HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-02-10 Hearings Board MIN
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
HEARINGS BOARD
FEBRUARY 10, 1998
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mike Gardiner at 1:40 p.m. Other Commissioners present were
Anna Howe and Barbara Jarvis. Staff present were Bill Molnar, Mark Knox, Maria Harris, and Susan
Yates.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND FINDINGS
The Minutes of the January 13, 1998 meeting were approved. There were no Findings.
TYPE II PUBLIC HEARINGS
PLANNING ACTION 98-009
REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND SITE REVIEW TO CONSTRUCT AN
ACCESSORY RESIDENTIAL UNIT
372 IOWA STREET
APPLICANT: STEVEN M. MEEKS
STAFF REPORT
Knox said this application it to construct a 650 sq. ft. accessory residential unit off the rear of the
property. There is an existing 1,320 sq. ft. house. The Historic Commission reviewed the proposal and
recommended approval. The unit is a craftsman design which is in keeping with the historic character of
the neighborhood. Two parking spaces will be provided off the alley. The property has a 25 percent
slope to the north. This action was called up for a public hearing by the neighbors.
At the time the adjacent lot was partitioned, Staff met with the Fire Department and other departments
and agreed that the alley would not exceed nine feet in width as long as fire equipment could still travel
down the alley. The applicant will be required to do his proposal according to the alley improvement
plan.
There is a definite history that Staff has tried to accommodate the concerns voiced by the neighbors. At
the same time, it is difficult to do relatively sensitive planning with the current infill zoning rules. Staff felt
this proposal had a good design and if development is going to occur, the alley will be the front yard.
The Cooley property is providing a pedestrian easement along the flag to the alley.
Staff has recommended approval with the five attached Conditions. Knox suggested a Condition 6
stating: That prior to issuance of a building permit for the accessory unit, the applicant shall submit a
landscaping/site plan that identifies a physical barrier (i.e., shrubs, boulders, etc.) along the west side of
the front unit’s driveway. The purpose of the plan is to delineate vehicle parking in the driveway and not
within the front yard. The improvements shall be completed prior to issuance of a Certificate of
Occupancy Permit for the accessory unit.
Knox explained paragraph 4 on page 2. The applicant shows on his site plan an 18 foot, two space
parking bay. The alley is eight to nine feet wide. Meeks needs a total of 36 feet for a head-in parking
space with back-up room. It appears the applicant will need to clear out shrubbery along a rise of about
eight to nine feet to accommodate the parking. It will be about a three foot cut. Molnar said the
applicant has agreed to relocate the steps in that area. Knox noted this is part of Condition 4.
PUBLIC HEARING
STEVEN MEEKS, 1537 Woodland Drive, said he met with the Historic Commission and two members
liked the design enough they would like to use it as an example. The alley will be developed minimally.
The parking pad will be graveled. Vegetation has already been removed by the neighbors to create
more of a space through the alley.
Howe wondered about removal of the vegetation on Iowa. Meeks thought it was possible for tenants to
park in the narrow area in front of the privacy hedge. He will rectify this situation.
Howe suggested use of landscaping to more clearly define the parking.
Meeks does not have a problem doing something with the shrubbery on the alley. He would be happy to
work out something with Ledbetter regarding relocation of the stairs.
ROBIN NORDLI, 269 Gresham, said she is concerned with the traffic on the alley because the Gresham
end is the only end being developed. She is concerned where the alley will be cut into the embankment.
The alley traffic will go right by her bedroom window. She is also concerned about construction traffic
and the residential traffic.
AUGUST SHILLING, 280 Meade Street, said his home is at the corner of the alley and he is concerned
residents would use their end of their driveway for a drive. Their house is small and they will notice
anything that goes by. He is concerned about privacy, earthmoving while improving the alley, drainage,
damage to trees if there is uphill scraping of the alley, and particularly he would like special attention
paid to the madrone trees.
LYNN LEDBETTER, 280 1/2 Meade Street, explained there is an evergreen tree she planted to screen
the alley. The traffic will change greatly with construction equipment and noise. Howe asked about the
stairs and it appears they are in the right-of-way.
Staff Response
Knox said the crushed gravel on the alley should make construction traffic easier. Ledbetter's propane
tank might be in the right-of-way. He said the potential for future development off the alley is minimal.
Molnar said it is good to remember this is a public alley. Every property would be allowed with a building
permit to construct a garage off the alley.
Rebuttal
Meeks said he will not allow cement trucks in the alley. He is trying to be sensitive to the environment
and neighbors. He feels some of the steps are unsafe and he is concerned about the propane tank in the
alley. He would like clarification about siting it in the alley.
COMMISSIONERS DISCUSSION AND MOTION
Molnar does not think there is a safety issue with the propane tank.
Jarvis moved to approve with the six Conditions. Howe seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION 2
HEARINGS BOARD
FEBRUARY 10, 1998
MINUTES
TYPE I PLANNING ACTIONS
PLANNING ACTION 98-018
REQUEST FOR A SITE REVIEW FOR A MIXED USE BUILDING
420 WILLIAMSON WAY
APPLICANT: HABIB SHAHIN
This action was approved.
PLANNING ACTION 98-019
REQUEST FOR A SITE REVIEW FOR 75 CONDOMINIUMS AND A CLUBHOUSE LOCATED ON THE
EAST SIDE OF MOUNTAIN MEADOWS DRIVE
APPLICANT: MOUNTAIN MEADOWS LLC
Jarvis noted that something should be stated in the Conditions about an administrative variance being
granted.
Howe wanted the assurance of a pictorial layout of the parking stalls. Molnar said spaces 1-6 are under
the building.
Change Condition 10 that there be a patio hardscape addition at the northwest corner of the clubhouse.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m.
ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION 3
HEARINGS BOARD
FEBRUARY 10, 1998
MINUTES