HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-1218 REG MINMINUTEg '0F THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
December 18, 1979
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MINUTES OF BOARDS
COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC HEARING ON
ZONING MAP
Having~led the Pledge of"~llegiance,' Mayor P'rickett called the meeting
to order at 7:30 P.M. on the above date in the Council Chambers of
City Hall. Phelps, RaRland and Medaris were present. Hamilton arrived
at 7:34 P.M., Sims arrived at7:52 P.~. and Laws arrived at 8:10 P.M.
Ragland moved to approve minutes of the regular meeting of December 4,
1979 and Phelps seconded the motion which passed unanimously on voice
vote.
Medaris moved to accept minutes of boards, commissions and committees
and Ragland seconded the motion which passed on voice vote with all YES.
Mayor Priekett took up items #2, 3 and 4 on the agenda thus delaying the
public~ he~ring until~ more Councilmembers arrived for the meeting.
Mayor ~aid that t~ere would be resolutions covering the street improve-
ment~iY~n above ,!items later on the agenda.
The Cfty Administrator showed change'~ on the Zoning map as outlined in
his memo dated December' 13, 1979 sayihg that all corrections noted
in the map in red ~t. the last ~meeting excluding the Hill Comprehensive
Plar~ area which r~emains as Rural Residential ~re reflected on the new
map. , A~mquist reviewed the Lithia Mill site Which is being proposed
as R-l-10 (Single Family) rather than R-3 (High Density Multiple) and
related bat during Neighborhood meetings and Comp Plan hearings it
was de~i~ed to~d~signate the land which was in public ownership to
ses" to include a future civic center and neighborhood park.
!'public ~
Almquist said that a portion of the property (all of which is owned by
the County) is under option for acquistion with plans for development
of l~w cost housing. Almquist said that the proposal of the R-l-10
designation would be permitted because the notice of hearing would
allow a less intensive use and parks are permitted in a R-1 Zone.
Gene Piazza of 126 E. Main Street representing developers proposing to
exercise option to construct low cost housing in the parcel across the
street from the location of proposed city center gave background of the
County-owned property as pertains to clearance of title etc. and asked
Council consideration of R-3 designation to allow use for proposal.
Dick Ullian spoke representing the ~evelopers who are associated with
Marquess & Marquess said the parties do not have a year to year option
a~d intend to develop the site saying it is in conformance with "M"
and also in accordance with the original draft that designated R-3.
Ullian said the City parks are sorely in need of maintenance now and
that to acquire still another park would not make sense, and went on
to say that based on the existing zoning, the developers have spent
considerable time, energy and money in preparation of application to
State of Oregon for subsidy-type project and to request a conditional
use permit under the M designation. Ullian asked that the Comprehen-
sive Plan be amended, and stated that it wasn't fair for t~he City to
hold land at today's price for development at a distant date.
Pg. 1 12/18/79
Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 12/18/79 Pg. 2
PUBLIC HEARING cont.
LITHIA MILL PROPERTY
KNEEBONE PROPERTY
Mayor Prickerr told the developers and representatives that the public
hearing was dealing with the density of the neighborhood and that the
matter of development is inappropriate at this time.
Richard Cottle spoke relative to the Kneebone property and said the
matter was being continued from the meeting of two weeks ago which he
said was essentially a closed meeting and the only question was whether
you were going to rezone/downzone the property to ~ acre lots. Cottle
said the matter was continued so that he, Salter and Staff would be
able to determine more accurately the status of the property in light
of the LCDC ruling. Cottle said that he agrees with LCDC decision
ruling the Hill Amendment is void and that the Comprehensive Plan is
back to posture as adopted in April of 1978 and that the property is
not more densely zoned than allowed by the comprehensive plan speaking
the merits of considered by more general testimony to rezone
it from 10,000 sq. ft. down. When Cottle asked whether his understand-
ing was correct, he was told it was. Cottle then objected to the re-
opening of the hearing to the merits of this and one is the fact that
Council continued the closed hearing for the purpose of getting some
legal opinions from Mr. Salter and that was the purpose of the con-
tinuation and that he did not recall a resolution being passed by the
Council. Mayor Prickett said he directed the City Attorhey and
Staff to readvertise in order to hear f~rther public testimony and
thereafter a motion was passed that the closed hearing be continued
at that time with Sims objecting. Cottle said he could not see where
a resolution had been passed calling for a public hearing and further
that he and Kneebone were not prepared to go ahead with testimony with
regard to the various merits of retaining the 10,000 sq. ft. minimum
because the wording is misleading and saying the 10,000 sq. ft. is
presently in conformance and the Kneebone property is not more dense
than is called for in the comprehensive plan, so the hearing could not
be for the Kneebone property. Cottle said he come to the meeting to
hear the conclusion of the deliberations. Cottle related that the zoned
10 lots of 10,000 sq. feet were first looked at in 1977 and final plat
still has not been received. Cottle said if the public has more
testimony that it can be continued until he is prepared to rebutt.
Dr. C. P. Hald spoke saying he owns twenty acres adjoining the Wiley
property and asked that it be retain in the classification that allows
seven lots per acre. Hald said that the hilly terrain does not allow
for an intense use but that improvements have to be paid for and there
are not many people who can afford 1/2 acre at today's prices.
Sid Ainsworth representing H & S Construction said the developers had
been given tentative approval for a subdivision with 3.5 lots per acre
and it was his understanding at the last meeting was to bring into con-
formance the land-use map. Ainsworth suggested that since the Hill
Amendment is precluded by LCDC's decisio~ the Zoning map should comply
with the land-use map so the zoning map is in compliance with the Comp
Plan.
12/18/79 pg. 2
Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 12/18/7~,P. 3
ZONING MAP HEARING cont.
Ainsworth said that when the Zoning map conforms, the land-use map
controls, and said if Council wants to start the procedure over, you
should change the land-use map. (Laws arrived at this point).
Barbara Rosentreter, 1 Birnum Wood Road, spoke in favor of changing the
the area covered by the Hill AmeL~dment to revert area back to Rural
Residential and if Council allows 7 homes per acre it will not only
be unfeasible but will contradict the desires of the many citizens
who testified against such zoning. Rosentreter asked if there could
be a stoppage to all development until final decision can be made on
density.
Chris Hald of 255 Wightman asked if all Councilmembers had been on the
site of Strawberry Lane area and said the land is flat and very develop-
able and added that people always complain etc. when anything is planned
in the way of development.
Tom Williams of 660 B Street protested the number of houses (7 per acre)
and wondered if it is legal for the City to allow such density with the
street/vehicular problems and recommended judicial opinion.
Jack Davis of 515 E. Main said he owns 4 acres off Hwy 66 which are
zoned Hwy Commercial and said he has gone before the Planning Comission
in an attempt to have designation changed to C-4. Mayor Prickett
reminded him that when the property was annexed as applied for by
Frank Goddard, a motel was first planned and then a request came in
for recreational vehicle use. Mayor Prickett said the understanding at
the time of annexation was for restaurants, motels etc. and stressed
that criteria was basis for that annexation.
Mayor closed public hearing. On Medaris' question of City Attorney
Salter's opinion that the Resolution should be tabled, Salter said he
feels the same way and that you can down zone so land is designated for
less intense use than is provided for in the Comprehensive Plan.
Salter said there is a question in his own mind as to whether the City
can provide for its own destiny.
Almquist reviewed proposals for amending ZoningMap as presented at the
December 4, 1979 meeting in his memo of December 13, 1979 and showed
the changes on the map.
Mayor commented on the proposal tv downzone Lithia Mill property to R-1
saying that the location is not conducive to that designation because
of the railroad tracks etc. Phelps agreed saying that not only should
it not be designated as R-1 but he doesn't feel it should be R-3 either.
Mayor said he felt it inappropriate to bring up the matter of develop-
ment tonight. Phelps said he had not heard of any plans for constructio~
of housfng units before this week. Ragland said he hadn't either and
w~as concerned that the County had not notified the City since they are
familiar with our Comprehensive Plan for that area. Piazza
3
12/18/79 pg.
Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 12/18/79 P. 4
PUBLIC HEARING
ZONING MAP cont.
PUBLIC FORUM
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BROCHURES
LIQUOR LICENSE APPS.
LITHIA PARK RESTORATION
said that the ~arcel was shown as R-3 on the map and he had no reason
to believe otherwise. Almquist said the ordinance would be read as
Item 1 of Ordinances, Resolutions & Contracts and would be read exactly
the way it was written with exception of changes noted unless there is
a motion of substitute language. Mayor'saidlthe map would be adopted
with suggestions as mention by Mr. Almquist. Cottie asked if this
would mean rezoning,the Kneebone property to 1/2 acre lots and the
Mayor answered in the affirmative. Ragland moved that the Lithie Mill
site remain as R-3; Hamilton seconded. On roll call Ragland and
mamilton voted YES. Phelps, Sims and Medaris voted NO and Laws
abstained.
Mayor Prickett submitted two names for reappointment to Planning
Conmission for consideration and said action would be taken on
January 8, 1980 at the next regular meeting.
Ragland reported that a donation of 5 acres of land on Bear Creek for
the Greenway was made by Clinton Phelps and that it is his wish to
have the site in the name of his father. Phelps moved to put on agenda;
Ragland seconded and on roll call, all YES. Ragland moved to accept
property and to have title search and appraisal and to name the property
after Phelps' fatL~er; Hamilton seconded and the motion passed unanimous=
ty on roll call vote.
Edwin Chapman asked to speak on the "Mural" section of an ordinance on
the agenda and was asked by the Mayor to wait until that item came up.
Elliott Reinerr submitted a cost analysis on the convention packets as
requested by Council. The analysis covered a cost based on 3000 pieces
of each part of the packet. Reinert brought the matter of the balance
of $2,583.95 being returned to the City from the Visitors & Convention
Bureau and added that one bill of approximately $147 was not taken out
of that balance. After some discussion on length of time 3,000 pieces
of literature would last Phelps moved to accept cost proposal with the
amount to be doubled (6,000) and that bill held over be paid out of the
balance also; Hamilton seconded and on roll call passed unanimously.
Liquor License Applications to transfer ownership of Jazmin's Cabaret,
to ~rederick J. and Janet I. Nunes; and for a new business of David W.
Pinsky and Frank M. Miller to be known as Booklyn, a nightclub were
considered. Chief Lively had no objection to either application and
Hamilton moved to approve; Sims seconded and on roll call, all YES.
Ken Mikeloon, Director of Parks & Recreation explained request for
support of grant application to the County for funding for restoration
of Lithia Park. Mayor Prickett expressed concern that the whole matter
of requesting funding did not came before Council because of implication
on future budgets. Laws agreed and said for this reason he could not
12/18/79 P. 4
Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 12/18/79 P.5
LITHIA PARK cont.
LITHIA PARK SEWER LINES
SIDEWALK REPAIR
UNCOLLECTIBLE UTILITY
BILLS
TRAFFIC C0~/. RECOMMENDA-
TIONS
GREENE ANNEXATION
BIKE COF~4ITTEE RECOMMEND.
support the request. Laws asked for a list of priorities and plans for
restoration project. Mikeloon said that he had only recently heard
about the availability of monies and had little time to work up a list
and that it would be necessary to hold public hearings for input before
formalizing priorities. Laws wondered on what grounds the request could
be made. After some discussion Ragland moved to support through a
letter to the County and included the understanding that if Grant monies
could not be justified that they beturned down at a later date; Sims
seconded the motion. Sims, Ragland, Medaris and Hamilton voted in
favor; Phelps and Laws voted NO. Motion carried. Mayor recommended
a study session be held to consider reasons deterioration has been
allowed and directed Staff to arrange for such a session.
A request to place a proposed sewer line to serve Lithia Park on Winburn
Way was considered to preclude future damage to trees. Need for pumpin5
of restroom as acceptable alternative was discussed and Laws moved to
approve request; Medaris seconded and the motion passed unanimously on
roll call vote.
Director of Public Works Alslng showed slides of sidewalks in need of
repair all over the City and said estimates of work would run from $50
to $2,000. Alsing said it is the responsibility of the property owner
but that it takes strong recommendations from the City and a bit of
assistance. He said if the work was not done that an assessment dis-
trict would have to be formed. Discussion ensued regarding tree roots
and Alsing explained that part of the roots could be cut off when the
sidewalks are replaced without loss of tree and Council agreed that
trees must be protected from indiscriminate cutting. Almquist explained
that before any trees can be cut down in the parkway that such action
must be brought to City's attention for approval. He added that the
Planning Commission is going to do a study of street trees. Phelps
moved that Staff start process for repairs of sidewalks; Medaris
seconded and on roll call, all YES.
After discussing the periodic write-off of utility bills Sims moved to
approve write-off of $8,623.08 as submitted; Laws seconded and the
motion passed unanimously on roll call vote.
Recommendations from the Traffic Cammission as outlined in memorandum
from DPW Alsing were considered and Laws moved to approve and directed
Staff to bring back Resolution for Item #3 (that C Street between 2nd
& 3rd be made one-way in easterly direction as recommended by the State
Highway Division); Phelps seconded and on roll call, all YES.
A memorandum from the Planning Commission relative to proposed annexa-
tion of lands owned by B. D. Green was read and the City Administrator
said there is an ordinance later on the agenda.
Recommendations from the Bike Committee were read in a memo from the
Director of Public Works and Ragland reviewed same. Sims moved to
grant request with Planning Commission holding public hearings and
returning recommendation to Traffic Commission; Phelps seconded and
on roll call passed unanimously.
12/18/79 Pg. 5
Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 12/18/79 Pg. 6
COAL BURNING
HIGHWAY 66 LANDSCAPING
ELECTRIC RATES
TRAINS BLOCKING CROSSINGS
GREENE ANNEXATION
ZONING & SUBD. LAWS
"SO" SOSC District
Councilman Phelps, liaison to the Air Quality Committee of Jackson Count'
reviewed information relative to particulants resulting from the use
of coal in wood stoves and sulfuric dioxide affect. Gerald Stroshane
who owns the Coal Company in Medford said that we have been asked to
reduce consumption of oil for heating and that 12 pounds of coal is
equivalent to one gallon of fuel oil. The sulfur content of the coal
which he sells is only 2.9% sulfur, Stroshane said, and added that as
alternate fuel sources are ~educed t~Le price of oil will increase.
Laws said he would like to know more about the use of coal and what the
trade-offs might be. Medaris agreed and said he doesn't feel like
passing an ordinance that may not be in the best interest of the City.
Phelps moved to bring back ordinance which would ban the sale of coal
in the City of Ashland; Hamilton seconded and on roll call Phelps, Ham-
ilton, Laws, Ragland and Sims voted YES. Medaris opposed and the
motion carried.
A memo from Councilman Sim was read relative to installing landscaped
median islands as was part of the agreement with the State for widening.
Almquist said that no funding was provided for this work by Council
action and suggested preparation be made for future installation by
stubbing for irrigation. On question of cost, Alsing said he estimated
the cost at $1,065.00. Sims moved to allocate necessary funds; Laws
seconded and on roll call, passed unanimously.
Memo from City Administrator relative to electrical rates was referred
to Budget Committee.
First reading was given an ordinance repealing Section 11.16.180 of the
Ashland Municipal Code relative to trains blocking crossings and Phelps
moved to second reading; Hamilton seconded and on roll call, all YES.
First reading was given an ordinance dispensing with an election and
calling a public hearing on the proposed annexation and withdrawal
from Jackson County Fire Dist. #5 of property located on the North
side of Ashland Mine Road, west of Cedar Way. Medaris moved to second
reading; Sims seconded and on roll call, all YES.
Second reading by title only was given an ordinance replacing in their
entirety the provisions of Title 17 and 18 of the Zoning and Subdivision
laws (pertaining to murals) and Laws moved for adoption; Medaris
seconded the motion. Edwin Chapman asked if the mural section related
to commercial only and was told by the City Administrator that it per-
tained to the whole City - all zones. On roll call motion passed un-
animously on roll call vote. (Medaris said the Planning Staff has found
some need to review and will brin~ back recommendations).
Second reading by title only was given an ordinance creating an "SO"
Southern Oregon State College District. Almquist noted that the bound-
ary line around complex was amended to read fifty feet. Phelps moved
to adopt; Hamilton seconded the motion. On roll call Phelps, Sims,
Ragland, Laws and Hamilton voted YES. Medaris opposed & motion carried
12/18/79 P.6
Regular Meeting Ashland City Council 12/18/79 P. 7
COMP PLAN TEXT ORD.
Second reading by title only was given an ordinance making amendments
to text of Comprehensive Plan adopted in April of 1978. Medaris said
he would like to see editorial changes in the Preamble and Planner John
Fregonese agreed and said minor changes should be made before submiss-
ion to LCDC. Proposed changes were somewhat reviewed pertaining to PUDs
etc. and Laws moved to adopt; Phelps seconded and on roll call, all YES.
UTILITY DISCOUNTS SR. CITS
Second reading by title only was given an ordinance amending Ordinance
No. 1972 relating to a program of utility discounts for senior citizens.
Laws moved for adoption; Hamilton seconded and on roll call, all YES.
FRANCHISE TAX CITY OWNED
UTILITY
Second reading by title only was given an ordinance amending Ordinance
No. 1878 relative to the franchise tax on the City-owned electric
utility. Medaris moved for adoption; Phelps seconded and the motion
passed unanimously on roll call vote.
FRANCIS LAN~ PARKING
A resolution establishing parking limitations on Francis Lane was read
and Medaris moved for adoption; Hamilton seconded and on roll call the
motion passed unanimously.
MGMT & CONFID. EMPLOYES
A resolution was read by titly only outlining working conditions and
benefits for management and confidential employes and Phelps moved for
adoption; Sims seconded and on roll call, all YES.
MONTHLY REPORTS
Accepted as submitted for month of November.
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS None
ADJOURNMENT
To first lar meeting of the month on January 8, 1980 at 7:30 P.M.
at 11~15 ~
City Recorder
Mayor
ih