ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION

Meeting Minutes

August 5, 2010

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

CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING, 6:00 pm

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

Commission Members Absent: Alex Krach (e)

Council Liaison: Russ Sibilger - absent

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Whitford moved to approve the July 7, 2010 minutes as presented and the motion was seconded by Mr. Swink. The minutes were approved unanimously. 

PUBLIC FORUM:   None

COUNCIL LIAISON’S REPORT:  None

DISCUSSION ITEMS:   Pete Belcastro from the Elks Club discussed the 100^th Anniversary celebration events.  He asked the Historic Commissioners if they would co-host the dinner scheduled for October 7, 2010 and provide an MC to do a brief welcome speech.  Commission attendance at the dinner would be $10.  Mr. Belcastro asked if one of the Commissioners would also be willing speak at the Rededication of the Elks Building on October 10^th.  He also invited the Commissioners to be guests at the breakfast.  Mr. Severson suggested the Commissioners discuss it after the public hearing.

PUBLIC HEARING:

PLANNING ACTION:         2010-00840

SUBJECT PROPERTY:     963 C Street

APPLICANT:                      Christopher and Molly Kingsley-Holzshou

DESCRIPTION:  A request for a Conditional Use Permit to Exceed the Maximum Permitted Floor Area (MPFA) within a historic district by 9.5% or 176 square feet, and a request for a Variance to the required 20-foot front yard setback. The applicant proposes a new single family residential home to be located 10-feet, 2-inches from C Street.

Chairman Shostrom confirmed there were no conflicts of interest and no exparte contact.  Mr. Skibby disclosed that the applicants had come to a Historic Review Board meeting.  Mr. Severson described the project pointing out the extra-wide right-of-way.

Mark Knox, representing the owners, talked about the background of the original MPFA (Maximum Permit Floor Area) ordinance.  He explained that this property had no alley access in the rear so it was necessary to push the structure to the front of the lot to accommodate the garage.  He said no feedback was received from the neighbors.  The applicant’s intent is to make the house as compatible as possible.

Ms. Renwick asked about the setback on the neighboring property and was told it was 20 feet.  Mr. Baker thought that houses that were closer to the street tend to slow traffic.  Chairman Shostrom asked about the 2 parking spaces and what the driveway finish would be.  Mr. Knox suggested a special driveway finish to minimize a bleached white concrete look.

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

Mr. Giordano made a motion to recommend approval with the condition that the driveway have a special finish with a darker color and some texture.  Ms. Renwick seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

Pre App PL-2010-00963, 90 Pioneer St, Owner Sonny Singh, Architect Robert Seibert

Mr. Seibert described the changes proposed for the space for a new convenience store. It would include ADA accessibility improvements including the replacement of the Lithia Way entrance doors and a ramp and the addition of a new Pioneer St. entrance door.  The Commissioners voiced concerns about losing the old historic door on the Lithia Way side.  It was suggested that it be refurbished and kept and the vestibule on the Pioneer Street side be opened up with separate doors into the two tenant spaces.  The owner agreed to consider this change.

OLD BUSINESS:   

A.  Review Board Schedule

C.  Project Assignments for Planning Actions – Added 963 C Street project

COMMISSION ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA

A.      Mr. Severson confirmed that Commissioners Skibby, Swink, Renwick and Shostrom were attending the August 5^th Review Board to discuss the partial demolition of the house at 19 Hillcrest.

B.      The discussion of the Elks Club celebration continued.  Mr. Krach was absent so Chairman Shostrom agreed contact him to confirm he was willing to represent the Historic Commission as speaker and MC.  Mr. Severson said he would also look into whether or not the City would pay the $10 dinner fee.

C.     Chairman Shostrom asked if the CLG grant had been submitted yet and if it could be amended.  Mr. Severson said it had already been approved to rewrite the historic design standards to match the State Preservation Plan and couldn’t be changed.

ADJOURNMENT

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