ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION

Regular Meeting Minutes

November 7, 2007

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

Historic Commissioners Present: Dale Shostrom, Terry Skibby, Henry Baker, James Watkins, Allison Renwick, Keith Swink, Alex Krach, Sam Whitford
Absent  Commission Members:, Tom Giordano

Council Liaison: Eric Navickas

High School Liaison: None Appointed
SOU Liaison: None Appointed
Staff Present: Planner, Maria Harris; Clerk, Billie Boswell

CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING

At 7:00 pm, Chairman Dale Shostrom called the Historic Commission meeting to order.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Watkins made a motion to approve the October 3, 2007 minutes and it was seconded by Mr. Baker.  Approval was unanimous with Mr. Whitford abstaining since he was absent.

PUBLIC FORUM:  No speakers

PUBLIC HEARING: None

NEW BUSINESS:  None

OLD BUSINESS

A.      Pre-Application for 165 Lithia Way – 2^nd Review

Ms. Harris explained that this pre-application was reviewed by the Historic Commission at last month’s meeting.  South and west elevations for the project have been submitted since then for additional comments by the Commissioners.  Jerome White, Mark Knox, and Evan Archerd passed out revised south and west elevations and floor plans for the mixed-use building and explained the proposed layout.  Mr. White said the exterior for the first two floors would be brick, with the third floor in stucco with small recesses on each of the four corners.  The base would have some type of ceramic tile so that additional entry doors could be more easily added for future tenants.  He explained that the west elevation is designed to be able to also have store fronts.  Door materials are undecided but would be “full light”.  Ms. Renwick was concerned that the east public walkway with the “light well”

would be too confining and potentially unsafe when another building is built on that side.  Mr. White said they were considering a gated entry for security.  The landscape plan had not been done yet, but the urban plaza on Lithia Way would have benches and planters, ornamental trees and an area for dining tables in the 16 feet from the sidewalk to the building front.  Mr. Knox expressed a desire to see a park-like green space on the City’s lot next door to tie into their urban space.  Chairman Shostrom felt the awnings could be more prominent, eight feet instead of five feet, particularly on the center section.

Mr. Navickas, City Council liaison, said he was sorry about the animosity surrounding this project but hoped the process would produce a better product.  He said he did not like the layout of the windows and felt the cornice was not strong enough.  He thought they could be articulated more.

There were no further comments or questions from the Commissioners.

B.      Review Board –

C.     PROJECT ASSIGNMENTS FOR PLANNING ACTIONS – Mr. Swink said that 520 Fairview had been completed and can be removed from the list.  Mr. Skibby agreed to oversee 542 A Street.  Staff was asked to determine the status of 11 First Street and 125 Sherman Street.

C.     Ashland School District – Mr. Watkins asked if the changes to the design referred to in the paper had been reviewed by the committee.  Chairman Shostrom had not been aware of any.

D.     Lithia Springs National Register Nomination – No Report

E.     Single Family Residential Design Standards – No report

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The next Historic Commission meeting will be on December 5, 2007 at 7:00 pm in the Siskiyou Room.

ADJOURNMENT

It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m.