HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-05-06 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Minutes
May 6, 1998
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at the Community Center by Chairperson Jim Lewis at 7:38 p.m. Members
present were Jim Lewis, Terry Skibby, Joan Steele, Vava Bailey, Dale Shostrom, Keith Chambers and Joyce
Cowan. Also present were Associate Planner Mark Knox and Secretary Sonja Akerman. Members Carol
Abrahamson and Curt Anderson were absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chambers moved and Shostrom seconded to approve the Minutes of the April 8, 1998 meeting as submitted. The
motion was unanimously passed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Planning Action 98-034
Conditional Use Permit and Site Review
221 Oak Street
Marguerite J. and Stephen W. Smith
Knox reviewed to application, informing the Commission the applicants would like to operate a health clinic,
which will occupy approximately 580 square feet in the lower level of the house. The remainder of the house
will be utilized as a private living space. He noted the house was built in 1907 by Mr. Smith's great grandfather
and has been in the Smith family ever since. The only exterior change would be a handicapped ramp on the south
side of the house from the rear to the front porch. The ramp will match the existing porch. Knox said there
should also be handicapped access from Oak Street. The driveway will be paved and there will be a bike parking
rack in the rear. He went on to say the property is zoned R-2, and given the fact it is over 20,000 square feet,
it could accommodate six multi-family dwelling units. Therefore, the target use would have a much greater
impact on the area than the proposed use. Knox stated Staff is recommending approval of this application with
four conditions. The second condition requires the applicants to apply for a Conditional Use Permit Modification
if there are any changes in the applicant's on-site residency or changes in the health clinic's operation or space.
Condition #4 requires the applicants to submit a landscaping maintenance agreement.
Lewis asked if there would be interior changes. Knox said the hallway will open up for access to the exam room.
Lewis stated his concern is that if it were to be drastically changed, it would be difficult to convert it back into
a residence. Marguerite Smith stated a firewall will also be installed to separate the dining room from the clinic
area. Since she and her husband would like to make the house their permanent home, there will be few interior
changes.
Chambers commented the second condition is vague. He would like it to be more specific in number of
practitioners also. Shostrom asked about the fire codes and wondered if the fire walls have been taken into
consideration. Stephen Smith answered his contractor will make certain all the fire issues are covered.
Lewis remarked this application almost meets the criteria of a home occupation, so the proposal will not have
much more impact. Also, it is important the house be able to revert back to a single family dwelling. Chambers
added it is a compatible business with the neighborhood.
The Review Board will look at the handicapped access from Oak Street.
Chambers moved to recommend approval of this application with the stipulation the wording on the second
condition be made more clear. Cowan seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Planning Action 98-039
Site Review and Outline Plan Approval
Holly Street - Between Gresham and Holly Streets
Evan Archerd and Hal Dresner
Knox explained the applicants propose a nine-lot, nine-unit multi-family subdivision. Each taxlot will be the
footprint of the unit. There will be one driveway off Holly Street for six units; the remaining three units will
access off the alley. Staff feels the units are attractive and the designer has !ncorporated porches, window trim,
hipped roofs, intersecting gables, bay windows, patios and balconies in order to make the design compatible with
the neighborhood. Therefore, Staff is recommending approval.
Bill Emerson, designer for the project, related the driveway for the six units will be 12 feet wide. By
incorporating only one driveway, it eliminates garages off Holly Street. He said all the-units are individualized.
The only trees being removed are under six inches; the larger ones will remain on the site. The alley is already
paved.
When questioned by Skibby regarding the siding, Emerson responded it will be hardboard horizontal siding or
hardboard horizontal shingle siding. Emerson then passed around photos of styles he emulating in the design,
which is post World War II. He then explained units 1 and 9 are split level and he has attempted to conceal this
fact with the visual effect of the design.
Lewis asked if mullions will be incorporated into all the windows. Emerson answered the windows will be vinyl
and that only some will have the interior grid. Cowan stated she feels a mix of plain and mullioned windows will
look better than all one kind. Bailey commented she liked the various styles of the units.
Skibby thanked Emerson for responding to the Review Board comments. Lewis stated the overall design has a
nice feel. Cowan agreed and added this proposal is something different for Ashland. The design is getting away
from the Craftsman style which has been so prevalent.
Shostrom stated that generally, he feels the site plan is wonderful. However, he has a concern about the south
exterior elevations of units 1 and 9. In his opinion, he feels the entrances are a little out of scale and if they are
reduced, they will be more compatible. Emerson replied he was concealing the fact they are split level and in
order to integrate transom windows by the doors to let in more light, he made the entryway larger. However,
he will bring in examples of lowered roofs to a Review Board meeting. Chambers said that given what Emerson
has done in disguising these split levels, he feels he has reached a good compromise. Shostrom suggested using
a gable roof on unit 1 in order to create more bulk. After discussing setbacks, it was decided Emerson could go
another two feet closer to the property line on unit 1. Knox added he is also allowed an 18 inch overhang.
Shostrom moved to recommend approval of this application with the condition Emerson revise the street elevation
entrance on unit 1 by using gables and posts and that he provide drawings tol/4 inch scale in order to provide
a better sense of entry for the historic scale. Cowan seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
May 6, 1998
Planning Action 98-040
Amendment to the Site Design and Use Standards section of Land Use Ordinance
City of Ashland
Knox briefly summarized the commencement of the Downtown Design Review Committee. Originally, the
design standards were so subjective, conflicts resulted, which was not only time consuming, but costly for the
applicant as well. The City was in need of something clear for the applicants' designers. Allen Sandlet and Ed
Bemis had these problems as they were in the design stage and in the construction of their new building on East
Main Street, so they went to the Mayor, who agreed better standards needed to be adopted. As a result, a
committee was appointed consisting of Lewis and Shostrom from the Historic Commission, former Historic
Commission member and OSFA employee Le Hook, architect Jerome White, downtown business owner Michael
Donovan, and downtown business person Bob Rasmusson. After numerous meetings, the committee drafted a
set of standards. One public hearing has already been held. Tonight the Historic Commission is holding a public
hearing, then it goes to the Planning Commission and finally the City Council for adoption.
The committee worked out height, setbacks, width, openings, horizontal rhythms, vertical rhythms, roof forms,
materials, and exceptions. Basically, the text has not changed since the first public hearing, however, better
visual graphics have been added and the text has been clarified.
Bailey inquired about the differences between standards and guidelines. Knox related originally the Site Design
and Use Standards were guidelines. After the Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) had ruled guidelines are not
enforceable, the City Council adopted the guidelines as standards. Lewis added the standards are still flexible.
Allen Sandler, 1260 Prospect Street, stated he has read the new standards and thinks they are fabulous. However,
he has the following three concerns: 1) detail - what size scale will be required? 2) which will supercede - design
or code ? Knox stated fire and life safety requirements will supercede the standards. 3) is there a way to receive
Historic Commission consensus prior to plan review stage ? Lewis stated it is good to bring in sketches even
before the pre-application stage. A real decision can only be made at a full commission meeting. Knox added
applicants can start by coming to the Historic Commission meetings in an informal capacity, but reminded Sandler
that before the members can make a binding decision, a complete set of plans would be required. Lewis asserted
if everyone works together in good faith, the process will work.
Ed Bemis, 398 Dead Indian Memorial Road, stated in his opinion, as long as the criteria is met, the standards
will be met. Sandler said he wants assurance if he gets an opinion from the full Commission, the decision will
stick for the final approval, and he wants it incorporated in the Standards. Steele pointed out what Sandler is
seeking is procedure and should not be part of the policies or standards. She suggested Sandler work on this as
a separate issue.
Shostrom moved to recommend the Planning Commission and City Council adopt the Downtown Design
Standards as written. Steele seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
BUILDING PERMITS
Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of April follow:
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
May 6, 1998
376 East Main Street
340 "A" Street
77 Scenic Drive
128 Sixth Street
145 Sherman Street
311 "B" Street
67 East Main Street
70 Third Street
120 High Street
478 North Laurel Street
94 Granite Street
199 East Main Street
62 East Main Street
399 East Main Street
51 Water Street
485 "A" Street
Andy South
A Street Enterprises
Louis & Beverly Kohler
David Heller
William Webber
Larry Marshik
Wells Fargo Bank
Otto & Jean Glausi
Norbert Bischof
Bill Snell
Craig Mesco
Jerry Garland
Kat Wok
Claws & Paws
The Atrium
Yoga Arts of Ashland
Interior Remodel
Remodel
Addition
Accessory Unit
Retool
Remodel
Auto Teller Machine
Addendum
Basement conv to Acces Unit
Addition
Remodel
Remodel
Sign
Sign
-Sign
Sign
REVIEW BOARD
Following is the May schedule for the Review Board, which meets every Thursday from 3:00 to at least 3:30
p.m. in the Planning Department:
May 7th
May 14th
May 21st
May 28th
Bailey, Steele and Skibby
Skibby, Shostrom and Abrahamson
Chambers, Steele and Skibby
Lewis, Skibby, Steele and Abrahamson
OLD BUSINESS
Project Assit, nments for Planning Actions
PA #
96-086
97-018
97-075
98-021
98-022
98-082
Address
685 "A" Street
661 "B" Street
40 North Main Street
44 North Second Street
112 Helman Street
141 Lithia Way
Person(s) Assigned
Curt Anderson/Jim Lewis
Jim Lewis
Dale Shostrom
Dale Shostrom
Vava Bailey
Dale Shostrom
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
May 6, 1998
PA # I Address
98-034 221 Oak Street
98-039 Holly Street
Person(s) Assigned I
Dale Shostrom
Joan Steele and Joyce Cowan
National Historic Preservation Week
Lewis announced the judges will be former Commissioners Le Hook and CliffLlewellyn, and architect Ted Mularz.
He emphasized the importance of attending some of the events that have been scheduled, especially the award
ceremony on Friday.
NEW BUSINESS
Grant for National Register Web Site
Thanks to Steele, the Department of the Interior National Park Service has selected the Historic Commission's
proposal to prepare a National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary. Steele said she will need Commission
members to help in deciding which sites on which to focus.
(Chambers left at this time - 10.' O0 p.m.)
(The Commission agreed to meet after 10.' O0 in order to finish discussing agenda items.)
MORE OLD BUSINESS
Southern Oregon Historical Society Presence in Ashland
There was nothing new to report.
Railroad District Nomination to National Register of Historic Places
Lewis reported the joint study session with the Planning Commission went well. Only one person had negative
comments. Two public meetings have been held and over 300 letters were mailed to property owners each time and
approximately 10% of these people attended the meetings. He stated this is a tremendous benefit to the City of
Ashland. He also thanked Knox for all the work he accomplished in writing the grant, thus making the research for
the nomination possible.
Knox stated this should go to the City Council on June 16th.
ADJOURNMENT
With a motion by Skibby and second by Chambers, it was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn
the meeting at 10:18 p.m.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
May 6, 1998 5