HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-10-04 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Minutes
October 4, 1995
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jim Lewis at 7:38 p.m. Members present
were Terry Skibby, Jim Lewis, Casey Mitchell, Keith Chambers, Bill Harriff and Bill
Emerson. Also present were City Council Liaison Steve Hauck, Associate Planners Mark
Knox and Kelly Madding, and Secretary Sonja Akerman. Members Fredricka Weishahn and
Larry Cardinale were absent. Chloe Winston resigned and has not yet been replaced.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Lewis stated on page 7 of the September 6, 1995 minutes, the minutes should reflect he
commented rather than reported on the study session because he did not attend the meeting.
Emerson then moved to approve the minutes as corrected and Skibby seconded the motion,
which passed with all voting aye except Chambers, who abstained because he was absent last
month.
STAFF REPORTS
PA 95-099
Conditional Use Permit, Site Review and Variance
493 North Main Street
Catalina Physical Therapy Group
Skibby moved and Mitchell seconded to stand by the Commission's motion from last month
(as noted below). The motion passed unanimously.
Skibby moved to recommend approval of this action with the requirement horizontal siding, with
ornamental shingles on the gable ends be used. Weishahn seconded the motion and it passed
will all voting aye except Hardff, who voted nay.
PA 95-101
Conditional Use Permit
144 North Second Street
Interfaith Care Community of Ashland (ICCA)
Knox introduced Kelly Madding, Associate Planner/Housing Officer, then read the Staff
Report. He stated the application is for a professional counseling office/resource center.
No exterior changes are proposed other than a wheel chair ramp, which the Historic
Commission will review prior to being issued the building permit. The resource center will
provide office space for counseling services provided by a case manager, showers to allow
clients to clean up prior to job interview, laundry facilities, a play room for children, storage
for donated items, a kitchen so that families can prepare a meal, and a space for clients to
make phone calls for job interviews and to find housing. Priority for emergency services will
be given to families. Given the size of the lot, 7100 square feet, the target use is two
residential units or a duplex. Three parking spaces would be provided, two in the rear and
one on-street space.
Knox related Staff believes the proposal will have a minimal impact on the livability of the
surrounding neighborhood. Letters have been received in support and in opposition to the
use. Four letters have been received from property owners in the vicinity of the existing
ICCA office who were not even aware the facility existed in the Clark Avenue/Harmony
Lane area. Staff is sensitive, however, to the concerns raised by neighbors and is dedicated
to maintaining the neighborhood's residential character. The applicants have stated no
overnight camping will be allowed. Knox went on to say the R-2 zoning encompasses mixed
uses. Since this is a non-profit organization, it will not be a commercial operation, nor will
it solicit sales of products or services to people outside the area. The figures submitted
depict an operation more closely associated with the impacts of a home occupation (no
more than eight cars per day) than a commercial venture. Knox related most ICCA clients
arrive by foot or public transportation.
Criteria, Knox stressed, is what needs to be addressed. Staff feels the applicant has shown
the proposal will conform to the Conditional Use Permit criteria. He then read each
criteria with Staff comments and the Conclusions and Recommendations. Staff's opinion
is based on the criteria and target use for the property.
Skibby asked if another Conditional Use Permit would be required if the applicant wants
to expand its use. Knox said it would be subject to a modification of condition. He also
added the approval could be revoked if the conditions were not followed.
When Lewis questioned the lack of mixed use, Knox clarified the clients would not be
sleeping overnight. Lewis said mixed use has been beneficial in the Railroad District and
might be something to consider.
Harriff asked what the hours would be and Madding said 9:00-5:00/five days a week. When
he asked why ICCA was moving from its present location, Madding said they are in a very
small office and need more space. Also, it would like to provide more services. She then
explained ICCA was awarded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money, which
was adopted in the budget approved by the City Council. ICCA wanted to focus on a
residence because it was in its budget and would be near transit lines and stores. Harriff
asked if the expanded services were taken into account. Knox said even if the
services/clients doubled, it would still be within the target use. Harriff responded that area
already has traffic and parking problems.
Chambers said the applicant's findings and support letters refer to services currently being
provided. However, it seems to him the proposed use with expanded services would
generate a higher impact on the neighborhood. If the office will be a more commodious
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
October 4, 1995
Page 2
place with a more homey atmosphere, it will be quite a bit of a change because people will
want to spend more time there. He said it seems like a false extrapolation to him.
Skibby questioned the exterior activities. Knox said two parking spaces and a play area with
swings for children will be in the rear. Skibby said in his obsepeation, the location impacts
a wider area because of the rear yards of the existing houses in the area. Knox added the
applicants do not plan on using the church parking area.
Emerson stated it bothers him the ramp is not a part of the application. He would like the
Historic Commission/Review Board recommendation to be binding. Knox said that would
not be a problem.
Mitchell said she would like to comment that the Staff Report has stated no incidences have
been reported. She referred to the letter submitted by the Weishahns, who have already
had numerous incidences with transients trespassing on their property, including the use of
their spa. The letter stated that on several occasions, homeless individuals had come to the
church looking for assistance, but since it was after hours, they have come to their home.
Knox stated the use is not even there yet, so this does not relate. The problems are
associated with the church and not ICCA. Mitchell remarked that it does relate. Because
of the use, it will have more of an impact and she feels there is a discrepancy.
Harriff commented there is now a concern with the existing facility (the church) in the
neighborhood serving the homeless/down-and-out people. Now, with an approved facility,
when people show up after 5:00, how will the facility meet the neighbors' concerns? Knox
responded Staff has looked at these concerns and with a Conditional Use Permit, it can be
revoked. Harriff, however, said that now, the people who show up after 5:00 will have no
place to go.
Chambers stated that in the Staff Report, the tone sounds as though this discussion is
irrelevant because Staff has implied this is already a "done deal", and he doesn't want to
waste the meeting time of the Commission if the concerns will not be heard. Knox
apologized and said he did not mean to downplay citizen concerns. Staff believes that based
on the criteria and state laws, this application has met the conditions of approval.
Chambers said this may be true, however there is value to the fact that the Staff Report
stated there will be no adverse impact on the livability of the neighborhood, yet there are
signatures of 25 + people who have concerns. If a duplex or single family residence were
proposed for the property, he would have no problem with approval. Chambers went on
to say the approval of this proposal constitutes the loss of affordable housing. In the
Railroad District meetings, the neighborhood clearly stated it did not feel there should be
more commercial use in the affected area. Madding responded livability is a legitimate
issue. There is an indication of what type of neighbor ICCA would be through the letters
of support. She also said the house is listed at over $140,000, which is not considered to be
"affordable" on the real estate market.
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Minutes
October 4, 1995
Page 3
Lewis commented if you look at the planning action and strip away the applicant, he sees
mixed use as having more viability here than an office without a residence. He attended
all the Railroad District meetings and there were scores of people who felt the same way.
Property owners have problems with no residential use in the houses.
Beula Smith stated she has owned the property at 159 Second Street since 1970. It has been
a very pleasant area. She is not adverse to people in the area, but is adverse to the impact.
If it was just a counseling office, it would be different; however, with what has been
presented, it will not stay the same as with the existing office. She said she also feels the
house is too small for what is proposed. She was required to provide three parking spaces
for a one family rental. Another point is there are currently 43 postal employees, the
majority of which use the church parking lot. The pragmatics are that the services that have
been handled by the ICCA can be accommodated in that house, but to propose a shower,
laundry and meal facilities will go into 24 hours a day needs. She added there are other
vacant places around town with plenty of parking (i.e. Ashland Shopping Center). Hauck
and Harriff said under the parameters of the CDBG, there is not enough money to rent
commercial space such as this.
Sue Crader, applicant for ICCA, addressed the showers, laundry and free meals. She said
the facility will not provide free meals. Families that have no where else to go will have
access to a microwave during the day to warm up food for their children, so this is not
available to everyone. Showers and laundry are also not available to everyone. The facility
is not designed for that. ICCA is trying to give tools to those who can clean up to find their
way off the streets. This is not to provide support for sustaining the lifestyle of people who
chose to live off the streets.
Harriff questioned Crader about the number of people served. She said based on the
current statistics, 1029 different people were served last year, with over 3000 requests. She
said she expects this to go up slightly, but not significantly. Skibby asked for clarification.
Crader said the number she gave was physical visits, not phone requests, so that would
average one person visiting three times. Harriff then asked about the mail facilities. Crader
said the use of its post office box has been allowed in the past, as has the use of the phone.
She also doesn't anticipate a change in this.
Crader then said should the proposal be granted approval, she would hope to have a
positive impact on the neighborhood, and would like to work with the neighbors. If a
transient is seen hanging around, someone would interact with that person to help provide
services, but only during working hours. She also informed the Commission the police have
agreed to provide more patrols in the area.
Emerson remarked the neighborhood has had many locations turned into businesses. From
9:00 to 5:00 someone is present, then at night, the house is dark. He asked what the
applicant proposed to do about the many transients in the Railroad District and asked if
that area was ever recommended. Crader said she has never recommended anyone go to
the Railroad District to sleep down by "A" Street. She also said there have been no police
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
October 4, 1995
Page 4
reports in the block where the existing ICCA office is located in the past year. Hauck
clarified there have been no police reports either in the existing neighborhood or in the
proposed neighborhood. Emerson then stated the office will be moving from an area
without many transients to an area with transients, generated mainly from the tracks.
Crader said there are transients in the existing area because of Garden Way Park and the
eating establishments on that portion of Siskiyou Boulevard.
Will Brown, owner of 139 Second Street, said he would like to remind the Commission this
is in an historically residential area, with a proposed commercial use. If approved, the
entire block on that side of the street will be non-residential. He is currently remodeling
his house to be a duplex and said he would like the neighborhood to remain residential.
All the neighbors are against ICCA locating its counseling office here because they have all
had problems, and that should not be taken lightly. He also wanted to remind the
Commission the Weishahn property is directly affected.
Marian Hothchild, real estate agent for ICC& stated that in talking with people at her
church, she found many neighbors had a misconception about housing for the homeless.
This will not be a homeless shelter.
Doris Kimball, listing agent for the seller, said it seems to her something is trying to be
preserved that's already gone -- the residential character of the street. In the short amount
of time the house was shown, only four families considered the house, but felt it was too
congested. The majority of the people wanted it for commercial uses. She also clarified it
is listed at $144,900 (and was appraised at $149,000), so it is not considered to be affordable
housing.
Emerson said the Railroad District is perceived as turning into a commercial area, but it is
not, nor is the intent to be a commercial area. It was never intended to be another
downtown. Lewis added it is the hope of the Railroad District neighborhood to get criteria
for the Railroad Plan.
Pauline Sullivan said she has been a resident of Ashland since 1961. It is inevitable a
business be located there. She feels the objection is not for the business, but for those who
are needy.
When asked about the type of activity that will go on at the site, Crader said there will be
no loitering/no hanging around. Clients who are using the facility may be utilized to help
maintain the property, however. She also added the playground equipment in the back yard
would be for use of clients only. When Skibby asked how large the playground would be,
Crader responded there will only be a swing set.
Harriff asked Crader how many clients are served on a busy day. She said probably
between 20-25. When he asked how they arrived, she said mostly on foot or by transit.
Harriff then asked how long each visit took and she responded only a few minutes. The
longest length of time would be two hours if someone was in a crisis condition. She also
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
October 4, 1995
Page 5
wanted it to be known many of her clients work. Harriff then asked where most clients are
residents, and she said they are from Ashland and they are not all homeless. Harriff
questioned if her clients were typically the transient type who would arrive after hours and
have no where to go. Crader answered she has not had any clients like that. She then
added she has had special training sessions with the Police Department for information
sharing.
Pauline Sullivan stated that people tend to fear the unknown, and are not comfortable with
this application because they haven't experienced anything like it themselves. Doris Kimball
suggested Commissioners and neighbors visit the ICCA office in order to base their
decisions on fact rather than fear. Lewis agreed and said the Planning Commission
members should make a point of visiting the existing office on Clark Avenue and Harmony
Lane in the Seventh Day Adventist facility.
Emerson related he feels the Railroad District has had more of an open arm policy to
facilities like this in the past (Dunn House and Pinel House), and they didn't have much
negative impact. There was someone there, however, 24 hours a day. He said he is
bothered by the lack of residential use. Harriff asserted the property probably would not
be sold for residential use no matter what. The neighbors would have to change the zoning.
Lewis fears the realtors have already written off the street as residential. Mitchell
maintained the Commission needs to listen to the citizens and the Railroad Plan. With all
the time and effort put into the Plan, what's the point if no one listens?
When asked about revocation, Knox said the neighbors could complain. Harriff and
Emerson suggested the Conditional Use Permit be approved for one year, then reviewed
again. Lewis agreed and said the neighbors would feel better knowing there would be some
recourse if they had problems with the operation. Harriff asserted this is not an "unknown".
He has seen many homeless people, but the clients involved with ICCA are those on the
margin who are trying to get out of the hole. He also does not feel there would be traffic
congestion because most of these people walk.
Harriff then moved to recommend approval of this action to the Planning Commission with
the condition it be reviewed in one year, and also the condition the wheelchair ramp be
subject to approval by the Review Board. Emerson seconded the motion. Chambers
maintained the need to say something about all the letters received. Harriff withdrew his
motion (Emerson withdrew his second) to ask about the recourse of the Conditional Use
Permit if there are serious problems and a year is not up. Knox said if there are valid
complaints, Staff will investigate and the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing.
Harriff then resubmitted his motion and Lewis seconded. Chambers said he still had
concerns and felt the criteria had not been met except by verbal assurance. Knox reiterated
there will be a review by the Planning Commission based on complaints by the neighbors.
Staff will also provide evidence. The motion carried with Skibby, Harriff, Lewis and
Emerson voting aye, and Chambers and Mitchell voting nay.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
October 4, 1995
Page 6
BUILDING PERMITS
Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of
September follow:
882 "B" Street
157 North Main Street
151 Wimer Street
415.Lithia Way
Lance/Annette Pugh
Glenn/Debra Lunchies
Lee Goebel
Rogue Federal Credit Union
Garage Conv.
Reroof
Reroof
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 5
October 12
October 19
October 26
November 2
Skibby and Harriff
Cardinale, Lewis and Skibby
Lewis, Mitchell and Skibby
Cardinale, Lewis, Harriff and Skibby
Cardinale, Mitchell, Skibby and Chambers
OLD BUSINESS
Street Naming Committee
Skibby reported the next meeting will be October 25th at 4:00 p.m. in the Gresham Room
(at the library).
NEW BUSINESS
"B" Street Development
Emerson commented on the Fred Cox development between "A" and "B" Streets, which has
been appealed to the City Council. Even though the majority of the development is not in
the Historic District (and therefore, was not formally discussed at a regular meeting), the
access is in the District. Emerson said that he attended the City Council meeting as Historic
Commission liaison because of concerns raised in a previous Commission meeting that "A"
Street will never be a through street if approved as proposed. It is the Commission's
conviction the private drive should line up with "A" Street. Hauck noted the developer
waived the 120 day requirement for a decision, and that it will be heard at the October 17th
City Council meeting.
Applegate Trail Marker
Skibby reported since the Applegate Trail Marker has not been placed yet, he would like
to see it situated in the rose garden in the new Railroad Park (as previously approved by
the Commission) and dedicated on Heritage Sunday, which will be June 30, 1996. Heritage
Ashland Histo.ric Commission
Minutes
October 4, 1995
Page 7
Sunday will be focusing on the Applegate Trail since it will be the 150th anniversary in 1996.
He also noted a wagon train will be coming through on the Applegate Trail (not on
Heritage Sunday) and stopping at the museum.
Emerson moved and Mitchell seconded to dedicate the Applegate Trail Marker on Heritage
Sunday, June 30, 1996, and encourage the City to take part in the celebration. The motion
passed unanimously.
Historic Plaza Area
Emerson said he would like to entertain the idea of submitting the "Historic Plaza" area to
the National Register. The area would encompass the two fountains and can be seen in old
photos. He asserted someone on the Historic Commission should take this on and learn
how to research nominations. Skibby noted it takes a tremendous amount of research for
nominations and said that as with the cemetery, there may be funds available in the future.
Knox volunteered to write a grant proposal. Emerson emphasized the importance of only
including the original plaza area, not the entire area as it is today.
Southern Oregon Historical Society
Lewis said he, along with Steve Hauck, Brent Thompson and Brian Almquist, will be
meeting with Southern Oregon Historical Society in order to discuss the feasibility of
relocating a presence in Ashland. He will report at the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
With a motion by Skibby and second by Emerson, it was the unanimous decision of the
Commission to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
October 4, 1995
Page 8
ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Agenda
October 4, 1995
L
III.
Ire
CALL TO ORDER: 7:30 p.m. -ASHLAND COMMUNITY CENTER
59 Winburn Way
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 6, 1995
STAFF REPORTS:
PLANNING ACTION 95-099 is a request for a Site Review and Conditional Use
Permit to construct a professional office at 493 North Main Street. ~1 Variance is being
requested to reduce a rear and side yard setback from ten feet to six feet.
Comprehensive Plan Designation: Multi-Family Residential; Zoning: R-2; ~lssessor's
Map #: 5DA; Tax Lot: 6900.
APPLICANT: Catalina Physical Therapy Building
PLANNING ACTION 95-101 is a request for a Conditional Use Permit for a
professional office (counseling) at 144 No. Second Street. The office will provide a
variety of services for disadvantaged families and individuals in the ~lshland arec~
Comprehensive Plan Designation: Multi-Family Residential; Zoning: R-2; Assessor's
Map #: 9BA; Tax Lot 9200.
APPLICANT: Interfaith Care Community of Ashland (ICCA)
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Review Board ~ Appointments/Volunteers
B. Street Naming Committee Meeting Update
C. Other
NEW BUSINESS
VI. ADJOURNMENT