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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-08 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION Minutes October 8, 1997 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at Pioneer Hall by Chairperson Jim Lewis at 7:35 p.m. Members present were Jim Lewis, Terry Skibby, Dale Shostrom, Curt Anderson, Vava Bailey, Carol Abrahamson and Joan Steele (new member). Also present were Associate Planner Mark Knox and Secretary Sonja Akerman. Members Keith Chambers and Joyce Cowan were absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Anderson moved and Abrahamson seconded to approve the September 3, 1997 Minutes as submitted. The motion was unanimously passed. STAFF REPORTS There were no planning actions in the Historic District. NEW MEMBER Knox introduced the Commission's newest member, Joan Steele. HOUSE MOVE Knox explained Brad Roupp is seeking approval to move the house located at 209 Almond Street to the property he owns at 234 Seventh Street. Roupp related he has been looking for a house to move onto his property at the corner of "B" and Seventh Streets for about six years. He said he first became interested in the house at 209 Almond Street eight or nine years ago. When that property became available, he was interested in purchasing it, but found there was no easement that would give access to the lot. Because of its proximity, there is no driveway and currently no way to access the property. There are still a lot of unknowns regarding the house move, but he wanted to obtain approval for the move before he spent more time and money on the house. Roupp noted the construction of the house was odd and it will be difficult to remodel, but if it's feasible, he would like to do it. The house is 27 feet high and there are many obstacles between its present location and its proposed location. John Javna, owner of the houses located at 209 and 219 Almond Street, stated when he bought the house, he had no idea whether he could save the house or not. He hired contractor Paul Kay to clean it up, and remove the garbage and rotten wood. After spending $5,000, he decided that for him, it was not worth saving. He does not have the time, energy or money. He would like to see the house moved by Roupp in order to save it, as that is his only alternative. Knox asked Roupp to clarify the financial aspect of the move. Roupp explained he is a builder so it will not cost as much to do the work as it would for the current owner, who would have to hire someone to do the work. He said he also sees a difference in the value of the lots. The lot on Almond Street is worth at least $120,000, while his lot in the Railroad District is not valued that high. He already owns the lot in the Railroad District and it has enough square footage for a third residence. Roupp stated he does not believe it would be economically feasible for Javna to restore the house. Javna added he does not plan to build another structure on the property. It will become part of his yard. Lewis related several years ago a house on "B" Street had a fire and the owners wanted to demolish it. Luckily it was sold to someone who cared enough to restore it. The Pelton House is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Lewis said he has taken a number of old houses most people think should be demolished and restored them. It is a matter of how you look at them. He would like to see 209 Almond Street remain where it is and restored, however he understands it will most likely be demolished if it is left. He also said he has moved houses in Ashland before, and up to 30% of the cost involved in the restoration is moving it. Roupp said all that's left of the house now is the framing and exterior sheathing. He questions the merits of saving the house on the existing lot because of the value. Javna related he would have left the house in the condition it was if he had wanted to demolish it. Abrahamson asked Javna about his investment. He answered the property is adjacent to the one he owns and has been working on, which will be come his family home in November. He bought the 209 Almond Street property so he would have some control over the adjacent property, but practically speaking, it was a bigger task than he anticipated. He cleaned it up, had many contractors take a look at it, but can't put his family through another restoration project now. The house he is working on next door has cost much more and taken much longer than he had hoped. He added the decision needs to be made soon. Knox stated he would like to mitigate the issue of an easement for the future to provide access to the lot. Javna said he would be wiling to do what's reasonable, but couldn't make a decision without consulting with his wife and an attorney. Anderson said he, along with many other Ashland citizens, has noticed and admired the house over the years. It is aesthetically in a nice location where it is, but he also feels it will look nice in the Railroad District. Roupp said he would really like to have the permission to move the house, but he has a long way to go. If he has to cut off the roof, it wouldn't be worth it. Lewis stated he supports the move and would be willing to write a letter to the City to help expedite the move. Anderson moved and Skibby seconded to recommend approval of moving the house currently located at 209 Almond Street to the City Council, with the understanding Roupp will still need to obtain Planning Commission approval for the proposed location. The motion was unanimously passed. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes October 8, 1997 Page 2 BUILDING PERMITS Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of September follow: 374 East Main Street 58 Bush Street 640 Iowa Street 174 Church Street 585 Siskiyou Boulevard 384 North Laurel Street 646 Iowa Street 773 "B" Street 365 Pearl Street 275 East Main Street 748 Siskiyou Boulevard 51 Water Street #222 71 Water Street Andy South Ruby Whalley Randy Merrick Dave Hoxie Safeway Greg Chandler Randy Merrick Catherine Ellis Sam & Katie Worcester Ashland Drug ABC Christian Daycare Ashland Creek Bldg Ashland Creek Condos Trash Enclosure Rear Deck SFR Remodel Reroof Addition SFR Remodel/Addition Addition Sign Sign Sign Sign REVIEW BOARD Following is the schedule (until the next meeting) for the Review Board, which meets every Thursday from 3:00 to at least 3:30 p.m. in the Planning Department: October 9 October 16 October 23 October 30 Anderson, Bailey and Skibby Skibby, Abrahamson and Steele Skibby, Abrahamson and Shostrom Skibby, Steele and Bailey OLD BUSINESS Project Assignments for Planning Actions PAll Address I Person(s) Assigned 96-063 62-66 East Main Street Terry Skibby 96-058 264 Van Ness Avenue Jim Lewis 96-086 685 "A" Street Curt Anderson/Jim Lewis 96-110 499 Iowa Street Joyce Cowan 96-112 249 "A" Street Jim Lewis 96-139 545 "A" Street Terry Skibby Ashland Historic Commission Minutes October 8, 1997 Page 3 97-014 20 South First Street Joyce Cowan 96-143/97-030 136 North Second Street Terry Skibby 97-018 661 "B" Street Jim Lewis 97-039 78 Sixth Street Jim Lewis 97-053 565 "A" Street Jim Lewis 97-082 872 "B" Street Dale Shostrom OLD BUSINESS Downtown Design Review Committee Knox reported the committee is still moving forward with the design standards. Goal Setting/Orientation Meeting The goal setting/orientation meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 3rd. Knox asked that all members keep their schedules open from 2:00 on. More detail will be discussed at the November meeting. NEW BUSINESS Conference With Other Historic Commissions Knox said he talked with a planner from Jacksonville who would like to have a joint training conference for Historic Commission members. The Commission agreed it would be beneficial to have a joint conference with other Historic Commissions in the area. More will be discussed at subsequent meetings. Joint Public Meeting Knox reported there will be a joint public meeting on Tuesday, October 28th with the Planning Commission regarding the Railroad District nomination to the National Register. ADJOURNMENT It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes October 8, 1997 Page 4 O tober ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION Agenda October 8, 1997 Ie CALL TO ORDER: 7:30 p.m. - ASHLAND COMMUNITY CENTER 59 Winburn Way II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 3, 1997 III. STAFF REPORTS: NO PLANNING ACTIONS IN HISTORIC DISTRICT THIS MONTH IV. HOUSE MOVE House Move from 209 Almond Street to 234 Seventh Street V. OLD BUSINESS: A. Review Board >> appointments/volunteers B. Downtown Design Review Committee Update C. Goal Setting/Orientation Meeting - December 3rd - Discuss D. HPLO Governor's Conference (October 3rd & 4th) - Discuss E. Other VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Joint Public Meeting on Tuesday, October 28th with Planning Commission Regarding Railroad District Nomination to the National Register B. Other VII. ADJOURNMENT