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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-0721 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL July 21, ].981 ROLL CALL MINUTES APPROVAL PUBLIC HEARING Appeal PA 81-48 Having led the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Medaris called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. on the above date in the Council Chambers. Howard, Sims, Dale~ Acklin and Peterson were present. Laws was absent. Acklin moved to approve minutes of the regular meeting of July 7, 1981 and Executive Session of July 13; Sims seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. The City Administrator read a letter from David J. Yasi dated June 23, 1981 and the Mayor asked that Planner Fre~onese review Planning Commission's disposition of the application. Fregones~ said that originally the Commission had recommended approval but with consideration by CPAC and public testimony had changed their decision based on the policy that in R1-5 Zone there woulc be at least 8,000 sq. ft, for duplexes, i~ R-1.7 Zone, 9500 sq. feet and in Ri-10 Zones would require 11,000 sq. ft.' In reviewing the general policy for duplex conditional use, CPAC recommended 8,O~, 11,000 and 15,000 sq. ft. which would result in denial of the 9300 sq. ft. proposal. It was decided that because of the necessity for 7,500 feet for a single residence 9300 sq. feet would not be adequate for two residences (dup.) because it would not lease enough open space on the lot and also the original intent of the ordinance was to develop a policy which would apply to new duplex structures on vacant lots and not conversion of present single family residence as applied for, Almquist asked that the Staff Report, Memo dated 7/14/81, Applicant's Findings, Denial Findings and Minutes be made part of the record. Dale so moved; Peterson seconded and on voice vote, passed unanimously. Mayor opened public hearing. David Yasi, Applicant/Appellant read a letter relative to Planning Action 81-47 saying that R-1 Land Use Ordinance and Conditional Use paragraphs provide for the designation of a duplex as he is proposing. Yasi pointed out a drawing of the duplex which he said would be upgrading the present resid- ence and providing for more rental use which is needed in the City and in an area where rentals exist and where college dormitories are present. Yasi said the impact would not be all that much. Yasi continued by saying that the square footage meets and is far less than the maximum allowed. He said the lot coverage will be 25% which is well within the criteria. Yasi addressed neighbor concern saying that they fear a blight of the neighborhoods by duplex structures on every corner and he had researched corner lots and the possibilty is rare that there would be sufficient room etc. Yasi presented suggestions for criteria considerations as they apply to duplexes and con- cluded his presentation. Almquist submitted petitions signed by thirty five property owners in the immediate area and requested that such petitions be made part of the record. Also the following letters were ........ continued 7/31/81 Public Hearing 701 Indiana St. PA #81-48 cent. received and also are made part of the record, Kenneth & France Pol].ock, 1372 Oregon; Donald E. Lewis, 1337 Oregon St,; and Janet Ivie. Frank Euse, owner of the property, disagreed with the findings of the Planning Commission and said that the neighborhood is composed of both rentals and owners and urged approval of the proposal. Don Lewis spoke of the thirty five residents who had signed the petition and asked that petitions be made part of the record. Almquist agreed. Lewis said that because the college occupies the area does not indicate the neighborhood's single family designation should be eroded by a duplex and thata conditional use criteria should not be automatic. Lewis said he has lived on Oregon Street for twenty years and in the neighborhood for thirty-five years and that he bought with the understanding that he would be living in a single family residential area. Mrs. Kenneth Pollock spo~e of the dangers of the traffic oozing onto Sunrise which is a dirt road and steep along with being narrow and said that cars often have to slide up the street to get traction. Floyd Vogel of 1315 Oregon said that the reason we adopt zoning ordinances is to protect neighborhoods. Vogel said he knew the college was there and that there would be a lot of kids but there are a lot of areas where duplexes can be build. He said he doesn't call such provision "conditional use" but it can best be described as "spot zoning". Vogel said that parking is really terrible now and that ~ore cars will compoun~ the congestion. Janet Ivie said she concurs with the opposition to the pro- posal and that the homes which are being rented belong to the college in preparation for eventually running a perimeter road around the college when funding is available and that rentals are a result of those plans and not the typical situation. Ivie said that although the dorms were not there when they bought the property but they are there and said that snow building up could make it impossible to get a fire truck up the road. Bud Wilkerson, 785 Palmer, said he is a realtor and since the home has been bought it is an eyesore to the neighborhood and will get worse when it is rented to students. Wilkerson said he tried to sell the house and p~tting another unit there would make it remain an eyesore. Wilkerson said the the houses across the street were grandfathered in and added that he would like to see the proposal denied. ...... ..continued 7/21/81 ~ular_M_e~e.t_i=U~g Ashland C:[ty Council Public Hearing PA #81-48 cent. Approval of Minutes of Boards, Commissions & Committees Chamber of Commerce Lithia Homes Findings Bicycle Racks on Plaza Ken Pollock, 1372 Oregon Avenue, said he is not quarrelling with the archjtecture& landscaping but would like to see the zoning retained as R-1 and asked the proposal be denied. Mayor Medaris then closed the public hearing & returned to the Council for discussion. Councilman Sims said the location of the residence according to the map would lend itself well to a duplex on the corner and said the main problem with the neighbors is that they fear an intrusion in their area but that the area would be upgraded by inclusion of standards set by staff. Sims said that infilling is recommended by Urban Growth Boundary criteria and urged approval of the application and moved to uphold the appeal, adopt the findings submitted by the applicant, and including the conditions imposed by staff and Historic Conm~ttee recommendations/guidelines be brought back by Staff; Acklin seconded the motion which passed with Sims, Dale, Acklin and Peterson voting in favor of the proposal (uphold Appeal) and Howard opposed. Motion carried. Sims moved to accept; Peterson seconded and on voice vote, all YES. Letter from Chamber of Commerce was read and no action required Available at next meeting (8/4/81). City Administrator Almquist reviewed the proposal to place bicycle racks in the Plaza area by reserving two parking spaces on the Plaza - the first parking place on North Main where vehicles backing out move into the flow of traffic on the State highway and the one next to it. Almquist said the first space was proposed for landscaping and the second for bike racks. Read into the record was one letter from Jim Ter- rele, owner of the Log Cabin opposing the use of two parking spaces essentially for another's business and a petition signed by nineteen merchants which was accompanied by a letter from Henry Daw. Council discussed alternatives and suggested one parking space be used for bicycles by using a curbing to protect it along with landscaping and one bike rack and the median strip be used to accommodate more space for bicycle parking. It was noted that the pedestrian crossing is close to make the median option more safe ~or the cyclists. On question as to how the median strip would be treated Almquist suggested buff colored cement as used for downtown sidewalks etc. Acklin moved to take the first space and use the median strip; Peterson seconded and the motion passed with Sims, Dale, Acklin and Peterson voting YES. Howard opposed the motion which carried. Bluebird Park Stairway Proposal Casa del Sol The discussion of the proposed stairway along edge of Bluebird _ Regnla.r_ ~ioe~L_ing As_hland City Council 7/21/~1 ~, ~'~ Bluebird Park Utility Payment Ord. Veto Park to create access to the basement level of Casa del Sol in order split the present store into two. Almquist said the property wss acquired by Bureau of Outdoor Recreation and Green- way monies. A memo from the City Administrator relaying thought~ of Jim Ragland, former Councilmember who has developed donations for Greenway, saying that the proposal would be a visual intrus- ion of the "retreat" concept of the Park and a violation of trust as it relates to the donors to the Greenway project. Sims asked if the leases would be financially liable and Almquist said if the proposal'is adopted there would be a "hold harmless clause" would be signed and further that maintenance would be accepted to the same standard consistent with a landscape proposal which would have to be approved (5D of lease). John Connor who pro- posed the stairway said his plans are not really finalized but tha~ he would appreciate input. After discussing the problem and reviewing ideas, Howard then suggested Connor get together with Fregonese and others inter- ested. Howard said he has already talked to the Parks Commission about Bluebird Park as liaison from Council and it looks as though the park wi]l eventually become one of the responsibilitic of the Parks system. Howard said the project could be handled by a committee. Dale reported uncovering a landscaping plan as requested of the State Highway Department which would cover the territory under the overpass along Water Street and hope it could all be planned together. Howard suggested that Connors, Fregonese, Parks & Council representative & Jim Ragland make up a committee to plan the project with input from interested citi- zens for long range development of the ar~a. Council agreed and Mayor Medaris appointed Councilman Dale, F~egonese, Park Comm. r~ resentative and Bity Administrator Almquist to the committee along with John Cormors. Howard so moved; Acklin seconded and offered to help any way she can and on voice vote all YES. A letter was road relative to the Mayor's veto action of the time payment plan Ordinance 2144 citing the need for additional clerical help etc. and other information on how such a mandated ruling has affected PP&L's implementation of this policy. Acklii said she had spoken to Bill Parrott of PP&L and that he hadn't indicated any problem. Medaris said his information came from the Credit Manager (Fletcher) of PP&L and the program has proven to be a costly effort and Medaris quoted Fletcher as saying he could not understand anyone oing to the cost and trouble of · itiating this program wit ing to legally do so. Peterson felt the issue isn't that large a problem and wants to amend to include "sunset clause". Peterson moved to override Veto; Acklin seconded. Dale said he understands Mayor's feeling but wants to vote with majority of Council. On roll call Sims, Dale Acklin and Peterson voted YES. Howard opposed and motion carried. Peterson moved to amend Ordinance to include "sunset clause"; Dale seconded the motion. Sims said the matter should be looked into anytime a question comes up. On roll call Water & Sewer Rate Ord. Electric Connect Fees Ord. Police Supervision Service Fees Ordinance Heat Pump Installation Ord. Supervisory & Confidential Wage Schedule Sidewalks on E. Main Street Appropriation of Funds IBEW Agreement IBEW Electric Dept. Employees Thermoplastic Street Signing Departmental Reports Second reading by title only was given an Ordinance increasing water and sewer connection fees by twelve percent and Acklin moved to approve; Sims seconded the motion and on roll call vote it passed unanimously. Second reading by title only of an Ordinance establishing con- nection fees for electric service was given and Sims moved to adopt; Peterson seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Second reading by title only was given an Ordinance relative to police supervision services fees and Sims moved to adopt; Acklin seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call, Postponed. Almquist read a Resolution establishing wage schedules for Supervisory and Confidential employees and Howard moved to adopt; Sims seconded and on roll call passed unanimously. A Resolution setting a date for a public hearing to consider the instsllation of sidewalks on the north side of East Main Street, East of Mountain Avenue was read and Sims moved to adopt; Acklin seconded the motion which passed without opposi- tion on roll call vote. Almquist read a Resolution transferring appropriations within funds and Acklin moved to adopt; Sims seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Ratification of agreement with IBEW Local No. 659 for Profess- ional and Clerical employees for the fiscal year of 1981-82 was presented and Sims moved to authorize signatures; Acklin seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. Ratification of wage schedule with IBEW Local 659 for Electric Department Employees was considered and Sims moved to authorize signatures to ratify; Peterson seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. A Letter of Understanding with State for thermoplastic markings and a Resolution so approving was presented to Council. Almquis! read Resolution and Sims moved to adopt; Acklin seconded and the motion to adopt passed unanimously on roll call vote. Sims moved to accept and place on file; Peterson seconded and on voice vote motion passed unanimously. 7/21/81 P. 6 ReJu]ar M~t:~ng Ashland City Council Geothermal Resources Surplus Property Police Dept. CounLy Jail Services Pavement Excavation Budget Meeting Liquor Licenses Public Forum Zoological Gardens ORDINANCES Sidewalks on E. side Laurel Street and E. side of Winburn Way A letter from the Geology Department at S.O.S.C. was reviewed and a memo from the City Administrator read relative to the potential for geothermal resources in this area and possibility of City's contribution to offset mapping expenses for the college and a recommendation not to participate was considered. No action necessary. Letter placed on file. A memo from Director of Public Works Alsing was read relative tc Surplus Property Acquisition and a Resolution for authority to act was presented. Sims so moved; Peterson seconded and on voice vote passed unanimously. A memo was read and Ordinance presented to authorize the lodging of prisoners in the Jackson County Jail.' Sims moved to approve Dale seconded and on voice all AYES. The City Administrator read the Ordinance and Peterson moved to second reading; Sims seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice vote. A memo from the Director of Public Works was read notifying o~ excavation for emergency repairs to' the water system at 351 Wiley and 548 Iowa. For information only, no action needed. August 11, 1981 at 7:30 P.M. was time set for Budget Committee t consider effect of tax referendum measures. The City Recorder presented applications for new and renewal liquor licenses and Sims moved to approve. Peterson seconded. Almquist read list of applicants. On voice vote, all AYES. Mark Christian reported his intention of developing a Zoological Garden in the City and noted that he had not been given the opportunity to present his proposal in past. Sims said he had read the original proposal and that lots of money was involved. Sims suggested this would be a matter for the citizens of Ash- land to address at the polls. Peterson asked Christian to be prepared to address proposal with all details at the next regular meeting of City Council. The City Administrator told Christian that he would need five days lead time to get anything written prior to the next meeting. Second reading by title only was given an Ordinance authoriziDg and ordering the installation of sidewalks on the East side of Laurel Street and the E. side of. Winburn Way and Sims moved to adopt; Acklin seconded and on roll call motion passed with all in favor. 71~1/81 F,5 Regular ~t, eting Ashland City Council 7/23 Council Liaison Reports Hospital Board Historic Comm. Dale absence Adjournment Nan E. Franklin City Recorder Councilman Dale reported at the last Hospital Board meeting it was decided to go to the people for a Bond in order to go ahead with building plans. Councilman Howard reporting that the Historic Commission is making headway in their efforts to complete guidelines for demolition permits and will make available when completed. Councilman Dale reported he will be absent from the City for a period to exceed thirty days, such notification required by City Charter. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 P.M. L. Gordon Medaris Mayor