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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 It came before the Commission two months ago, then was withdrawn because the owner was having difficulty obtaining a loan.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 Ashland Historic Commission 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 Ashland Historic Commission 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, Ashland Historic Commission 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 Ashland Historic Commission Minutes September 8, 1993 Page 5 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. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes September 8, 1993 Page 6