ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION

Meeting Minutes

October 7, 2009

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

CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING, 5:00 pm

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

Commission Members Absent:  None

Council Liaison: Eric Navickas, absent

High School Liaison: None Appointed
SOU Liaison: None Appointed
Staff Present: Planner: Derek Severson;

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Krach moved to approve the September 2, 2009 minutes as presented and the motion was seconded by Mr. Baker.  They were approved unanimously.

PUBLIC FORUM:   There being no one wishing to speak, Chairman Shostrom closed the Public Forum.

PUBLIC HEARING:  None.

OLD BUSINESS:

A.      Review Board Schedule

B.      Project Assignments For Planning Actions – 11 First Street is complete and the Certificate of Occupancy was issued.  Also, 555 Siskiyou, Stratford Inn outside eating area, is complete and in operation.

C.      Single Family Residential Design Standards – No report

D.      Exits 14 & 19 – Giordano noted that he had been unable to attend the last meeting of the advisory committee.  He provided copies of the minutes and briefly discussed the renderings that had been prepared.  He also briefly explained the work being done to develop a landscaping plan that incorporates native plantings that respond to the significance of both forests and agriculture in southern Oregon’s history.

NEW BUSINESS:

A.                  Historic Commission Goals

Severson explained briefly that this was item had been placed on the agenda at the request of the Mayor.  Shostrom discussed the adopted Preservation Plan and read the goals listed: improve and clarify development code; complete survey and inventory; develop economic incentives; improve public education program; and improve commissioner training/networking.  He noted that improving and clarifying the development code by establishing more detailed design standards based on the Secretary of the Interior’s standards and those of other municipalities and the need to improve training, networking and mentoring were specifically identified in the plan for 2009 and 2010. 

Skibby noted the need to address preservation of the Lithia Springs site and emphasized the importance of education and promotion.

Baker noted speaking to the Assistant State Archeologist with SHPO relative to the stewardship of the Lithia Springs property, and noted that he had inquired as to the possibility for grant funds to create a state park.

Members agreed that the items from the Preservation Plan cited by Shostrom seemed an appropriate focus for the coming year, along with continuing to work to address preservation of the Lithia Springs site.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:   

A.             Proposed Ordinance Changes – City Municipal Code, Chapter 2.10 – Derek Severson

Severson provided brief background on the proposed ordinance changes, noting that consideration had been postponed at Council, meaning that there was still time to convey recommendations.

After discussion, Commissioners had the following four unanimous recommendations with regard to the proposed ordinance changes: 

1)            There should not be set term limits for those serving on a Commission, as the Mayor’s authority to appoint provides him ample ability to address specific circumstances without a “one size fits all” limitation.

2)            A quorum should be the next whole number greater than one half of the number of currently appointed members.

3)            The term of the Chairperson should be determined by the individual Commission based on the unique make-up of its members and their willingness to serve, and should not be regulated from above.  

4)            The Historic Commission should be represented in the review and approval process for the placement of public art installations within Historic Districts.

ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA: None.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Renwick noted that the membership list should be updated to reflect that her term ends in 2012, not 2010.

Swink noted that he would be absent from the November meeting.

The next Historic Commission meeting will be on November 4, 2009 in the Siskiyou Room.   Members noted that if there were no public hearings, it might be preferable to have an early meeting to allow for a work session to consider more detailed historic design standards.  Commissioners specifically requested that the standards from the Secretary of the Interior and from the cities of Medford and Jacksonville be provided for review.

ADJOURNMENT

It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 6:15 p.m.