ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION

Meeting Minutes

August 6, 2008

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

CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING

At 7:02 pm, Chairman Dale Shostrom called the Historic Commission meeting to order.

Historic Commissioners Present: Dale Shostrom, Terry Skibby, James Watkins, Allison Renwick, Keith Swink, Alex Krach, Sam Whitford, Henry Baker

Absent  Commission Members:  Tom Giordano

Council Liaison: Eric Navickas, absent

High School Liaison: None Appointed
SOU Liaison: None Appointed
Staff Present: Planner: Angela Barry;

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Baker moved to approve the minutes of the July 2, 2008 meeting.  Ms. Renwick seconded the motion and they were approved unanimously. 

PUBLIC FORUM:   There being no one wishing to speak, Chairman Shostrom closed the Public Forum.

PUBLIC HEARING:

PLANNING ACTION:  2008-01005

SUBJECT PROPERTY: 637 / 649 East Main Street

APPLICANT:  Donnan and David Runkel

DESCRIPTION: Request for a Conditional Use Permit and Site Review approval to construct two additional motel units for the two properties located at 637 & 649 East Main Street, Anne Hathaway’s Cottages. The motel units will be located at the rear of the 637 E Main Street property.  The application includes a request for a Tree Removal Permit to remove an 11-inch diameter at breast height Ash tree, a request for an exception to the Site Design and Use Standards to not install the required five-foot landscape buffer between property lines and an exception to Street Standards to not pave the alley.

Mr. Watkins disclosed that he knows the applicant but had not discussed the project and felt he would not be biased.

The owner, David Runkel, 648 E Main St, described the tudor-style cottage that is meant to emulate the name “Anne Hathaway’s Cottage”.

Chairman Shostrom stated the 2-story structure feels large and bulky and thought it could overwhelm the existing house.  Mr. Runkel didn’t think so and commented that the existing house used to be 2-story.

There were no further questions and no one in the audience that wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. 

In the discussion that followed, the Commissioners felt the Tudor style did not match the surrounding neighborhood and did not meet design standards.  Mr. Swink felt a Queen-Anne style would better reflect the other Victorians in the area.  Mr. Whitford suggested a 2-story Farm House style would also be acceptable.  Chairman Shostrom and Mr. Krach felt the cottage design should match the main house.  Ms. Renwick suggested a one and a half story farm house would allow the two units to fit in well.  Mr. Skibby agreed since the original house was a story and a half.  Mr. Whitford said he felt the design was OK if the Tudor design went away. 

Mr. Krach made a motion to reopen the public hearing to ask questions of the applicant.  Mr. Whitford seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Mr. Runkel explained that the Tudor design was to compliment the marketing plan but they weren’t married to it.  He said he was willing to removed the laundry and work with the Commission on design recommendations.

The public hearing was again closed.

Chairman Shostrom pointed out that the windows were out of proportion and suggested a larger scale size.  Mr. Skibby also said the chimney’s Tudor styling would need to be changed.

Chairman Shostrom made a motion to recommend approval subject to the following changes.

1.   That the applicant returns to the full Historic Commission with conceptual plans prior to building permit submittal and that the plans include a clear description of materials and details.

2.   That the style of the new building not be Tudor, but that the style is a vernacular style or farm house style or possibly a Queen Anne style.

3.   That the new building matches the existing house in terms of siding and roof pitches.

4.   That the bulk of the building be reduced, and that the applicant reduce it to a 1 ˝ story building if possible.

5.   That the windows have a larger, more traditional historic size, approximately 30 inches by 60 inches with a 2 to 1 scale.

6.   That the decks be scaled down and either tuck into the structure or sit on top of the first story.

7.   That the chimney should not have a Tudor-style top.

Mr. Krach seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

PLANNING ACTION: 2008-00596

SUBJECT PROPERTY: 165 W Fork Street

APPLICANT:  Ashley Jensen

DESCRIPTION:  Physical and Environmental Constraints Review Permit for the development of hillside lands including severe constraints land. The proposal is to construct a new single-family residential home, the associated excavation for utility installations and driveway construction. The application also includes an Administrative Variance for the height of the retaining wall along the north property line to exceed the allowed five-foot height limit

Chairman Shostrom said the redesign was perfect. All of the Commissioners agreed and liked the plans.

There being no further questions and no one in the audience wanting to speak, the public hearing was closed.

Mr. Baker made a motion to recommend approval.  Ms. Renwick seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

A.      Review Board Schedule

B.     Project Assignments For Planning Actions

C.                 Lithia Springs National Register Nomination – Gun Club Lease – Chairman Shostrom said the lease had been approved by Council and it included several of the items the Commission had asked for.  Commissioners agreed to remove this item from future agendas.

D.                 Single Family Residential Design Standards – No report

E.                 Co-Sponsorship with Conservation Commission for Fall Workshop – Commissioners agreed to remove this item from future agendas.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

1.      Mr. Skibby voiced concern over rocks and other debris left in the right of way.

2.      Chairman Shostrom shared some of the discussion of the Downtown Task Force meeting regarding the sign code issues.

3.      Mr. Krach asked to discuss whether flag lots respect the grid that has been established in the historic districts.  Mr. Watkins stated that he would rather see infill instead of expansion of the perimeter of the City.  Ms. Renwick said it would be interesting to identify what areas in the Historic districts would be eligible for flag lots.

NEW BUSINESS – None

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The next Historic Commission meeting will be on September 3, 2008 at 7:00 pm in the Siskiyou Room.

ADJOURNMENT

It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m.