At a special meeting of Ashland’s Planning Commission on Tuesday, Oct. 22, the lengthy process of implementing a state program to designate Climate Friendly Areas (CFAs) for future development came into sharper focus, with some surprises and a little controversy.
The ad hoc committee created to shape the future of the 2200 Ashland St. property spent the last two weeks folding public opinion into its steadily evolving recommendations as the committee prepares to bring a master plan to Ashland City Council by mid-November.
Carrie Dahle: Ashland is seeing a 36.6% increase in homes for sale compared to last year. This increase is remarkable, reflecting a stronger winter inventory than usual.
The public is invited to attend a meeting to gather input and suggestions for the plans being developed by the 2200 Ashland St. committee for the building’s future, according to a release from the city of Ashland. The 2200 Ashland St. Master Plan Forum is set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Ashland Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 87 4th St., Ashland.
A elevator at Ashley Senior Center Apartments in Ashland remained out of service Wednesday. Rep. Pam Marsh said she looked into some form of aid to help residents temporarily relocate but, she said, “People want to stay in their homes.”
An elevator maintenance project has left a number of disabled seniors feeling trapped on the second and third floors at the Ashley Senior Center Apartments on Siskiyou Boulevard for nearly a month. “Most people can struggle in and out of the building, but I know of two people who absolutely cannot get out,” said one resident who was willing to speak for the group by phone.
Facing an end-of-year deadline to choose and zone specific Ashland areas where mixed-use, pedestrian friendly development is encouraged, the city of Ashland will host a public open house and presentation from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, in the Siskiyou Room of the Community Development Building at 51 Winburn Way to receive public feedback.
Cass Sinclair will be leaving her role as executive director of nonprofit Opportunities for Housing, Resources & Assistance to “pursue a new career opportunity,” according to a message sent to OHRA supporters and signed by Board President Cathy Gerbracht on Tuesday.
In the chill, weak sunlight of early morning Monday, around a dozen people moved steadily through their daily process of taking down tents and packing away belongings on the patch of lawn behind the city police station that serves as the city of Ashland’s dusk-to-dawn sleeping area, a designated area where it’s OK to sleep overnight. But Monday, Aug. 26, marked the end of the city’s allowing the stashing of possessions moved off the lawn and onto a strip of lawn near East Main Street.
At a half circle of folding tables in the 2200 Ashland St. building Wednesday, members of an ad hoc committee set up to discuss the property’s best use met to whittle down a list of possible ideas for the property’s future. They wrestled with finding a compromise that holds in balance the needs of all Ashland residents while answering to restrictions such as building codes and available funding.
As of Nov. 3, Ashland Community Food Bank has a new director at the reins. Catie Mahoney will serve in the role with guidance from outgoing director Amey Broeker, who will officially retire on Dec. 31 after serving in the food bank role since 2022.
The Ashland City Council will review a proposal from a potential provider to oversee its extreme weather shelter during its regular business meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
The Ashland Independent Film Festival has added a second screening showcasing Indigenous filmmakers on Sunday, Nov. 23.
Three and a half years into the war with Russia, Ashland violinist and longtime music teacher Faina Podolnaya is still finding ways to help Ukrainian refugees.
Herbert Rothschild: As the number of ads in The New Yorker has shrunk, it seems as if the wealth of its readership has concentrated, just as one might concentrate the flavor of a sauce by reducing it on the stovetop.
Local artist MaryAnn Shank will share the thoughts behind her newest novel “Sor Juana, My Beloved” at Bloomsbury Books Jan. 26. Shank is a finalist of The Isabel Allende Most Inspirational Book of the Year 2025 award, awarded by the International Latino Book Association.
(It’s free)
