HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-06-02 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Minutes
June 2, 1999
CALL TO ORDER
At 7:40 p.m., Vice-ChairpersonTerry Skibby called the meeting to order at the Community Center. Members present were Terry
Skibby, Gary Foil, Joan Steele, Curt Anderson, Dale Shostrom, Vava Bailey, Kay Maser and Jim Lewis (who arrived at 8:30).
Also present were Associate Planner Mark Knox and Secretary Sonja Akerman. Member Keith Chambers was unable to attend
the meeting.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBER
Knox introduced the Commission's newest member, Kay Maser.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Steele noted a typographical error on page 3 of the Minutes of the May 5, 1999 meeting where is should have been it. Steele
then moved and Bailey seconded the Minutes of the May 5 meeting be approved as corrected. The motion was unanimously
passed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Planning Action 99-063
Conditional Use Permit and Site Review
56 Third Street
Barbara Allen
Knox reported this application is to convert a residence that is currently in use as an office to a hotel/motel. The house was built
in 1899 and is fairly in tact. It has had a number of uses over the years. No exterior changes are proposed except to replace
and expand two decks at the rear of the building. The house will be painted and the landscaping will be upgraded. There are
three existing parking spaces in the rear. Knox explained that although this is in a C-1 zone, a hotel/motel still requires a
Conditional Use Permit. Bike parking will need to be provided. Staff has no concerns with this proposal and is recommending
approval.
Skibby asked if anything needed to be changed in the interior. Knox replied it does not appear so. Steele commented the
findings submitted by the applicant were very confusing and staff should require more detail, especially in the explanation of
criteria. She also requested the applicants be required to specify any exterior changes, including windows and doors. Knox
stated he will add conditionsto this effect. Shostrom noted the bike parking shelter should also have details submitted. Foil said
since the house will be converted to a motel, it is likely another entryway will have to be added. He would like to see a floor plan
of the house for its proposed use.
After discussing the missing details, Foil moved to recommend denial of the application due to the lack of appropriate detail as
specified for the bike shelter, deck and interior floor plan showing where the entry doors will be. Steele seconded the motion
and it was unanimously passed.
On June 3, the Review Board met with Barbara Allen in order to clarify the matters mentioned above. The applicant brought in
floor plans and additional information that satisfied the members present. Members who were not present were polled by phone
and concurred to recommend approval with the following condition - the deck railings and bike area will meet City requirements
for such additions and will come before the Review Board when plans are submitted.
Nomination to National Register of Historic Places
Ashland Downtown Commercial District
Public Hearing
There was no one present who wished to speak on the nomination of the Ashland DowntoWn Commercial District to the National
Register. Knox stated it signifies the owners have no problem with the nomination. All property owners received notice regarding
the public hearing and initial meetings have already been held.
George Kramer, who prepared the nomination, explained to the Commission the process of getting the Commercial District on
the National Register started with the 1997 flood. Property owners have wholeheartedly supported the nomination. They have
nothing to lose. Early in 1997, the Plaza area was "determined eligible" by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Most
everyone, however, felt the area should include the entire downtown. (Lewis arrived at this time - 8:30 p.m.) Kramer then
presented a slide show that he will also give to the City Council on June 15. In October the nomination will go to the State
Advisory Board on Historic Preservation. At this time, Kramer will make any corrections or revisions. It will then be presented
to the State Board again in February, and by May of 2001, the records keeper will most likely have it entered into the National
Register. Once the district is on the Register, individual property owners can choose to apply for a 15-year tax freeze. Also
available for commercial properties is a 20% tax credit, in which the federal government essentially provides 1/5 of the cost for
rehabilitation. The City of Ashland currently has 11 buildings on the Register in the Commercial District, there will be 100.
Ashland already regulates what goes on in the Historic District so the process will not have much of a change. Register status
will add money incentives for the property owners.
Steele moved to authorize staff to send a favorable recommendation to the City Council to go forward with the listing of the
Downtown Commercial District on the National Register of Historic Places. Lewis seconded the motion and it was unanimously
passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Steele moved and Anderson seconded to revise the agenda and move on to new business. It was unanimously passed.
685 "A" Street
Owner Patricia Murphy and Designer Doyle Brightenburg (350 Phelps Street) met with the Commission to discuss the design
of her proposed building on "A" Street. They have been to the Review Board several times and there was a difference of
opinion between Review Board members (individually) and Staff. Since this is in the preliminary stage, it was considered
beneficial for the owner and designer to attend a full Commission meeting.
Brightenburg stated the difference in opinion stems from the dome (which it really is not); he prefers it be called the hipped
barrel-vaulted roof. It is similar to the old high school except this will have a rectangular base and the high school appeared
to have a square base. Also, the old natatorium (designed by Frank Clark) had a strong influence on the design, as did the
sanatorium, from which he derived the circular top of the windows, the parapet profile and the horizontal ears on the side.
The marquee also influenced the design. Brightenburg explained he did not use these forms outright, but let them influence
the design. He feels the proposed building portrays the workman/hometown feel of the Railroad District. Since this site is
one lot away from the park, he perceives the building as complementing the transition.
Anderson said he likes the fact the building advertises the business it will house, and added it is refreshing to see something
a little different. Knox noted Staff is obligated to follow the existing standards and guidelines, and this is bringing in a new
element not presently found in the Railroad District. Part of the criteria is to prove elements currently exist. Staff is being
cautious, especially since the Railroad District is on the National Register. Staff concerns include the appropriateness of the
design, the rhythm of the openings (windows), and whether or not this is a workable design for a variety of uses.
Brightenburg replied the building could be adapted quite easily to different uses. Staff feels the use is fine.
Bailey commented the frosted windows are not very street friendly. Brightenburg responded he has increased the window
area significantly to allow more light into the rooms. Lewis observed while the elevations show a more severe looking dome,
the drawing has softened the curvature lines. Foil stated there is now an eclectic mixture of buildings on "A" Street and he
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
June 2, 1999
does not feel they should all look the same. He said he likes the dome, and since there is not much vacant land left, it is not
an attribute that will likely be replicated in the Railroad District. Steele said she likes the concept that has been presented
although she is a little concerned about the bulk and scale. Knox interjected there is a lot of stepping back and recessment
in the design. Skibby commented he does not object to the dome, however, he would like it better if it could be kept as Iow
as possible. Also, he said he feels the windows should be enlarged.
Patricia Murphy stated because the interior will be massage rooms, the windows really can't be larger, also she doesn't feel
the dome will be that noticeable when driving or walking by. She has tried to do everything she could to make this work for
the Historic Commission and the City. Lewis stated when a large dome is put on a building, it could become the focal point
of the building. Once it's built, it is too late to change it. He would not want the dome on this building to overpower it.
Shostrom related he likes the parking design and the interior floor plan. He wondered about the encouragement of mixed
uses in this area and if there would be a second stow in the future. He said the building looks exciting and interesting,
however the windows are not as exciting and that bothers him. He suggested making them a little higher in front to
accommodate the arched windows. He stated he does not feel the dome has a huge impact on the building as a whole.
Bailey said she thinks the dome and front entrance should be wider. The building seems sturdy on one end, then it seems to
wash out. She also thinks the windows should be more interesting and would like to see elevations of the building drawn
from other angles. Maser also commented on the windows, stating there is no continuity of the arched windows. In addition,
the square windows should echo the round portion of the arched windows and the dome.
Brightenburg related he had enough input to modify the design. He will also submit a rendering of the proposed Phase 2
second stow addition.
BUILDING PERMITS
Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of May follow:
132 Fifth Street
113 High Street
595 North Main Street
586 East Main Street
142 "B" Street
147 North Laurel Street
209 Almond Street
134 Manzanita Street
145 Fourth Street
165 Lithia Way
76 Alida Street
283 High Street
40 North Main Street
337 East Main Street
Lynn Carmichael
June Smith
Ashland Community Hospital Foundation
Kate Jackson
Carl Wright
Ronald & Tamara Foster
John Javna
Carolyn Eadie
Priscilla Hunter
Copeland Lumber
Christine & George McCaffrey
Jeanette Poston
Plaza Mall
Village Shoes
Remodel/Addition
2nd Stow Addition
Tenant Improvement
Remodel
Foundation
Remodel
Remodel/Addition
Garage Conversion to Studio
Remodel Accessory Unit
Re-roof
2nd Stow Addition
Garage/Studio
Sign
Sign
REVIEW BOARD
Following is the July schedule for the Review Board, which meets every Thursday from 3:00 to at least 3:30 p.m. in the Planning
Department:
June 3rd
June 10th
June 17th
June 24th
July 1st
Skibby, Anderson and Foil
Skibby, Steele and Shostrom
Skibby, Bailey and Steele
Skibby, Bailey and Foil
Skibby, Lewis and Steele
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
June 2, 1999
OL[) BUSINESS
Project Assignments for Planninq Actions
PA # ADDRESS PERSON(S) ASSIGNED
96-086 685 "A" Street Curt Anderson and Jim Lewis
97-018 661 "B" Street Jim Lewis
98-039 Holly Street Joan Steele and Jim Lewis
98-045 122 Church Street Vava Bailey
98-047 Between 548 & 628 North Main Street Gary Foil
98-070 595 North Main Street Terry Skibby and Dale Shostrom
97-072 440 East Main Street Terry Skibby
98-075 542 "A" Street Jim Lewis
98-091 559 Scenic Drive Vava Bailey
99-020 525 "A" Street Jim Lewis
NEIN BUSINESS
Desi_(In Review Form
Anderson volunteered to oversee the revision of the Design Review Form the Commission uses. Knox related Staff is now
requiring elevations in the scale of ¼" - 10'. Also, a cross section of detail will be required.
OLD BUSINESS
National Historic Preservation Week *:* May 9-15, 1999
The Commission discussed National Historic Preservation Week. Skibby reviewed the tours he had conducted, noting he had
a good turnout for the Sunday and Tuesday tours, but there were only a couple people on Friday. He also noted one tour was
rained out half way through.
ADJOURNMENT
With a motion by Bailey and second by Anderson, it was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at
10:1',)0 p.m.
Ashland Historic Commission
Mir~utes
June 2, 1999
Ashland Historic Commission
Agenda
June ! 999
I. CALL TO ORDER: 7:30 p.m. - ASHLAND COMMUNITY CENTER - 59 Winburn Way
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 5, 1999
III. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
PLANNING ACTION 99-063 is a request for a Conditional Use Permit and Site Review
approval for a 2-unit hotel/motel. Comprehensive Plan Designation: Retail Commercial District;
Zoning: C-1; Assessor's Map #: 39 1E 095D; Tax Lot: 1200.
APPLICANT: Barbara Allen
There will be a public hearing to review the draft *~nomination" document to list the Ashland
Downtown Commercial District on the National Register of Historic Places. The public is invited
to participate
IV. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Review Board ~ appointments/volunteers
2. Project Assignments and Reassignments for Planning Actions
3. National Historic Preservation Week - Review
4. Other Commission Items
V. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Patricia Murphy - Regarding 685 *~A" Street
2. Annual Presentation of Historic Commission at June 15th City Council Meeting
3. Other
VI. ADJOURNMENT