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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW WE hosts monthly community meal ... Ashland-area resident running for Congress ... Ashland police seek suspect in armed robbery ... WE hosts monthly community meal ... Ashland-area resident running for Congress ... Ashland police seek suspect in armed robbery ... CITY OF ASHLAND Large house approved next to Ashland ice rink Member of the DeBoer family plans nearly 3,000-square-foot home on former cafe site Comment By Julie Akins For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Feb. 25, 2016 at 2:00 AM By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Feb. 25, 2016 at 2:00 AM » Social News Heading along Winburn Way in Ashland across from Lithia Park you will see mostly city buildings — the Community Development offices, Community Center and Pioneer Hall. But right next to the winter ice skating rink at 85 Winburn Way is a squat concrete-looking structure that’s been everything from an ice cream place to the vegetarian cafe “Namaste.” It was also site of a proposed shopping and office structure that never happened. Soon, it will be none of those things. The city of Ashland Historic and Planning commissions have instead approved a single family residence that will become the home of Bryan DeBoer, chief executive officer of Lithia Motors. Architect Carlos Delgado says, “It was a challenge on how to make a transition, how to take that area from city buildings into residential.” But the plans have been drawn up for a 2,926-square-foot home, plus a basement and garage. The city approved hillside lands improvement and the cutting of 18 trees on the lot to build the home. “I always think about that, feel bad about trees being cut," Delgado said. "But with the hillside and the home it wouldn’t be possible another way. Even if they tried, those trees would get crowded and probably die.” DeBoer, who describes working alongside his grandfather, who was one of the original gardeners of Lithia Park, says, “I grew up planting trees in the park.” He plans to bring in mature trees so that they look “like they were always there.” DeBoer says the two largest oak trees on the property are already dead and need to be removed. Delgado says the plan is to re-plant bigger trees “than most people would in that situation” and mitigate concerns about vegetation and possible slides on the property and neighboring lots. “(DeBoer) was concerned with hillside shoring, so he’s bringing in experts from Portland to make sure,” Delgado said. While the area is not typically thought of as single-family residential, city of Ashland Senior Planner Brandon Goldman says, “The whole block, all the way to the ice skating rink, is zoned for single-family homes.” In 2010 the Ashland City Council approved a commercial zoning change to allow a project which combined offices and a shopping area, but demanded the builder create parking in town to offset the greater need from such a building. It never wound up getting built, so the property stayed single family residential. There’s no plan to buy more property or build on the city parking lot and ice rink, according to Delgado. The city planner confirmed there are no such plans currently. As to neighbors who might be affected behind the property, “It meets all the height requirements and there were not any objections raised,” says Goldman. When asked why the DeBoer family would want to live on such a busy street near public buildings and parking, Delgado says, “We’ve been asked that question a lot in this past year. The family wanted something in an urban setting that also fits in. That was the challenge to make it fit. But we think we’ve done it. ... The family has a long and touching history with Ashland. The parents and grandparents have a history with Ashland and now Bryan wants to move back.” DeBoer confirms, “Our main reason is we want to move back home.” He moved to Medford when he was 6. “We want to spend our last decades there and eventually retire in the home.” Delgado describes the design as “Mid-Century Modern.” He says it feels “long-lasting without looking like a public building.” “It’ll be a nice project. We look forward to living in Ashland, being involved in the community,” says DeBoer. The DeBoer home was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission on Dec. 8. Delgado says they plan on tearing down the structure currently on the property and begin building the home, “over the summer or in the fall.” Email Ashland freelance writer Julie Akins at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ @julieakins. By Julie Akins For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Feb. 25, 2016 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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