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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-0517 REG MINAGENDA FOR THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL May 17, 1983 ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 700 HILLSIDE ACRES REZONE continued from 5/3/83 Mayor Medaris led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers at the Civic Center on the above date. Howard, Reid, Dale, Laws, Smith and Acklin were present. Councilwoman Smith requested a cerrectioa of the m~nutes of the May 3, 1983 meeting on page to read "Nature Conservancy" in the sixth paragraph of page 7. Acklin moved to approve as corrected; Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. The public hearing was resumed from the last regular meeting. Barbara Bean expressed concern about access routes from the area because of the irregularities of Terrace Street and the difficult contour of Gresham and it's dangerous intersection at Siskiyou Blvd. .Bean said they now use a more direct route to town by using Meade, Fork and going past Shakespeare. Bean cautioned Cenl~ciI about traffic patterns and it's impact on the community. Craig Martin said he lives on Terrace Street and was not notified and said the right of way where he lives is only 30 ft. ~n spite of it being shown as 50 ft. on the assessment map. ~e~d asked what width a standard street must be and was told by Alsing that it calls for 36 ft. wide if paved but can be down to 24 ft. if parking is provided elsewhere. Martin said because of the steep hill where cars pick up speed that it is already dangerous for the children in the area. Ed Hungerford, 535 Terrace felt the issue of widening ~nd paving the street had not been adequately discussed at the past public hearings. Thc Mayor said this would be addressed in the planning process. On Hungerford's question on the street width, Alsing said it was 27 ft. at one end and 32 ft. at the other. Hu~gerford asked Alsing if that is standard and Alsing said it isn't but ~t would allow for two lanes if you figure 10 ft. rer lane. H~Ggerford asked Council to postpone any immediate decision u~tiI t~ese issl~es are adeqaately aired aad asked how assessments would be hu~dled if imp- rovements were made. Fregonese said it could be done by assessment district if over 50% of the property owners signed in favor. Reid said the people on Gresham and Terrace Streets had not been motified that their street weutd be a big collector street with the possibil- ity that the traffic could be tripled and ~sked if the developers would bear the cost of these improvements. Alsing sai~ that the Planning Conmission could make that a condition for approval on either a total or portion of the cost. Bob Frank, 60]. Terrace said if the street is improved, a retaining wall would be necessary about 600 ft. long aud from five to twenty- five feet high to get a 20 ft. wide street and even higher for a wider street. He urged Council to consider minim~m~ de~isity cf the entire development to keep the character of existing ~!igbborboods and for this reason the zoning should stay the way ~t is. 5/17/~3 ~. ~ Meeting AsnlaPo U~ty UOUnCl[ 31j. zlo3 r. z 700 HILLSIDE ACRES P.H. continued Donald Fitch, 605 Terrace said he felt an undue eagerness to speed the process along in a situation where the development will have a massive impact on the entire community and especially those who live south of the Boulevard from Shakespeare to SOSC and that it takes time for people to really realize the magnitude of what is taking place and would hope the people have an adequate opportunity to react before decisions are made. Fitch asked that more time be given in this important matter. Pat Acklin explained that public hearings are to decide on the zoning and to consider densities for future developments and thst traffic patterns and impacts would be considered when actual devel- opments are proposed. Joan Houghton, 564 Ashland Street asked if zoning does nQt also ~l~%o~h~o[~a~o~g~w~~ ~eVollector roads] and what happens when Reid agreed saying that to pass zoning to allow more units per acre then you are opening the door for problems affecting the neighborhood below for more traffic. Reid added that only those people within 200 feet are notified but the whole area is actually impacted and the City has already fallen into such a trap on Helman Street where it impacted Oak Street. Reid urged Council to avoid repeating such a problem where cost and maintenance would be a problem. Joan Houghton said it appears the collector road system will to right through her property and that they are concerned that the traffic will end up going down to Mountain to the High School. Carol Frank express concern that rezoning to a more dense use is being considered when homes and lots are available all over town and that rezoning would destroy the character of the neighborhood. Frank said if lots are made smaller then others will be forced to subdivide also. Mayor Medaris closed the public hearing and said he had a letter from Project Engineer Roger Kauble and many other letters in support of t of th~ ~%~%~i~' Mayor Medaris asked that the letters be made part La~s asked Fregonese to give a roughidea of what the population potential is with the present zoning and then what population could be expected with the proposal being considered. Fregonese said there would be a potential for 939 new units on the 719 acres. Fregonesc showed where potential increases and decreases could be expected from the over-all zoning plan on the map (these figures are available in the Planning Department). From the units potential and the vehicle trips anticipated related by Fregonese, Smith said she feels uncomfortable by the potential impact. ........... continued 5/17/83 P, 2 ge~,~ular }fl~ting Ashland City Co~lncil 5/17/83 P. 3 700 HILLSIDE ACRES continued FregOnese recommended four options to Council: to do nothing; 2) express concerns to Planning Commission for further research of specific questions posed, 3) stay with WR-R 10 or, 4) go with PerfOrmance Standards methos where bonus percentages for various amenities to enhance development such as open space, energy effici- ency etc. are awarded for implementation. Fregonese discussed different alternatives regarding the Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan and said that some bonuses have already been figured in. Smith asked how much rural residential (5 acres) is in the City and was told approximately 250 acres. Laws said the critical concerns and Standards have been evaluated by CPAC and the Planning Commiss- ion and suggested to Fregonese that the steepness of the area and traffic circulation be addressed more deeply. Reid reiterated her conc{rn with the existing neighborhoods and wondered at ~at depth the Planning Commission considered. Reid continued that Gresham Street was poorly engineered as it is torqued the wrong way etc. and feels the people on Ashland, Terrace and Meade Streets should be notified and allowed input. Mayor Medaris said this development is not going to happen overnight and that the Planuing Commission apprOved the Susitna Heights subdivision with conditions imposed for pavimg. Howard asked if the Planning Commission is taking into consideration the Master Plan of the City and noted that people are thinking of this proposal as one going in overnight. Acklin said one of the things brought up is the proximity to the watershed of the property and expressed concern about increased density and said it is different from the Strawberry Lane area in that it is natural vegetation as opposed to orchards and because of tile vulnerability of the Watershed it would be best not to zone to top density. Acklin also commented on the notification process feeling that people have not been notified and wondered if the Planning Gem'- mission may have overlooked the impact on access routes. Smith agreed with Acklin and said the developers may flnd the options reviewed by gregonese with bonus points as a better alternative and that two units per acre are enough. Laws asked Acklin what her concerns are regarding the Watershed and she said vegatien interfaced with the Watershed is fire related and the vegetation is necessary for erosion control and the proposed lot size wonld be too small for effective protection of the fragile environment there. Laws said that the problem belng dealty with is not ]She the access problem of Wimer Street when Susitna was being consider- ed because although it is a collector street it is not really possibl~ to widen it for tile generated amount of traffic anticipa- ted. Raid said the City owns more land on Gresham but the import- ant thing to establish is who will pay the costs and reminded Council it could find itself 5n the same position as on Helman Street where the property owners refuse to pave the street because of its intense use by neighboring Quiet Village. Laws said a signal system is needed at the Gresham Street intersection bt2t he doesn't believe the street is substandard in width. On Re'id's concern about who will pay for it, Laws said as far as the .......... continued 5/] 7/83 700 HILLSIDE ACRES cont. PUSLIC HEARING Proposed 83-84 Budget State Rev. Sharing Funds intersection signal is concerned the Highway Division would have to be involved. Howard moved to approve the proposed zone change; Laws seconded the motion which failed with Laws and Howard voting in favor and Reid, Smith, Acklin and Dale voting in opposition. Planning Director Fregonese reviewed the low density criteria from the Comprehensive Plan and Council discussed various alternatives including allowing density bonuses for developments in RR-5 areas to allow up to 2.4 an acre, or perhaps to adopt a single family zone requiring minimLm lots of 15,000 square feet in some half acre areas. Reid said that Council is in too much of a rush to comprom- ise the proposal. City Attorney Salter said the proposal must be sent back to the Planning Commission for Comprehensive Plan amend- ment with research to justify changes. Reid said changes would affect the whole City. Acklin said Council can make no changes witbout hearings. Howard moved to accept recommendation on zoning of Areas 2 and 3; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Howard moved to send Area 1 proposal back to the Planning Commission for additional study and reconmendations; Reid seconded the motion which passed with Howard, Reid, Dale and Laws voting in favor. Smith and Acklin opposed the motion. The City Administrator reviewed a memo from the Director of Finance outlining the latest Revenue Sharing forecast for 1983-84 aad noted an increase of $35,000 with staff recommendation to appropriate to operating contingency. Almquist noted that the cost for the inunda- tion study mandated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in the amount of $24,000 be considered. The public hearing was opened and since there was no comment, the hearing was closed. Laws moved to appropriate $24,000 for the study, $1,418 designated for "Other Health & Social Services" aad ti~e remainder to be placed in tile oper;~ting contingency; Howard seconded the motion. Smith asked why the remainder should be left in the operating contingency and Laws said it would stay there until consideration is given allocation. On voice vote, all AYES. Director of Finance Nelson addressed the Fire Department's request to carry over funds not expended in remodel project of Station 1 into the new budget year in the amount of $12,800. Assistant Fire Chief White explained the department's p~-ogress saying that ouly $2,200 of the allocation had b<?en spent but completion is expected in early slimmer and ~he department would appreciate the carry-oveF. Howard moved to grant request; Reid seconded the motion which passed unaujmonsly on voice vote. Nelso~ reviewed State Reveaue Sharing and noted that revanues have hiscorica].ly been aI]~cated to the Fire Department. The public hear- was o[',ened and there was no comment. Mayor ~[ed~r[s closed contlnned 5/17/83 P~ 4 __R_e_gula_.r ~e_e_ti___ng Ashlapd City Co2.!ncil ___ 5/!_7.~/~2 P. 5 State Rev. Sharing P.H. Other Budget-related bus~ness SO8C Spring Arts & Green- springs Dance Noise Permits Street Cut Request American Legion Liquor Lic. Casa Feliz Mistletoe Road Maintenance the public hearing and Laws moved to adopt the Budget proposed by Budget Committee; Dale seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Director of Finance Nelson noted tbat forecasts of revenues anti- cipated from gasoline tax, liquor revenues and cigarette taxes were forecasted $30,000 high and said tbat improvement of revenue line items would offset the reduction of $30,000. Tbe public hearing was opened and there was no comment from the audience. The hearing was closed and Laws moved to adopt the budget as amended. Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A request for a noise permit by SOSC Spring Arts Committee for May 21, 1983 and one for a deck dance at Greensprings Dorms for Friday, May 20, ]983 were considered and Acklin moved for approval; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A request for a street cut during the 5-year moratorium on paving at 523 Grandview for use of a minor land partition was considered and Laws moved to approve; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A liquor license request by American Legion to serve beer at 4th of July festivities and one for Casa Feliz were considered aad it was noted in both instances requests were recommended for approval by the Police Department. Howard moved to approve; Acklin seconded the motion which passed with all AYES on voice vote. A petition from property owners on Mistletoe Road requesting City participation in cost of oiling road surface was reviewed and Bernie Partridge spoke to the issue saying that the property owners and the City shared in the expense of oiling in 1980 at a cost of $2,200 and that Aising had recommend the type oil which was to have lasted between one and three years and sctnally lasted about three months. Partridge said that a request that the City patch holes was denied. Partridge said that $684.00 worth of crankcase oil was used last year and $709.00 was used this year and asked if there could be some permanent arrangement with the City like participation in an assess- ment district with the County also sharing. Smith asked if an assess ment district could be formed and Almquist said it could not at this time but there is a bill which will allow a joimt City/Co.mty pro- posal to put together an assessment district to put improvements in. Alsing said the problem is that there hasn't been any dedication to the City for street purposes and added that it is not a City, County or public ro~d and th~s needs to be done so that it doesn't come before us on a yearly basis. Laws suggested that Croman Bros. be obligated for a fair shar~ because of their intense use of the street and Partridge said they no longer allow their trucks to ase the street. Alsing pointed o~lt that ~he City's position is complica- ted by th~ fact that the State Highway is on one side and ~oold be ~ problem dolla~ise. .......... continued ti/]7/~'l, B q Rc~_l~_r ~z~rt~_i_n_g' Asb~a__Pd__C.j_t~v (_~io__u.n__cjJ. 5/17/832.6 Mistletoe Road cont. Laws asked if grading and oiling the street twice a year would help and Partridge said it would. Laws moved that interim policy be set to grade and oil the surface of Mistletoe twice a year; Reid sec- onded. Alsing asked who would take care of the mechanics of the job and Dale said that this plan is a temporary measure. Partridge said they are interested in a long term solution if the property owners can afford it and are anxious to meet with the City and noted that curbs, gutters and storm drain and 6" asphaltic concrete doesn't seem to be warranted as it will cost $21,000 for 24" A 4½"° Alsing said it would have to be 30 ft. wide and that a contractor estimated the cost at $49,500. Partridge asked the City to con- siader doing the work on a pro rata basis over a period of two to five years because some of the property owners are retired and on a fixed income. Partridge said that he, Croman and the School District could probably handle it immediately but others may need more time. Smith said she would favor a yearly agreement on oiling, etc. and Dale suggested a time limit be given the offer. Dale moved to set a two year limit and look at the solution at that time; Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously. On the original motion all YES. Council agreed that City would particip- ate but that owners should make necessary arrangements for oiling. Lane water connect request Ward water connect request The City Administrator read a letter from David Lane requesting per- mission to connect his residence at 1700 E. Main Street which is out- side the City limits to the City water system. Almquist reviewed Director of Public Works Alslng's memo and Laws explained to the applicant that Lhe City was put on notice that water was not to be sold outside the City limits and the only solution would be to apply for annexation. Lane asked if others had not applied and been given the approval of Council and Laws said they had but that Council is now dealing with formation of a new policy and until such time as it is arrived at will not be allowing service outside the City. Laws then moved to deny request as a violation of the Charter; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A letter from Glen Ward was read seeking permission to connect propert adjacent to the Ashland Airport outside the City limits to the City water system. Ward said his house is under construction but he has been given permission to occupy the home and since has found there is no water in a well which was producing water and which had been capped a couple of years ago until he moved in. Ward said he has had to haul water for his family in barrels and needs some kind of relief. Ward offered the labor and material to install ~he necessary pipe to connect to 2" line. Sln[th moved to deny; Acklin seconded the motion. Ward said he may have to annex just the house portion of his land and was told by Acklin that he would have to annexation the whole lot as the County wou].d require a tax lot number. On voice vote the motion passed without cpposition. ........... continued 5/17/83 P. 6 Re_~u__la_!r~,t~t_inj Ashland City Council 5/17/STL:~'_:.7__' Gentry Variance Request/ Appeal P & R Request/Gun Club Senior Program Bingo P.C. Appointment The date of June 7, 1983 at 7:30 was set for public hearing. Acklin so moved; Smith seconded and motion passed unanimously on voice vote. A request from Parks & Recreation Commission relative to extension of the Ashland Gun Club lease through March 31, 1998. Howard moved to approve; Laws seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A memo from Program Director Stein was read requesting permission to sponsor bingo games for recreational purposes for seniors and to fund- raise to supplement budget expenditures for FY 83/84. Stein said she would depend on volunteers to run the games. Howard moved to approve; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Stein also asked consideration from Council on waiving the utilities deposit for Seniors who live in a the Quincy Street complex where in the past the utility bills were paid by the landlord and now will be billed separately. Council discussed the request and Smith moved to waive the utility deposit for those Seniors who have lived at the complex for at least a year; Dale seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Mayor Medaris appointed Betty Lou Dunlop to the Planning Commission to fill the current vacancy and Howard moved to approve; Smith seconded the motion which passed without opposition on voice vote. Inundation Study PUBLIC FORUM Inundation Study Funding approved earlier in the agenda (Budget). Robert Collins, 1026 E. Main spoke in opposition to the public hear- ing process saying that although public input is allowed that it is apparent the proposal has already been decided upon. Collins went on to say that Council should be more sensitive to the ideas of the constituency and that one person may have an idea which would be a valuable tool in a decision making situation and Collins said maybe the hearing process should be a continual thing rather than the last process before the adoption of a proposal. Laws said that lot of wor], and hearings have taken place often before Counc~l considers an item and people are notified formally in the area of concern and the City depends heavily on the news media to keep people informed as to what is currently being cousidered by the many con~issions & boards of the City as well as the Planning Commission and City Conncil. Collins said that hopefully more information will be availeble when cable television affords public access communications. Collins said he felt lots of tension during the public hearing on the 700 hi]]side acres and it appeared that people were not really being listened to. A1 Willstatter~ 165 Central urged Council to research whether the Inundation Study is really mandatory and that our State Representative should be contacted by the City and other citizens should write to them urgimg their assiztance in this matter. W~]lstatter c~te~ the various requirements sayzing that the project costs continue to e~ca.[- ate because of the requi~se~ents. 5/17/83 P. 7 Ordinances, Resolutions an.d Contracts So. Mountain Rezone McCaw Communications Franchise Ordinance Ordinance Levying Taxes Street Tree Commission Formation ordinance Resolution adopting 83-84 Budget Accounting for various funds Transfer of Approp. Second reading was given an Ordinance by title only rezoning certain property on the West side of Mountain Avenue, South of Siskiyou Blvd., and Howard moved to adopt; Smith seconded the motion which passed with IIoward, Reid, Dale, Laws and Smith in favor and Acklin opposed on roll call vote. Second reading by title only was given an Ordinance granting a non-- exclusive franchise to McCaw Communications of Southern Oregon and Acklin moved to adopt; Howard seconded the motion which passed with- out opposition on roll call vote. First reading was given an ordinance levying taxes for 1983-84 and Smith moved to second reading; Howard seconded the motion which passed without opposition on roll call vote. Reid asked for more discussion on Street Tree CommisSion Ordinance before it is read. Serena Linde said she is uncertain about some parts of the ordinance and would like some items explained. Smith explained that the Commission would provide information or give advise to the Planning Conmission and they would make decisions - the Street Tree Commission would be advisory body and added the Com- mission could advise on anything they wished on related issues. Robert Collins asked whether Solar finergy was being considered as it relates to shade trees etc. and Collins was told that the Solar Access Ordinance covers the subject. Laws suggested that guidelines relat- ing to Roberts Rules of Order be stricken from the measure and Dale moved to second reading striking out reference on Roberts Rules; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A Resolution adopting 1983-84 Budget and making appropriations was read and Laws moved for adoption; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A Resolution establishing account basis for various City funds was read and Laws moved to adopt; Reid seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A Resolution transferring appropriations within funds was read and Acklin moved for adoption; Smith seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. 5/17/83 P. 8 Other Business from Coun- cil Members Winburn Closure Benson Dev. Public Hear- ing - Crowson Road PRESS CONFERENCE Lomax Retirement ADJOURNMENT Reid brought up a dangerous situation for children on Hunter Court saying the street offers parking on both sides of the street and although it is supposed to be two-way there is really insufficient room. Reid suggested there be a fence or no parking on one side of the street. Alsing said it is not a City street but Park's, Howard said he would look into the matter. Laws moved to place a request for street closure of Winburn W~y by Ashland Junior H. S. on the agenda; AckI~n seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Laws moved to approve closure on June 7, 1983; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. Council agreed to set public hearing for June 7, 1983 at 7:30 p.m. for proposed annexation of 16.7 acres on Crowson. Mark Howard asked the City Administrator what the current tax rate is and Almquist said that it is $2.27 per thousand and that it had not raised. Chief Lively invited Mayor & Council to a reception in honor of Warren Lomax who is resigning on Tuesday evening between 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. before the Council meeting on June 7. The meeting adjourned at 11:00 P.M. Nan E. Franklin City Recorder L. Gordon Medaris Mayor 5/17/83 P. 9