HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-0121 REG MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 21, 1992
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Golden called the meeting to order and led the
Pledge of Allegiance at 7:30 P.M. on the above date in the Council
Chambers. Laws, Reid, Williams, Acklin, Winthrop, and Arnold were
present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 7,
and Special Meeting of January 15, 1992 were accepted as presented.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS: 1) A proclamation was read
designating the week of February 3-9, 1992 as "Turn Off Your TV Week,,
in Ashland. 2) Steve Jamieson, Medford attorney and MASA organizer,
explained a proposed agreement between Mt. Ashland Ski Area, Inc. and
the City of Ashland for the acquisition, ownership and operation of
the Mr. Ashland Ski Area. Details were distributed to Council members
and it was decided to hold a public hearing on the proposal on
Tuesday, January 28th in the Council Chambers. Copies of the
proposals will be available for public perusal at Ashland City Hall,
Medford City Hall, Grants Pass City Hall, and Ashland Police Dept.
PUBLIC HEARING: 1) Impacts of Street Capacity Reso. 91-39. Fire
Chief Woodley read his memo included in the Council packet concerning
the ability of emergency apparatus to respond to emergencies at
structures located on steep streets. He said changing the
specifications i.e. four-wheel drive on emergency vehicles should be
considered because existing equipment cannot navigate steep icy grades
using chains and studded tires. Acklin feels this ordinance should
have gone through Planning Commission public hearings and a
recommendation then made to Council. Planning Dir. Fregonese said a
major portion of the resolution is current policy or statewide
standard.
The public hearing was opened and Barbara Jarvis, a Planning
Commissioner, said there is time for this resolution to go through the
Planning Commission's process and asked that the resolution not be
rescinded at present. She feels a responsibility to citizens who move
to areas where emergency vehicles might have problems reaching them.
Larry Medinger, also a Planning Commissioner, believes the issue
should be reviewed by that body, and brush removal controls will help
mitigate fire hazard concerns. He did not think the resolution
applied to P.A. 91-140 (Ed Houghton's Ivy Lane Project). Anna Hurst,
655 Reiten Dr. and President of the League of Women Voters, spoke in
favor of the street capacity standards set forth in the resolution.
Virginia Westerfield, 1090 S. Mountain, is concerned about fire
hazards in the hillside area. Steve Morjig, 610 Chestnut, recommended
requirements for Class A roofing, stucco siding, and sprinkler
systems. Tom Keevil, 600 Ashland St., spoke against the resolution.
Ed Houghton, 185 Scenic Dr., said this is creating new standards and
should go back to Planning Commission. Pokii Roberts, 131 Church St.,
Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - January 21, 1992 - P. 1
Reso. 91-39 (Continued)
said property owners' rights should be considered, and people who move
into subject areas are aware of the risks. Susan Hunt, 220 Nutley
St., feels the standards should be upheld for the safety of residents.
Dana Knoke, 1030 Ashland, supports the resolution. Ali Ross, 734
Cambridge, feels property owners should be allowed to develop their
land, and proper fire apparatus be considered. Sandy Fletcher, 609
Terrace, said the pump stations need emergency generators. JoAnne
Hougton, 185 Scenic Dr., said the standards should not be put into
effect without knowing the impacts. There being no further comment
from the audience, the public hearing was closed.
Fregonese said the Planning Commission and Staff will be able to
prepare a thorough report by May. Acklin feels the final product will
be improved by going through the public process. Laws said the
Planning Commission decision on the Ivy Lane project is illegal in
light of the Council's resolution and it ought to be appealed. Arnold
said the resolution deals with street capacity i.e. vehicle trips per
day and narrow streets. He would like to read the Planning
Commission's findings on P. A. 91-140 prior to a decision to appeal.
Reid said the subject planning action was in the process prior to
adoption of the resolution and the policy has been to not force new
regulations on existing applications. Arnold moved to take no action
on Reso. No. 91-39 and that it remain in place, Reid seconded and the
motion passed on roll call vote as follows: Williams and Acklin, NO;
Laws, Reid, Winthrop, and Arnold, YES. It was decided to discuss the
possible appeal of P.A. 91-140 at the Adjourned Meeting on January 28.
NEW & MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: 1. Preservation of Historic
Properties. A letter was read from the "B" Street Historic
Neighborhood Association, requesting an ordinance amendment requiring
preservation of historic properties. On a question from Reid,
Fregonese said a draft of the Comp. Plan amendment has been prepared.
City Attorney Nolte said he can research the legal ramifications of
requiring property owners to keep buildings in good repair and report
back in 30 days. A letter was read from Kay Atwood in support of the
request. Michael Bingham, 129 Fifth St., asked that this issue be
made a priority of the Planning staff. He said the requested
amendment would require that an historic structure not be neglected to
the point where structural damage has been done. Bill Emerson, 90
Fifth St., spoke in favor of the amendment. Lorraine Whitten, 175
Church St. and a member of the Historic Commission, also spoke in
favor. Shelly Boyce, 283 "B" St., spoke in favor. Mike O'Brien, 184
"B" St., said the subject property on "B" Street has been used for
illegal activities and he is concerned with declining property values.
No further action taken.
2. Request for Waiver of C.U.P. Fee. A letter outlining the request
was read from Leonard Friedman, Pyramid Juice Co. Fregonese said a
re-draft of conditional use permit process is being prepared and will
make the application to permanently install the mobile cold storage
facility as a permitted use. The fee would then be $25.00 instead of
Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - January 21, 1992 - P. 2
C.U.P. Fee (Friedman)
$150.00. Lenny Friedman, 160 Helman St., said he has not been cited
for violation of the noise ordinance (referred to in his letter) and
has built a structure over the compressor to alleviate noise. Joanne
Haddad, 175 Helman St., presented a letter signed by 13 neighbors
which cited conditions of non-compliance with the subject C.U.P. for
Pyramid Juice Co., e.g. visible garage containers, non-screened
employee parking, incomplete landscaping. She requested that Friedman
be required to pay the C.U.P fee and require removal of the
refrigeration trailer because it is in violation of zoning laws.
Arnold moved to continue the meeting, Acklin seconded, all AYES on
voice vote. Laws moved to deny the request, Winthrop seconded, all
AYES on voice vote. Fregonese said steps will be taken to get the
issues raised by Haddad resolved.
3. Budget Committee Elections. The following nominations were made:
Reid - Roy Bashaw and Tom Foster; Arnold - Steve Hauck; Williams - Bob
Johnson; Winthrop - David Shaw; Golden - Jim Sims; Acklin - Patty
Ware. The following votes were received: Bashaw - 7; Ware - 3;
Foster, Sims, Hauck and Shaw - 1. Arnold withdrew his vote for Hauck
and voted for Ware who then received 4 votes. Bashaw and Ware will
serve through December 31, 1994, and are replacing Rose Otte and Dan
Ralls.
PUBLIC FORUM: Zak Brombacher, 640 Tolman Creek Rd., asked if the
property owners on Washington and Jefferson Streets were paying the
L.I.D costs for those street improvements, and Almquist said yes.
Stan Shadle, 309 Luna Vista, asked that the Council place the Foster
Bike Plan on the Ballot for the May primary election. It was
suggested that he take the matter before the Bikeway Commission and ad
hoc Transportation Plan Advisory Committee. Vickie Neuenschwander,
455 Tolman Creek Rd., said it is inappropriate to negotiate with
Croman Corp. on the Tolman signal L.I.D. Acklin moved to continue the
meeting, Laws seconded, the motion carried with Williams and Winthrop
dissenting.
ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS & CONTRACTS: 1. Gas Fitters License Fee.
First reading of an ordinance amending Section 15.04.180 of the
Ashland Municipal Code by increasing the fee for gas fitter's license
and establishing a fee for testing. Winthrop moved to second reading,
Laws seconded, all YES on roll call vote.
2. Chronic Parking Violators. First reading of an ordinance amending
Section 11.28.110 of the Ashland Municipal Code relative to increasing
fines for chronic parking violators. On a question from Williams,
Almquist said this request was brought forth by Judge Drescher. It
was decided to obtain the memo from the Judge and postpone this item.
3. Set Public Hg. - Tolman Creek Signal L.I.D. Public Works Dir.
Hall said he contacted Croman, Lininger, and the State Highway Dept.
regarding inclusion in the L.I.D. The estimated cost to property
owners will be presented at the hearing on a 50% land area/50% trip
Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - January 21, 1992 - P. 3
Tolman L.I.D.
generation basis, and owners will be notified of their estimated
assessment in the hearing notice. A resolution was read setting the
hearing for February 18, 1992. Arnold moved to adopt same, Winthrop
seconded, and the motion passed on roll call vote with Williams
abstaining. (Reso. 92-04)
4. Set Gas Fitters Fees. A resolution was read setting gas fitters
license and testing fees. Acklin moved to adopt same, Williams
seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. 92-05)
5. Americans with Disabilities Act. The resolution was read and Laws
recommended changing the time period for filing a complaint from ten
days to thirty days. Winthrop moved to adopt as amended, Arnold
seconded, all YES on roll call vote. (Reso. 92-06)
OTHER BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Golden said she heard that the
proposed Factory Outlet Mall developers are considering the S. Medford
freeway interchange as their location.
ADJOURNMENT:
at 7:30 P.M.
The meeting adjourned at 11:50 P.M. to January 28, 1992
Nan E. ~anklin ~
Catherine M. 8olden
city Recorder Mayor
Regular Meeting - Ashland City Council - January 21, 1992 - P. 4