ASHLAND HISTORIC COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes

September 5, 2012

 
Community Development/Engineering Services Building – 51 Winburn Way – Siskiyou Room
 
CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING, 6:07 pm
 
Historic Commissioners Present:  Kerry Kencairn, Keith Swink, Sam Whitford, Allison Renwick, Terry Skibby, Dale Shostrom, Tom Giordano, Ally Phelps, Victoria Law
Commission Members Absent:  Allison Renwick
Council Liaison: Greg Lemhouse, (arrived late)
High School Liaison: None Appointed
SOU Liaison: None Appointed
Staff Present: Planner: Amy Gunter; Clerk:  Billie Boswell

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  The minutes of the August 8, 2012 Historic Commission meeting were reviewed.  Ms. Kencairn made a motion to approve them.  Mr. Whitford seconded the motion and the motion was approved unanimously with Mr. Giordano abstaining.

PUBLIC FORUM:   No one in the audience wished to speak.
 
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT:  Agenda item moved to after the public hearing.
 
PUBLIC HEARING:
 
PLANNING ACTION:    2012-01122
SUBJECT PROPERTY:   175 Lithia Way
OWNER/APPLICANT:    First Place Partners                                         
DESCRIPTION:   A request for preliminary plat approval of a six-lot subdivision for the four vacant properties located at 165-175 Lithia Way, at the corner of Lithia Way and First Street.  Also included is a request for Site Review approval to construct a three-story 18,577 square foot mixed-use building with a basement consisting of commercial and residential space on the first floor and residential space on the second and third floors.  An Exception to the Site Design and Use Standards’ Downtown Design Standards (VI-B-3) is also proposed to allow for recessed balconies on the front of the building. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:  Commercial; ZONING:  C-1. ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09BA.  TAX LOTS:  10100, 11601, 11701 and 15000.
 
Chairman Shostrom verified that there were no conflicts of interest or exparte contact.  Ms. Kencairn and Mr. Giordano disclosed that they had worked on the previous project for this site but were not involved in this one.  There were no objections.
 
Mark Knox, Randy Jones and Jerome White spoke on behalf of the applicants.  Mr. White explained how they had widened the center element to strengthen the sense of entry.  They also opened up the corner to the public walkway with a column.  He also pointed out several other building design details.  Mr. White said they would be extending the bands above the first floor around to the back elevation.  Mr. Giordano felt they had done an excellent job with the design and the colors.  He agreed that the bands should be extended.  Ms. Gunter asked about a signs.  Mr. Knox confirmed a sign plan was being recommended.
 
Mr. Giordano made a motion to recommend approval of the proposed plans with the following design recommendations:
 
1)    That the horizontal banding shall be continued around the rear (north) side of the building as presented by the project Architect.
2)    That the column on the right side of the north elevation be removed as presented by the project Architect.
 
Mr. Skibby seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.
       
OLD BUSINESS: 
 
A.  Review Board Schedule
 

September 6th	Terry, Keith, Tom
September 13th	Terry, Kerry, Allison
September 20th	Terry, Tom, Victoria
September 27th	Terry, Ally, Sam
October 4th	Terry, Keith, Dale

 
 
 
B.  Project Assignments for Planning Actions

BD-2011-00436	426 A St (Sidney Brown) Mixed Use Bldg  (permit issued 5-18-11))	Giordano
BD-2011-01029	400 Allison (Robin Biermann) New SFR  (Issued 4-5-12)	Whitford/Renwick
BD-2011-01079	134 Terrace (Allman) New SFR (issued 2-17-12)	Whitford
BD-2011-00621	89 Oak St (Amorotico) New façade on building (under construction)	Shostrom
PA-2012-00434	843 B St (Holzshu) ARU	Renwick
PA-2012-00440	27 N Main (McKechnie) Comm Site Review	Shostrom
PA-2012-01039	117 Eighth St (McKinney) New ARU	Renwick
PA-2012-01122	175 Lithia Wy (First Place Partners)  3-story mixed use building

 
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT:  Greg Lemhouse shared that City Council approved the Plaza landscape design. Much of the cost will be paid for with money that was set aside 2 years ago from Restaurant & Hotel taxes for downtown improvement.  He said they also started a discussion about genetically modified growing and how it affects people’s rights.
 
DISCUSSION ITEMS:  Due to the absence of several Commissioners, Barbara Christianson cancelled her presentation on Ethics and Public Meetings.  It will be rescheduled for another month.
 
Ms. Law was concerned that the Arts Commission work with the Historic Commission to make sure Ashlands history was represented in the artwork incorporated into the plaza landscape design.  She suggested etched granite plaques showing historic scenes.  There was consensus among the Commissioners.  Ms. Gunter said she would speak to Ann Seltzer, the staff liaison for the Arts Commission.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS & INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Next meeting is scheduled for October 3, 2012.
 
It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m.