HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-09-08 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Minutes
September 8, 1993
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jim Lewis at 7:40 p.m. Members present
were Jim Lewis, Terry Skibby, H.L. Wood, Dana Johnson, Keith Chambers, Steve Ennis and
Chloe Winston. Also present was Secretary Sonja Akerman. Le Hook was absent and Nan
Hannon is resigning.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Skibby moved and Johnson seconded the Minutes of the August 4, 1993 meeting be
approved as submitted. The motion passed unanimously.
STAFF REPORTS
PA 93-093
Site Review
Northwest Corner of Fifth and "A" Streets
J. Ellen Austin
Lewis explained this proposal is for a commercial building containing three apartments. It
came before the Commission two months ago, then was withdrawn because the owner was
having difficulty obtaining a loan. Also, she was requested to modify the design of the
building in order to reflect the actual layout and elevations. She is now requesting to
construct a building which will accommodate three apartments (35% of the building) and
commercial space (65%).
J. Ellen Austin, when asked, confirmed she will occupy one of the apartments. Jerome
White, her designer, explained the changes from the previously submitted drawings.
Skibby said the style is reminiscent of the depot, which stood on the same site for many
years. The Commission agr.eed the design has greatly improved since it was first submitted.
Chambers commended the owner and designer, then moved to recommend approval of this
action to the Planning Commission. Wood seconded the motion and it was unanimously
passed.
PA 93-116
Conditional Use Permit
117 North Main Street
Blanche Chick
Lewis explained this application is for a three unit traveller's accommodation. In reading
the Staff Report, he said there were five concerns, two of which are the internal square
footage of the house and the inadequate evidence of easement access to the alley.
Steve Jannusch, Planning Consultant for the owner, stated he was only apprised that day of
Staff concerns. The property is located in the middle of two other traveller's
accommodations that use the alleys for access. The owner has an easement for the use of
the privately owned portion of the alley and they are working on the documentation now.
Access will be via Church Street, and departure will be out High Street. Guests will be
informed of the one-way alley usage. Nothing on the exterior will change in the near future.
If approval is granted, the owner will submit plans for a French door in the rear of the
house. That would be the only change. The house has 1,800 square feet. A floor plan will
be submitted for the Planning Commission meeting. Each unit will contain 400 square feet,
which will leave the owner's unit with 600 square feet.
Ennis questioned if everything which is now lacking will be submitted before the Tuesday
Planning Commission meeting or if it would be heard again in October. Jannusch said
everything will be in prior to the 14th.
Ennis then inquired about interior changes. Bob McGuire, 310 York Street, answered the
wiring will be brought up to code, and two bathrooms will be added upstairs.
Skibby asked about the landscaping. Jannusch explained which trees will be removed and
said three parking stalls will be created, using brick pavers. McGuire added the willow tree
which will be removed is only four years old, and the cedar tree is being choked because of
previous paving.
Johnson inquired if the house were for sale. Blanche Chick said yes, it was. Jannusch
asserted if the house sold to someone that wanted to retain it as a B & B, it would come
through again as a Conditional Use Permit for transfer of ownership. Chick explained the
house has been for sale for four years, and that she has lived in it for 18 years.
Winston questioned the zoning and density. Jannusch explained he initially addressed the
property in terms of a triplex because of density bonuses, but Staff has said it needs to be
addressed as a duplex because that is the target use.
Skibby said that in looking at the area, it is a similar use with surrounding properties on
North Main Street. Jannusch agreed and said the type of proposed use lends well with the
area. McGuire added all the other houses in close proximity were run down and broken up
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Minutes
September 8, 1993
Page 2
into little apartments until the 1980s. As they were sold, they were restored and converted
to B & Bs.
Ennis said it is hard to conceive a four unit B & B as having little impact on the area when
it is twice the number of units as a duplex. Jannusch said the units are double, but parking
for a duplex would require four spaces, and six would be required for a triplex. The
proposed use requires five spaces. He also addressed the fact that the impact of the traffic
would be less because of the use. Ennis said guests also create traffic. Jannusch remarked
it is necessary to use the closest comparison in the traffic studies, which would be motel
usage.
Johnson wondered if any residences would be directly affected by the increased traffic.
Lewis said there were no letters submitted, then added that as a B & B owner, he will attest
to the fact that guests do not use cars as much as renters. He would personally rather live
next door to a B & B than a duplex. Jannusch agreed and said the B & B would be owner-
occupied and there is pride of ownership, so the property would be kept up.
Skibby contended there are unique circumstances with this site. It is surrounded by like
uses. Lewis asked if the owner would consider fewer units. Jannusch said they decided on
three because that is what they felt the site would accommodate.
When Chambers questioned the economics in the consideration of decreasing the number
of units, McGuire said it would be a problem and it can accommodate that many.
Chambers said the Commission takes a lot of guidance from Staff, and if Staff has concerns,
all five should be carefully considered, including the removal of the three trees.
Jannusch said he recognizes the issues that need to be addressed, but feels they are Planning
Commission matters. If all concerns can be met, he asked the Commission members if they
would support the proposal.
The Commission agreed it would rather list factors for and against it. Lewis said there
seems to be less damage to older homes if fixed up and used for traveller's accommodations.
Also, the upkeep is better. Chambers maintained he would like to see the trees saved.
Jannusch interjected the site has 8,900 square feet. If it had 9,000 square feet, a triplex
would be a permitted use on the lot. The Redwing B & B (which is located on one side of
the property), has three units and the lot size is identical. Skibby stated he felt this would
be a better use than a duplex or a triplex. Chambers said Ashland is a wonderful place' for
trees, and every time one is cut down, there is a great loss. Jannusch said he understood
about the tree loss, but can't see any other way. The owners are sensitive about it. The
cedar will not last long even though they plan on using brick pavers.
Chambers listed the negative aspects: 1) over density for R-2 zone, 2) loss of three trees,
3) increased activity on the alley, and 4) widening of the alley will have an impact on the
neighborhood. Jannusch said they are trying to keep one of the almond trees. The Fire
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Minutes
September 8, 1993
Page 3
Department will require more room for fire trucks, and the parking area will need to be
expanded; therefore, some trees will have to be removed. The larger trees, however, will
remain. Lewis agreed and added even if the owner were to go for the target use (duplex)
this would happen.
Positive aspects include: 1) a B & B would be a better use than a duplex or triplex, 2) there
would be less impact on the house, 3) it would promote the historic integrity of the house,
and 4) it would be a compatible use with the area. Lewis added the distance to the arterial
is a Planning Commission matter.
Skibby moved to pass this on to the Planning Commission noting the positive and negative
aspects as stated above. Chambers seconded the motion, and it passed with all voting aye
except Ennis, who voted nay
PA 93-112
Conditional Use Permit
124 Nob Hill Street
Christine Edner
Lewis related this application is for the approval to replace and expand the existing carport,
which is non-conforming. As noted in the Findings, the only neighbor who will be affected
has expressed approval of the proposal.
Johnson moved and Winston seconded to recommend approval of this application. The
motion passed unanimously.
PA 93-100
Variance and Physical Constraints Review
201 Gienview Drive
Mark Hill
Lewis said there were no new plans turned in for this application and it was understood by
Staff the owner wanted to build the house as submitted. The Commission voiced concern
about the design and would like the owner to look at a style that would minimize the impact
on the steep hillside.
Ennis moved to recommend denial of the application on the same grounds as last month
and encourage the owner to rework the design as per Staff's hillside development
recommendation so it is more in line with the contour of the property, thereby making it
less obtrusive and visible. Skibby seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
TOM FRANTZ - 233 FOURTH STREET
Tom Frantz stated he is seeking permission to demolish the structure located at 233 Fourth
Street and presented plans of what he would like to replace it with. The original structure,
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Minutes
September 8, 1993
Page 4
he informed the Commission, was built in 1889. In 1961 there was a fire that caused quite
extensive damage, and it was remodelled in 1962. It was built with mixed materials. After
he bought it, he hired structural engineers to see if the building could be saved. It, however,
is doomed. The termite damage is immense.
Frantz explained he will maximize parking, while still requesting a 50% Variance to preserve
the historic integrity of the area. He is working closely with Crissy Barnett, owner of the
Peerless Rooms, which is adjacent to this property. He would like to have an apartment
upstairs and a commercial space downstairs. The proposed new structure will have the same
footprint, with the exception of the added bay windows. He then explained the elevations
and noted he proposes a metal roof on the building.
The Commission agreed Frantz is on the right track and appreciated all he has done in
coming to the Review Board meetings and full Commission meeting.
BUILDING PERMITS
Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of
August follow:
237 Almond Street
135 Susan Lane
14 Beach Avenue
310 Oak Street
116 High Street
208 Oak Street
19 Gresham Street
266 Gresham Street
348 Iowa Street
325 "A" Street
486 Siskiyou Boulevard
76 Dewey Street
130 East Main Street
310 Oak Street
302 North Pioneer Street
208 Oak Street
561 Rock Street
258 "A" Street
Juli Schwartz
Susan Brook
Al Gray
Lance Pugh/Tim Cusick
Joyce Conley
Lance Pugh/Tim Cusick
Dave Werschkul
Dick Strellman
Eva Cooley
John Fields
Shirley Grega
Scott & Martha Honeywell
Patricia Sprague
Tom Cantwell
Adams' Chiropractic
Old Ashland Armory
Rock Garden Inn
Lithia Sourdough
Deck
SFR
Retaining Wall
Car Wash Remodel
Re-Roof
Re-Roof/Roof Drains
Remodel/Addition
Rebuild Deck
Addition
Commercial Building
Gazebo
Remodel/Addition
Sign
Sign
Sign
Sign
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:
September 9
Winston and Skibby
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Minutes
September 8, 1993
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September 16
September 23
September 30
OLD BUSINESS
Wood, Johnson, Lewis and Skibby
Wood, Ennis, Chambers and Skibby
Lewis, Winston, Chambers and Skibby
Relocation of Community Development
It was agreed the members would lobby the City Council against the moving of Community
Development.
ADJOURNMENT
With a motion by Chambers and second by Ennis, it was the unanimous decision of the
Commission to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 p.m.
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Minutes
September 8, 1993
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