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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-10-03 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION Minutes October 3, 1990 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, Deane Bradshaw, Thomas Hunt, Jean MacKenzie, Susan Reynolds, Lorraine Whitten and Keith Chambers. Also present were Senior Planner John McLaughlin and Secretary Sonja Akerman. Commission member Mark Reitinger was absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Bradshaw moved and Hunt seconded to approve the Minutes of the September 5, 1990 meeting as mailed. Motion passed unanimously. GUESTS Jim Sims As owner of a bed and breakfast establishment, Sims is concerned about proposed changes in the traveller's accommodation ordinance. He invited the Commission to tour some of the bed and breakfasts in the Historic District on October 29th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. He stated it is important to have the opinion of the Historic Commission so as to not damage the historic character and integrity of the District. Gordon Medaris Medaris said he came to speak about the Golden Spike Memorial Park, however, he had just received a letter from Mayor Golden regarding the establishment of a committee to look into this. The committee will include members from Jackson County Commissioners, Southern Oregon Historical Society, Ashland Heritage Committee, etc. Because of his schedule, he will have to bow out. He thinks it is a wonderful idea, however, and definitely feels it is very appropriate. He also thanked and commended the Commission for its fine work. Edmund Dews, member of the Ashland Heritage Committee and board member of Southern Oregon Historical Society, stated he was very interested in the Railroad District. He stressed the importance of the last spike, stating it was significant for the entire Pacific Northwest, as it was the event that transformed the economy. He added it would be appropriate to involve Jackson County, the State of Oregon and Southern Pacific also, since important officials from SP, the Governors of California and Oregon, mayors and reporters were among the dignitaries present at the dedication. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes October 3, 1990 Kay Atwood Atwood officially announced the Cultural Resources Inventory is now complete. There are 886 sites on the list which she researched. She wanted to call attention to the context statements summarizing the contents of the districts, especially the Skidmore-Academy and Siskiyou-Hargardine Districts. SHPO will be observing these goals in the future. She also stated the next step will be to request the City Council to adopt this final list, and assured the Commission she will be available to answer any questions at the Council meeting. Support of the inventory will fall on the shoulders of the Historic Commission. McLaughlin said he thought the interim list expires January 1, 1991. He will make certain the inventory will be on the Council agenda in November. Edmund Dews stated that although he is very much in support of the survey, he is concerned about the timing. He feels it is important to allow for public input. STAFF REPORTS PA 90-186 Conditional Use Permit, Site Review and Variance 673 and 6731A Siskiyou Boulevard David Shaw McLaughlin explained this application involves a Conditional Use Permit because of non- conforming structure alterations. Work was taking place on the back cottages without the owner obtaining the proper permits. Notices were sent out as a Type I application, however a neighbor called it up for a public hearing because an illegal dwelling unit was created last year without approval. Since parking is required for each dwelling unit (and there are currently three units on the property), more spaces need to be provided in order to bring this to code. Shaw has since furnished one parking space but is requesting a Variance in order to keep the yard between the two back cottages. Staff believes two dwelling units should be retained and the illegally created one be converted back to a storage unit with the kitchen removed. David Shaw explained the circumstances which led to the illegal rental and added he was embarrassed to be in this type of situation. He feels the cottages are affordable housing, as both rent for less than $400/month (330 square feet and 400 square feet). Bradshaw questioned where the tenants currently park. Shaw answered he has provided one space, but mostly it is on Morton Street. Bradshaw lives on Morton Street and feels there is adequate parking on the street. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes October 3, 1990 McLaughlin added the alley is heavily travelled and it will be recommended the alley be paved from Morton Street to the end of the property. Whitten stated that when an alley gets paved, most motorists speed up. Unpaved alleys are part of the Historic District charm. The Commission agreed. Lewis said that although there may be adequate parking on Morton Street, a saturation point would be reached if all parking variances are approved. McLaughlin stated that Staff is faced with a difficulty in this case - approving an illegal unit versus preserving affordable housing and open space. Whitten moved to recommend approval of this request to the Planning Commission for the three units to be retained, that the additional parking be waived to retain open space, with the recommendation that paving of the alley be delayed until the review process on alleyways for the Comp Plan revision be completed. Bradshaw seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed. PA 90-188 Conditional Use Permit 386 "B" Street Susan DeMarinis McLaughlin stated this request is to remodel an outbuilding (which is basically a "shack") into a living area. This would be a complete remodel and almost a demolition as to what is there now. The building is approximately one foot off the alley. The additional living space would be similar in bulk and size with a little different roof pitch, siding and trim will match the house and vinyl double hung windows will be used. When questioned about a separate dwelling unit, McLaughlin explained that "kitchen" is the key word. Before a building permit is issued, the owner is usually required to sign an Agreement verifying there will be no kitchen appliances in the unit, especially a stove. DeMarinis assured the Commission there will be no stove, she just wants extra living space, as her clinic takes up almost the entire main structure. The Commission agreed the remodeled building should be more in character of the house than like the existing shed, that it.is an appropriate Use of the space, and that it is an improvement of the alleyscape. Hunt moved to recommend approval of this design as presented with the exception of the rounded window of the door (East elevation). MacKenzie seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes October 3, 1990 PA 90-192 Conditional Use Permit Corner of 6th and East Main Streets Patterson, Snider and Ritchey McLaughlin explained US West Direct needs to install an air conditioning unit for cooling the digital equipment inside. Staff agrees that it seems more reasonable to see a ten foot high block fence than a chain link fence as was originally proposed. Zelpha Hutton submitted a letter stating she had no problem with the addition, but wanted the noise issue addressed. Doug Snider, architect for the project, stated that a permit was issued for interior remodel, but it turned into a larger project because of the equipment involved. There are three different options to consider: change the chain link fence to a masonry acoustical screen, relocate the equipment to the roof, or move equipment inside (which would necessitate the change from air cooled to water cooled and would also replace office space). The last option would require a cooling tower and would use city water. They are in the process of having an acoustical study made now so there are no drawings yet. After a discussion on landscaping and noise standards, Reynolds moved to recommend approval of this application with the advice a masonry wall be built with landscaping to help screen equipment from Sixth Street and absorb noise. Following a discussion on the plans, it was decided a subcommittee would review the final plans. Skibby then seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. PA 90-197 Conditional Use Permit 447 Rock Street Michele Smirl McLaughlin stated this house does not comply with setbacks and that the proposed addition is within 20 feet of the front property line. Staff is recommending approval. The Commission had concerns with the windows on the proposed addition, especially the East and North elevations. The windows should duplicate the existing windows. Concerns were also voiced about converting the garage into a separate guest room. No elevations or plans have been submitted for the garage. Whitten moved to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit with provisions that the windows match the existing windows, the roof line of the addition match the existing roof line, that the siding and shingles match with the existing house and that a subcommittee review the final plans. The Commission cannot approve the garage concept Ashland Historic Commission Minutes October 3, 1990 until full plans and elevations are submitted. Reynolds seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. PA 90-190 Staff Permit 137 North Main Street Brad Parker/Bobbi Williams Brad Parker briefly described the restoration work he has been doing on his house for the past two and one-half years, including the fact that he intends to recreate the original porch. When the Craftsman porch was added in 1928, the beams for the porch roof were structurally incorporated into the house. If he were to replace the porch as it stood initially, he would have to tear off a portion of the front of the house. James Hamrick, Acting Deputy State Historic' Preservation Officer, is aware of the lower porch and is supportive of Parker's request as long as he follows the photograph of spacing and dimensions of the balusters. Skibby noted the differences between the old phtographs and the drawings that Parker had submitted and stated one and one-half feet in the height of the posts will be lost. The Commission agreed with Hamrick's letter in support of Parker's efforts, but needs accurate, detailed drawings of what the porch will actually look like. A subcommittee will review the plans as soon as they are submitted. BUILDING PERMITS Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of September follow: LBI & Friends David Kirkpatrick G.K./Doric Schrock Richard Broch Ray Stringer Bob Martindale U.S. West Direct 248 Van Ness Ave. 4-Plex 101 Scenic Dr. 34 Union St. 881 E. Main St. 155 7th St. 90 4th St. 6th & E. Main St. Stairwell Garage/Studio/Carport Foundation Shed Demolition* Remodel Remodel * Denotes Historic Commission disapproval. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes October 3, 1990 OLD BUSINESS Alley Paving Alternatives - Dick McKinney McKinney stated he is part of a group of people who want to save alleys. He displayed a topo map of the Historic District depicting which alleys have been walked, which have already been paved and which need preserving as is. Paving causes motorists to speed up, increases heat in the summer months and causes more water runoff. Gravel or 3/4 minus has been suggested as an alternative. Alley vacations were also discussed. McLaughlin stated the City has recently retained pedestrian easements even though a vacation was granted. He added that the Council is sensitive to such circumstances now. The Commission directed Staff to write a memo regarding concerns about alley vacations and paving. Lewis stated that a good example of an alley with no dust problem and no potholes is located between 7th and 8th Streets, and between "B" and "C" Streets. That particular alley is graveled. McKinney added that his committee does not feel it is appropriate to require an alley which divides residential and employment or commercial zones to be paved. Historic. Sign Code Ordinance McLaughlin stated the Sign Code revisions were adopted by the Council with a few changes in criteria. He commended the Commission on its .efforts 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: October 4 Skibby, Lewis and Hunt October 11 Skibby, Hunt, Lewis and Whitten October 18 Bradshaw, Reynolds, Skibby and Hunt October 25 MacKenzie, Skibby and Hunt November 1 Bradshaw, Skibby and Hunt Ashland Historic Commission Minutes October 3, 1990 NEW BUSINESS National Register Nomination - Ashland Masonic Lodge Vince Claflin, who researched and prepared the nomination for the Ashland Masonic Lodge Building, explained the request is not made on architectural merits of the building, but for the social merits because of the many architectural changes which have occurred over the years. The Lodge is non-profit so it will not apply for a tax freeze if placed on the National Register. If funds become available, he assured the Commission the glass bricks will be removed and the building will be restored to the pre-1900 era. The Commission commended Mr. Claflin on his research. (Skibby moved and Reynolds seconded to extend the meeting past 10:30 p.m. The motion was unanimously approved.) Whitten moved and Skibby seconded to recommend approval of the Masonic Lodge to the National Register of Historic Places, and it was unanimously passed. National Register Nomination - South Wing, Ashland Depot Hotel Lewis declared a conflict of interest. With a motion by Reynolds and second by Whitten, recommendation of approval to place the South Wing of the Ashland Depot Hotel on the National Register of Historic Places was unanimously approved. Lewis abstained from voting. Bikeway Proposals The Commission voiced its concerns about altering the width of the median strip on Siskiyou Boulevard, stating the historic context will be greatly altered. It would have a major impact on the Boulevard if five feet were cut out on each side and the ends. It was recommended the City Attorney research the deed restrictions, as MacKenzie stated that orchardists deeded the strip to the City to be used as a median strip. McLaughlin said the strip uses treated water for the sod, which should be replaced with more drought resistance vegetation. The Commission agreed. It also agreed that the two- way bicycle and pedestrian traffic on the five foot sidewalks is dangerous. The Commissioners will make every attempt to attend the public hearing on October llth. Ashland Historic Commission Minutes October 3, 1990 115 Sherman Street Skibby briefly explained the situation regarding the windows on this house, and reminded the Commission the owner wrote a letter stating she would replace them last spring. Lewis will write a letter from the Commission reminding her of this commitment. ADJOURNMENT With a motion by Skibby and second by Chambers, it was the unanimous decision of the Historic Commission to adjourn the meeting at 11:10 p.m.