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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-0823 ADJOURNEDMINUTES OF ADJOURNED MEETING ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL August 23, 1977 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & ROLL CALL The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chairman McCannon in the absence of the Mayor and the meeting was called to order at ?:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present were Councilmembers Phelps, Dresch~r,Ragland, Laws and Hamilton. Planning Commissioners Morris, Trent, Shapiro, and City Planner Himes were also present. PUBLIC HEARING Introduction McCannon opened the public hearing on Sections 1-4 of the text of the proposed Comprehensive Plan and asked if anyone in the audience had questions or comments on the Introduction, particularly with the land use classifications. No one from the audience responded. Laws said he would appreciate if any Commissioners present would bring to the Councils attention any issues they felt were particularly important. Himes stated he wished to clear up some confusion with the land use definitions (lot sizes) on page 5. He explained that in April 1977, at a Planning Commission study session, the Commission felt the ranges of density in each land use category were confusing, so they were changed at that study session. The problem is that a majority of citizens are still using the original density ranges, Himes said. He hoped to get the Councils feelings on going back to the original proposed densities to clear up the confusion. He said most of the newer densities, particularly the Rural Residential designation, would restrict the number of units allowed, but the Suburban Residential designation was broadened to allow more units per acre then is presently allowed. One of the reasons, Himes explained, was the desire by many for smaller lot sizes to accommodate more single-family homes in which to live instead of apartments. Don Greene argued for a wider range of densities in the Plan. He felt the densities should be kept wide, but zone down now so that if in the future Ashland needs to place more units per acre to accommodate the popula- tion, the Plan will not need to be altered. Trent said the Commission tried to provide within the Plan adequate growth land to accommodate increased population, but also keeping the present density. Ragland agreed on relying on the Urban Growth Boundary for future City expansion. Environmental Resources No Comments. Noise A gentleman from the audience asked if there weren't new state noise regulations in effect for automobiles and trucks in addition to industrial and commercial sources as stated in paragraph #1. Almquist said at the present it was only a proposal by the DEQ and had not been adopted. Laws was opposed to the use of "annual" in the Goal due to the feasibility of trying to make annual reductions of that type. The consensus was to. delete "and annual" from the Goal. Air Resources Ruth Hibbard, 479 Euclid, felt there was a conflict in the Goal between promoting better air quality and expanding the Urban Growth Boundary. She felt Ashland should strive for more apartments with attractive landscaping, design, and parking closer in to avoid excessive travel to and from town. Trent said some studies have shown that if you pack people into an area you also risk a certain degree of pollution. Fred Benniwies felt the air pollution problem is more serious than most think, and it is time to start taking action. Dave Lane, 295 Palm Avenue, felt Proposal #2 should be strengthened to place regulations on the number of automobiles allowed in the City. Fred Benniwies suggested making Proposal #2 a policy to make it p]ay a more important role in the Plan Water Resources Water Related Resource Areas Soils and Slopes No Comments. Growth and Development Hamilton questioned such differences between the various agencies in the proposed Ashland Population Projections (pgs. 22 and 23). Laws asked whether there were more recent population figures than 1974, as shown in Table 2, page 21. Almquist explained that in 1975 the population of Ashland was reduced, due to sampling in various cities throughout the state which reflected a lower median family number than had been used in the past. Ashland lost 200 or 300 people through the adjustment of the population figures. The present estimated population as of 1976 is 14,500. Dave Lane asked if the City had any responsibility of limiting growth. Laws stated that the tools are available to control growth, but are limited, and are not adequate at the present. The Plan could be used to slow down growth. If more growth is allowed, Ashland must allow for more major capital costs. Economic Development McCannon asked where the information for the section was obtained. Himes said the basis of the information was taken from a 1972 Cost Revenue Study conducted by the Regional Development Center. Buck Taylor asked if there were any later figures for the tables and charts. There were no further comments, the public hearing was closed. NEW AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS Urban Growth Boundary Himes told the Council he hoped they would refer the Draft to the Planning Commission and Citizen Advisory Committee to get their comments. Phelps reported there were errors on Map #5, which specifically dealt with the Suburban Residential and Rural Residential land. They had been reversed on the map. He said the County Planning Department had given him correct maps to distribute. Laws didn't feel the broad use in the Draft of "City" for the City Planning Commission and "County" for just the County Planning Department staff should be used when only those two entities applied and not all City of Ashland agencies and County agencies. McCannon asked the Commission how they came about including the agricultural land along Bear Creek and 1-5 (area #4) in the Urban Growth Boundary. Trent explained that there are state plans at some undefined time to build a freeway off-ramp at Mountain Avenue. The Commission decided to use it as an assumption that may come about. Finalization of Time Schedule Himes said the County was in agreement with the time schedule. The Council had no objections. ADJOURNMENT meeting Nan~. Franklin City Recorder The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. to an adjourned on August 30, 1977 at 7:30 p.m. Acting Hayor