HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-08-07 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Minutes
August 7, 1991
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, Jane Dancer, Lorraine Whitten, Keith Chambers, Dearie
Bradshaw, Jean MacKenzie and Le Hook. Also present were Senior Planner John
McLaughlin~ Secretary Sonja Akerman and Council Liaison Susan Reid. Commission
member Thomas Hunt was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Hook moved and Whitten seconded to approve the Minutes of the July 3, 1991 meeting
as mailed. Motion passed unanimously.
GUEST
Paul NicholSon, Oregon Shakespeare Festival Association, reported on the progress of the
pavilion. They plan on breaking ground the end of September or the first of October, and
hopefully, it will be completed by May. He also presented a sketch of the proposed cut in
the Chautauqua Wall. He explained it will be off Pioneer Street because it is a lower
elevation. The cut will be the smallest possible (not more than 20 feet) which will allow
a ramp to be built over the remaining portion. When construction is completed, the ramp
will be completely removed. A small amount of vegetation will be lost, but it will be
replaced. Nicholson clarffied the large tree in that vicinity will not be touched.- OSFA will
also restore the entire wall, which will consist of filling in cracks and re-texturing portions
of the wall. It will match the heavily textured portion and the tint will be inherent within
the texture. The ivy will also be preserved, plus additional ivy will be planted.
Nicholson then stated the State Fire Marshal determined there was an insufficient number
of exits in the wall. One exit will be cut into the wall which will lead down to the pond.
Also, near the portion of the stage where an existing gate is located, a small portion of the
wall will be removed during construction, then replaced with an exit. The new exits were
considered to be the least obtrusive and will be fire exits, for emergency purposes only.
The Commission thanked Nicholson for his presentation and the care OSF has shown
during this planning stage.
STAFF REPORTS
PA 91-104
Conditional Use Permit
151 Nursery Street
Bob Meiser
McLaughlin explained the applicant is proposing to add on to his house, which is non-
conforming. The plans have already been approved by the Review Board. Meiser got a
building permit for all but the small portion that is non-conforming.
The Commission noted that construction has already begun, including the non-conforming
pOrtion. Reid added this house was slated for demolition ten years-ago, but the Historic
Commission was able to stop it.
Whitten moved and Bradshaw seconded to recommend approval of this application to the
Planning Commission. Motion was unanimously passed.'
PA 91-113
Minor Land Partition
108 Granite Street
Carmel Barnthouse
This lot, McLaughlin explained, includes two houses. The owner wants to divide the lot
into two parcels, each containing a house and each meeting setback requirements. The
applicant has talked with the Parks Department about acquiring a portion of City-owned
property which abuts hers because it is poorly maintained now. Reid said one of the
Council goals is to construct a sidewalk on Nutley Street between Winburn Way and
Granite Street.
Skibby reminded the Commission that John Gruel, who wrote the Raggedy Ann series, lived
in the small green house.
With a motion by Chambers and second by MacKenzie, it was the unanimous decision of
the Historic Commission to recommend approval to the Planning Commission.
PA 91-114
Minor Land Partition
346 East Main Street
WESS Investments
McLaughlin stated the location of this piece of property is on the corner of South Second
and East Main Streets. One portion of the lot has a building on it. The vacant portion,
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
August 7, 1991
Page 2
he stated, will hopefully accommodate a building. The City recently acquired an adjacent
piece of property which will become an official parking lot and double the parking capacity.
written moved to recommend approval of this action to the Planning Commission and
Dancer seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.
PA 91-120
Fence Height Variance
182 Scenic Drive
Crissy and Steve Barnett
McLaughlin explained the applicants are applying for a fence height variance in order to
obtain privacy along Scenic Drive. With the recently erected stop sign in front of their
house, a buffer is needed. The fence would be 30 feet long and five feet above the curb.
The main portion of the house would still be visible.
Hook stated he physically inspected the property and he has a problem witfi a five foot
fence above the curb. He feels the problem could be solved with a four foot fence. Five
feet creates too much of a barrier. Lewis concurred and suggested a "step down" fence.
It was agreed by the Commission if the applicants want a fence, they would need one higher
than 3~A feet, but that a five foot fence would be too high. McLaughlin stated he would
contact the Barnetts to have them come to the Review Board meeting the following day in
order to work something out. Hook suggested the findings state "...there be an ample view
of the valley for pedestrians..."
Hook moved to make a formal recommendation the Barnetts not build their fence fiVe feet
above the curb and to try and work out an alternative solution with them. Whitten
seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
PA 91-115
Variance
774 "B" Street
Margot Pomeroy
McLaughlin informed the Commission this application has been called up for a public
hearing. It was suggested the owner and/or contractor come to a Review Board meeting
to discuss the design of the carport.
BUILDING PERMITS
Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of
July follow:
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
August 7, 1991 Page
Dorothy Murphy 145 Alida Re-roof
Marilyn Boje 74 Pine St. Addition/Deck
Briscoe School 265 N. Main Re-roof
Ralph Riggs 260 7th St. Remodel
Chris Edner 124 Nob Hill Addition
Jim Hibbert 171 Oak St. Foundation
Karl Slack 44 Scenic Dr. Re-roof
Bank of America 101 E. Main Remodel
Don/Laura Kay 105 Nutley Re-roof
Marvin Woods 123 First St. Re-roof
Ralph Rosa 657 Siskiyou Blvd. Remodel
Lloyd Haines 290 N. Main Remodel
Jack Gunter 247 Oak St. Re-roof
Mr. Purdey 295 E. Main Re-roof
Robert McWilliams 215 Fourth St. Remodel
C~thia White 245 Van Ness Remodel Garage
McCall House 153 Oak St. Sign
Naturals of Ashland Lithia Way Sign
Laurel Street Inn 174 N. Main Sign
The Sands 248 Van Ness Sign
NEW BUSINESS
Roanne Lyall met with the Commission regarding her request for demolition of the house
located at 482 Iowa Street. Lyall stated she would like to build her oWn residence on the
rear portion of the property, with apartment units located on the front portion. Since the
existing house is on the Landmarks List, the application will ultimately need to be approved
by the City Council. Lyall was instructed to fill out the criteria, state reasons for the
demolition and submit plans depicting all proposed structure(s). Once this has been
completed, it will be placed on the Historic Commission agenda for a decision, then
forwarded to the City Council.
OLD BUSINESS
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:
August 8
August 15
August 22
August 29
Hook, Whitten, Skibby and Lewis
Bradshaw, Chambers and Skibby
Dancer, Bradshaw, Chambers, Skibby and Lewis
Hook, Whitten, Dancer and Skibby
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Minutes
August 7, 1991
Page 4
Goals
When questioned about the finalization of the Heritage Landmarks List, McLaughlin
informed the Commission the City has been working on ordinance revisions. The first draft
should be ready in September for review by the Commission and SHPO, so for the time
being, final adoption of the List is on hold.
The following goals were adopted by the Commission:
.
Clean and explore ways to restore the Mickelson-Chapman Memorial Fountain. The
fountain, located at the library, is associated with an abundance of local history and
needs periodic cleaning (which it rarely gets). JEAN MacKENZIE
.
Attempt to get another grant for research on continuation of Cultural Re~0urce
Inventory. This would be for structures in the Historic District which are not on the
Landmarks List (short term), and for structures outside the Historic District (long
term) which should be protected. LORRAINE WHITTEN '
3.
Education of the Public. Since the Commission realizes that many citizens are not
aware of the Historic Commission, its functions, the importance of the Heritage
Landmarks List, etc., it is imperative the public be informed before the public
hearing for the final adoption of the List. The newspaper and cable access TV
should be utilized for this. DEANE BRADSHAW
NEW BUSINESS... continued
Fountain at Corner of Granite and Nutley Streets
A memo was received from Pam Barlow (Public Works Department) regarding the possible
replacement of the fountain at the comer of Granite and Nutley Streets. Skibby stated this
fountain dates from the teem and is the last surviving fountain (out of 26) that was erected
due to the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). .~
The Commission recommended restoration of the fountain and will start media information
about the history. If allowed to be replaced, the legend of "industry, education and
temperance" will fade, so it is important this fountain be protected.
Site Design and Use Guildelines Revision
McLaughlin stated he would like the Commission to take a close look at the revisions,
then edit and make comments for the next meeting.
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Minutes
August 7, 1991 Page
268 "B" Street
Skibby explained there has been an application for demolition of the structure at 268 "B"
Street. This is the old cider shed that was used by Powell's Apple Cider in the early 1900's.
It is in bad shape now, and has been used as a rental for years. The owners would like to
get a demolition permit in case new owners want to replace it. It was suggested the
Commission talk with the owner in order to explain the history. Since it is not on the
Landmarks List, it would not need City Council approval.
228 "B" Street
Skibby informed the Commission this house was fire damaged, quite extensively on the
second floor. The owners would like to restore the house, but are unsure of their insurance
at this time. He also said neighbors and contractors have already volunteered to help in
the restoration.
ADJOURNMENT
With a motion by Dancer and second by Bradshaw, it was the unanimous decision to
adjourn the meeting at 10:18 p.m.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
.6ugust 7, 1991
Page 6