HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-01-08 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Minutes
January 8, 1992
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jim Lewis at 7:34 p.m. Members present
were Jim Lewis, Terry Skibby, Jane Dancer, Keith Chambers, Jean MacKenzie, Thomas
Hunt, Deane Bradshaw and Le Hook. Also present were Senior Planner John McLaughlin,
Secretary Sonja Akerman and Council Liaison Susan Reid. Lorraine Whitten was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Hook moved and Dancer seconded to approve the Minutes of the December 4, 1991
meeting as mailed. The motion was unanimously passed.
STAFF REPORTS
PA 91-158
Conditional Use Permit
Water Street/Under Viaduct
Medford Growers and Crafters Association
McLaughlin stated this action was called up for a public hearing last month. MacKenzie
questioned the loading area for the brewery. McLaughlin answered Joyce Schillen will be
meeting with Staff and brewery representatives before next Tuesday's meeting.
The Commission had no further comments and stood by last month's motion.
PA 91-160
Conditional Use Permit and Site Review
331 Lori Lane
Gary Brenden
McLaughlin explained this house was originally located at 424 North Main Street, then
moved to its present location on Lori Lane. It is located in an E-1 zone, so an office is a
permitted use. A motel is allowed with a Conditional Use Permit. Neither use affects the
exterior of the structure.
Skibby related Gary Brenden had worked with the Review Board in getting plans approved
for the deck and stairway.
Gary Brenden stated he agreed to put on more gingerbread and paint the deck and stairway
rather than stain them.
Skibby moved to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit and Site Review.
Bradshaw amended the motion to include the Review Board recommendations be
maintained. Hook seconded the motion and it passed as amended.
PA 92-011
Conditional Use Permit
120 North Second Street
David Allen
McLaughlin stated this house has had major remodeling work completed during the past
year. The owner wants to convert it to an office, with parking space in the back of the
property. Staff is working with the applicant to provide a residential unit in order to keep
some form of residential character. It is in a transition area where purely commercial is
going into residential. The house, however, is very small.
The Commission agreed the upgrading of the house looks very nice.
Bradshaw moved and Chambers seconded to recommend approval of this application with
the encouragement a residential unit be provided if possible. The motion was unanimously
approved.
PA 92-013
Conditional Use Permit
174 North Main Street
Marilyn Krichman
Actions at this site have been reviewed several times, McLaughlin said. Last year the
owner got approval for two dwelling units and a Variance to construct a two-story structure
within the required setback area. She also received approval for a two-unit traveller's
accommodation. She is now requesting to build the two-story structure and use the above
space as her residence during the theatre season. The third unit would be her existing one
in the house. The same design will be used as approved last year. Everything else is the
same.
With a motion by Hook and second by Dancer, this action was unanimously recommended
for approval.
PA 92-015
Conditional Use Permit
Water Street
City of Ashland/Recycling P.A.C.T.
McLaughlin explained the City and P.A.C.T. are requesting a six month extension. It was
originally approved for a two year period with a one year review. The City and P.A.C.T.
are now gearing up for permanent approval. The Electric Department used the property
for a storage yard and now would like it turned into a park. The "recycling park" will be
a joint venture. Landscaping will be increased, sidewalks will be installed, more bins will
be added and the existing bins will be upgraded. Most of the concrete will be ripped out.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
January 8, 1992
Page 2
The recycling depot will be moving up toward the street and there will be a trail behind it
which goes to Hersey Street. The fence will be removed for the park area, however, the
recycling area still needs to be fenced. The City, including the Parks Commission and Parks
Department, will be working with P.A.C.T in order to balance everything out.
Dancer moved and Skibby seconded to recommend approval of the six month extension.
This motion was unanimously passed.
PA 92-014
Variance
14 Beach Avenue
A! and Carole Gray
McLaughlin stated this structure was "up in the air" for at least one and a half years. The
owners got a permit for a foundation only. After the foundation was built and the house
moved, the adjacent property owner had a survey. It was found the owner of 14 Beach had
not constructed the foundation as approved on the building permit and was, in fact, within
the required setback area. One criteria for granting Variance approval is that a hardship
was not willfully self-imposed. Therefore, Staff is recommending denial of this request. It
is also recommending the foundation be removed and rebuilt to the proper setbacks.
Lewis stated he has a conflict of interest with this action as he lived next door for six years.
As a builder, he could tell the owner was attempting to make a two story dwelling out of
the structure because of the extensive excavation work. However, no subsequent plans were
ever submitted. The house, as it is standing today, is at least three feet from where it
originally stood. In his opinion, self imposition is an understatement. He went on to say
it is a sad fact that Mrs. Flood (the adjacent neighbor) had to do her own survey.
Skibby added the house does not seem that well supported even now. Hunt maintained it
has completely changed the streetscape.
Lucy Flood, 41 Gresham Street, asked what the smallest amount of land would be in order
to convert the house into a duplex, as this had been implied as the owner's intent.
McLaughlin answered the smallest would be 7,000 square feet and added 14 Beach Avenue
has approximately 2,500 square feet.
When questioned about the height of a story, McLaughlin said as long as it was less than
six feet, it could be considered a daylight basement.
Bradshaw moved to recommend denial of this action. Hook seconded the motion.
Chambers further recommended that since the plans were never approved as it is, the
foundation should be removed, then a complete set of plans be submitted. The motion, as
amended, passed unanimously with Lewis abstaining.
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Minutes
January 8, 1992
Page 3
PA 92-016
Conditional Use Permit
637 and 649 East Main Street
Bernie Zieminski
McLaughlin said these houses have been operating as traveller's accommodations for over
a year now. There have been no complaints and the applicant has complied with all the
conditions. Alley paving was deferred for one year or until there was an alley paving plan.
A letter from a neighbor has been received requesting the alley be paved. McLaughlin also
stated Pat Acklin (City Council member) wanted it to go on record she has driven through
the alley and believes it should be paved. Staff is recommending permanent approval for
the traveller's accommodation and that the alley be paved.
The Commission agreed the properties certainly look nicer.
Bernie Zieminski stated he has had the alley graded and holes filled within his portion of
the alley. The rest is in bad shape. He maintained he would not let his part get bad and
will be grading it again. He has also agreed to pave if necessary. Zieminski then
questioned City maintenance and responsibility. He added he would be happy to use his
own backhoe if the City would provide the gravel.
Zelpha Hutton, 59 Sixth Street, asked which neighbor requested the paving, as most
neighbors do not want it paved. When McLaughlin stated it was Mr. Willis, she said
although he owns property in the area, he does not live there, and he has other gripes.
Chambers stated he does not like to see alleys paved. McLaughlin said Staff is caught in
the middle. Reid added the policy is set by Council and since no alternative has been
brought forth, Staff is obligated to follow Council policy.
After discussing reasons for the delay in bringing forth alternatives to paving to the Council,
Bradshaw, Hook, Skibby and Chambers volunteered to help the alley group.
Hutton then said she wanted to compliment the owner as she feels the project was very well
done, it was an improvement and they have had a nice clientele. She admitted she was
skeptical when the application first came through.
Chambers moved to approve the permanent status of the Conditional Use Permit, with the
recommendation no action be taken to pave this alley for one more year, during which time
the alley group will work on alternatives to paving and turn in its recommendations to the
City Council. Hook seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
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Minutes
January 8, 1992
Page 4
PA 92-006
Conditional Use Permit and Variance
540 Holly Street
Tim and Joanne Rutter
In 1989, the applicants were granted approval to use one unit in a duplex as a traveller's
accommodation, McLaughlin said. A Variance was also granted because it was more than
200 feet from a collector street. The Planning Commission found unusual conditions in the
high traffic count for Holly Street and the historic character of the house (which was owned
by the healer Susie Jessel). The Planning Commission, however, also imposed a condition
that there would be no further development on the flag lot as long as the B & B is in
operation. The applicants are now requesting the duplex to be used as a two-unit traveller's
accommodation and to build a new residence on the flag lot. Staff does not see a problem
with this request and feels what they are proposing is appropriate. McLaughlin also said
there have been no complaints filed.
Bradshaw said the point was well taken about the traffic generated from the new condos
off Iowa Street. The worst has been done as far as traffic is concerned. McLaughlin added
the traffic counts were higher on Holly Street than upper Iowa Street.
Tim Rutter explained he went to Public Works to find out if Holly Street could be changed
to a collector street. He was advised to go for a Variance instead. He went on to say they
provide a historical rendition of Susie Jessel and that they have people stop by quite often
just to get information on her. He stated they have gone around to all their neighbors and
no one objects to their building a residence on the flag lot. He then presented a conceptual
drawing of a Craftsman style house he would like to build.
McLaughlin, when questioned about the development of the flag lot, said the condition was
imposed by the Planning Commission, so the Planning Commission will have to discuss it
and decide what to do.
Hook remarked the Rutters have stated their position well and further moved to
recommend approval of both the Conditional Use Permit and Variance. Dancer seconded
the motion and it was unanimously approved.
BUILDING PERMITS
Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of
December follow:
American Pacific Title
Vicki Lamb
Brent Thompson
Beasey McMillan
346 E. Main St.
59 Manzanita St.
582 Allison St.
568 E. Main St.
Demolish Int. Walls
Bay Window
Addition
Remodel
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
January 8, 1992
Page 5
American Pacific Title
Steve/Christine Carey
Jane Stewart
Craig Wells
346 E. Main St.
542 Allison St.
155 8th St.
72 Dewey St.
Remodel
Carport
Remodel/Addition
Garage Conversion
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:
January 9
January 16
January 23
January 30
Dancer, Bradshaw, Lewis and Skibby
Hook, Chambers, Dancer and Skibby
Chambers, Bradshaw, MacKenzie and Skibby
Hook, Bradshaw, Lewis and Skibby
OLD BUSINESS
228 "B" Street
Hook stated that as he drove by earlier in the day, he noticed evidence of work and there
were new 2 x 4's in the yard.
Lewis reported he and Bill Emerson were shown through house on Monday by Bob Miller.
There has been extensive damage to the upstairs. Both he and Emerson recommended the
upstairs be cleaned out and a temporary roof cover be constructed to prevent further
damage. They also recommended the Millers mark and remove the trim, then store in the
carriage house. Lewis emphasized to Miller if he could not properly restore the home, then
it should be put on the market.
Michael O'Brien, 184 "B" Street (President of The B Street Historic Neighborhood
Association) stated he has a small work party available to help at any time. He has also
been continually receiving phone messages from people willing to help. A number of
people signed a statement which will be sent to the Mayor and City Council which supports
the revision and strengthening of ordinances providing for historic preservation.
McLaughlin stated he and City Attorney Paul Nolte have been looking into preservation
ordinances which will be constitutional under Oregon law.
The Historic Commission will write a memo to the Mayor and City Council urging them
to request Staff to make the historic preservation ordinance a priority. Supporters of this
will attend the City Council meeting.
Special Assessment
It was noted a letter written by Hunt representing Historic Commission opinions was sent
to SHPO.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
January 8, 1992
Page 6
Earthquake Risk to Ashland's Downtown
Lewis stated he and Skibby attended the meeting on December 20th. They both felt it was
very interesting and worthwhile. Lewis asserted it was recommended if an owner of an old
masonry building is planning to remodel, he should be encouraged to retrofit the building
in order to slow deterioration and save lives. This is all a relatively new science, as it has
only been in the past few years that scientists have discovered the earthquake potential for
this area.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
ADJOURNMENT
With a motion by Chambers and second by Hook, it was the unanimous decision to adjourn
the meeting at 9:35 p.m.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
January 8, 1992
Page 7