HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-04-04 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Minutes
April 4, 1990
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Jim Lewis at 7:38 p.m. Members present
were Jim Lewis, Terry Skibby, Rick Harris, Susan Reynolds, Lorraine Whitten, Maxine
Colwell, Thomas Hunt, Mark Reitinger and Keith Chambers. Also present were Senior
Planner John McLaughlin and Secretary Sonja Akerman. No Commission members were
absent.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Whittenmoved and Skibby seconded to approve the Minutes of the March 7, 1990 meeting
as mailed. Motion passed unanimously.
STAFF REPORTS
PA 90-020
Conditional Use Permit
34 Union Street and 549 Allison Street
G.K. Schrock
McLaughlin stated the applicant is now presenting a modification of the proposals
previously reviewed. He is requesting a six unit travellers' accommodation - two in 34
Union Street, two in the existing garage which will be remodeled, and two in the new
coach house, with the manager residing at 549 Allison Street. McLaughlin went on to
explain that a Boundary Line Adjustment is also being requested to allow enough parking
spaces and all the units to be located on the Union Street lot.
When questioned about the owners residing off the property which will contain the
travellers' accommodations, McLaughlin answered the City Attorney had previously ruled
that if the owner resides on contiguous, adjacent property, it is acceptable. Each situation,
however, is separate and is viewed on its own merits. He also stated that the ordinance
regulating travellers' accommodations requires 400 square feet per unit and since the garage
is only 485 square feet, it could only house one unit; therefore, six units would be too many.
Jac Nickels, architect, explained he and the applicant are requesting approval of the six
units and conceptual approval of the coach house. He also asserted that since the last
meeting, they had hired a structural engineer to inspect the condition of the house at 34
Union Street because of structural support questions. They are now not sure of the
economics of restoration.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
April 4, 1990
G.K. Schrock stated that for the record, his understanding of the age of the house at 34
Union Street is pre-1902, as observed from pictures provided by Skibby. It was originally
a barn, then remodeled by Lowe in 1902. Skibby agreed and added that he feels the siding
is the original from that remodel.
Joyce Ward, who was involved in the February and March Commission meetings as a
member, spoke from the audience as an architect. She reminded the Commission to
consider the compatibility of the design of the new coach house with the other existing
buildings. They should all look like they belong together.
Lewis informed the audience that at the March meeting, the Historic Commission had
unanimously recommended approval of four units at 34 Union Street (two in the house and
two in the garage, plus a manger's unit).
Harris questioned McLaughlin about the positioning of auxiliary structures in an R-2 zone.
McLaughlin stated that auxiliary structures should be designed so the lot can be split, but
if used as a residence, it is possible to obtain a variance. He agreed, however, that it could
create an instance where the lot could not be split. He also said the coach house could be
converted into a single family residence.
Schrock clarified it was not his intention to use the travellers' accommodation as rental
units during the off season. If this proposal is denied, he will go for a seven-unit apartment
building.
Harris then inquired whether or not the approval would go with the property in case the
structural engineer deemed the house not worth saving at 34 Union Street, and whether or
not the approval could be contingent upon restoration of the house. McLaughlin answered
the application was filed for the existing structure at 34 Union Street to be used in this
manner. It would be a new application process if a new structure was involved. It was also
made clear that in order to demolish the structure, City Council approval is required since
it is listed on the Landmarks List as a possible secondary structure.
McLaughlin briefly summarized the Staff's position for denial and the March Planning
Commission decision to continue the hearing. Until the Planning COmmission makes a
clear decision, he stated, this application does not meet the criteria. As it is, six units are
still too many and it is not appropriate for the owner to live on the adjacent lot. He further
stated that the code was written with one structure in mind, and not more than one.
Harris then said he can find no clear reason not to allow the manager's unit on Allison
Street and that the 400 square foot calculation must be done on singular structures rather
than adding them together. Therefore, he moved to recommend denial of the application
based on six units. Whitten seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
April 4, 1990
Harris then moved to approve the application provided that: (1) the total units be changed
from six to five, (2) this be a conceptual approval only, as not enough information on the
coach house has been presented, and (3) the manager's unit be at 549 Allison Street,
maintaining there be two units in 34 Union Street, one in the garage and two in the new.
coach house. After discussion, the motion was amended to include all concerns of the
unanimous decision of the Commission regarding the remodel of 34 Union Street at its
March 7, 1990 meeting, and that the Commission see all elevations for all buildings before
final approval is granted. Reynolds seconded the motion. Discussion followed. Chambers
voiced his concern with approving separate dwellings as the manager's unit, stating the more
times they are approved, the more they will set a precedence. Lewis thinks it is in the best
interest of the Historic District to keep these satellite structures instead of getting a
barracks type building with apartment units. The motion was further amended by Skibby
to allow that only the property at 34 Union Street be used for the Bed and Breakfast site.
The motion passed with seven ayes; Chambers and Whitten voted nay.
PA 90-076
Site Review and Parking Variance
257 Fourth Street
Golden-Fields
McLaughlin stated this proposal is for a two-story building to be located between the
Peerless Rooms and Positively Fourth Street. A deck will be situated on the front portion
of the new building and a courtyard will be between the new building and Positively Fourth
Street. Peerless Rooms will be maintained. The new building will house commercial uses,
including a coffee shop, dried flower market and beauty shop. Parking will be shared with
Positively Fourth Street on the alley since the uses will be complimentary. Because no
parking will be on-site, Staff has suggested adding five more spaces in the alley.
Reid interjected that if more parking will be brought to the alley, it will increase the noise
and number of people in an area where residences are established.
McLaughlin went on to say if the zoning were C-1-D (Commercial Downtown), parking
spaces would not be required. Staff is encouraging commercial uses like this and at times,
it is beneficial to take a chance with the parking.
Marta Traister, owner of the property, informed the Commission that most of the trees are
already existing behind Positively Fourth Street, and she would like to do a denser planting
of evergreens and keep parking away from the alley. She stated she will bring letters to the
Planning Commission meeting from other businesses in the area confirming their parking
lots will be available in the evening.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
April 4, 1990
Ward stated that she has been to numerous family events at Positively Fourth Street and
the back area is great for children, so she does not think it would be a good idea to add
more parking off the alley.
McLaughlin added that this application was presented to the Economic Development
Commission, which recommend approval, including the parking variance.
Skibby stated the rounded window design of the proposed building is typical of historic
Ashland and feels it will upgrade the Railroad District. He also said there were originally
buildings similar to this design in the Railroad District.
When questioned by Harris about the availability of the roof deck for public use, Ms.
Traister stated the skylight will be scaled down in size and will be completely protected.
Harris then inquired about parking spaces if the City establishes a parking lot in the area.
McLaughlin stated it is standard practice to have the owner sign an Agreement in favor of
paying his/her share for a Local Improvement District (LID). If the LID is never formed,
it would be no loss to the owner. This application is for a nine space variance.
It was agreed by the Historic Commission that trees would be more acceptable than parking
in the back.
Reynolds moved to recommend approval of this application to the Planning Commission
with the condition that the owner sign in favor of an LID for nine parking spaces. Whitten
seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
PA 90-074
Site Review and Conditional Use Permit
521 and 523 North Main Street
Peter Cipes/The AP Group
McLaughlin explained this property is on the corner of North Main Street and Coolidge
Street. A run-down building presently exists on the site (which will be removed) and a two-
story structure will be built. Offices will be on the bottom floor and a one bedroom
apartment will be located on the second floOr. This was also reviewed by the Economic
Development Commission with favorable recommendations. The applicant proposes cedar
shingles and a circular deck, which will provide outdoor space for the apartment. Staff has
concerns about the blank elevation on the North Main Street side.
Peter Cipes stated he is open to suggestions from the Historic Commission. He oriented
the building toward Coolidge Street to alleviate traffic problems which would be associated
with ingress and egress off North Main Street. He has tried to incorporate some old and
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
April 4, 1990
some new design features, and wants it to look suitable since his office will also be in the
building. He added he would also like to situate a picket fence around the property and
do more extensive planting than depicted on the plans which were submitted.
The Historic Commission voiced concerns about the northeast elevation (North Main
Street), the roof pitch of the stairway porch, the circular deck and the orientation of the
building. It was also agreed that shingle replication roofing should be used as opposed to
shake replication, and that paint would look better than a stain. After further discussion,
it was agreed .that the Commission would like to see new plans incorporating some of the
suggested recommendations.
(Harris moved and Whitten seconded to extend the meeting past 10.'30 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.)
Skibby moved and Chambers seconded to recommend conceptual approval for the
Conditional Use Permit, but that the Site Review be continued until the May meeting. The
motion passed unanimously.
BUILDING PERMITS
Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of
March follow:
jaCk Wasenus (Cafe Amadaus)
Otis Maxwell
Gere Brown
John Schweiger (Varsity)
Mary Louise Lucas
B.J. Krieg
Bill Molnar
John Mayben
Bike Brothers
Shrew's House
130 E. Main Remodel
101 Pine St. Remodel
502 Allison Remodel/Addition
166 E. Main Remodel/Addition
294 6th St. Addition
196 Meade Storage Shed
155 Hillcrest Deck
160 Scenic Remodel*
40 E. Main Addition
570 Siskiyou Sign
*Denotes permit that was issued with "disapproval" from Historic Commission.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
April 4, 1990
OLD BUSINESS
Historic Sign Code Ordinance
Skibby moved to accept the revisions of the Historic Sign Code Ordinance and to direct the
Planning Commission to set a public hearing on the matter. Whitten seconded the motion
and it was unanimously passed.
Historic Preservation Week
Skibby reported the Ashland Heritage Committee would like to provide a walking tour of
"A" Street from 4th to 8th Streets during Historic Preservation Week, perhaps during the
lunch hour. It was also reported that Kay Atwood and George Kramer will present an
evening program during that week. Kay's topic will be on the "Lesser Known Examples"
and George's will be "Signage".
After a short discussion, Harris volunteered to be chair of a subcommittee to oversee the
activities of Historic Preservation Week. Skibby, Whitten and Hunt agreed to assist.
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:
April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
Skibby, Whitten and Harris
Skibby, Reitinger, Reynolds and Lewis
Skibby, Chambers and. Colwell
Skibby, Harris and Hunt
Plaza Area (4th and "A" Streets)
This will .be discussed at the May meeting.
Street Cuts in the Historic District
McLaughlin informed the Commission that he had talked with Steve Hall, Director of
Public Works, regarding street cuts in the Historic District. He needs to know the intent
of the Historic Commission regarding these cuts. If they were to be duplicated, it would
be necessary to first lay the asphalt, then cut out the portion in question and stamp in a
replica. The Street Superintendent, McLaughtin went on to say, would be willing to do this,
however, there would be extra costs involved. Harris then passed around the letter he had
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
April 4, 1990
received from Hall in response to the letter he had written on behalf of the Commission
last month.
The Commission agreed these cuts, if duplicated, would help retain the historic character
of the Railroad District, especially if the Street Department is willing to match the old
sidewalk dimensions and scoring patterns.
Skibby moved and Whitten seconded to recommend that street cuts be replaced after
paving in such a manner as to duplicate the existing, historic cement crosswalks. The
motion passed unanimously. It was also agreed that a letter should be written to Steve
Hall.
(Harris moved and Whitten seconded to extend the meeting past 11:00 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.)
Alternative to Meeting on July 4th
After a short discussion, Harris moved to change the meeting date of Wednesday, July 4th
to Thursday, July 5th. Hunt seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
ADJOURNMENT
With a motion by Harris and second by Hunt, it was the unanimous decision of the Historic
Commission to adjourn the meeting at 11:13 p.m.
Steve Hall, Director of Public Works
Rick Harris, Ashland Historic Commission
STREET CUTS IN THE RAILROAD DISTRICT
Thank you for your quick response to the Historic Commission's request concerning
street cuts in the Railroad District. We discussed your letter at our last Commission
meeting, and the solution you outlined was acceptable to everyone. You should know
that we discussed the possibility of installing cement crosswalks throughout the Railroad
district, so we may be in touch again if and when this gets past the planning stage. I'm
sure we'll want your input regarding costs, feasibility, timing, etc.
Once again, thanks for all your efforts on behalf of the Historic Commission. We greatly
appreciate the spirit of cooperation you and your department show in helping to maintain
Ashland's historic character.
(A copy of the April 4, 1990 Historic Commission Minutes regarding street cuts is
enclosed for your information.)
cc: Jerry Glossop, Street Superintendent