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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-0216 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL February 16, 1988 ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES PUBLIC HEARINGS: Appeal of P.A. #88-002 - Helman St. Senior Hsg. Mayor L. Gordon Medaris led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. on the above date in the Council Chambers. Elerath, Reid, Williams, Acklin, Laws and Arnold were present. Acklin moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 2, 1988; Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A letter of appeal of Planning Action 88-002, from A1 Willstatter, 121 Central Ave., et. al., was read. Planning Director John Fregonese reviewed the conceptual design of the plan, the staff report and Planning Commission findings and conditions of approval for the project. The Planning Commission, at their meeting of January 13, 1988, approved the conditional use for the existing zoning, the conditional use permit for structures in excess of 35 ft., and the variance in parking requirements to allow one parking space per residential unit and one space per 300 sq. ft. gross commercial floor area, with a minimum of 3,000 sq. ft. and maximum of 11,000 sq. ft. Elerath was concerned about building on the 100-year flood plain. Fregonese said the project would be six feet above the flood plain elevation and commercial projects are allowed, but not residential. On a question from Laws, Fregonese said the abutting property owners would pay for the improvement of Central Ave. Arnold asked if this would remain senior housing and Fregonese said there was no long-term guarantee, but if the use was changed, applicant would have to get approval from City Council. On a question from Arnold as to City's right to enforce new conditions for changed use of the site, Salter said he would like to research the issue. George Corey, representative of Baty Stiles Capital Management, introduced Greg Baldwin who showed slides of the proposed project site and aspects of the project. Reid and Williams expressed concern about parking, and Baldwin said an annual survey should be done to monitor the situation. Mayor Medaris opened the public hearing. A1 Willstatter, 128 Central, questioned if this was the best use of the property, expressed concern about additional traffic near Briscoe School, and if a project for the elderly would stay as such. 2/16/88 P. 1 P~ular Meeting Ashland City Council 2/16/88 P ~ PUBLIC HEARINGS: (Continued) Helman St. Senior Dave Alexander, 1780 Crestview, was concerned about Hsg./Commercial water supply, and the commercial aspect of the project Development taking people away from the downtown area. Bev Miller, business owner at 7 N. First St., was concerned about parking supply and maintaining the "specialness" of downtown. Ann Clouse, 70 Water St., said Water Street is too narrow and the bridge needs widening. She is required to provide 1.75 parking spaces per bedroom for her proposed inn on Water Street. Asked for smaller project and more parking. A resident of Garden Way said he is opposed to the project and feels residents should have say in the direction taken in the area. Fred Binnewies, 1009 Oneida Cir., felt property would be better used for community purposes, and retired people acquire more vehicles than when working which would increase the parking problem. Wes Hoxie, 821 Hillview, questioned the difference between a hotel/motel project and longer-term housing project. He feels Ashland needs a place like this, and definitions of commercial and residential should be looked at. J. Vanhee, 307 N. Main, felt granting variances sets precedents to grant more, and was concerned about parking. A resident of 229 Van Ness, asked if anyone was familiar with the types of projects the developers have done, and was concerned with loosing the creek as a valuable resource. Amy Binnewies, 1009 Oneida Cir., was concerned about increased population and traffic, and felt overall Comprehensive Plan of the City should be addressed. John Nicholson, 1575 Greenmeadows Way, reviewed his previous letter to Council members with concerns about the project such as financing and feasibility studies. He has no objections to senior housing. He asked that his letter be made a part of the record. Leo Zupan, 1680 Homes, felt the plan was great but on the wrong lot and would ruin the Plaza area. Cathy Golden, 886 Oak, is not opposed to project like this in Ashland but felt the property could be better used for a shopping mall and parking. Will Hershman, 384 Kearney, felt the project should be looked into further before approving. Ron Doyle, 945 Hillview, questioned if this use was consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. 2/16/88 P. 2 r ~ular Meeting Ashland City Council 2/16/88 P ~ PUBLIC HEARINGS: (Continued) Helman St. Project Patience Miller, 730 Reiten Drive, spoke in favor of the project, and the proximity to downtown and shopping on the Plaza. Judith Bernstein, 610 Helman, is in favor of the project but feels the commercial aspects will shortchange the residents of the project by taking away space necessary for vital services. Greg Baldwin addressed some of the concerns and said moving the project five or six blocks from the proposed site would lessen the contribution to the downtown area. Reid asked if less units could be built and more parking added. Baldwin said fewer than 95 units is not prudent to provide the number of services necessary for a good congregate care facility. Acklin asked about sound-proofing and Baldwin said it exceeds the Uniform Building Code standards and FHA criteria. The public hearing was closed. Williams asked Almquist if applicant could be required to establish parking elsewhere, and Almquist said it could be considered. Reid said she's not opposed to the residential/commercial mix but felt the parking requirements could be met by less units. Williams said he could support project if developers could help the parking situation. Elerath felt project was on the wrong lot and would create more parking problems instead of alleviating them. Acklin said she likes the residential/commercial concept but it is shy on parking. Would like to save the good parts of the proposal and make better with more parking. Would not want parking structure on this property. Laws had no problem with the conditional use of the site but it is the last large piece of commercial land and should be used as such. He felt Ashland needs to plan for future growth and uphold the intent of the Comprehensive Plan. Felt the appeal should be upheld. Arnold thanked everyone who attended the meeting. He felt the project would exacerbate the parking problem and thinks it needs 164 parking spaces. The appeal should be upheld. 2/16/88 P. 3 F ~ular Meeting Ashland City Council 2/16/88 P- a PUBLIC HEARINGS: (Continued) Helman St. Project Arnold moved to uphold the appeal and find the burden of proof on requirements for the variance concerning parking was not met by the applicant and not in accord with the Comprehensive Plan. Williams seconded the motion which passed on roll call vote as follows: Elerath, Reid, Willjams, Laws and Arnold; YES; Acklin, NO. UNFINISHRD BUSINESS: Liquor License Applications Mark Antony (Continued) City Administrator Almquist reviewed his memo to Mayor Medaris showing property taxes and hotel/motel taxes owed by the Mark Antony Hotel. Laws moved to recommend denial of the liquor license application on the basis of questionable financial ability. Arnold seconded the motion. Williams asked if the same individuals owned the hotel as when it filed for bankruptcy. Salter said applicant was one of the original entities of the corporation. Elerath felt it was discrimination to deny the business the right to stay open only because they needed liquor license. Robert Brodeur, 1801 Siskiyou Blvd., noted he has paid the utility bills and hotel/motel taxes since May when he took over management of the hotel. Reid felt it was in best interest of the community to keep the hotel open. The motion passed on roll call vote as follows: Elerath, Reid, NO; Williams, Acklin, Laws and Arnold, YES. Little Caesar's Restaurant & Ideal N. America, Inc. Laws moved to recommend approval of liquor license applications for Little Caesar's Restaurant and Ideal, N. America, Inc., both lessees, and Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Historic Signs Discussion of proposed Historic District signs later in minutes. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Mistletoe Road City Attorney Salter reviewed the proposal whereby Propty. Sale to Croman Corp. was agreeable to purchasing the property Croman Corp. on Mistletoe Road for $400,000 plus interest, with a penalty for pre-payment, or on comparable terms worked out during negotiations. Reid moved to proceed with the sale and Elerath seconded the motion. Arnold said after researching the fair market value of the sale he felt the assessment figure is fair and appropriate. The motion passed unanimously on voice vote. Mayor Medaris requested second readings of ordinances be held at this time. 2/16/88 P. 4 F 'llar Meeting Ashland City Council 2/16/88 P. ~ ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: Albertson Annex. Second readings of the ordinances annexing, Clay Street withdrawing from Jackson Co. Fire Dist. No. 5, and rezoning property on Clay Street. (Albertson Annexation). Laws moved to adopt, Acklin seconded the motion which passed on roll call vote as follows: Reid, Arnold and Elerath, NO; Williams, Acklin and Laws, YES. Mayor Medaris broke the tie with a YES vote. (Ref. Ord. Nos. 2443, 2444 and 2445) Mayor Medaris left the meeting at 10:35 P.M. at which time Council Chairman Laws took over. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Historic District Signs (Continued) Public Works Director Steve Hall showed a silk screen sample which could be used for the Historic District signs. Arnold moved to approve using silk screen, Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Tree Commission Vacancies (Continued) The memo and ordinance from the Street Tree Commission were read, calling for members of that Commission to be replaced if they miss four or more meetings in a one-year period. Williams moved to second reading, Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Liquor License Rogue River Vine- yards A memo was read from the Police Department recommending approval of a liquor license for the Rogue River Vineyards, 297 E. Main Street. Acklin moved to approve the recommendation, Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Hersey St. Proj. R/W Acquisition A memo was read from the Public Works Director requesting approval of an agreement with the State Highway Division to acquire right of way for the Hersey Street FAUS project. Reid moved to approve the request. Elerath questioned the legal position if councilmembers signed and Salter said there would be no personal liability because they are signing as a corporation. Williams seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Airport Grant - Land Acquisition A memo was read from Steven Hall, Public Works Dir., requesting approval of an FAA grant application for land acquisition and taxiway resurfacing; using $20,000 in C.I.P. funds earmarked for Fixed Base Operator office expansion to acquire land instead; and authorization to begin negotiations for same. Arnold asked if there were plans to extend the runway and Bill Knowles, Airport Commission Chairman, said no. A1 Alsing said obtaining the land would preclude the building of a house at the end of the runway. Elerath moved to approve the request, Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. 2/16/88 P. 5 P ~ular Meeting Ashland City Council 2/16/88 Po < NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: (Continued) Mayor's Appts. Arnold moved to approve the Mayor's appointments of Howard LaMere to the Traffic Safety Commission and Darrell Boldt to the Building Appeals Board. Williams seconded the motion. Elerath asked about conflict of interest in that Boldt is a builder, and was told if a case came up in direct conflict, he could abstain from voting. The motion passed unanimously on voice vote. PUBLIC FORUM: Mountain Ave. Improvement Robert Johnson, 955 N. Mountain Ave., expressed concern about the increase of traffic on N. Mountain with the building of the Forensics Lab and the Natural History Museum. He would like to see the I-5/Mountain Ave. interchange pushed, and Mountain Ave. paved out of economic development funds, in order to cut down on pollution. Laws thanked him for his comments and said he felt lobbying efforts for the interchange would intensify. A1 Willstatter thanked Council and John Fregonese for their patience during the earlier public hearing. OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Comp. Plan Re: Reid would like to add a policy to Comprehensive Plan Bikepaths requiring bikepaths on all new collector streets. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11:00 P.M. City Recorder L. Gordon Medaris Mayor 2/16/88 P. 6