HomeMy WebLinkAboutExhibit 6
(City of' ;\:-;hLand
Pl<wni!1g Exhibit
E'Hi8IT _~-__.~_
P A It "'I.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. My na~:.:i&:~ TA__
came to Ashland in 1947 as a small child, attended Ashland schools,
lived in California for several years, and returned to Ashland to raise
my family. I have a small software company downtown a few blocks
from the DeBoers' home.
It has been my privilege and honor to be friends of Sid and Karen for
over 40 years. So, to some degree, I am here for personal reasons
to support their right to build their dream house. But I am also here to
support a more important issue - the rule of law.
I think everyone here knows the history of the DeBoers' application to
build their house. They worked with the historic commission, the tree
commission, the planning commission, architects, and engineers to
arrive at a design that fully complied with all requirements that the city
had set forth for the property. But they did not stop at just meeting
the requirements. They also created a design that will be compatible
with adjacent buildings, including the beautifully restored home where
they currently live. Despite the concerns the opponents of this home
have, I believe a hundred years from now Ashland residents will
marvel at its beauty in the same way we do at the wonderful 100 year
old homes we see today. Incidentally, I suspect some of our favorite
old homes were, when they were built, proportionately larger than
typical Ashland homes at the time than the Deboers' is today.
I would first like to consider a couple of points that are NOT important
to the issue before the cou nci I.
First is the size of the house. There is little question in my mind that
we would not even be here tonight if the proposed house were
smaller. But the size of the house fully complies with the laws and
regulations in place when it was approved. And it is that fact of law
that is important.
Second, the claim that the house is incompatible with a historic
neighborhood is just silly. If you walk to the site, as I have, you see
that the new home, located on Glenview, has homes on the same
side of the street in a variety of styles, and there is only an empty lot
across the street. The home will have only limited visibility from
Vista, and will be compatible with nearby homes.
;. ,:nning Exhibit
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What is important tonight is that the DeBoers have fully complied with
all requirements and the planning commission has reviewed and
reviewed all the issues and have in all cases unanimously concluded
that all laws and regulations have been followed and satisfied.
If you, as council members, were to deny the Deboers' right to
proceed with the construction of this home, it would have several very
negative consequences.
First it would say to the citizens of Ashland that they cannot depend
on the rule of law in this city. Instead they would have to assume that
in all future dealings with the city that a loud minority could ultimately
control any issue.
Second, it would tell the members of the planning commission that
their hard work has no meaning. Ignorance and the pursuit of private
agendas would take the place of hard work and professional and
experienced analysis.
Third, the credibility and reputation of the city council would be
severely damaged.
Fourth, it would set the city up for even more extended and expensive
battles.
Finally, it would result in significant and unfair damages to the
Deboers. They have worked hard to meet all the requirement the city
has set. I had intended to remind the council of how much the
DeBoers have contributed to the community, but realized that that is
not the point. They don't deserve special consideration for their good
deeds. They simply deserve what we all deserve - to be able to
pursue their plans having fully complied with the city's requirements.
I am confident that the council will take seriously its responsibility to
uphold the law, will respect the rulings of the planning commission,
and will not allow the agenda of a small but vocal group to take
precedence over individual property rights and the rule of law.