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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-10-07 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION Minutes October 7, 1992 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jim Lewis at 7:37 p.m. Members present were Jim Lewis, Terry Skibby, Le Hook, Jean MacKenzie, Jane Dancer, Keith Chambers and Steve Ennis. Also present were Assistant Planner Kristen Cochran and Secretary Sonja Akerman. Dana Johnson was absent. Deane Bradshaw resigned. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Lewis said the second paragraph under 92-101 on page 3 should read Fifth Street rather than "B" Street. Hook moved and MacKenzie seconded to approve the Minutes of the September 2, 1992 meeting as corrected. The motion was unanimously passed. STAFF REPORTS PA 92-112 Minor Land Partition 160 Scenic Drive Gere Brown Cochran explained the applicant has met all the criteria for this Minor Land Partition and Staff is recommending approval. One of the conditions will be the applicant pave her frontage on the right-of-way of Bush Street. Dale Hofer, Engineer for the applicant, explained the existing swimming pool will be on the new lot. Access will be off Scenic where the unimproved Bush Street comes in. This access also serves the adjacent property. The applicant utilized the flag lot principal abutting a right-of-way because of the slope and configuration of the lot. He feels the partition will enhance the area rather than obscure it. Building envelope, setbacks and solar were discussed. It was agreed the view from Scenic Drive will be maintained. Skibby moved and Hook seconded to recommend approval of this action. The motion passed unanimously. PA 92-113 Traveller's Accommodation 486 Allison Street Patsy Breyman Cochran stated this application is for a one-unit B & B (which will be upstairs), plus the downstairs owners' unit. The three existing parking spaces off the alley will be required to be improved (concrete, grass pavers or asphalt). Alley paving will be deferred for one year, but the owners will be required to sign in favor of the paving. The Commission discussed alternatives to paving and various methods of the parking space improvements. Everyone agreed with the paving deferment. Since it looks as though parking will have to be diagonal, there should be some sort of indication for the lot. Chambers moved to recommend approval of this application. With a second by Dancer, the motion was unanimously approved. PA 92-101 Conditional Use Permit 223 Fifth Street Cooper/Silverman Cochran declared the application remains the same and Staff is maintaining its recommendation of approval. Letters from the applicants have been received, one with a drawing of the floor plan which indicates the proposed 1,100 square feet of office space. Parking for the offices will be day use, and the residence will be at night. Parking requirements have been met according to the ordinance. She went on to say Staff will continue to support this type of mixed use until the Comprehensive Plan is changed. Chambers questioned the rationale of the requirement of providing three parking spaces for the four offices, a receptionist, and an apartment, which is the same requirement for the previous planning action discussed for a one-unit traveller's accommodation. Hook also had difficulty with this, but stated one applicant had submitted a letter which said most of her clients were from the downtown area and would most likely be on foot. Skibby remarked he had learned a lot in the past month. The applicants have come to a Review Board meeting and have had an open house at the site. He said it helped to go through the house in order to see how the stairway fits in. He feels the applicants are sensitive to the future use of the house also. He added the house was originally located where Rocket Photo is now. It was probably moved in the 1950s when Lithia Way was created. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes October 7, 1992 Page 2 Nola Silverman stated she would like to keep the historic nature of the house. Three offices are needed, and it would be difficult to make the entire upstairs a residence because of the stairway. Larry Cooper reported he has talked with contractors about the use of the existing outside stairs, structural issues, fire walls, etc. He also said they would like to be able to revert the house back into a residence. Lewis inquired about the utility porch. Lisa Cooper stated Jim Hibbert (Planning Commissioner) had suggested making it into a laundry room to go with the residence upstairs, and they agreed. Larry Cooper said the plan was dictated by the design of the house. If the entire upstairs were to be used as a residence, they may have to close off the stairway, take down the banisters and put down a floor. He apologized for not understanding the planning process, and said he had since found out and understands concerns of the Historic Commission. Chambers explained the Historic Commission is not opposed to mixed use, but for him, the idea of a good mixed use would be more of a balance between residential and commercial. Because there would be less than 25% residential left, he would like to see the applicants pursue a two bedroom apartment upstairs with one office space, and two offices downstairs. Ennis agreed and added he is concerned about the intensity of use and the parking. Lewis stated he would like to see the sixth condition of the September 8, 1992 Findings & Orders to be the parkway as on Fifth Street rather than "B" Street. Chambers moved to recommend approval of this application with the proviso the residential unit upstairs be two bedrooms with one office space, and two office spaces be located on the lower floor. Dancer seconded the motion. Cochran interjected to say the applicants are asking for four offices with a one bedroom apartment unit. It would be difficult for the Planning Commission to make a decision based on the motion. Larry Cooper added he would be willing to look at that possibility but they cannot change their application at this point. Cochran stated if the applicants decide to pursue the two bedroom apartment, it would be a lesser use, so there should be no problem. However, the Commission needs to address this specific planning action. Chambers withdrew his motion and Dancer withdrew her second. In light of the Historic Commission concerns about balanced mixed uses, Chambers then moved to recommend approval of this application with the suggestion it would be more appropriate to reduce office units by one and add a bedroom to the upstairs apartment. Dancer seconded the motion and it carried with all voting aye except Ennis. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes October 7, 1992 Page 3 PA 92-117 Conditional Use Permit and Site Review Helman Street and Lithia Way John Warren This application, Cochran explained is for a 12-unit motel. The land is currently vacant and used as a parking lot for Jonathan's Restaurant. The restaurant will be closed for public use and open for motel guests only, which will eliminate the need for the current parking lot there. Ten parking spaces will be provided under the new building, plus he will receive parking credit for on-street parking. Staff feels the architect has done a great job on the design and is very supportive of this application. Jac Nickels, architect, explained there are two pedestrian entries. There will be a rock wall, similar to the one at the motel units across the street, which will be high enough to obscure the cars, yet will allow ventilation for exhaust. MacKenzie felt a three story building would box in the area. Nickels explained the site is quite a bit lower than Jonathan's. Ennis said that although the building is attractive, it sits on a high platform compared to the units off Church Street. Nickels responded the one across the street is 29 units, and this is 12. Discussion ensued regarding relationship to scale. Skibby said he felt it was a natural progression of space. Nickels, when questioned about the height of the building, stated it was 38 feet 10 inches at the highest point. He added street trees will be planted, along with drought resistant grass. They will also retain some of the existing trees. John Warren stated he would like to begin the project either this spring or the next one. Skibby moved and Hook seconded to recommend approval of this application. Chambers said he is concerned with the density of motels in that area and thinks the interest of the community would be enhanced if something else were there. Ennis said he is still concerned with the mass, especially walking up Helman Street. The motion carried with all voting aye except Chambers and Ennis. PA 92-121 Zone Change and Comprehensive Plan Change 150 North Pioneer Street Stan Potocki and Bruce E. McLean Cochran explained this application is for a Zone Change and Comprehensive Plan Change. It is located next to the new parking lot on Pioneer Street. The house on the property is a two story structure with offices downstairs and an apartment upstairs. According to the applicants, the zone change is based on new conditions which exist in the area: 1) Ashland Historic Commission Minutes October 7, 1992 Page 4 construction of the new city parking lot; 2) increased commercial traffic; 3) traffic pattern along Pioneer Street; and 4) increase in development along Pioneer Street commercial corridor from "A" Street to Hargadine Street. The applicants have cited a traffic study which shows a 24-28% increase over a four year period. Staff is not taking a position either way, as this is a highly discretional decision which will have to be made by the Planning Commission. Staff will present both sides. Ennis stated the traffic study could be slanted because the first study was done in May of 1988 and the second was in July of 1992. July is a much more active time of year in Ashland. Lewis said he is concerned with the ramifications if this property is rezoned. He feels Planning needs to look at the entire block. How many vehicle trips a day can Pioneer Street accept? If North Pioneer is saturated, it will impact the development potential. Ennis stated the zone change makes good sense, but it is also a good place to stop and have a residential buffer. Skibby added there was a residence where the parking lot is now. Chambers said as he stood in front of the house and faced it, there was a natural residential feel. Hook, although he could see the potential impact, felt the applicants made a strong case for the change. Bruce McLean related he plans on keeping the house as it is (with his office on the bottom floor) until he retires, with an apartment upstairs. When questioned about the need for more commercial property, Cochran stated more was needed in the downtown area. When asked by Chambers about the advantages of the zone change, McLean answered they would like to build a guest cottage in the back. Cochran added they would not be required to live on site if this were the case. The Commission discussed buffer areas between residential and commercial, repercussions of a zone change, and potential alterations of the structure. Chambers does not feel a zone change is appropriate because of the increased pressure for other properties to rezone, it would take away a natural buffer, and he doesn't see a great need. Therefore, in his opinion, it would not be in the best interest of the Historic District. The Historic Commission, he said, is the caretaker of the property. Lewis again contended the Planning Commission should look at the larger area and the long range plan. A zone change would put more potential for development on the property. Chambers agreed and said it feels nice to have a residential area so close to downtown. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes October 7, 1992 Page 5 Skibby questioned McLean about the usage of the structure if it remained R-2. McLean answered it would remain unchanged. The rent is low, it is nice having someone living there at night, and they are staying there for 20 more years. The long range intent would be to put another unit in the back. The Commission questioned Cochran about the options of accessory units in residential areas. Hook said he was convinced by the arguments set forth by the applicants for the zone change. Chambers expressed the consensus of the rest of Commission as follows: 1) the proposed zone change might have a negative impact on adjacent properties; 2) it is a natural buffer between the R-2 zone and the parking lot which is C-l; and 3) recommend Planning Commission look at the overall area, especially that block, if the zone change is considered. BUILDING PERMITS Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of September follow: 90 Fifth Street 97 Pine Street 125 Nob Hill Street 183 Vista Street 208 Oak Street 70 Fourth Street 389 East Main Street North First Street 47 North Main Street 5 North Main Street Bill Emerson Ellen and Bob Wright Walter Van Frick Lars Svendsgaard Tim Cusick and Lance Pugh Karen Giese Investment Management Ashland Community Food Store Georgio's Small Change Solar Air Collector Remodel/Addition Fire Damage Addition Replace Staircase Garage Conv to Apt. Sign Sign Sign Sign REVIEW BOARD Following is the schedule (until the next meeting) for the Review Board, which meets every Thursday from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the Planning Department: October 8 October 15 October 22 October 29 MacKenzie, Lewis, Chambers and Skibby Hook, MacKenzie and Skibby Hook, MacKenzie, Dancer, Skibby and Lewis Ennis, Dancer, Skibby and Chambers Ashland Historic Commission Minutes October 7, 1992 Page 6 OLD BUSINESS Bill Emerson Bill emerson explained he is seeing a style of house erased before it even comes into National Register eligibility. He referred to a house on East Main Street and one on Hillcrest Street that have recently added overhangs, which take away from the original style of the house. The "cottage" style is 1940s post-war, and owners have recently been changing the style to resemble "craftsman". He submitted copies of cottage style houses, stating he just wanted the Commission to be aware of this at Review Board meetings. Joint Study Session The Joint Study Session held on September 29th with the Planning Staff and Planning Commission was discussed. Lewis related setbacks, retail areas, and residential areas in relation to retail areas were examined. Additions to Interim Heritage Landmarks List Hook reported the Council unanimously accepted 550, 568, 586, and 598 East Main Street to the Landmarks List. The Commission would like to get the list finalized. Granite Street Fountain Hook said Mike Morrison verified the fountain in storage was the one hit by the car near the Methodist Church, and that it is in slightly better condition than the one on Granite Street. It can't be hooked up to a water line using the existing pipes. MacKenzie suggested replacing it but not hooking anything up until spring. Hook also said Morrison advised having a blacksmith put a band around it for preservation. (Chambers moved and MacKenzie seconded to extend the meeting beyond 10:30. The motion passed unanimously.) Statue at Library MacKenzie reported she had met with the plumber and it would be cost prohibitive to replace all the plumbing in the statue and the lines from the library. Jeffrey Bernard had submitted a bid for cleaning the statue and had called a bronze foundry in Eugene to get cost estimates on plaques to cover the holes. Bernard will also plan a maintenance program to keep the statue clean. MacKenzie had also met with Electric Department Director A1 Williams about hooking into electrical wires for lights. Evidently, the overhead wires are all computer related, but they thought there may be electric wires in the old refrigeration unit in the statue. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes October 7, 1992 Page 7 Cemetery Nominations to National Register A letter from Kay Atwood was received stating she has had a favorable response from Elisabeth Potter, of the State Historic Preservation Office, to pursue a multiple nomination, which would include additional Ashland area cemeteries. The Commission is enthusiastic about pursuing this and will meet with Kay on a Thursday afternoon to discuss the procedure and cost. NEW BUSINESS Applegate Trail Skibby said he had talked with Dick Ackerman, of the Oregon/California Trails Association in Salem, regarding the placement of a commemorative plaque in honor of the Applegate Trail. The plaque would be 16"x 20" aluminum with anodized bronze on black. The Trails Association will pay for it. The City would need to approve this plaque and come up with the placement site. The celebration will start next March. The State Parks and SHPO will have the final determination of the official route. The Commission agreed this is a very nice gesture. Possible sites were discussed for the marker. Lindsay Applegate's farm was located in the Railroad District and he is buried in Ashland Cemetery. The marker, however, should receive as much exposure as possible, so the Plaza and entrance to Lithia Park were also potential areas discussed. The Historic Commission will make a recommendation to the City Council after the decision is made. ADJOURNMENT With a motion by Hook and second by Chambers, it was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 10:55 p.m. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes October 7, 1992 Page 8