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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us May 11, 2005 Planning commission delays decision on Northlight project By John Darling Tidings Correspondent After scathing comments from nearby residents and a solid sales job by developers, the city planning commission ran out of time Tuesday night and put off deliberations and decision on the biggest downtown development ever proposed — the three-story, 75,000-square-foot Northlight office-residential complex. Seeming to lean toward the project, commissioners on a straw vote (6-3) said they were OK with the main stumbling block, a variance allowing a 25-foot wide pedestrian walkway, instead of the required 40-feet, between the two huge buildings facing Lithia Way — where Copeland Lumber and Tempest Court are now. The developers, Evan Archerd, Hal Dresner and Russ Dale, were given another seven days to submit rebuttal to many opposed residents, with deliberation and a probable decision set for 7 p.m., May 24 in the council chambers. Many residents blasted the project, saying it would cram streets in the adjacent Railroad District neighborhood, choke parking lots, gobble energy and, because of its glass walls and huge volume, would trash Ashland’s small town charm. “I’m sort of stunned. How does this happen, where have I been, that you could possibly consider this massive block of glass and stucco, what with the traffic and parking mess we already have?” asked Mary Roberts, a Fifth Street resident. “I don’t feel it’s in line with our town, and I’m frankly appalled.” Developers pointed out several esteemed town structures built on a large scale — Lithia Springs Hotel, the Swedenburg House, the Historic Armory — prompting resident Bill Street to argue that applicants, rather than trying to meet design standards, were seeking exceptions to justify violating the standards, including the 40-foot walkway requirement. “The design standards are in very clear language, with no ambiguity, but the applicants say again and again they’re complying. If they are, then (when there are objections) why do they keep modifying it?” said Street. He faulted the two main structures — 29,095 and 35,770 square feet — for presenting large “glass bands” on the north wall, lacking solar collectors and failing to meet a required 20-foot setback from the street. Commissioners said little, but one, Russ Chapman signaled displeasure at applicants for “not showing flexibility when there is no demonstrable difficulty in meeting it,” referring to the design standard requiring the 40-foot separation of buildings. Commissioner Olena Black commented, “It’s going to be a very imposing building in the downtown core.” She added she would prefer it try to blend with the 1890s look of the Plaza. Speaking for developers, historian George Kramer responded that attempts at replicating that era “look false.” Resident John Gaffey pointed out, the structures are within the 40,000-square foot limit allowed in that zone (commercial C-1) and, “It’s time to realize the town is growing and we need commercial buildings. If it’s a legal business, it’s not for you to decide (against it). I hope the town lets up a little and starts having a little fun with its architecture.” Since the two buildings share a common foundation and underground parking, said Eric Navickas, they should be considered as one building that exceeds code. B Street resident Lynne Gallagher said, “It’s an incredible stretch to say these big ugly boxes are appropriate for Ashland.” Kramer said the project and its controversial glassy and curvaceous Moderne architecture passed muster in four trips to the city Historic Commission — and that any pedestrian breezeway wider than the proposed 25 feet would impose a “break in continuity.” Developer Archerd said his team heeded historic commission and other inputs and “broke up the planes” (large, flat surfaces) on the structure, replaced much stucco with earth tones and shingles and moved the corner building’s entrance to the walkway, rather than across from the post office on First Street. “This project has had more public input than any project,” said Archerd, adding that he took exception to witnesses “impugning” Dresner and him — they’ve lived here 20 and 35 years — with suggestions they aren’t part of the history of Ashland. Resident Susanne Krieg of Meade Street, a great-granddaughter of pioneer Jacob Wagner (namesake of Wagner Butte and Wagner Creek) had praised the simplicity and beauty of the Ashland of past decades, adding the Northlight project, along with school closures, “snooty yuppies and cutesy shops that kowtow to tourists” are changes she can’t accept. Dr. Sue DeMarinis, who had a clinic for many years on B Street, said in a letter that the project should be downsized, as it would enormously increase traffic and harm the residential feel of B Street — this by feeding traffic onto First Street, rather than the main artery, Lithia Way. Resident Steve Sirianni, a self-acknowledged refugee from small towns that got overrun with development, agreed, saying traffic would choke Oak Street as well. Megan Mitchell of adjacent Pioneer Street, said she has information showing the project would generate almost twice the traffic estimated, especially with it housing a medical complex (oncology clinic), as such businesses are traffic intensive. The meeting was presided over by John Fields, the commission’s new chair who was unanimously elected Tuesday night. 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