Community Development/Engineering Services Building – 51 Winburn Way – Siskiyou Room
 
REGULAR MEETING - CALL TO ORDER  6:00p.m.
SISKIYOU ROOM in the Community Development/Engineering Services Building, at 51 Winburn Way.        
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT
Mr. Skibby, Mr. Shostrom, Mr. Swink, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Giordano, Ms. Kencairn, Mr. Ladygo, Mr. Emery          
COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT 
Ms. Renwick (E)
COUNCIL LIAISON
Carol Voisin
STAFF PRESENT
Staff Liaison: Amy Gunter, Clerk: Regan Trapp
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Mr. Giordano approved minutes from March 4, 2015.  Ms. Kencairn seconded.  Mr. Whitford abstained.  No one opposed.
 
PUBLIC FORUM:   
There was no one in the audience wishing to speak.
 
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT:
Ms. Voisin gave the council liaison report. She explained that the City Council will host an event to honor volunteers on August 30^th.  More info will be provided at a later date.  Council appointed Tighe O’Meara as the new acting police chief in lieu of Chief Holderness’ retirement.  Ms. Voisin stated that the City Council awarded a $75,000 grant to the Public Arts Commission for an art project that is near the Varsity Theater.  She added that the Beautification Commission projects have been delayed until September of 2015.  Ms Voisin went on to say that Capital improvement projects were passed totaling 35 million dollars.  She reported that the welcome center government agreement will be negotiated for paid staff with some added stipulations that the council agreed on.   Lithia artisans market will hang penants on 2 light poles on Winburn Way. The chamber has been exempted from paying the $1800 special event fee for the Children’s Halloween parade.   The City council approved the 2^nd reading of the short term rental ordinance.  The decision states that there will be no short term rentals in R- 1 zones and they extended short term rentals in R-2 and R-3 with no restrictions.
 
Mr. Skibby read aloud the procedures for public hearings. 
 
PLANNING ACTION REVIEW:
 
PLANNING ACTION:  2015-00374
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 160 Lithia Way
OWNER/APPLICANT:  Doug & Dionne Irvine
DESCRIPTION:   A request for a modification of a previous Site Review and Conditional Use Permit approval (PA #2012-00740) which allowed construction of a new 13,800 square foot, three-story mixed-use building on the vacant property located at 160 Lithia Way.  The modification proposed is limited to enclosing six of the site’s seven parking spaces, which are located off of Will Dodge Way at the rear of the site and which are intended to provide required parking for hotel guests.  Roll-up coil doors will be installed to provide added security for guest vehicles.  These doors are proposed to remain open during typical business hours, but would close at night and allow for restricted guest access with the entry of a key code.  A required ADA-accessible parking space would remain open at all times.  COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Downtown Commercial; ZONING: C-1-D; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09 BA; TAX LOT: 10800
 
Ms. Gunter gave the staff report for PA-2015-00374.
 
Mr. Skibby opened the public hearing.  No one was wishing to speak.  Mr. Skibby closed the public hearing and opened for commission comments.
 
Mr. Shostrom motioned to approve PA-2015-00374.   Ms. Kencairn seconded.  No one opposed.
 
PLANNING ACTION:  PA-2015-00541   
SUBJECT PROPERTY:  345 Lithia Way 
APPLICANT:   Kistler, Small, White Architects for Double R Products
OWNER:  Hays Oil
DESCRIPTION:  A request for a modification of a previously approved Site Review approval (PA-2014-01226) to convert the Lithia Way Texaco located at 345 Lithia Way into a retail and restaurant establishment. The proposal is to add an outdoor seating area adjacent to the building on the south façade adjacent to Lithia Way and a modification to the proposed exterior finishes.  COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial; ZONING: C-1;
ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09BD; TAX LOTS: 1801
 
Ms. Gunter gave the staff report for PA-2015-00541.
 
Mr. Skibby opened the public hearing.  No one was wishing to speak.  Mr. Skibby closed the public hearing and opened for commission comments.
 
The Historic Commission found that the proposal did not comply with the Historic District design standards for commercial development (AMC 18.4.2.060.C)They found that the wood elements being added were out of scale proportion wise and that the wood and the patterned tile were incompatible with the original architectural character of the building.  It was suggested that the tile be monochromatic or a single color and that stucco with control joints or rivulets would create a simple façade, more appropriate for the downtown historic district. 
 
Mr. Shostrom motioned to deny PA-2015-00541.   Mr. Whitford seconded.  No one opposed. 
 
PLANNING ACTION:   PA-2015-00493
SUBJECT PROPERTY:  37 North Main Street 
APPLICANT:  Robert Saladoff, Architect
OWNER:  Evye & Victor Szanto
DESCRIPTION:  A request for Site Design Review to permit a tenant improvement of the property located at 37 North Main Street to include an interior remodel to create two tenant spaces, associated accessibility improvements, and changes to the façade including alteration to the entry and the addition of new awnings.  COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial Downtown; ZONING: C-1-D;  ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09BB; TAX LOTS: 8600
 
Ms. Gunter gave the staff report for PA-2015-00493
 
Mr. Skibby opened the public hearing.
 
Robert Saladoff, architect, residing at 3519 NE 15^th Ave, Portland, OR.  Mr. Saladoff spoke about the tenant improvement at 37 North Main Street. 
 
Mr. Skibby opened for questions from the commission to the applicant.
 
Mr. Skibby opened up to the public for comments.
 
Ann Wilton, renter of 37 N. Main, and owner of Renaissance Rose, read a letter from Grantland, Blodgett, Shaw & Abel, LLP into record.  Ms. Gunter took the letter in for review by the planner and the legal department.
 
Mr. Skibby opened up to commission comments. 
 
Ms. Kencairn motioned to approve as designed, Mr. Shostrom seconded.  No one opposed.
 
OLD BUSINESS: 
There was no old business to discuss.
 
NEW ITEMS:

1.   Review Board schedule.
2.   Project Assignments for planning actions.
3.   Historic Preservation Week:  Winner selection and description blurb assignments     

522&528 Rock – Mr. Shostrom, Mr. Emery
14 Calle Guanajuato- Mr. Whitford
175 Lithia Way – Mr. Shostrom
5 B Steet –Mr. Giordano
56 Church – Mr. Swink
Civic Award  -  Ms. Kencairn
Individual Award- Mr. Ladygo
 
The mayor will conduct the awards presentation along with Mr. Shostrom and the consultant for the CLG(Matt Davis).  Mr. Skibby will give a short opening statement.  Mr. Skibby will take pictures of all the properties and awards recipients.
 
The presentation to the City Council will be moved to May 5, 2015.  Mr. Swink will give the presentation to Council. 
 
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Downtown Beautification discussionMs. Kencairn suggested tabling this until May when she has more time to discuss this. 

Wildfire Lands update-Wildfire Hazard Zone EvaluationBrandon Goldman senior planner for City of Ashland and Margueritte Hickman Fire Marshall for City of Ashland gave the presentation.  They discussed the wildfire lands overlay and existing standards for development in the wildfire land areas.  They discussed this in depth and answered questions from the commission.  They will develop a webpage for all of information and data collected.  They are interested in any feedback from the Commission and want to hear from everyone.  Ms. Hickman requested that if anyone else has questions or comments to please email the fire department. 
 
 COMMISSION ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA:
The commission raised concerns about work being done without permits at 60 Alida and 685 E.   Main.  Ms Gunter stated that she would look into this with Mr. Flynn, code enforcement officer for the City Of Ashland.
 

April 9th	Terry, Bill, Andrew
April 16th	Allison, Terry, Tom
April 23rd	Terry, Sam, Andrew
April 30th	Allison, Terry, Kerry
May 7th	Terry, Sam, Keith

 
 
Project Assignments for Planning Actions – Review Update

PA-2014-01956	Lithia & First	All
PA-2014-01880	280 Liberty	Skibby
PA-2014-00725	469 Allison	Swink
PA-2014-00710/711	143/135 Nutley	Swink and Whitford
PA-2014-01283	172 Skidmore	Shostrom
PA-2014-00251	30 S. First St	Whitford
BD-2013-00813	374 Hargadine	Swink
PA-2013-01388	14 Calle Guanajuato(Sandlers)Restaurant	Renwick
PA-2013-01421	270 N. First St.	Renwick
PA-2013-01828	310 Oak St. (Thompson)	Shostrom
PA-2014-02206	485 A Street	Renwick
PA-2015-00178	156 Van Ness Ave	Kencairn
PA -2015-00374	160 Lithia Way	Not Assigned
PA-2015-00541	345 Lithia Way	Giordano
PA-2015-00493	37 N. Main	Skibby