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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-08-03 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION Minutes August 3, 1994 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jim Lewis at 7:40 p.m. Members present were Terry Skibby, H.L. Wood, Larry Cardinale, Jim Lewis, Casey Mitchell, Bill Harriff and Keith Chambers. Also present were Senior Planner Bill Molnar and Secretary Sonja Akerman. Chloe Winston and Steve Ennis were absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Wood moved and Chambers seconded to approve the Minutes of the July 6, 1994 meeting as submitted. The motion ipassed unanimously. STAFF REPORTS PA 94-106 Conditional Use Permit 125 North Main Street Elaine Martens Molnar explained the owner is requesting permission to expand the existing travellers' accommodation from three to four units. The additional unit will utilize existing basement area. The only proposed exterior changes include a stairwell and door leading to the unit on the east side of the house. Plans have been submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office and an approval response has been received. The parking area is adequate. Molnar also noted the target use would be a seven unit multi-family residential structure, so the fourth unit is keeping with the overriding zoning. Staff is recommending approval. Skibby asked about the door. Molnar said it will be gridded glass, and the trim will be toned down from the existing trim. When Chambers questioned the cut, Molnar said it has already been done and can be seen in one of Skibby's photos. Skibby said he feels comfortable with the request and moved to recommend approval of this application to the Planning Commission. Chambers seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. PA 94-107 Conditional Use Permit 299 Scenic Drive Bill Bachner Molnar explained the applicant would like approval for an accessory residential unit. The unit has been in existence since at least 1983, at which time a citation was issued to the previous owners because the unit was illegal. As a result, the kitchen was removed. Because the ordinance allowing accessory residential units was adopted a few years ago, this unit would now comply. The property is still very modestly developed, as only 15% of the total lot area is covered. Parking is adequate to accommodate the unit also. Mitchell stated she lives in the neighborhood and approval of this unit will not change anything. She then moved to recommend approval of this action. Cardinale seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. PA 94-112 Front Yard and Side Yard Variance 24 Dewey Street Donald Murray The owner of this lot, Molnar related, is requesting variances in order to build a nice house on a 4,340 square foot non-conforming lot which was created before zoning came into effect. Because it is on the corner, 6,000 square feet are now required. The variances are for architectural projections in the setback area. The actual footprint of the house complies with the setbacks. The seven foot front yard variance is being requested to accommodate an open porch which will face Dewey Street. The three foot variance on each side of the home is being requested to allow for encroachment of the roof eaves. The existing alley will be used for access. Based on the unique circumstances of the size and location of this lot, Staff is recommending approval. Skibby reported the applicant has met with the Review Board several times. Lewis noted that condition 6 requires the posts to be a minimum 6"x 6". These posts are actually less than 6". It was decided the condition should read standard 6" x 6"posts. Chambers said he liked the design but wondered if the roof pitch could be a little steeper. Don Murray stated the design is patterned after the Craftsman style, which doesn't usually have a steep pitch. Philip iLang, 758 "B" Street, asserted some Craftsman roof pitches go below 4 x 12. If it is above 6 x 12, it is too high. He added the issue is a matter of aesthetics. Murray clarified the roof pitch over the porch could get imposing and overbearing if it was too high. The Commission agreed. Skibby asked Murray about the siding. He said it will be stucco with horizontal or lap siding on the gable ends above the stucco. Skibby stated the wider eaves add to the design of the building. Lewis said he personally feels Ashland would get a lesser house if no variances were granted, and Chambers agreed Ashland will benefit from this home if built as proposed. When questioned about the old driveway cut, Molnar answered it will be reestablished, as the alley will be used for access. Skibby then moved to recommend approval of the variances and Harriff seconded the motion. It was unanimously passed. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes August 3, 1994 Page 2 BUILDING PERMITS Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of July follow: 164 Fifth Street 774 "C" Street 147 Van Ness Avenue 485 "A" Street 50 East Main Street 785 "A" Street 48 Fifth Street 266 Fifth Street 917 East Main Street 55 Granite Street 763 "B" Street 233 Fourth Street 44 North Main Street 64 North Pioneer Street Fred/Laura Perloff Myrtle Franklin Robert Hirschboeck Steve Hoxmeier Oregon Shakespeare Festival City of Ashland (Parks) Ashland Foursquare Church Ellen Downes Jerry & Debra Quast William Sauers Bonsell/Davidson Tom Frantz Trinity Episcopal Church Footlights Theatre Gallery Replace Windows Porch Remodel Carport/Shed Storage Warehouse Structural Upgrade Picnic Shelter Fellowship Hall Porch Demolition Remodel Porch Remodel Remodel Retail/Apartment Bldg Sign Sign REVIEW BOARD Following is the schedule (until the next meeting) for the Review Board, which meets every Thursday at least from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the Planning Department: August 4 August 11 August 18 August 25 September 1 Skibby, Mitchell and Winston Chambers, Wood and Skibby Skibby, Cardinale and Mitchell Skibby, Lewis, Cardinale and wood Skibby, Lewis and Winston OLD BUSINESS "A" Street Development Molnar stated Staff is in the beginning process of reevaluating and modifying the design standards, which were originally adopted in 1984. Also commencing are the final adoption of the Interim Heritage Landmarks List and the Historic Preservation Ordinance. Study sessions will be scheduled, then public hearings will be held. Molnar declared Staff would like a consensus from the Commission tonight concerning the design for the four remaining vacant lots in the Railroad Subdivision in order to point applicants in an agreed upon direction. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes August 3, 1994 Page 3 Skibby stated Fourth Street is commercial, but it is also wider than "A" Street. If not careful, a "tunnel" effect might result. Mitchell related there is a need to look at the big picture and what is behind the proposed buildings. The beauty of the hills in the distance needs to be considered. The new structures need to be harmonious with the open space. Lewis reported at previous meetings, a large portion of the Railroad neighborhood did not want a brownstone row look, and he feels they got something more compatible with the immediate area. The district tends to become more commercial going toward the new Golden-Fields building. Harriff discussed uses of the proposed buildings which dictate traffic. He stated the uses will make the area unbearable, not the buildings. Lewis responded the ordinances don't deal with usage, only square, footage. Harriff also said he does not feel the Site Design and Use Standards deals sufficiently with commercial buildings in the Historic District, as all the drawings are residential. Philip Lang stated his goal is to preserve the residential area of the Historic District. Parking can be a disaster and will spill over to the residential areas. He sees the conversion of residences in the Railroad District to commercial uses a big problem. Lewis said the Commission agreed with this and has had many discussions and study sessions on the subject. Bill Emerson, 90 Fifth Street, said he sees nothing wrong with B & Bs in the district, however, new structures which are strictly commercial (as the new dentist office on Fifth and "A" Streets) are a potential threat for the residential aspect to diminish. It is more economically feasible to have a business associated with a structure rather than strictly residential. He suggested temporary approval, so if it doesn't work, it may be possible to come up with something that will. Lang rebutted B & B guests are not the same as local owners that live in a neighborhood. Lewis stated that owners are required to live in the structure so he felt the ordinance addressed that. He also added B & Bs can easily revert back to single family residences, whereas an office is not as easy to convert. Lang stated it still is not the same. The business owner is doing business at a B & B. Front porch sociability is what is so great about residential areas. Chambers stated the critical thing to remember is that the area has been historically residential and now it is rejuvenating. There needs to be a vision in order to get the best situation with what is best for the area. The corners of Fourth and "A" Streets are anchor corners and are clearly conunercial. Vision is one thing, he added, but what you actually build is another. Lang stated there are two types of commercial -- one serves the area, but it is different now. Commercial development qoes not serve the local people. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes August 3, 1994 Page 4 Chambers said businesses clhange, and if it looks right, it doesn't matter about the use. If buildings are constructed and are abominations, the City is stuck. Emerson maintained beautiful scenery already exists, and there is a need for a mixture of commercial and residential in order to get the breaks so the hills can be seen. He also said the square footage dictates the use of the building. The Railroad District has never been all residential; if it were, it wouldn't survive. He said he does agree, however, the safe neighborhoods will be lost i.f cottage industries are lost. Ken Hagen, 548 Rock Street, questioned Molnar regarding the parking overflow, especially with respect to bike lanes and the removal of one side of the parking on "A" Street. Molnar answered parking on the north side of "A" Street is suppose to be removed, but it hasn't happened yet. Lewis and Harriff stated that may create more problems, because there will be no southbound bike lanes. Ron Thurner, 1170 Bellview Avenue, advised whatever is built on the corner of Fourth and "A" Streets will not only affect Peerless Hotel, but the area also. He asked the Commission to focus on the deficiencies of the documents, as he would like to see more clear cut standards. This does not go to the issue of use. Right now, he said, there is the potential of real ugly things happening on the remaining lots. Harriff said the Site Design Standards were developed more for residential areas, and he would like to see standards for commercial areas. Because of the scale and use, commercial does not look like residential. He declared he is searching for scale. He also said we need standards beyond personal viewpoints. Thurner agreed there is a variety of perceptions, but said there is a need to start working toward a consensus for the benefit of the developers and the Historic Commission. A consensus will make the Commission work as a more effective body. Harriff agreed with Chambers the corner lots (on Fourth and "A" Streets) are anchor lots, and he would like to see modern buildings with a reminiscent look. Skibby also said he felt the corner lots should be lilke the downtown commercial area buildings. Thurner interjected the Historic Commission has the authority to generate and set standards. "A" Street is in the detail site review zone, so the Commission has authority. It also has the authority to take a position. The applicant has the burden of proof to meet the compatibility issue. He needs to prove to the Commission it is the best design for that lot. Appropriate findings also need to demonstrate that. It is important to remember compatibility is not with the other buildings just approved. It is with what is already there. Thurner also noted compatibility should remain a little vague so everything does not look the same. (It was agreed to extend the meeting beyond 10:00.) Ashland Historic Commission Minutes August 3, 1994 Page 5 Molnar restated it is important to make clear how the Commission interprets the design standards. The burden of proof is on the applicant. Harriff moved to direct Staff to develop a paper for scale and lot placement for the development of Fourth and "A" Streets (lots 1, 2 and 3) to follow the tradition of buildings in that area, such as the Peerless Hotel at 243 Fourth Street, 287 Fourth Street (Mitchell- Powell Furnishings), and 215 Fourth Street (Bundini Building), incorporating existing design element standards. Chambers amended the motion to include a clear preference for masonry structures characteristic of the traditional commercial district in downtown Ashland. Cardinale seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed. Appeal Skibby reported the Planning Commission Hearings Board approved the Sign Code Variance requested by Grady and Susan Golden (The French Quarter) last month by a 2 to 1 vote. The Historic Commission voted 4 to 2 to recommend denial of the request. He said he is not in favor of the approval and would like the City Council to hold a public hearing on it. Chambers agreed and said it could set a precedence. Ken Hagen related he was at the Hearings Board meeting and he felt Barbara Jarvis, who opposed the request, implied this is the first step in chipping away at the integrity of the Sign Code Ordinance. Bill Emerson acknowledged it is a good ordinance as it is. Skibby moved to direct Staff to write a letter to the City Council addressing Historic Commission concerns. Chambers stated the City spent a lot of effort on the Sign Code Ordinance, and he does not. want the variance to set a precedence. He then seconded the motion and it was unanimo'usly passed. NEW BUSINESS Mitchell stated she feels strong guidelines with parameters are needed regarding color in the guidelines. This will be discussed at the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 p.m. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes August 3, 1994 Page 6