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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 March 10, 2004 Creekside approval The big alder is another step closer to coming down. By a 7-1 vote, with Colin Swales casting the lone dissenting vote, the Ashland Planning Commission approved the building of a 7,700-square-foot, mixed-use building at 88 N. Main St. Developer Lloyd Haines is constructing the building. City planning commissioners have approved the removal of an alder tree behind the Ashland Creek Bar & Grill to make way for a new mixed-use project that will create an art walk and creekside paths along Ashland Creek. Denise Baratta Ashland Daily Tidings Three issues went into the decision before the planning commission: approval of a physical constraints permit, a tree removal permit to remove an alder tree and the approval of a site review. The approval came with revisions from the commission, and agreed to by Haines. Among the revisions is agreement by Haines to plant a tree or trees to replace the alder tree and a modification to the original plans regarding the top two floors. With the revisions, the square footage of the building will decrease from 8,325 square feet to approximately 7,700 square feet. Senior City Planner Bill Molnar said Haines plans other improvements to the area. Those improvements include a redesign of the pedestrian bridge around the site, replanting on the creek bed and the possible creation of an art walk and creek walk area. Haines was understandably pleased with the commission's vote. He is hoping to begin construction in the fall but is still aware that the process might not be complete. "The decision can still be appealed," he noted. "If it is appealed, it will be appealed to the city council and we will have another hearing just like the one we sat through tonight. If that decision gets appealed, it will be appealed to LUBA (the Land Use Board of Appeals)." Bryan Holley, Tree Commission member and local activist, spoke in opposition to the project in his capacity of local activist. After the meeting, he gave the commission credit for making a very difficult decision. "I think they did the best they could under the circumstances," he explained. "But we are continuing the debate, the values debate about the protection of trees versus private property rights." Holley also expressed concern that there is already empty retail space in town, pointing to three empty buildings at the intersection of Siskiyou and Walker. Commissioners Russ Chapman, Marilyn Briggs, John Fields, Ray Kistler, David Dotterrer, Mike Morris and Kerry Kencairn voted in favor of the project. Swales said he could not vote for the project until all avenues were exhausted to save the tree. He also expressed concern about whether the building should fall under the city's new "big box" ordinance. He was concerned most about the building that sits just south of where the new structure will be built. "I think this should come under the large-scale development ordinance," he said. "If we take this as precedent, then a developer could take a lot and build a 9,999-square-foot building and then buy a lot right next to it and build another 9,999 square foot building." Other commissioners rejected that argument and noted that sometimes the balancing act between the environment and progress can be a tenuous one. "The city's commitment to saving trees is well-known," Chapman said. "But I think the new building will be an attractive addition to the downtown area. Plus the historic commission has signed off on the project so I will vote in favor of the project." Citizen comment was evenly split between those is favor of the project and those opposed. Jack Hardesty and Skip Andrew spoke in favor of the project. "I reviewed the plan and feel it will be a desired plus to the area," Hardesty noted. "It will definitely improve a nondescript area." "I used to live in the north end of town and the place I could walk there was Glen Vista Estates," Andrew said. Glen Vista Estates and Bluebird Park were both built by Lloyd Haines. "As most of you know, I oppose most development in this town and I am a knee-jerk liberal when it comes to tree removal. I moved to Scenic (Drive) so I could walk downtown and I am absolutely enamored with the idea that this new building will give us a new way to see the city." Cyndi Dion works on the Plaza and is opposed to the building. She voiced two concerns about the project. "I am concerned about the fact the project is set so close to the Ashland Creek riparian corridor," she said. "And, if it is necessary that the tree be removed, I feel the mitigation should be that another tree of equal size or girth be planted, especially creekside." But in the end, it came down to the recommendation of the city staff. With the changes agreed to by Haines, staff recommended approval and the commission agreed. 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