HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-11-08 Planning MINASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 8, 1994
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Barbara Jarvis at 7:05 p.m. Other Commissioners
present were Thompson, CIoer, Finkle, Armitage, Carr, Bingham, and Giordano. Staff
present were McLaughlin, Molnar, Knox and Yates.
MINUTES AND FINDINGS
The Minutes and Findings of the October 11, 1994 meeting were approved.
PUBLIC FORUM
Jarvis introduced and welcomed the new Planning Commissioner, Peter Finkle.
TYPE III PLANNING ACTION
PLANNING ACTION 94-128
REQUEST FOR AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY OF ASHLAND TRANSPORTATION
PLAN MAP. AMENDMENT INVOLVES THE LOCATION OF A FUTURE STREET
DEDICATION (EXTENSIONS) BETWEEN ROMEO DRIVE AND MILL POND ROAD,
EVAN LANE AND FORDYCE STREET, ORCHID STREET AND KIRK LANE AND
MUNSON DRIVE AND KIRK LANE.
APPLICANT: CITY OF ASHLAND
A request for continuance was submitted by attorney, Kurt Knutsen. Carr suggested
proceeding as per the agenda. Cloer expressed his reservations about continuing with
the hearing. He wanted to make sure every side of the issue was discussed.
McLaughlin explained that the neighbors were already given a month's delay to review
the street connection between Romeo and Mill Pond. The additional connections were
added and properly noticed to the neighborhood. He also indicated the time is right
to work this transportation issue out because the Planning Commission agendas have
not been as busy. McLaughlin did not see a substantial reason to delay the hearing.
Jarvis felt that Mrs. Eldman has adequately notified everyone of tonight's meeting, as
well as through the noticing process and thought there was enough information to
proceed tonight.
Carr moved to proceed with the planning action and arrive at a recommendation to
the City Council. Bingham seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Thompson arrived at the meeting.
STAFF REPORT
McLaughlin reviewed portions of the Staff Report dated October 11, and the
Addendum I dated November 8, 1994. He said the addition of the street connections
would insure a modified grid street pattern. This has been happening in an informal
way in this area, and Staff has made sure that developers have been working to that
end as well. The connection from Romeo Drive to Mill Pond Road has been planned
since 1990. The extension of Munson Drive and Kirk Lane to Mountain Avenue have
been shown for future connections. McLaughlin explained that the City is trying to
comply with the State's Transportation Planning Rule by connecting streets within
neighborhoods. The benefits to the connection would be: reduced trip lengths, safe
and convenient routes for autos, bikes, and pedestrians, possible area for para-transit
or taxi pick-up for handicapped persons, and less costly transit. McLaughlin
encouraged adoption as presented.
Jarvis questioned McLaughlin if Romeo Drive had always been designed for
connection and he stated that had always been the intent.
Carolyn Eldman's letter was entered into the record.
PUBLIC HEARING
WES REYNOLDS, 1265 Munson Drive, a consulting planner and member of AICP and
an affiliate of ITE, stated that he believes this application is on the right track in looking
at the whole neighborhood, however, he requested that the Commission consider that
if these connections are adopted, there will not be much area left to do a
neighborhood plan. Why not go one step further and develop a neighborhood plan?
The destinations need to be addressed -- what areas people need to get to -- Garfield
Park, Civic Center, Mountain Avenue park, Armory, Middle School, Natural History
Museum. There is excellent potential for walking and bicycling. In addition to the
proposed new street connections, what will be happening on East Main and Fordyce
and the transportation plan? What are the neighbor's responsibilities? There was no
suggestion in the Staff Report about where traffic calming will be done and where
pathways for bikes and pedestrians would be located.
REES JONES, 107 N. Wightman, lives in the neighborhood and thought connecting
streets was an issue of community. Cohesive neighborhoods are unified by easy
access. Building barriers and homes that are isolated for only auto access are not in
our best interest. The Comprehensive Plan will remind us of our goals. The street
connections will provide the City with integrated neighborhoods, not isolated streets.
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMER 8, 1994
MINUTES
HARLAN CURTIS, 264 Mountain Avenue, stated they live where the intersection of
Munson and Mountain will be connecting and this will funnel traffic through Munson to
Mountain and they fear congestion. Beth Whitman talked about extending Hersey
Street past the Mountain Avenue park and connect another street besides Munson.
Jarvis read the testimony request forms in opposition to the proposal from the
following:
JEFF BENSON, 1315 Romeo Drive
ED ALEXANDER, 1259 Munson Drive
CORINNE MAGANAN, 13115 Romeo Drive
BETTE G. KINSELLA, Romeo Drive
CYNTHIA MARTIN, 1355 E. Main
BEVERLY SPJUT, 531 Fordyce
SUSAN ROGNEY, 1365 Romeo Drive
Molnar described where there will be a possible bicycle/pedestrian access to the
Mountain Avenue park.
CAROLYN ElDMAN, 541 Fordyce Street, stated that she has been planning to build
adult foster care housing on her property but if the street goes through, she will not be
able to situate the project so it will fit the lot properly. She plans to use some of her
property to grow food for the patients and raise animals. Eldman knew the street plug
was there but felt she had an option of how it would be used. She indicated the
Police Department find that dead end streets are safer. On cul-de-sacs, neighbors
tend to notice when something happens because there is less traffic. Eldman also
has major concerns about flooding in this area. After the heavy rain last week in
which five homes flooded, she feels the through street would make an impact because
it would be more pavement for water to run across. She also took a petition to the
neighbors and submitted it for the record.
LINDA SMITH, 1310 Romeo Drive, purchased her property because it was on a cul-
de-sac. She bought it in beginning of 1991 and the CC&R's did not say anything
about the through street. As it is now, children are safe on the street. She has
concerns about the width of the road and the turn at the curve.
RICHARD ALBERT, 541 Fordyce, said he is partners with Eldman and his comments
echo hers. If the street did not go through it would give a little more open space and
a sense of community and safety.
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMER 8, 1994
MINUTES
MARY POWERS, 248 N. Mountain, said that she knew about the street that would
connect with Munson, but would like to know the width of the streets that are planned
and do the neighbors have any say about where the streets go, how they are
connected, and street names. Powers objects to a separate bike path cutting through
the lots.
McLaughlin explained that the width of the street will be dependent upon the
development style of the homes and the number of units. Munson Drive is 36 feet
wide in the portions where there is parking on both sides and the new streets could
be narrower with added curves, if desired. The design would be up to the developer.
Street names are left to the discretion of the developer, however, there is an ordinance
addressing street names. The bike path would not be designed to take out properties
but to go around or between properties.
MARIE MOREHEAD, 310 N. Mountain Avenue, thought it would be difficult to plan
future streets when no one is sure what future development will be. Her concern is
how this will affect property owners not connected with the development. Morehead is
concerned about how much of the Powers property will be used -- there will be three
streets going through Powers property plus a bike path. McLaughlin responded that if
a development on the Powers property would be going to a lower density because of
a street, then a different street pattern would be possible. Morehead is concerned
about the amount of traffic coming up Mountain, turning on Munson or Kirk and
bypassing the North Mountain/East Main street intersection. There will be more traffic
in the communities.
RANDY ROGNEY, 1365 Romeo Drive, lives at the end of the cul-de-sac. When he
purchased his home, there was no indication there would be a road planned at any
time. If the City had left the area open on one end, he might never have bought
property. When the subdivision was approved in 1990, the adverse impact had been
mitigated because of the street design. It looked like the street design was approved
(cul-de-sac). The character of the neighborhood was considered in the design of the
development. The cul-de-sac makes the character. Most of the neighbors that
Rogney has talked with can see no reason to connect the streets. If this proposal is
approved, Rogney wondered if he would lose any of his property. McLaughlin said he
couldn't guarantee anything for the future, however, it is not the City's intent nor part
of the design to take any of Rogney's property. Rogney thought the connection
between Mill Pond is important but would favor a bike path or pedestrian path. This
would keep children from walking along Fordyce. It would seem the ordinances could
be met by connecting neighborhoods without having a roadway. He asked that the
Commission take another look at the turn that will be needed at the end of the cul-de-
sac. He also was concerned about drainage.
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMER 8, 1994
MINUTES
Jarvis noted that the curve Rogney mentioned is difficult to go around and people
have to go slow. One of the benefits to having difficult curves and narrow streets is
that they do slow cars down. An unusual street configuration could be an advantage.
Rogney is concerned that people will drive around the island on the wrong side.
SCOTT TURRELL, 1335 Romeo Drive, believes there are mechanical and legitimate
concerns about the street connection. He thought it would be helpful to try driving a
small U-Haul around the cul-de-sac.
McLaughlin suggested a possible sign and a traffic circle.
COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSION AND MOTION
Finkle asked the width of a pedestrian or bike path versus a street width. McLaughlin
thought about a bike path was 12-15 feet and the street would be about 26 feet wide
with sidewalks.
DON PAUL, Assistant Fire Chief, said the Fire Department likes to have two ways of
entry and through streets are an advantage. Cul-de-sacs are difficult.
Carr suggested any streets that do not connect, that bollards could be placed and
removed in an emergency.
McLaughlin said Staff and the Commission could be flexible with Eidman's design.
Thompson wondered about a stub with the parcel to the south of Munson Drive and
maybe to the south of Kirk Lane too.
McLaughlin said Fordyce will be the focal point of the neighborhood. The Planning
Commission, Engineering and neighbors should sit down and determine how the
neighborhood should be planned.
(Carr left the meeting at 9:05 p.m.)
Armitage wondered how much will be gained by pushing Romeo Drive through.
Wouldn't a bike and pedestrian path be just as beneficial?
Bingham said his biggest problem with the Romeo Drive situation is that people
purchased lots with the understanding they were purchasing lots on a cul-de-sac.
also does not want Mrs. Eldman to lose the ability to develop her property.
He
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMER 8, 1994
MINUTES
Finkle stated that, based on his site visit and looking at the street design, area, etc., it
would not appear likely that a great deal of traffic will be taking that connection to
Mountain Avenue. He did not believe there would be much difference in the street
width and the bike path width.
Thompson wanted the Commission to remember that when an issue is isolated to a
neighborhood, it is important that they don't lose sight of the larger goal of reducing
vehicle trips per day. The intent on Romeo Drive was always to come through. He is
in favor of following that initial plan and he was very sorry there was not full disclosure
to the home owners made in the sale of the lots on Romeo.
Cloer agreed with Finkle and Thompson. He would approve of each street
connection. With regard to the linkage of Romeo to Mill Pond, he aches for Carolyn
Eldman, however, he believes the street connections are what the Planning
Commission intended to do and that is what should be done.
Giordano favors the project. He felt the Eldman property could be master-planned for
all the uses they are going to want.
Jarvis concluded there are things that could be done to mitigate the connections for
the neighbors such as making the narrowest road possible. There will be less carbon
monoxide where cars are not turning around on the cul-de-sac. Delivery trucks will
not have to turn around. Don Paul's comments were well taken as it is beneficial to
have fire apparatus access from two ways. Jarvis did not believe there would be very
much increased traffic. Something can be done to the middle island area to make
sure people drive around it correctly.
Thompson moved to recommend approval of Planning Action 94-128 with the addition
of a stub coming down in between Lots 1200 and 1300. Giordano seconded the
motion. Armitage suggested adding language that the right-of-way on Romeo be as
narrow as possible and that the median design encourage proper traffic flow.
Thompson approved the amendment and Giordano seconded. The motion carried
unanimously.
OTHER
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMER 8, 199,t
MINUTES