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June 26, 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels April 28, 2004 Planning studies ambiguous text By Steve Zimmerman Ashland Daily Tidings The city is asking its planning commission to assist in redefining several ambiguous ordinances in its building codes. That was the basis for a study session Tuesday night with John McLaughlin, Director of Community Development. But before the session could begin, commissioner Colin Swales objected to the study session even taking place. "All the definitions to be discussed tonight seem to pertain to the DeBoer house," he said. "I feel I have some kind of conflict as an appellant in that matter. I think it would be nice to get that process finished before we discuss these definitions." Another point of contention for Swales was that McLaughlin had brought to the planning commission a whole laundry list of items to be discussed and refined. But the first ones to come before the commission were all issues brought up in the DeBoer debate. All other commissioners in attendance felt it was appropriate to hold the discussion and so the five definitions were discussed in the two hour session. The first, and one that drew the most discussion, was defining a dwelling or dwelling unit. That includes what actually defines a kitchen. The proposed language brought to the commission was: A room or group of intentionally connected rooms that have sleeping, cooking, eating and sanitation facilities, which constitute an independent housekeeping unit, occupied by or intended for one household on a long-term basis. That wording brought about much discussion among McLaughlin and commissioners about what the intent is and the changing face of the American household. Marilyn Briggs took the lead in the discussion, asking if the new wording would not penalize those who intend to have their elderly parents or older children return to live with them. "I don't like the wording one kitchen and independent housekeeping unit," she said. Dave Dotterer also objected to the word independent. And other commissioners asked what constitutes a kitchen. Someone could have a small refrigerator and hot plate in a small cottage and that could be considered a kitchen . It was agreed to by all that there would not be a kitchen police force in the city knocking on doors to see how many kitchens were in a home. But they all did agree that the whole situation might just come down to parking. Among the other changes discussed were the wording on height of buildings. Added to the code was the suggested wording, Average height of a gable or hip roof shall be the average of the highest point and the intersection of the roof and wall, not the end of the eave. Also discussed were ways to tighten up wording on what constitutes a basement and slope. On the slope issue, much discussion took place about the new wording, for the purposes of this chapter and applicability of Hillside Standards, slope shall be determined based upon the natural surface prior to the site disturbance by cutting or filling. It was recommended that the word "natural" be removed and the word "any" be inserted before "site disturbance." The recommendations forwarded Tuesday will be taken back to staff by McLaughlin for further refinement. No final decision will be made on the new definitions for several months. 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