Community Development/Engineering Services Building – 51 Winburn Way – Siskiyou Room
 
REGULAR MEETING - CALL TO ORDER 6:02p.m. – SISKIYOU ROOM in the Community Development/Engineering Services Building, located at 51 Winburn Way
Historic Commissioners Present:  Mr. Skibby, Mr. Swink, Ms. Kencairn, Ms. Renwick, Mr. Whitford, Mr. Emery, Mr. Ladygo, Mr. Shostrom
Commission Members Absent:  Mr. Giordano (U)
Council Liaison :  Carol Voisin
Staff Present: Staff Liaison: Mark Schexnayder; Clerk: ReganTrapp
 
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Whitford motioned to approve minutes with correction from August 5, 2015.  Mr. Shostrom seconded.  No one opposed.  Minutes were approved with correction by Mr. Shostrom for not adding a park row at the curb in PA-2015-01496.
 
PUBLIC FORUM 
There was no one in the audience wishing to speak.
 
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT  
Ms. Voisin gave the Council Liaison report. 
 
OLD BUSINESS 
Update from Parks Department staff in regards to the Butler-Perozzi Fountain.
Michael Black, Parks Director and Bruce Dickens Parks Superintendant with Ashland Parks and Recreation gave a presentation regarding the Butler-Perozzi Fountain to the Historic Commission.  Mr. Black and Mr. Dickens gave a short history on the funding process of the Butler-Perozzi Fountain. They are looking at all avenues to save the fountain.  They explained that Ashland Parks Foundation did a fundraiser and raised a few thousand dollars towards the project and there are other fundraisers in the works.  Mr. Dickens explained that they are questioning if the structure and the stairs need to be fully restored or just repaired.  At this time they are unsure.  The Commission has requested that if the fountain is ever on the Parks Commission agenda that they be invited to attend.  Mr. Dickens agreed. 
 
Mr. Skibby read aloud the procedures for public hearings. 
 
PLANNING ACTION REVIEW:
 
PLANNING ACTION:  PA-2015-01115                           
SUBJECT PROPERTY:  34 S Pioneer Street     
OWNER/APPLICANT:  Oregon Shakespeare Festival
DESCRIPTION:  A request for a Conditional Use Permit to operate a temporary food vendor in the Chautauqua Square plaza. The applicant has yet to decide on a vendor and, therefore, signage and design of the food cart is in the conceptual design stages. The location of the proposed food vendor is in a prominent area of the Oregon Shakespeare Grounds and is in the Downtown Historic District. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Downtown; ZONING: C-1-D; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09BC; TAX LOT: 1100
 
Mr. Schexnayder gave the staff report on PA-2015-01115.
 
Mr. Skibby opened the public hearing to the applicant.
 
An email submitted on August 19, 2015 by Alan Harper requested to supplement their original application materials.
 
Alan Harper, Attorney at Law, representing Oregon Shakespeare Festival, addressed the Commission.  He spoke in depth about the list of conditions from the Planning department and defined the position of Oregon Shakespeare Festival in regards to these conditions. 
 
Mr. Skibby closed the public hearing and opened to the Commission.
 
Mr. Shostrom motioned to approve PA-2015-01115 with the draft conditions as written #1 – 7.   Mr. Ladygo seconded.  No one opposed.
 
(Draft Conditions for PA-2015-01115)

1. Bright or neon colors used extensively to attract attention to the food cart(s) or use are prohibited. Final size, scale, color and materials of cart(s) to be reviewed by the Historic Commission Review Board and approved by the Staff Advisor before commencement of the temporary use. The food cart(s) and other site appurtenances associated with the temporary use (i.e. tables, umbrellas, etc.) should consist of colors that blend into the adjacent surroundings and back drop buildings.
2. A plan establishing a six-foot wide pedestrian path through the plaza from the stairs adjacent to Pioneer St. to the sidewalk on Main St., and a clear path to the front entrances of the Black Swan Theater and Chamber of Commerce shall be submitted for review and approval of the Staff Advisor before the commencement of the temporary use. The temporary use (e.g., food cart, tables, chairs) shall be located outside of the approved pedestrian path.
3. The seating walls around the existing planters shall be accessible and usable for pedestrians and the food cart tables and chairs shall be located a minimum of three feet from the seating walls.
4. A maximum of 15 square feet of signage will be allowed. Any signage applied to the cart awning/umbrella is limited to five square feet. Any remaining signage can be divided between two facades of the food cart, to be installed flush with the cart body.
5. The food cart is allowed two exempt incidental signs, not to exceed five square feet in combined total. If the temporary use utilizes a portable sign, the area of the portable sign shall be deducted from the five square feet aggregate sign allowed for exempt incidental signs. Furthermore, portable signs must be placed immediately adjacent to the food cart.
6.  No signs shall use plastic as part of the exterior visual effects or be internally illuminated.
7. All applicable building and fire codes must be met before food cart can begin operation.

PLANNING ACTION:  PA-2015-01496
SUBJECT PROPERTY:  35 South Second Street
OWNER/APPLICANT:  MPM Investments
AGENT:  Kistler, Small & White, Architects
DESCRIPTION:  A request for Conditional Use Permit and Site Design Review approvals to allow 3,051 square feet of additions including a new kitchen, new bar, laundry room, two new second floor offices and an accessible lift, and the conversion of the existing kitchen into bussing and storage areas for the Winchester Inn located at 35 S. Second St.  Also included are requests for Tree Removal Permits to remove two trees: a six-inch diameter Plum tree located within the footprint of the proposed new bar, and an eight-inch diameter Birch tree within the footprint of the addition at the rear of the main house; and Exception to the Street Standards to retain the existing curbside sidewalk along the perimeter of the property.  COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial Downtown; ZONING: C-1-D; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09BD; TAX LOTS: 5600-5700
 
Mr. Schexnayder gave to staff report on PA-2015-01496. 
 
Mr. Skibby opened the public hearing to the applicants.
 
Matt Small, with Kistler, Small, White presented to the Commission.  Mr. Small stated that the  proposal includes a new bar, two second floor offices, a new kitchen, a new laundry room and the remodel of the existing kitchen into the bussing station and storage areas.  The additions proposed are a 360 square foot bar on the south side of the existing main building, adjacent to the existing dining area.  The new full service kitchen will occupy the first floor of the west side of the main facility.  The proposed new square footage of the kitchen is 869 square feet.  The existing height and setback of the building is unchanged.  The massing of the building will continue to be appropriate to the existing Victorian architecture, and smaller than the other commercial buildings in the immediate neighborhood.   
 
 Mr. Skibby closed the public hearing and opened to the Commission. 
 
Ms. Kencairn motioned to approve PA-2015-01496 as submitted.  Ms. Renwick seconded. No one opposed.
 
PLANNING ACTION:  PA-2015-01512                           
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 198 Hillcrest Street
OWNER/APPLICANT:  Britt Pearson
DESCRIPTION:  A request for a Conditional Use Permit to alter a non-conforming structure. The applicant proposes to add a second story balcony (6.5’ x 20’) extending out from the East side of the existing two story dwelling.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single-Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09CA; TAX LOT: 9900
 
Mr. Schexnayder gave the staff report on PA-2015-01512
 
Mr. Skibby opened the public hearing to the applicants.  The applicants were not present. 
Mr. Skibby closed the public hearing and opened to the Commission.
 
Mr. Shostrom motioned to approve PA-2015-01512 as submitted.  Ms. Kencairn seconded.  No one opposed.

NEW ITEMS:
     Review board schedule
     Project assignments for planning actions
     CLG study session, September 17, 2015 at 11am.
 
Mr. Schexnayder spoke regarding the CLG study session on September 17, 2015.  The Commission agreed that it would be a good idea to drive around the Historic District and take pictures of bad examples of exterior work.  They discussed and decided that a few Commissioners would each take certain areas of the district and report back to Ms. Trapp with their picture results for the CLG meeting.
                      
OLD BUSINESS: 
     There was no old business to discuss.
   
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Mr. Skibby addressed the Commission regarding appointing a liaison to attend the City Council meetings.  The Commission discussed this and decided that they would not want to appoint a certain person and would like to take it on a case by case basis depending on the need. 
 
Downtown Plaza project.
 
Mr. Schexnayder gave a report on the Downtown plaza project.   
 
 Katherine Thaldon, Landscape Architect, addressed the Commission regarding her ideas for the Downtown Plaza project.  Ms. Thaldon stated that she was approached by several members of the City Council to help them in reading the plans for the Downtown Plaza project.  She emphasized that the plantings in the Plaza are in good condition except for the bare area behind the information booth.  She spoke about fencing options and what would possibly work for the Plaza area.  Ms. Thaldon recommended using substantial green plantings instead of a shorter fence.
 
After much discussion, the Commission briefly outlined some recommendations that they would like to send to the City Council regarding the project.
 
The recommendation of the Historic Commission is to use substantial plantings instead of fencing to make the space look less confined.  The plantings would be much more cost effective and safer than a fence.  The Historic Commission recommends 5 gallon plants, closely spaced together to create a natural foliage barrier.  By planting evergreen or big leafy type plants (drought tolerant if possible) it would make the space lush and welcoming.  Adding an anchor evergreen plant in each pot for winter interest would be a nice touch. 
         
   
               COMMISSION ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA:
 There was nothing to discuss.
 
                                                            Review Board Schedule

September 17th	Terry, Sam, Kerry
September 24th	Terry, Allison, Tom
October 1st	Terry, Andrew, Bill
October 8th	Terry, Andrew, Keith

 
 
Project Assignments for Planning Actions

PA-2014-01956	Lithia & First	All
PA-2014-00710/711	143/135 Nutley	Swink & Whitford
PA-2014-01283	172 Skidmore	Shostrom
PA-2014-00251	30 S. First St	Whitford
BD-2013-00813	374 Hargadine	Swink
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	Emery
PA-2015-00541	345 Lithia Way	Giordano & Renwick
PA-2015-00493	37 N. Main	Skibby
PA-2015-00878	35 S. Pioneer	Ladygo
PA-2015-01163	868 A’ Street	Kencairn
PA-2015-00980	637 B’ Street	Shostrom
PA-2015-00797	266 Third	Ladygo
PA-2015-01115	34 S. Pioneer	Ladygo
PA-2015-01496	35 S. Second-Winchester Inn	Shostrom
PA-2015-01512	198 Hillcrest	Swink