HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-09-04 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Minutes
September 4, 1991
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, Jane Dancer, Lorraine Whitten, Keith Chambers, Jean
MacKenzie, Thomas Hunt and Le Hook. Also present were Senior Planner John
McLaughlin, Secretary Sonja Akerman and Council Liaison Susan Reid. Commission
member Deane Bradshaw was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Whitten moved and Dancer seconded to approve the Minutes of the August 7, 1991
meeting as mailed. Motion passed unanimously.
STAFF REPORTS
PA 91-115
Variance
774 "B" Street
Margot Pomeroy
This application, McLaughlin stated, was originally approved by Staff, but called up for a
public hearing last month. The applicant would like to provide a covered parking area.
A Variance is requested to reduce the front yard setback from 20 feet to ten feet. Because
of the way the property was partitioned a few years ago, 7th Street is considered to be the
front yard and "B" Street is considered to be the side yard. However, 7th Street functions
as the side yard. The Commission had problems with the elevations presented in the packet
for the August meeting, therefore, had requested the applicant to attend a Review Board
meeting.
Hunt and Skibby reported the applicant had met with the Board and had agreed to revise
the plans.
Pete Peterson, presented photos of what the carport will look like and stated they plan to
have horizontal shiplap siding on the front, will enclose the gable end and incorporate a
steeper roof pitch.
Barbara Hilyer, 165 7th Street, stated she owns the adjacent property and her front yard
(on 7th Street) had to maintain the 20 foot setback. She has a three foot fence back 20
feet, then it is six feet high. The carport will obstruct her view. She feels it could be
moved closer to the house so it will be 20 feet back and within the six foot portion of her
fence, although she conceded the filbert tree would have to be removed and it would
impact upon the existing patio.
Whitten questioned McLaughlin about Staff feeling regarding the accommodation of a
neighbor's view. He answered Variances are weighed upon impacts, and there has to be
a balance of negative impacts.
Dale Rooklyn, 137 7th Street, stated the neighborhood is going through a renaissance now
and feels a carport will not fit in. He suggested a better design and would like to see more
planning and design go into it. He also stated he was not against the owner building a
covered parking area, but there are virtually no detached carports in the area.
Margot Pomeroy stated she would like to keep the area open and free, so she decided a
carport would best suit her needs. A garage would take up more space. Also, she has no
backyard. Peterson added they want to create something aesthetically pleasing.
The Commission agreed the roof pitch should be steeper, the gable end should be closed
in and that a set of full elevations is needed.
Chambers moved to recommend nothing to the Planning Commission regarding the
Variance, but to make a statement the proposed carport will have an impact on the
neighbor and there is a potential impact on the streetscape. Also, the applicant is
requested to submit a set of revised drawings at a Review Board meeting to clarify the
design and incorporate the above recommendations. At that time, the Review Board will
act on the design. Hook seconded the motion. Whitten amended the motion to include
the fact that the Commission recognizes the property owner's need for privacy and a
covered parking area. The motion, as amended, passed unanimously.
PA 91-126
Conditional Use Permit
574 East Main Street
Bob/Lenna Burton
McLaughlin explained this application is for four units to be used as traveller's
accommodation and/or residential units. Parking access is off the alley and they have six
spaces already. The proposal consists of upgrading the existing house, adding on to the
studio and constructing a new two unit structure. The property is zoned C-1 and Staff feels
this is an appropriate use.
Bob Meiser, designer and contractor for the project, clarified the site plan and elevations.
Whitten stated her concerns regarding the lack of setback requirements for commercial
zones. Even though it is zoned commercial, the nature of the neighborhood is residential.
Also, she would like to see the scale cut back instead of maximizing the property.
Meiser said the design is in the planning stage and that he would speak with the owner
about Historic Commission concerns.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
September 4, 1991
Page 2
Chambers expressed his concern about taking the existing studio/rental unit and turning it
into a tourist accommodation. Meiser stated the owner would not only rent the units as
over night rooms, but also as long-term rentals, as each unit will have a fully equipped
kitchen. Also, he will not rent them as traveller's accommodations until he moves back to
Ashland in about five years.
Whitten moved to approve the concept of the additional rental units, advising that the
owner look at an alternative to building on the property line, while noting the new structure
will be visible from Siskiyou Boulevard, and realizing this property is between the Carter
house (which is on the National Historic Register) and a small cottage designed by Frank
Clark. Hook seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
PA 91-123
Conditional Use Permit
868 "A" Street
Betty Camner
The applicant would like to convert an existing garage into a studio apartment, McLaughlin
explained. It could eventually be converted to office space or an accessory use to the
owner's salon.
Bill Emerson, designer, stated that because the house has aluminum siding, the owner
would eventually like to side the garage in vinyl because of the low maintenance. He
remarked they will be taking an existing structure and making it better. He also noted two
changes from the original elevations.
Hook moved to recommend approval of the application with the stipulation horizontal
siding be used and that the preference be other than vinyl or aluminum. Whitten seconded
the motion and it passed unanimously.
BUILDING PERMITS
Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of
August follow:
Ann Clouse
Ann Clouse
Karen Giese
George Goddard
Bill Pettit
Will Hilligoss
Don Ballew
Kathleen Phoenix
Oak Street Cottages
70 Water St. Exterior Door
70 Water St. Remodel Shed
70 4th St. Shop
115 Bush St. Re-roof
301 Hillcrest St. Remodel
822 Blaine St. SFR
248 "A" St. Re-roof
665 E. Main St. Foundation Repair
171 Oak St. Sign
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
September 4, 1991
Page 3
Coolidge House B & B
Lithia Stationers
Bill Griffen & Associates
Gen Kai
Hersey House
137 N. Main St. Sign
21 Winburn Way Sign
110 Lithia Way Sign
180 Lithia Way Sign
451 N. Main St. Sign
OLD BUSINESS
228 "B" Street
Michael O'Brien (184 "B" Street) and Jackie Sims (269 "B" Street) explained the "B" Street
Historic Neighborhood Association and gave the Commission copies of a petition that was
circulated requesting the City of Ashland take all appropriate measures to preserve this
historic home, which was damaged by a fire on August 2nd. Sims stated they were able to
obtain 105 signatures within a five block radius of the area. O'Brien added he has lived
next door for years and has noticed the regression of the house over the past 11 years, also
that it has been used by transients for the past year. This not only involves property
devaluation, but also health and safety factors. They wondered if the City could help
protect the house or put on a temporary roof.
John Groover (136 "B" Street) stated the owners have been approached by numerous
people over the years who have wanted to buy the house and by people willing to help
repair it. Sims added many people have been willing to donate time and/or material in the
restoration.
Debbie Whitall (350 "B" Street) stated she lives next to the house that burned last fall, so
this is very emotional for her. She is truly concerned with health and safety, but would hate
to see this house sit there so long the same thing happens.
Bill Emerson (90 5th Street) commented that after the ordinances were passed following
the Applegate house move, more demolitions have occurred than ever before.
Freddie Weishahn (338 "B" Street) asked if this could be taken to the Planning Commission
and/or City Council.
Chambers remarked this is an issue of the community uniting to save a historic house
which is of real significance to all of Ashland.
It was decided the Commission will write a letter of concern to the owners, with copies to
the Mayor, City Council and Planning Commission. The owners will be invited to attend
a meeting. Chambers and Skibby will draft the letter.
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:
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
September 4, 1991
Page 4
September 5
September 12
September 19
September 26
Skibby, Lewis, Hunt and Dancer
Whitten, Skibby, Dancer and Hunt
Hook, Skibby, Chambers, Hunt and Whitten
Hook, Skibby, MacKenzie, Hunt and Dancer
Site Design and Use Guidelines Revision
Hook suggested "or vinyl" should be added to #9 on page 54.
Skibby suggested page 67, #5 should read "Two-story development is encouraged downtown
on new developments, with the second stories ..... "
NEW BUSINESS
Mark Antony
Skibby advised the Commission the copper marquee on the Mark Antony Hotel has been
covered with plywood, then painted and lettering put up. Since the hotel is on the National
Register, any exterior change needs to be approved by the State Historic Preservation
Office, and it may affect the tax exempt status. It was decided a letter should be written
to the owner or manager.
Election of Officers
Whitten moved and Hook seconded to retain the current officers and liaisons. Motion
passed unanimously. MacKenzie moved to nominate Skibby as Vice Chairperson. Whitten
seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed. Lewis will remain Chairperson,
Whitten will remain Council Liaison and Skibby will remain Planning Commission Liaison.
National Historic Register Nominations
Whitten moved and Hook seconded to recommend approval of National Historic Register
nominations of 407 Scenic Drive and 52 Granite Street. Hunt declared himself as owner
of 407 Scenic Drive. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
It was the unanimous decisions of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 p.m.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
September 4, 1991
Page 5