ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Minutes
November 8, 2000
CALL TO ORDER
At 7:35 p.m., Chairperson Terry Skibby called the meeting to order at the Community Center. Members present were Terry Skibby, Dale Shostrom, Kay Maser, Gary Foll, Jay Leighton, Bob Meiser, Keith Chambers and Joan Steele. Also present were Associate Planner Mark Knox and Secretary Sonja Akerman. Member Vava Bailey was unable to attend the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Steele noted a typo on page 2, paragraph 4, second sentence. And should be that. Also, of was left out of the last sentence in paragraph 1 under PA 2000-095 on the first page. Foll moved and Steele seconded to approve the minutes of the October 4, 2000 meeting as corrected. The motion was unanimously passed.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Planning Action 2000-104
Site Review and Conditional Use Permit
70 Water Street
Bing Sheldon
Knox explained the applicant is the new owner of the Waterside Inn. He is requesting approval to continue operating the seven "existing" hotel units plus the manager's unit. This would legitimize all the units. He is also requesting the restaurant/bar facility be used for the guests only and not open to the general public. Knox noted there have been numerous alterations, additions and changes of use on file and it has been difficult to ascertain exactly what has been approved versus what is currently existing in the building. In staff's opinion, this proposal would not have as great an impact on the area as a public restaurant and retail area (both of which have been approved for this site in the past). There will be no exterior changes to the building. The only exterior change is to enlarge the existing parking area by adding approximately four feet of matching brick to comply with the City's parking space standards. Staff is recommending approval with seven conditions.
After a short discussion, Steele moved and Shostrom seconded to recommend approval of this request to the Planning Commission. The motion passed unanimously.
Planning Action 2000-105
Site Review
559 Scenic Drive
Ashland Community Hospital
This action was called up for a public hearing so it will be heard at the December 6 meeting.
Planning Action 2000-106
Conditional Use Permit and Site Review
239 Oak Street
Sue and John Blaize
Knox reported this application is for a Conditional Use Permit to increase the number of units in this traveler's accommodation from three to four, and a Site Review to construct a 1000 square foot new owner's cottage in the rear of the property. The space in the existing house will be used for the additional unit. Because the owners are increasing the number of units, an additional parking space will be required. One space is available on the street, two will be in the proposed garage and the remaining three will be adjacent to the garage. Staff has an issue with the back-up area being located on the adjacent propertyso the owners will need to record an agreement with the County Clerk's office detailing the turn-around area. Knox further explained Staff feels the design of the new structure meets the requirements. Horizontal lapped siding will be used on the cottage and according to the owners, the wood porch columns contribute to the 'Oregon Craftsman' architectural style.
The Commission agreed the design is compatible with the historic Railroad District. The members, however, would prefer to have the roofline unclipped. Knox stated this might be necessary because of the solar shadow. He will look in to this. The Commission also would like to see trim detail.
After discussing these items, Shostrom moved and Leighton seconded to recommend approval of this application with the condition the applicants restore the clipped gable ends to regular gable ends if there is not a solar problem, and that the width of the trim and siding be proportionate with the existing house. The motion passed unanimously.
Planning Action 2000-107
Variance
Between 192 Van Ness and 248 Laurel Street
James Niebel
Knox reported that last December the applicant received approval from the Historic Commission and City Council to relocate the historic Beach-Good House from the corner of North Second Street and Lithia Way to the vacant lot on Laurel Street. In May of 1999, the Planning Commission approved a partition to divide the lot at 192 Van Ness Avenue into two parcels. With this approval was a defined building envelope to protect two large trees on the property and the condition off-street parking be provided on site. The variance would enable the home to be located on the site without removing the trees and would provide a nine-foot wide drive to be located adjacent to the south property line. Knox also discussed the storm water runoff problem and stated one of the conditions will be for the applicant to install a perimeter drain around the foundation of the house and direct the water to Laurel Street.
The Commission discussed the non-historic addition on the house and concluded if this were removed, it would not necessitate the need for the side yard variance. No floor plan was included with the application and the applicant was not present.
Chambers moved to recommend denial of this application for the side yard variance to the Planning Commission, with the strong recommendation the owner reconsider the non-historic addition (because it is overly prominent at the front of the house) and replace the room in the rear, thus increasing the historic integrity of the structure. Meiser seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.
Planning Action 2000-108
Site Review and Variances
552 "A" Street
Carol Horn Davis
Knox explained this application is for a remodel and addition to a historic structure. Nothing has changed from the presentation by the owner last month as far as the Site Review is concerned. A Variance is being requested to reduce the required number of parking spaces from six to four. Staff feels this is justified, as the owner is proposing to install three parking spaces on the site where there is currently none. There is a credit for one on-street space. Handicapped parking is proposed on Fourth Street. The owner is also requesting a Variance to the City's Street Tree Ordinance, which requires one tree per 30 feet. Since this lot is only 25 feet wide with a five-foot sidewalk along the frontage, the owner has stated a street tree would be a hardship because of the historic awning over the sidewalk. On one side of the awning is the historic VFW flagpole and on the other side are the sewer and water lines, which run directly under the sidewalk. Staff feels the variances are justified.
Leighton moved and Shostrom seconded to recommend approval of this application to the Planning Commission with the conditions as stated in the Findings. Chambers stated he would like to amend the motion to commend the owner and consultant on the work to be done on the building. Leighton accepted the amendment and the motion passed unanimously.
BUILDING PERMITS
Permits reviewed by members of the Historic Commission and issued during the month of October follow:
115 Fork Street |
Larry Medinger |
Addition |
95 Scenic Drive |
Treg Scott and Laura Roll |
Retaining Wall/Play Court |
77 Union Street |
Patti South |
Convert Structure to Residence |
91 Gresham Street |
Rick and Debra Barth |
Remodel, Addition, Partial Demolition |
727 Siskiyou Boulevard |
Jesse Hanwitt |
Remodel |
70 Granite Street |
Richard Mastain |
Addition |
181 Morse Street |
Ilene Buys |
Garage/Accessory Residential Unit |
940 "B" Street |
John and Kathy Loram |
Addition and Remodel |
407 North Main Street |
Summer Night's Cottage |
Sign |
500 "A" Street |
Design Wise Studios |
Sign |
300 North Pioneer Street |
Natural Healing |
Sign |
250 North Pioneer Street |
Umpqua Bank |
Sign |
OLD BUSINESS
Review Board
Following is the October schedule for the Review Board, which meets every Thursday from 3:00 to at least 3:30 p.m. in the Planning Department:
November 9 |
Skibby, Meiser and Maser |
November 16 |
Skibby, Foll and Steele |
November 22 |
Skibby, Shostrom and Bailey |
November 30 |
Skibby, Steele, Chambers and Maser |
Project Assignments for Planning Actions
PA# 99-102 |
141 Lithia Way |
Shostrom |
PA# 99-108 |
340 Oak Street |
Shostrom |
PA #2000-039 |
410 Siskiyou Boulevard |
Skibby |
PA #2000-052 |
220 Fourth Street |
Shostrom |
PA #2000-074 |
15 South Pioneer Street |
Skibby |
PA #2000-088 |
159 North Main Street |
Bailey |
PA #2000-095 |
180 Alida Street |
Foll |
PA #2000-098 |
50 Sixth Street |
Leighton |
PA #2000-106 |
239 Oak Street |
Meiser |
PA #2000-107 |
House Move to Laurel Street |
Leighton |
PA #2000-108 |
552 "A" Street |
Foll |
Siskiyou Boulevard Committee
Shostrom reported the committee has now walked and measured the area that will be redesigned and the quick response person will be coming back with three designs. The scope of this project is huge and the purpose of the redesign is to come in line with the Comprehensive Plan concerning bike and pedestrian lanes, bus pullouts, etc. This will make the Boulevard friendlier for alternative modes of transportation. After discussing some of the historic elements with the Commission, he said everyone understands the historic nature of the Boulevard, however, the reality is that bike lanes need to be put in. He encouraged the Historic Commission members to come to the meetings. The next public meeting will be on December 15. Knox suggested the members walk the Boulevard on a Thursday afternoon as part of the Review Board. It was decided all those who can would meet on November 30 at the Safeway parking lot at 2:30. They will walk from there to Walker Avenue and Knox will make certain the members who volunteered for the Review Board are at the City Hall by 4:00.
Skibby will bring photos of the progression of Siskiyou Boulevard to the December meeting. From these, the historic elements will be identified and listed.
Travel Itinerary
Steele stated the narrative has been completed and Skibby is now working on the black and white photos. The color photos Skibby took have been processed and are fabulous. She is hoping to get everything sent to the National Park Service by November 15.
NEW BUSINESS
Siskiyou-Hargadine National Register Neighborhood Meeting
Knox stated there will be a Siskiyou-Hargadine neighborhood meeting at the Lincoln School at 7:00 p.m. on December 7. Notices will be mailed for this.
Brown Bag Lunch Meeting
Knox stated the City of Jacksonville and the Ashland Historic Commission are co-sponsoring an informative brown bag lunch meeting on December 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The subject will be on brick restoration. This will be at the Old City Hall in Jacksonville. These informative luncheons are planned to take place every other month. The next one will be in Ashland.
Skidmore-Academy National Register Nomination
Knox reported he had been in Salem with George Kramer representing the City of Ashland. The State Advisory Committee recommended approval of National Register status for this district. It will go before the Committee again next spring and should be placed on the National Register shortly thereafter.
Commission Items
Skibby noted Allen Sandler had talked with him regarding the color of paint on his new building on Lithia Way. Sandler would like to keep the primer color as it exists on the east wall, while others he has spoken with would prefer brick red. Most Historic Commission members agreed they would rather see the primer color than red. Skibby also stated Sandler is planning on installing display cases in the Old Masonic Walkway.
Steele stated she would like to see Skibby get paid for the photography work he has done for the travel itinerary. The Commission agreed money should be taken out of its budget for this.
ADJOURNMENT
With a motion by Steele and second by Shostrom, it was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 p.m.