ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION

Minutes

June 8, 2005

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

Historic Commissioners Present: Dale Shostrom, Keith Swink, Rob Saladoff, Terry Skibby, Jay Leighton, Alex Krach, Sam Whitford and Henry Baker
Absent Members: Tom Giordano

Council Liaison: Jack Hardesty
High School Liaison: None Appointed
SOU Liaison: None Appointed
Staff Present: Maria Harris, Senior Planner, Billie Boswell, Administration

CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING

At 7:06, Chairman Dale Shostrom called the regular meeting to order.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Ms. Leighton moved to approve the May 4, 2005 minutes as amended. With a second by Mr. Krach, the motion was approved unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Planning Action 2005-00666

Conditional Use Permit

Mary Barnhill

184 B Street

Ms. Harris explained the request was for a Conditional Use Permit for a 3-unit Travelers Accommodation in an existing home to include 2 rentals and a manager’s unit.  Parking is available behind the house. Staff had received a concern from a neighbor regarding fencing blocking part of the proposed parking so a condition was added to remove any fencing that would impede the parking area.  There are no exterior changes being made to the house.

The owner, Mary Barnhill, said the City needs this type of accommodations.  Mr. Skibby asked if there were any exterior changes proposed and Ms. Barnhill said there were not.

The Public Hearing was closed.

Ms. Leighton stated that the proposed use would not generate any changes in traffic.  Mr. Skibby felt he could support the request since no changes were being made to the exterior.

Mr. Skibby made a motion to approve the Barnhill’s planning action and Mr. Whitford seconded it.  The vote was unanimous.

Planning Action 2005-00328

Conditional Use Permit

Applicant: Harold Dresner

180 Lithia Way

Ms. Harris detailed the applicant’s request to convert one of the two condominium units on the top floor of a mixed-use commercial building in the Commercial (C-1D) zone to a Hotel/Motel unit.  It is a large, two-bedroom unit with an enclosed single-car garage located in the building.  A second space, as required by code, will be available in the applicant’s Phase II building under construction next door. 

Ms. Harris explained the application was originally approved as a staff permit, but was called up to a public hearing by Colin Swales.  His concerns were whether or not it had sufficient parking.  She said staff added a condition to not allow the unit as a Hotel/Motel rental until the additional parking space is available. 

Mr. Shostrom stated the proposal primarily had Planning Commission issues as opposed to Historic Commission issues.  He asked what the distinction was between Hotel/Motel units versus Traveler’s Accommodation units.  Ms. Harris explained the difference was due to zoning and included slight differences in requirements.

Russ Dale, representing the applicant, explained the unit is a very large and very high quality unit.

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

 Mr. Saladoff made a motion stating the issues fell outside any concerns or jurisdiction of the Historic Commission and the decision would be left to the Planning Commission.  Ms. Leighton seconded the motion is it carried unanimously.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

A.      125 Sherman Street – Russ Dale explained he was renovating a small post World War II bungalow and garage and had made the decision to remove the asbestos exterior shingles and add board & batten siding over the original horizontal siding that had been painted with lead-based paint.  The majority of the Commissioners felt this change was not compatible with the historic district and would destroy the historical look of this house. Mr. Krach asked the applicant to consider reverting back to the original siding in order to preserve the historic significance and set the proper tone for the neighborhood.  Mr. Dale agreed to consider the Commission’s recommendations.  Mr. Skibby requested the applicant submit plans to the Historic Commission for review prior to applying for the building permit on the garage remodel.

B.     Lithia Water Fountains – Ms. Harris described the deterioration of the Lithia water fountains due to the highly corrosive nature of the water and local vandalism.  City of Ashland Public Works has been unable to find replacement water fountains.  They are asking the Historic Commission for suggestions.  The Commissioners recommended that all efforts be made to restore the fountains to their 1927 look.  Alternative materials that could stand up to the corrosive nature of the water were acceptable.  Ms. Leighton, Mr. Swink and Mr. Skibby volunteered to assist in researching material solutions but not until early fall.  Mr. Krach suggested contacting the Rotary or a similar organization to see if they would want to take on the project.  Ms. Harris said she would check with SHPO to see if there would be grant monies available for the restoration.  Mr. Swink advised the broken off pipes be covered and protected temporarily until a permanent solution can be found.

COMMISSION ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA

A.      Renewal of National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) publication approved.  Suggestion was made to send the Commission mail file home each month with one of the Commissioners to review and report back at the next meeting any mail of significance.

B.     Mr. Krach informed the Commission that he was accepted into a nursing school program in Pennsylvania and would be leaving the Ashland area for about one year.  If he is unable to get a leave of absence, he will resign his position with the Historic Commission.

C.     Ms. Harris shared information regarding a phone call from Scott Clay at City of Jacksonville.  He is interested in organizing a Brown Bag meeting with the Ashland’s Historic Commission this fall. Chairman Shostrom requested copies of Jacksonville’s Historic Commission ordinance and their design standards.  Ms. Leighton suggested a topic could be “Architectural Styles and Design Standards”.

OLD BUSINESS

A. Review Board  – Following is the month’s schedule for the Review Board, which meets every Thursday from 3:00 to at least 3:30 p.m. in the Planning Department:

B.  Project Assignments for Planning Actions

C.     Co-Sponsorship with Conservation Commission for Fall Workshop – Mr. Saladoff reviewed his meeting with Joanne Krippaehne

D.     Lithia Springs National Register Nomination – A City Council study session with the Parks Commission regarding the Gun Club is tentatively scheduled for July 20 at 12:00 in the Council Chambers.  The Commissioners agreed to have a study session on Tuesday, June 28^th from 5:00pm to 6:30pm to discuss plan prior to the study session.  Ms. Harris will pull information together to add to the Council packet.  Mr. Baker will ask Mark Tveskov from SOU’s archeology department to come.  Ms. Harris agreed to contact George Kramer, Nan Hannon and Kay Atwood for their assistance.

E.     Multiple Listing Survey for National Register of Historic Places   - Ms. Harris reviewed a copy of the grant application sent to SHPO.

F.      Single Family Residential Design Standards – Mr. Saladoff included some discussion on energy efficient upgrades designed to preserve historical significance during his meeting with Ms. Krippaehne.

NEW BUSINESS

A.      Goal Setting – A goal discussion meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, June 28^th at 7:00 pm at the Thai Pepper restaurant.  Chairman Shostrom requested a report on the Commission’s budget balance.

B.     “Public Forum” - Per the request of a citizen, the Commissioners discussed adding a “Public Forum” section to the agenda.  There was a consensus that it could be added after the approval of the minutes, would be limited to public concerns not on the agenda and limited to five minutes each.  Ms. Leighton moved to approve and Mr. Skibby seconded it.  The vote was unanimous.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The next Historic Commission meeting will be on July 6, 2005 at 7:00 pm in the Siskiyou Room.

ADJOURNMENT

With a motion by Leighton and second by Skibby, it was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m.