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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes - January 4, 2011City of Central Point Planning Commission. Minutes January 4, 2011 I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:00 P.M. II. ROLL CALL Commissioners Chuck Piland, Tim Schmeusser, Keith Wangle, Justin Hurley, Mike Oliver and Pat Beck were present. Connie Moczygemba was absent. Also in attendance were: Tom Humphrey, Community Development Director; Connie Clune, Community Planner; Dave Jacob, Community Planner; Stephanie Holtey, Floodplain/Storm Coordinator; and Didi Thomas, Planning Secretary. III. CORRESPONDENCE -Letter distributed in conjunction with Rogue Valley Recovery Homes business item on agenda. IV. MINUTES Justin Hurley made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 9, 2010 Planning Commission meeting as submitted. Tim Schmeusser seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Oliver, yes; Hurley, yes; Beck, abstained; Schmeusser, yes; and Wangle, yes. Motion passed. V. PUBLIC APPEARANCES -None. VI. BUSINESS A. FSIe No. 11011. Consideration of a Conditional Use Permit to occupy and operate a convalescent home within an existing duplex located in the R-2, Residential Two-Family (R-2) zoning district. The physical address is 134 Laurel Street and is identified on the Jackson County Assessor map as 375 2W 03DD, Tax Lot 6000. Applicant: Rogue Valley Recovery Homes; Agent: Harry Detwiler There were no conflicts or ex parte communications to disclose. Mike Oliver, Tim Schmeusser and Chuck Piland made site visits. Connie Clune, Community Planner, presented a staff report explaining that the duplex would be utilized as a self-run convalescent home for up to fifteen (15) people during transition from addiction to self-sufficiency: Previously, the property has been used as a residential care facility. In -1988, the building was designated as a Class A Planning Convmission Minutes January 4, 2011 Page 2 nonconforming structure, the continued use of which was allowed provided that occupancy did not exceed 15 people. As a convalescent home, eight off-street parking spaces would be required. However, with the close proximity of transit service and the applicant's assurances that few tenants own vehicles, a 25% reduction in required parking would reduce the amount of parking needed to six spaces. There are four spaces already available on the property and additional parking could be created in the Laurel Street front yard setback to meet this .requirement. Staff suggested that a parking plan be required as a condition of approval for this application, to be submitted within 30 days of Planning Commission approval. The public hearing was opened. The first person to come forward was Frank Cavin, owner of the property. Mr. Cavin stated that he had owned the property in excess of 25 years. The property had always pretty much been utilized as a residential care facility of some sort and most of the people living there didn't have cars. Mr. Cavin added that there had never been any problems where parking was concerned and there was plenty of on-street parking. Dustin Butcher came forward and introduced himself as part of the management team of Rogue Valley Recovery Homes. Mr. Butcher explained that the organization owns four other properties, and there are no parking issues as most tenants do not own vehicles. He explained that management can actually assign "non-drivers" to the Central Point home. Mr. Butcher added that persons who have been convicted of certain offenses would not be allowed to become tenants (e.g. sex offenders, those convicted of crimes against children). Mr. Butcher continued with an explanation of application and program requirements, monthly fees charged to tenants, probationary period and randorn drug testing. Kelli Butcher came forward and answered questions posed by commissioners stating that Harry Detwiler pays the bills for the recovery homes; that the organization is not funded by anyone else. The program helps residents to become more self-sufficient and to eventually move on. Mrs. Butcher explained the screening process for tenants in detail and stated that the property would probably be fully occupied within two weeks. Max Frederick, a neighbor at 146 Laurel Street, came forward and stated that when the property at. 134 Laurel Street was used as a residential care facility, they were excellent neighbors and there was never a parking problem. In addition, Mr. Frederick said that he would like to keep the neighborhood looking nice and recommended that Mr. Detwiler be required to add the additional parking only after the need presented itself: Harry Detwiler, owner of Rogue Valley Recovery Homes, came forward to add that there have never been any problems with any of his other recovery homes in Medford. Emphasis is placed on recovery of the individuals involved and he has a great group of Planning Commission Minutes January 4, 2011 Page 3 people working for the program. "We run a tight ship" Mr. Detwiler declared. Another member of the group, Misty Cornwell, came forward and said that the majority of the tenants don't drive. The public hearing was then closed. Connie Clune recommended that the applicant submit a diagram of where the parking on the property would be located. Tom Humphrey stated that the Planning Commission had the ability to allow the applicant to manage parking improvements and install them at some time in the future when it becomes necessary. Chuck Piland asked if the Planning Commission had the ability to require a review in a year's time to assess parking. Mr. Humphrey said yes and it was determined that staff would perfonn the review and report the results to the Planning Commission. Pat Beck made a motion to approve Resolution 778 granting approval of a conditional use permit to operate a fifteen (15) person convalescent home to establish aself--run recovery home within an existing duplex located at 134 Laurel Street, located in an R-2 Residential Two-Family zoning district (Jackson County Assessor's map 37S 2W 03DD, Tax Lot 6000), with the conditions imposed in the Staff Report dated January 4, 2011. In addition, applicant shall be bound by a deferred improvement agreement with the City requiring the addition of two (2) parking spaces at such time as they become necessary. City staff will review this conditional use permit decision in January of 2012 to ascertain that applicant remains in compliance with imposed conditions. Applicant is further required to provide a parking plan for the property located at 134 Laurel Street within thirty (30) days from the date of this hearing. Keith Wangle seconded the motion. ROLL CALL: Oliver, yes; Hurley, yes; Beck, yes; Schmeusser, yes; and Wangle, yes. Motion passed. VII. DISCUSSION Revisions to Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance Stephanie Holtey, Floodplain and Stormwater Coordinator, advised commissioners that a new FEMA map will take effect on May 3, 2011. The map has been developed with the best available information and will replace the previous map that was produced in 1982. Mrs. Holtey presented an overview of what will be happening prior to adoption of the new map. There has been a shift in the high risk flood areas and future development will need to occur at a higher standard in order to protect homes. If a homeowner has a mortgage, mortgage companies will be requiring flood insurance. Planning Commission Minutes January Q 2071 Page 4 A proposed ordinance is currently under review with the Department of Land Conservation and Development, and the first public hearing is scheduled to take place in front of the Planning Commission on February 1, 2011. Tom Humphrey advised that a notice will be going out to affected property owners, stating that properties and the values of the properties will be affected by this action. Mr. Humphrey further pointed out that Mrs. Holtey had applied for and received a grant to get elevation certificates prepared for property owners at no cost to them. The new proposed floodplain map was reviewed, and Mrs. Holtey stated that the City's code requirements need to be brought in line with State requirements. Commissioners then scheduled a study session to take place at 5:30 p.m. on January 24, 201 ] to discuss this matter in further detail. Twin Creeks Pre Annexation Agreement Status Tom Humphrey informed commissioners that he had received a letter from Herb Farber on behalf of Twin Creeks Development requesting a ten year extension of the master plan for Twin Creeks which was originally approved in 2001 for a period often years. The pre-annexation agreement that was entered into for infrastructure improvements has expired. All contractual improvements have been completed with the exception of the railroad crossing. The new FEMA map is complicating construction of the proposed railroad crossing. In addition, a sewer trunk line needs to be moved. Mitigation plans will need to be approved by Seattle Region 10 and work can then be completed on the crossing. Mr. Humphrey can extend this agreement without bringing it back to the Planning Commission and does not foresee any problem with extending the easement to cross the railroad. Regional Problem Solving Mr. Humphrey reported that once the County is done with its review of the Regional Plan, the State of Oregon has agreed to acknowledge the plan, allowing each City involved to proceed at its own pace. Once the County has adopted urban reserve areas, each city can then begin to adjust their boundaries as part of their own comprehensive plan amendments. VIII. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEWS IX. MISCELLANEOUS Planning Commission Minutes January 4, 2011 Page 5 X. ADJOU13NiVIENT Mike Oliver made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Tim Schmeusser seconded the motion. Meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. The foregoing minutes of the January 4, 2011 Planning Commission meeting were ap roved by the Planning Commission at its meeting on the (Sf day of 2011. Planning Commission Chair