ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION

Meeting Minutes                    

April 8, 2009

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

CALL TO ORDER – SPECIAL MEETNG, 6:00 pm

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

Absent  Commission Members: 

Council Liaison: Eric Navickas, absent

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

The Commissioners reviewed each of the nominated projects and selected the following winners of the “Distinguished Architectural Preservation Awards”:

Historically Compatible Commercial Restoration – 542 A Street

Historically Compatible Residential Renovation – 52 Granite Street

Historically Compatible Residential Addition & Renovation – 160 Sherman Street

Historically Compatible New Accessory Structures – 586 B Street

Civic Restoration – Lithia Fountain in the Plaza

Individual – Cathy DeForest & Leon Pyle      

There was discussion about where to hold the award ceremony.  Mr. Krach suggested Carpenter Hall. Chairman Shostrom also mentioned the 586 B Street.  The Commissioners agreed to hold it at Pioneer Hall at 73 Winburn Way due to its location, parking, and size. 

Mr. Krach agreed to be a special speaker.

Ms. Renwick announced that she had given notice to terminate her Historic Commission position but would continue participating until a replacement Commissioner can be appointed. 

It was agreed that Mr. Skibby will take only a group picture of all the winners at the conclusion of the award ceremony.  He confirmed that he would have the individual winner’s pictures printed and available for Mr. Swink to take to Ashland Custom Frame by May 1^st.

CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING, 7:30 pm

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Whitford moved to approve the minutes of the December 3, 2008 meeting.  Mr. Giordano seconded the motion.  The minutes were approved unanimously by the remaining commissioners.

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

PUBLIC HEARING: 

PLANNING ACTION:  2008-01690

SUBJECT PROPERTY:         685 East Main Street

APPLICANT:  Dr. Allen Thomashefsky for Talent Properties LLC

DESCRIPTION:  A request for Conditional Use Permit and Site Review approval and to convert an existing residence into single unit motel for the property located at 685 East Main Street. The use had been previously approved but went out of use and became inactive. No changes to the site or the structure are proposed.

Ms. Barry explained that the application was to reestablish the previous use as a motel.  There was no discussion. There was consensus for approval.

NEW BUSINESS: 

A.      Mr. Giordano updated the Commissioners on the Aesthetics Advisory Committee’s latest meeting with ODOT regarding some of the design options for the Exit 14 and Exit 19 overpasses.  He showed various examples of textures and treatments that would emphasize the Gateway to Oregon, the Rogue Valley and to Ashland.  ODOT’s goal was to provide three lanes plus a bike lane across the overpass.  The two main design elements were the bridge itself and the landscaping.  The most popular option favored by committee was an art deco design similar to the Lithia Springs Hotel.

OLD BUSINESS:

A.      Review Board Schedule

B.     Project Assignments For Planning Actions – No new projects.  Delete 234 Vista; 125 Sherman; 237 Almond; 542 A St; 872 B St.

C.     Single Family Residential Design Standards – No report

COMMISSION ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA –

A.      Site Design Amendment – Ms. Barry related that a site design amendment went before the April 7, 2009 City Council meeting.   The amendment was included in response to the Historic Commission’s request that any Public Art designed to be mounted on a historically significant building be reviewed by the Historic Commission.  She said a Public Arts Commissioner spoke at the April 7, 2009 City Council meeting concerned about how the Site Design review criteria would apply to public art.  The Council made the decision to leave the record open until the May 5^th meeting before making a decision.  The Commissioners asked Chairman Shostrom and Mr. Krach to draft a letter to the Council outlining the criteria in the Site Design standards that apply to historic buildings and request the Council consider retaining the requirement for review of any public art that would be attached or mounted on a historically significant building in order for the Commission to protect the historic integrity of those buildings. 

A motion was made by Mr. Krach to authorize the letter and it was seconded by Mr. Skibby.  The motion was approved unanimously.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The next Historic Commission meeting will be on May 6, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the Siskiyou Room. (Cancelled)

ADJOURNMENT

It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m.