Agendas and Minutes
Planning Commission (View All)
Planning Commission Regular Meeting
Agenda
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
The public hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. on June 13, 2023. The meeting will be televised on local channel 9 or channels 180 and 181 for Charter Communications customers or will also be available live stream by going to rvtv.sou.edu and selecting RVTV Prime.
Written testimony will be accepted for the public hearing agenda items via email to PC-public-testimony@ashland.or.us with the subject line “06/13/23 PC Hearing Testimony” by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 12, 2023. Written testimony will not be accepted on findings because the record is closed. If the applicant wishes to provide a rebuttal to the testimony, they can submit the rebuttal via e-mail to PC-public-testimony@ashland.or.us with the subject line “06/13/23 PC Hearing Testimony” by 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Written testimony received by the deadlines will be available to the Planning Commission before the meeting and will be included in the meeting minutes.
Oral testimony will be taken during the electronic public hearing. If you wish to provide oral testimony during the electronic meeting, send an email to PC-public-testimony@ashland.or.us by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 12, 2023. In order to provide testimony at the public hearing, please provide the following information: 1) make the subject line of the email “06/13/23 Speaker Request”, 2) include your name, 3) specify the date and commission meeting you wish to virtually attend or listen to, 4) specify if you will be participating by computer or telephone, and 5) the name you will use if participating by computer or the telephone number you will use if participating by telephone.
If you would like to watch and listen to the Planning Commission meeting virtually, but not participate in any discussion, you can use the Zoom link below to join the meeting as an attendee.
June 13, 2023
I. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Verner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street. She welcomed Commissioners Gregory Perkinson, Russell Phillips, and Susan MacCracken Jain. Commissioner MacCracken Jain was unable to attend the meeting.
Commissioners Present: Staff Present:
Lisa Verner Brandon Goldman, Community Development Director
Kerry KenCairn Derek Severson, Planning Manager
Doug Knauer Aaron Anderson, Senior Planner
Eric Herron Michael Sullivan, Executive Assistant
Gregory Perkinson
Russell Phillips
Absent Members: Council Liaison:
Susan MacCracken Jain Paula Hyatt
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS Community Development Director Brandon Goldman made the following announcements:
III. CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioners KenCairn/Knauer m/s to approve the consent agenda as presented. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed 6-0.
IV. PUBLIC FORUM - None
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Approval of Findings for PA-T2-2023-00040, 1111 Granite St.
Commissioners Knauer/KenCairn m/s to approve the findings as presented. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed 6-0.
B. Approval of Findings for PA-T2-2023-00042, Clear Creek Dr. Parcel 7 - 391E09AB TL 6700 & 391E09AA TL 6200
Commissioners KenCairn/Knauer m/s to approve the findings as presented. Discussion: Commissioner Herron asked if changes were made to the findings. Chair Verner noted that the Commission had suggested changes, which Mr. Goldman stated were included on pages 90-91 of the findings. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed 6-0.
VI. TYPE II PUBLIC HEARING - CONTINUED
Chair Verner read aloud the guidelines for a Type II Public Hearing. She reminded the Commission that was item was continued from the May 9, 2023 meeting. No further submittals or comments will be submitted or accepted at this meeting. The Public Hearing was closed, but the Public Record was left open and allowed for submitted comments to be received for two weeks.
Chair Verner stated that comments were received during this period, though no comments or materials were received after May 30, 2023 (see attachment #1). Chair Verner also noted that Commissioners Perkinson and Phillips were not present at the May 9, 2023 meeting when this item was first heard. She stated that both Commissioners could participate in the continued discussion if they could attest to having thoroughly reviewed the packet materials for the May 9th and June 13th meetings, and have watched the recording of the May 9 meeting. Commissioners Perkinson and Phillips attested that they had done so.
Ex Parte Contact
No ex parte contact was reported. Chair Verner conducted a site visit.
Discussion and Deliberation
Commissioner Perkinson thanked staff for making changes to the findings, and asked if these revisions changed staff’s recommendation. Mr. Goldman responded that it did not, pointing out that a new condition was added requiring that the final plan application include the Department of State Lands’ concurrence with the submitted wetlands report. Mr. Goldman noted several other changes made to provide further clarification to the findings (see attachment #2).
Commissioner Knauer inquired about whether a Water Resource Protection Zone (WRPZ) always correlates to a wetland. Mr. Goldman responded that the designation of a wetland or a WRPZ along creeks is based on whether they are intermittent or ephemeral, and that staff determined that there was no ephemeral creek on that site, as was previously mapped. Commissioner Knauer asked how the City could conclude that an ephemeral creek did not exist given its intermittent nature. Mr. Anderson answered that the wetland delineation report showed that there was no wetland present, and that a visit to the site shows no physical drainage, therefore the WRPZ standards are not applicable. Commissioner KenCairn commented that developments over the last few decades have changed or removed many wetlands and ephemeral areas. She added that the development of the site could also provide any necessary drainage from the site in the event of high precipitation.
Commissioners Perkinson/Phillips m/s to approve staff’s recommendation of PA-T2-2023-00041 with the updates provided by staff on June 13, 2023. Roll Call Vote: All AYES. Motion passed 6-0.
VII. OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioner Herron/KenCairn m/s to elect Commissioner Knauer as Vice Chair. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed 6-0.
VIII. OPEN DISCUSSION
Councilor Hyatt spoke to the ongoing work at the Croman Mill Site by Townmakers, LLC, emphasizing the role that the Commission will play in that process and the importance of their recommendation that they will make to the Council.
Commissioner Perkinson spoke to the amount of information contained in the Housing Production Strategy (HPS) report, stating that he may have questions about it in the future. Mr. Goldman responded that the Commission would review a number of items contained in the HPS, and that staff will begin reviewing the first of those items in July, 2023 before bringing them to be reviewed by the Commission in the form of a study session.
Commissioner Herron stated that he would not be able to attend the July 25, 2023 study Session.
The Commission discussed when to hold its annual retreat, though no date was decided. Mr. Goldman stated that staff would sent out a poll in order to determine an appropriate date and time.
Commissioner Knauer inquired how the Croman Mill project would be financed, what risks would be shared with the City, and what the plans looked like for mixed housing. Councilor Hyatt responded that there is no written plan yet, and that the Commission would likely not see any updates regarding this project until the “no further action” notice from the Department of Environmental Quality is lifted. Mr. Goldman added that the applicants have multiple plans for residential, mixed-use, and commercial buildings on the site, and that the development will require code amendments to take place. Once the applicants complete a pre-application they will provide the Commission with a conceptual plan, but the Commission will not review the application until it comes before them in the formal Public Hearing process.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
Submitted by,
Michael Sullivan, Executive Assistant
Next Meeting Date: June 27, 2023
June 13, 2023
REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
I. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Verner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main Street. She welcomed Commissioners Gregory Perkinson, Russell Phillips, and Susan MacCracken Jain. Commissioner MacCracken Jain was unable to attend the meeting.Commissioners Present: Staff Present:
Lisa Verner Brandon Goldman, Community Development Director
Kerry KenCairn Derek Severson, Planning Manager
Doug Knauer Aaron Anderson, Senior Planner
Eric Herron Michael Sullivan, Executive Assistant
Gregory Perkinson
Russell Phillips
Absent Members: Council Liaison:
Susan MacCracken Jain Paula Hyatt
II. ANNOUNCEMENTS Community Development Director Brandon Goldman made the following announcements:
- The City received a $1.58 million grant to be used for the acquisition of a homeless and inclement weather shelter. The grant was provided by the Jackson County Continuum of Care.
- The City Council approved the City’s 2024-2025 biennium budget, and also approved some consumer-price index-based increases for planning fees. These will go into effect July 1, 2023.
- Townmakers, LLC has updated the City regarding their development of the Croman Mill Site. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has collected site samples and will have the results of the tests in July, 2023. The application from Townmakers, LLC will be dependent upon the level of cleanup necessitated based on the results of those tests, and staff expects the group to apply for a preapplication conference over the summer. This item could come before the Commission again if the Commission requests it.
- The June 27, 2023 Commission Study Session has four items to discuss: a Chamber of Commerce Economic Diversification Study; an update from the Climate & Environmental Policy Advisory Committee regarding a natural gas ordinance update; a draft review of a Climate Friendly Area (CFA) study; and a discussion on where to hold the 2023 annual Commission retreat and the items to be discussed.
III. CONSENT AGENDA
- Approval of Minutes
1. May 9, 2023, Regular Meeting
Commissioners KenCairn/Knauer m/s to approve the consent agenda as presented. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed 6-0.
IV. PUBLIC FORUM - None
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Approval of Findings for PA-T2-2023-00040, 1111 Granite St.
Commissioners Knauer/KenCairn m/s to approve the findings as presented. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed 6-0.
B. Approval of Findings for PA-T2-2023-00042, Clear Creek Dr. Parcel 7 - 391E09AB TL 6700 & 391E09AA TL 6200
Commissioners KenCairn/Knauer m/s to approve the findings as presented. Discussion: Commissioner Herron asked if changes were made to the findings. Chair Verner noted that the Commission had suggested changes, which Mr. Goldman stated were included on pages 90-91 of the findings. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed 6-0.
VI. TYPE II PUBLIC HEARING - CONTINUED
A. PLANNING ACTION: PA-T2-2023-00041
SUBJECT PROPERTY: Tax Lot 404 Clinton St.
OWNER: Magnolia Heights LLC
DESCRIPTION: A request Performance Subdivision Outline Plan approval for a 12-lot, 11-unit residential subdivision. The application also includes requests for an Exception to Street Standards, and a Tree Removal Permit for four significant trees. Additionally, the applicant has applied for a minor amendment to the adopted Physical and Environmental Constraints map to effectively remove a drainage way form the map that is not extant on the property. And finally, the applicant has addressed the applicability standards of the Water Resource Protection Zone WRPZ by providing a wetland determination demonstrating that there are no regulated wetland resources on the subject property. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-5; MAP: 39 1E 04 DB; TAX LOT: 404 (PLEASE NOTE: The record and public hearing are closed on this matter. The Planning Commission's consideration of this item will be limited to their deliberation and decision. No further submittals (evidence or argument) will be accepted into the record.)
OWNER: Magnolia Heights LLC
DESCRIPTION: A request Performance Subdivision Outline Plan approval for a 12-lot, 11-unit residential subdivision. The application also includes requests for an Exception to Street Standards, and a Tree Removal Permit for four significant trees. Additionally, the applicant has applied for a minor amendment to the adopted Physical and Environmental Constraints map to effectively remove a drainage way form the map that is not extant on the property. And finally, the applicant has addressed the applicability standards of the Water Resource Protection Zone WRPZ by providing a wetland determination demonstrating that there are no regulated wetland resources on the subject property. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-5; MAP: 39 1E 04 DB; TAX LOT: 404 (PLEASE NOTE: The record and public hearing are closed on this matter. The Planning Commission's consideration of this item will be limited to their deliberation and decision. No further submittals (evidence or argument) will be accepted into the record.)
Chair Verner read aloud the guidelines for a Type II Public Hearing. She reminded the Commission that was item was continued from the May 9, 2023 meeting. No further submittals or comments will be submitted or accepted at this meeting. The Public Hearing was closed, but the Public Record was left open and allowed for submitted comments to be received for two weeks.
Chair Verner stated that comments were received during this period, though no comments or materials were received after May 30, 2023 (see attachment #1). Chair Verner also noted that Commissioners Perkinson and Phillips were not present at the May 9, 2023 meeting when this item was first heard. She stated that both Commissioners could participate in the continued discussion if they could attest to having thoroughly reviewed the packet materials for the May 9th and June 13th meetings, and have watched the recording of the May 9 meeting. Commissioners Perkinson and Phillips attested that they had done so.
Ex Parte Contact
No ex parte contact was reported. Chair Verner conducted a site visit.
Discussion and Deliberation
Commissioner Perkinson thanked staff for making changes to the findings, and asked if these revisions changed staff’s recommendation. Mr. Goldman responded that it did not, pointing out that a new condition was added requiring that the final plan application include the Department of State Lands’ concurrence with the submitted wetlands report. Mr. Goldman noted several other changes made to provide further clarification to the findings (see attachment #2).
Commissioner Knauer inquired about whether a Water Resource Protection Zone (WRPZ) always correlates to a wetland. Mr. Goldman responded that the designation of a wetland or a WRPZ along creeks is based on whether they are intermittent or ephemeral, and that staff determined that there was no ephemeral creek on that site, as was previously mapped. Commissioner Knauer asked how the City could conclude that an ephemeral creek did not exist given its intermittent nature. Mr. Anderson answered that the wetland delineation report showed that there was no wetland present, and that a visit to the site shows no physical drainage, therefore the WRPZ standards are not applicable. Commissioner KenCairn commented that developments over the last few decades have changed or removed many wetlands and ephemeral areas. She added that the development of the site could also provide any necessary drainage from the site in the event of high precipitation.
Commissioners Perkinson/Phillips m/s to approve staff’s recommendation of PA-T2-2023-00041 with the updates provided by staff on June 13, 2023. Roll Call Vote: All AYES. Motion passed 6-0.
VII. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Election of Officers
Commissioner Perkinson motioned to elect Commissioner Verner as Chair. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed 6-0. Commissioner Herron/KenCairn m/s to elect Commissioner Knauer as Vice Chair. Voice Vote: All AYES. Motion passed 6-0.
VIII. OPEN DISCUSSION
Councilor Hyatt spoke to the ongoing work at the Croman Mill Site by Townmakers, LLC, emphasizing the role that the Commission will play in that process and the importance of their recommendation that they will make to the Council.
Commissioner Perkinson spoke to the amount of information contained in the Housing Production Strategy (HPS) report, stating that he may have questions about it in the future. Mr. Goldman responded that the Commission would review a number of items contained in the HPS, and that staff will begin reviewing the first of those items in July, 2023 before bringing them to be reviewed by the Commission in the form of a study session.
Commissioner Herron stated that he would not be able to attend the July 25, 2023 study Session.
The Commission discussed when to hold its annual retreat, though no date was decided. Mr. Goldman stated that staff would sent out a poll in order to determine an appropriate date and time.
Commissioner Knauer inquired how the Croman Mill project would be financed, what risks would be shared with the City, and what the plans looked like for mixed housing. Councilor Hyatt responded that there is no written plan yet, and that the Commission would likely not see any updates regarding this project until the “no further action” notice from the Department of Environmental Quality is lifted. Mr. Goldman added that the applicants have multiple plans for residential, mixed-use, and commercial buildings on the site, and that the development will require code amendments to take place. Once the applicants complete a pre-application they will provide the Commission with a conceptual plan, but the Commission will not review the application until it comes before them in the formal Public Hearing process.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
Submitted by,
Michael Sullivan, Executive Assistant
Next Meeting Date: June 27, 2023
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