Agendas and Minutes

Historic Preservation Advisory Committee (View All)

Historic Commission Regular Meeting

Agenda
Wednesday, January 02, 2013

ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes

January 2, 2013

 
Community Development/Engineering Services Building – 51 Winburn Way – Siskiyou Room
 
CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING, 6:00 pm
 
Historic Commissioners Present:  Allison Renwick, Kerry Kencairn, Sam Whitford, Terry Skibby, Dale Shostrom, Ally Phelps, Keith Swink, Victoria Law,
Commission Members Absent:  Tom Giordano (left at 6:10, ill)
Council Liaison: Greg Lemhouse (left at 6:45)
High School Liaison: None Appointed
SOU Liaison: None Appointed
Staff Present: Staff Liaison: Amy Gunter; Clerk:  Billie Boswell

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  The minutes of the October 3, 2012 Historic Commission meeting were reviewed. An error showing Mr. Kanner as mayor instead of City Administrator was pointed out and the correction was made.  Mr Whitford made a motion to approve the minutes as amended.  Ms. Kencairn seconded the motion and the motion was approved unanimously.

 
PUBLIC FORUM:  No one in the audience wished to speak.
 
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT:  Mr. Lemhouse discussed the Plaza redesign project and apologized for the communication confusion regarding the art work installation.  He shared that the Council was interested in the Historic Commission organizing a historic markers and signs project.  He asked them to put together ideas, locations and costs to present to City Council as a Legacy Project.  Ms. Renwick suggested coordinating with the Arts Commission for some of the design elements.  Mr. Lemhouse said some funding would be available for the project.
 
Mr. Lemhouse also discussed Council Goals and encouraged the Historic Commission to develop their goals to compliment the goals of the Council.  He reviewed with them suggestions such as Commission duties, the Historic Preservation Ordinance, demolitions, preserving the Historic Districts and the Legacy Project.
 
 PUBLIC HEARING:
 
PLANNING ACTION:          2012-01737                                        
SUBJECT PROPERTY:     111 Coolidge
APPLICANT:                       Randall Wallace
DESCRIPTION:       A Site Design Review Permit approval for multi-family development for three new dwelling units and one converted structure, all less than 500 square feet; a Conditional Use Permit to convert an existing non-conforming garage into a dwelling unit; and exception to the Site Design & Use Standards to install parking in between buildings and the street; and an Exception to the Street Standards for more than one curb cut on a residential lot.
 
Chairman Shostrom verified that there was no exparte contact or conflict of interest.  Ms. Gunter described the project.  Randy and Marianne Wallace, the owners, explained the apartment complex nearby and the non-residential nature of the area was why they wanted to orient the unit to the inside of the lot instead of toward the street.  Chairman Shostrom did not like a blank wall facing the street and suggested clerestory or high set windows to mitigate the problem.  There were also questions regarding the siding and trim.  When asked about the dormers, Mr. Wallace said he wanted them to be lower and wider, with beams and posts.  He also explained the location of the bike racks.
 
There being to further questions of the owners and no one in the audience wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed. 
 
The Historic Commission expressed concern about the proposed Exception to Site Design and Review Standards for placement of the parking between the proposed buildings and Rock Street.  The proposed setback of the new units is not consistent with the facades of the adjacent historic buildings, and the design turns its back on the street frontage and does not provide orientation to the public right-of-way.
 
Chairman Shostrom made a motion to recommend Approval of the proposed building elevation plans with the following design recommendations:
 
  1.  Revised building elevations and plans shall provide a well defined sense of entry.  A minimum 4-foot X 4-foot covered entry porch over the front doors of the units shall be provided with a 4-foot X 4-foot landing, posts and beam supported roof where the decorative dormers are shown.
  2. High windows shall be placed in converted garage structure to provide a rhythm of openings and sense of orientation along the Rock Street frontage.
  3. The front doors shall have rectangular (prairie or cottage style) glazing for the windows.  The doors should be preferably constructed of wood.
  4. Smooth texture, 1”x6” Hardiplank siding with a minimum 6-inch exposure shall be used for the siding material.
  5. The trim on the windows, doors and corner boards shall be 1”x4”.
 
 
PLANNING ACTIONS:       2012-01674
SUBJECT PROPERTIES: 348 North Main
APPLICANT:                       Candace Cave/Zeb Lancaster
DESCRIPTION:  A request for Conditional Use Permit for a four-unit Travelers Accomodation, including the owner’s unit, located at 348 North Main.
 
Chairman Shostrom asked if there was any exparte contact or conflict of interest. Ms. Kencairn, Mr. Swink and Mr. Skibby said they had spoken to the applicants but not in relation to this project.  The project was discussed at the Historic Review Board.  There was no objection to them participating in the action. 
 
The Applicants and owners, Candace Cave and Zeb Lancaster, explained that the structures are all existing and no exterior changes would be made.
 
There being no questions of them or from the audience, the public hearing was closed.
 
Mr. Whitford made a motion to recommend approval of the project as presented.  Ms. Phelps seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DISCUSSION ITEMS: 
 
 
 Goals:
The Historic Commission discussed input for the City Council goals for the upcoming year and had the following comments for the City Council’s consideration.
 
The preservation of Ashland’s Nationally Recognized Historic Districts is in the public interest so that the legacy of cultural, educational, aesthetic, economic and energy benefits are maintained for future generations.
 
  • Review the Powers and Duties of the Commission to reflect the current sentiments of the commission, the council and community while maintaining consistency with the adopted Historic Preservation Plan. 
 
  • The commission would encourage the Council to consider additional review of the most impactful modifications to Historic contributing structures which currently have no review process. The modifications of windows and doors, siding and roofing materials can unintentionally alter or destroy a building’s distinctive architectural features and erode the character of the district.
 
  • Review of proposed demolition of the finite number of Historic Contributing structures. The continued demolition and historically inappropriate remodels could endanger Ashland’s historic districts and cause the loss of the State and National recognition. Revitalization and reinvestment in the rehabilitation of the city's historic resources is inherently sustainable.  Restoration, rehabilitation and renovation of existing structures reduces the amount of waste destined for landfill and retains the energy embodied in the historic structure. 
 
  • Creation of a ‘historical marker program’. Ashland lacks a display of the city’s rich history and the creation of historical markers could provide a link to the interesting past that made Ashland the successful cultural, heritage, tourist economy it is today.
 
 
Brochures:
Chairman Shostrom researched Historic brochure designs with consultants George Kramer and Kim Fitzgerald and shared some of the concepts with the other Commissioners.  He asked about using incentives to motivate homeowners to renovate.  Ms. Gunter said the Commissioners should pull together the photos and verbiage they want to use, contract with a graphic designer to put it together and review it with the historic consultants to verify the accuracy and impact.
 
Two sub-committees were created to begin working on the Brochures and the Historic Markers programs:
Brochures – Shostrom, Whitford, Law
Markers – Renwick, Kencairn, Law, Swink
 
 
Plaza Dig – No archeologically significant items were found in the test pits for the excavations on the Plaza redesign.
 
 
Historic Preservation – Ms. Boswell will run reports for nominees for the Historic Preservation Awards and present at the next meeting.
 
 
 
 
 
OLD BUSINESS
A.  Review Board Schedule
 
January 3rd Terry, Keith
January 10th Terry, Sam, Ally
January 17th Terry, Tom, Kerry
January 24th Terry, Victoria, Dale
January 31st    Terry, Allison            
February 7th Terry, Keith,
 
 
 
B.  Project Assignments for Planning Actions
BD-2011-01029 400 Allison (Robin Biermann) New SFR  (under construction) Whitford/Renwick
BD-2011-01079 134 Terrace (Allman) New SFR (under construction) Whitford
BD-2011-00621 89 Oak St (Amorotico) New façade on building (under construction) Shostrom
PA-2012-00434 843 B St (Holzshu) ARU  (no permit yet) Renwick
BD-2012-00420 27 N Main (McKechnie) Repair Fire Damage  (finalled 12-20-12) Shostrom
BD-2012-01330 117 Eighth St (McKinney) New ARU  (under construction) Renwick
PA-2012-01122 175 Lithia Wy (First Place Partners)  3-story mixed use building Giordano
PA-2012-01737 111 Coolidge (Wallace) 4 Accessory Units  
 
 
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS & INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Next meeting is scheduled for February 6, 2013.
 
It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m.

Online City Services

UTILITIES-Connect/Disconnect,
Pay your bill & more 
Connect to
Ashland Fiber Network
Request Conservation
Evaluation
Proposals, Bids
& Notifications
Request Building
Inspection
Building Permit
Applications
Apply for Other
Permits & Licenses
Register for
Recreation Programs

©2024 City of Ashland, OR | Site Handcrafted in Ashland, Oregon by Project A

Quicklinks

Connect

Share

twitter facebook Email Share
back to top