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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-0915 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL September 15, 1987 ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES PUBLIC HEARING: Appeal of P.A. #87-090 Council Chairman Don Laws led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 7:32 P.M. on the above date in the Council Chambers. Reid, Acklin, Laws and Arnold were present. Elerath and Williams were absent. Mayor Medaris arrived at approximately 9:15 P.M. Acklin moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 1, 1987; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A letter was read from Robert & Ella Fredinburg, 2275 Siskiyou Blvd., requesting an appeal of Planning Action 87-090, a conditional use permit for a 62-unit low income, elderly housing complex at Siskiyou Blvd. and Bellview Ave. A report from the Planning Commission dated September 10, 1987 was also read. John Fregonese, Planning Director, reported on the Planning Commission's criteria for granting a conditional use permit for the project. He noted the need for housing in Ashland, and said the subject area which is zoned E-1 is not good for employment uses because of slow development and low traffic volume on Siskiyou Blvd. He also addressed the issues raised in Fredinburgs' letter. Robert Fredinburg voiced concerns about the Planning Department's notification process, and said he felt he had been deliberately overlooked by the Planning Commission. When asked if he still opposed the project since it had been flipped over to the other side of the property, he said he was not opposed. Ella Fredinburg, 2275 Siskiyou Blvd., also expressed concern about the notification process and asked if the project had been approved in the mirror image of the original proposal. She said she was not opposed to the project after it was flipped over. Don Ballew, 2315 Siskiyou Blvd., opposed the variance for parking and was concerned about getting out of his driveway. Steve Fabricant, 128 Laurel St., questioned the need for three stories for elderly housing and said the location is not good for elderly tenants. He was also concerned that the project would be converted to market-rate housing in the future. John Fregonese asked that the representative from The CBM Group field these questions. 9/15/87 P. 1 Meeting Ashland City Council 9/15/87 P- 2 PUBLIC HEARING: (Continued) Judith Bernstein, 610 Helman St., a gerontologist who specializes in housing for the elderly felt that the project should be located closer to needed services, closer to downtown activities, and should have room for expansion for dining areas, clinics, etc. Bill Spann, CBM Group, spoke in opposition to the appeal saying they went to considerable expense to accommodate the Fredinburgs in the re-design of the project; and the project did meet the Farmers Home Administration's criteria for distance to necessary facilities. He explained the proposed housing is an apartment complex not a congregate care facility and the tenants would be 62 years or older, with ten percent of the units built for handicapped persons. The complex will have wide halls, stairways, elevators and an on-site manager and assistant manager. CBM has a 20-year commitment with FHA and does not intend to shorten this time period. Mr. Spann told of a market survey done at CBM's expense which shows a great need for housing units in Ashland. Reid asked if tenants would be from Ashland or a waiting list from other CBM facilities. Mr. Spann said they will advertise in Ashland and units will be rented on a first-come first-served basis. Don Pinnock, whose office is at 515 E. Main St., is one of the eight owners of the subject property and said the criteria for the conditional use permit had been met; and there was no basis for further debate since the Fredinburgs were no longer in opposition to the project. There being no further comment from the audience the public hearing was closed. Arnold moved to deny the appeal and adopt the findings and conditions; Acklin seconded the motion. Reid said some good ideas had been brought out about senior housing, and Acklin noted that the Planning Commission had been requested to attach certain conditions to low-income housing projects. The motion passed unani- mously on roll call vote. Mayor Medaris arrived at 9:15 and chaired the remainder of the meeting. 9/15/87 P. 2 P ~ar Meeting Ashland City Council 9/15/87 P ~ COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS & REMONSTRANCES: Annexation - A report and recommendation from the Planning 245 Tolman Cr. Rd. Commission was read concerning the proposed annexa- tion of 2.75 acres at 245 Tolman Creek Road for a 54- unit low to moderate income apartment complex. Arnold moved to set a public hearing for October 20, 1987, 7:30 P.M.; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. S.P. Depot for Teen Center A letter from Mel Ginsberg, 916 Iowa Street ~1, was read urging acquisition of the S.P. Freight Depot for Teen Center purposes. Other letters were received and placed on file. City Administrator Almquist said leasing the building over a long term would be more economical than moving it. Robin Hulten, 490 Liberty, President of the Board of Directors for the Teen Center, also asked that the Council consider allowing the building to be used for the teen center. The City Administrator will keep the Council updated on nego- tiations with Southern Pacific Trans. Co. Liquor License China Station The Police Department recommended approval for a liquor license for the China Station, 2425 Siskiyou Blvd. Arnold moved to approve the application, Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Liquor License Ideal, N. America A recommendation from the Police Department for approval of a liquor license for Ideal, North America, Inc., 1145 Siskiyou Blvd. was received. It was noted property taxes were owing on the property. Laws moved to approve the application with the condition the taxes be paid current; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Ashlander Apts. Taxes City Administrator Almquist reported that the owners of the Ashlander Apartment Complex currently pay $37,000 yearly in taxes, and had been paying $5,200 yearly. For information only, no action necessary. NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Financial Comm. Laws moved to accept and place on file; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Cost Control System A report was read from the Committee appointed to review the Comprehensive Cost Control System. Mayor Medaris thanked the Committee members for their efforts. Cathy Golden, a member of the Committee and Budget Committee, presented a plan for a management audit to be held in conjunction with the services 9/15/87 P. 3 F lar Meeting Ashland City Council 9/15/87 P 4 NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: Cost Control System (Continued) audit. She requested that the Committee re-convene to discuss feasibility and cost of this audit, and a decision be postponed until the Committee could meet with the accountants for the management auditing firm. Reid requested that the item be postponed until the next meeting in order to get more information. Laws asked that it be referred back to the Committee. Bob Nelson, Finance Director, said all departments would be reviewed with the exception of the Hospital and possibly the Parks Department. Planning Comm. Appointment A memo from Mayor Medaris was read requesting Council approval of his appointment of Thomas Lavagnino to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of Michael Shoberg for a term expiring December 31, 1989. Acklin moved to approve the appointment, Arnold seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Nominations to National Register A request was received from George Kramer, Chairman of the Historic Commission, concerning nomination of houses at 59 and 77 Sixth Street to the National Register of Historic Places. Acklin moved to proceed with the nomination; Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Ashland Depot Brick Building The Ashland Historic Commission submitted a request for the Council to direct Staff to include the brick structure at the S.P. Depot, for which S.P. has requested a demolition permit, in negotiations for the freight depot. They also requested that documentation of the building be sought from the Southern Oregon Historical Society, should the acquisition not be agreeable to either party. No action by the Council was necessary. Staff will communicate with Southern Pacific Transportation Co. on this matter. PUBLIC FORUM: MIA/POW Awareness Day Katie Reynolds, 133 Orange Ave., told of the Governor's designation of September 18, 1987 as National POW/MIA Awareness Day and asked that a POW/MIA flag be flown on that day in remembrance of the 2,500 Vietnam Vets who are still missing. Laws moved to approve the request, Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Reynolds then presented the flag to the City. There being no further comment from the audience, the public hearing was closed. 9/15/87 P. 4 r lar Meeting Ashland City Council 9/15/87 P ~ ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: High St. Alley Second reading by title only of an Ordinance vacating Vacation an alley off High Street near Susan Lane. Arnold moved to adopt the ordinance, Laws seconded the motion, which passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ref. Ord. ~2424) Land-Use Ord. Second reading by title only of an Ordinance amending the Land-Use Ordinance with respect to variances, site reviews, and lot depth requirements in residential districts. Laws moved to adopt the ordinance; Acklin seconded the motion, which passed unanimously on roll call vote. (Ref. Ord. ~2425) CBM Annexation 245 Tolman Cr. Rd. First reading of an Ordinance dispensing with an election and calling a public hearing on a proposed annexation and withdrawal from Jackson County Fire District No. 5 of property located at 245 Tolman Creek Road (CBM Annexation). Laws moved to second reading; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Dam Safety Insp. Report A Resolution increasing non-tax resources and authorizing the expenditure of a portion of the electric utility fund for a dam safety inspection report was removed from the agenda by the City Administrator. OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Bi-Centennial Councilor Acklin thanked the Council members for Activities agreeing to read the Constitution on September 17, 1987 on the Plaza. Mayor Medaris mentioned the dedication of Glenwood Park at Ashland and Glenwood Streets, and invited everyone to attend on Sept. 17 at L.O.C. Conf. 9:00 A.M. Almquist asked that the League of Oregon Cities Conference questionnaire be returned to him by September 15. Mayor Medaris explained the process for Selection Proc. selecting a new Public Works Director and Finance Retiring Employees Director. The Mayor also noted that the results of the City Administrator's evaluation had been distri- Admin. Eval. buted to the Council members. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:15 P.M. Nan E. Franklin City Recorder L. Gordon Medaris Mayor 9/15/87 P. 5