Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-0415 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL April 15, 1980 ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES PUBLIC HEARING Hill Amendment Mayor Prickett led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. on the above date in the Council Chambers. Phelps, Sims, Ragland, Medaris, Laws and Hamilton were present. Phelps moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 1, 1980 as submitted; Hamilton seconded and on voice vote motion passed unanimously. City Administrator Almquist read a memorandum from the Planning Comr mission dated March 10, 1980 and requested that Staff Report dated February 13, 1980 containing 10-12 pages, letters from residents, petition in support of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment, petition with signatures in opposition, minutes of the Planning Commission for the February 13, 1980 meeting & letter from Planning Director relative to compliance with housing goal, and findings of 2/13/80 be made pa~t of the record. Planning Director Fregonese reviewed the proposal stating the Council action had been overturned by LCDC because Goal 10 relative to housing was not included in the action, and briefed Council on results of validity of transportation effect by down-zoning and gave specifics on routes, numbers of vehicles - origination, destinations etc., and general impact on Nob Hill, Church and Nutley Streets. Fregonese said that some information was gleaned from BCATS study and then recent traffic counts compiled and submitted for consideration, and gave different alternatives for use of acreage and impact. Fregonese said Conditions 1 through 4 as outlined in staff report including 1) that area as outlined in Planning Action 79-13 be designated as Rural Residential; 2) that two creeks be designated as "open space" in the Plan; 3) forested area on eastern slope area be included in the plan as a scenic resource and preserved as such; and 4) that a four acre hilltop park be shown on the Comp Plan. The public hearing was opened and the City Administrator read a letter into the record as submitted by Tim Miller of 610 Orchard Street. Henry Kneebone said that if the proposal goes through there will be no more development south of Orchard Street because of the expense of water, sewer and paving etc. Edwin Chapman of 270 N. Laurel also spoke in opposition of the amendment saying not all of the area has an access problem and that older neighborhoods are burdened with the higher density by use of flag lots with the result being that livabilaty is being destroyed and that the virgin land in question should be classified as developable and non-developable. Chapman continued by saying the Comprehensive Plan is not a good one and a new one should be started from scratch. Allen Drescher of 105 Nob Hill, respresenting the applicants requested that the original plan application, supplemental plan application and Planning Commission packet be made part of the record. Drescher reviewed the pumping station needs and housing inventories prepared by former Planner Box and recent one developed by Fregonese and said that if the area is not down-zoned the traffic would be staggering, and likened it to Siskiyou & Bellview or E. Main and Mountain (referring to Scenic/Church.) Rosentreter reaffirmed RegUlar ~eting Ashland City Council 4/15/80 P. 2 HILL AMENDMENT cont. MINUTES OF BOARDS STREET CLOSURE RVCOG APPROPRIATION REQUEST - GREENWAY EMERICK & MT. ALLEY VACATION PETITION WOMEN IN TRANSITION ROBIN LEAKE REQUEST FOR ACCESS EASEMENT PUBLIC FORUM his support of the amendment and the public hearing was closed and turned over to Council for discussion. Phelps moved that Planning Action 79-13 be approved and that Findings of Fact be adopted as pre- sented; Sims seconded and on roll call, Phelps, Sims, Ragland, Laws, and Hamilton voted in favor; Medaris opposed. Hamilton moved to accept minutes of boards, cormnittees and commissions and Phelps seconded the motion. Passed unanimously on voice vote. Ragland mentioned the Bike Committee was asked to consider path as a three month trial and they felt this proposal should not be considered a temporary situation but recommended the bike path be done. Alm- quist said that $2234 was included in the budget. Ragland said it is enough to do the striping and some signing if Council wants the Bike Committee to pursue. The Bike Committee was asked to come back with recommendation as to use of Capital Improvement funding. A letter from the 4th of July Committee was read requesting closure of Winburn Way and Nutley Street on July 4, 1980 from 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. through Park area and Laws moved to approve request; Hamil- ton seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. A letter from the Rogue Valley Council of Governments was read in whic~ an appropriation in the amount of $904 was requested as Ashland's share of costs as they relate to the County Greenway Committee. Con- siderable discussion ensued when Mayor Prickett expressed concern about paying $4500 for dues and having the money funnelled in other areas of County government we already support. Laws suggested we check with COG to see how the fee relates to the City of Ashland. Prickett suggested we get information and table until next regular meeting for report. Laws said he believes we still pay the same amount based on per capita fee basis. Almquist said the dues have increased about $900 over last year. After further discussion Phelps moved to approve $904 for Greenway purposes; Ragland seconded and both Phelps and Regland agreed to make part of the motion include requesting representative of RVCOG to be at next meeting for clarifica- tion. On roll call Phelps, Sims, Ragland, Medaris and Laws voted in favor of the motion; Hamilton voted against and motion carried. City Administrator Almquist read a memorandum with petition from 100% of property owners abutting alley and said a resolution would appear later on agenda. A letter from Southern Oregon College Women in Transition - was read requesting permission to survey City employees concerning Child Care needs was considered. Sims said he would like to have results of effort. Council agreed to allow survey and no motion was necessary. Withdrawn Mayor Prickett nominated Francis Jacquemin to the RVCOG for considera- tion of membership to Greenway Committee. Ragland moved to place on agenda; Sims seconded and on roll call passed unanimously. Phelps moved to approve; Laws seconded and motion passed unanimously. 4/15/80 P. 2 Regular~eeting Ashland City Council 4/15/80 P. 3 PUBLIC FORUM cont. PINNOCK RESIGNATION cont.Ragland moved to place the matter of the resignation of Nancy Pinnock Parks & Rec. Comm. (Parks & Recreation Commission) on the agenda; Hamilton seconded and on voice vote motion passed unanimously. Letter was read from Jean Crawford, Chairperson of Ashland Parks & Recreation recommending that Parks Commission screen citizens interested in serving and forwarding to Council for their approval. After some discussion it was decided that Council would accept a name from P & R and if that particular candidate is not approved that another would be asked of the Parks and Recreation Commission until one is appointed. The Mayor wondered if the citizens would be disadvantaged by being able to apply to either body as was discussed and Council agreed the Parks Commission to Council was best method as outlined above and Sims so moved; Rag- land seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. Ragland suggested that applicants be made aware of the many meetings and hours of work involved. Prickett asked that a letter be sent to Pinnock expressing appreciate for years of dedication to the task. JACKSON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMM. Councilman Sims volunteered to represent Ashland in the reorganized County Economic Development Commission and Prickett so appointed. GREENE ANNEXATION FINDINGS OF FACT Hamilton moved that Mayor & Recorder be authorized to execute Findings of Fact on Greene Annexation; Laws seconded and on roll call, all YES. ASHLAND COMMUNITY HOSP. RELEASE OF FUNDS A letter requesting release of funds for architectural services to develop master plan for hospital was read and Sims moved to approve; Medaris seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. LIQUOR LICENSE APP. Don Kohal's Minute Mkt. 2380 Hy 66 Laws moved to approve application for new package outlet; Hamilton seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. B STREET TRAFFIC REC. Almquist read a memo from the Traffic Safety Commission with recom- mendations as they relate to B Street and reservation of spaces for use of Armory. On Hamilton's question as to when a new armory will be built, the City Administrator said he would check on it and report back. Laws moved to deny Armory request for reserve spaces; Hamilton seconded and on roll call passed unanimously. The second recommenda- tion was provision for a 4-way stop at intersection of B and Second Streets for a six month trial period. Comments were made on the speed of traffic, safety of seniors, lack of space for children to play in and the constant volume of traffic in the residential neighbor- hood. Fregonese reported on traffic studies and said the residents have a valid argument not being a collector street and said a lot of people use it as a short cut to get across town - the route of least resistance Corliss, traffic commissioner, said that the four-way stop signs violate every criteria of National Safety Council which include education, enforcement and engineering and that the stop signs will not slow down traffic and the boulevard stop will result in the residents getting the violations themselves. Corliss said the police department doesn't have enough personnel to enforce eight hours a day. Suzanne Rainbow of 385 B Street expressed concern that there is too much traffic for comfort on a residential street and would support establishment of stop signs at 4th, 5th and 8th Streets. 4/15/80 P. 3 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 4/15/80 P. 4 B Street Traffic cont. JUSTICE CENTER LUMBER Mayor Prickett reminded Council and audience the a good deal of the problem has developed from permitted use of home occupations in the area. Ira Edwards read a letter to the Council which expressed con- cern that experts are plotting the traffic needs based on statistical data instead of hearing the people out as to their needs. Edwards said the Comprehensive Plan is being abused and misused by ignoring the fact that B Street has been declared residential. Jeff Straub, 463 B Street said he had done a survey at 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th and that all four street have visibility problems and lots of homes do not have front yards, apartments have no yards and child- ren have to play in the street & pedestrians have no rights. Lady in audience living at 4th & B Streets said it can be a wild experience living there and that one stop sign at 2nd and B Streets is inappropri- ate. She said they were told that one stop sign would be a hazard but feels what a series of signs is needed. Rainbow said he lives at B & 3rd Street and survey from Oak to Mountain was given with 95 signa- tures on petition for reduction of volume and speed on B Street. Sims moved to have 4-way stops at 2nd, 4th, 5th & 8th Street with first space on B Street to be signed "no parking" and that first space on NW and SE sides of the street be posted as "no parking". After discussion including input from Chief Lively Sims amended his motion to call for 2-way stop on B Street allowing traffic to go on 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 8th Streets with painted crosswalks and "no. parking" on ~h~ first ~ace of ea~ NW and SE corner. Laws agreed. Phelps spoke of the air pollution problem the frequent stops would create. Ragland brought up the need of diverting traffic off North Main to Siskiyou and this Council was tryong to get people to use Eagle Mill and by- pass B Street downtown. Ragland suggested that Council start address- ing what might be proposed instead of B Street. Mayor Prickett said Hersey will take some of the pressure off when it is completed. Medaris agreed with Ragland and added that the stop signs will cost people money with frequent stops. Medaris said that the very people who wanted the Railroad District are the ones now complaining about traffic. Medaris said that people will be denied the use of the street by creating the stop signs and recommended children be taught to stay out of the street. On roll call vote Phelps, Sims and Laws vote YES; Ragland, Medaris and Hamilton voted NO. Prickett voted NO to break the tie and the motion failed. Laws moved to adopt Traffic Safety Commission recommendation changing 4-way to a 2-way Stop including the "no parking" criteria on the first space on NW and SE corner. Phelps seconded and on roll call, Phelps, Sims, Ragland, Laws and Hamilton voted YES. Medaris opposed. Hamilton suggested a study be done so that traffic planning be on a current basis and not piece meal. Laws moved to place Justice Center as item on agenda; Hamilton seconde~ and on roll call passed unanimously. Laws moved to instruct staff to put out bids for lumber for Justice Center; Medaris seconded. Prickerr said there could be opportunity to get l~nnber at reduced cost with a delivery of three months after accepting bid. On roll call motion passed unanimously. 4/15/80 P. 4 Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 4/15/80 P. 5 ORDINANCES, RES. & CONTRACTS Vista St. Vacation Dance License Ord. Open Burning Ordinance Greene Annex. Ordinance JC Fire Dist. Withdrawal B. D. Greene Annex Rezoning 2.7 Acres Greene Annexation by title only Second reading/was given an ordinance vacating a 1-3 foot strip of the Vista Street right-of-way and Phelps moved to adopt; Hamilton seconded and on roll call motion passed unanimously. Second reading by title only was given an ordinance amending the pro- visions for issuance of a Dance license and Phelps moved to adopt; Hamilton seconded and on roll call, all YES. A letter was read into the record from Teresa J. Dickinson, 640 Beach supporting the ordinance. Ragland said he cannot support the ordin- ance and finds the method our Fire Department is operating now is supurb. Ragland added that the bulk of burning is done in the fall so the March, April and May period would not be helpful for burning. Laws reminded Council that standards for pollution control have to be met by 1982 and said the Fire Department is not always correct in its information. On question from Medaris on how much pollution Ash- land is causing Laws replied "as much as other parts of the valley" and gave particulant statistics. Ragland said he noticed burning is being allowed all over the valley. Ragland said he would prefer a public hearing on this matter. Medaris said we would need a trade- off should open burning be prohibited. Sims agreed that we would need alternatives for use of dump, hauling etc. Medaris said he would like to place on agenda in two weeks for public hearing. Phelps said we no longer have a number of years to take action. Medaris moved for public hearing at next meeting; Ragland seconded and on roll call passed unanimously. Almquist said he would have report from F.D. First reading was given an ordinance annexing 2.7 acres of property on Ashland Mine Road and Ragland moved to second reading; Sims seconded the motion which passed unanimously on roll call vote. First reading was given an ordinance withdrawing 2.7 acres of prop- erty on Ashland Mine Road from J.C. Fire Dist. No. 5 and Laws moved to second reading, Ragland seconded and the motion passed unanimously on roll call vote. FirSt reading was given an ordinance rezoning 2.7 acres of property on Ashland Mine Road from County RR-5 to City R-1-7.5 and Medaris moved to second reading; Laws seconded and on roll call, all YES. Electric Rate Ord. Resolution-Emerick alley vacation First reading was given an ordinance amending the electric service rate schedules effective June 1, 1980 and Ragland moved to second reading; Laws seconded. Sims suggested that conservation incentive be built into the schedule and asked for Staff assistance and Almquist said he would give time as available. On roll call Phelps, Ragland, Medaris and Laws voted YES (Hamilton had left meeting); Sims opposed. A resolution was read setting a public hearing on the proposed vaca- tion of an unopened alley between Emerick and Mountain, south of "B" Street. Medaris moved to adopt; Ragland seconded. Motion with- d~awn and also second on Almquist's recommendation to take up at next meeting. 4/15/80 P. 5 Regular_,_Maeting Ashland City Council 4/15/80 P. 6 Public Hearing on Nezla Street "Small Business Week" "Week of Young Child" Proc. Departmental Reports Liaison Rcport Adjournment City Recorder A resolution setting a public hearing on the proposed vacation of an unpaved portion of Nezla Street was read and Laws moved to adopt; Phelps seconded and on roll call the motion passed unanimously. A proclamation declaring the week of May 11 as "Small Business Week" and a proclamation to declare April 20 "Week of the Young Child" were read and Medaris moved to approve; Sims seconded and on roll call passed unanimously. Medaris moved to approve and place on file; Sims seconded and m~tion passed with all YES on voice vote. Ragland reported probable donation of land by Clinton Phelps for Greenway purposes. Almquist said that this and a series of parcels are being included in a new grant and a deed will be prepared on Phelps' donation. Council will accept deed at a later date. The meeting adjourned at 10:50 P.M. to April 25, 1980 at 5:30 P.M. Mayor ih 4/15/80 P. 6