HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-0503 Documents Submitted at Mtg
CSA Planning. Ltd
4497 Brownridge. Suite 101
Medford. OR 97504
Telephone 541.779.0569
Fax 541.779.0114
Jay@CSAplanning.net
Mav 3. 2011
Ashland Mavor and City Council
Attn: Bill Molnar
CC: Martha Bennett
20 East Main Street
Ashland, Oregon 97520
RE: Consent Agenda Item VII (7.)- TGM Ouick Response Grant
Dear Mr. Mayor and Council Members:
On . behalf of my clients Summit Investment at ai, we would like to express our
conditional support for the proposed TGM Quick Response Grant. The facts and
background information provided in the council communication on this matter appears
relevant and accurate as of the date of its drafting. Since that communication's
drafting, CSA Planning and our clients in this nianer have done some research and
met with Bill Molnar on April 26th to discuss the g"rant proposal.
The tenor of the meeting was frank but productive. We expressed our concerns and
potential benefits from a grant proposal and associated legislative planning project.
The planning staff likewise expressed concerns and benefits from the City staff
perspective. Overall, we would agree that the lack of certainty with respect to
transportation improvement phasing and access configuration do cloud the outcome
of any redevelopment application that might be submitted.
Ultimately, we agree that a well conceptualized legislative planning project has the
potential to advance both the City's interests and the private property owners'
interests. Thus, it is the conceptualization of the planning project that determines
success or failure. To achieve the highest likelihood of success, we respectfully
request that staff also be directed to reach consensus on the scope of work for the
project between the Planning Department and all affected property owners. We
request this be done prior to finalizing and submitting the official filing of the grant
request with the State of Oregon.
Very Truly Yours,
CSA Planning, Ltd.
cc. File
f?tlld
~~p
~
Date:
To:
From:
In Re:
May 3, 2011
Ashland City Council Members via City Administrator
Liza Christian Oak Knoii Drive Resident
Waiver of Building Permit Fees and Waiver of Concrete Block Wall Fees
~d 5/~!t1
tt;&uI~ /Id!;,
fli- tAL~nj
fie. U/(/{,IVG-r
As I am unable to attend the Council meeting on May 3, 2011, I am sending my comments via the City
Administrator to be entered into the public record.
The fire that started by an irresponsible transient on August 24, on Washington Street with embers igniting the 800
biock of Oak Knoii Drive has served as a devastation to many families, an a disruption to an entire neighborhood
- even those who did not lose their homes to fire. None of the residents of Oak Knoll are responsible for the origin
of the fire.
I personaiiy was not negligent regarding the condition of my property and bear no responsibility for the fire. I had,
in fact, planted fire-resistant landscaping and through my CERT training, to make my property safe - not only for
myself, but out of respect for my neighbors.
Aii of us on Oak Knoii Drive have suffered a tragic 1055. Every cooperative action that can be extended to us as we .
navigate through this awkward, expensive, stressful, and time-consuming season, is appreciated.
Given that the City of Ashland does not budget for additional fees related to Ashland residents who must mediate
rebuilding their properties after a natural disaster or a criminal activity for which they bear no responsibility, I do
not beiieve that fees for permits related to the variance given for an 8' concrete waii (fence), is appropriate, I
believe those fees should be waived. I hope that the Council wiii find agreement with me.
Moreover, the added development fees or other fees associated with the unexpected mediation in rebuilding our
neighborhood, should be considered by the City as an unexpected burden/expense for the home owners, and
either be waived or drasticaiiy reduced,
It would be a gracious and mercifui act on the part of the City Council and the Mayor, to help those of us who
have endured great loss, to navigate this aspect of rebuilding our homes and our lives, with the least amount of
grief possible. It may be easy for you to assume/project that "insurance" wiii take cover such expenses, but that is
simply not the case. While there may be some provision in some people's poiicies, not aii have this type of
coverage. Regardiess, added fees such as code enhancements, etc. often deduct from amounts aiiotted to the
footprint for overailliving space,
Our community kindly railied around us after the fire. It seemed that the City made expressions that they would
do the same, As I have not yet rebuilt my home, I am not as aware as some of my neighbors, what exactly, the City
has done to reduce the burden. However, I hope that you wiii either begin, or continue to extend favor and
consideration to aii of us in the 800 biock of Oak Knoii Drive, as we attempt to resume some semblance of
normality and once again, contribute to Ashland as active, caring, and vibrant members of our community.
Sincerely,
Liza Christian
843 Oak Knoii Drive
Ashland, OR 97520
.,
~~tt6~~ sM/
&- ~~
.W
!JIlL 4ure/'
/()~
From: Jason Daoust <indaoust@vahoo,com>
Date: Mon, May 2, 2011 at 9:30 PM
Subject: Community Development Fees for Oak Knoll fire victims
To: Christine Clark <cclark5259@gmail.com>
Mr. Mayor and members of the council,
I am writing to you in an effort to convey my concern about being charged a community development fee
for rebuilding our homes which were completely destroyed in the fire of August 24, 2010.
As I am sure you can imagine, regardless of what our insurance companies cover, each famiiy has had to
incur extra expenses and tremendous hardship to recover our belongings and to rebuild our homes and
iives.
I am confident I speak for the rest of my neighbors when I question why the development fee was
charged by the city. It is our understanding the fee is designed for developers wishing to construct new
housing or commercial developments in the city. Why would rebuilding homes which were built in the
1970's be seen by the city as a new development? If there is information I am unaware of, and the city
has a legal reason for such a decision, I think the fire victims deserve to hear it from our city's leadership. '
I was informed by one of my neighbors that he was told by the city that he was not being charged permit
fees for rebuilding his fence. He was told the reason he was not being charged the fees was because he
was rebuilding an existing fence. By that same iogic, why would we be charged development fees to
rebuild existing homes? .
I request a refund/waiver of the. community development fee, as I believe it is unreasonable for the city to
collect those fees from people who are rebuilding existing homes.
I am conveying my opinion via email because I do not wish to state my home address in public due to
security concerns for me and my family relating to my job as a police officer.
Thank you and respectfully yours,
Jason Daoust
815 Oak Knoll Drive