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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-0730 ADJOURNEDMINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL JULY 30, 1992 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Golden called the meeting to order at 7:15 P.M. on the above date in the Council Chambers. Laws, Reid, Williams, Acklin, Winthrop, and Arnold were present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 21, 1992 postponed. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS: Public Hearing, Appeal of P.A. 92-001 (Donna Andrews/SPRR, Applicants; James Lewis, Appellant). Golden read the procedural rules for the hearing, and the following ex-parte contacts were declared: Reid visited site and spoke with Jim Lewis; Winthrop spoke with Dick McKinney regarding park improvement; Golden spoke with Lewis, McKinney, Zelpha Hutton, and Allan Sandler; Williams visited the site; and Laws spoke with Lewis and Sandlet re: the park. All said they learned nothing which was not contained in the record. Planning Dir. Fregonese told of several neighborhood meetings (minutes of the July 23 meeting on Council tables), and Allan Sandler's offer to hold the park area for one year until funds could be raised for its purchase. Since the appeal, he has withdrawn that offer. A draft of Phase I was entered into the record. The key issue is the applicants' desire to continue with Phase I if the park is not purchased and the appellants' feeling that a new plat should be filed in that event. The Planning Commission Findings assume park development between 6th and 8th Streets and that no traffic will be generated. A video of Railroad District history was shown. The public hearing was opened. Donna Andrews, 15 Winburn Way, representing Southern Pacific Railroad, said there are nine lots for development and upholding the appeal would be denying property owners' rights. Allan Sandler, 1260 Prospect, read from the City Charter concerning condemnation of land for park purposes, and said no agency has come forward to purchase the park land. D'Wayne Smith, 208 Harrison, said zoning is for cottage- type industry and if the subdivision is not developed, the park opportunity will be lost. Jim Lewis, 640 "A" St., Appellant, representing the Railroad District Neighborhood Assn., said their continued concern is traffic, and the Association is working on funding to purchase the park area. He also expressed concern about the wetland area (letter entered into the record). A letter from Debbie Whirall, Hydrologist with the Rogue River National Forest, was submitted for the record and spoke to the wetlands area. Fregonese noted that each lot will be required to go through the site review process prior to development. Ruth Miller, 758 B Street, spoke in support of the appeal and feels the park will mitigate traffic concerns (letter entered into the record). Terry Skibby, 611 Beach St., spoke in support of development of the park, and said this area is the site of the first dwelling in Ashland (letter submitted for the record). Ellen Downes, 255 Sixth St., spoke in favor of reserving the park area. Richard McKinney, 117 Eighth St., is concerned about traffic and read a letter from Chuck McKereghan, 77 Sixth St., supporting the appeal and outlining the neighborhood associations plans for fundraising for the park, attached to which was a letter to Sen. Mark Hatfield. Zelpha Hutton, 59 Sixth St., asked Council to implement the State's land-use goal #5, said a traffic plan is needed, and said the Comprehensive Plan's Open Space Chapter provides for a park in this area (letter submitted for the record). The Park Commission's donation of $18,000 shows citizen support for the park. Bill Emerson, 90 Fifth St., entered into the record a drawing of the streets and alleys in the area, a lot line/right of way proposal and a colored map of the area. He asked that a condition be added for a park L.I.D. Mary Christian, 266 5th St., approves of the plan but asked that funds from the sale be used to clean up land on the other side of the tracks. Mike Uhtoff, 633 Roca, said the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy is interested in working on funding for the park. Donna Andrews said the applicants are in favor of the park. On a question from Golden, Fregonese said the PUC regulates the granting of railroad crossings. There being no further comment from the audience, the public hearing was closed. Williams asked about the wetlands, and Fregonese said the Planning Commission determined the ditch was not considered wetland. Nolte said the determination has to be that they are significant wetlands. Laws said the site review process will require traffic capacity, the park is vital to the area and Sandler should be asked to reinstate his offer. Arnold said the park is exceedingly important, and he agrees with the revised Condition 14. Acklin said she feels the issues have been satisfactorily addressed and moved to deny the appeal and adopt the Planning Commission's Findings with new wording for Condition #14 to read as follows: "That the area described as Lots 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, & 16 on the tentative plat, including all alley areas east of the alley extending from Sixth Street, be reserved for a period of one year from the filing of the plat, for acquisition by the City of Ashland for a neighborhood park in accordance with ALUO 18.80.020.G.1." Laws seconded, and the motion passed on roll call vote as follows: Laws, Williams, Acklin, Winthrop, and Arnold, YES; Reid, NO. Mayor Golden left the meeting at 10:05 P.M. and Council Chair Acklin presided. Cable Access Commission. Second reading by title only of an ordinance adding a new Chapter 2.21 to the Ashland Municipal Code, establishing a Cable Access Commission. Arnold moved adoption, Winthrop seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Ord. 2680) F.O.A. Initiative Petition. Council members noted receipt of the filing of an initiative petition circulated by the Friends of Ashland. A memorandum from the Planning Director and City Attorney concerning same is available for public perusal. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 10:08 P.M. --' ~..~ '~.~. .k ",', ~- ~ ~L, , ~ . . '~ ; ~ ~-----~_- Nan E. Pranklin <' Catherine M. Golden City Recorder Mayor Adjourned Meeting - Ashland City Council - July 30, 1992 - P. 2 (d: \mts\7-30-92)