HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-01-06 Historic MINASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Minutes
January 6, 1999
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at the Community Center by Chairperson Jim Lewis at 7:35 p.m. Members present were
Jim Lewis, Terry Skibby, Gary Foil, Joan Steele and Vava Bailey. Also present were City Council Liaison Cameron, Hanson,
Associate Planner Mark Knox and Secretary Sonja Akerman. Members Dale Shostrom, Joyce Cowan, Keith Chambers and
Curt Anderson were unable to attend the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Foil moved and Bailey seconded the Minutes of the December 2, 1998 meeting be approved as submitted. The motion was
unanimously passed.
INTRODUCTION
Lewis introduced the new City Council Liaison, Cameron Hanson, to the Historic Commission members.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Planning Action 99-001
Conditional Use Permit
630 Siskiyou Boulevard
Suni Teker
Knox explained this application is for a change of ownership for a traveler's accommodation. There have been no problems
associated with this and Staff is recommending approval.
Skibby moved to recommend approval of this application to the Hearings Board. Foil seconded the motion and it was
unanimously approved.
Planning Action 99-002
Conditional Use Permit and Site Review
90 Third Street
Otto Glausi
Knox discussed this application, stating it was unusual because the owners are requesting to operate a one-unit hostel as
a nonprofit company in which the proceeds will be donated to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival or an organization that
promotes the arts. The Glausis bought the house with the intention of using it for themselves and occasionally renting it to
friends of the festival. They added on and remodeled the house with that in mind. Because it is zoned R-2, it would require
the owner of the traveler's accommodation to live on site. The Glausis live in Eugene so the only way they could rent it out
would be to form a nonprofit corporation in order to use the house as a hostel. There is only one other hostel in the City and
it is truly affordable. This application is for a high-end hostel. The property has been improved to the maximum - there is
not much more that can be done. Therefore, no exterior changes are being proposed. Staff does not see major problems
with this proposal. The house will mainly be used for families or couples, with a maximum of six people per evening.
Jim and Lou Norton, neighbors at 74 Third Street, called this up for a public hearing because they have concerns they would
like addressed. If these concerns are worked out, the Nortons will rescind their letter. One concern is that a fence may be
built between their houses. As it is, there are only six feet between the houses and staff doesn't feel a fence would be in
keeping with a neighborly context. Staff would support no fence between the houses. Also, there is a common sewer line
for both houses. Knox said the Glausis are aware of this and will deal with it. When the rear addition was built, there were
no provisions for drainage collection so excess water runs into the neighbor's yard. Knox stated he will make the rectification
of this one of the conditions of approval. He also noted he will be meeting with the Nortons at the site on January 7th and
invited the Commissioners to attend.
Steele commented the house was originally a rental according to the Cultural Heritage Inventory. Skibby observed the house
has had a variety of uses over the years and feels the proposed use will not be out of place. It is important to retain its
residential use and character. When Bailey asked how many houses on that block are still residential, Knox answered there
are two on the block.
Jim Norton clarified there is no fence between the houses now. However, there is a fence between the backyards. They
don't want a fence between-the houses because it would take away their access to the back yard from the front. Lou Norton
stated the Glausis did not do much in the way of landscaping. Most of the yard is bark. The existing trees and shrubs were
left as they were. She said she has seen an ad for the hostel and it states there is an enclosed private garden. In reality,
there is a deck and more bark in the back yard. Steele pointed out since no one will be living in the.. house it w. ould be difficult
to maintain a lovely garden, as it would take a lot of time and energy.
Tom Giordano, 157 Morninglight Drive, stated he represents the Glausis. He noted this is a unique project for Ashland as
it is geared to people participating in the arts. Originally, there was confusion as to what the zoning actually was on this
property. It was first thought to be zoned commercial, and later discovered it was zoned residential. The dividing line is
between this property and the adjacent one, which is zoned commercial. The Glausis' attorney came up with the idea a
hostel could be approved in the R-2 zone. Giordano said there is a delicate balance with the landscaping issue because
the City is promoting low-maintenance, drought tolerant plants. The trees and major shrubs are still remaining. The fence
that was constructed provides privacy for the backyard area. If the sewer line and drainage problems are conditions of
approval, he said he feels sure the Glausis will take care of them. Knox remarked the hostel can easily revert back into a
residence
Skibby noted the contractor who worked on the addition/remodel had come to the Review Board several times during the
building process. This seems to be a good use for the house and surrounding area, and it will fit in well. He said he also
feels comfortable with the nonprofit status of the hostel. Knox stated he will make sure the conditions are taken care of
before the house is rented. Giordano added it is his understanding if the Glausis sell the house, it would need to be sold to
a nonprofit company if used for a hostel. He also noted the booking and management of the house will be handled by a
representative of OSF. Jim Norton clarified he and his wife are not opposed to the use of the house as a hostel. Lewis
stated the Nortons have reasonable concerns, but feels confident they will be worked out.
Steele moved to recommend approval of this planning action and Bailey seconded the motion. It was unanimously passed.
BUILDING PERMITS
Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of December follow:
176 Harrison Street
664 "A" Street
41 North Main Street
84 Pine Street
440 East Main Street
581 East Main Street
R. Anderson/K. Gosnell
Jim Lewis
Dave Lewis
Lucy & Michael Kelsay
WSCO
Acupuncture and Sports Medicine
Remodel
Addendum
Interior Remodel
Carport
Remodel Gas Station
Sign
REVIEW BOARD
Following is the January schedule for the Review Board, which meets every Thursday from 3:00 to at least 3:30 p.m. in the
Planning Department:
January 7th
January 14th
January 21't
January 28th
Skibby, Cowan and Lewis
Steele, Lewis and Bailey
Skibby, Chambers and Bailey
Skibby, Cowan and Foil
OLD BUSINESS
Project Assignments for Planning Actions
I PA # I
96-086
97-018
Address
685 "a" Street
661 "B" Street
Person(s) Assigned
Curt Anderson/Jim Lewis
Jim Lewis
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
January 6, 1999
PA # J Address I Person(s) Assigned
98-022 112 Helman Street Vava Bailey
98-039 Holly Street Joan Steele and Joyce"Cowan
98-045 122 Church Street Vava Bailey
98-047 Between 548 & 628 North Main Street Joyce Cowan
98-070 595 North Main Street Terry Skibby and Dale Shostrom
97-072 440 East Main Street
98-075 542 "A" Street
98-091 559 Scenic Drive
Joyce Cowan
Jim Lewis
Vava Bailey
Southern Oregon Historical Society Presence in Ashland
Jay Leighton, Ashland Associate Program Manager for SOHS, introduced herself to the Commission. She related she
would like to work with the members on projects and events such as National Historic Preservation Week. She
announced she will set up a day to take the Commissioners on a tour of SOHS-owned facilities, which include sites in
Jacksonville, White City and Medford. Also, she is in the process of soliciting ideas and information regarding monthly
Saturday afternoon conversational history talks.
Grant for National Re,qister Web Site
Steele stated this has been a daunting task and solicited comments, corrections, etc. on what she has already written.
Ashland Public Library
Lewis reported the following Monday his group would meet to choose the architect to do the space assessment for the
library. He said he would like to send a letter to the committee from the Historic Commission regarding the direction it
would like to see the library take. The members all agreed it is important to not detract from the Carnegie Library
building and they are concerned a large addition will overwhelm it. The Review Board will work on the letter.
Mark Antony Proposed Name Chan,qe
Bailey moved and Foil seconded to send the revised letter as submitted to Doug Neuman, new owner of the Mark
Antony, with a copy to be sent to Becky Neuman. The motion was unanimously passed.
Location of Utility Meters
Knox reported he had spoken with Pete Lovrovich, Director of the Electric Department, regarding the placement of utility
meters. The Electric Department is now using a procedure book and will be able to apply certain sections to the Historic
District. Skibby volunteered to go over the manual. Knox related Lovrovich is committed to making this work.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
January 6, 1999
NEW BUSINESS
Foil stated it would be nice for the members to have business cards verifying they are on the Historic Commission.
Skibby moved and Steele seconded to direct staff to research and order business cards for all Commission members.
The motion passed unanimously
Foil noted he and his wife had traveled the old Route 99 from Ashland to Grants Pass after reading the article in'the
Medford Mail Tribune regarding this route. They had stopped in Gold Hill at the museum and noticed the museum was
funded, at least in part, with SOHS money. He volunteered to work with Southern Oregon Historical Society in
determining if Ashland would be eligible to receive monies.
ADJOURNMENT
It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m.
Ashland Historic Commission
Minutes
January 6, 1999
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