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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-12-08 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION Minutes December 8, 1999 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:35 in the Ashland Community Center by Commission Chair Lewis. Members present were Kay Maser, Keith Chambers, Joan Steele, Jim Lewis, Dale Shostrom and Gary Foil, with Terry Skibby and Vava Bailey arriving shortly after call to order. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Steele moved to approve the minutes from the last regular meeting. The motion was given a second by Shostrom and the vote was unanimous PUBLIC HEARINGS Planning Action 99-135 Site Review 200 Helman St. Gregg Adams Knox described the application, noting that the Commission has seen it in various forms in previous months at the review board. The project is located on a unique lot, which is small and triangle shaped. Traditional commercial building features are evident, with a balanced symmetry to the structure. 1350 square feet of commercial space is proposed for the ground floor and 2000 residential. The attached garage has access provided from Van Ness Avenue and on street parking bays total four, three on Van Ness and one on Helman. A total of 5 parking spaces are required for this project and are met by the combination of the on-street parking bays and the garage and driveway for the off- street parking. The applicant is taking advantage provision allowing mixed use credits for parking due to the off-setting uses. The comer of the property has been designed with a large planter bed area that provides a human scale element at comer. Substantial public improvements are being constructed in this proposal, including the parking bays and sidewalks on both street frontages. Knox indicated that staff recommends approval with 13 conditions listed in the staff report, dealing with common issues of street light standards, Fire Department requirements, bike parking, etc. Skibby reiterated that the plans have been seen by the review board several times and the design has evolved from hip to flat roof along with other detail modifications. Skibby stated that the applicant has worked with review board to come up with the final design that is before the full Commission. Lewis commented about the difficulty in addressing compatibility issues with surrounding properties because they are not yet fully developed and the applicant's property is somewhat of an island in terms of its relationship to the other properties. Knox added that development will be different on other properties due to the dimensions of the parcels, grade issues and recently completed street improvements on Van Ness Street. Lewis questioned the lack of detail and features shown on the left (Helman St) elevation. The applicant, Gregg Adams responded that some railroad equipment exists on that elevation and that the main entrance has been designed so that is within the viewscape from both the Van Ness and Helman Street frontages. The railroad side of the left elevation has been designed to house the garbage and recycle facilities. Adams also noted that the drawing of the left elevation does not provide the Commission with a good perspective of the view from the street because the stairwell projection. Lewis also had similar comments regarding the north elevation (facing railroad tracks). Adams stated that extensive soundproofing of the building is planned for that elevation and windows or other openings would compromise those efforts. Bailey added that she feels the project has a nice design. Maser clarified several issues regarding window style and material and mentioned that the color scheme was appropriate Skibby inquired about the location of the electric meters for the building and asked if there was a possibility that they could be placed on the north (railroad) frontage to minimize their impact on the streetscape. Adams responded that if the Electric Utility allowed it he would be glad to place them on the north elevation Shostrom made several comments about the design of the building. The front elevation is great. He agreed with Lewis that the west elevation lacks detail or features and would like the applicant to address the potential for the installation of windows to add a visual feature to blank wall and possibly provide a benefit to the interior of the building. Adams primary concern with the installation of windows is the conflict with the crossing bars and lights from the railroad crossing on Helman Street. The second floor elevation matches the height of the crossing arm lights and would impact the interior of the building. Shostrom feels windows should be added to create rhythm to building. The Helman Street elevation is very important, even smaller windows providing a more sparse version of the front facade would greatly improve the overall look of the structure. Adams again stated that the windows in the projected area of the Helman Street elevation that is not shown well on the elevation drawings will break up the blank wall appearance. Shostrom also questioned the function and appearance of the iron balcony rails and was concerned about their compatibility and character in a historic district. Adams responded that they are intended as window planter areas and will not be of a scale that would look like a deck or pedestrian balcony. He and his wife noticed this feature on many historic buildings in their trips to San Francisco and historic neighborhoods in other cities. Skibby felt that the deck and rails were appropriate as long as the scale will show that they are not any type of pedestrian deck. Shostrom reiterated that the Commission will need better plan to show scale of deck rails and other architectural features to determine whether the details will merely mimic historic features or be true representations. Shostrom also questioned the eight inch lap siding, in terms of material and dimension. Six inch is more traditional for historic structures. Adams responded that the material has not been determined, but some sort of masonite or hardiplank type material will be used, due to the fire retardant concerns. Adams noted that he would not be at all opposed to a 6 inch lap. Knox summarized the comments made to incorporate into the staffreport and be shown on the building permit plans; 6 inch lap siding, meters on rear elevation, more plan details for architectural features. Knox also noted that the foundation is cast concrete. Shostrom move to approve with conditions summarized by Knox. A second was provided by Skibby and the motion was passed with a unanimous vote. Commission chair Lewis requested that the order of the agenda be adjusted to address the house move request prior old business, as the applicants were present. NEW BUSINESS Request for approval of relocation of house located at 66 North Second Street to the Skidmore-Academy Historic District on North Laurel St Knox gave a brief explanation of the proposal, which was to move a house from 66 North Main (Trinity Church property) to North Laurel Street, to a parcel to the north of the old hospital building on the comer of Van Ness and North Laurel Streets. Several cedar trees will be removed to facilitate the move. The fate of the trees were understood when this parcel was created several years prior due to their location in the center of the parcel. Knox clarified that the Trinity Church has a master plan for their property, with the initial building being the only portion with official approval, but it has been recognized that the house in question would be moved at some point because its use is no longer compatible with the current zoning of the area. Knox also noted that if the proposal was done under the requirements of the new demolition\move ordinance, staff would recommend the move but replacement plans would be required to be submitted and approved first. Several Commission members were concerned with the cedar trees. James Niebel, the applicant spoke about the project and first noted that he is very familiar with and in support of the role of the Historic Commission in this process. He noted that one of the three trees may be able to be saved, but that the location of the other two made them impossible to save. Niebel also noted that his intention is to maintain the original character of the house, several small additions will be removed and will be replaced after the move with an addition that will be in keeping with the style of the original structure. Steele clarified that the rear yard setbacks shown on the submitted map of the parcel were not part of this proposal. Knox inquired about the future addition of a garage for off-street parking. The applicant responded that there is not sufficient space on the parcel for off-street parking so no detached structure would be added. Joyce Ward, original partitioner of the parcel explained that initial discussions with the property owner to the east regarding potential easement for rear parking access had taken place and that Mr. Niebel may want to rekindle that opportunity. Lewis commented that he felt it was a good fit and will be an asset to the North Laurel Street neighborhood. Skibby and Chambers also noted that it is beneficial that this proposal gives the ability for the structure to be used in its original role of a home. Sally Cole, representing the Trinity Church mentioned that the house was sold to Mr. Niebel for one dollar and that many people were truly interested in the house. Until the start of the next phase on the Trinity Church property, the area where the house now sits will be a garden area Chambers recommended approval of the move, a second was provided by Maser and was approved with a unanimous vote. OLD BUSINESS Review Board assignments were given (see attached sheet). Project assignment for the Adams project on Helman was given to Maser. In the course of the assignment discussion, Knox and the Commission discussed the Planning process and the Historic Commission' s role within the process. The Commission noted that additional detail on plans for Historic review is needed. Knox suggested the Commission compose a memo to the Director of Community Development to request an amendment to plans requirements section of the Land Use Ordinance for exterior details. The orientation meeting, originally scheduled for January was moved to February 2nd, with a time to be determined in the future. NEW BUSINESS Knox provided a summary of the public meeting for the Skidmore-Academy Historic District Nomination to the National Register. The meeting was very well attended with over 50 turning out. Interest was shown and was beneficial for educating residents about the process. Knox also gave an update on the progress of the new demolition ordinance. City Council voted 6-1 in favor at first reading, with Laws in opposition. The ordinance divides structures into two categories; built before and after 1955. By law ordinance must apply across the board, not just specific areas of the community. The criteria is much more involved for the structures built before 1955. Chambers asked why 1955 was used as a cut-off date and wondered if it should be based on a changing date rather than one that is static. Knox stated that the date does not directly related to anything, it was a combination of issues that led to that decision. Shostrom questioned how difficult it is to prove that it is not economically feasible to rebuild and feels that this may not protect historic buildings as it was originally intended. Knox gave an example of the recent house demolition on Almond Street, stating that it was not easy to justify and resulted in the structure being remodeled. In other business, Lewis mentioned the importance of the role of the Historic Commission in the Library expansion that will be coming before them at some point, emphasizing the importance to evaluate the project as an addition to an historic structure and to carefully address all design issues. Lewis asked Knox if, because of the importance of the Library and OSF Theater project, there was any chance that a subcommittee could be formed with members of the Historic Commission, Planning Commission and Planning Staff to review the projects. Knox stated that he would look into that possibility and report back to the Commission and invited all Commission members to review the recently submitted Theater plans prior to next Wednesday's pre-applicationmeeting to address as many issues as possible. Knox also mentioned that he would encourage Commission members to attend a Library meeting on December 15 to address potential issues with the project architects. The meeting adjourned at 10:02 PM. ASHLAND COMMISSION Agenda December 8, 1999 HISTORIC Io II. III. IV. Va 0ALL TO ORDER: 7:30 p.m. - ASHLAND COMMUNITY CENTER (59 Winburn Way) APPROVAL OF t,~1:NUTES: November 3, 1999 PUBLIC HEARINGS: PLANNING ACTION 99-! 35 is a request for 5ire Review approval for the construction of a mixed-use commercial and residential structure located at 200 Helman ,Street. Comprehensive Plan Designation: Employment; Zoning: E-l; Assessor's Map #: 39 Tax Lot 1901. APPLICANT: Gregg Adams OLD BUSINESS: A. B. C. E. Review Board > appointments~volunteers Project Assignments for Planning Actions Discuss Orientation Meeting in ~anuary Other NEW BUSINESS: A. B. C. b. E. F. House Move Request - from 66 North Second Street to Laurel Street lot Skidmore-Academy Historic District Nomination to National Register Update Discuss Demolition Ordinance Discuss Library Addition Plan Discuss Historic Preservation Library in Planning Department Other VI. ADJOURNMENT