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http://www.omniture.com --> Ashland, Oregon --> HOME Valley & State Sports Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage O-Zone Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad July 31, 2006 Housing project faces obstacles By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings Courtesy City Council web site Blueprints of the proposed building plan on Lithia Way. The building would provide space for businesses and housing. The Ashland City Council will consider whether to take the next step on a project that would create business space and affordable housing on a city-owned parking lot, despite financial problems that would require changes to the project. In 2005, the council selected a proposal by Kendrick Enterprises and the Ashland Community Land Trust to build on the Lithia Way parking lot. Councilors directed city staff to work with the two entities to further refine the project. The council will discuss whether to approve a conceptual plan and direct city staff to draft a lease agreement for the parking lot land at a meeting that begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the Ashland Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main St. Ashland Community Land Trust members have decided their organization is not in a position to undertake the project at this time. ACCESS Inc. will become the principal partner on the affordable housing component of the project, according to a city staff memo to the council. The project as originally envisioned also would face a funding shortfall of $250,000 to $400,000. Kendrick Enterprises and ACCESS have proposed several methods for closing the gap, including increasing the number of residential units from 10 to 13, with three units sold at market rates and possibly used as travelers' accommodations. The size of the units also could be reduced to create one-bedroom and studio units, according to the city staff memo. Rising construction costs and interest rates have increased the estimated cost of the project, the memo states. The project must still win approval from the planning commission. In other business Tuesday night, the council will consider whether to confirm Mayor John Morrison's appointment of Melanie Mindlin to the Ashland Planning Commission. Mindlin is perhaps best known in the community for spearheading a co-housing project on Fordyce Street. "I am interested in doing public service and planning has become an interest of mine through my work on the Fordyce Street Cohousing Project," she wrote in her application for the position. "I hope to have the opportunity to help move Ashland in the direction of sustainable building, providing affordable housing and establishing a sustainable overall land use direction for the City." Morrison also is seeking confirmation of Colin Guiley and Michelle Reich to the Ashland Tree Commission. Additionally, the council will consider changes to city rules that restrict the demolition of buildings. For a complete list of agenda items, or for more information on agenda items, visit the city's Web site at www.ashland.or.us . Click on Council Business in the left column and then click on the August 1 regular meeting agenda packet. Staff writer Vickie Aldous can be reached at 479-8199 or [email protected]. Current Comments: Yet another project that is likely to come in late and over cost. Mark Smith - Ashland, OR - Jul 31st, 04:21AM First off... I wouldn't want my kids having downtown as their playground. Second, where would the people that live there park? Parking is a joke around downtown and on the side streets. The people that live here suffer when tourists take their parking. Third, the city can't even figure out what to do with AFN. Yet they want to spend money on another "project." Nice try, but keep the "affordable housing" part out of this project. Jim P - Ashland, OR - Jul 31st, 04:27AM I am all for "affordable housing", IF poverty stricken Ashland natives can sign up? Usually the required income to qualify is too high on these projects. Sally O - Ashland, OR - Aug 1st, 08:01AM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising Backpacks Student Loans Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.