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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-0424 ADJOURNEDROLL CALL PUBLIC HEARING ~ BUILDING INSPECTION MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED ~eETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL April 24, 1979 Mayor Gary L. 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 at City Hall. Laws, Medaris, Phelps and Ragland were present. Sims arrived about five minutes late. Hamilton was absent. City Administrator Brian L. Almquist reported that he had sent notices of the public hearing on building inspection to builders. He reviewed the difficulties which arose while attempting to recruit a Chief Building Inspector to replace Dale Bohannon, who is returning to private practice. No qualified person is interested. The out- look for a Plumbing Inspector is somewhat better. Plumbing inspection fees are a major source of revenue. One option is to relinquish City building inspection by notifying the State Department of Commerce by May 1 that Ashland will no longer provide building inspection effective July 1. Disadvantages include the dis- continuation of site plan review in cooperation with Planning, lack of enforcement of the sign code, and the end of over-the-counter assistance to homeowners. Unlicensed building activities might be another problem. Also, there would be some loss of flexibility in the interpretation of the Code, since the City has an appeal board. Generally, the Building Department has been self- sustaining. Another option might be to retain building and mechanical inspection only. Also, Building could be consolidated with Planning, as the Planning Director is a certified building official. Another option would be that of more aggressive recruitment, with the possibility of recruiting someone from California. Bohannon is willing to continue working two days per week during the interim. Mayor Prickett then opened the public hearing. John Burk, 305 Hillcrest, said that if the builder is responsive, local inspection is a real help, and he cited delays which he had experienced in receiving electrical inspection. He advocated a higher salary for the Chief Building Inspector position. Duane Smith, 481 Thornton Way, indicated he had served on the interview panel. He recommended increasing the salary. He indicated a preference for City inspection. Darrell Boldt, 1950 Tamarack, speaking as both a builder and a representative of Jackson County Homebuilders Association, advocated maintaining a Building Department of high quality. 4/24/79 Pg. 1 Bill Duft, 906 Oak Knoll, recommended using County inspection if the City is unable to provide the services which the builders desire. He complained about delay with the City Building Department. Fire Chief Larry Drager indicated that from the Fire Department's view, it would be a mistake to relinquish City inspection, because of the fire and life safety provisions of the code. He favored continuation of the working relationship with the City Building Department. Larry Medinger, 520 Terrace, said that recently the Building Department had been performing very well. Low pay is the problem. He suggested increased pay, with two inspectors rather than three. Dave Greene, 367 Oxford, advocated maintaining inspection in Ashland. Dick Burnham, 809 Beach, complimented the Building Department, based upon his experience as an owner/builder who drew his own plans. Prickett then closed the public hearing. Answering a question by Ragland, Almquist did not object to the concept of higher pay if the applicant is certified for plumbing. Prickett recommended keeping building inspection as a City service, raising the pay and the fees if necessary. He also cited consolidation of responsibilities as an alternative. Medinger reminded the Council that this issue had arisen before, and that all the builders were willing to increase fees if necessary. Medaris advocated keeping the service, adjusting the salary if necessary, and he moved that the Administrator be instructed to advertise on a wider base and retain Building Inspection. Ragland seconded. Phelps asked Box for his comments on the relationship of Planning and Building. Box mentioned that sign and support structure enforcement would be difficult to enforce through the State. Upon roll call, the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Prickett authorized part-time employment of Dale Bohannon. 4/24/79 Pg. 2 PUBLIC HEARING - COUNTY ZONING OF NORTH ASHLAND Mayor Prickett opened the public hearing on the Jackson County Planning Commission proposal to amend the County Zoning Map and Comprehensive Plan in the vicinity of the North Ashland interchange and the Valley View - Highway 99 area, and he asked Box to explain the issue. Box advised that the County's proposal is the result of several years' discussion between the City and County. The County has proposed changes which would alter the Comprehensive Plan and the County Zoning Ordinance, causing reduced densities in a number of properties in the area. The County is doing this in response to their own moratorium which expired April 1 and has been continued. It is a County proposal, not a City-County coordinated proposal. It would alter a large parcel of commercial interchange property and recognize existing commercial development. Duane Smith voiced the opinion that the changes would adversely affect existing businesses. He listed the existing businesses, which total about 25, employing 120 to 125 full-time and 15 to 20 part-time workers. Gross revenues exceed $1,000,000 per month. He reminded the Council that one of the State planning guidelines is to recognize existing commercial development. He expressed concern that downzoning would cause businesses to go downhill and not upgrade themselves. Phelps expressed concern about the lack of facts available on the issue. Smith also cited reasons why he felt expansion of the commercial development would not have an adverse effect upon downtown. Attorney Tom Howser, 607 Siskiyou Boulevard, represented Jackson Hot Springs and Ashland Rentals. He said that the uncertainty is due to some changes suggested by the Jackson County Planning Commission, including a parcel between Jackson Hot Springs and Fireball. Box said that the County's proposal is at odds with itself. The proposed Comprehensive plan would split Smith's property. He said that the City people saw that property and the Jackson Hot Springs property as commercial. Howser indicated that the proposal before the Council was not necessarily what had been presented by the staff on the previous night. He also claimed that there is a difference in treatment of some of the properties on the Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Map. He went on to cite what he considered the non-competitive nature of the Hot Springs, Rental and other properties, and services they render to the community. He alleged that the proposal is not planning, but prohibition. 4/24/79 Pg. 3 Answering a question by Sims, Howser mentioned several recreational uses which would be permitted, but he said that motel expansion would be prohibited. Rex Shepherd, 1565 Lilac Circle, expressed CPAC's concern that if they are not downzoned, the properties would become a commercial area which would cause the city to develop in a northerly direction. Norm Henry, Manager of Jackson Hot Springs, cited the services provided, including low-priced swimming, accomodation of transients, and facilities for school parties. He also mentioned environmental protection measures which had been completed, but he expressed concern about not being able to improve the business. George Ward, 667 Park Street, said he was primarily interested in Tax Lot 100. He reviewed the history of the property, saying that he had removed a grandstand which had been an eyesore, and he said it is not farm- land. He said that downzoning would be condemning it. He expressed uncertainty as to which agency instigated the proposed change. He praised the present Comprehensive Plan, and he advocated a strong site review board to control growth, rather than stop it. Attorney Hank Hampton, 798 Fern Circle, representing George Ward, alleged that his client's property is not suitable for farming or residential development. He said that such zoning would amount to condemnation. He advocated maintaining the commercial zoning for possible future devlopment. He also cited existing commercial installations in the area, and said that it does not obstruct the view of Ashland. Attorney Roy Bashaw, of Medford, represented Leo vanDijk and Loren & Cindy Gerber. He said that the animal hospital, rental, tire shop and the mobile home park do not compete with activities in the City, and that they are not negative or rural. He indicated that the proposed change would prevent expansion of the animal hospital or mobile home park. He said that the mobile home park meets the needs of people who cannot afford rent or house payments. Although there was a flood, the park is still there. He suggested working out a middle ground for the properties. Leo vanDijk, owner of the animal hospital, indicated that he wished to proceed with the second phase of his building, but the County proposal would remove any incentive for expansion and it would choke out his business. He expressed the feeling that he is being penalized for the asphalt development nearby, and that it is a gross injustice to existing businesses. 4/24/79 Pg. 4 Medinger voiced the opinion that the real problem is lack of a site review process at the County level. He suggested consideration of annexation to the City. Don Hamlin, owner of Ashland Rentals, expressed opposition to the zone change on the basis of its prohibition of improvement. Bob Lima, 1639 Jackson Road, said that the City had a chance to extend its urban growth boundary, and that it should have. He also said that there was a problem with the original Comprehensive Plan in that some properties were too small to build residences. He said that only one person had spoken in favor of the County proposal. He said that if the businesses go downhill, properties will look worse. He advocated local control. Dennis Beatty, 1140 Old Highway 99 South, developer of the horse hotel, described the features planned for his facility. He advocated cooperation toward improvement of the area, rather than attempting to prevent things from happening. He said that the County had approved a 305-foot tower nearby. He also advocated a strong site plan review process. Ken Cockrell, 745 South Valley View, indicated he had no personal interest in the properties, but he believed that the owners should be allowed to use their land for businesses. Mayor Prickett then closed the public hearing. Phelps noted that several lots were not represented at the hearing. Sims observed the lack of opposition to downzoning by persons not owning properties in the affected area. He also cited sewage disposal problems. He pointed out that the intent of the law is not prevention of maintenance, but exclusion of expansion. Further, he noted the access problems to some properties below Highway 99. Ragland reviewed development plans from 1966 onward, and he expressed concern that hopes for a third interchange, within a parklike environment, had diverted the City's attention away from the north interchange. The third interchange has been, in effect, ruled out, and there is renewed concern about the north interchange. This is now an area of mutual concern with the City and County. There is no desire to prevent the animal hospital, rentals or Jackson Hot Springs from expanding existing businesses, but new and additional uses are not desired. Medaris voiced concern that prohibiting improvements would be unjust to businesses which have been there for years. 4/24/79 Pg. 5 TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS A motion was made by Laws and seconded by Phelps, that the Council should recommend to the County that the tire shop, rentals, animal hospital and Jackson Hot Springs remain as commercial properties. Those voting for the motion were Laws, Medaris, Phelps, and Ragland. Sims voted against it. The motion carried. Medaris moved that the mobile home park should be allowed and Laws seconded. Those voting for the motion were Laws and Medaris, and those opposed were Phelps, Ragland and Sims. The motion was defeated. Upon motion by Sims, seconded by Phelps and carried, the City Administrator was authorized to recommend to the County the Council's approval of the County's proposal regarding all properties other than those which had been discussed as being recommended for General Commercial, rather than Rural or Open Space designation. Laws, Phelps, Ragland and Sims voted for the motion, Medaris voted against it, and it carried. Upon request by Prickett, Hospital Administrator Robert Strowbridge explained the need for a transfer of appropriations. He said that the budget was too conservative because of having to take it to the State for the first time; that the shorter time in the hospital resulted in more intensive, professional care; and that George Smith had retired and that because his replacement has a background in computers rather than hospital financial management, there had been some duplication. Answering a question by Prickett about the sources of funds, Strowbridge indicated that the contingency was for situations such as this; that capital outlay will be reduced; and materials and services (especially pharmacy) will be under-expended. Sims asked which specific capital outlay items were to be eliminated. Strowbridge indicated it was a total of many small items. Answering another question by Sims, he said that pharmacy fees and supplies had $113,000 budgeted, and $61,000 had been expended in nine months. Prickett reported that the pharmacy people had related how certain types of patients, such as newborns, require very little medication. Forecasting is difficult because of these uncertainties. Medaris asked if transfers of this kind are unique to the Hospital. Nelson indicated that it is not unique. The magnitude of it is larger than normal for other City departments, but this is attributed largely to un- predictable factors such as those mentioned by the Mayor. 4/24/79 Pg. 6 ADJOURNMENT Robert D. Nelson Acting City Recorder Prickett expressed dissatisfaction with the extent to which paying patients must pay for the costs of non- paying patients which the Hospital must serve without compensation. Strowbridge reported that the number of government- funded patients is increasing. The County has not assumed any responsibility during the past few years. Sims asked for a future discussion on preventive health. Strowbridge said that there was a leaning toward that, but there is resistance from third-party payers. Sims also suggested that the interested doctors might form a group which could be recognized by the Board and be available for this type of service. Strowbridge ~dvised that the Board desires to have another combined meeting with the Council. He reminded the Council ~hat the Mayor wished to have the Council involved in ~he Board's budget meetings. Nelson read the Resolution transferring appropriations within funds~. Ragland moved to adopt; Medaris seconded and on roll gall passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m. ~ ~ ickett Mayor 4/24/79 Pg. 7