HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-08 Planning MINASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 8, 1994
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Barbara Jarvis at 7:05 p.m. Other
Commissioners present were Thompson, Powell, Cloer, Medinger, Carr, Armitage, and
Hibbert. Staff present were McLaughlin, Molnar, Knox, and Yates.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND FINDINGS
The Minutes of the January 11, 1994 meeting were approved..
PUBLIC FORUM
Paula Brown of Rogue Valley Council of Governments passed around a handout on
growth management tools and spoke about the grants with DLCD and ODOT.
Ashland and Jacksonville are working jointly on one grant since they have similar
areas right off their downtowns with some of the same growth pressures. Both cities
are looking at traffic calming and mixed uses. The other grant Ashland is applying for
is the Ashland Street plan. It is RVCOG's job to bring the grant applications together
and present them as one package. It would be helpful for the Commission to agree to
write letters of support for the two projects.
The Commissioners unanimously agreed to write letters favoring the two projects.
Ken Hagen will be speaking after the Type II Planning Action.
TYPE II PLANNING ACTIONS
PLANNING ACTION 94-020
REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW AN EXISTING NON-
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING TO BE USED AS OFFICES AT 78 AND 84 FOURTH
STREET. A VARIANCE IS ALSO BEING REQUESTED TO REDUCE THE PARKING
REQUIREMENT BY ONE SPACE.
APPLICANT: ROGUE ENVIRONMENTAL INCORPORATED
Site Visits and Ex Parte Contacts
Site visits were made by all but Medinger.
STAFF REPORT
Molnar referred to the criteria for approval of a Conditional Use Permit and a Variance.
The site is presently housing the Waldorf School and their administrative offices. A
parking variance had been granted at the time of the Waldorf's approval. The number
of employees was limited to six. The present proposal would allow Rogue
Environmental Inc. (REI) to utilize that corner of the building for their organization.
They employ seven people during regular business hours. They have some evening
meetings. The applicants are asking for a parking requirement reduction from 11
spaces to 10 spaces. The building is a non-residential on a small lot and was never
built for residential purposes. The applicants feel the use they are requesting is
compatible with the neighborhood. The applicants would like a CUP for two years and
Staff concurs as long as a Condition is added that approval is for this specific
application. Staff has recommended approval with the nine attached Conditions.
PUBLIC HEARING
JOHN STAHMER, staff member of Headwaters (newly formed corporation of REI) said
he had one concern about limiting approval just to Headwaters and that is the difficulty
in projecting two years into the future. It might be necessary for financial purposes to
rent out two classrooms in the building to a non-profit organization or CPA or
someone else. The applicants would rather not have this Condition 2 as it seems too
restrictive. Stahmer wondered about removing the curb--when does that have to
happen and would it be convenient to do when they move?
Jarvis is concerned there is a violation going at the Waldorf School right now. She is
concerned with parking in that area. Stahmer said Headwaters would not have a need
for playground space. Jarvis wondered if any additional space could be provided on
site. Stahmer said if the house is converted to residential, there would be very little
backyard left if a portion is converted to parking. They will do that, if need be.
JOE KNO'I-rS stated that the Historic Commission pointed out that the use of the
building on the corner did not have parking. Only recently were there parking
requirements. There are two separate tax lots involved and two separate historic
uses. He is concerned that the house be residential with a yard and no parking in the
backyard.
Staff Comments
When Staff was assessing the level of impact for this application, they took a
conservative stance. Staff could agree to eliminate Condition 2.
STAHMER, in rebuttal, felt the parking issue was cloudy. In order to use the buildings,
they have to attach it to the neighboring property.
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 8, 1994
UHTOFF, 633 Roca, stated as a representative of Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
that they would like to have a small place for their things. He thought there should be
some way of limiting parking for certain uses, but other groups can use the building
without impacting the parking that much.
COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSION AND MOTION
There was considerable discussion among the Commissioners regarding whether to
specify the uses on this site. It was suggested the approval be for non-profit
organizations or non-medical uses or non-intensive office use.
Thompson moved to approve with the attached nine Conditions and revising Condition
2 to state: "That the approval be limited to the permitted uses in the R-2 zone office
uses with the exception of medical and dental. Molnar suggested the approval be
specifically for uses outlined in 18.24.030(E) excluding doctor, dental or any other
practitioner of the healing arts.
Hibbert did not think the proposal was sufficient for approval. If the lots need to be
separated, then separate them, and if they do not need to be separated, then combine
them. He said parking is a nightmare on B Street. Armitage felt the applicants had
resolved everything except for one parking space.
Thompson amended his motion to add Condition 10 that an access be made through
78 B Street to the parking lot. Condition 2 is changed and complies with the R-2
zoning (18.24.030 E) with the elimination of the medical professions. Any other similar
use listed are acceptable. Carr seconded the amended motion. The motion carried
with Hibbert voting "no".
PUBLIC FORUM
KEN HAGEN, reiterated what was stated in the letter he submitted to the Planning
Commission. Hagen believes a development plan for the hillside areas should be a
priority at this time. He would like to see the zoning change or development
standards change and done on a point by point process so there is not more bad
development. He has listed some standards in his letter.
Most of the Commissioners agreed this was an area of concern.
DANA KNOKE, 1030 Ashland Street, supports Hagen's ideas.
SUSAN HUNT, 220 Nutley, said she was told hillside ordinances would come out of
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
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FEBRUARY 8, 1994
the Strawberry Neighborhood Plan. She believes this needs to be done prior to the
Historic Ordinance.
OTHER
PLANNING COMMISSION TOUR - February 26, 1994
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 8, 1994
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