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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there is time for this resolution to go through the Planning Commission's process and asked that the resolution not be rescinded at present.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