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Councilors strike planning vote on new development By Myles Murphy Ashland Daily Tidings Whether seen as an affordable housing victory or further erosion of the city's character and livability, the Ashland City Council's approval of a new development reveals looming tensions over the hot-button issues. By a 2-1 vote, the council Tuesday overturned an Ashland Planning Commission denial of a four-unit development at 916 East Main Street, with councilors Kate Jackson and Chris Hearn holding that the benefits of affordable housing in the project outweighed the possible negative impact on the surrounding neighborhood. "Some people are supportive of affordable housing, but when units are proposed in their neighborhoods, all of a sudden they become opponents." Hearn said. "I'm concerned about that." Jackson said she believes the proposal is in line with the city's goals. "We have real tough choices to make here," Jackson said, "But the proposal meets the intention of the code." The planning commission in November voted 4-3 to deny the application, with the majority believing the benefits of the project did not outweigh the impact on the neighborhood enough to grant a variance to reduce the distance between buildings. Developer Ron DeLuca plans to construct three buildings containing a total of four residences on the small East Main Street property, and was asking for the city to place them closer than usual in order to fit them all in. One unit will meet the city's affordable housing guidelines. Councilor John Morrison was the lone dissenter, noting the complex nature of the issue and his reluctance to overturn a planning commission decision. "It was an incredibly close call," Morrison said. "The planning commission was split, as we were up here. Clearly there is room to interpret either way." "I would need more compelling testimony to overturn a planning commission decision," he added. A large handful of neighbors and other residents spoke against the project, citing a lack of parking, a design incompatible with the existing neighborhood and dangerous traffic increases. "We need livable affordable housing, not substandard affordable housing," neighbor Becky Martin said. City staff had recommended the approval of the project from the beginning, having worked with DeLuca and architect Tom Giordano to make the project fit with city goals and city codes. Although he voted against the project, Morrison praised the cooperative effort. Morrison also predicted the council would be seeing an increase in cases such as this, as conflicts between affordable housing, neighborhood livability issues, traffic safety, parking, open spaces and historic preservation heat up. "Suddenly all of these goods seem to be fighting each other," Morrison said. "We may be seeing a first skirmish in affordable housing, how we establish affordable housing and where we establish affordable housing." If the proposal had been denied, two of the buildings could simply have been attached, meeting all city requirements and giving the council no basis on which to oppose it, Giordano said. The small number of councilors voting was unusual, and the addition of three missing votes could easily have shifted the balance - or made the outcome more definitive. New councilor Alex Amarotico did not vote Tuesday because he had been on the planning commission at the time of that body's vote, and it would have been inappropriate for him to have a voice in judging that decision. Amarotico had voted in the minority for approval of the project at the time. Councilor Cate Hartzell was absent, but had testified at the planning commission that she was opposed to the project. Councilor Don Laws was also absent. In other business, the council: heard new councilors Alex Amarotico, Kate Jackson and Chris Hearn, and new Parks and Recreation Commissioners Rich Rosenthal and Mike Gardiner give their oaths of office; heard Mayor Alan DeBoer's "The State of the City" address; recognized the Ashland Finance Department for securing the Government Finance Officers Association Award; confirmed the mayor's appointments of Bruce Bayard, Sharon Dvora, Richard Benson, Kip Todd, Inger Jorgensen, Arnold Kriger and Ron Demele to the newly created Public Arts Commission; David Dotterer to the Ashland Planning Commission; and, Carol Carlson to the Conservation Commission; approved first reading of an ordinance vacating three unopened alleys between Hersey Street, Helman Street and the Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad and a potion of the east-west alley between Laurel and the Central Oregon and Pacific Railroad; postponed discussion of a communications services subscription agreement with the City of Medford for 911 services; and, elected John Morrison as council chair LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. 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