HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-05 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Minutes
May 5, 1999
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at the Community Center by Chairperson Jim Lewis at 7:43 p.m. Members present were Jim
Lewis, Terry Skibby, Gary Foil, Joan Steele, Curt Anderson and Keith Chambers. Also present were City Council Liaison
Cameron Hanson, Associate Planner Mark Knox and Secretary Sonja Akerman. Members Dale Shostrom and Vava Bailey
were unable to attend the meeting. The Commission is currently one member short.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Anderson moved and Skibby seconded the Minutes of the April 7, 1999 meeting be approved as submitted. The motion was
unanimously passed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Planning Action 99-051
Conditional Use Permit
143 Fourth Street
Bob Heyerman
Knox reported this application is for the modification of a two-story, accessory residential, non-conforming structure at the rear
of the lot. Since the setbacks do not meet the current standard, a planning action is required. The applicant is proposing to
maintain the basic building, but will remove the portion that encroaches into the alley and improve the dilapidated structure by
installing a new roof and new siding, replacing the windows, adding a deck, and adding height to the second story to make it
more livable. The applicant has worked with the Review Board and Staff feels comfortable recommending approval. One of
the conditions will be to pave the alley from the southern boundary of the lot to the existing paved alley to the north. Knox also
noted the property to the north currently has a planning action in process to construct a second unit in the rear of the lot.
Skibby asked about the paving policy in the Railroad District. Knox stated paving is still a requirement by ordinance. Skibby
explained a few years ago there was a committee of concerned citizens, including a few Historic Commission members, that
tried to come up with alternates to paving all the alleys. Chambers clarified he was on the committee and stated although no
definitive alternative to paving was reached, the Commission has traditionally requested the alley paving be delayed because
paving can degrade and change the character of alleyways. The Commission concurred. Lewis added citizens were also
concerned about paved alleys becoming thoroughfares at the "B" Street meeting last week. Discussion ensured regarding
grading and laying down 3/4 minus rather than paving.
Chambers commended the applicant on the design for the improvement of the building, however, he also had a few questions.
When he asked about the bareness of the south elevation, applicant Bob Heyerman answered the carport is only shown on
the east elevation. Chambers then questioned the short windows on the west elevation. Heyerman said the window on the
left is a bathroom window, and in talking with the other contractors involved with the project, they would actually prefer a larger
window on the right. Heyerman then agreed to match the window on the right with the center window. Chambers stated he
would prefer longer, narrower windows. Chambers also asked about the north elevation with no windows. Lewis said he
thought it was due to building codes and the closeness of the building to the property line. Heyerman added there will also
be another unit on the property next door, so it affords both units more privacy and should be more energy efficient.
Lewis asked about the 1 x 4 corner trim and the 1 x 5 window trim, stating it would be better to use 1 x 5 for both, especially
since the true size is always narrower. Heyerman said they will be using 1 x 6 for both so it will be the true size. When asked,
Heyerman said the roof pitch will be 5 x 12.
Skibby noted this project will be a great improvement over what is there because the existing building is in very poor shape.
After discussing the conditions of approval, it was decided condition 2 should read ". .... the rear alley be improved by grading
and laying down 3/4 minus from the subject lot's southern most boundary ...... "Condition 5 state" The owner sign in favor of
a local improvement district .... "Condition 6 shall read "The west elevation bottom right window be enlarged to match the center
window and the corner board trim shall be 1 x 5."
Steele moved to recommend approval of this proposal to the Hearings Board with the conditions modified and added, as stated
above. Chambers 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:
283 "B" Street
342 High Street
11 North Main Street
145 Sherman Street
156 Eighth Street
78 Third Street
150 Nursery Street
209 Almond Street
600 Siskiyou Boulevard
134 Church Street
600 Siskiyou Boulevard
249 "A" Street
Bonnie Shaffer
Ralph Nelson
Webster's
David KcKee
Michael Datz
Jonathan Williams
Jane Sterling
John Javna
Laurie Bixby
John Berry
State Farm Insurance
Sunflake
Interior Remodel
Addendum
Re-roof
Interior Remodel
Addition
Deck
RepaidRemodel
Foundation Under Existing House
Remodel
Foundation/Remodel/Move House
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 6th
May 13th
May 20th
May 27th
Skibby, Anderson and Foil
Skibby, Lewis and Chambers
Skibby, Bailey and Steele
Skibby, Steele and Shostrom
OLD BUSINESS
Project Assignments for Planning Actions
PA# I Address I Person(s) Assigned
96-086 685 "A" Street Curt Anderson and Jim Lewis
97-018 661 "B" Street Jim Lewis
98-022 112 Helman Street Vava Bailey
98-039 Holly Street Joan Steele and Jim Lewis
98-045 122 Church Street Vava Bailey
98°047 Between 548 & 628 North Main Street Joyce Cowan
98°070 595 North Main Street Terry Skibby and Dale Shostrom
97-072 440 East Main Street Joyce Cowan
98°075 542 "A" Street Jim Lewis
98o091 559 Scenic Drive Vava Bailey
99°020 525 "A" Street Jim Lewis
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
May 5, 1999
NEW BUSINESS
Tax Freeze Applications
Since the Railroad District is soon to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places, individual houses are eligible to
receive a 15 year tax freeze if the owners present a renovation plan to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the
Historic Commission recommends approval. Final approval is granted through SHPO. Plans for the renovation of individual
houses are now beginning to be submitted and the Historic Commission has the opportunity to comment.
132 Fifth Street The Commission reviewed plans that were submitted for the renovation of this house. Designer Bill
Emerson informed the Commission he had recently faxed the floor plan of the original house to Tami Beth Katz at SHPO. Katz
had commented the back porch posts should be more than 4% x 4Y~ and the owner has agreed to canter them or use 6 x 6.
The Commission felt this was a grand improvement. Therefore, Skibby moved and Steele seconded to recommend approval
of the tax freeze to SHPO. The motion was unanimously passed.
The Commission then discussed whether or not it was necessary for the Historic Commission recommendation to go to the
City Council for the Council recommendation to be forwarded to the State. Chambers moved that since reviewing tax freeze
applications is within the scope of the Historic Commission duties, it should only be necessary to send the City Council a copy
of the letter to SHPO. Steele seconded the motion and is passed unanimously. Hanson agreed with this decision since the
Historic Commission members are considered to be the experts in the field and the Council relies on their decisions.
625 "B" Street This application is for rebuilding the garage at this site. The only exterior change will be to convert the ramp
back to stairs. With a motion by Steele and second by Skibby, it was the unanimous decision to recommend approval of this
application to SHPO.
212 East Main Street The Commission reviewed the letter already submitted to SHPO by Knox. All concluded itwas a good
letter.
426 "B" Street The Commission had nothing to add to Knox's comments already forwarded to SHPO. The members agreed
the work will be worthwhile and is all interior.
OLD BUSINESS
Grant for National Register Web Site
Steele reported the text is complete and on disk. She asked for suggestions of a logo to put on each web page. The
Commissioners decided on a swan. It was also decided staff will send a letter to the owners of the structures, even though
they have already been contacted in person. The letter will have a short explanation of the project, will thank them for their
participation and inform them where they can find the web site. The text will also be included.
Ashland Public Library
Skibby reported the library is now looking for a scaled down version of the expansion. He will keep the Commission updated.
National Historic Preservation Week °7° May 9-15, 1999
The Commission will meet at noon in the Planning Department on May 10th to judge the nominations.
More NEW BUSINESS
595 North Main Street
Skibby passed around photos of the new building under construction and noted there is no trim around the windows. In
reviewing the plans which were submitted for the planning action, it seemed obvious to the Commission there was trim
depicted, however, the contractor has said there was no trim on the building plans and it is now impossible to add. The
Commission wants to go on record as vehemently recommending window trim at least 1" x 4" wide. Knox will have the
contractor meet with the Review Board May 6th to see if anything can be worked out. The members felt confident Ashland
Hospital Foundation would have enough pride in the building to make certain the exterior looked good.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
May 5, 1999
Commercial Plans
After discussing elevations which are submitted with the plans, especially for commercial buildings, Bill Emerson suggested
1/4" to 1' scale be required for all details. Foil also noted when large sets of plans come in for a planning action or a building
permit in the Historic District, it is important to go directly to the elevations, then follow the Historic Commission Design Review
form so no details are overlooked.
ADJOURNMENT
With a motion by Steele and second by Skibby, it was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at
9:50 p.m.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
May 5, 1999
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CALL TO ORDER: 7:30 p.m. - ASHLAND COMMUNITY CENTER - 59 Winburn Way
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 7, 1999
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
PLANNING ACTION 99-051 is a request for a Conditional Use Permit to
modify an existing accessory residential unit located at 143 Fourth
Street. Comprehensive Plan Designation: Multi-Family Residential;
Zoning: R-2; Assessor's Map #: 39 1E 09 BA; Ta× Lot: 7400.
APPLICANT: Bob Heyerman
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Review Board ~ appointments/volunteers
2. Grant for National Register Web Site - Update
3. Plans for Library - Update
4. National Historic Preservation Week Judging
5. Other
NEW BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT