HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-06-02 Historic MINCITY OF
-ASHLAND
ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Minutes
June 2, 2004
Community Development/Engineering Services Building- 51 Winburn Way- ',3iskiyou Room
Historic Commissioners Present: Dale Shostrom, Keith Swink, Tom Giordano, Alex Krach, Jeanne
Krippaehne, Terry Skibby, Sam Whitford, and Jay Leighton.
Absent Members: Rob Saladoff
Council Liaison: John Morrison
High School Liaison: None Appointed
SOU Liaison: None Appointed
Staff Present: Associate Planner Mark Knox and Secretary Sonja Akerman
CALL TO ORDER
At 7:06 p.m., Chair Shostrom called the meeting to order.
PRESENTATION
Knox and the Historic Commission presented Akerman with a framed photograph fromSkibby's collection and
a framed certificate for 19 years of providing staff support to the Commission, This will be her last meeting.
·
COMMISSION TRAINING ~ .~,.- · .~
City Recorder Barbara Christensen and City Attorney Paul Nolte presented a training session on being a
commission member. Topics included 1) definition of a public meeting, 2) public meeting requirements, 3)
parliamentary procedures, 4) public records law, and 5) ethics.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Krach moved to approve the May 5, 2004 minutes as submitted. With a second by Giordano, the motion was
approved with all voting aye except Leighton (because she missed most of the meeting) and Shostrom (because
he was absent), who both abstained.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Planning Action 2004-071
Conditional Use Permit/Transfer of Ownership and Site Review
438 North Main Street
Dermot O'Brien
Most members had site visits; none had ex parte contacts.
Knox reported this application is for a transfer of ownership and addition of a seventh unit to the Bayberry Inn.
The owner is proposing to convert the existing carriage house off Lori Lane for the additional unit. Windows and
details will be added to the structure. Knox then presented revised plans for the carriage house that the applicant
had just brought in.
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Owner/applicant Dermot O'Brien stated he and his wife are the new owners. He clarified tile current use of the
carriage house is for a garage, as it is not conducive to other uses at the moment. O'Brien stated the existing
floor will need to be taken out and redone no matter what the use of the building.
There was no one in the audience who wished to speak regarding this application.
Giordano moved to recommend approval of Planning Action 2004-071 as presented. Le4;Thton seconded the
motion and it passed with a unanimous vote.
Planning Action 2004-072
Conditional Use Permit/Transfer of Ownership
134 N. Second Street
Mary Nelke
Most members had site visits; none had ex parte contacts.
Knox explained this application is for a Transfer of Ownership for an approved Bed & Breakfast the applicant
has previously owned and operated. The applicant has moved back to this property and will operate the Second
Street Cottages as the owner.
There was no one in the audience who wished to speak regarding this application.
Giordano moved to recommend approval of Planning Action 2004-072 as presented and Leighton seconded
the motion, which then passed with a unanimous vote.
Planning Action 2004-062
Conditional Use Permit/Transfer of Ownership
142 North Main Street
Dennis and Alma Gay
Knox stated this application is also for a Transfer of Ownership. MaryNelke (applicant for previous action) has
sold the property to the Gays, who will also operate the business. There have been no issues with this property
and Staff is recommending approval.
There was no one in the audience who wished to speak regarding this application.
Leighton moved to recommend approval of Planning Action 2004-062 as presented. Whitford seconded the
motion and it passed with a unanimous vote.
Planning Action 2004-073
Site Review
215 Gresham Street
Katy Cowan
Swink stepped down because he lives adjacent to this property. Most members had site visits; none hadexparte
contacts.
Knox explained the applicant is proposing to convert her non-conforming building as a second residential unit
on her property. All conditions have been met, including parking, which will be located adja~cent to the structure
off the alley. A neighbor on Mead Street has concerns about the deck on the north side, but Knox stated the
applicant and neighbor are in communication regarding these concerns. Proposed exterior changes include the
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addition of a deck, a large window (which will replace the garage door) and windows in the roof area on the north
side. A door will be installed and a ground floor deck will be added to theeast side. Windows will also be added
on the south and west sides of the building.
There was no one in the audience who wished to speak regarding this application.
Giordano stated there could be a lot of building issues that would affect the design. Knox related Condition 6
states that the recommendations of the Historic Commission/Review Board shall be incorporated into the
building permit submittals. Giordano asked if it could come back to the full Commission if the Review Board is
not comfortable with the design and Knox said it could.
Shostrom related the large window on the lower story of the north elevation is off center and there are
incompatible openings with the proposed windows for the rest of the structure. He would like to see the large
window lined up or stacked. Double hung windows would help with the symmetry. The overall asymmetrical
design is questionable.
Skibby commented that even though the structure is in the alley, it is important to pay attention to details in the
design. The large horizontal window is inappropriate and the door is out of scale.
Shostrom moved to recommend denial of Planning Application 2004-073 in hopes the design issues can be
worked out for the meeting in July. Design modification recommendations are as foflows: '1) change the 8-foot
sliding glass doors to 6-foot doors or to French doors, 2) align the window below the deck on the north elevation
with the glass doors above, preferably with vertical elements, and 3) all building changes that affect the exterior
be seen at Review Board meetings and/or at the full Commission meeting on July 7. Leighton seconded the
motion and it passed with all voting aye.
Planning Action 2004-081
Final Plan and Site Review
954 "B" Street
Archerd/Dresner, LLC
Giordano stepped down because he is the architect on record for this project. All members had visited the site
recently or prior to the February meeting. None had exparte contacts.
Knox reported the hearing for Outline Plan approval was heard in February. Historic Commission comments and
suggestions were incorporated into the Final Plan design. The proposal is for a 13-unit PUD and will consist of
four separate buildings, including the existing house on the property that was moved and renovated. The four
apartments in the remaining three buildings will be rental units. The stairwells, while not internal as suggested,
were centered.
Skibby asked about the existing structure that will be removed. Applicant EvanArcherd replied most of the
building is actually on the adjacent property with a small portion on this site. The building is n~ot in good condition.
Archerd, 120 North Second Street, stated the project is essentially the same as what was proposed in February.
He thanked the Commission for the suggestion of moving the stairwell and stated he is pleased with the
outcome. By centering the stairwell, more light is let in and the design is much better.
Archerd clarified for Krach the units will not be condominiums as stated in the findings. They will be part of a
Planned Unit Development (PUD) and rented out. Although they have no plans to do so, each building could
be sold, but not the individual apartment units.
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Shostrom commented the design elements look great, however, there are two items of concern for him. One
is that the 7-inch siding looks a little less detailed than if 6-inch siding were used (which would result in a 5-inch
exposure). The other is that while the double hung windows are satisfactory, if they were a little Iongerwith a
2 to 1 ratio, they would match the windows in the existing house.Archerd will look into the cost. Shostrom noted
the positive aspects of the applicants' use of real cedar shingles.
Swink asked if the rear elevation windows would be sliders as depicted in the drawings andArcherd responded
the windows will be double hung. Swink stated that continuity is important so he was glad to hear that.
Krippaehne stated the plans are very nice but she is uncomfortable with the entry to the second floor unit with
the valley coming down in the center of the stairway. Shostrom concurred, as didArcherd. Krippaehne was
confident the design of this area could be changed by playing with it a bit.
Leighton asked for more clarification as to why the existing small structure would need to be removedArcherd
replied it is in the middle of the proposed driveway, it straddles two properties, it has no foundation and it is in
such poor condition it cannot be moved. Since it is less than 500 square feet, there is no need to receive
approval from the Building Appeals Board. Archerd added there was never a consideration to keep it.
There was no one in the audience who wished to speak regarding this application.
Skibby said he feels comfortable with the way the design has evolved, appreciates the fact that the existing
house was renovated and likes the project overall.
Skibby then moved to recommend approval of Planning Action 2004-081 with the following ,conditions: 1) double
hung windows be reflected on afl four sides of the buildings, 2) the siding be 6-inch with a 5-inch exposure, 3)
the gable rows over the stairwell be explored to mitigate the cantilever sense, and 4) the windows be extended
to 4 ~ to 5 feet if the budget allows. Swink seconded the motion and it passed with a unanimous vote.
Planning Action 2004-084
Site Review
440 Normal Avenue
City of Ashland/Public Works Department
Shostrom and Giordano noted site visits; no members had exparte contacts.
Knox stated that while this property is not in the Historic District, the site is Mt. View Cemetery, which is on the
National Register of Historic Places. Public Works is proposing to place a 1,280 square foot storage facility
(which had been at the Waste Water Treatment Plant) in order to provide storage for landscaping maintenance
equipment and City document archives. The metal structure is 16 feet high and will be located on the opposite
side of the street from the mausoleum near the bike path next to an existing smaller metal storage building.
There was no one in the audience who wished to speak regarding this application.
Giordano said he runs on this route so he passes by the site frequently. Generally, the cemetery is very nice,
but the corner where this building is proposed to be located has a lot of debris, mounds o1" dirt, etc. The whole
site needs to be screened as it detracts from the main part of the cemetery. Shostrom related he had been to
the site and noticed the foundation for the building had already been poured. He also noted he was appalled
at the site. There is an older existing building that is approximately 10' x 10' that has horizontal siding plus
another metal building. The proposed building is 16 feet high and it will be very difficult to screen with
landscaping. There was no landscape plan with the application. In addition, the building will be visible from the
mausoleum. Shostrom said there seems to be no regard for what the place is. The bikE; path traverses the
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property on two sides and he feels the City should be more sensitive to the surrounding area. He asked if the
building could be 8 feet instead of 16 feet high because it would be much easier to screen a shorter structure.
Knox responded that height and security are both issues that will need to be addressed and added the Tree
Commission will also hear the proposal.
Leighton asked if the building really belongs in the cemetery. If it will be used for storing a~rchives, will there be
an archival environment in the building? Shostrom stated the plans indicate the building will be unheated.
Krippaehne also asked if the building belonged at this site. If the building will be used for archival storage, why
does it need to be on a National Register site? Krippaehne said she sees this as two sets of standards - one
for the public and one for the City. Knox stated the use issue is a Council and Public ~Norks decision. The
Historic Commission can recommend design changes only.
Swink commented he is amazed the City can plop such a building where it is proposed. This is an opportunity
to improve the property rather than create an eyesore. Whitford agreed with Krippaehne that the City should not
have a lower standard than the private sector. Swink wondered if something else with a more compatible design
could be built on the foundation that was recently poured. Giordano stated that at the very least, a landscape
plan is needed. Swink added that he has been in several cemeteries and noticed that most all the outbuildings
are designed to blend in with the surroundings.
Leighton moved to recommend denial of Planning Action 2004-084 as presented because 1) the design is
inappropriate for this cultural historic site, 2) the size, scale and materials are inappropriate, and 3) the
Commission would like to see an alternative design with a landscape/screening plan. Whitford seconded the
motion and it passed with a unanimous vote.
OLD BUSINESS
Review Board - Following is the June schedule for the Review Board, which meets every Thursday from 3:00
to at least 3:30 p.m. in the Planning Department:
June 3r~
June 10th
June 17th
June 24th
July 1 st
July 8th
Skibby, Leighton and Swink
Skibby, Leighton and Krippaehne
Skibby, Giordano and Shostrom
Skibby, Krippaehne and Shostrom
Skibby, Whitford and Krach
Skibby, Swink and Krach
Project Assignments for Planning Actions
PA #2000-120 485 "A" Street (Steve Hoxmeier) Shostrom
PA #2002-100 142 East Main Street (Earthly Goods) Leighton
PA #2003-005 35 S. Second Street (Winchester Inn) Krippaehne
PA #2003-092 124 Alida Street (Kirt Meyer and Vadim Agakhanov) Krippaehne
PA #2004-017 364 Hargadine Street (Ken Kolar) Krach
PA #2004-026 81 Central Avenue (Wes & Lucinda Vail) Giordano
PA #2004-018 322 Pioneer Street (Al & Sandra Carlson) Swink
PA #2004-043 246 Catalina Drive (Dr. William Rodden) Krach
PA #2004-081 954 "B" Street (Archerd/Dresner) Krippaehne
PA #2004-071 438 North Main Street (Bayberry Inn) Swink
Revised Plans for Addition to Unitarian Church Located at 87 Fourth Street - Bill Emerson presented revised
plans, addressing some of the issues that were discussed during the May meeting. Spec. ifically, he removed
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details that matched the original church that stood on the same site, the windows of the actdition are more plain
but have retained their individuality, the span of the gable on the "C" Street elevation ha~s been reduced and
centered to look less residential. Emerson also presented s scale model of the existing church and proposed
addition.
He then stated he has proposed a subtle difference in color to distinguish the two buildings. In the rear, he has
repeated the gables, emulating the roofline (though not the same pitch) of the existing church and repeated
window elements. The church will evolve from being not in scale with the neighborhood to .an important building
creating a division between the residential area and the church. He reminded the Commission the additionwill
be a-social hall.
Krippaehne explained she did (and still does to a lesser extent) feel the addition looks too housey." Knox noted
that under the Secretary of Interior Standards, it is necessary to make sure a new addition on a historic building
looks separate from the original structure, keeping in mind that the differences can be subtle and in the materials
used.
Leighton suggested using even taller windows, not necessarily arches, on the Fourth Street side to pull away
from a residential look even more. Swink stated he thought the scale of the addition was appropriate to the site.
Whitford commented he does not think the addition should duplicate any part of the original church because it
is gone. In further discussions of the design, some members thought it read as residential and some didn't.
Krippaehne again said she felt the building size looked too residential. Emerson pointed to the exterior elevation
drawing and said the model did not show the 4-foot of drop from the finish floor to the grade on the "C" Street
side. Shostrom stated that could make a difference and asked what kind of treatment was going to be used
between the floor and the foundation. Emerson responded he did not know if he would show any division
between the two surfaces but planned to run the plaster down to the grade of the foundation. Shostrom thought
that would help with the height. Skibby said there should be a rendering to show what the model could not show.
Emerson agreed and said he also thinks there should be a drawing of the streetscape.
At 10:00, Skibby moved and Leighton seconded to extend the meeting until 10:30. The moth'on was unanimously
passed.
Design issues for Emerson to consider are:
· Make the windows on the Fourth Street side more substantial (taller and wider) to help give the addition more
of a civic or public look.
· Look into separating the buildings more.
· Although the back porch has functionality due to the use of the addition, the back porch and gables in the
rear give a more residential look.
· Elongate the roof in the rear so it is more like 60 feet rather than 40 feet.
· Simplify all three proposed gables into one gable.
· Simplify the details of the windows and trim.
Articles for City Source- Krach will have his article to Management Analyst Ann Seltzer by the end of the month.
National Historic Preservation Week Recap - Will be discussed next month.
Co:Sponsorship with Conservation Commission for Fall Workshop - Will be discussed next month.
Memo to Council Regarding Authorization for Multiple Listing for National Register - This will be discussed at
next month's meeting. Krach volunteered to write the memo after the discussion.
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Possible National Reqister Nomination for Lithia Springs Property - There was nothing r~ew to report.
Carnegie Library Restoration- There was nothing new to report.
NEW BUSINESS
Brown Baq Lunch Ideas -Will be discussed next month.
ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA - Staff was asked to add vinyl siding issues to the July agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
With a motion by Leighton and second by Skibby, it was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn
the meeting at 10:30 p.m.
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