ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION

Minutes

July 6, 2005

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

Historic Commissioners Present: Dale Shostrom, Keith Swink, Rob Saladoff, Terry Skibby, Jay Leighton, Alex Krach, Tom Giordano, Sam Whitford and Henry Baker
Absent Members: None

Council Liaison: Jack Hardesty
High School Liaison: None Appointed
SOU Liaison: None Appointed
Staff Present: Maria Harris, Senior Planner, Billie Boswell, Administration

CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING

At 7:07, Chairman Dale Shostrom called the regular meeting to order.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Whitford moved to approve the June 8, 2005 minutes with a second by Mr. Saladoff. Mr. Giordano abstained because he had been absent. The remaining commissioners approved the motion unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Planning Action 2005-00869

Conditional Use Permit

JoAnn & Russell Manzone

249 Hillcrest Drive

Ms. Harris explained the request was for a Conditional Use Permit to construct a 680 square foot accessory residential unit (ARU) on the western portion of the parcel adjacent to Terrace Street.  Two new on-street parking credits are requested.  Two new street trees will be added.  Ms. Harris pointed out that the new ARU would be oriented toward Iowa Street because of the steep grade on Terrace Street.  Staff recommends that an existing curb cut positioned very close to the corner of Terrace and Iowa streets be removed due to limited visibility at that location. 

Since the applicants were not present and there was no one in the audience wishing to speak, the Public Hearing was closed.

Mr. Skibby was concerned about the contemporary design of the windows.  Chairman Shostrom said the plans presented lacked the details necessary to understand how the exterior would be constructed.  Mr. Giordano pointed out the elevations were not to scale and lacked realistic detailing such as dimensions and materials.  Mr. Saladoff felt a floor plan should have been provided.  He also wanted eave and corner details. Several commissioners noted that the diamond windows in the gables appeared to be too low.

Mr. Whitford stated that it is very important that the owners or their representatives be present at the hearing in order to answer these questions.

Mr. Giordano made a motion to continue this action pending submittal of more detailed, scaled plans showing materials and dimensions including eaves, corners, belly band, porch, etc.  He also asked that a floor plan be provided.  Ms. Leighton seconded the motion.

Discussion followed regarding whether or not to continue the action, call it up to a full public hearing, or approve it with conditions.  Mr. Giordano decided to rescind his motion.  Ms. Leighton also rescinded her second.

A new motion was made by Mr. Giordano to recommend approval, subject to the following conditions:

1.      Revised plans are resubmitted to the full Historic Commission prior to submission of the Building Permit.

2.      The revised plans are drawn to scale and include a floor plan.

3.      The revised plans identify materials used for windows, siding, trim, and porch detail.

4.      Show dimensions of all details including eaves, window, door and corner trim, bellyband, and porch.

5.      That the owners or their representative be present at the hearing to answer questions.

Mr. Saladoff seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Planning Action 2005-01043

Site Review Approval and Conditional Use Permit

Applicant: Ashland Creek Holdings, LLC

70 Water Street

Chairman Shostrom confirmed with the Commissioners that there were no abstentions and no conflict of interest. Most of the Commissioners said they had made a visit to the site.

Ms. Harris described the proposal to add an 865 square foot, second-story addition over the existing South portion of the building in order to add two new guest units.  She explained that Ashland Creek and the associated riparian corridor take up more than half of the site. Street side elevation of the existing building is 28 feet.  The proposed addition would create a building section two feet lower or 26 feet. 

Chairman Shostrom opened the Public Hearing. Carolyn and George (Bing) Sheldon of 70 Water Street in Ashland and Graham Sheldon of 2115 Talent Ave in Talent introduced themselves as the owners.  Graham Sheldon explained that they had completed Phase III as shown on the plans and were proposing Phase IV.  Their plan is to standardize the shutters and replace the vinyl windows.  The details on the new addition would match the existing.

Mr. Giordano asked the Sheldons about the other elevations and why they weren’t shown on the plans. George Sheldon said he didn’t think it was necessary.  He said they would be adding a deck to the east side and there were no windows planned for the south elevation.  Mr. Giordano also asked about the plans for the large vine attached to the building.  The applicant said they would be carefully lowering the vine during construction and then reattaching it to the building with wire and brackets when complete.

Chairman Shostrom asked for more information about the French doors off the bedroom. Where did they lead? The applicants said a wrought iron guardrail had been ordered to secure the opening.  The guardrail would complement the wrought iron in the window boxes. 

Mr. Krach had concerns that the French door would negatively impact the uniformity of the existing windows on the second floor of the existing building.  The commissioners discussed several options of the window placement on the new second story and how those options would relate to the existing windows.

There being no further questions and no comments from the audience, the public meeting was closed.

Mr. Skibby felt more detail was needed.  Mr. Giordano and Mr. Whitford commented that, based on the previous quality work that the applicants had done on the building, the new addition should be approved. 

Chairman Shostrom made a motion to approve Planning Action #2005-01043 subject to the following conditions being provided to the Historic Commission for approval prior to issuance of the building permit:

1.      Details of the south and east elevations

2.      Details of the guardrail/balcony outside the French doors.

3.      Details of how the Trumpet Vine will be protected and reattached to the building.

Mr. Whitford seconded the motion and it unanimously approved.

DISCUSSION ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA

124 Nutley Street   Richard Jacquot, Owner and Tom Owens, Contractor, presented preliminary plans for an octagonal residence to be built on a fairly steep flag lot.  Exterior finishes include horizontal and vertical tongue and groove siding and stucco with a blue metal roof.  Mr. Jacquot explained that most of the house would not be visible from the street.  The basement garage would be accessed from the front. The exterior had several terraces and retaining walls.  The Commissioners expressed many concerns with the mix of design elements and the incompatibility within the historic district.  A really good design could incorporate the desires of the owner but it would be very challenging to make it work with the steep slope and still be compatible with the historic neighborhood.

Alex Krach – Going Away Celebration

OLD BUSINESS

A. Review Board  – Following is the month’s schedule for the Review Board, which meets every Thursday from 3:00 to at least 3:30 p.m. in the Planning Department:

B.  Project Assignments for Planning Actions

C.     Co-Sponsorship with Conservation Commission for Fall Workshop – No report

D.     Lithia Springs National Register Nomination – A City Council study session with the Parks Commission regarding the Gun Club is tentatively scheduled for July 20 at 12:00 in the Council Chambers.  Chairman Shostrom reviewed the memo drafted by George Kramer to be included in the Council packet. 

There was discussion about some private property owners who, in the past, had considered buying, cleaning up and giving back the property to the City because of safety and environmental concerns.

Ms. Harris, Mr. McLoughlin, and Mr. Kramer visited the property and found evidence of deterioration of some of the significant historical sites due to damage caused by the Gun Club.  A burlap deer was hanging in the doorway of the old pumphouse and the tower had been pushed over so club users would not shoot at it.

Mr. Baker said Mr. LeBeau felt the area qualified as a significant archeological/prehistoric site, which the State requires a permit for when any disturbance of the site is proposed.

Chairman Shostrom also read the draft of the memo he wrote to Council.  The Commissioners approved the memo.  Chairman Shostrom, Ms. Leighton, and Ms. Harris will work together to produce a PowerPoint presentation to present at the study session.

E.     Multiple Listing Survey for National Register of Historic Places   - No Report

F.      Single Family Residential Design Standards – No report

G.     Brown Bag Meeting – Ms. Leighton suggested two topics: “Bungalow Colors” and “The Difference Between a Hip Gable and Clark Gable”.

NEW BUSINESS – None

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The next Historic Commission meeting will be on August 3, 2005 at 7:00 pm in the Siskiyou Room.

ADJOURNMENT

With a motion by Leighton and second by Skibby, it was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 p.m.