At 7:35 p.m., Chairperson Terry Skibby called the meeting to order at the Community Center. Members present were Terry Skibby, Dale Shostrom, Kay Maser, Gary Foll, Jay Leighton, Bob Meiser, Keith Chambers and Joan Steele. Also present were Associate Planner Mark Knox and Secretary Sonja Akerman. Member Vava Bailey was unable to attend the meeting.

Steele noted a typo on page 2, paragraph 4, second sentence. And should be that. Also, of was left out of the last sentence in paragraph 1 under PA 2000-095 on the first page. Foll moved and Steele seconded to approve the minutes of the October 4, 2000 meeting as corrected. The motion was unanimously passed.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Knox explained the applicant is the new owner of the Waterside Inn. He is requesting approval to continue operating the seven "existing" hotel units plus the manager's unit. This would legitimize all the units. He is also requesting the restaurant/bar facility be used for the guests only and not open to the general public. Knox noted there have been numerous alterations, additions and changes of use on file and it has been difficult to ascertain exactly what has been approved versus what is currently existing in the building. In staff's opinion, this proposal would not have as great an impact on the area as a public restaurant and retail area (both of which have been approved for this site in the past). There will be no exterior changes to the building. The only exterior change is to enlarge the existing parking area by adding approximately four feet of matching brick to comply with the City's parking space standards. Staff is recommending approval with seven conditions.

After a short discussion, Steele moved and Shostrom seconded to recommend approval of this request to the Planning Commission. The motion passed unanimously.

This action was called up for a public hearing so it will be heard at the December 6 meeting.

Knox reported this application is for a Conditional Use Permit to increase the number of units in this traveler's accommodation from three to four, and a Site Review to construct a 1000 square foot new owner's cottage in the rear of the property. The space in the existing house will be used for the additional unit. Because the owners are increasing the number of units, an additional parking space will be required. One space is available on the street, two will be in the proposed garage and the remaining three will be adjacent to the garage. Staff has an issue with the back-up area being located on the adjacent propertyso the owners will need to record an agreement with the County Clerk's office detailing the turn-around area. Knox further explained Staff feels the design of the new structure meets the requirements. Horizontal lapped siding will be used on the cottage and according to the owners, the wood porch columns contribute to the 'Oregon Craftsman' architectural style.

The Commission agreed the design is compatible with the historic Railroad District. The members, however, would prefer to have the roofline unclipped. Knox stated this might be necessary because of the solar shadow. He will look in to this. The Commission also would like to see trim detail.

After discussing these items, Shostrom moved and Leighton seconded to recommend approval of this application with the condition the applicants restore the clipped gable ends to regular gable ends if there is not a solar problem, and that the width of the trim and siding be proportionate with the existing house. The motion passed unanimously.

Knox reported that last December the applicant received approval from the Historic Commission and City Council to relocate the historic Beach-Good House from the corner of North Second Street and Lithia Way to the vacant lot on Laurel Street. In May of 1999, the Planning Commission approved a partition to divide the lot at 192 Van Ness Avenue into two parcels. With this approval was a defined building envelope to protect two large trees on the property and the condition off-street parking be provided on site. The variance would enable the home to be located on the site without removing the trees and would provide a nine-foot wide drive to be located adjacent to the south property line. Knox also discussed the storm water runoff problem and stated one of the conditions will be for the applicant to install a perimeter drain around the foundation of the house and direct the water to Laurel Street.

The Commission discussed the non-historic addition on the house and concluded if this were removed, it would not necessitate the need for the side yard variance. No floor plan was included with the application and the applicant was not present.

Chambers moved to recommend denial of this application for the side yard variance to the Planning Commission, with the strong recommendation the owner reconsider the non-historic addition (because it is overly prominent at the front of the house) and replace the room in the rear, thus increasing the historic integrity of the structure. Meiser seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Knox explained this application is for a remodel and addition to a historic structure. Nothing has changed from the presentation by the owner last month as far as the Site Review is concerned. A Variance is being requested to reduce the required number of parking spaces from six to four. Staff feels this is justified, as the owner is proposing to install three parking spaces on the site where there is currently none. There is a credit for one on-street space. Handicapped parking is proposed on Fourth Street. The owner is also requesting a Variance to the City's Street Tree Ordinance, which requires one tree per 30 feet. Since this lot is only 25 feet wide with a five-foot sidewalk along the frontage, the owner has stated a street tree would be a hardship because of the historic awning over the sidewalk. On one side of the awning is the historic VFW flagpole and on the other side are the sewer and water lines, which run directly under the sidewalk. Staff feels the variances are justified.

Leighton moved and Shostrom seconded to recommend approval of this application to the Planning Commission with the conditions as stated in the Findings. Chambers stated he would like to amend the motion to commend the owner and consultant on the work to be done on the building. Leighton accepted the amendment and the motion passed unanimously.

Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of October follow:

Project Assignments for Planning Actions

Skibby will bring photos of the progression of Siskiyou Boulevard to the December meeting. From these, the historic elements will be identified and listed.

Steele stated the narrative has been completed and Skibby is now working on the black and white photos. The color photos Skibby took have been processed and are fabulous. She is hoping to get everything sent to the National Park Service by November 15.

Knox stated there will be a Siskiyou-Hargadine neighborhood meeting at the Lincoln School at 7:00 p.m. on December 7. Notices will be mailed for this.

Knox stated the City of Jacksonville and the Ashland Historic Commission are co-sponsoring an informative brown bag lunch meeting on December 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The subject will be on brick restoration. This will be at the Old City Hall in Jacksonville. These informative luncheons are planned to take place every other month. The next one will be in Ashland.

Knox reported he had been in Salem with George Kramer representing the City of Ashland. The State Advisory Committee recommended approval of National Register status for this district. It will go before the Committee again next spring and should be placed on the National Register shortly thereafter.

Skibby noted Allen Sandler had talked with him regarding the color of paint on his new building on Lithia Way. Sandler would like to keep the primer color as it exists on the east wall, while others he has spoken with would prefer brick red. Most Historic Commission members agreed they would rather see the primer color than red. Skibby also stated Sandler is planning on installing display cases in the Old Masonic Walkway.

Steele stated she would like to see Skibby get paid for the photography work he has done for the travel itinerary. The Commission agreed money should be taken out of its budget for this.

With a motion by Steele and second by Shostrom, it was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 p.m.