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69 °F Forecast | Road Cams Tuesday, May 24, 2005 Today's News | Shop Our Valley | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery | Contact Us SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Biz Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend May 12, 2005 Northlight project detailed, debated, delayed Planners put off vote on large-scale Ashland development as public comment grows tense By JOHN DARLING for the Mail Tribune ASHLAND — After scathing public comments and a solid pitch by developers, the city planning commission ran out of time and delayed a decision on the biggest downtown development ever proposed — the three-story, 63,000-square-foot Northlight commercial and residential complex. Appearing to support the project, commissioners on a straw vote (6-3) said they could see past the main stumbling block: a required variance for a 25-foot wide walkway, instead of the required 40 feet, between the two largest buildings facing Lithia Way — where Copeland Lumber and Tempest Court are now. Developers Evan Archerd, Hal Dresner and Russ Dale were given another seven days to submit rebuttals to opposing arguments, with deliberation and probable decision set for 7 p.m., May 24, in council chambers. Many neighbors blasted the project, saying it would create traffic and parking headaches and 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 resident of Fifth Street. "I don’t feel it’s in line with our town, and I’m frankly appalled." Advertisement Developers pointed out several town structures built on a large scale — Lithia Springs Hotel, the Swedenburg House, the Historic Armory. Commissioners said little; Russ Chapman voiced displeasure at developers "not showing flexibility when there is no demonstrable difficulty in meeting it." Commissioner Olena Black said she would prefer the buildings look more like the Plaza’s 1890s designs. But historian George Kramer, speaking for the developers, said attempts at replicating that "look false." Resident John Gaffey pointed out that the structures are within the size limit allowed in the area 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." But since the two buildings share a common foundation and underground parking, argued Eric Navickas, they should be considered as one building that exceeds the maximum building size. Kramer said the project — and its controversial glassy and curvaceous Moderne architecture — passed muster in four trips to the city’s Historic Commission — and that a breezeway wider than the proposed 25 feet would break the design’s "continuity." Developer Archerd said his team has heeded Historic Commission and public concerns and made many changes already. "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, respectively — 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. John Darling is a freelance writer living in Ashland. E-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Free Music Downloads Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg diamonds Distance Education Diamonds Online Poker Auto Insurance Mesothelioma Slippers Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation teleconferencing Website Design & Marketing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Mortgage Calculator Free Home-Loan Referrals Payday Loans Advertisement s