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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 May 3, 2004 Mayor brings new list of planning members Commissioner Swales remains off DeBoer's list By Steve Zimmerman Ashland Daily Tidings After the contentious last meeting of the Ashland City Council where the three new members of the city's planning commission were not approved by the council, another attempt at approval will be made Tuesday night. Mayor Alan DeBoer brought forward three names at the last meeting, the most contentious, Dr. Alan Douma to replace Colin Swales, who DeBoer chose not to reappoint. Several residents came forward to complain, often boisterously, about Swales' removal from the commission and the council deadlocked 3-3, sending the appointments back to the mayor for further review. DeBoer was asked by the council to submit all commission applications to the council for review. After doing so and receiving input from council members, DeBoer has announced his new choices. Douma remains as a mayoral appointee to replace Raymond Kistler, Olena Black is being submitted for appointment to replace Cameron Hanson and David Williams is the mayor's choice to replace Swales. Under the current city charter, the mayor has appointment rights to all commissions and the council approves them. LUBA settlement In other council business, the council will hear a recommendation on settling the Land Use Board of Appeals case. The case concerns the Conditional Use Permit for the Oregon Military Department concerning non-military activities at the Ashland National Guard Armory. Among the changes would be allowing more low-impact gatherings as outright permitted uses on the property. These would include activities like weight-watchers meetings, birthday parties and gymnastics practices. These would be allowed so long as no live music or alcohol is served. This compromise has been agreed to by the city, the two neighbors of the armory who sided with the city and the OMD. If approved, the settlement will save the city thousands of dollars of time and money preparing the brief and arguing the case before LUBA. Reports The council will hear the report on the recent Forest Lands Restoration Project. The council will also hear the recommendations on financing alternatives for Ashland Fiberoptic Network (AFN). Finally, the council will be asked to adopt a new resolution on use of the hotel-motel tax. The resolution notes that the city will, beginning in calendar year 2004-2005, appropriate 33-1/3 percent of the tax for economic and cultural development, 42.7 percent of that money to be allocated to tourism promotion. The remainder will be allocated in grants. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at the Ashland Civic Center. The meeting can also be seen on Cable Channel 9. 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