I.          CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Haywood Norton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
 

Commissioners Present:		Staff Present:
Michael Dawkins Haywood Norton Roger Pearce Lynn Thompson Lisa Verner		Bill Molnar, Community Development Director Maria Harris, Planning Manager Dana Smith, Executive Assistant
Absent Members:		Council Liaison:
Alan Harper Kerry KenCairn		Paula Hyatt

 
II.        ANNOUNCEMENTS
Community Development Director Bill Molnar announced the Commission would hear a continued public hearing on 599 East Main Street and a public hearing on the duplex code amendments at their meeting on May 11, 2021.  The Housing Capacity Analysis and duplex code amendments would go before City Council at their Study Session on May 17, 2021.  At the Planning Commission’s Study Session in June, staff would bring preliminary information on the possibility of increasing housing on employment lands.
 
III.       PUBLIC FORUM - None
 
IV.       DISCUSSION ITEMS
A.  Code Amendment Options for State of Oregon Middle Housing (Duplex) Requirements
Planning Manager Maria Harris provided a presentation (see attached):  
Commissioner Pearce asked what the land use code issues were converting existing houses to duplexes.  Ms. Harris explained there was nothing in the code that would prohibit converting existing structures to duplexes.

Commissioner Thompson asked why the Historic Overlay requirements were not added to the ARU use.  They were applicable to single family dwellings and duplexes.  Ms. Harris clarified the maximum permitted floor area in the historic district requirement would apply to a single-family dwelling, ARU, or a duplex in terms of size limitations for floor area.  The Historic District design standards did not apply outright to a single-family home and therefore would not apply to duplexes.  Commissioner Thompson noted Table 18.2.2.030 Uses Allowed by Zone on page 5 of 73 in the draft code.  The language was applicable to single-family dwellings and duplexes that related to the Historic District Overlay but did not include ARU use.  Ms. Harris would include ARU use and make it clear.
 
Commissioner Pearce thought the parking management strategies that apply to single-family dwellings should also apply to duplexes.  Ms. Harris agreed.  They wanted a conservative approach rather than allowing on-street parking credits.
 
Chair Norton thought a main concern was the parking requirement.  They could address potential issues with lot coverage once there were a few projects completed.
 
Commissioner Verner/Pearce m/s to direct staff to initiate the Type III planning application for an ordinance amending Chapters 18.2.2, 18.2.3, 18.2.5, 18.3.4, 18.3.5, 18.3.9, 18.3.12, 18.4.2, 18.4.3, 18.5.2, 18.5.7, and 18.6.1 of the Ashland Land Use Ordinance to amend the allowances and requirements for duplexes as required by House Bill 2001 from the 80th Oregon Legislative Assembly, 2019 Regular Legislative Session.  DISCUSSION:  Commissioner Pearce read the title into the record.  Voice Vote:  ALL AYES. Motion passed.
 
V.        OTHER BUSINESS – None
 
VI.       ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
 
Submitted by,
Dana Smith, Executive Assistant