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Planning Commission (View All)

Planning Commission Special Mtg

Minutes
Tuesday, June 28, 2016

ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
JUNE 28, 2016
 
 
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Melanie Mindlin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street.
 
Commissioners Present:   Staff Present:
Troy J. Brown, Jr.
Michael Dawkins
Melanie Mindlin
Haywood Norton
Roger Pearce
  Bill Molnar, Community Development Director
Maria Harris, Planning Manager
April Lucas, Administrative Supervisor
 
     
Absent Members:   Council Liaison:
Debbie Miller
Lynn Thompson
  Greg Lemhouse, absent
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS/AD HOC COMMITTEE UPDATES
Community Development Director Bill Molnar announced the City Council approved first reading of the ordinance modifying the Verde Village development agreement with two modifications: 1) a requirement for the homes to be Earth Advantage zero net ready, and 2) for the applicants to work with staff to provide additional east/west pathways.
 
PUBLIC FORUM
Huelz Gutcheon/2253 Hwy 99/Commented on climate change mitigation including: solar panels, windmills, led lights, and electric vehicles.
 
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
  1. Adoption of Findings for PA-2016-00684, Union Pacific Railroad Property.
No ex parte contact was reported.
 
Commissioners Pearce/Dawkins m/s to approve the Findings for PA-2016-00684. Voice Vote: all AYES. Motion passed 5-0.
 
DISCUSSION ITEMS
  1. Comprehensive Plan Amendment – Citizen Involvement and Participation Chapter.
Planning Manager Maria Harris explained in April 2016 the City Council unanimously approved a modification to AMC Chapter 2.27 to designate the Planning Commission as the city’s committee for citizen involvement. Ms. Harris provided the background information on state planning goal #1 and the former Citizens Planning Advisory Committee (CPAC). She stated the Planning Commission will now be responsible for those duties, which include enhancing citizen involvement in land use planning and evaluating the process being used for citizen involvement. Ms. Harris stated in order to reflect the City Council’s recent decision the Ashland Comprehensive Plan will need to be modified to remove the reference to the CPAC. This will require a public hearing before the Planning Commission and an ordinance by the City Council.
 
Staff was asked about the language in state planning goal #1 that references a geographic representation. Mr. Molnar clarified the geographic area for Ashland is very small, at just over 6 square miles, and by having more than 100 citizen volunteers serving on city commissions and committees there is an adequate geographic cross section being represented. He added staff has consulted with the local representative for the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development and he had no concerns about Ashland meeting the requirements.
 
Staff went on to explain that following the public hearings and ordinance adoption the Planning Commission may want to consider forming a small subcommittee to evaluate citizen involvement and how that might be improved.
 
  1. Council Initiation of Zone Change – North Pioneer Street.
Community Development Director Bill Molnar stated this item is for informational purposes and clarified the formal public hearing will be held in August or September 2016. He explained in February 2016 the City Council unanimously directly staff to prepare a land use application that would modify the zoning of 150 N. Pioneer. Mr. Molnar commented on the surrounding area and the former and current use of the property and explained the application would rezone the lot from R-2 multi-family residential to C-1 commercial.
 
Stan Potocki/150 N Pioneer/Stated he is the property owner and was assured back when the city’s parking lot went in on the adjacent lot that his property would be commercially rezoned. However that never occurred. Mr. Potocki stated his property has served as a commercial business for over 40 years and the properties across the street and next door are all commercial as well. He shared the issues he has had to deal with by having a city parking lot next door, including a large volume of vehicle traffic and parking issues, car alarms, dogs barking, and in the evenings people consume alcohol along the property line and throw their cans and bottles into his yard. Mr. Potocki stated this property is simply not suited for residential use.
 
Mr. Molnar stated the merits of the rezone will be discussed at the public hearing and tonight’s presentation was to provide the commission with the background information.
 
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
 
Submitted by,
April Lucas, Administrative Supervisor

 

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