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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-28 Historic MINJOINT STUDY SESSION ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION Minutes October 28, 1997 City Council Chambers Present were City Councilor Steve Hauck; Planning Commission members Mike Morris, Mike Gardiner, Chris Hearn and Marilyn Briggs; Historic Commission members Jim Lewis, Joan Steele and Keith Chambers; and Staff members Planning Director John McLaughlin, Senior Planner Bill Molnar, Associate Planners Mark Knox and Maria Harris, and Secretary Sonja Akerman. At 7:00 p.m., McLaughlin welcomed the citizens in attendance and explained this is the first meeting in preparing the Railroad District nomination for the National Register of Historic Places. For the past 20 years, the City of Ashland has recognized the importance of its heritage and of preserving its resources. During neighborhood meetings over the years, the Railroad District property owners have also realized the significance of historic designation for their community. The City of Ashland recently received a grant from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to undertake the study and preparation of the nomination. McLaughlin then introduced Historic Preservation Consultant George Kramer, who has been secured by the City to do this work. Kramer clarified the National Register of Historic Places is a federal program that was established in 1966 after a group of mayors went to Congress and President Johnson seeking protection of their historic resources. It is administered by the National Parks Service and is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate and protect our historic and archeological resources. Kramer then showed slides and gave a brief history of the Railroad District. He also explained the process of his work, which will include the documentation of each property. There will be more public meetings, hearings before the Historic Commission, Planning Commission and City Council, and two state hearings before the recommendation is forwarded to the National Park Service. Kramer related that other than attending the public hearings, his nomination work should be completed by May of 1998. If everything goes according to schedule, Ashland could have its first National Register District by June of 1999. -- Questions from the audience included: Why is it desirable for the Railroad District to be on the National Register? Kramer answered that identifying the City's cultural and historical resources is part of the Comprehensive Plan. From an owner's standpoint, access to certain financial incentives is desirable, as is the possibility of a 15 year tax freeze. Commercial property owners would also be eligible for a federal investment tax credit. He also noted the Railroad District has worked hard over the years to become a separate entity. What would be the disadvantages to National Register status? Kramer said there would be few disadvantages. Regulations would remain the same as they are now whether on the National Register or not. Are there other National Register Historic Districts in the area? Kramer stated the Medford Downtown District is in its first hearing stage with the State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation, then the recommendation will go to the National Park Service. Districts already on the National Register are the South Oakdale and Geneva-Minnesota Districts in Medford, Downtown Grants Pass, the City of Jacksonville, three districts in Roseburg, a district in Coos Bay and three districts in Eugene. What can we expect from our tax assessment? Kramer said due to Measure 50, there is a 3% tax limitation on property now so it can't increase significantly. Individual properties in a designated National Historic District are eligible to apply for a 15 year tax freeze if they meet certain rehabilitation requirements. What about non-historic additions that are already existing? Kramer responded the State and Federal governments recognize there are changes that occur in structures over the years. If there is a dramatic or character altering addition, it may cause the structure to be "de-listed" What types of properties does the National Register include? Kramer answered it includes buildings, districts, objects, structures and sites. It does not include trees. What other districts in Ashland are being considered for National Register status? McLaughlin related there are three other districts that are part of the Ashland Historic District - the Commercial District, Skidmore-Academy District, and Siskiyou-Hargadine District. They would each warrant eventual National Register status. Wasn't there a survey of historic properties in the 1980s7 Kramer said the inventory for the Landmarks List began in 1 984 and was resumed in 1988. Scott Clay did the initial work and Kay Atwood completed the survey. What is a "determination of eligibility"7 Kramer answered this means the State has formally declared the Railroad District is eligible for listing on the National Register. This came about in 1 987 when a neighborhood group from the Railroad District formed to prohibit the placement of a microwave antenna on tOp of the Pacific Northwest Bell building at the corner of Sixth and East Main Streets. It was denied at the federal government level because of the group's efforts in the realization of the historic nature of the Railroad District. The Railroad District was "protected" Neighborhood groups were also formed to oppose the construction of a substation on "A" Street, to acquire a park, and to work on a neighborhood plan. So there have been strong past efforts working toward this. What is the period of significance for being listed? Kramer stated in a "district", the period of significance refers to a time period. Normally, structures need to be at least 50 years old, however if they are integral parts of a district that meet the criteria but aren't that old, they could qualify. Joint Study Session Minutes October 28, 1997 Will we be able to pick up a profile of our property when the research is completed? Kramer said there will be copies in the Planning Department and at the library. What are the boundaries of the Railroad District? Kramer answered the actual boundaries still need to be determined and it is necessary they be justified. Can owners of property already on the National Register build more structures on their property? Kramer said new structures could still be built but would have to be secondary in nature. The National Register structure would need to remain of primary significance. Will this give the Planning Department more control? McLaughlin stated the City has already recognized the historic nature in the Railroad District and has been regulating the area accordingly in the past twenty years. If the City Council decides it would be necessary to take another level of review, it would be a local decision, not state or federal. Hauck expressed his frustration with the opinion many people have that with National Register status there will be more restrictions. He emphasized this would not result in additional restrictions. Local restrictions would not be a result of National Register status. McLaughlin confirmed this and restated it will be the same as in the past twenty years. Will this nomination go forward regardless of what property owners think? McLaughlin said the City is moving ahead with this project. He said he hasn't heard of any opposition. Are there any other benefits of being on the National Register? Kramer said another benefit would be the flexibility of building codes. The Building Official has the authority to waive certain building codes for historic structures. When questioned about the commercial incentive, Kramer replied there is a federal 20% investment tax credit. In order to receive this benefit, a commercial property is required to be either retail or industrial and if an apartment building, it must have four or more rooms. A bed & breakfast would not qualify. Therefore, it is not likely many residential structures will convert to commercial structures. Will we have to open our house once a year? Kramer said you would need to provide an open house only if you are taking advantage of the special assessment, and this would be on an individual basis. What will happen to our property values? Kramer stated that over time, owners should realize a higher resale value. This is because the historic character of the district will be recognized. Zelpha Hutton, who owns a house on the National Register, stated it was not a big deal and was not that complicated to get her plans approved at SHPO. She also said that rooms in her house used to be rented out and that nearly every year she has had an open house, people that had previously rented rooms stop by, so it is like relatives coming by to say hello. Not all the rooms need to be open. Also, you can chose the day you want for the open house. The meeting adjourned at 8:1 7 p.m. Joint Study Session Minutes October 28, 1997