Meeting Minutes

February 6, 2013

CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING, 6:00 pm
 
Historic Commissioners Present:  Allison Renwick, Tom Giordano, Terry Skibby, Dale Shostrom, Ally Phelps, Keith Swink, Victoria Law,
Commission Members Absent:  Sam Whitford (u), Kerry Kencairn (e)
Council Liaison: Greg Lemhouse
High School Liaison: None Appointed
SOU Liaison: None Appointed
Staff Present: Staff Liaison: Amy Gunter; Clerk:  Billie Boswell
 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  The minutes of the January 2, 2013 Historic Commission meeting were reviewed.  Ms. Renwick pointed out the wrong Review Board Schedule was in the Minutes. Ms. Boswell said she would change it out and put the January schedule in.  Ms. Renwick made a motion to approve the minutes as amended.  Ms. Phelps seconded the motion and the motion was approved unanimously. Mr. Giordano abstained due to being absent last month.

 
PUBLIC FORUM:  Tam Moore of the Our Heritage Political Action Committee said local cities are receiving letters describing how important the levy would be for the 17 historical districts in Jackson County. Struggling organizations managing historical attractions in Jackson County hope voters will approve a levy in 2014 that would create a Rogue Valley Heritage District and raise more than $800,000 a year.  Mr. Moore explained the request for support would be presented to the Ashland City Council soon. 
 
 
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT:  Mr. Lemhouse discussed the goal setting meeting the City Council had. He shared that three of the Historic Commission goals were well received.
 
 

 PUBLIC HEARING:
 
PLANNING ACTION:          2013-00060                                        
SUBJECT PROPERTY:     108 Second Street
APPLICANT:                       Second Spring Property LLC / Dudley Rood
DESCRIPTION:       A request for a modification to an existing 1987 Conditional Use Permit for exterior modifications to an existing structure for the property located at 108 Second Street. The application includes a Solar Access Waiver to shade the property to the north more than permitted by code. The property to the north at 120 N Second Street has agreed to the additional shading. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION: Low Density Multiple Family Residential; ZONING: R-2; ASSESSOR’S MAP: 39 1E 09BA TAX LOT: 8900

 
Chairman Shostrom verified that there was no exparte contact or conflict of interest.  Ms. Gunter described the project adding dormers upstairs to create a better residential living space above 2 offices below.  French doors and a balcony are to be built on the second story, east side, for egress.  Chairman Shostrom was concerned about the predominance of the posts supporting the deck on that side. Cladding the posts in 8”x8” to match the front porch was suggested.  Possible hedge and plants and/or a pergola to help screen it from the alley and undergrounding the utilities were also mentioned.
 
 
Mr. Giordano made a motion to recommend the Planning Commission approve the proposed plans with the following design recommendations:
 
1)  That the posts of the rear deck shall be clad to 8 x 8 or to match the girth of the existing posts on the front porch.
2) The floor beams of the rear deck shall be extended to create an arbor or pergola on which vine plants could be supported to soften the posts and reduce their mass and visibility. 
 
The motion was seconded by Ms. Renwick and it passed unanimously.
 
 
PLANNING ACTIONS:       2013-00081
SUBJECT PROPERTIES: 245 Van Ness
APPLICANT:                       Nate Witemburg / Brint Borgilt
DESCRIPTION:  A request for Conditional Use Permit approval to exceed the Maximum Permitted Floor Area within the Skidmore Academy Historic District to construct a 723 square foot addition to an existing residence at 245 Van Ness Street. The existing garage that does not comply with setbacks will be removed as part of the project. 
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DESIGNATION:  High Density Multi-Family Residential; ZONING: R-3; ASSESSOR’S MAP #: 39 1E 05 DD; TAX LOT: 1200
 
Chairman Shostrom verified that there was no exparte contact or conflict of interest.  Ms. Gunter described the project to remove the existing non-conforming garage and build a garage and shop attached to the historical home with an additional bedroom above.
 
The applicant was not present.  There being no one else in the audience wishing to speak, the public hearing was closed.
 
Chairman Shostrom was concerned about the mass and scale in relation to the existing house. The design did set back 10 feet from the property line and it did protect the salt box style of the original building, but he felt the extra large size of the garage and shop area overshadowed the mass of the main house.  Mr. Giordano questioned whether a continuance would give the applicant a chance to redesign to better meet MPFA.  Ms. Gunter explained the applicant would need to sign an extension agreement to delay another month.
 
Mr. Giordano made a motion to recommend denial of the application due to excessive mass and scale.  Ms. Phelps seconded the motion.  The vote was 5 to 1 in favor of the motion.
 
OLD BUSINESS: 
 
Brochures Subcommittee Report:  Mr. Shostrom said they reviewed several varieties of literature.  Said George Kramer would combine the verbiage into one brochure. Graphic designer would create the actual brochure. The brochures would be mailed to Realtors, Architects, and Designers. It was suggested that Mr. Kramer be invited to speak at the next meeting.
 
Historic Markers Subcommittee Report:  Ms. Renwick questioned the budget for their project in order to outline a proposal.  It was suggested that they detail a Historic Marker Master plan showing best to least and able to phase in over the next several years. There was discussion about including a QR code linked back to the City’s website for additional information on each hub.  The basic design included a hub with various plaques within a defined area.  The top and probably first hub would be in the downtown district, then the railroad district.  They plan to have a presentation ready by April 9^th for Bill Molnar to present at the April 16^th Council study session.
 
NEW BUSINESS:
 
A.  Review Board Schedule
 
 

 
 
B.  Project Assignments for Planning Actions

 
 
DISCUSSION ITEMS:  May 19-25, 2013 was chosen as Historic Preservation Week.  Creating a new banner for Main Street was discussed.  It was suggested that the new design be easily adaptable at a minimum cost to reuse each year.
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS & INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Next meeting is scheduled for March 6, 2013.
 
It was the unanimous decision of the Commission to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m.