HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-03-03 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Minutes
March 3, 1993
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, Le Hook, Jean MacKenzie, Dana Johnson, Jane Dancer and
Steve Ennis. Also present were Assistant Planner Kristen Cochran and Secretary Sonja
Akerman. H.L. Wood and Keith Chambers were absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Hook moved and Johnson seconded to approve the Minutes of the February 3, 1993
meeting as mailed. The motion was unanimously passed.
STAFF REPORTS
PA 93-036
Historic Sign Inventory
243 Fourth Street
Crissy Barnett
Cochran stated Staff is recommending approval of this application for inclusion of the
Peerless Rooms/Coca Cola sign on the Historic Sign Inventory. This is currently a non-
conforming sign and it is an important one to protect.
Lewis reminded the applicant of the need to consider the means of historic restoration.
Crissy Barnett stated the sign will probably be repainted, then aged and weathered. It will
also be processed through the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
Lewis questioned the brickwork, and Barnett said a portion of the sign will be affected, as
the bricks will need to be replaced before the sign is restored.
Skibby said it is obvious that this sign is important to preserve, then moved to recommend
approval of the inclusion of this sign in the Historic Sign Inventory to the City Council, and
that the proper technique for restoration be used. Dancer seconded the motion and it was
unanimously approved.
PA 93-035
Conditional Use Permit, Site Review, Solar Waiver and Variance
243 Fourth Street
Crissy Barnett
Cochran explained this action was called up for a public hearing, however, the applicant is
working with the neighbors regarding their concerns, and she is hopeful the neighbors will
rescind their letter before the Planning Commission meeting. Concerns include traffic, view
obstruction, parking, privacy and noise. Staff has preliminarily approved this application.
Skibby stated the impact of the vacant building should also be considered, as it has been
empty for many years. The applicant has been working with SHPO and the Review Board.
The building is now on the National Register and will be restored. Also, it was built as a
hotel, so this is an appropriate use.
Ennis questioned the narrowness of the alley and parking lot. Cochran stated there will be
enough room for backing up. Diagonal parking was discussed by the Commission, but it was
determined it was not feasible for the two-way alley.
Ron Thurner, speaking for the applicant, said they attempted to design diagonal parking,
however, with the parking and landscape requirements, the design submitted was the one
that fit the specifications.
Johnson questioned the alley paving and Cochran said the owner will have to sign in favor.
Since Fourth Street has no ability to deal with runoff, Thurner discussed the method
recommended by Jim Olson, Engineer for the City. The slope currently runs toward the
building and water settles around the foundation.
Barnett explained the metal awning will be copper.
Ennis asked about the use of sliding windows rather than double hung in the new addition.
Barnett said she felt the sliding windows had more of a porch like feeling. SHPO had also
conveyed similar windows as on the downstairs screened porch should be used. Ennis said
she should work more with the proportion of the windows and added more ventilation is
achieved with double hung windows. Barnett stated she has tried to keep the downstairs
and upstairs alignment in proportion. The Commission then suggested using casement
windows, which would have a more traditional look. Barnett concurred.
Thurner stated this is a "certified rehab" so every detail will be subject to approval by
SHPO. Some details, therefore, may change. He also added they have been able to
accomplish an easement so they are able to use windows on the North side of the building,
which was a concern with the State Fire and Life Safety Division.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
March 3, 1993
Page 2
Johnson referenced the parking, recognizing that hotel use will have less impact than the
target use, which is general offices. Cochran added there is usually parking available in the
front off Fourth Street. Thurner said the original hotel had 14 rooms and they are only
requesting approval for seven.
Vivienne Friedman, 258 Third Street, stated she is excited about the project and the fact
that the building will be preserved. However, she is also concerned with the alley, as she
has seen the effects of alley paving. Cars go much too fast on the paved portion. She would
personally like to see no parking off the alley, but if it has to be, she would not like to see
it paved, which would also keep the historic flavor.
The Commission agreed this is a positive project, and that if the building remained vacant
or was demolished, it would be a negative impact on the area.
Hook moved to recommend approval of this application with the following stipulations: 1)
the alley remain unpaved, and 2) the windows on the second story addition be casement if
that meets with SHPO approval. MacKenzie seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
PA 93-026
Conditional Use Permit
376 "B" Street
Sue DeMarinis
Cochran stated this was called up for a public hearing by the Hearings Board. There is no
additional information. Ennis said he felt the concerns were worth discussing, and as
Chambers pointed out last month, there will be a net gain of two commercial businesses.
Lewis stated he had canvassed that area for another matter and found, in addition to
commercial uses, many low-income rentals and elderly people living in the houses. If
alternate uses go the way they seem to be headed, loss of many affordable rentals is
inevitable.
Johnson said she felt uncomfortable discussing this since a decision had been made last
month. Ennis declared since the Hearings Board opened up the discussion which included
concerns of the Historic Commission, it was appropriate. Johnson stated she understands
the concerns, but is disappointed the Commission did not voice a louder opposition last
month. Hook agreed with Ennis and asserted there is no criteria to disapprove applications
such as this. Lewis said there needs to be a clear directive so applicants are not given mixed
reactions. Ennis said as these applications come through, the typical statement from Staff
is that they won't have a significant impact. He feels there is an impact, as there is a
cumulative effect. Skibby stated he will attend the Planning Commission meeting to convey
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
March 3, 1993
Page 3
Commission concerns. They all agreed this does not change the fact that they already voted
to recommend approval of this action.
PA 93-025
Conditional Use Permit
486 Siskiyou Boulevard
Shirley Grega
Cochran explained the Hearings Board could not arrive at a decision so it was continued.
The applicant has submitted a letter stating she is dropping her request for one of the units,
as the parking design only allows five spaces. The existing concrete pad will be removed.
Shirley Grega related the neighbors felt the parking area was not deep enough for the cars
to back up. Bill Emerson has since designed a deeper parking area with no stacked parking.
Two options were presented, one with straight-in parking and one with diagonal parking.
Ennis remarked several people that live nearby will be glad there will be three units rather
than four, but the gist is that the alley is too narrow and heavily travelled. Lewis said there
is a need to look at the target use also. It is nice to have houses still existing that were built
in the 1800s. This could be apartments and office complexes, so he feels the proposal is not
a detrimental use.
Grega said she bought the property in November and had not met the adjacent property
owners until she applied for this planning action. She has since met with most of them and
alleviated their fears. She is very concerned about her neighbors' concerns and feels they
have been addressed.
Lewis stated this was recommended for approval last month, and now there is a lesser use.
He felt Grega addressed the concerns of neighbors. Ennis didn't agree, as there will be
more use. Johnson said the applicant is working with the neighbors.
The Commission agreed the parking design should be straight in (Option B) rather than
diagonal (Option A), and that last month's approval recommendation would stand.
Demolition Request for 267 8th Street
Lewis stated he had toured the structure. The evaluation submitted by the applicant is
straight forward and he will support the demolition request.
Ken McCulloh submitted elevations of what will replace the structure and photos of what
exists.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
March 3, 1993
Page 4
Ennis moved to recommend approval of this request to the City Council because of the poor
condition of the structure and the expense of bring it up to current code, with the condition
the width of the windows on the alley side of the new structure be matched with those of
the new rear addition. Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Review of the Proposed Cantwell's Market
Skibby passed around a photo of the original building located at 310 Oak Street.
Tom Giordano presented a revised drawing from what was submitted for the Review Board
and noted the changes. Skibby pointed out the replication areas of the armory. Giordano
stated he has simplified the tower and the plans from the original. Giordano also conveyed
an LID is being formed for undergrounding of utilities, new street lights, sidewalks, etc.
George Kramer, 386 North Laurel Street, said he felt the design is going in the right
direction, but he is still concerned about the armory, which is on the National Register of
Historic Places, and the "earlying up" of Cantwell's Market because it is not historically
accurate. He said the City should have a consistent approach because the Commission has
fought against recreation architecture in the past. He thinks it is a wonderful project, but
by simplifying the design, it will keep the integrity of the National Register building.
Giordano said there will be harmony, but it will not be the same. Color and material
(texture) will be different. The Commission concurred with the changes he had made, and
Kramer agreed he could live with them also.
BUILDING PERMITS
Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of
February follow:
135 Coolidge Street
40 Water Street
121 Manzanita Street
41 North Main Street
95 Dewey Street
51 North Main Street
485 East Main Street
215 Scenic Drive
14 Beach Avenue
390 Iowa Street
11 North First Street
91 Oak Street
Hector Aleman
Jim Hibbert
Joe Farli
Dave Lewis
Rob Jaffe
Andrew Chester
Christian Hald
Koskella/Chesney
Al Gray
Miriam Watson
David & Stephanie Pump
Village Floral & Unique Gifts
Addition
Interior Remodel
Fire Damage Repair
Remodel
Remodel
Remodel
Remodel
Addition
Remodel
Remodel
Remodel
Sign
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
March 3, 1993
Page 5
383 East Main Street
253 East Main Street
Reinholdt & O'Harra
City Art Works
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:
March 4
March 11
March 18
March 25
April 1
Skibby, Johnson and Lewis
Wood, Hook, Skibby, Dancer and Lewis
Hook, Skibby, Johnson, MacKenzie
Wood, Skibby, MacKenzie and Ennis
Skibby, Dancer and Hook
OLD BUSINESS
Joint Study Session
Ennis reported he and Chambers had met again with Powell and Bingham from the
Planning Commission regarding loss of residential housing in the Historic District. They
worked on ideas of adding subchapters to the R-2 zone and Conditional Use Permit
chapters that will make it more stringent to get approval. This was not discussed at the
Joint Study Session on February 24th, but will be on March 30th. This does not have a high
priority on the Planning Commission list.
Cemetery Nominations to National Register
The Commission agreed the draft letter to be sent to the Southern Oregon Historical
Society sounded good as it was. It will be submitted to Brian Almquist and Cathy Golden
for their signatures.
Applegate Trail Plaque
Skibby reported he was disappointed to learn the Oregon California Trails Association will
not modify the proposed plaque to fit the site. If it will not be revised, the Chamber of
Commerce, Southern Oregon Historical Society, and the Ashland Heritage Committee do
not think the Plaza area would be appropriate for the plaque. Skibby will attempt to get
the wording changed one more time. He said the Chamber felt the City could do its own
plaque for 1996 (150 year anniversary) which would reflect more local history. The plaque
given to the City by OCTA should be relocated if it is not changed. The Commission
concurred with this.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
March 3, 1993
Page 6
Heritage Landmarks List
Adoption of the Heritage Landmarks List has been delayed again. Cochran is leaving the
Ashland area and until another planner is hired, Community Development does not have
the staff to handle all the requirements.
Granite Street Fountain
Hook reported the fountain in storage is in better shape, so it will be used instead of the
existing one. As discussed a couple months ago, it will be non-operational, and will have
a plaque placed on it. A working fountain will be placed next to it.
Alley Committee
Ennis related the people, including the Fire Department, at the Joint Study Session were
very positive about the draft. Don Paul, Assistant Fire Chief, mentioned there were only
a few alleys above Siskiyou Boulevard with which fire trucks have a problem. It was added
that Barbara Jarvis, Planning Commission, is concerned about criteria of deciding which
alleys should be paved and which should not.
128 Wimer Street
Commission members will be ranking this house and turning in the sheets at the Review
Board this month.
NEW BUSINESS
National Historic Preservation Week - May 9-15
Skibby said he would like to tie in the Oregon Trail and the 100th anniversary of
Chautauqua with National Historic Preservation Week. Lewis will help Skibby.
(With a motion by Hook and second by Johnson, it was the unan#nous decision to extend the meetingpast 10.'30.)
Street Scorine
Ennis will write a letter to Public Works thanking them for taking the time to score the
crosswalks on "C" Street. He will also mention the space on either side of the crosswalk that
will have to be filled in with asphalt.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
March 3, 1993
Page 7
Plaza Kiosk
Hook informed the Commission that two weeks ago, the City Council approved the kiosk
on the Plaza for vendor use. That decision was rescinded on March 2, largely because of
lobbying by DPAC and Marge O'Harra. The booth will be used as it has in the past by the
Chamber of Commerce.
Dead Indian Road
Hook said he wanted this issue brought up because he felt if the name of the road offends
anyone, it should be changed. He also felt the Historic Commission should take a position
on it. After discussing this, the Commission remained split on the issue. Hook declared he
will bring it up again so he wants it considered.
Lithia Water Fountains on "A" Street
City Administrator Brian Almquist had contacted Lewis regarding the base of the old
concrete Lithia water fountains on "A" Street across from 4th Street. The railroad property
is in the process of being cleaned up, and the base of the old marble fountains was
unearthed. Lewis had checked out the site and talked with the operator, who said he did
not bid on the concrete removal. Skibby stated he will document the site by taking photos.
Southern Oregon Historical Society and the newspaper may be interested in this.
Siskiyou Boulevard Median
Lewis reported new landscaping plans will be submitted for the Siskiyou Boulevard median.
A couple years ago the Bikeway Plan came before the Commission and all the members
agreed they did not want the median narrowed. Hook stated, however, narrowing of the
islands was mentioned at the Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
With a motion by Hook and second by Johnson, it was the unanimous decision of the
Commission to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 p.m.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
March 3, 1993
Page 8