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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-08-08 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION Minutes August 8, 1990 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Vice Chairperson Susan Reynolds at 7:35 p.m. Members present were Terry Skibby, Deane Bradshaw, Susan Reynolds, Lorraine Whitten, Thomas Hunt, Jean MacKenzie, Mark Reitinger and Keith Chambers. Also present were Senior Planner John McLaughlin and Secretary Sonja Akerman. Commission member Jim Lewis was absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Whitten moved and Hunt seconded to approve the Minutes of the July 5, 1990 meeting as mailed. Motion passed unanimously. STAFF REPORTS PA 90-129 Conditional Use Permit 637 and 649 East Main Street Bernie Zieminski McLaughlin explained this application is for a traveller's accommodation in a commercial zone, hence the term "motel" is used and the owner is not required to live on site. Two units are proposed for 649 East Main Street and three units for 637 East Main Street. Parking will be paved, as will be the alley from Fifth Street to the end of the property. Staff feels this is an appropriate use and will have a lesser impact in all aspects than many other uses which would be allowed on the site, and is therefore recommending approval. The use will maintain the residential structures and is compatible with the residential area. When questioned about the alley paving, McLaughlin answered it has been City Council policy that when traffic will be increased, the alley will be paved. There may be some exceptions in the Railroad District, however, this is in a commercial zone and paving would likely be required. Bernie Zieminski stated he plans to fix up the outside of the houses and feels major remodelling will not be necessary on the insides since the existing rooms are large. One window will change to a door at 637 East Main. The building in back is currently used as a storage shed and will continue to be used as such. If, in the future, he needs more parking, he may demolish the shed. The fence will be moved to allow 24 feet for parking in the rear and it will screen the parking area from the yard. The same fence will be used. Ashland Historic Commission August 8, 1990 Tom Phillips, 60 Fifth Street, stated the letter he submitted (included in the packet) included his main concerns -- that of traffic and visibility in a one lane alley. Chambers feels there will be an impact on the historical character of the alley if it is paved and believes alleys give character in the human scope. The nature of the alley would become sterile and uninviting and it would create more traffic. The Historic Commission would be abrogating its responsibility if approval is recommended because of the ordinance. He also stated two low-income rental units would be lost if this application were approved, and wondered what would be in the best interest of the City. McLaughlin said the Planning Department would certainly raise the question of affordable housing if this was located in a residential zone. When questioned by Reynolds as to why the area is zoned commercial, he answered it has been this way since the 1960's, mainly since the area is an extension of Downtown and East Main Street is designated an arterial street. The paving of the alley was again discussed and McLaughlin related a big issue is air quality. Also, maintenance of alleys are low priority with the City. Tom Giordano, President of CPAC, remarked that CPAC has discussed alleys and looks at them as a resource and open space. CPAC will be looking more thoroughly at alternatives to alley paving with the Traffic Safety Commission toward the end of the year. He agrees that there are many alleys which should be paved. He would ask that the applicant forego improvement to the alley until a later date. Tom Phillips again expressed his concerns regarding the facts that 1) since a portion of the alley that T's with the alley in question was paved, the traffic has increased and the speed of the traffic has increased; 2) most people that come to the area plan a lot of activities and do not just attend the plays, therefore, cars will be coming and going throughout the day; 3) though the zoning cannot be changed, a motel would be an isolated business in a residential area and should not set a precedence; and 4) improved buildings would get a higher rent if needed. Chambers moved to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit to the Planning Commission with the proviso that the importance of the historic character of the alley be recognized, therefore recommending 1) the alley remain unpaved until CPAC recommendations are submitted; 2) the applicant sign in favor of future improvements to the alley; and 3) the parking be designed with an unpaved character of alley in mind (i.e. paver bricks) in line with a pedestrian corridor. Whitten seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed. Ashland Historic Commission August 8, 1990 PA 90-153 Conditional Use Permit and Variance 90 Fourth Street Light Valley Waldorf School - Ashland McLaughlin explained this request is to operate a private school in the Church of the Nazarene Annex (across from the Rogue Valley Unitarian Church). An office is proposed to be located in the residence next door. Parking will be behind the residence, with access off Golden Spike Way. Code requires seven and one-half to eight spaces. The applicant contends there would be six employees who would be car pooling and eight spaces would be in excess. The building will remain relatively unchanged, depending on building code requirements (fire walls, etc.). Forty or fifty students will be attending the school. The playground will be located across the street on the Church grounds. Staff is recommending approval. (Reynolds stated she is a member of the Rogue Valley Unitarian Church.) Tom Giordano asserted that due to fire separation, the house will remain residential and will not be used as an office. The peripheral plantings will be kept. The school, he added, is looking for temporary space and plans to build within a couple of years. Three years at this location would be the maximum. Most of the remodelling will be done on the inside to accommodate the classrooms. Because of their condition, some windows will be replaced, and because of budget restraints, they will most likely be metal. He also stated he had talked with John Dagget (Superintendent of Schools) who said he would welcome another school since the public schools are at a maximum now and 300 more students are expected next year. Parking and paving blocks were discussed. Jon Reinhardt, 159 North Main Street, interjected he put in pavers for parking at his traveller's accommodation. They were very expensive and labor extensive. Grass was planted, but because of the continued use, now there is none. He suggested the applicant use gravel. Whitten moved to recommend approval of this application with the suggestion that the parking area be gravel, which would enable the residence to reclaim the backyard when the school moves, and with the strong advice that the historic preservation of the residence be retained, and that window replacement in the annex be compatible. Chambers seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Ashland Historic Commission August 8, 1990 PA 90-164 Conditional Use Permit 132 and 140 Van Ness Avenue Davidson/Tucek McLaughlin stated this application is for the conversion of apartments to condominiums. The Planning Commission recently approved a similar request because of the abundance of rental units and a greater vacancy rate. People need the opportunity to break into the housing market and this is one way to accomplish that. Chambers questioned Lee Davidson (owner) about the yard area. She answered there is a designated garden area with each lot, but she would have no problem if one were converted to a play area to accommodate families. Reitinger moved and Skibby seconded to recommend approval of this Conditional Use Permit application. The motion passed unanimously. PA 90-163 Conditional Use Permit 159 North Main Street Cowslips Belle McLaughlin explained the applicant would like to add on to his traveller's accommodation and that a portion of the structure is non-conforming, thus a Conditional Use Permit is required. There will be no change in units. Staff feels this is an appropriate request and is recommending approval. Jon Reinhardt, owner, conveyed that although there is only a few feet between his house and property line, there will be at least 50 feet between his house and the Parish house next door. Currently, the room that will be expanded has no direct access to the bathroom and no closet. He will use existing windows and wood and will only add a door for outside entrance/exit. Chambers moved and Whitten seconded to recommend approval of this application, and it passed unanimously. 90-168 Final Plan Modification Logan Drive (off Scenic Drive) Ed Houghton McLaughlin said that Logan Drive is being built 100 feet from what was originally laid out because Public Works recommended it be moved closer to the intersection of Grandview Ashland Historic Commission August 8, 1990 and Scenic Drives. However, the map which was submitted for Final Plan Approval depicted Logan Drive as initially proposed, therefore, property owners were noticed as such. Work has stopped because the City Attorney has ruled this is a land use matter. According to Public Works Director Steve Hall, this is the safest configuration. Logan Drive, as it is being constructed, will have a 15% grade and the landing at the bottom will be 6%. Whitten questioned if any history was available for winter repair work at the intersection of Scenic and Grandview. McLaughlin stated the cuts excavated for the road will be terraced and trees and shrubs planted (actually drilled in the granite, irrigated, etc.) for full erosion control. Logan Drive will be paved with curbs and gutters. McLaughlin agreed that Grandview Drive is a problem because it is not paved and because of the slope as it intersects with Scenic Drive. When questioned about the paving of Grandview Drive, McLaughlin stated the City is trying to get alternative funding other than Bancrofting because an unfair burden would be placed on owners of large lots with frontage on Grandview. The City's position from the beginning, McLaughlin reiterated, has been to locate Logan Drive where it is because of traffic safety issues. Paul Fischer, 135 Scenic Drive, stated that work has stopped on Logan Drive and worries about erosion in case it rains. He is also very concerned about speeders along Grandview Drive and Scenic Drive. Steve Barnett, 182 Scenic Drive, said he has lived at that address for four years and sees the intersection of Grandview and Scenic Drives (directly across from his house) every day. The facts that this is not a level area, there is a crest on Scenic Drive and the intersection is not a right angle create a blind corner. He continued to say that the City seems to be looking at this in a two dimensional way, as Logan Drive comes in to the intersection at this blind corner. He feels the original intersection is much better because drivers can see two directions. Because of snow and icy conditions in the winter, cars can end up in his home. This, he said, is a safety concern, and if the City approves it as recommended by Public Works, it would be creating a monumental disaster. When questioned about the steep driveways of the homes already located off Scenic Drive, Joann Houghton, 185 Scenic Drive, declared each home has a turn-around at the top of the driveway so no one has to back onto Scenic Drive. She added that they were following City requirements when they started the excavation of Logan Drive. Steve Barnett interjected that he and his wife made the City aware of what was going on at 8:30 on a Monday morning and work was not halted until 12:30 on Friday afternoon. The Commission agreed there is a visual impact on the Historic District because of the excavation of Logan Drive. Bradshaw added that the intersection can be seen from Ashland Historic Commission August 8, 1990 Downtown, and Whitten strongly advised the Traffic Safety Commission review the location because of safety hazards. Chambers moved to have the Historic Commission decline an approval or denial recommendation, but strongly recommends the Planning Commission consider the two potential impacts of Logan Drive: 1) the visual impact on the Historic District and 2) the location of the intersection with regard to livability (safety and quality of life). Whitten amended the motion to advise the Planning Commission that the Traffic Safety Commission should thoroughly review the location of the intersection before making a final decision. MacKenzie seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. BUILDING PERMITS Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of July follow: Bill Patten Lucia/Michael Kelsay June C. Anderson Craig/Marie Chestnut Eva Cooley G.K. Schrock Gourmet Coffee Shop Kelso Realty The Nail Salon Theresa's Cantina Rogue Books The White Swan Cafe Kelso Realty 110 Terrace St. 84 Pine St. 186 Harrison St. 346 Iowa St. 348 Iowa St. 34 Union St. 66 N. Pioneer St. 33 N. First St. 72 N. Pioneer St. 76 N. Pioneer St. 107 E. Main St. 568 E. Main St. 33 N. First St. Remodel Addition Addition Remodel/Addition Addition Porch Demolition Sign Sign Sign Sign Sign Sign Sign OLD BUSINESS Historic Sign Code Ordinance -- McLaughlin informed the Commission that according to City Administrator Brian Almquist, the Council will not consider the proposed changes until some sort of inventory has been completed, which would be at least August 21st. He added there is not time to document any sign that would be placed on the list, but there are a few options which could be taken. One avenue would be to have staff do an inventory to satisfy Council requirements, but the Historic Commission could still set criteria and put the burden of proof on the owner. There, of course, would still be no guarantee the Council would approve the revisions. Ashland Historic Commission August 8, 1990 It was decided the Commission would request Council to not act on the revisions until after the September meeting, so everyone would have a chance to review the list. SOSC 2000 Plan SOSC has agreed to comply with City rules regarding the Boyden House, McLaughlin said. It has pulled off the plans for removing the house and is aware that Council approval would be needed should the college change its mind. SOSC also acknowledged the importance of Churchill Hall and agreed it should be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. 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 9 August 16 August 23 August 30 Reynolds, Reitinger and Skibby Skibby, Bradshaw, Chambers and Hunt Skibby, MacKenzie, Hunt and Chambers Reitinger, Hunt, Whitten and Skibby NEW BUSINESS Building Permits Skibby brought up the fact that there have been several contractors starting work on projects before building permits are obtained (sometimes prior to turning plans into the Building Department). The structures located at 147 North Pioneer Street and 14 Beach Avenue are examples. ADJOURNMENT With a motion by Chambers and second by Whitten, it was the unanimous decision of the Historic Commission to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 p.m.