HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-12-04 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Minutes
December 4, 1991
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, Jane Dancer, Keith Chambers, Jean MacKenzie, Thomas
Hunt, Deane Bradshaw, Lorraine Whitten and Le Hook. Also present were Assistant
Planner Kristen Cochran and Secretary Sonja Akerman. No members were absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Skibby stated he was not able to go through 531 Scenic Drive, so requested the November
6, 1991 Minutes be changed on Page 4. Hunt moved and Hook seconded to approve the
Minutes as corrected. Motion passed unanimously.
STAFF REPORTS
PA 91-158
Conditional Use Permit
Water Street/Under Viaduct
Medford Growers and Crafters Association
Cochran stated this application is basically the same as the previous year. It will be the
third season of operation. Two changes are being proposed - extend the season (weather
permitting) from April through November instead of mid-April through mid-November, and
extending the hours of operation to end at 1:30 instead of 1:00 (in which case they would
be gone by 2:00).
Lewis questioned if more letters had been received than the supportive ones in the packet.
Cochran answered the Brew Pub had written a letter regarding a parking space concern.
Dancer commented the market is an asset to Ashland and very well done.
Because he was on DPAC, Hook said he is aware of parking concerns. He stated the
heaviest traffic use in the area is just before the plays begin at 2:00.
Joyce Schillen, Market Manager, stated they do take up neighborhood parking spaces. 20
spaces in the immediate vicinity would be taken up until 2:00.
Bradshaw moved and Whitten seconded to recommend approval of this action. Discussion
ensued.
Although he supports the market, Mike Bingham, Ashland Bakery Cafe, wondered why
special dispensation would be granted for baked goods when he thought the market was
suppose to be agricultural. Schillen stated the market is licensed under the Department of
Agriculture and the bakery also needs to be licensed under it. Primarily, it is a farmers
market. At all times, it needs to be at least 60% agriculture, while the remaining 40% can
be complimentary products and crafts.
Chambers questioned the name "Medford". Schillen stated it started out in Medford, then
were asked to expand to Ashland. Anyone can become a member as long as the criteria
can be met. Parking was then again discussed. When Chambers asked Schillen if it was
absolutely critical to extend the hours, she said she asked for an extension of hours because
the members in general had requested this.
Whitten amended the motion to include the market close at 1:15 and the vendors be out
by 1:45. The motion, as amended, was unanimously approved.
PA 91-160
Conditional Use Permit and/or Site Review
331 Lori Lane
Gary Brenden
Cochran stated the application and findings were unclear as to what exactly the applicant
is proposing for the property. The Commission felt a Conditional Use Permit and Site
Review are two entirely different matters.
Hunt moved to delay recommendation of this application until the applicant clarifies his
intention for the use, provides a floor plan and stairway details. Hook seconded the motion
and it passed unanimously.
BUILDING PERMITS
Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of
November follow:
Intaxshel Inc.
Jack Sabin
Clair Baker
Levins Levinson
Judy McCook
Brent Thompson
Vern Weiss
Allen Drescher
Bill Hicks/Paula Daystar
Ashland Lodge #23
Allen Drescher
Lynn/Ray Peake
"A" Street Office Supply
120 N. 1st St.
275 E. Main St.
402 Holly St.
156 7th St.
866 Blaine St.
64 N. Pioneer St.
568 E. Main St.
272 E. Main St.
190 Vista St.
25 N. Main St.
272 E. Main St.
52 Alida St.
340 "A" St.
Re-Roof
Remodel
Deck
Re-Roof
Garage
Window
Patio
Restoration
Remodel/Addition
Re-Roof
Remodel
Window Replace
Sign
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
December 4, 1991
Page 2
South Valley Enterprises
Ciao Main
246 "A" St. Sign
272 E. Main St. Sign
OLD BUSINESS
228 "B" Street
Lewis stated he has had no response from the Millers.
Mike Bingham, 129 Fifth Street, said he was at the meeting as a concerned citizen. He has
recently been talking with the Fire Department, City Attorney, Historic Commission
members and neighbors regarding this house. He then passed around the Fire Department
report and said the Police Department report has not yet been closed. Arson is the strongly
suspected reason for the fire. As stated in the report, there was no forcible entry into the
house - the front and back doors were wide open. He stated the Millers should know
without any doubt the City does not want the house demolished. The Commission agreed.
Chambers said it is clear there is little time left and the Commission has nothing to lose
by being frank.
George Kramer, 386 North Laurel Street, stated the only thing that has teeth is that the
City does not have to give permission to demolish the house. Also, there is a possibility the
carriage house located on the same property could be redesignated from secondary to
primary.
It was decided Lewis would contact the Millers the following day. If the house is still not
covered within a week, copies of the most recent letter to the Millers from the Commission
will be sent to the local newspapers.
Bingham said the house would be a premium B & B or would make a terrific museum. All
agreed the property is worth much more with the existing structure.
Bradshaw moved to request additional money allocated to the Commission in order to
reassess the carriage house as a primary structure and to add the houses on East Main
Street which are within the Historic District but not on the inventory. Skibby seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
Special Assessment
George Kramer explained a public hearing has already been held but the record is open
until the end of this year. SHPO is interested in receiving comments from governmental
entities. There has never been a problem in this part of the state with abuse of the special
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
December 4, 1991
Page 3
assessment program. He suggested the Commission write SHPO on the effect of the
changes and how it will affect Ashland.
Skibby stated the Heritage Committee questioned the lawn signs and the specific assigned
dates for open houses, and will be writing a letter.
Kramer continued by stating what SHPO proposes (choosing one of four set days for the
open house, lawn signs, etc.) will inhibit people from wanting to be placed on the National
Register and could gut the program. Probably 90% of the people who apply for National
Register status do so for the tax freeze. If the rules go through as proposed, SHPO will
ultimately have the final say about any exterior change (it will not be advisory). SHPO is
feeling substantial political pressure. Kramer stated things will drastically affect property
in Ashland if the proposed rule changes are approved. It could result in the current special
assessment program to be lost. He again stressed the importance of the Commission
supporting a special assessment program in some form. The Review Board will write a
letter to SHPO before the end of the year.
NEW BUSINESS
Earthquake Risk to Ashland's Downtown
Hal Cloer spoke to the Commission in order to get its reaction to what he had suggested
regarding involvement in seismic retrofitting for masonry buildings in Downtown Ashland
for earthquake protection. He explained the City feels the most appropriate community
body for taking some of the responsibility in offering guidelines if someone is doing work
on a building for the seismic retrofitting. The City has no requirements for this, so it
would be entirely voluntary. On December 20th, there will be a presentation by the City
which will include several experts who will offer information on the subject.
Cloer will be taking the opportunity to retrofit a building he owns on the Plaza. He feels
it is very important for all property owners of historic masonry buildings to be informed of
the earthquake risk in the area.
Whitten questioned the Historic Commission involvement in this as she does not feel the
Commission should assume responsibility for the buildings. Cloer, who is a former member
of the Historic Commission, stated he feels it is the correct body to recommend volunteer
retrofitting because it is the most concerned about preservation. Right now, he added, the
City does not know of a better solution. Lewis stated that although there are no perks to
fix up the buildings, lives and buildings could be saved in the long run. Both Cloer and
Lewis urged all the members to attend. Skibby agreed and stated it should be put on the
agenda for discussion at the next meeting.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
December 4, 1991
Page 4
OLD BUSINESS (continued)
Demolition Request for 531 Scenic Drive
The City Council voted to reconsider this demolition request at a later date because reasons
for the Historic Commission reconsideration were needed. After discussing this, it was
clear the first vote was with the heart rather than the head. Reasons for the
reconsideration were as follows: 1) the original design of the house is uncertain, 2) there
is not enough historical integrity left to determine "what" to restore, 3) it would cost more
to make the house livable than the property is worth, 4) it is a low secondary house with
minimal original structure left which therefore nullifies the real historic value, 5) want
the residential line of demarcation to remain, and 6) when considering relative merits,
there is very little to save and restore.
The Commission felt it had not come up with good solid reasons for denying the demolition
request and recognizes other similar cases. A stronger fight would rather be put up to save
228 "B" Street.
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:
December 5
December 12
December 19
December 26
January 2
Hook, Lewis, Whitten, Hunt and Skibby
Bradshaw, Dancer, Chambers, Hunt and Skibby
Bradshaw, Hook, Lewis, Dancer, Chambers, Hunt and Skibby
Bradshaw, Whitten, Hunt and Skibby
Bradshaw, Dancer, MacKenzie, Hunt and Skibby
ADJOURNMENT
With a motion by Hook and second by everyone else, it was the unanimous decision to
adjourn the meeting at 10:35 p.m.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
December 4, 1991
Page 5