Meeting Minutes
Community Development/Engineering Services Building –
CALL TO ORDER – WORK SESSION, 5:00 pm
Historic Commissioners Present: Dale Shostrom, Terry Skibby, Keith Swink, Sam Whitford, Allison Renwick,
Alex Krach, Kerry Kencairn, Ally Phelps
Commission Members Absent: Tom Giordano (e)
Council Liaison: Michael Morris
High School Liaison: None Appointed
SOU Liaison: None Appointed
Staff Present: Planner: Derek Severson; Clerk: Billie Boswell
Mr. Whitford moved to approve the February 2, 2011 minutes as presented and the motion was seconded by Ms. Kencairn. The minutes were approved unanimously.
PUBLIC FORUM: None
COUNCIL LIAISON’S REPORT: None
PUBLIC HEARING:
PLANNING ACTION: 2011-00028 (continued from February 2, 2011 Historic Commission Meeting)
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 92 Eighth St.
APPLICANT: Joseph Charter
DESCRIPTION: A request for Site Review and Conditional Use Permit to convert an existing garage into a dwelling unit less than 500 square feet for the property located at 92 Eighth Street. The garage is placed two feet from the C Street property line, and six feet, 10 inches from the primary building on the lot. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Low-Density Multi Family; ZONING: R-2; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09AD; TAX LOT: 3802
Chairman Shostrom confirmed there was no exparte contact or conflict of interest. Mr. Severson said the owner tried to incorporate the recommendations of the February 2nd Commission hearing by adjusting the window sizes, heights and design. Carlos Delgado, architect, stated the owner chose not to lower the plate height but shingled the gable above the window. There being no further questions and no one in the audience wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed.
The Commission supported the changes, recognizing that the right-of-way width and eclectic nature of this block of Eighth Street serves to somewhat mitigate the existing structure’s proximity to the property line. Commissioners indicated that the architect’s changes in response to the February commission comments had effectively addressed the concerns raised, noting specifically that the window revisions and somewhat contemporary use of shingles on the new gable end of the smaller unit worked well. Commissioners felt that with these changes, the plate height was no longer a concern. Chairman Shostrom recommended that the siding used be a six-inch exposure T&G to match the existing house
Mr. Whitford made a motion to recommend approval of the applicant’s revised proposal, including matching the siding to the existing house. Ms. Kencairn seconded the motion and the decision was unanimous.
PLANNING ACTION: 2011-00153
SUBJECT PROPERTY: Oak Street, between Lithia Way and East Main Street
APPLICANT: Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market
DESCRIPTION: A request for a Conditional Use Permit to operate a weekly Saturday growers and crafters open air market on Oak Street, between Lithia Way and East Main Street. The applicants propose to close this one block of Oak Street to motor vehicle traffic between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. (The applicants have been operating this Saturday market in a private parking lot at 175 Lithia Way since 2008.) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial Downtown; ZONING: C-1-D; ASSESSOR’S MAP: N/A – Right-of-Way; TAX LOT: N/A – Right-of-Way
Chairman Shostrom confirmed there were no exparte contacts or conflict of interest. The project had been reviewed at the Historic Review Board. Mr. Severson explained that there would be low impact to the nearby businesses. One retail gallery was concerned about a decrease in sales from local tourists. Heidi Dawn from the Rogue Valley Growers Market said data collected from various other downtown markets in Oregon showed a 30% increase in sales. She also commented that because of the ODOT bridge project, the Market would remain at the old site until June. There being no further questions and no one in the audience wishing to speak, the Public Hearing was closed. There was consensus among the Commissioners to whole heartedly support the market because it would enhance a sense of community. Mr. Whitford mentioned that the Standing Stone restaurant had offered use of its restrooms to the public.
Mr. Skibby made a motion to recommend approval of the project as presented. Mr. Whitford seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
PLANNING ACTION: 2010-01611
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 260 First Street
APPLICANT: Melissa Syken
DESCRIPTION: A request for a Conditional Use Permit and Site Review to convert an existing, non-contributing 614 square foot home into a 599 square foot retail store, with a 447 residential addition to the rear of the property located at 260 First Street. In addition, the applicant is seeking a variance to reduce the number of required parking spaces to allow for an on-site ADA parking in front of the home. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Low Density Multi-Family Residential; ZONING: R-2; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 09 BA; TAX LOT: 1500
Chairman Shostrom confirmed there were no exparte contacts or conflict of interest. Mr. Severson described the project pointing out that it was directly across the street from the Ashland Food Co-op. Staff’s concern was the three parking spaces, two in the front yard and one ADA parking space in the street. Staff recommended a variance to require only one ADA space in the front yard. Melissa Syken, owner, explained her intent to offer a home-based baby product line that is a use she felt was compatible with the Co-op customers. The Commissioners noted that the existing character of the block already has a strong commercial component which would lessen the impact of the small scale retail use proposed. Commissioners noted that the proposed business was likely to function as a secondary destination for co-op customers and would likely have a lesser parking generation and traffic impact than would be encountered elsewhere, and further indicated that the use of the bulk of the front yard area for parking was consistent with the pattern already established on this block due to the narrow lot widths. Commissioners recognized the design constraints posed by the lot’s narrow width and the solar access requirements, and emphasized that the proposal represented a huge improvement over the existing structure and that the design fits the lot and the neighborhood well. There being no further questions and no one in the audience wishing to speak, the Public Hearing was closed.
Ms. Kencairn made a motion recommending approval. Ms. Renwick seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
PLANNING ACTION: 2011-00043
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 400 Allison Street
APPLICANT: Heiland Hoff, Architect for owner Robin Biermann
DESCRIPTION: A request for a Modification of Planning Action #2010-00993, a Conditional Use Permit to exceed the Maximum Permitted Floor Area (MPFA) within a Historic District by nine percent or 173 square feet. The original approval allowed demolition of the existing 1,144 square foot non-historic/non-contributing duplex building and constructing a new two-story 2,041 square foot single-family dwelling with a daylight basement and two-car garage in its place, along with a Tree Removal Permit to remove eight trees six-inches in diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) or greater. The modifications proposed include the addition of dormers, changes to windows on all four elevations, a reduction in the size of the back porch, and some general dimensional changes while remaining within the originally approved floor area. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Low Density Multi-Family Residential; ZONING: R-2; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 09 BD; TAX LOT: 14200
Chairman Shostrom confirmed there were no exparte contacts or conflict of interest. Mr. Severson explained the modifications made to the project. The Historic Commission noted that the architect’s revisions had consistently improved the project through the design process. The changes proposed here are coherent with the overall design while representing a significant improvement in the previously approved design.
Chairman Shostrom made a motion to recommend approval of the modification. Mr. Swink seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Review Board Schedule
March 3rd |
Terry, Keith, Sam |
March 10th |
Terry, Kerry, Alex |
March 17th |
Terry, Allison, Tom |
March 24th |
Terry, Ally, Dale |
March 31st |
Terry, Sam, Allison |
April 7th |
Terry, Keith, Ally |
C. Project Assignments for Planning Actions – (New projects not assigned, do at April meeting)
BD-2007-01764 |
160 Helman (Batzer-Comm Bldgs) {Recession Extension approved)} |
Shostrom/Giordano | |
PA-2007-01939 |
175 Lithia Wy (formerly 165 Lithia) Archerd & Dresner-Mixed Use Bldg – (Expired 7/25/10) |
Renwick |
|
BD-2009-01288 |
165 W Fork – New SFR on hillside (Ashley Jensen) (Property Sold) |
Swink/Shostrom |
|
BD-2009-00711 |
568 E Main St (McKechnie) Cucina Biazzi enclosed dining area (Code enforcement -Permit re-reviewed and approved- given until 4-1-2011 to pick up.) |
Skibby |
|
PA-2009-00551 |
|
Giordano |
|
PA-2009-00785 |
255 E Main (Ashland Elks) Balcony on rear (No permit yet; expired 8/27/10.) |
Swink |
|
BD-2010-00156 |
163 N Pioneer (Intatto Coffee) Coffee shop & roaster (TCO issued 3-17-10) |
Shostrom |
|
PA-2010-00069 |
175 N Pioneer - Terrell (no permit) |
Shostrom |
|
PA-2010-00355 |
550 |
Skibby |
|
PA-2010-00486 |
820 C St (Ellison) Accessory Structure (no permit) |
Giordano |
|
BD-2010-01144 |
|
Shostrom |
|
PA-2010-00993 |
400 Allison (Robin Biermann) New SFR (Modification to be submitted) |
Whitford/Renwick |
|
PA-2010-01239 |
85 Winburn (Phelps) New Restaurant/Café (under Council review) |
Shostrom |
|
PA-2011-00027 |
156 Seventh (Annie McIntyre) |
Renwick |
|
PA-2010-00038 |
222 A St (Deux Chats) |
Kencairn |
|
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m.