HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-10-10 Planning MINASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
OCTOBER 10, 1995
C~l I TO ORDER
were ~, Mok~r, M~lcib~ ~d Y~ea.
APPROVAl OF MINUTES AND FINDINnS
The Minutes of the September 12, 1995 meaUng were approved.
Garr moved to approve the Findings with a correction to Planning Action 96-102 by adding the words
'meets all the crtteria of 18.88 and 18.72'. Bingham seconded and all approved.
PUBLIC FORUM
Bingham showed a video on world population.
TYPE II PUBUC HEARINGS
PLANNING ACTION 96-101
REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A PROFESSIONAL OFFICE (COUNSEUNG) AT
144 NO. SECOND STREET. THE OFFICE V/iLL PROVIDE A VARIETY OF SERVICES FOR
DISADVANTAGED FAMIUES AND INDMDUALS IN THE ASHLAND AREA.
APPUCANT: INTERFAITH CARE COMMUNITY OF ASHLAND (ICCA)
Site Visits and Fx Parte Contacts
All Commisalonem had a site visit and aJso received a letter and Railroad District Inltll Strategy draft from
Jackie Sims. Cloer noted parking spaces and he left a list of questions with Sue Crader.
STAFF REPORT
Molnar reported this action is subject to a Conditionel Use Permit and notices along with the criteria
were mailed to property owners. The Staff Report contains datails of the proposal to locate a
professional office (resource center for disadvantaged families in the area) with the primary use as
counseling. Given the modest size of the building, the use would be sknilar to the target use of the zone
(duplex). With regard to traffic impacts, the applicant has submitted Infi3rmation about their clients and
their modes of travel. Based on those figures, the majority of people seeking services use transit or
walk.
Many letters have been received in opposition to the proposal. Major concerns am: that the office will
be ctosed at 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. leaving the house dark after hours, that c~m~s migh~ ~ on or around
the property whae waiting for the ogice to open, and that it would be po~ive to maintain some type of
- residential componem on the ~e.
The Historic Commission recommended approval of the w~plic~qon by a vote of 4-2. Conditions
Imposed were: review of the operation In a year and wanting to review the handicap accessible ramp.
being dark for 16 houm a day and wanted staff to ~ the iasue. Mokmr said it would fell under
criteria (g) w#h opportunitis~ to addre~ the Ismm through lighting on-site. It had been suggested that
the conversion of the garage to I re~:lence would give i rasldence on-Mle, however, Cioer fi3ough( this
would not alleviate the problem ofthe main house being da~ for 16 hours aday.
McLaughlin explained that neither the Planning Commission nor the ~ Council has received the
Pailroad District Draft Infili Strategy. The summations made in that report were by the ~. The
Staff feels the use the a~:)~tt'$ are proposing ~ under per8o~ sac, ice ~ or
professional office.
PUBUC HEARING
CAROLYN JOHNSON, 450 Thorntorl Way, ~ Board Chak
SUE CRADER
Johnson gave some history of the ICCA, stating that their current office is located at the Seventh Day
Adventist Church under a lease agreement. ICCA received block grant funds to purchase a site. After
looking at 15 sites, ICC~ settled on the 2nd Street location because it is close to a bus line, accessible
for the disabled and it is a one story structure in good repair and the seller has been willing to wall while
they go through the process.
Crader stated that !CCA's current ~ is ~ and private .ceunesiing space is desperately needed.
The neighbors in the current location have not even realized ICCA is operating. They are open about
300 days a year wllh approximately 10 cllant~ per day. At the propoecd M~e, Creder would expect many
residential activities to occur such as children playing in the back yard, people mowing and weeding.
There is an anti4oitering rule. ~ people ICCA serves are trying to get on with thek lives. Many
clients am referred to ICCA for services and are told the hours of operation. The police are trained to
bring referrals during business hours. There has never been a problem with people sleeping in the yard
or neighborhood. Ordinances are in effect to curb that problem. Crider added that HUD will not
release funds If a property is not in good repak and the property cannot be leased. This property is in
the appropriate price range.
Howe inquired abou~ the motel voucher program and Crader said that the mote~ are in various
locations and that sometimes clients are sent to Medford. Johr~3n said this faculty will not ever be a
shelter. It IS cheaper to have motel vouchers than run a shelter.
Johnson noted how ICC, A has tried for three years to provide shower facilities through the YMCA, sports
dubs, and others but to no avail. Also, ICCA is giving out $500 a month in laundry vouchers. That
amount would be reduced if ICCA could provide laundry facllitkm. Crader added that the M3owers and
laundry services are supplementary and that only a certain p,.Jmber of people could use those facilllies at
appointed times.
Finlde wondered how ICCA would feel about having a3me patton of the hou~ or garage used for
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
OCTOBER 10, 1996
and HUD ~ no~ rdease the funds If there was ~ ~ ~Rer one yeer ICCA would not be u~ing the
MARY AUCE SHEPARD, 9G5 Park Stree~
WENDY PAULSEN 29 Summit Street, Medford 97501
JASON REBLOI~J~O 29 Sumn-~t StreW, Medford 97501
BECKY SMITH, 29 Summ~ Medford 97501
GINA DALACCl, JV/Ashland Teen Center, 29 Summit Street, Medford
In F~vor
PAUL STEINBRONER, 114 Third Street, thanked ICCA for ~
his neighborhood. His neighborhood is primarily commercial and redck~ial. This use would be an
TERRY SKIBBY, 611 Be~ch Street, Historic Commlmdon Ikdaon, ~lated the HIModc Commission voted in
favor of the proix~ai. They felt strongly It be reviewed in a year bec~ute It would address the neighbors'
wanted to review the design for compatibility. After listening to the teetlmony, # seemed the use would
be similar to a home occupation.
Howe wondered about the one year review. McLa ~ughlin said that could be added as a condition,
however, if there was a problem with the operation a hearing could be scheduled to review the operation
before a revocation hearing would be scheduled. Skibby said the one year review could possibly bring
up any changes to the historic nature of the community.
ADAM GEOVESE, 449 S. Ivy, Medford, OR g7501, Director of Catholic Community Smvtces of Southern
Oregon stated that if this use is not granted, it will have an Impact on the homeless and poor in the
Rogue Valley.
PAT SWARTWOOD, 77 Pine Street, said ~he ha~ worked with the hemele~ for the last few years in
Medford. She noted that in the ~ 10 to 15 years the ~ belwean the 'hev,' and 'have nots' is
increasing. The homeless Issue is no~ going to go away. This community hes an opportunity to create
some tools to help people here and not send them on to the next community.
FRANK LLOYD, 705 Willow, ndnlster of the ~ Clutch at 318 B Street ~tated though he ahere~ the
concema of the neighbor% the al~t~nce of ICCA is n~ going to ~top any problems in the nelghbodxx~d.
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMi~UO#
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
OCTOBER 1% 1995
the lighting Issue can be ~. He is very rmJch in favor of granting a ~ionai Use Permit to
!CCA.
building. That is the situation as it exists now. The only reeourca is iCCA and IndividuaJ faith
communities doing things Individually. Coordinated elforts work far better.
JOAN SZABOKY, 238 N. Wightman, is a volunteer of ICC, A and b on the board. In her experience,
giving servicas to those in need keepa the surrounding envkonment free of vandalism, crime, or
building. They will abide by the rulee sat out for them. They will net loiter If you tell them not to.
CHARLES STEELE, 83 N. Wlghtman, is on the board of ICCA, and he has obeerved work of ICCA and
he is highly Impressed despite the fact that the Seventh Day Adventist Church has not been able to give
ICCA more space. Steele believes that with better facJPt_iee, they will be able to offer better and more
needed septices.
PAUUNE SULLIVAN, 525 Sheridan Street, has been e$$ocloted with ICCA for many years. There has
never bccn. a problem with the people or Ioiterk~ at e#Jter the Eptecopal Church or Seventh Day
CLAYTON GORDON, 436 Helming, is a regular volunteer wilb ICCA and did no~ believe the two ereas of
concern that neighbors have are valid. Parldng is no~ a problem becauee moat people arrive at ICCA on
foot or by bus. Also, he has not had anyone loiter or stay after the office is closed. ~ desperately
needs this facility. The biggest problem now is that there is no Ntower and a Nx3wer is needed before a
LUCILLE COMBEST, 1208 Iowa-B, is a volunteer with ICCA and said that with more space volunteers will
be much more helpful. With regard to use of the hou~-Combast said the Commission should not look
at it as a monument to the past but look to those who are in need right now.
BETTY SWINNERTON, 292 Orange Street, is a volunteer for ICCA and Nm has never been threatened,
abused, or heard unacceptable language at the facility. Everyone is grateful for help.
FRED SHEPARD, 995 Park Street, has volunteered for ICCA and has found that thoee that give help end
up receiving so much back from those receiving the aid.
MARIE IRELAND, 1661 Clark Street, INes right across the street
from ICCA and works for SL Vincent DePaul. She h~ never had any complaints from anyone at the
Seventh Day Adventist Church. Only one car about once or twice a week park at the church. She favors
the application.
ASHL...'U4D PLYING COMMISSION
RECIUL.ad~ ~
MINUTES
OCTOBER 10, 1905
ROB81 SIRINSKY, 740 Park Street, favored the propoeal.
Second Street b zoned R-2 with half the area commerc~ u~ with. parldng Io~ next door. Do we really
wan{ a place like this in our town? Yes, we need · permane~ fac~y and the time h~ arrived for us to
put our money where our mouth is.
In OpposEion
UNDA FERGUSON, 228 B Street, is concerned about the paddng impact. There b curt .e~ly ~ lack of
parking in the nelghbo~x]. There is never enough parking on the ~treet for the post oilice customers
or the other ~ currently in the neighborhood. She would a,~ that the applica~ be required to
JACKIE StMS, 26~ B $~reet, pa~ed o~t the Dma irl Strategy for the ~ Dtetrict ateting It i~ just a
draft. She was one of thoee who me~ to dlacm the vi~on kx the r~ ntrm months ago. The
neighbors overwhelmingly voted ncX to have anymore outdgh~ commercial uees in R-2 zones in the
neighborhood. There were concerns to retain the reeidenUa/flavor and w#h the ne~ viiaiRy. It
is no~ healthy for a neighborhood to have a large portion c/the homes empty for the night. If this
application i~ grar~ed there will be one home lelt on the east side c~ Second Street that is reskler~ial.
She would predict that house would soo~ request a Conditional Use PermR for a commercial use. Sims
thought if a lawyer applied for a CUP, the Commission would deny it.
~ w~ ~ve ~ ~ an objection.
WILL BROWN, 139 Second Street, lives directly ~cro~ the stree~ from the applicant's property. He
agreed with everything Strn~ said. He i~ at a Io~ for anything that fi~ the uee the .applicant i. a~king for
in ~n R-2 zone. Brown read from the R-2 ordinance (CUP - Prefemdonal office~ ~ the applicant fits
m~l. It cemesciosertofittlngatravetler'$accommodati~. ~~~"owrler
JiM SIMS, 269 B Street, not~l that the application for the Yoga Center was turned down previously
because of inadequate parking. How much m~'e commercial ~ the neighborhood want?.' There
cannot be a good neighborhood watch with no people to watch. He canno~ imagine people coming to
JOHN STOUGH, 276 B Stree(, iive~ across from the church parking Io~ and he is concerned with
parking. With the poet office customera and workera, there is heavy traffic. Wh~ if the uae of the
proposed facility would Increase from 6,000 to 10,000 people?
Finkle though~ Ashland Community Food Store and Cantwel!'$ Market would have had a greater Impact
than this use but he has not heard anyone expressing concer~ over these uses. Stough said those
buNnesses have had an impact. There are even more people walking.
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTE8
OCTOBER 10, 19~6
STEVEN SACKS, 259 B Street, s;dd the ~ b ~ ~s a place to llve. Everytime the
Commission makes an exception to the zoning, ~ re~lence i~ taken aw~y, takir~ people out of
the neighborhood. In responie to Finide's quMtlon abc)u~ the facility poMibly being owner occupied,
MEGAN LEE, 153 N. Second Street, i~ concerned Mx)ut Ioitedr~ since there is ~tready loitering at the
church. It does not matter what kind of 'bbeJne~ that was being requested for ,, Conditional Use Permit,
St~ff Re~;x:mse
~ this are~ is close to the downtown edge (page 9). It i~ difficult to read the draft they were given by
Sims.
Cioer wondered whether or not more thinking through wa~ necMMry on this propoMJ. It seemed to
Cloer that the m)rvice ICCA h providing to the . ,conmunliy il 8o importam that there should be ci~y
participation In the decision. There are some tefT~C IKJVantagM in fraying the type of service6 offered by
ICCA in ccmjurk:-tion with. the church. What about the city providing some facilitation for meeting both
the needs of ICCA and should this be approved, participation financially to rnee~ the concerns of the
neighbors such as parkin~ on-site living faciitle~?
Madding said it would be difficult under the parmn~ers of the HUD to mene~arily comper~ate the
neighborhood. ICC, A would be welcome to come back through the process (block grant funding
process begin~ in February) and come up with residentlaJ characteristics. The City i~ involved with ICCA
by providing block grant funds and also looking at sites. They would like to see the funds expended
within this fiscal year (June).
Giordano asked what some o~ the problerrm were with ot~r ~te~. Madding said of the three she looked
at, two were in relatively bad condition and would have needed rehehifitation to bring them up to HUD
standards. The other hou~ o~f LR Way, the seller wa~ reluc~utt to wait for ICCA to go through the
Condltion~l U~e Permit process.
Rebuttal
Johnson was willing to address the concern~ o~ the neighbors by installing a "see4hru" fence, and added
lighting at night. They have three parking space~ and client vehicle trip~ per day are three. Three
thousand units of service have been given to 1,211 inclNiduais (n(X 3,000 individuals). The faciRy has to
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
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OCTOBER 10, 1996
13trigham a~ked how many citef~ am see~ at cme time. Crader responded that the most would be two
families of five to six. Clients are usually spread out throughout. ~ the day.
Finide asked about having a live-in person and Crader said It was po~aible, but. it wo~id be a cilm~edce
to someone to have to live In an office space. She would rather convert the garage to a unit.
The Commission entered the letter from Judith Steven~ into the record.
COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSION AND MOTION
Armitage asked for a straw vote as to whether the Conditionill Use falls under the R-2 zoning.
Glordano, Bingham, and Howe felt itfita use under CUP in R-2.
the applica~t met the roquirod ~ o~ proof .for a CUP?
Firfide had a rignor coneem with CriIada C (2) beceuae the paddng a/~uation is akeady ~o acutely difficult
in the area. Cloer and Can' thought the uae would generate more traffic than the targeted use.
Howe is Impressed with the pedestrian traffic this use win generate. She believed there should be some
mitigation to the neighboetx~ by way of adding two parking spaces in the rear in addition to the
required parking to allow for any Increase in volunteerism or client increase.
Bingham, Bass and Giordano had no problem with parking. Giordano disagreed that the lawn area in
the rear should be made into parking.
Criteria C (5) - generation of noise, light and glare. Finide believes there could be a potential concern
with steady or heaw use o~ the property. Carr agreed.
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
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OCTOBER 10, 1995
Giordano feels this property is on the fringe and i~ not convinced it is residential. He would oppose the
proposal if it were a protlec~ o~ "B" Stree(. He would like to see mixed use, b~ that Is not the
CARR MOVED TO CONTINUE THE MEETING UNTIL 19:3~ P.M. ALL APPROVED.
Howe echoed Giordano's remarks. Thb b a ~ zone betwe~ commercial and reelde~ial
requiring that there be non-retail businesses that retain reelde~iai charac~ in how they look and
provide the buffer in keeping It ~ like residential so there i~ no~ a wall of retail changing to homes.
This particular property seern~ to be within the buifer zone to protec~ the rest o~ the neighborhood. If
she could draw a line I~ would be from the alley down to,-=,,,rd 'A' Street, no~ allowing anything wi~hou~ a
residence. It doe~ no~ seem reasonable to expect a famiy to move into the proposed house. There will
be a Iigh~ shining from the church parking lot all nigh~ long and near a commercial area. The nature of
the ICCA does not seem to allow an owner to live on-site.
District has been chipped away at and she would like to see this no~ happen any more. She believes
there is a better location for this use.
neighborhood meetings with a personal judgmer~ that no more CUP's or commercial should be allowed
in the Railroad District.
Bingham argued this is not a ~claJ use. Cloer said I~ will be obviously unoccupied for 16 o~ 24
hours.
approve this a~tication If i~ would cause a sh~ from rommero~ to resklor~le/.
Arrnitage has heard from the neighbors this could be a change in livability and could not support this
use in the neighborhood.
Bingham wondered rather than denying the proposal, what ~ adding a condOion there be a
Howe moved to approve Planning Action 96-101 ~ the conditions listed. Bingham seconded the
motion. The motion failed with Giordano, Howe, and Bingham voting 'ye~' with Armltage, Can', Finkle,
Carr moved to deny Planning Action 95-101 based on the f~owing Cond~ionai Use Perrnlt c~erla no~
being met: C. (b), (e), (t), and (g). Bass seconded the motion and i~ carried with Armltage, Carr, Finkle,
Cioer, and Bass voting "yes" and Howe, Bingham, mxJ Gkxdano voting "no".
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MI#UTES
OCTOBER 10, 1~4
CARR MOVED TO EXTEND THE MEETING UNTIL 11:00 P.M.. ALL APPROVED.
PLANNING ACTION 9E..099
REQUEST FOR A SITE REVIEW AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT A
PROFF~SIONAL OFFICE. VARIANCE REQUESTED TO REDUCE A REAR AND SIDE YARD
SETBACK FROM TEN FEET TO SIX FEET.
493 NORTH MAIN STREET
APPUCANT: CATALINA PHYSICAL THERAPY BUILDING
Site Visits -qd FY P.rte Cor~',~cts
All ~ had a site vi~. The I~ter from Jack and Pmnela Evans wes read in~o the record.
STAFF REPORT
~ expla~md thle i~ a req~met to conetrier an approximateJy 2,000 m~ar® feet, 1 1/2 ~ory oifice
neighbod~43d. With regard to the Variance reclueet, there are m3me unusual circumstances Justifying the
In response to Evans' letter, Moinar said he looked at the vegetation in question and there is an
overgrown laurel hedge and a mature almond tree. A condition has been Included based on review by
the Tree ~ that additional plantings would be required and pmoautionary measures be taken
to save the tree. Staff recommer~ed approval with the attached six Conditions.
Howe wondered if the any of the existing retaining will rem~n. Ivlolnar thouglX there was a new
PUBLIC HEARING
JANE RICHARDSON, 781 Uberty Street
KEN GOSUNG, 777 Jacluelyn Street
DOYLE BRIGHTENBURG, 350 Phelps Street
Gosling said none of the retaining wall will be kept. Richardson said they have no Intention of removing
any plants unnecessarily.
Brightenburg said the parking back-up is tight. Some of the space~ to one s~cJe might be used by Staff.
The appllcan~ said they were willing to work wi~h the r~ on landscaping in conjuncUon with the
rmghbors property.
Gosling said they would be using hodzontal siding.
JACK EVANS, P.O. Box 1293, Ashland, OR, said at least 80 percent of the vegetation is on their
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
OCTOBER 10, 199~
property. The cut will come within 12 inches from the property line, and a local numeryman told Evans
that the existing plants will die under thoee circumstances. He asked a Condition be placed on the
applicants to continue the existing fence all the way to the curb and that the applicants remove all the
vegetation. If Evm-~' want to plant vegetation on their side, they can do so.
that the retaining wall will come back another four feet and If vegetation is added, they will barely be
able to enter their front door.
RebuttAl
C-,c~Ing/Richardson proposed a combination fencing and vegetation with each party to share the cost.
agreed upon plan, such as the fence.
COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSION AND MOTION
presarve wherever poselbie the exiaJng veget~tim (6). Should =~antlal amount of vei}etation fall,
thena Mte-obecuringfencewouid have to beinstailed. (NewConditlo~5. Carrsaconded morton.
Bass had a little concern about the "encouraged to cooperate" phrase. McLaughlin said it is only there
for guidance with the Condition requiring the fencing.
The motion carried unanimously.
There will be a Study Session on October 24, 1995. Planning Action 95-100 will be heard at that time.
ADJOURNM~=NT
The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 p.m.
ASHL.AND PLANNING CCMMI$SIO#
REGULAR MEETING
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OCTOBER 10, 199~
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