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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-0829 ADJOURNEDMINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 29, 1989 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Catherine Golden led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. on the above date in the Council Chambers. Donovan, Reid, Williams, Acklin, Winthrop and Arnold were present. ADJOURNED MEETING Mayor's Proclamation A proclamation was read designating the week of September 3-9, 1989 as "25th Anniversary Celebration of the Wilderness Act", which established the National Wilderness Preservation System. The State of Oregon now has 41 wilderness areas, totaling 2,093,888 acres. U.S. Sprint Franchise Ordinance Second reading by title only of an ordinance granting a franchise to U.S. Sprint Communications. Acklin moved to adopt the ordinance, Winthrop seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ord. #2529) Continued Public Hearing - Appeal of P.A. 89-071 Mayor Golden explained the process for hearing testimony and Winthrop requested new testimony on the suitability of sloping land for E-1 purposes. The public hearing was opened. Paul Mace, 400 Williamson Way, said time is important when new businesses want to relocate and approving this project will send a message to Economic Development agencies that we are concerned about bringing businesses to Ashland. The Mayor and Council declared ex-parte' contacts. Maureen Martin, Economic Development Commissioner, explained that the majority NO vote of the EDC was because those Commissioners feel E-1 land should be protected. Evan Archer, 622 Siskiyou Blvd, a real estate appraiser, supports the project which will provide good E-1 land and high quality rental units. Randy Jones, homebuilder, has a small manufacturing company and would like to locate in Ashland, possible on the subject E-1 land. He feels the apartments would be the type of housing his employees would be interested in. Bob Rasmussen, 1530 N. Mountain, Chairman of the Economic Dev. Comm., explained the minority vote. He said this project opens up the area for E-1 use, apartments are a good buffer between residential and industrial uses, and large tracts of land can't be used by small businesses. A citizen, who supports the project, said he works in Ashland but lives in Medford because of the Adjourned Meeting - Ashland City Council - August 29, 1989 - Page 1 Continued Public Hearing - P.A. 89-071 - Mahar lack of housing here. Corky Leister, Exec. Dir., SO-REDI, supports the project. Peter Jones, engineering geologist, is opposed to the project and showed transparencies of the cuts and fills. On a question from Winthrop, Bruce Abeloe, architect for the project, said small building footprints are required for sloped land to reduce the cuts and fills. Mr. Wi~, 'owner of property at 415 Williamson Way, is in favor of the project. Sharon Thormahlen, 80 Hargadine, feels the apartments are a good buffer between commercial and residential areas° Mary Wasmund, 439 E. Hersey, is opposed to the project and would rather see small cottage industries there. Jim Wright, 1775 Bristol, supports the project. Maurya Murphey, 492 Lynn St., presented a petition of 300 signatures requesting the C.U.P. be denied. Debby Reid, PP&L, explained that the advertisement for SGC programs featuring Mike Mahar was not intended to sway the Council's decision. Judith Jones, 512 Ann St., opposes the project and feels residential units should be on the outskirts of town. Pokii Roberts, 131 Church St., is a sells real estate and supports the project. Robert Williams, Salem, owns property to the east of the project and opposes same. Ron Kelso, Realtor, supports the project and feels there is more need for residential property. David Sebrell, 271 N. Mountain, explained the discrepancies in the inventories of E-1 lands which were submitted by the applicants, appellants and the City. Fregonese explained the City's position. A letter from Nancy Spenser opposing the project was included in the record. Ron Thurner, 1170 Bellview, said there is a need for E-1 land and affordability of apartments is important. He said the LCDC indicated that the Conditional Use Permit process will not be allowed in the Comp. Plan update. John Hassen, attorney for the applicant, said the C.U.P. is a permitted use in an E-1 zone. Mike Mahar, applicant, said Ashland will get affordable housing and future jobs. He has worked in good faith, and feels the project will provide a natural buffer between industrial and residential uses. He said the project was designed for Ashland. The public hearing was closed at 9:30. Acklin reviewed the change in zoning from heavy industrial and light industrial to E-1 wherein mixed uses are allowed including housing. Ownership patterns were examined at that time and there was no topo mapping system. She agrees with the Planning Commission's Findings and their approval of the C.U.P. The applicant did a good job of planning for this piece of land and the apartments will provide a buffer as mentioned prior in this record. Acklin moved to uphold the Planning Commission's decision and deny the appeal on P.A. 89-071. Williams seconded the motion. Reid agrees that the project makes E-1 property and apartments available but feels that the criteria for compatability has not been met. Winthrop is concerned with compatability within the project and that the E-1 land will not be attractive being in such close proximity to apartments, but feels the sloping land is not suitable for E-1 development. Donovan said the Adjourned Meeting - Ashland City Council - August 29, 1989 - Page 2 Continued Public Hearing - P.A. 89-071 - Mahar existing small businesses are there because the E-1 land was available without massive capital outlay. Hersey Street is a collector street and will see more traffic in the future. He will support the motion. Arnold expressed appreciation to the Economic Development Commission for attending the meeting and explaining their votes on the project. He said the focus is on the E-1 land and approving the project will make E-1 land readily available. He will support motion. Williams concurs with Arnold that this is the best use of the land, and he will support the motion. Winthrop will discuss the issue of future requests for conversion of E-1 land with the Planning Commission. The motion passed as follows on roll call vote: Williams, Acklin, Winthrop, Arnold and Donovan, YES, Reid, NO. Fregonese requested a 30 day extension to prepare the findings. Hassen said he will work with Fregonese to get them ready soon. Donovan requested that E.D.C. meeting minutes be provided to the Council. Winthrop expressed appreciation for all of the citizen input and efforts of the parties on both sides. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:15 P.M. Nan E. ~ranklin City Recorder Catherine M. Golden Mayor Adjourned Meeting - Ashland City Council - August 29, 1989 - Page 3