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SUNNY Temp: 53 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, November 21, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 18, 2002 Foundation for compromise Owners will remodel, not tear down, home at Ashland site By TONY BOOM Mail Tribune ASHLAND — A 3,400-square-foot home that was a center of controversy when it was approved for demolition earlier this year is being remodeled instead. Owners Hughlee and Carolyn Askar of London, who will live in the home, elected to remodel the 36-year-old house at 439 Terrace St., rather than build a larger one recommended by architects. Their decision was prompted by ill feelings in the community about tearing down the structure and its gardens. "To us it was horrific to hear that the place should be demolished," said Carolyn Askar. "We just don’t do that sort of thing in England." Planning Commissioner Colin Swales appealed the city’s approval to demolish the home in March. The appeal was rejected. The home does not fall under historic guidelines that might have prevented demolition. Askar said the couple was reconsidering the action even as it gained approval. "I don’t think the appeal really influenced us. We also hated that any bad will was put around and that our names appeared in the newspaper under any pretense," said Askar. "We didn’t want to do anything that the community didn’t like, anyway." Those who questioned the demolition are pleased with the outcome. "I’m relieved to see that we are not filling the landfill with $300,000 worth of house," said Swales. "I’m delighted," said Joanne Krippaehne, a neighbor and member of the city’s historic and conservation commissions. "I love to see our resources conserved. It’s a very good outcome." Askar worked with designer Doyle Brightenburgh to accommodate the couple’s wishes in the space available. OgdenKistler Architecture of Medford had designed a 4,322-square-foot replacement house and represented the couple at Swales’ appeal. The house sits above Lithia Park. "They went through a bunch of stuff in trying to decide what to do. It was mostly emotional," said Sean Downey, the remodel contractor. "They were just going to work with what’s there. Mostly what is there is pretty outmoded and poorly constructed." Remodeling costs likely will be just 10 percent less than new construction, according to Downey. "Remodeling, you just end up with a lot of unexpected costs," said Downey, explaining the small price difference. The house was totally gutted, leaving only the frame, foundation, block walls and roof. New windows, doors, plumbing and wiring have been installed. Interior drywall installation was under way Monday. New siding will cover the walls. New rock will be put on the fireplace chimney on the home’s exterior. Downey was concerned about the unreinforced first floor’s masonry construction and its ability to withstand an earthquake. The block will be covered with insulation, 2-x-4s and then plywood, which will provide some additional resistance, he said. The work likely will be completed in December or January. "We come here as much as we can," said Carolyn Askar. "It will hopefully be a place where our family and friends can come, too. We bought the place because we absolutely adore the setting and the gardens." Officials push for recycling of demolition waste products The house at 439 Terrace Street in Ashland didn’t add more materials to landfills when the owners decided to remodel. But city officials would like to see more waste from building demolitions recycled. The City Council will consider a plan on Oct. 1 that would recycle at least 50 percent of the normal waste from demolitions. The joint demolition appeal committee and building appeals board proposal would modify the current demolition ordinance. Under the proposal, seven categories of waste would trigger requirement for recycling whenever the waste exceed more than 1 cubic yard. Current rules call for contractors to present a plan on how they will recycle materials. Building officials would like to see more objective standards. "We have subjective criteria," said John Fields, a member of the board. "Come up with a recycling plan and we’ll tell you if we approve it, versus here’s what you have to do." Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S