Community Development/Engineering Services Building – 51 Winburn Way – Siskiyou Room.

Regular meeting, call to order: 6:05p.m. – SISKIYOU ROOM in the Community Development/Engineering Services Building, located at 51 Winburn WayHistoric Commissioners Present:  Mr. Skibby, Ms. Renwick, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Swink, Mr.  Shostrom, Mr. Giordano
Commission Members Absent:   Ms. KenCairn(E), Ms. Law (U)
Council Liaison:  Mike Morris, absent
Staff Present: Staff Liaison: Amy Gunter, Clerk: Regan Trapp

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  Historic Commission regular meeting of July 2, 2014. Ms. Renwick approved the minutes from July 2, 2014, and Mr. Swink seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC FORUM:   There was no one wishing to speak.
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT:  No council liaison was present to give the report.
PLANNING ACTION REVIEW:  Mr. Skibby read aloud the requirements for public hearings. 

PLANNING ACTION:  2014-00710                              
SUBJECT PROPERTY:  143 Nutley Street       
APPLICANT/OWNER:  Robert Baldwin                         
DESCRIPTION:  A request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) approval to exceed maximum permitted floor area (MPFA) in the Skidmore Academy Historic District for the addition of 1,695 square feet on to the existing 896 square foot residence on the property at 143 Nutley Street. The request is to exceed the allowed MPFA of 2,591 square feet by 13.29 percent or 306 square feet. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 08AD TAX LOTS: 2300.
  
Mr. Skibby opened the public hearing for staff comments.  Ms. Gunter gave the staff report. The conditions of approval for this addition include the Historic Commission’s recommendations.  Staff is recommending a tree protection and preservation plan as well as arborist recommendations for the relocation of the driveway and its potential impacts on the two trees on the adjacent lot. They are to continue the sidewalk at 5 feet, curbside to the property line.
 
 Mr. Skibby opened the public hearing.
 
Gary Caperna, Architect, 2908 Hillcrest Road, Medford, OR 97504. 
Mr Caperna showed the commission the plot lines from the county surveyors and said there is a discrepancy but that the lot is 60 X 110.  He discussed the plans in depth and stated that they have maintained most of the historic standards in the new addition. They are replacing all the windows in the house with double hung windows with no divided lighting. Mr. Whitford asked if the 2^nd floor was finished space and Mr. Caperna said that there are 2 attic style bedrooms but they are not a very usable space. He stated that they would be used as storage rooms. He said that they are not redoing the upstairs space but instead, making it attic space. There was some discussion on how much of the attic ceiling is actually 7 feet and it was determined that a separate condition of approval could be to leave the attic space as is. Mr. Caperna said that significant disruption would occur if they messed with the footings and the structure of the building. That is why they decided to make the addition in the back. 
 
Mr. Skibby closed the public hearing.  Mr. Skibby stated that this project has evolved quite a bit from where it started and likes that they saved the original house and the façade.   Mr. Swink liked the detached garage hidden away from the front of the house and said it keeps the focus on the house. Mr. Swink also stated that it is a nice continuation of a historic home.  Mr. Giordano said that he likes the sharing of the driveway.  Ms. Renwick motioned to approve PA-2014-00710 and Mr. Swink seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.
 
PLANNING ACTION:  2014-00711                   
SUBJECT PROPERTY:  135 Nutley Street       
APPLICANT/OWNER:  Robert Baldwin                                      
DESCRIPTION:  A request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) approval to exceed maximum permitted floor area (MPFA) in the Skidmore Academy Historic District for the addition of 1,220 square feet on to the existing 856 square foot residence on the property at 135 Nutley Street. The request is to exceed the allowed MPFA of 1,821 square feet by 14.5 percent or 264 square feet. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 08AD TAX LOTS: 2300.
 
Ms. Gunter gave a report on the planning action.  Mr. Skibby opened the public hearing.
 
            Gary Caperna, Architect, 2908 Hillcrest Road, Medford, OR 97504. 
Mr. Caperna stated that once again they are dealing with a small compact lot.  They are utilizing the single driveway. He said they have changed the plans quite a bit from the original, to more of a bungalow style. He stated that part of the mass issue is the sloped property and that it does exaggerate the building mass on the downhill side. The plates have been dropped down, on one side of the house, to 7ft to try to carve out the building mass and use the hill. Mr. Caperna said they are keeping a dormer style gable to tie it all in but that they did get rid of some of the gables. Mr. Skibby stated that this is a big improvement from the original plans. Mr. Giordano said that the porch height should be lowered because it’s physically small and small in regards to the front elevation. There was much discussion on the bulk and scale of the windows. Mr. Skibby closed the public hearing.
 
Mr. Skibby closed the public hearing. The Commission recommended reducing the porch height  by approximately one foot to be even with the freeze board. Lowering the bedroom window bay on the right to be even with the gutter line and use the straight cut concrete shingles. Mr. Giordano motioned to approve PA-2014-00711. Mr. Shostrom seconded, no one opposed. Motion passed unanimously. 
 
PLANNING ACTION:  2014-01283       
SUBJECT PROPERTY:  172 Skidmore            
APPLICANT/OWNER:  Val Bachmayer                                      
DESCRIPTION:  A request for a Conditional Use Permit to operate a five-unit (four guest units and one owner’s unit) Travelers Accommodation, and a Site Review Permit request for 343 square feet of additional space added to the main structure for the property located at 172 Skidmore. A 301 square foot first floor addition to the owner’s residence is proposed as a common dining room, while a 42 square foot second floor addition would expand an existing dormer on the south elevation. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Low-Density Multi-family; ZONING: R-2; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 05DD; TAX LOT: 1000;
 
Ms.Gunter gave her staff report. Mr. Skibby opened the public hearing
 
Val Bachmeyer, Owner of 172 Skidmore, Ashland, OR 97520. Ms. Bachmeyer stated that she wants to expand the living and dining area and have a gathering room for up to 18 people.  One side of the expansion will be set up for a common area. Ms. Bachmeyer presented the commission with pictures of the property and explained what her expansion entails.  Mr. Skibby closed the public hearing.
 
Mr. Skibby said that it will blend in nicely with the neighborhood and really liked the historical marker in the yard. Mr. Swink says the windows on the corners look contemporary and Ms. Bachmeyer stated that she wants to use the existing windows due to finances. It was suggested by the Commission that Ms. Bachmeyer, use the existing windows and move them 2 feet from the corner. Mr. Whitford motioned to approve with the above condition and Mr. Swink seconded.  No one opposed.  Motion passed unanimously.
 
OLD BUSINESS:None
 
NEW ITEMS:

7. 1. Ms. Gunter explained the election rules for public office to the commission.
   2. Ms. Gunter stated that Sept 9, 2014 is the CLG training but no time has been finalized as of   yet. The training will be held at the Carnegie Library in Medford. Ms. Gunter said that she     suggested that in the training they address demolitions and bring proof of ones that have   been legally challenged. Ms. Gunter said that she would like to address how we can tighten up our code on demolition permits that are not required and should we add a level of review  to these.

 
DISCUSSION ITEMS:  Mr. Shostrom reported that the city dug up bricks at Pioneer hall and it’s trenched with asphalt.   Ms. Gunter said that she will ask about this work being done and report back to the Commission.

COMMISSION ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA:  Ms. Gunter said that The Historic Commission did not receive funding from Travel Oregon for the grant she applied for. 
 
Ms. Gunter told the commission about the progress of the Downtown Design Committee and said that now is an appropriate transition time if another commissioner was interested. It was suggested that Mr. Whitford take over as the representative for these meetings
 
The Commission discussed the Restore Oregon email that was received. It is the 2014 Heritage Barn Workshop and will be Saturday September 27, 2014 from 9:30am – 4pm at Hanley Farm in Central Point, OR. 
 

1. Review Board Schedule

 

Aug 7th	Keith, Allison, Victoria
Aug 14th	Tom, Sam, Kerry
Aug 21st	Terry, Victoria, Dale
Aug 28th	Terry, Sam, Allison
Sept 4th	Keith, Allison

 

2. Project Assignments for Planning Actions:

 

PA-2014-00725	121 Manzanita-Under construction	Whitford
PA-2014-00725	469 Allison-Under construction	Swink
PA-2014-00710/711	143/135 Nutley	Swink and Whitford
PA-2014-01283	172 Skidmore	Shostrom
BD-2013-00256	175 Lithia Way – Under construction	Giordano
PA-2014-00251	30 S. First St. – No new permits issued	Whitford
PA-2014-00491	566 Fairview St.  – Under construction/almost done	Shostrom
BD-2013-00813	374 Hargadine – Under construction/almost done	Swink
PA-2013-01388	14 Calle Guanajuato(Sandlers) Restaurant-Under construction/almost done	Renwick
PA-2013-01421	270 N. First St.(Nisha Jackson)- Building permit issued	Renwick
PA-2013-01829	60 Alida St. (Lieberman) - Complete	Shostrom
PA-2013-01828	310 Oak St. (Thompson) – No new permits issued	Shostrom

 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS & INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
 
Next meeting is scheduled for September 3, 2014, 6:00 pm.
 
There being no other items to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:09pm
 
Respectfully submitted by Regan Trapp