HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-11-08 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Minutes
November 8, 1995
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jim Lewis at 7:35 p.m. Members present
were Terry Skibby, Jim Lewis, Keith Chambers, Bill Harriff, Fredricka Weishahn, Larry
Cardinale, and Cliff Llewellyn. Also present were City Council Liaison Steve Hauck,
Planning Director John McLaughlin and Secretary Sonja Akerman. Members Bill Emerson
and Casey Mitchell were absent.
NEW MEMBER
Lewis introduced Cliff Llewellyn, who was appointed to replace Chloe Winston.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Skibby moved and Harriff seconded to approve the Minutes of the October 4, 1995 meeting
as submitted. The motion was unanimously passed.
STAFF REPORTS
PA 95-120
Site Review
88 Granite Street
Mark Reitinger
McLaughlin explained this request is for the construction of a substantial addition to the
Perozzi House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Mark Reitinger,
architect for the project, has been to the Review Board and attended the August 2nd
meeting of the full Commission. Since it is on the Register, review by the Historic
Commission is required. The City's local control is the Site Design and Use Standards,
which has been adopted by the City Council. Another level of review is by the State
Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Since the property has received the tax freeze benefit
for the last 14 years and will be under the special assessment through June 30, 1996, SHPO
approval would be needed prior to construction. The applicant's letter is in error, as it
stated this benefit had already lapsed. The proposal is to enlarge the master bedroom area
upstairs and construct a conservatory bridge to the existing guest cottage. The addition to
the upstairs would be visible from the front and side. Also, the existing flat roof from a
previous addition would become a pitch roof.
McLaughlin noted this was a tough decision for Staff. The owners are proposing the
remodel/addition to meet their specific needs. The architect has submitted the best design
of matching the existing home and it meets the standards we have in place, even though the
addition will be massive. He also related he called SHPO about this, but the plans have not
yet been submitted. Again, this is a different level of review. Unfortunately, McLaughlin
said, our standards do not refer to National Register status. We only have the text and
graphics in the Site Design documem.
Skibby recounted the Review Board commems. He said he personally objects to the change
of the from elevation and the double gable. He then passed around composites he did with
photos depicting the addition and how it will look from the front and side. Reitinger, he
related had presented an alternate design to the Review Board with a lower roof line,
however, the original design has been submitted. This is a major change to the front
elevation.
Lewis stated SHPO has stated in the past it is not looking for duplication. However, if there
is a need to increase the square footage, the roof will have to change. He said he has faith
in the architect, who is also cleaning up previous addition lines.
Chambers conveyed the front elevation as Skibby reconstructed in the photo does not feel
that bad to him. While it is not as successful from the side, he feels the front is probably
the best design for the addition.
Llewellyn asked if the hip roof were extended in from and moved back, would there be
enough head room. Lewis said there would not be, and added if there was more of a roof
line, it would be more massive. The gable, he said, is not that bad, and it would need some
architectural detail as shown in the plans. He again stated Reitinger is an excellem designer
and feels he thought about this addition quite a bit. He agrees it is massive, but said you
can't make everybody happy.
Weishahn said she feels this was a humble house to begin with. After looking at Skibby's
composite, she said she does not feel it looks so bad. In fact, another gable might accent
the original one. Skibby said he dislikes the double effect.
Chambers asked if Reitinger had submitted any alternative plans. McLaughlin and Skibby
said Reitinger had attempted to trim down the roof, but the owners felt the original design
would fit their needs better.
Harriff asked about SHPO review. McLaughlin answered if SHPO does not approve the
design, it is a possibility the owners would wait until the tax freeze was up in July, then go
ahead with the project. Harriff said the front elevation doesn't bother him. Often, items
are repeated and he likes the syrmnetry. He would not like to see this house taken off the
Register, however. He said he realizes citizens have passed tax relief laws such as the
special tax assessmem to help owners restore and rehabilitate structures. However, owners
have the right to make their homes more livable for them.
Skibby said the taxes have been reduced by $1260 this year, so the owners have saved
approximately $15,000 by being in the program.
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Minutes
November 8, 1995
Page 2
Chambers stated you always try to get the best out of a given situation, and overall, he sees
the design as a lot better than what we could be looking at. The owners will be putting a
lot of money into the addition and he feels they would want something tasteful.
Skibby asserted he did not want this to set a precedence. Harriff countered he hasn't seen
this in the past. Skibby then asked how the new ordinance would affect this property.
McLaughlin said the existing standards would still need to be used. Lewis added since
enough of the original house exists, it would still be an addition/remodel, not a demolition.
McLaughlin agreed.
Harriff asked what would happen if the Commission passed a motion, but asked for SHPO
input on concerns such as repetiveness and massiveness. Skibby said he would feel
comfortable with deferring these concerns to SHPO. McLaughlin noted SHPO has another
level of review and uses different criteria, as it has different concerns. It has to look at
National Register status. If the owners get a building permit without SHPO approval first,
they could be required to pay back taxes while under the special assessment program.
Lewis agreed with McLaughlin the design meets the existing criteria. McLaughlin admitted
there is a hole in reviewing National Register buildings.
Chambers moved to recommend approval of this Site Review, but with some reservations
that have to do with mass of the front gable addition and the extensive changes to the side
elevation, and would further like to see the Minutes sent to SHPO for its input. Harriff
seconded the motion. Weishahn noted she got the impression Reitinger had played around
with many different designs and feels he ended up with the most reasonable one. The
motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
AL Alsin~ - Historic Photos
--
A1 Alsing said he recognizes the Historic Commission is interested in historical projects, and
described one he is working on. He was able to obtain Glen Simpson's collection of
approximately 300 glass negatives depicting all aspects of the Ashland area from the late
1800s to the early 1900s. He is now working with Southern Oregon Historical Society
(SOHS) and would like to identify all the photos. In 1928, the Tidings did an article about
Newton DeHaven who used to work for Simpson. Simpson was going to throw away the
negatives, but DeHaven was able to obtain them. Craig Hofarth bought them from
DeHaven. Alsing said he had known about and tried to obtain the slides for 20 years, and
finally succeeded last year. He has since donated the glass negatives to SOHS with the
stipulation the entire set of photos be placed in the library. Before photos can be made
from the negatives, however, extensive work needs to be done on each one. SOHS has
thousands of glass slides from the Peter Britt collection, and cannot afford to take on this
project at this time, as it costs $55.00 to restore each slide, which is done in Seattle. Alsing
said a few Ashland residents have volunteered and donated some money, but more is
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Minutes
November 8, 1995
Page 3
needed. If anyone wants to donate money, it can be done through SOHS (with the
stipulation it go into the SIMPSON FUND). All help will be appreciated.
Alsing also said it was unknown who took most of the photos. Skibby said F.L. Camps took
some of them.
The Commission thanked Alsing for all the work he has done in getting the negatives.
BUILDING PERMITS
Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of
October follow:
347 North Main Street
323 High Street
353 East Main Street
268 Van Ness Avenue
270 Fourth Street
140 Central Avenue
98 Pine Street
201 Gresham Street
259 "B" Street
115 East Main Street
102 Will Dodge Way
629 "A" Street
Bob Dreiszus
Charles/Grace Walker
Dom Provost
Dennis Hofer
Frank Papen
Lois VanAken
Anne Pollack/Bob Kuenzel
Bill Ashworth
Steve Sacks
Blue Heron Gallery & Gifts
Low Down
The Listener
Remodel
Repair Porch
Repair Window
Remodel
Commercial Bldg
Enclose Deck
SFR
Remodel
Roof/Dormers
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:
November 9
November 16
November 23
November 30
Lewis and Skibby
Skibby, Weishahn, Lewis and Chambers(?)
Thanksgiving Day
Skibby, Weishahn, Cardinale and Llewellyn
OLD BUSINESS
Street Naming Committee
A list of possible street names was distributed. Lewis said the list was a result of going
through Marge O'Harra's First 130 Years, the Heritage Landmarks List, cemetery lists and
the 1900 Ashland census. McLaughlin suggested a brief context for each name because
Engineering requires a form to be filled out stating why the street name was chosen. Skibby
will set up another meeting, probably for November 29th at 4:00 in the Gresham Room
again.
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Minutes
November 8, 1995
Page 4
Golden Spike Marker
Lewis reported the Street Department wants the marker moved because it doesn't want
anything to happen to it. Right now, it is in the "B" Street yard, but large equipment moves
around inside the yard and it could get damaged. Since there is no place in the public right-
of-way to move it near its original location, it was decided to have it moved in the vicinity
of the new Railroad Park, with the spot to be picked by Lewis and Skibby.
Ashland Location of Southern Oregon Historical Society
Lewis reported he had met with Brian Almquist, Hauck, and the SOHS Board of Directors.
He said Almquist was very eloquent in speaking of the need to relocate an Ashland branch
of SOHS, and offered the Community Center as a possible site. Although Brent Thompson
was unable to attend the meeting, he had suggested the basement of Roger Ledbetter's
building on the corner of Third and East Main Streets, and wanted the Chamber of
Commerce involved. Hauck said the Board has had discussions on this and it sounds as
though it could happen. Lewis conveyed the budget was already set for this year, but in the
future it sounds good. Almquist will pursue the matter. In the meantime, the Board was
thinking of ways to start something as soon as possible with photos and displays it already
has in possession.
Chambers said the Dankook University building across from the Mark Antony is also a
possibility for periodic displays. He knows the owners and they would probably rather see
SOHS displays in their building than let it sit between their displays.
Historic Preservation Ordinance
McLaughlin reported that on November 16 at 7:00 p.m. in Wesley Hall (Methodist Church
on North Main Street), George Kramer will give a slide presentation on the Historic District
and will talk about why we have historic preservation. It will be an open house style where
interested people can ask questions. He said the Historic Commission should attend, and
will be notified.
He also noted the Board of Realtors sent a copy to the State Board, who in turn replied it
is concerned about the ordinance and will join Oregonians In Action to appeal it to the
Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) if necessary. He said he hasn't heard much from local
realtors.
Lewis commended Kramer's question and answer handout. He also noted he had talked
with Tim Bewley, who offered to do a call in show on the Historic Commission. Lewis
suggested the show focus on the ordinance.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
November 8, 1995
Page 5
NEW BUSINESS
Goals
Hauck reminded the Commission to send in the top three goals of the Historic Commission
to the City Council, as the Council will have its goal setting session soon.
The goals include the passage of the Historic Preservation Ordinance, obtaining Certified
Local Governmem (CLG) status, and revising the design standards.
ADJOURNMENT
It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m.
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Minutes
November 8, 1995
Page 6
ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Agenda
November 8, 1995
L
CALL TO ORDER: 7:30 p.m. -ASHLAND COMMUNITY CENTER
59 Winburn Way
11. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 4, 1995
III. STAFF REPORTS:
PLANNING ACTION 95-120 is a request for a Site Review to construct an addition
to the residence at 88 Granite Street (Perozzi House) which is on the National Register.
Comprehensive Plan Designation: Single Family Residential; Zoning: R-l-Z5;
Assessor's Map #: 9BC; Tax Lot: 2900.
APPLICANT: Mark Reffinger
IV. OLD BUSINESS:
A. Review Board ~ Appointments/Volunteers
B. Street Naming Committee Meeting Update
C. Placement of Golden Spike Marker
Report from Lewis regarding relocating Ashland branch of Southern Oregon
Histrocial Society
D. Other
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Historical Photos - Al Alsing
B. Other
VI. ADJOURNMENT