ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
July 22, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
Commission Chair John Stromberg called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E Main Street.
Commissioners Present: | -- | Staff Present: |
John Stromberg, Chair | Bill Molnar, Community Development Director | |
Michael Dawkins | Maria Harris, Planning Manager | |
Mike Morris | Richard Appicello, City Attorney | |
Michael Church | Angela Barry, Assistant Planner | |
Pam Marsh | April Lucas, Administrative Assistant | |
Melanie Mindlin | ||
Tom Dimitre | ||
Dave Dotterrer | ||
Absent Members: | Council Liaison: | |
Debbie Miller, excused | Cate Hartzell |
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Stromberg added Public Forum to the agenda and moved adoption of the Lithia Arts Guild findings to the top of the agenda.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Community Development Director Bill Molnar announced a joint meeting between the City Council and the Planning Commission has been tentatively scheduled for August 27, 2008. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Croman Mill Redevelopment Plan, review the options, and identify a preferred alternative.
PUBLIC FORUM
No one came forward to speak.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. | Adoption of Findings - PA 2008-00359, Lithia Arts Guild. No ex parte contact was reported by any of the commissioners. Mr. Molnar noted revised Findings had been passed out to the Commission and noted the correction to Condition #10. Commissioners Marsh/Dawkins m/s to approve the Findings as presented. Roll Call Vote: Commissioners Church, Dawkins, Mindlin, Dimitre, Morris, Stromberg and Marsh, YES. Commissioner Dotterrer abstained. Motion passed 7-0. |
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. | Water Resources Protection Zones Ordinance. Stromberg commented on the best way to proceed with this item and recommended they take public comment and keep the public hearing open until the end of their discussions in case they want to ask questions. Support was voiced by the Commission for this process. Terrence Stenson/172 Alida/Commented on the early civilization that occupied this valley and explained how the stream beds were altered. Mr. Stenson noted the materials he had previously submitted to the Commission and requested they include language in the ordinance that addresses the preservation and protection of the water tables. Staff Presentation Stromberg noted the email submitted by Royce Duncan and summarized his comments. Stromberg clarified this correspondence would be included in the record. Ms. Harris continued her presentation and reviewed why this ordinance is necessary. She noted the Ashland Comprehensive Plan goals, as well as the City Council goals. Harris provided an explanation of State Planning Goal 5 and clarified the City is required to identify significant wetland and riparian corridors and adopt provisions protecting these lands. Comment was made questioning the level of requirement imposed by the State. Harris commented on the safe harbor approach and clarified the City would need to create findings and make their argument to the State if they deviate from the prescribed path. Hartzell commented briefly on tree canopies and how shade could assist in meeting the DEQ water temperature requirements. Ms. Harris continued with her presentation and provided explanations of the following key issues:
Ms. Harris noted the staff recommendation listed in the packet materials and requested the Commission move into deliberations and provide specific feedback on what their issues and concerns are. She clarified staff is scheduled to provide an update to Council in August and they need to know if they are on the right track. Top of Bank Definition Outdoor Use Area Local Native Plant Species Stromberg requested the commissioners share their final thoughts on this issue. Dimitre voiced opposition to non-native species within the protection zone and felt the 15% figure was unenforceable. Dotterrer stated he does not have any issues with allowing both native and non-native species and felt property owners should be allowed to landscape to a certain extent. He added he does not think gardens are a good idea in the riparian zone. Church stated he does not think they should allow a mix of native and non-native plants and felt they should get these areas back to a natural state. Dawkins restated his support for a list of allowable native and non-native species. Mindlin stated she is not in favor of the all native approach and would like to see a list of suitable plants. Marsh noted the staff report provides a convincing argument for requiring all native plants, but stated she is supportive of vegetable gardens. Commissioners Dotterrer/Church m/s to extend meeting to 10:00 p.m. Voice Vote: all AYES. Motion passed. Landscape Maintenance Nonconforming Structures Nonconforming Driveways & Building Envelopes Commissioners Dawkins/Mindlin m/s to extend to 10:30 p.m. Voice Vote: all AYES. Dimitre voiced support for a time limit as suggested by Mr. Appicello. Mr. Molnar commented on the Bud's Dairy issue and clarified this is a unique situation and staff would have to look into how this ordinance would affect that project and the conditions of the planning approval. Several comments were made voicing support for including a timeline in this provision. Ms. Harris stated staff would need direction on how much time they would want to specify. She clarified there is a very limited set of properties that would be affected by a time limit. Dawkins voiced hesitation over whether this was necessary. Stromberg recommended they not make a decision at this time and come back to it. Stromberg recommended the commissioners submit any additional comments or concerns they may have. Stromberg announced the hearing would be continued to September 9, 2008. No objection was voiced by the commission. |
OTHER BUSINESS
1. | Factoring Sustainability into the Comprehensive Plan. Stromberg commented on whether the Planning Commission should begin a process to incorporate sustainability into the planning process. He suggested they take an inventory of what is currently being done in the community and then bring a proposal before the Council for their approval. He stated they would need to incorporate all those who have some ownership of this issue and would need to make this a joint process. Stromberg asked the commissioners whether they should proceed with this task. Dotterrer expressed concern with how this project would affect staff and stated he does not think staff has enough time to work on this. Morris questioned how they would merge sustainability into the Comprehensive Plan and questioned if it was appropriate for the Commission to be undertaking this action. Marsh voiced support for getting the conversation started and noted there are other entities who may also want to get involved. Dawkins voiced his support for this item and stated it was appropriate for the Commission to do this. Hartzell voiced her support for the Commission moving forward. She stated the Council has expressed consistent interest in this topic and felt there were a lot of things the Commission could do with this issue. Commission reached a general consensus to take this proposal before the Council. |
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
April Lucas, Administrative Assistant