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Views vary widely on house sizes By Myles Murphy Ashland Daily Tidings A proposed ordinance limiting house sizes in the city's historic districts will go to the Ashland Planning Commission for a vote, but it has been softened somewhat through recent public discussion. "The ordinance would deal with the very largest of the houses (proposed in the historic neighborhoods)," Planning Director John McLaughlin said at a joint gathering of the Ashland Planning and Historic commissions Tuesday night. "The majority � would generally not be impacted." Sid DeBoer (left) smiles as he listens to opponents of an ordinance to limit house sizes as fellow opponents Jed Meese and Doug Neuman look on at Tuesday's meeting Ashland Daily Tidings/DENISE BARATTA The ordinance has been percolating for more than a year since it was first introduced, and close to 70 residents filled the Ashland City Council chambers Tuesday for the fourth large public discussion on the changes. The basis of the ordinance is a formula which takes into account the lot size, a certain permitted floor area per lot size, and an "adjustment factor" which shrinks as the lot sizes increase, forcing homes to be smaller than presently allowed. Recent changes include a larger allowed floor area, and a conditional use permit process to expand a home beyond the allowed size. The meeting brought out some of the most well-heeled residents in the city to rail against the ordinance. Jed Meese - often in the news for making large donations to local projects - said the ordinance is unnecessary. "Current regulations are more than adequate," Meese said. "Table this and let's move on to something that's important." Developer Doug Neuman predicted the ordinance would force builders to find loopholes, which could have unintended consequences. "We're just creating another situation where we'd have to create another ordinance later," Neuman said. Sid DeBoer, chairman and chief executive officer of Medford-base Lithia Inc. - and brother of Ashland Mayor Alan DeBoer - earlier this month sent out 1,500 postcards to historic district residents warning of the ordinance. DeBoer is the focus of a community controversy over his plans to build at least one large home - up to 12,000 square feet - on Glenview Drive in Ashland's Siskiyou-Hargadine Historic District, which triggered the movement to create the ordinance. However, DeBoer's pre-emptive strike against the ordinance seemed to have a desired effect Tuesday, as speaker after speaker stood up to say new rules aren't needed and would be an infringement of owners' rights - most being answered by applause from others in the audience. "This ordinance is not need-based," Tawny Bemis said. "It's based on fear of change." Vista Street resident Chris Adderson said putting a lid on sizes would encourage monotony in the neighborhoods. "Ashland is not an average city," Adderson said. "Some things about us can be different." But support for backers of the ordinance was strong. Tree Commissioner and consistent planning process critic Bryan Holley got a rousing cheer after making an impassioned plea in favor of the ordinance. Holly argued that there are times the public good outweighs individual liberty, and that Ashland is at a critical juncture. "You're watching tonight the power of money and private property rights and we know it is sometimes OK to defer some of our individual rights," Holley said. "When a private citizen sends out 1,500 cards to sway public opinion, we are at a cultural turning point in our community." McLaughlin explained the logic behind the ordinance, describing a pattern of smaller historic homes torn down or moved and lots being combined to build larger homes. "As those steps go on, the (historic) district itself loses the values that made it what it was," McLaughlin said. Ashland Historian George Kramer, who has led the charge on the issue from the beginning, argued that this was not just a philosophical debate, and that historic buildings are in very real danger without an ordinance. "There is a trend in this town," Kramer said, pointing at Sid DeBoer's plans for one - and possibly two - new large homes in historic neighborhoods. "I don't think all these (anti-limit) people would be here if there wasn't." Even if approved swiftly, the ordinance would be instituted too late to impact DeBoer's latest plans. He has applied for permits to construct a 12,000-square-foot residence at 265 Glenview Drive, and has purchased a 15,246-square-foot lot at 99 Granite St. to develop. DeBoer said Tuesday he might divide the Granite Street property and build two homes there. Either way, he said he's confident the ordinance will not be an issue. "I didn't buy that property to rush it in there," DeBoer said. Kramer said the large homes would be out of character with the historic area. An inventory of house sizes in historic neighborhoods shows that DeBoer's new house will be three times larger than any other house in the neighborhood, and six times larger than the average historic home in the city. DeBoer echoed previous statements he has made on the topic, suggesting that part of the reasoning behind the ordinance is based on class warfare rather than a concern for historic districts. "To have others define our needs I find to be very prejudiced," DeBoer said. But DeBoer also said he understands the push for limits, and recommended the ordinance - if it is approved - allow more leeway on size, height the building of additions. "If (existing ordinances) are not adequate, then we should make the ordinance as expansive as you can. We should create as little conflict as possible for the people in this town." The historic commission will look at the matter when it meets Aug. 6, and the Planning Commission will likely vote on it Aug. 12. The Ashland City Council could make a final decision on the ordinance as early as September. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -