ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION

Meeting Minutes

August 5, 2009

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

CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING, 7:00 pm

Historic Commissioners Present: Terry Skibby, Allison Renwick, James Watkins, Keith Swink, Henry Baker,

Commission Members Absent:  Dale Shostrom, Sam Whitford, Alex Krach, Tom Giordano

Council Liaison: Eric Navickas

High School Liaison: None Appointed
SOU Liaison: None Appointed
Staff Present: Planner: Angela Barry; Clerk: Billie Boswell;

Due to the absence of Chairman, Dale Shostrom, Vice-Chairman Terry Skibby assumed the role of leading the meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Ms. Renwick pointed out that there was no “new rental unit” at155-157 Sixth St.  Mr. Skibby stated that the Mayor’s Brown Bag lunch had already occurred and he was just describing the topics discussed.   Mr. Baker moved to approved the revised minutes of the July 5, 2009 meeting.  Ms. Renwick seconded the motion. The minutes, as amended, were approved unanimously by the remaining commissioners.

PUBLIC FORUM:   Dave Hill spoke to the Commissioners about his disappointment over their lack of support at the Hearings Board for a geodesic dome that was proposed to house the Ashland Community Theater.  He felt the design was reminiscent of the Chautauqua Dome that was built in Ashland in 1893.  Mr. Skibby said he felt `that a white, modern plastic dome would not be relative historically to the original wood-shingled dome nor to the neighborhood.  Mr. Hill said they had planned to paint shingles and window trim on the dome.  Mr. Hill also said he was there representing himself, not the Theater group.  Mr. Swink explained that in the future it would be most helpful if the applicants attended the Hearings Board meeting so questions and explanations could be exchanged.

PUBLIC HEARING: 

PLANNING ACTION:       2009-00785

SUBJECT PROPERTIES:   255 E Main Street

APPLICANT:  Ashland Elks #944

DESCRIPTION:  A request for Site Review approval to add a 17 x 35 foot deck and screening of existing mechanical equipment on the rear of the existing Elks Lodge building located at 255 E Main Street.  COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:  Downtown; ZONING: C-1-D; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 09 BD; TAX LOT: 4400

Mr Baker disclosed that he was “nominal” member of the Elks but felt he could hear the proposal objectively. The other Commissioners agreed.  There was no one in the audience representing the Ashland Elks.  Ms. Barry explained the submittal was the same as was presented at the Pre-Application meeting with no changes made.

There being no one in the audience, the public hearing was closed.

Mr. Swink said he likes the look of the balcony because it left the rear of the building looking like the back of a building on the alley.  Terry agreed but said it actually improved the overall look.

Ms. Renwick made a motion to approve the project.  Mr. Swink seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS: 

Council Goals, Eric Navickas

Mr. Navickas presented a PowerPoint presentation that reviewed the Council Goals.  Ms. Renwick liked the reference to keeping Ashland “a funky little town”.  She was concerned about the divide between the “flats” and the “nosebleed sections” of town.  Mr. Skibby felt it was good to maintain the character of historic districts and he also liked the possibility of reviving the railroad through Ashland.  Mr. Navickas asked for the forms to be completed by the end of September.

Mr. Swink asked about the status of the meal’s tax.  Mr. Navickas said the final wording was approved and the money would be used for wastewater treatment (80%) and development of parks (20%).

OLD BUSINESS:

A.      Review Board Schedule

B.      Project Assignments For Planning Actions – Add 255 E Main - Swink

C.      Single Family Residential Design Standards – No report

D.      Exits 14 & 19 – Tom Giordano – No report

DISCUSSION ITEMS

1.                   Mr. Swink said he had attended the Croman Advisory Committee meeting and described the types of zoning being proposed.  He said the next meeting would be in September.

2.                   Mr. Skibby asked about the status of the Audio Walk tour.  He said he had looked at the last revisions and suggested more details for the map.  Ms. Barry said Paul Christensen was hesitant to share any more of the audio because it was proprietary.  She felt that he would not be back because the audio was already recorded.  Mr. Skibby said he felt comfortable with what had been done.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ms. Barry announced that she was leaving her position with the City of Ashland and this would be her last meeting.  Mr. Swink commented how well she had grown into the position and all of the Commissioners thanked her for her service.

The next Historic Commission meeting will be on September 2, 2009 in the Siskiyou Room.

ADJOURNMENT

It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m.