REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
AUGUST 11, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Pam Marsh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers,
Commissioners Present: |
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Staff Present: |
Larry Blake Michael Dawkins Dave Dotterrer Pam Marsh Debbie Miller Melanie Mindlin Mike Morris John Rinaldi, Jr. |
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Bill Molnar, Community Development Director Richard Appicello, City Attorney April Lucas, Administrative Assistant |
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Absent Members: |
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Council Liaison: |
Tom Dimitre |
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Eric Navickas |
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioner Marsh stated she would like the Commission to discuss their annual retreat following the public hearing. Community Development Director Bill Molnar requested they also add the selection of Hearings Board members to the agenda.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of Minutes
1. July 14, 2009 Hearings Board Minutes
2. July 14, 2009 Planning Commission Minutes
Commissioners Mindlin/Blake m/s to approve the July 14, 2009 Hearings Board minutes. Voice Vote: Commissioners Blake, Dawkins and Mindlin, YES. Motion passed 3-0.
Commissioners Dotterrer/Miller m/s to approve the July 14, 2009 Planning Commission minutes. Voice Vote: All AYES [Commissioner Rinaldi abstained]. Motion passed 7-0.
PUBLIC FORUM
No one came forward to speak.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Approval of Findings for
Commissioners Blake/Mindlin m/s to approve the Findings for Planning Action #2009-00662. Voice Vote: Commissioners Blake, Dawkins and Mindlin, YES. Motion passed 3-0.
B. Approval of Findings for
Commissioners Dotterrer/Miller m/s to approve the Findings for Planning Action #2009-00551. Voice Vote: All AYES [Commissioner Rinaldi abstained]. Motion passed 7-0.
TYPE III PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. PLANNING ACTION: #2009-00817
APPLICANT: Southern Oregon University
DESCRIPTION: A request for adoption of the
It was noted the Applicant has requested this hearing be postponed to a future date.
TYPE II PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. PLANNING ACTION: #2009-00873
SUBJECT PROPERTY: 1860 Ashland Street
APPLICANT: PSE Architects, Agents for the City of Ashland
DESCRIPTION: A request for Site Review approval to construct a 10,076 square foot two-story fire station building to replace the existing Fire Station #2 located at 1860 Ashland Street. Also included are requests for a Variance to the front yard setback along
Commissioner Marsh read aloud the public hearing procedures for land use hearings.
Declaration of Ex Parte Contact
All of the commissioners declared site visits; no ex parte contact was reported.
Staff Report
Associate Planner Derek Severson presented the staff report on the planning application. He explained this application involves site review approval, a conditional use permit to modify the existing non-conforming use, a variance request to the front yard setback along
Mr. Severson reviewed the site and surrounding neighborhood, including the adjacent
Mr. Severson explained this action requires a conditional use permit because while the purpose and intent of the R-2 zoning district is to accommodate residential uses and pertinent community services, public buildings are not listed as a permitted or conditional use. He stated even though the Fire Station use has been in place since 1965 and it is a legal non-conforming use, because the structure is being expanded it needs to meet the requirements of a conditional use permit. Mr. Severson stated although the building is proposed to be changed, the number of firefighters is not changing, the number of vehicles is not changing, and the area dedicated to fire use is roughly the same.
Mr. Severson stated the variance component of the application is a setback variance for the front yard setback along
Mr. Severson stated this is an ideal location for a Fire Station and the location insures adequate response time to locations within the City. He stated staff is recommending approval of the application and believe this will be a significant improvement from the existing building and will also provide a significant improvement to the streetscape.
Questions of Staff
Mr. Severson clarified adjusting the location of the sidewalk would not save the Bruce Spruce because there is also a vision clearance issue.
Mr. Molnar commented on the reasoning behind the 65 ft. setback for
Mr. Molnar commented briefly on 90 degree parking. He explained this is not prohibited and is evaluated on a case by case basis.
Applicant’s Presentation
Michael Fisk, PSE Architects, Hans Ettlin, PSE Architects and Ashland Fire Chief John Karns addressed the Commission. Mr. Fisk thanked Mr. Severson for his thorough presentation and commented on the styling of the building. He stated it is a civic style building similar to the style of the other fire station and noted the incorporation of public spaces and their desire to create an environment that encourages people to use the space. He stated public art can be placed in the plaza area at the corner of Sherwood and
Mr. Fisk clarified the building will be LEED Certified Gold, and they will either be reusing the materials from the existing building or taking them to an appropriate recycling facility.
Commissioner Marsh asked if any of the head-in parking would be signed for Fire Station use, or if it will be made available for the public to use. Fire Chief Karns explained the Fire Station will need a certain number of spaces for the staff that is on duty (typically 2-4 workers per shift). Mr. Severson clarified there are 13 total spaces proposed which can accommodate the Fire Station employees and the general public. Mr. Fisk noted bicycle parking will also be provided.
Public Testimony
Letter from Philip Lang/758 B Street was read into the record by Commissioner Marsh. Mr. Lang’s letter voiced his opposition to the Fire Station proposal. He stated the citizens of
Rebuttal by the Applicant
Mr. Ettlin stated the existing Fire Station is not seismically sound, does not meet current codes, and does have enough space to adequately house the apparatus and equipment for the firefighters. He stated the replacement station will adequately house all of the apparatus on site that is currently stored in tents and will provide a safe environment for the firefighters. He stated it is essential for the City to have services that will be there when an emergency strikes and this Fire Station will provide that.
Commissioner Dawkins requested clarification on the Tree Commission’s recommendation for smaller stature trees along the
The project’s landscape architect Laurie Sager came forward and explained she had spoken with the Parks Department when selecting the particular Oaks that the application proposes for
Commissioner Marsh closed the record and the public hearing at 7:50 p.m.
Deliberations & Decision
Commissioners Dawkins/Dotterrer m/s to approve Planning Action #2009-00873 with the disregard of Tree Commission Recommendation #2 regarding installation of smaller stature street trees along the Ashland Street frontage. DISCUSSION: Blake questioned the long term vision for
Adoption of Findings for
Commissioners Dotterrer/Rinaldi m/s to adopt the Findings presented by staff with the modification of Condition #4 to remove Tree Commission Recommendation #2. Roll Call Vote: Commissioners Miller, Rinaldi, Blake, Morris, Marsh, Dotterrer, Dawkins and Mindlin, YES. Motion passed 8-0.
OTHER BUSINESS
A. Hearings Board Assignments
A sign-up sheet was passed around the group. Commissioner Marsh explained she would like to eliminate the possibility that people may think Hearings Board members are picked arbitrarily. She stated the Hearings Board is intended to have rolling representation and having the members sign up in advance will protect them from any wrong perceptions.
It was determined members would sign up for a 4-month period ending in December and the Commission would select the 2010 Hearings Board members in January. Commissioner Dawkins, Blake, and Miller signed up to serve through the remainder of 2009.
B. Annual Retreat
Commissioner Marsh requested they discuss possible dates for their annual retreat and also hear suggestions for agenda items. Mr. Molnar stated any one of the last three weekends in October would work for staff and asked that they check their calendars.
The Commission briefly discussed their schedules and Saturday, October 31st was tentatively selected. Staff was asked to email the members for confirmation of their availability of this date.
In regards to possible agenda items, Dawkins suggested they discuss parking in the Railroad District and the
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
April Lucas, Administrative Assistant