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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-0426 ADJOURNEDMINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL April 26, 1988 ROLL CALL 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 Stevenson Student Union, Basement Arena. Elerath, Reid, Williams, Acklin, Laws and Arnold were present. PUBLIC HEARING: Appeal of P.A. No. 88-012, Northwest Natural History Museum: Mayor Medaris explained this was an adjourned meeting of April 19, 1988, and reviewed the ground-rules for the public hearing. Staff Report: Planning Director John Fregonese gave the staff report and reviewed the criteria for approval of a condi- tional use permit. Two decisions necessary for the Council to make are 1) proposed use of the property; and 2) permitting a building over 40 feet in height. Fregonese explained the Council should decide the use and general size and operating characteristics, and give direction to the Planning Commission on site review items. Proponents' Presentation: Ron Lamb, S.O.S.C. Biology Dept., talked of support from the community for the project and briefly talked about the impact on water and sewage facilities, traffic (report later in meeting), size of the building comparing it to others in the area, and told of the concessions already made by the proponents, including having a traffic study done. R0n Bolstad, 481 Thornton Way, S.0.S.C. Dean of Administration, and representing S.O.S.C., said the project is compatible with campus architecture and designated as an S.O.S.C. opportunity area. It is surrounded by public buildings and will be an educa- tional facility for the College. He said rejection of museum would be contrary to the 1979 adoption of the S.O.S.C. Plan for the 80's by the City Council. He reported that S.O.S.C. and the State Board of Higher Education endorse the museum project. Wes Reynolds, 2978 Barbara Street, said the project encourages economic development and is consistent with the growth rate of the comprehensive plan. It meets the goal of a hilltop park for a panoramic view of the valley, and citizen involvement requirements have been met in full. As to concerns for traffic near schools, he said 50% of students are bussed and museum opening times can be worked around school starting times. 4/26/88 P. 1 AdjoUrned Meeting Ashland City Council 4/26/88 P. ~ Proponents' Presentation: (Continued) Vern Crawford, 923 Harmony Lane, compared the size and attendance of the proposed museum with Ashland High School, Ashland Hills Inn, and Ashland Middle School. Tish Steinfeld, 160 Meade St., gave testimony on the architectural and aesthetic compatibility with the surrounding area. Wayne Kittelson, 512 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR, gave an evaluation on traffic impact on area streets using a peak time for traffic. After completing field studies, Kittelson's preliminary analysis shows that site traffic can be accommodated by existing and planned roadway systems, a left-turn refuge lane may be warranted on East Main St., and trip generation characteristics are on a scale similar to other existing land uses in Ashland. On a question from Elerath, Kittelson said the analysis was done on a level 3 times the peak level assuming 6100 visitors a day, not vehicles a day. Elerath asked if increased traffic from new housing developments on Clay and Tolman Creek Rd. had been included and Kittelson said the analysis was done for the year 2,000. Fregonese said these additional developments are included in the present comprehensive plan. On a question from Acklin concerning decision- making on traffic generation, Fregonese said consi- deration of generation of traffic and capacity can be decided now, but mitigating measures and additional details will be decided at the site review. Reid asked Lamb if 400,000 visitors was a minimum or maximum. Lamb said the economic impact study showed a need for 400,000 visits, not visitors, in order for museum to be supported by revenues. Lamb said the IMAX theater, with 6-7 different films a day, and visiting exhibits would encourage repeat visits. The IMAX will have a capacity of 300. Reid asked Kittelson if the County improvements had been considered, and he said they would include improving the surface and shoulder width but not additional lanes. Acklin asked how many films would be shown a day, and Ron Lamb said a maximum of eight, but they didn't need the theatre filled for showings and expected far below the 300 capacity most days. Laws asked Staff if all material Council received since last meeting should be entered into the record, and Fregonese said yes. 4/26/88 P. 2 Adjourned Meeting Ashland City Council 4/26/88 P. 3 Proponents' Presentation: (Continued) Arnold referred to an addendum of the staff report dated March 9, 1988, which suggested the first phase be built to accommodate 200,000/visitors a year. He asked the proponents how they would implement it, if that approach was adopted. Ralph Wehinger, CEO, Pacific Northwest Raptor Rehabilitation Corp., said they don't want a phased development, and have no recommendation for one. Opponents' Presentation: David Lane, 1700 East Main St., is opposed to the size of the proposed museum and feels impact studies should be done before a decision is made. Dean Phelps, 1383 Oregon Ave., quoted from ORS 227,175 regarding zone changes and land developments needing to be in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan of the City. He feels site plan activities are beyond normal museum activities, and a zone change may have to be made for commercial activities. Marjorie O'Harra, 1235 Tolman Creek Rd., was co-chair of the committee working on the previously mentioned Plan for the 80's, and said it calls for a third interchange on Mountain Ave., a perimeter road for the Campus, and a pedestrian walk- way. She thinks the City should show how and when these improvements will be done before this project is approved. Richard Stevens, 107 E. Main St., Medford, a land-use consultant, feels there is very little evidence to justify approval of the C.U.P., that the traffic impact study should be done, and congratulatory documents bypassed. Some of his concerns were traffic impact on the Plaza area, who will pay for improve- ments on E. Main St., whether or not the 8" water main is adequate for fire protection, and public safety questions that have not been answered. He asked that: the Council deny the application for the above reasons, and that it does not meet the five criteria; and that the 120 days time limit be waived and the application be remanded back to the Planning Commission. He also asked that the application be denied without prejudice and proponents re-apply and start new hearings to identify impacts. Deborah Miller, 160 Normal Ave., is concerned about the economic feasibility of the project. She said few sources of constructing funding have been mentioned, and is concerned about liability should the project fail. 4/26/88 P. 3 Adjourned Meeting Ashland City Council 4/26/88 P. 4 Opponents' Presentation: (Continued) Jim Ragland, 91 Gresham St., said the building is out of scale with the environment, and the museum would make Ashland even more dependent on tourism. On a question from Acklin, P.W. Dir. Hall said the County will be improving E. Main this summer, from Hwy. 66 to the City Limits. Acklin asked about water sufficiency and Hall said the facilities have to be in place or the project can't be built. Fregonese said the pre-app was reviewed and approved by the Water Quality Division. To Acklin's question about the City's financial obligation in the event the project failed, Almquist said he didn't feel the City would be held responsible for the museum's debts. City Attorney Salter agreed. Reid asked about the adequacy of fire protection and Hall said Water Quality Supt. Dennis Barnts said the design was adequate. Elerath asked what was to be involved in the County's improve- ments on E. Main St. Hall said the lanes would be widened and bikepaths added. Elerath noted the Sewage Treatment Plant was inadequate even without the museum, and Hall said it is operating at 1/2 capacity but is not inadequate. Laws noted the Plant would have to be upgraded whether the museum was built or not. Additional Testimony in Favor: Rick Mattes, 687 Leonard St., feels the museum will add to the quality of life for future generations as do Lithia Park, O.S.F.A. and S.O.S.C. John McDonough, 790 Reiten Dr., supports the museum and feels it will help tourist-draw during the off season. Robert Casebeer, 6857 Rapp Lane, Talent, feels the people attracted to the museum will be those who choose to camp out in warmer months, and this project would be a gateway toward other northwest destina- tions. Ken Goddard, 30 Goerky Cr. Rd., Ashland, is director of the Forensics Lab. and hopes the museum will have a discovery room to show what takes place in the forensics lab. where visitations are limited due to security problems. Vern Crawford, 923 Harmony Ln., supports the project and feels the growth rate of the City won't be impacted. 4/26/88 P. 4 Adjourned Meeting Ashland City Council 4/26/88 P. 5 Additional Testimony in Favor: (Continued) Larry Hillegass, 590 Siskiyou Blvd., is in support of the museum and noted the distance the site is located from residential areas. Additional Testimony Against: Dave Alexander, 1780 Crestview, is concerned about how the criteria has been addressed. Ron Roth, 6950 Old Hwy. 99 South, is concerned about impact on the water supply. Patricia Krader, 80 Nutley, feels the museum should grow slowly as did other major institutions in town. She is concerned about the impact on the whole town, and the safety of schoolchildren on Walker Ave. She also feels that noise and air quality impacts have not been adequately addressed. Claire Collins, 315 High St., is concerned about air quality in light of the additional traffic. Patty Lane, 1700 E. Main St., said E. Main St. is set aside for future residential development; and the project is not in compliance with the Comp. Plan. Rebuttal by Proponent~ Ron Bolstad responding to a statement made earlier about liquor to be served at the museum, said that was not so, and the plans for the museum are compatible with the College. Ralph Wehinger said the liability in case of failure would not be borne by the City, but the property would revert back to S.O.S.C. Wes Reynolds feels the opponents are operating on a fear basis and have not proven the project should be denied. Acklin moved to extend the meeting for 1/2 hour, Williams seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Rebuttal by Opponents: Richard Stevens said the burden of proof is with the applicants and they still need to address critera. He asked who would pay for traffic signals at Mountain and E. Main St. He thinks the Council does not have enough evidence to make a decision. 4/26/88 P. 5 Adjourned Meeting Ashland City Council 4/26/88 P. ~ Rebuttal by Opponents: Public Hearing Closed Council Discussion: (Continued) David Lane is concerned with the number of people this project will bring to Ashland, and said the Site Review is not the proper place to make major decisions. Brent Thompson, 582 Allison, and member of the Planning Commission asked to speak. Salter said as a private citizen he has a right to be heard. Thompson asked that the maximum number of visitors yearly and daily, and the size of the facility be specified in the conditions of approval. Reid asked how large the bookstore would be and would operate it. Wehinger said some services will be catered or contracted out. Acklin asked if the museum could be required to participate in costs of a traffic light at Hwy. 66 and Tolman Creek Rd. should the need for one arise. Fregonese said if there was proof the capacity problem was generated from their operations they could be required to pay a portion. Salter concurred. Acklin feels the idea is compatible with the vision of Ashland and proposed considering 2,500-3,000 visitors daily. She noted the Staff Report of Feb. 10, 1988 said E. Main had a 10,000 vehicles a day capacity and traffic counts show 3,300 now. Adding a high estimate of 2,200/day is still well under capacity. She noted that the D.E.Q. threshold for testing air quality is a 1,000 space parking lot, and the museum proposes a 500 car lot. She proposed adding conditions proposed in 3/9/88 meeting, that traffic be directed from Walker to E. Main; that bus service be coordinated with RVTD; that they use recycled surface and ground water; and adopt the staff report addendum. Acklin moved to approve construction of the museum with conditions of the adopted findings of March 30, 1988, limited to an average of 2,750 visitors a day, traffic directed to East Main instead of Walker, coordination with RVTD, use recycled surface and ground water, adopt staff report addendum, and make all material received a part of the record. Williams seconded the motion. Laws moved to extend the meeting another 1/2 hour, Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. 4/26/88 P. 6 Adjourned Meeting Ashland City Council 4/26/88 P. ~ Discussion on Motion: Williams concurs with Acklin, with the addition of possibly using solar energy and doing a study in electrical energy use. Laws declared he had spoken with Ron Lamb and Robert Casebeer prior to the appeal to the Council. He feels he has to be objective and added to the record that people are bothered by air pollution to different degrees, and it is not objective criteria. Acklin said the museum would not violate DEQ air quality standards. Arnold said the goal is to decide on the benefit to Ashland, and if the project is compatible with Ashland. It will have substantial impact on the community. Limiting the number of visitors a day would be hard to enforce. Williams said he had input from both sides, and also declared tha~e~ Lamb is one of his employees. Reid received many calls and letters and felt they were equally divided for and against. She noted the absence of architectural renderings of the project at the hearing; and doesn't know if remedies exist ~ because she doesn't know what the problems will be. She has to vote against. Elerath feels traffic impact on E. Main was not approached properly. He said no one has said no to the project, but the concern was on the size. He thinks the issues regarding traffic and available services haven't been proven, and is going to vote no. Acklin said the 5,5000/vehicles a day is not near the 10,000 capacity for the street, and limitations could be placed on IMAX ticket sales to limit visitation. Vote: On roll call vote the motion passed as follows: Elerath, Reid, and Arnold, NO; Williams, Acklin and Laws, YES. Mayor Medaris feels the proponents proved compliance with the criteria and broke the tie with a YES vote. The meeting adjourned at 11:55 P.M. Nan E. Franklin City Recorder L. Gordon Medaris Mayor 4/26/88 P. 7