HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-02-04 Historic MINAshland Historic Commission
Minutes
February 4, 1998
CALL TO ORDER
The Meeting at the Community Center was called to order by Jim Lewis at 7:30. Members
present were Jim Lewis, Terry Skibby, Curt Anderson, Vava Bailey, Joyce Cowan, Dale
Shostrom, Carol Anbrahmson and Joan Steele. Also present were Associate Planner Mark Knox
and Adam Hanks from the Planning Staff. Keith Chambers was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Curt Anderson moved to approve the minutes as submitted from the last meeting, second by
Joyce Cowan. The motion was unanimously passed.
NEW BUSINESS
(Planning Action applicant was not present, Ms. Nelke was moved forward)
Mary Nelke, 136 N Second Street, has a conditional use permit for a travellers accommodation at
this location. The project is nearing completion and she would like the condition of approval to
be waived that requires the removal of a driveway and curb cut in the front of the property.
She feels that because of the parking overflow from the downtown area, the on street parking in
front of her property is rarely, if ever available for use. The driveway would allow deliveries,
service calls etc. to be made without creating a traffic safety problem on the street.
Mark Knox stated that staff feels that the retention of the driveway isn't consistent with the
historic design of the district and that the parking in the rear of the property adequately handles
off-street parking requirements.
Don Greene, General Contractor for the project reiterated the parking difficulties in the area due
to the close proximity to the downtown area and felt that, until the City was able to solve the
downtown parking problems, any off-street parking that currently exists is beneficial to augment
the on-street parking.
Lewis agreed that the parking problem does exist, but he also agreed with staff' s desire to bring
the parcel back to its original condition where the alley access was used for vehicle parking.
Bailey asked about reserved parking situations for residential areas with parking problems like
this. Knox responded by stating that many cities do have different programs that allow residents
access to the on-street parking in their neighborhood.
Nelke asked that the Commission give her an indication of their viewpoint on the potential for
waiving the condition because she felt that the Planning Commission would rely heavily on the
Historic Commission's opinion before making their decision.
Anderson requested a straw pole - no member was in favor of supporting the waiver request.
STAFF REPORTS
Planning Action 98-009
Conditional Use Permit
372 Iowa St
Steven Meeks
Knox described the proposal, indicating the orientation of the unit to the primarily undeveloped
alley. The attempt is to retain the rural feel of the alley, minimizing the development (paving,
curb, etc) with a requirement to gravel the alley at a width of 9 feet
Basic architecture of the unit has many positive elements with porch, trim. Staff is in support of
the conditional use with the five conditions listed in the Staff Report.
Bailey inquired about the ability to split the lot rather than construct an accessory unit. Knox
responded that the lot is close but not large enough to be a separate parcel, hence CUP.
It was also noted that the alley on the Mead side of this project will be improved at the time of
development of the newly created lot by Eva Cooley.
Lewis liked the narrow (9') alley to keep the rural feel. Gravel will develop and fade over time
Shostrom questioned the design of the turnaround area, noting that it may not even work as
shown by plan, needs 36 feet turnaround.
Skibby inquired about the accessory unit policy, questioning the use of accessory units because
they turn alleys into streets. Knox defended the infill policy and their value to the community,
stating that the primary benefit olinfill is the reduction of annexation and sprawl.
Anderson moved to approve the CUP as designed with a notation to the Planning Commission to
reiterate that the alley is to be maintained with crushed rock to maintain current characteristic of
the alley and not be paved. The motion was seconded by Cowan and was passed with a
unanimous vote.
NEW BUSINESS
George Kramer gave the Commission an update on the Railroad District National Registry.
Kramer brought a map showing the boundaries of the district and discussed how they were
determined and the differences between these and the perceived boundaries of the Railroad
District. Kramer also gave some preliminary statistics of the make-up of the District with the
statistic of primary importance being the seventy percent contributing resources within the
District. Fifty percent contributing resources is the minimum standard for registry eligibility.
Discussion continued concerning the process (field work, background information, category
definition, etc.)
Anderson moved to extend the meeting to 10:15 and the motion was passed unanimously.
REVIEW BOARD
Following is the February schedule for the Review Board, which meets every Thursday at 3:00 in
the Planning Department:
February 5
February 12
February 19
February 26
Skibby~mderson~Lewis
SkibbyL~brahamson\Steele\Cowan
Skibby\CowanXBailey\Shostrom
S kibbyLAbrahamson\Steele~Lewis
OLD BUSINESS
Project assignment
PA 98-009 372 Iowa Street - Joyce Cowan
Knox gave an update on the following subjects
1)
Progress on the Downtown design standards. A public meeting will be scheduled
with the downtown merchants in the near future.
2) A Grant for downtown landmark status will be ready in the next two weeks
3)
Pete Lovrovich is scheduled to meet with the Historic Commission next month
concerning transformers, meters, etc.
Steele discussed a grant proposal for an internet project that would place Ashland Historic
Registered homes on the National Travel Itinerary. Preliminary submittal is due March 1. Steele
asked for support from the rest of the Commission if the Grant is approved. All members are in
support of the Grant and agreed to participate in future grant work.
Anderson extended meeting to 10:30, Skibby seconded the motion and was unanimously passed.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 10:30p.m.