HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-06-05 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Minutes
June 5, 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, Thomas Hunt, Keith Chambers, Jean MacKenzie, Jane
Dancer and Deane Bradshaw. Also present were Senior Planner John McLaughlin and
Secretary Sonja Akerman. Commission member Lorraine Whitten was absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chambers moved and Bradshaw seconded to approve the Minutes of the May 8, 1991
meeting as mailed. Motion passed unanimously.
STAFF REPORTS
PA 91-046
Minor Land Partition
97 Pine Street
Mary Taylor
McLaughlin explained this action was discussed at great length during the Hearings Board
meeting last month. It was finally decided to continue the hearing, but the findings would
be adopted at the June meeting if nothing else happens with this application.
Concerns were expressed by the Commission regarding incompatible development and
architecture. Skibby suggested the Commission stand by its recommendation to the
Planning Commission regarding flag lots in the Historic District. Chambers added it should
be noted there are special districts with important characteristics which should be taken into
consideration, especially open space and slope of property. The ordinance needs to address
these cases. The Commission agreed with both Skibby and Chambers.
PA 91-071
Site Review
70 Water Street
Ann Clouse
McLaughlin said the applicant would like to open a small retail store adjacent to her office
space in order to sell such things as brownies, coffee and antiques. There will be no
exterior changes or additions. Parking and landscaping have been previously approved, and
there will be no changes.
With a motion by MacKenzie and second by Chambers, this action was unanimously
recommended for approval.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
June 5, 1991
PA 91-072
Site Review and Parking Configuration Variance
671, 673 and 673¼ Siskiyou Boulevard
David Shaw
McLaughlin briefly reviewed this application, stating the Planning Commission and City
Council denied the cottage conversion into a single family residence. The applicant is now
requesting a Parking Configuration Variance, in which one space could be extended into
two to allow for "stacked" parking. The Variance would need to be approved because the
Ordinance requires all parking spaces to be accessible without having to move any cars.
This configuration has been approved in other actions and Staff feels it is an appropriate
design for the space, therefore is recommending approval.
Hunt expressed his frustration in dealing with the same problems over and over. He has
a problem with time spent on actions such as these that have started without permits, have
been denied, then come back until everyone is tired of dealing with them. He thinks there
needs to be a limit and that the correct process should be required from the beginning.
He also did not want this to set a precedence.
Bradshaw agreed there is a need to put a stop to this sort of difficulty. However, she feels
this will inevitably be approved. Lewis added at least the end product will be affordable
rental housing.
McLaughlin stated this type of problem makes everyone more wary and that we learn a lot
from these situations. He added he does not feel this will set a precedence as Mr. Shaw
has tried working with the system once he got into the planning process. He won't be
getting away with anything.
Chambers disagreed and said he felt a precedence could be set because members will
especially remember the end product, that of affordable housing.
Bradshaw moved to approve the Site Review and Parking Configuration Variance.
Chambers questioned the alley paving and McLaughlin answered the City Council already
placed a paving condition on the property. MacKenzie then seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.
PA 91-079
Conditional Use Permit and Site Review
247 North Second Street
Rochelle Desnick/Shari Sunshine
McLaughlin explained this application is for the mixed use of the property- office and
residence. The positive aspect about applications such as this is the general upgrading of
the property. Another positive aspect about this one is that the residence will help maintain
a residential character. The alley is already paved and the landscaping will be upgraded
and maintained.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
June 5, 1991
Shari Sunshine clarified there will be three part-time therapists who will not all be at the
site simultaneously. She will also be the residential tenant.
Skibby moved to recommend approval of this application to the Planning Commission.
Hunt seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
PA 91-084
Extension of Previously Approved Site Review
165 Lithia Way
Copeland Lumber Company
McLaughlin explained Copeland may need this extension, although time will not run out
until June 25. The Planning Department received notification from Copeland the building
permit will be picked up soon. Some modification of the existing property will take place.
A portion of the existing warehouse will be removed and a new warehouse will be built.
Originally, exterior changes were going to take place in the existing building, however, this
will no longer take place. A fence will be built and the trellis with the vines will remain.
Bradshaw moved to recommend approval of this application with prior Planning
Commission recommendations. Skibby seconded the motion and it was unanimously
approved.
PA 91-053
Variance
758 "B" Street
Ruth Miller/Phillip Lang
This action, McLaughlin said, started out as a remodel. As it turned out, there was not
much to save of the original house. It was not on the Landmarks List. The original
foundation is still there, but no original walls. The house will be built according to the
permit already obtained. The property was surveyed and it was found the setback on one
side was only five feet rather than the required six. Staff is recommending approval and
feels the proposed house is a very good design and will fit in well with the area.
Chambers moved and Bradshaw seconded to recommend approval of this action to the
Planning Commission. Motion was approved with a unanimous vote.
BUILDING PERMITS
Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of
May follow:
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
June 5, 1991
Plato Doundoulakis
Sam Egan
Mike Sullivan
Brent Thompson
City of Ashland
Clay Colley
Ann/Bob Clouse
G.K./Doris Schrock
Ken/Pat Marlen
Clay Colley
Chris Edner/Dan Atlman
Ashland Fire Department
Fadden's Inn
Accents/The Hangar
494 Holly
364 Vista
486 Siskiyou
1098 "B" St.
20 E. Main St.
867 E. Main St.
70 Water St.
34 Union St.
85 Union St.
867 E. Main St.
124 Nob Hill
455 Siskiyou
326 N. Main
33 E. Main St.
Interior Remodel
Retaining Wall
Studio
Porch Repair
Remodel
SFR Demolition
Increase Door Size
Garage Remodel
Remodel
SFR
Interior Demolition
Addition
Sign
Sign
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:
June 6
June 13
June 20
June 27
Skibby, Hunt and Dancer
Skibby, Hunt, Bradshaw and Chambers
Skibby, Hunt, Bradshaw, MacKenzie, Lewis and Dancer
Skibby, Hunt, Bradshaw and Chambers
National Historic Preservation Week
Lewis thanked all the members for their work prior to and during National Historic
Preservation Week. Letters will be sent to the judges thanking them also.
Heritage Sunday
Skibby reported Heritage Sunday will be on June 30 at the Community Center from 11:00
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. His old photos will be on display. He is now in the process of trying to
obtain photos of all the mayors. Also on display will be fire and police department photos
and ones during the building of the dam. Lawrence Powell will have a slide show of the
Plaza. The 1913 and 1929 fire engines will also be present. Old Ashland Tours will
conduct a walking tour at 3:30 p.m.
City Hall Remodel
Lewis reported an anthropological dig will take place beginning next week in that portion
of the City Hall that is being remodeled. A segment of the concrete floor had to be
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
June 5, 1991
removed and various items were found, including a bone fragment and hand forged square
nails. Nan Hannon, Richard Olmos and students will be working on the dig.
NEW BUSINESS
Chautaueua Wall
After discussing the letter received by Brian Almquist from Paul Nicholson, General
Manager of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, it was decided more information would be
helpful regarding exact location, width of demolished area and how the wall will be
restored. Since it is on the National Register of Historic Places, it may also need to be
approved by the State Historic Preservation Office.
Wes Vail
McLaughlin stated he had talked with Wes Vail regarding his option on a portion of the
old railway spur from the Helman Street/Van Ness Avenue intersection to the parking lot
of Orchard Lane Mall. Vail, he stated, knows everything about the Ashland railroad system
and has old photos and maps. He owns several restored railroad cars which are protected
under cover and heated. He would eventually like to move some of these cars to the
property.
Planning Staff feels it would be a great use of the property. The Historic Commission also
enthusiastically would like to encourage this use.
Demolitions
Skibby presented photos of 474 North Main Street, 120 Second Street and 542 Allison
Street. Two of these have had the siding and most of the interior removed, while 542
Allison Street has only the front porch standing. Building permits have not been issued for
474 North Main Street or 120 Second Street. 542 Allison Street obtained a permit for
remodel only. It was clear to the Commission a formal definition of "demolition" needs to
be adopted.
Skibby moved and Bradshaw seconded to instruct Staff to write an ordinance with a dear
definition of "demolition" which will amend Ashland Municipal Code 15.04.210, and obtain
a scheduled hearing date for the City Council. Motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
It was the unanimous decision of the Historic Commission to adjourn the meeting at 9:15
p.m.