Minutes
Community Development/Engineering Services Building –
Historic Commissioners Present: Keith Swink, Sam Whitford, Rob Saladoff, Terry Skibby, Jay Leighton, Allen Crutcher, Tom Giordano, and Henry Baker
Absent Members: Dale Shostrom
Council Liaison: Jack Hardesty - Absent
High School Liaison: None Appointed
SOU Liaison: None Appointed
Staff Present: Maria Harris, Senior Planner, Billie Boswell, Administration
CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING
At 7:05, due to the absence of Chairman Dale Shostrom, Vice Chairman Terry Skibby called the regular meeting to order.
Ms. Leighton requested that under New Business, the phrase “who were original owners of several restaurants” be stricken since the information was incorrect. Mr. Saladoff pointed out that Mr. Crutcher’s misspelled name be corrected. A couple of typos were also corrected. Ms. Leighton made a motion to approve as amended and was seconded by Mr. Baker. The motion was passed unanimously with Mr. Giordano abstaining due to his absence.
PUBLIC FORUM:
Colin Swales,
Bill Emerson stated that he was responsible for the design of the
DISCUSSION ITEM:
Melissa Markell and Jennifer Longshore of the Ashland Public Arts Commission presented plans to install the McGee-Neill Memorial Sculpture at Lithia and Pioneer streets in front of Naturals, commissioned by artist Lonnie Feather. The theme is “Nourishing our Community” and is funded by the McGee and Neill families of
PUBLIC HEARING
Planning Action 2005-01674
Site Review - Reconsideration
Ron & Carrie Yamaoka
11
Mr. Giordano recused himself and left the room since he worked on the project.
Ms. Harris explained to the Commission that the project was approved at the October 11, 2005 Planning Commission meeting but the City Attorney’s office determined an interpretation of the Vision Clearance standard (Chapter 18.72.120) was incorrect. The setbacks for Vision Clearance should be measured from the property line rather than the street curb. The applicants requested a reconsideration of the decision by the Planning Commission. A redesign of the building was required to angle back the affected corner façade to provide the required clearance from the property line. This resulted in a redesign of some of the window and trim details and it was felt the Historic Commission needed to review the changes.
Ms. Leighton questioned why several other buildings in the downtown area weren’t challenged when built using the curb line interpretation. She felt this was inconsistent and confusing. Ms. Harris said the challenge was raised on this specific project and, in researching the code, the Legal department felt it clearly identified the property line as the measuring point.
There were no further questions of staff.
The applicant, Bill Emerson, reviewed the design changes to the windows, the window arches, the columns and the planter box. He said the window on the ground floor in the angled panel changed in size and to two windows. Previously it was four, casement type windows. Additionally, the arch had to be eliminated because it was distorted by the increase in the length of the run. The archways on the
Ms. Leighton asked if the vision clearance standards could be applied to the first story only. Mr. Emerson said it wouldn’t work because of the strong column design. Vice Chair Skibby questioned why the arches were eliminated on some but not all of the windows. Mr. Emerson explained the angled wall was longer and the arches wouldn’t match.
Since there were no further questions of the applicant, the public meeting was opened.
Colin Swales,
The public meeting was closed.
Ms. Harris read a faxed statement from Chairman Shostrom who found the slanted front façade unacceptable. He questioned the “missing” arch detail above the windows on three bays. He also was concerned about the use of “thin” bricks on the façade.
In rebuttal, Mr. Emerson explained that although the “thin” brick is more expensive, it adheres better to the ICF insulated walls that are proposed. Use of brick veneer would require concrete block walls. He said the he hasn’t decided between using thin brick and real brick, and would like to leave this determination open.
Mr. Saladoff reminded Mr. Emerson that the Historic Commission had requested a “new brick” look, not an old, weathered look as represented in one of the samples Mr. Emerson shared with the Commissioners.
Mr. Saladoff agreed with Chairman Shostrom’s faxed statements. Mr. Whitford and several other commissioners concurred that the angled front façade was not appropriate on the narrow, traditionally designed building. Mr. Terry pointed out that angled corners are historically found on buildings situated on street corners but not on alleys.
Mr. Crutcher felt the windows and bays on the east elevation should be conforming.
Mr. Swink addressed Mr. Swale’s concern of height by noting that historically, the original downtown buildings were two and three stories high. He added that his understanding is that there were in fact more three story buildings and even higher including the hotel where Wells Fargo is now located. This building would be within that context and would not be out of scale.
Discussions followed regarding various redesign options.
Mr. Whitford motioned to recommend retaining approval of the original, beautifully designed and historically compatible three-story building. If the Planning Commission decides to reconsider the October 11, 2005 decision, then the Historic Commission recommends denial of the revised design. The Historic Commission would recommend a redesign of the building with the following considerations (in no particular order):
· Pushing back entire front façade (all three stories) to meet vision setback requirements
· Pushing back one or both bays in front façade seems more appropriate because an angled façade is not compatible with traditional building design.
· Making alley elevation consistent; the alley corner is not significant enough of a street corner to wrap the building around
· Cantilevering second and third stories
· Switching front door to north bay/panel
Mr. Swink seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
SERA Architects – Greg Flenders and Mark Knox
Pre-Application comments on proposal for a Mixed-Use Development
Mr. Knox and Mr. Flenders reviewed design changes incorporated as a result of suggestions made by the Commissioners at the Historic Review Board meeting on October 27, 2005. Ms. Harris read faxed comments sent by Chairman Shostrom. The Commissioners made the following additional comments and suggestions:
· Of the two front façade elevations presented, the majority of the Commissioners preferred the cast concrete base as opposed to the cast stone option. Steel channeling and brick, or all brick for 2nd & 3rd stories is preferred.
· Suggested using something to break up the blank cement plaster wall on the elevator shaft off
· Use of a coarser, higher gauge wire mesh for panels or use of a unique, unusual mesh to avoid a “chicken wire” look. Provide structural design elements such as railings, supports, etc.
· Find a way to carry some simplified version of the design elements from the front façade to the rear such as double channel across top.
· Give the rear façade a more substantial base
· Develop a sketched or photomontage streetscape and alleyscape to show scale of building to the existing structures.
Mr. Saladoff said he would attend the Planning Commission meeting as a representative of the Historic Commission.
OLD BUSINESS
November 3rd |
Terry, Keith, Rob |
November 10th |
Terry, Allen, Henry |
November 17th |
Terry, Tom, Dale |
November 24th |
Cancelled -Thanksgiving Holiday |
December 1st |
Terry, Rob, Sam |
December 8th |
Terry, Jay, Keith |
B. Project Assignments for Planning Actions
PA #2000-120 |
485 “A” Street (Steve Hoxmeier) |
Shostrom |
PA #2002-100 |
|
Leighton |
PA #2004-026 |
|
Giordano |
PA #2004-018 |
|
Swink |
PA #2004-100 |
80 Wimer (Tom & Kathy Petersen) |
Whitford |
PA #2004-102 |
832 “A” Street (Ilene Rubenstein) |
Saladoff |
PA #2004-110 |
|
Whitford |
PA #2004-115 |
|
Swink |
PA #2004-138 |
|
Saladoff |
PA #2004-150 |
87 |
Shostrom |
PA #2004-154 |
|
Leighton |
PA-#2004-160 |
|
Swink |
PL#2005-00039 |
150 N. Pioneer (Stan Potocki & Bruce McLean) |
Leighton |
PL#2005-00869 |
|
Swink |
PL#2005-01043 |
|
Leighton |
PL#2005-01226 |
820 “C” Street (Randy & Helen Ellison) |
Shostrom |
PL#2005-01674 |
11 |
Skibby |
C. Co-Sponsorship with Conservation Commission for Fall Workshop – Rob will follow up with Joanne Krippaehne
D. Lithia Springs National Register Nomination – No Report
E. Multiple Listing Survey for National Register of Historic Places – No report
F. Single Family Residential Design Standards – No report
G. Brown Bag Meeting – Need to identify meeting topic(s) and respond to City of
NEW BUSINESS –
Mr. Swink described a documentary film “Blue Vinyl” and it was suggested the film be shown during Historic Preservation Week. Mr. Swink said he would pursue.
Vice Chair Skibby reviewed the Ashland Heritage Committee and recommended the Commissioners renew their memberships. There was consensus to renew the $50 membership.
Ms. Harris shared that the Northlight project (Copeland Lumber site) had requested a reconsideration of the denial decision made by the Planning Commission. The project was not brought back to the Historic Commission because there were no design changes proposed.
Mr. Giordano discussed with the Commissioners his desire for the Historic Commission or a new, separate Commission be formed to do “architectural review” on commercial and, possibly, all multi-family projects throughout the City in order to promote designs that are consistent and compatible with the historic nature of the City of
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next Historic Commission meeting will be on December 7, 2005 at 7:00 pm in the Siskiyou Room.
With a motion by Giordano and a second by Whitford, it was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 p.m.