Back to Homepage

Learn about the City's plan to construct and move the water treatment plant - Clean drinking water is an essential right

Agendas and Minutes

Planning Commission (View All)

Planning Commission Mtg

Agenda
Tuesday, January 12, 2016

ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
JANUARY 12, 2016

CALL TO ORDER
Chair Melanie Mindlin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street.

Commissioners Present:		Staff Present:
Troy J. Brown, Jr. Michael Dawkins Debbie Miller Melanie Mindlin Haywood Norton Roger Pearce Lynn Thompson		Bill Molnar, Community Development Director Derek Severson, Associate Planner April Lucas, Administrative Supervisor

Absent Members:		Council Liaison:
None		Greg Lemhouse, absent

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Community Development Director Bill Molnar issued the following announcements: 1) the City Council will hold second reading of the marijuana ordinance at their next meeting, 2) the January 26 Planning Commission meeting agenda will include two sets of findings and a discussion on the minor amendments to the Airport Overlay Zone, and 3) the Planning Commission’s February study session will be a joint meeting with the Wildfire Mitigation Committee to discuss the wildfire standards update.

Commissioners Dawkins and Thompson provided an update on the Downtown Parking Management and Circulation Committee and announced the final plan has been forwarded to the City Council for adoption.

CONSENT AGENDA

Approval of Minutes
1. November 24, 2015 Study Session.

2. December 8, 2015 Regular Meeting.

Commissioners Thompson/Dawkins m/s to approve the Consent Agenda. Voice Vote: all AYES. Motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC FORUM
Huelz Gutcheon/2253 Highway 99/Commented on global warming and encouraged the City to stop adding buildings and houses.

Joseph Kauth/1 Corral, #13/Commented on weather patterns and global warming.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Adoption of Revised Findings for PA-2015-01517, 209 Oak Street.

No ex parte contact was reported.

Associate Planner Derek Severson explained these findings were already adopted, however in reviewing them staff found inconsistencies regarding the metal roofing and the number of trees to be removed. The commission briefly discussed and agreed the revised findings accurately reflect the commission’s decision.

Commissioners Pearce/Brown m/s to approved the revised Findings for PA-2015-01517. Voice Vote: all AYES. Motion passed unanimously.

TYPE II PUBLIC HEARING

PLANNING ACTION: PA-2015-02287

SUBJECT PROPERTY: 123 Clear Creek Drive
APPLICANTS: John Fields/Clear Creek Investments LLC
OWNERS: Clear Creek Investments LLC & Cooper Investments LLC
DESCRIPTION: A request for Site Design Review approval to construct four two-story mixed-use buildings, consisting of leasable ground-floor office space and eight residential dwelling units on the second floors, and one two-story office building for the property located at 123 Clear Creek Drive. The request would also modify the previously approved Clear Creek Village Subdivision by further subdividing Lot 8 under the Performance Standards Options Chapter to create five new buildable lots to accommodate the proposed development. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Employment; ZONING: E-1; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 05 CD; TAX LOT: #1803.
Commissioner Mindlin read aloud the public hearing procedures for land use hearings.

Ex Parte Contact
Commissioners Norton, Dawkins, Pearce, Miller, and Brown declared site visits. No ex parte contact was reported.

Staff Report
Associate Planner Derek Severson reviewed the applicant’s proposal to divide the lot at 123 Clear Creek Drive into five lots with an open space corridor and construct five buildings. He noted Clear Creek Drive has already been improved to city standards and displayed the project’s site plan, building elevations, floor plans, tree protection plan, planning plan, utility plan, and grading plan. Mr. Severson stated the Tree Commission reviewed the application and recommended the applicant avoid pear trees and install sun protection and buck guards to ensure the longevity of the new trees. He also provided an overview of the applicant’s solar setback site plan and stated they are in compliance with the standards. Mr. Severson commented on the parking requirements and noted the original subdivision had a parking plan. He stated no new parking will be added as the applicant’s already have the 108 spaces they need to meet the demand of the site. He noted if any of the uses intensity the applicant is required to obtain staff’s approval to ensure they are still in compliance with the parking standards. Mr. Severson concluded his presentation and stated in staff’s review the proposal is straight forward and merits approval with the conditions proposed in the staff report.

Questions of Staff
Mr. Severson clarified Clear Creek Drive is a commercial collector with a curb to curb width of 28 ft. and can accommodate on-street parking on one side of the street.

Staff was asked to clarify the parking requirements and comment was made that the applicant’s calculations don’t seem to match up. Mr. Molnar explained two-bedroom units require 1.75 parking spaces and three-bedroom units require 2. He added the applicants can speak to their calculations when they come forward.

Applicant’s Presentation
John Fields and Jerome White addressed the commission and stated the two existing parking lots will serve all the square footage for the development. Mr. Fields explained the titles for each building define how much parking each will need, however this fluctuates as different businesses and uses move in and out of the space. Mr. White added the spreadsheet was created when the original subdivision was done and is a living document; as different projects come in they keep amending it to keep it up to date. Mr. Fields added they are confident they have the parking they need without using any of the on-street parking. Mr. Fields commented on the wetland area and stated these next five buildings will create some enclosure to the development. Mr. White displayed images of the proposed buildings and noted most have office space on the ground floor and apartment units above. He also presented an illustration of the solar shadow and explained where the shadow line will fall.

Public Testimony
No one came forward to speak.

Commissioner Mindlin closed the hearing and the public record at 8:05 p.m.

Deliberations & Decision
Commissioners Brown/Dawkins m/s to approve PA-2015-02287 with the conditions recommended by staff. DISCUSSION: Brown commented that it is a good application and conforms with all the requirements. Dawkins agreed and stated he is looking forward to the continuation of this development. Roll Call Vote: Commissioners Brown, Dawkins, Miller, Norton, Pearce, Thompson, and Mindlin, YES. Motion passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Submitted by,
April Lucas, Administrative Supervisor