently, when the propane tank is filled, the
truck backs partially into the alley and brings a hose to the tank. The alley is narrow and will be difficult
to enter even during construction. She is also concerned about fire truck access. She will be highly
impacted by a house on this back lot.
When asked by FinMe about Increasing the width of the alley from 12 to 15 feet, Ledbetter said she
would be opposed. It would require retaining walls on the upper side that would be immense. She
would like to see the alley used as a walking path.
KAY ABBETT, Ashland Property Management, 581 E. Main Street, represents Phyllis Sturges. She
submitted a letter objecting to access from the alley. Sturges has property at the corner of Gresham
and the alley and the access is narrow. Car headlights will be aimed at Sturges' bedroom. Abbett is
concerned with two cars passing in the alley. There is not room.
CRAIG CriESNUT, 346 Iowa Street, is opposed to the alley access. He would like the Commission to
consider vacation of the alley because it is essentially unused. Chesnut reported that the alley is now
used by pedestrians.
ANN CHESNUT, 346 Iowa Street, does not want to see alley changed. She likes walking and riding her
bike in the alley. It is a safe place to play and she is concerned it would no longer be safe if it is
improved.
MARIE CriESNUT, 346 Iowa, is concerned with the dust problem. Increased traffic will make it worse.
Would the applicant be required to address dust abatement. Would she be required to put in a culvert
in the alley?. She is concemed about the cost of paving Meade. Carr mentioned there are many
different types of paving materials from which to choose.
EVA COOLEY, rebuttal, stated that she would be widening the alley by one foot. The are a maximum
of five pedestrians and bicyclists who use the alley per day. The culverting will be addressed in the
engineer's report. Molnar said there is a 20 foot wide alley right-of-way. Cooley said she would be
commencing constructino in September and that heavy truck deliveries could be made through her
property. Knox said a Condition could be added that would include a concrete staging area on Parcel 1
for trucks.
COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSION AND MOTION
Finkle's main concern is Meade Street, not the alley. He would like to have the property owner sign in
favor of an UD on Meade Street. Molnar thought it would be appropriate to add a Condition.
RE-OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING
Cooley is not completely opposed to the above Condition. Knox suggested adding a Condition that
during construction, dust abatement would occur.
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
HEARINGS BOARD
JULY 11, 1995
MINUTES
COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSION AND MOTION
Finkle said that in looking at the current policies of the Council and Commission with regard to infill, he
would not be opposed to this application. He hesitates to put an additional burden on the applicant,
however, he would like to see the concrete staging area, dust abatement during construction and the
applicant sign in favor of a local Improvement district on Meade.
Molnar suggested wording that the applicant perform necessary dust abatement procedures along
Meade Street and the alley as required by the Engineering Department during the use of the alley for
construction vehicles.
Cloer moved to approve with the three added Conditions to PA95-061. Finkle seconded the motion and
it carried unanimously.
PLANNING ACTION 95-078
REQUEST TO MODIFY A CONDITION OF APPROVAL FOR A PREVIOUSLY APPROVED MINOR
LAND PARTITION TO DMDE A PARCEL INTO THREE LOTS.
APPUCANT: CLEO M. SMITH
All Commissioners had a site visit.
STAFF REPORT
A Minor Land Partition was approved a couple of months ago with a number of conditions. One
condition is that parcel I use a flag drive. The applicant was not aware of the ramifications of a flag
drive/curb cut condition. He has been having trouble finding a suitable house design. Staff still feels
that the overall policies of the Comprehensive Plan to reduce additional driveway aprons supersedes the
applicant's request.
PUBUC HEARING
BILL SMITH is the applicant's son. At time they received approval, they did not have a house design.
They want to take advantage of the view to the south and southeast which would be on the corner of
the lot.
Cloer appreciates Smith's desire for wanting a view, but had he thought of a detached garage close to
the rear property line? Smith has looked at detached garage, however, he thought a breezeway would
be important. He is considering a two-story house. Cloer thought about a garage underneath and living
area and deck above it.
Finkle said for the Commission to make a decision for Smith to build a house with a view, he is
struggling with justifying approval.
Cloer sympathizes with Smith's dilemma.
COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSION AND MOTION
Cloer is hesitant to go against Staff's recommendation. Finkle understands the property owner's
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
HEARINGS BOARD
JULY 11, 1995
MINUTES
3
concern, but thinks them may be a way to put the garage in the rear through some simple creative
means that would not disrupt the feeling of a nice yard. He would prefer not to see houses with garages
right on the street. Cloer moved to deny 95-078. FinMe seconded. The motion was denied
unanimously.
TYPE I PLANNING ACTIONS
PLANNING ACTION 95-062
REQUEST FOR A SITE REVIEW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO OFFICE/SHOP COMMERCIAL
BUILDINGS
468 OAK STREET
APPUCANT: JOHN BAKER/KAREN GIESE
This action was approved. Cloer was disappointed that theta was no mixed use with this application. It
is his feeling that the worse the location for housing, the more affordable. He would like Staff to
encourage all applicants to provide mixed use. Finkle would like to see mixed use as a future topic for a
Study Session.
PLANNING ACTION 95-067
REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT, SITE REVIEW AND REAR YARD VARIANCE FROM
10 FEET TO 5 FEET FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO BUILDIHGS TO ACCOMMODATE
ADDITIONAL STORAGE UNITS
2315 SISKIYOU BOULEVARD
APPUCANT: ASHLAND STOR-A-WHILE
This action was approved.
PLANNING ACTION 95-068
REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND SITE REVIEW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
AN ACCESSORY RESIDENTIAL UNIT
364 UBERTY STREET
APPUCANT: THE LITHIA GROUP
This action was called up for public hearing.
PLANNING ACTION 95-070
REQUEST FOR A SITE REVIEW TO CONSTRUCT A 12,000 SQUARE FOOT OFFICE/WAREHOUSE
1090 BENSON WAY.
APPLICANT: ERV TONEY
This action was approved.
PLANNING ACTION 95-071
REQUEST FOR A MINOR LAND PARTITION AND LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT TO DIVIDE A PARCEL
INTO TWO LOTS LOCATED
235 E. NEVADA STREET.
APPLICANT: DAN BUNN
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
HEARINGS BOARD
JULY 11, 1995
MINUTES
4
This action was approved.
PLANNING ACTION 95-072
REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND SITE REVIEW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
AN ACCESSORY RESIDENTIAL UNIT AT 855 NORTH MAIN STREET.
APPUCANT: DON MURRAY
This action was approved.
PLANNING ACTION 95-073
REQUEST FOR A SITE REVIEW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-STORY 2,607 SQUARE
FOOT BUILDING FOR RETAIL/WAREHOUSE/RESIDENTIAL USE TO BE LOCATED ALONG "A"
STREET, LOT 7 OF RAILROAD VILLAGE SUBDIVISION.
APPLICANT: ALLAN SANDLER
This action was approved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND FINDINGS
Cloer moved to Minutes and Findings of the June 13, 1995. Finkle seconded and it carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjoumed at 4:05 p.m.
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
HEARINGS BOARD
JULY 11, 1995
MINUTES