HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-11-07 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIc COMMISSION
Minutes
November 7, 1990
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, Jean MacKenzie, Mark Reitinger, Lorraine
Whitten and Keith Chambers. Also present were Senior Planner John McLaughlin,
Secretary Sonja Akerman and Council Liaison Susan Reid. Commission members Susan
Reynolds and Deane Bradshaw were absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Whitten moved and Reitinger seconded to approve the Minutes of the October 3, 1990
meeting as mailed. Motion passed unanimously.
GUESTS
John Fregonese
Director of Community Development John Fregonese presented renditions of the existing
and proposed plans for the Plaza design. He stated he began working on the Plaza design
in 1986 when the Downtown Plan was being developed with the Downtown Planning
Advisory Committee (DPAC). So far, the majority of money which has been allocated for
Downtown improvements has been spent on parking lots and sidewalk repairs. DPAC
wanted to save the Plaza until the last because it is the most important area of Downtown
and because it wanted to develop a master plan with public input. He stated they hope to
have the final plans ready for submission to the City Council in mid December.
Fregonese then showed slides of the evolution of the Plaza.
Mona Blankholm, 202 Oak Lawn Avenue, then requested to speak about her personal
observations and opinions regarding the moving of the information booth. She has been
a volunteer for years and has observed that it seems to be a built in protection for the area.
Also, the present location makes it very obvious to the tourists that it is an information
booth. If it were moved, she feels strongly that people would not know what it is there for.
Fregonese agreed that Blankholm made a good point and responded that the idea has
always been to keep it visible. It is thought by many that it should be relocated to keep it
away from the hot afternoon sun and allow for expansion of the structure.
Reid stated she does not feel the booth would be hidden if moved, as the trees will form
a canopy, thus opening the view from the entire Plaza.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
November 7, 1990
Fregonese said he will be presenting the redesign ideas to the Chamber of Commerce on
November 25 and reminded those present there will be a public hearing on November 13.
Whitten moved to approve the general concept and idea of the Plaza redesign, but to
reserve final approval until more details are worked out. Reitinger seconded the motion.
Discussion followed with Skibby voicing concern about the raised crossings and the bollards.
Lewis stated he feels the Plaza will be more pedestrian oriented and put to better use. It
was agreed the Commission will meet with Bill Emerson (designer) at its regular review
board meeting on November 15 to work out some of these details. The motion carried,
with all voting "yes" except Skibby, who voted "no".
STAFF REPORTS
PA 90-197
Conditional Use Permit
447 Rock Street
Michele Smirl
McLaughlin stated the Planning Commission continued this application from last month's
meeting because of Historic Commission concerns regarding the garage elevations. The
architect had since submitted elevations.
Richard Wagner, architect for the project, stated the garage is currently on two levels but
is not useable as a two-car garage and there is no foundation. The plans call for a
foundation; and the remodel work will not go beyond what is existing. It will become a one
car garage and guest room. The roofing and siding material will match the house. Wagner
agreed to bring in plans to the review board meeting on Thursday.
Chambers moved to recommend approval of the concept of garage plans as presented,
pending actual approval of final plans. Whitten seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
PA 90-186
Conditional Use Permit, Site Review and Variance
673 and 673½ Siskiyou Boulevard
David Shaw
McLaughlin explained this action was continued from last month's Planning Commission
meeting in order to allow further discussion for Planning Commission members. The public
hearing was closed so the Planning Commission cannot accept more public comment
without completely opening the hearing.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
November 7, 1990
The Commission had no procedural comments regarding this action.
PA 90-204
Variance
337 Oak Street
Michael Van Ausdall
McLaughlin said this application involves a Variance to allow the fence on the Van Ness
side of a recently approved Minor Land Partition to remain as it is. The fence height on
the corner of Oak Street and Van Ness Avenue has already been reduced. Staff agrees
with the owner and is recommending approval.
Hunt expressed his concerns about the fence height and added the owner knew what he had
to contend with before the fence was built. Lewis stated the owner has good points
regarding sound and privacy and that the traffic safety would not be changed by cutting 24
inches off the fence. McLaughlin added the fence was constructed before permits were
required.
Skibby moved to recommend approval of the fence height Variance and Reitinger seconded
the motion. It was unanimously passed.
PA 90-207
Change of Applicant
325 North Main Street
Michael Megorden
McLaughlin explained this is a transfer of applicant. There have been no complaints on
this traveller's accommodation.
With a motion by Whitten and second from Chambers, recommendation of approval was
unanimously passed.
PA 90-210
Conditional Use Permit
135 Maple Street
Linda Vista Care Center
McLaughlin stated the applicant is proposing to use an unfinished space in the basement
and convert it into a doctor's office. Staff feels this is a positive move, as it will upgrade
the site with landscaping.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
November 7, 1990
Skibby moved and Hunt seconded to reCommend approval of this application to the
Planning Commission. Motion passed unanimously.
PA 90-213
Site Review
Pioneer Street
Erik Wallbank
This proposal is for a two story building with a common access alley to be used also by
Valley of the Rogue Bank and the proposed Ashland Food Co-op. Parking will be
coordinated with the Co-op.
Hunt stated he had concerns with the galvanized roof, as he feels it looks harsh on such a
large building. Lewis stated the 4/12 roof pitch is not compatible in the Historic District
and suggested the applicant change the design to a story and a half, as it would look better
and the same square footage could be utilized.
Although the Commission agreed the porch and 1 x 6 horizontal wood siding are positive
points, more details are needed before a decision could be made.
Erik Wallbank passed around pictures he had taken of some of his previous projects.
Because the Commission was uncomfortable with the plans the applicant submitted,
Reitinger moved and Whitten seconded to call this application up for a public hearing
before the Planning Commission. The motion was unanimously passed.
PA 90-218
Final Plan 'Modification
Logan Drive
Ed Houghton
McLaughlin reminded the Commission the'modification request as currently constructed
was denied by both the Planning Commission and City Council. The applicant's engineer
has submitted plans rerouting the intersection of Logan Drive with Scenic Drive towards
the downtown area. The proposed location allows more visibility and is not in direct
alignment with the Barnett's house, although it will be somewhat with their new addition.
Ed Houghton stated they have been working on erosion control and his landscaper feels
that native vine would be more pleasing than a rock wall. Therefore, they are proposing a
30 inch split face wall with mounds of dirt above, creating valleys for erosion control, then
planted with trees and bushes.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
November 7, 1990
McLaughlin said staff feels this location is feasible because it appears the farthest downhill,
visibility and slope are addressed, and it was discussed at the Planning Commission meeting
and City Council meeting. There would be stop signs located on Scenic Drive, Logan Drive
and Grandview Drive. Traffic Safety is looking at this issue also.
Joanne Houghton stated efforts have been made to address the Historic Commission
concerns expressed at the August meeting >> livability, traffic safety/signage, and aesthetics.
Commission members agreed that a good faith effort has been made and there is definitely
an improvement in this modification.
Reitinger moved to approve the landscaping concept as addressing the aesthetic and visual
impact concerns the Commission had earlier. Skibby amended the motion to withhold
comment on the actual location of the Logan Drive intersection. Whitten seconded the
motion as amended and it was unanimously passed.
PA 90-165
Ashland Municipal Code Revisions
Affordable Housing
City of Ashland
McLaughlin explained the main affect in the Historic District will be the allowance of
accessory apartments in R-1 zones if certain criteria is met.
Discussion ensued regarding size of units with regard to single college students and families
who would need two to three bedroom units, and infilling of residential districts.
No action was taken.
PA 90-171
Ashland Municipal Code Revisions
Traveller's Accommodations
City of Ashland
McLaughlin explained the progression of events and concerns that led to the revisions. The
final Staff Report addresses concerns voiced not only by the Planning Commission and
Historic Commission, but also those received from traveller's accommodation owners.
The Commission agreed with the ordinance revisions.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
November 7, 1990
PA 90-194
Ashland Municipal Code Revisions
Manufactured Homes
City of Ashland
McLaughlin stated this revision will not affect the Historic District, as no manufactured
homes will be allowed in the District. Certain criteria will have to be met, he explained,
regarding the placement of the manufactured home (size, roof pitch, siding, skirting, etc.)
and the location of the property.
(Skibby moved and Reitinger seconded to extend the meeting past 10:30 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.)
No action was taken.
PA 90-189
Ashland MuniciPal Code Revisions
Special Setbacks >> C-1 and E-1 Zones
City of Ashland
These revisions, McLaughlin said, would only affect Siskiyou BoUlevard, Highway 66, and
North Main Street. Current regulations are too restrictive and the outcome of some
projects has resulted in poor designs. By allowing special setbacks, it will encourage people
to park behind buildings instead of in front.
No action was taken.
BUILDING PERMITS
Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of
October follow:
Frank/Kay Spierings
Dave Beck
Evert Peters
Sue DeMarinis
Brad Parker
Mike Buckley
John Schweiger
U.S. Bank
Cameron Hansen
Crissy Barnett
164V2 "B" St.
40 Bush St.
134 High St.
386 "B" St.
137 N. Main St.
823 Siskiyou Blvd.
110 Lithia Way
30 N. 2nd St.
67 Woolen Way
182 Scenic Dr.
Remodel
Addition
Remodel/Addition
Remodel
Porch Remodel
Addition
Remodel
Remodel
Addition
Addition
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
November 7, 1990
Susan Young
Greg Sprague ~
Winter Cafe and Newsstand
I1 Giardino
Sefiior Gator's
The Ashland Spa
188 Central Ave. Addition
337 Scenic Dr. Remodel
85 Winburn Way Sign
5 Granite St. Sign
92¥2 N. Main St. Sign
27 3rd St. 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:
November 8
November 15
November 22
November 29
Whitten, Hunt, Skibby and Reitinger
All available members
Thanksgiving Holiday
Reitinger, Lewis, Hunt .and Skibby
Cultural Resources Inventory
McLaughlin notified the Commission there is no expiration date in the Ordinance. The
current list is in place until the Council adopts Kay's Cultural Resources Inventory. Staff
is in the process of working on notices and mailings.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business,
ADJOURNMENT
It was the unanimous decision of the Historic Commission to adjourn the meeting at 10:55
p.m.