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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 4