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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-02 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION Minutes February 2, 1994 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jim Lewis at 7:35 p.m. Members present were Jim Lewis, Terry Skibby, H.L. Wood, Le Hook, Casey Mitchell, Dana Johnson, Chloe Winston and Keith Chambers. Also present were Senior Planner Bill Molnar and Secretary Sonja Akerman. Steve Ennis was absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Wood moved and Hook seconded to approve the Minutes of the January 5, 1994 meeting as submitted. The motion passed unanimously. STAFF REPORTS PA 94-020 Conditional Use Permit and Variance 78 and 84 Fourth Street Rogue Environmental Incorporated Molnar reported three letters have been received in support of this application, which is to convert the building presently being used as the Waldorf School into an office building for Headwaters. Approval was granted for the school in 1990, and a two space parking Variance was also approved at that time. Waldorf School has the option to lease the building until August of 1995. The house will then revert back to residential use. The Historic Commission has had concerns of over-commercialization in residential zones, so this conversion should be a positive one. Headwaters has a seven member staff, and the office is open from 9:00 - 5:00. REI is also requesting a Variance for one parking space. Nine spaces are required. With the two on-street parking credits and the installation of a new curb where the current curb opening exists, Staff feels the request is reasonable. Given the site and structure, it is not feasible to convert the corner building into a residence, therefore, there is a need to insure the use is compatible with the residential zone. Staff feels this is a good use of the pr'operty. There will not be much traffic generated. The main concern is that this approval only be for Headwaters. If someone else wants to use the space, it will trigger another Conditional Use Permit. Molnar said one of the conditions of approval will be that a new curb be installed, the existing concrete apron be removed, and replaced by a planting strip which will be landscaped and street trees installed. Also, four of the six parking spaces will remain paved and the remaining two will need to be graveled. No new paving will be required. Skibby said the house is historically significant, as it appears in photos taken in the late 1800s, so it would be proper to return it to its residential use. Wood questioned if irrigation for the trees will be required, and suggested it should be made a part of the condition. Molnar said the ordinance already has requirements that the landscaping shall be maintained. John Stahmer, from Headwaters, said REI had the opportunity to buy the property, but was forced to buy both parcels. The understructure of the house needs major work, but is still rentable. It may be sold at a later date, but something would have to be worked out with the parking for the office which is located on that lot. Chambers expressed his concern about the parking on both parcels, especially the one with the house. The parking area encompasses the back yard. Winston stated it would be difficult to sell the house with the back yard being used as a parking lot. Molnar said one of the parking spaces will be shared between Headwaters and the house, and this will most likely be reflected on the deed. Joe Knotts, of REI, stated the traffic will change considerably. Headwaters will not produce much traffic. Stahmer said the long term goal is for Headwaters to purchase the property outright from REI rather than lease it, then split off the house and sell it. Chambers stated that although this property is now bound by current codes, in the past, the building functioned as commercial property without parking. Although the Commission is concerned about the parking area being located in the back yard of the house, Chambers moved to recommend approval of this application. Winston seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed. PLANS FOR 362 LITHIA WAY Contractor Don Greene presented plans for a second story addition on 362 Lithia Way. He has been working with the Review Board, but wanted input from the full Commission. Design aspects and colors were discussed. KAY ATWOOD - UPDATE ON CEMETERIES Kay Atwood updated the Commission on the progress she is making with regard to the National Register Nomination of the Ashland cemeteries. She also discussed work which has been initiated on the gravestones. The Commission agreed to write a letter to the Finance Director requesting she work with the members in devising a plan using accepted restoration methods. This is vital, especially since the City is close to submitting the nomination to the State Historic Preservation Office for Register status. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes February 2, 1994 Page 2 BUILDING PERMITS Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of January follow: 260 Vista Street 215 Gresham Street 561 "C" Street 117 Morton Street 360 Scenic Drive 40 Granite Street 125 North Main Street 176 East Main Street 110 Pine Street 758 "B" Street 482 Iowa Street 114 Third Street 599 East Main Street 253 East Main Street 60 North Main Street 325 "A" Street 485 East Main Street Sid DeBoer Katy and Don Cowan Sandy Simonett Georgia Daniels Stanley and Jean Jones Barry Peckham Elaine Martens Christian Science Gary Turner Ruth Miller/Philip Lang Roanne Lyall/D. Walker Paul Steinbroner Foursquare Church Travel Essentials Plaza Printing Center Blue Heron Gallery & Gifts Professional Center Demolition-SFR Addition/Remodel Demolition-Shed Addition Remodel/Addition Remodel Seismic Retrofit Interior Remodel Remodel Garage/Deck Demolition-Back Add'n Re-roof Demo-Fellowship Hall Signs (3) Sign Signs (2) 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: February 3 February 10 February 17 February 24 Hook, Johnson, Lewis and Skibby Winston, Lewis, Mitchell, Wood and Skibby Winston, Wood and Skibby Chambers, Mitchell and Skibby OLD BUSINESS Ad Hoc Committee for City Space Needs Lewis reported the committee has been meeting every Wednesday morning for the past month. All members agree more space is needed, however, currently there is a political/philosophical debate about which offices should remain downtown. Ideas on location and additions to existing buildings were discussed. The public is invited to attend these meetings. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes February 2, 1994 Page 3 Graffiti in Ashland Wood presented copies of the Grants Pass ordinance regarding graffiti. He and Skibby have talked with City Attorney Paul Nolte. Wood said he also talked with Police Chief Gary Brown, Policeman Mel Clements and Enforcement Officer Wendy Svaren. They would support an ordinance similar to the Grants Pass one. Wood will wait for feedback from the Commission members before sending anything to the City Council. Railroad Park Lewis said the Parks and Recreation Commission has approved the general plan of the new park. The Golden Spike Memorial and the Applegate Trail Plaque are still open to discussion. He would like to make the area as interpretive as possible. Since the park has a transportation theme, the plaque will be appropriate. NEW BUSINESS National Historic Preservation Week Skibby, Winston, Mitchell and Lewis will work on events for National Historic Preservation Week- May 8th through 14th. Seismic Retrofitting Skibby suggested that in light of the recent earthquakes near Klamath Falls, the Historic Commission help the Building Department by creating a brochure containing guidelines for seismic retrofitting of older buildings. The Commission agreed and Skibby will work on this with Staff. ADJOURNMENT It was the unanimous decision of the Historic Commission to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 p.m. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes February 2, 1994 Page 4