Document text
- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels August 28, 2004 DeBoers offer scaled-down plan for home By Andrew Scot Bolsinger and Steve Zimmerman Ashland Daily Tidings In cooperation with the city of Ashland's historic commission, Sid and Karen Deboer have offered a compromise to their controversial plan to build an 11,000-square-foot home in the city. The DeBoer's new proposal would significantly alter the couple's plans, reducing the new construction by about 7,000 square feet. The proposal, as documented in the historic commission's minutes, would scrap plans to build a new home on an adjacent property and instead would remodel the Deboers' existing home by adding 4,061 square feet. "[The proposal] was a pleasant surprise for us," said commissioner Dale Shostrom. Sid DeBoer, chief executive officer of Medford-based Lithia Motors Inc., and his representative Joanne Krippaehne presented the new plan at the last Ashland Historic Commission meeting on Aug. 4. Krippaehne was a member of the commission until she resigned on July 31. In their proposal, DeBoers explained that they were sensitive to the concerns of the board and residents. They said they hope the new plan will preserve the integrity of the historic home. During a question-and-answer session with the historic commission, DeBoer was asked by Shostrom if he would still build the 11,000-square-foot home if the new remodeling plan received a conditional use permit. DeBoer answered no, according to the minutes. DeBoer is out of town until late next week and was unavailable for comment. A divisive home The original plan drew criticism from many in the community who believed the home was too large for the city's historic district. The city council approved the development after a public hearing that took two different meetings to allow time for those wanting to speak for or against the project. In April, prior to the council's decision, DeBoer defended the project by saying the proposed structure followed all city ordinances. DeBoer said then that he would not do something that would hurt the community. "If I believed that, I wouldn't build the house," he said. "But it's a wonderful house that blends into the hillside." Now the process will begin anew for the DeBoers, according to Shostrom. "It is my understanding they will have to go through the pre-application process and a new planning action," he said. Shostrom added the DeBoers will come before the Historic Review Board and appear before the entire commission seeking their approval. The city planning department will receive recommendations from the historic commission on the new plans. Two other historic commission members, Terry Skibby and Samuel Whitford, applauded the design change but said that findings will still be necessary. Colin Swales, a former member of the planning commission who opposed the project, said he was pleased with the turn of events in the saga of the big house. "I welcome Sid and Karen's change of heart," he said, "and I look forward to seeing their new plans for what sound like a more sensitive development of this critical site in our historic neighborhood. "I hope that the madrone trees that were unfortunately removed, and are now re-sprouting, are allowed to survive as they presently anchor the historic hillside portion of the lot." Swales has frequently criticized both the DeBoers and city officials for the process of approving the house, and for allowing madrone trees to be removed from the DeBoers' property. Swales was removed from the planning commission when Mayor Alan DeBoer, Sid's brother, refused to reappoint him after one three-year term. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams