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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels August 31, 2004 DeBoers offer Final proposal By Steve Zimmerman Ashland Daily Tidings Sid and Karen DeBoer want peace in the community, so they've scaled back plans for a new home on their property, opting instead for a simple addition on the side of their existing garage. "We have to live in this community," he said. "I don't like being picked on and hated. I don't think anyone does." But he's also making it clear. If this plan turns controversial, he is not backing down. "This (new) alternate requires a conditional use permit and that is what we are seeking," he said. "But if anyone appeals it or fools with it, we're building the big house. We have the permit to build that house." Despite winning the city council's approval to build an 11,000-square-foot home on an adjacent property, DeBoer approached the historic commission this month about a simple remodel and addition to his existing home. The new addition will increase the current size of the house on 234 Vista St. from 3,178 square feet to 4,061-square feet - the approved limit for house sizes in the historic district - by adding on to the garage. "Karen and I have worked hard with the city to meet the exact requirements," DeBoer said. "All we need is a conditional use permit, we don't need a variance. We are not asking for special privileges. We will meet the new ordinance that allows for a conditional use permit." DeBoer said the addition will give them the kitchen they want and help meet the needs of Karen, who suffers strokes and needs an elevator. "I have got to get a house with an elevator," he said. "I don't want to move. I like the site and I like the view." DeBoer said adding on to the existing structure, which was originally built in 1908, was the idea in its original form. "The original process was to add on 4 1/2 years ago," he said. "That is where it all started. We went to the Historic Commission to add on and it was pretty grandiose. They weren't in favor of it. So I said, 'Well if you guys will help me, I will build one up on the hill.' That came about after some talk." Those talks produced the plans to tear down an existing home on 265 Glenview Drive (part of three lots DeBoer owns next to one another) that was built in 1988 to make way for the 11,000-square foot home, though it wasn't intended to be that large. Plans for the house on the hill grew bigger and bigger, according to DeBoer. "There were levels there that forced us to add a whole floor we didn't need," he said. "In order to get our driveway up above and use the garage that is there, we needed to put our main floor up there. Then we still wanted to use the yard off the house on the ground floor without having to go down a whole bunch of steps. So we ended up with a middle floor that was more than what we needed." DeBoer still thinks it is a nice house that offered a great view. But the project was fiercely opposed by some, and strongly supported by others, in several public hearings before the planning commission and the city council. Despite getting his approval, he is willing to drop it for the new plan. The new process means starting over for DeBoer. The redesign is underway and will be ready to present to staff and the Historic Commission soon. But DeBoer will not complete the building plans until he knows he can get a permit. The redesign will involve taking out the existing swimming pool and building a new one and possibly some additional buildings on one acre of land on the property. "And we are still going to tear down the old house (at 265 Glenview Drive)," he said. "It is ugly and out of place and is an eyesore." 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