ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION

Meeting Minutes

May 5, 2010

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

CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING, 6:00 pm

Historic Commissioners Present: Terry Skibby, Alex Krach, Keith Swink, Sam Whitford, Allison Renwick, Henry Baker

Commission Members Absent: Dale Shostrom, Tom Giordano

Council Liaison: Russ Sibilger

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

Because Chairman Shostrom was absent, Vice-Chair Skibby chaired the meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Whitford moved to approve the April 7, 2010 minutes as presented and the motion was seconded by Mr. Baker. Mr. Swink abstained due to being absent. The minutes were approved unanimously by the remaining Commissioners. 

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

NEW BUSINESS: 

A.  Housing Type Assessment Update – Pat Acklin, SOU.  Ms. Acklin provided an update to the Housing Type Assessment study being done by her class.  The students identified 15 study areas throughout the City by era developed and divided them up between themselves.  The students cataloged each study area by the predominate architectural styles and did a Powerpoint presentation with graphs and pictures to the Historic Commissioners.  Ms. Acklin shared that after the results were finalized by Tom Hubka, they would be compiled into a book and would also show examples of “good” and “bad” remodels.  The Commissioners were very impressed by the presentation and asked if they could receive a copy when the book is completed.

PUBLIC HEARING:

PLANNING ACTION:           2010-00425    

SUBJECT PROPERTIES: 51 Winburn Way & Calle Guanajuato

APPLICANT:  City of Ashland/Ashland Parks & Recreation

DESCRIPTION:  A request for a modification of the existing Conditional Use Permit for the Lithia Artisans Guild to allow the expansion of weekend open air artisans’ market booth spaces into the paved parking area for the Community Development and Engineering Services Building at 51 Winburn Way.  This modification would provide space to shift booth spaces to the parking area and is intended to facilitate outdoor dining and business access for businesses fronting on Calle Guanajuato.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:  Commercial Downtown; ZONING: C-1-D; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 09BB; TAX LOT: 7500 & 14800

Mr. Severson explained that using the parking lot just north of the Community Development & Engineering building would allow space for the Lithia Artisan Guild to move their market booths to reduce the congestion to the entrance to the Calle Guanajuato and to better facilitate business access and outdoor dining for those businesses along the creek.  The result would be the loss of four parking spaces.

There being no further questions and no one in the audience to speak, the public hearing was closed.

Mr. Whitford made a motion to recommend approval of the project as presented.  Mr. Swink seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

PLANNING ACTIONS:        2010-00355  

SUBJECT PROPERTIES: 550 E. Main St.

APPLICANT:  Dr. Allen Thomashefsky

DESCRIPTION:  A request for a Site Review and Conditional Use Permit for a 2 unit motel located at 550 E. Main St.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:  Commercial ZONING: C-1 ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 09AC; TAX LOT: 14900

Vice-Chairman Skibby verified that there were no exparte contacts or conflicts of interest.

Mr. Shostrom explained that there was a prior hotel/motel use that was discontinued.  The property owners now want to reactivate that use.  There would be no alterations to the exterior except for possibly replacing windows and doors.  Vice-Chairman Skibby asked about parking and Mr. Severson said there were existing parking spaces available on site.

There was no one to speak so Vice-Chairman Skibby closed the public meeting.

Mr. Swink felt that replacing the existing windows with wood-sash, double-hung windows would be the most desirable.  Ms. Renwick would like to see the front door changed out to make it more architecturally compatible. 

Ms. Renwick made a motion to recommend approval with the condition that exterior changes including window or door replacements shall be reviewed by the Historic Commission's weekly review board for historic/architectural compatibility.  Mr. Krach seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:   

A.  Historic Preservation Week (“Old is the New Green” May 9-15^th) – Ms. Boswell informed the Commissioners that no information was received from the Chamber of Commerce regarding the Open House tours being organized. 

B.  Review Board Schedule

C.  Project Assignments for Planning Actions – Added 550 East Main

DISCUSSION ITEMS:   

A.  The June 2, 2010 Commission meeting will be held at the Elks Lodge at 255 E Main Street at 6:00 pm. Specifics as to which entry and where the meeting room is will be sent out with the agenda and packet information.

B.  The Commissioners decided to retain 6:00 pm meeting time.

C.  Mr. Baker asked about staff arranging a tour of Lithia Springs (Gun Club).  Vice-Chair Skibby asked about the status of the lease.  Mr. Sibilger said an extension was given to complete environmental studies.  The initial study does show significant lead levels.  Interim steps would be taken to protect historic areas and minimize further lead contamination.  No clean up would begin until a plan is approved.  Mr. Sibilger confirmed that there was no indication of ground water leakage and no contamination of the Lithia water.  Mr. Baker asked about getting a copy of the report.  Mr. Severson said he would email out a link.

D.  Mr. Whitford asked if the Commissioners could be invited to a private party.  Mr. Severson was concerned about a quorum and the need to publicly notice the event.  He said he would look into the requirements.

E.  Mr. Severson said the applicants of the 85 Winburn Way project had asked to come to the June Commission meeting to review potential designs.  Mr. Whitford asked about the status of the re-zone application.  Mr. Severson said the Council had approved moving forward with the application.  Ms. Renwick, representing the Historic Commission, attended a design discussion meeting and explained that the applicant wanted to do a restaurant/wine bar or café concept that would tie into the skating rink in the winter.  The design would draw from architectural both the Community Center and Pioneer Hall buildings.  They recognized that the streetscape would be an important element of the project.

ADJOURNMENT

It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m.