ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION

Meeting Minutes

May 4, 2011

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

CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING, 6:00 pm

Historic Commissioners Present:  Dale Shostrom, Terry Skibby, Keith Swink, Sam Whitford, Kerry Kencairn,

Tom Giordano, Ally Phelps

Commission Members Absent:  Allison Renwick (e)

Council Liaison: Michael Morris, absent

High School Liaison: None Appointed
SOU Liaison: None Appointed
Staff Present: Planner: Michael Piña; Clerk: Billie Boswell

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Swink moved to approve the April 6, 2011 minutes as presented and the motion was seconded by Mr. Whitford. Ms. Kencairn abstained due to being absent and the minutes were approved unanimously.

PUBLIC FORUM:   None

Michael Piña stated he would be filling in for Derek Severson, the regular Historic Commission staff liaison.

Chairman Shostrom asked the Commissioners if the Mountain View Cemetery project in New Business could be heard prior to the Public Hearings.  There was consensus.

NEW BUSINESS:  Mountain View Cemetery Crypt Removal – Mike Morrison, Jr. explained the current condition of the crypt which the City believes was built over 50 years ago by the Cemetery sexton for himself.  It was never used.  Ivy covered the crypt until a problem with wasp nests forced removal of all of the ivy.  The concrete has deteriorated significantly and homeless people are crawling inside and using it leaving debris behind.  Since there is no historic significance, the Historic Commission recommended it be removed.  Mr. Whitford made a motion to approve removal of the crypt, Ms. Kencairn seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARING: 

PLANNING ACTION:          2011-00335

SUBJECT PROPERTY:     89 – 93 Oak Street

APPLICANT:                       Carlos Delgado for Alex Amarotico                   

DESCRIPTION: A request for Site Review permit approval for a modification to the exterior of a structure listed as a Primary Contributing Structure in the Ashland Historic Resources Inventory. The P.W. Paulson Building was constructed circ 1905 as three retail / office spaces. The applicant is proposing to rehabilitate the original 1905 street façade through renovation based on early historical photos and postcards. The applicant is also working with the State Historic Preservation Office to obtain Special Assessment Designation for the building. 

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Commercial, Downtown; ZONING: C-1-D; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09BB; TAX LOT: 10300

Chairman Shostrom verified there was no exparte contact or conflict of interest. Mr. Skibby said he had provided Mr. Amarotico with some historic pictures and that the Historic Review Board had met with him regarding the project.  Mr. Piña said that staff supported the project.  Mr. Amarotico described the rehabilitation elements such as exposing the brick at the top hidden behind the current stucco finish and recreating the cornice.  He would be replicating the cornice as shown in a historic picture and illustrated in a period catalog from that era. Mr. Amarotico confirmed that there would be no awnings put up. There being no further questions of the applicant and no questions or concerns from the audience, the public hearing was closed. 

Mr. Skibby thought the project was great.  Mr. Whitford said the rehabilitation was what the Historic Commission dreams about. 

Mr. Giordano made a motion to recommend approval of the request as presented. It was seconded by Mr. Whitford and the decision to recommend approval was unanimous.

PLANNING ACTION: 2011-00

SUBJECT PROPERTY: 165 W Fork Street

APPLICANT: Suncrest Homes for Mark Ottis

DESCRIPTION: A request for Physical and Environmental Constraints review permit approval for Hillside Development including Severe Constraints to construct a new single-family residence on a vacant parcel located at 165 W Fork Street. The proposal modifies the house plans of an existing approval by reducing the size of the site disturbance from 4,252 to 2,621 square feet. The previously approved decision including tree removal to remove six trees and the Exception to Street Standards to place a driveway less than 24-feet from the adjacent driveway remains effective. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Single Family Residential; ZONING: R-1-7.5; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09BD; TAX LOT: 3600

Chairman Shostrom asked about exparte contact or conflict of interest.  Ms. Kencairn and Mr. Giordano recused themselves due to having worked on the original project.  Mr. Skibby said the project had come before the Historic Review Board for discussion. Mr. Piña said the new applicant had reduced the square footage of the home and positioned the home closer to the road thereby reducing the mass and bulk.  Mr. Skibby asked if it also lowered the profile in the back and Mr. Piña said it did.  He also said the City moved the public trail so it wouldn’t cross the new proposed driveway.

Mark Ottis, owner and Charlie Hamilton of Suncrest Homes reviewed the primary changes of the plan.  Chairman Shostrom confirmed the front elevation as 4-feet below the road level.  Mr. Skibby commented that the rear elevation profile was substantially lower.  Mr. Skibby also asked about why the garage side was so plain.  Mr. Hamilton said there was no living space below the garage, just storage space and unused crawl space.  The siding would be textured Hardiplank with a 6” exposure and the windows would be vinyl. Ms. Phelps and Mr. Swink preferred a smooth textured look.  There being no further questions of the applicant or anyone in the audience to speak, the public hearing was closed.

Mr. Whitford felt the new design was a big improvement being scaled down overall to fit the lot better.  Ms. Phelps liked the craftsman design.

 Mr. Skibby made a motion to recommend approval for the project with the recommendation to use a smooth-finished siding with a 6-inch reveal.  Chairman Shostrom seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:   

A.  Review Board Schedule

C.  Project Assignments for Planning Actions – Added 101 Oak St with Shostrom overseeing.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Mr. Severson discussed Historic Preservation Month and confirmed that a Proclamation would be issued by the City Council at their next meeting.  In order to satisfy CLG requirements suggestions were made to include Mr. Krach’s trip to the National Conference and the 100^th Anniversary of the Elks Club event.
2. Mr. Swink asked about follow-up on the changes that were made to the plans for a deck at 231 Gresham.  Mr. Severson explained that an over-the-counter building permit was approved and issued for the deck in March.

ADJOURNMENT

It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 p.m.