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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTIF Minutes 7-15/ Downtown Tax Increment Finance Board Meeting Minutes July 21, 2015 Attending: Bobby Bear, Bob Hietala, Vonda Laird, Bill Stoddart, Carson Taylor, Chris Naumann Absent: Bob Lashaway, Shannon Haish, Tom Thorpe Public Comments: None Disclosure: None Minutes ACT ION: Bill Stoddart moved to approve the June minutes as presented. Bob Hietala seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Financial Report Chris presented the finance report as of June 30, 2015—the end of the fiscal year. The most recent expenses included: $23,763 for the fiber network design; and $22,050 for the continuing streetscape engineering. Chris said he would not have the final year-end revenue figures until August or even September. The board had no other questions regarding the finance report. Executive Director’s Report Technical Assistance Program Update No grants have been awarded in FY2016. This chart lists grants that were awarded in FY2015. Keep in mind that the committed grant amounts are only tentative since the actual reimbursement amount will be determined as a one to one match upon completion of the grant work. As a reminder, the Planning grants have a $7500 cap and the Façade grants are capped at $3000. Bold listings indicate completed. FY2015 Downtown Technical Assistance Program        Project Name Project Address Applicant Professional Grant Type  101 E Mendenhall 101 E Mendenhall Liane Johnson Intrinsik Planning  Owenhouse Bike Shop 25 South Black Eric Bowman Focus Planning  39 North Rouse 39 North Rouse SC Group Intrinsik Plannin g  101 North Rouse 101 North Rouse 101 Rouse LLC Intrinsik Planning  22 South Grand 22 South Grand HWW, LLS ThinkTank Planning   Building Project Updates 5 West Building (northwest corner of Mendenhall and Tracy) is planning to begin demolition during the third week of August with excavation and construction beginning in September. Etha Hotel (old Armory building) is planning to begin construction this month. The encroachment permit for the site is pending proper insurance. Dutton Building (131 West Main--corner of Grand and Main) is mostly complete. Shirtworks, the anchor tenant, opened two weeks ago. The other two ground floor commercial spaces are leased. The second floor office space is in negotiations. Block M Residences (on Lamme between Black & Tracy) Construction of Phase 2—8 additional units—has begun and should be completed early Fall of 2015. Element Hotel (at old Kenyon Noble site): Projecting to open in August 2015. Downtown Parking Updates After receiving 5 responses to the Downtown Bozeman Comprehensive Parking Plan RFP and interviewing 4 firms, Rick Williams Consultants of Portland was selected. We are currently finalizing the scope of services and contract. RWC should begin in August and deliver a final plan in January 2016. The Downtown Parking Lot Redesign Project continues to progress. We will look at renderings and perspectives at our August meeting. The Parking Commission and Western Transportation Institute released the third Downtown Parking Study. The study can be found at: http://www.bozeman.net/Smarty/media/Parking_Media/Reports/2014-BZN-Parking-Report-FINAL.pdf Discussion and Decision Items Special Presentation: Bozeman Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District Analysis Pat Jacobs, ARCH-trio/KLJ Consulting Chris introduced Pat as one member of the consulting team which was retained by the Community Development Department to analyze the NCOD and recommend possible revisions. Pat’s presentation is included as an attachment to these minutes. The general discussion focused on the fact that while the NCOD accomplished its original intent it fails to address the wide spectrum of neighborhoods and land uses especially in periods of intense redevelopment. The board agreed that districts such as downtown which have their own “master plans” should develop unique design guidelines that would facilitate achieving those objectives. The board agreed that the NCOD is inhibiting some types of development that are prescribed by the Downtown Improvement Plan. The board suggested that Chris prepare formal written comments perhaps in conjunction with the BID board to submit to the consultants. BSD7 Willson School Parking Lot Expansion Chris presented a request (attached below) from Steve Johnson, Deputy Superintendent of BSD7, for TIF funding to assist with the expansion of the parking lot at the Willson School. Chris reviewed the provided site plan showing the expansion of the current parking lot to the north towards Main Street. The request for $7500 was specific to the landscaping that will screen the parking lot from Main Street. The board asked a few questions about the landscaping plan and after some discussion decided to deny the request in anticipation of assisting with the recently announced plans to significantly expand Hawthorne Elementary School. The board asked Chris to inform Mr. Johnson of their decision. Appointment of Board Officers The board agreed to table this action until the August meeting. See no new or old business; Bobby adjourned the meeting at 1:05pm Date: 7/17/2015 To: Bozeman Downtown TIF and BID Members Copy to: Courtney Kramer; Pat Jacobs From: John How, Project Manager RE: NCOD Evaluation NCOD Background The City of Bozeman is evaluating the regulatory component of our community’s historic preservation program. Established in 1991, the City’s Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD) is a locally- adopted zoning district that prioritizes conservation of neighborhood character and preservation of historic properties. The City seeks to understand how the NCOD affects historic preservation, density, affordability and infill development. But how was the NCOD created and what was it intended to do? The stated purpose of the NCOD is to “stimulate the restoration and rehabilitation of structures, and all other elements contributing to the character and fabric of established residential neighborhoods and commercial or industrial areas.” In many regards, the NCOD was envisioned as an incubator for future historic districts. However, the NCOD also states “new construction will be invited and encouraged provided primary emphasis is given to the preservation of existing buildings and further provided the design of such new space enhances and contributes to the aesthetic character and function of the property and the surrounding neighborhood or area. Contemporary design will be encouraged, provided it is in keeping with the above-stated criteria, as an acknowledged fact of the continuing developmental pattern of a dynamic, changing community.” Efforts to preserve historic neighborhoods began in Bozeman in the late 1970’s with the South Willson Avenue Protective Association. “Residents realized that heavy traffic on the street plus needs to expand the central business district could erode their neighborhood,” noted the 1978 South Willson Avenue Historic District nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. In light of citizen interest in historic preservation, the City of Bozeman partnered with the Montana State Historic Preservation Office to conduct a large-scale survey to identify historic properties in 1984. The City followed up on this effort in 1986 and 1987, by nominating eight historic districts and fifty individual properties to the National Register of Historic Places. Zoning on these properties ranged from high to low density residential, commercial, industrial and mixed-use. At the community’s behest, the 1991 zoning code included a large-scale zoning overlay district known as the NCOD, which is what currently exists. Project Overview KLJ and Architecture Trio are currently evaluating the NCOD and its effects on affordable housing, historic preservation and infill development as well as analyzing what elements – COA process, design guidelines, NCOD boundary, etc. – need refinement. To date, KLJ has conducted two public input meetings, interviewed approximately 12 stakeholders and researched best practices from six communities across the Mountain West: Santa Fe, NM; Portland, OR; Austin, TX; Spokane, WA; Salt Lake City, UT; and Fort Collins, CO. Our goal is to discuss the following five questions to ascertain board members’ comments regarding the NCOD and to use your ideas to formulate our recommendations to city staff. Please identify the top two or three items for each question below and be prepared to discuss them at the meetings next week. A map showing the NCOD is provided for your reference. Contact Pat Jacob’s with any questions or comments as she will be leading the meeting; I will be on vacation all next week. Pat’s contact information is provided. Thank you for your time and efforts; we sincerely appreciate your input. Questions 1. What works well within the NCOD? What elements would you prefer to keep? 2. What needs to be refined, changed or eliminated within the NCOD? E.g. boundary, design guidelines, COA process, parking, setbacks, etc. 3. What, if any, specific design guidelines need to be addressed? 4. If the NCOD were to be eliminated, what would replace it, if anything? 5. What incentives, if any, should be used within the NCOD to encourage affordable housing, infill development and historic preservation? Presented by: Pat Jacobs Email: pat@archtrio.com Mobile: 317-418-6933 Office: 317-917-9042 Sincerely, John How, AICP 406-548-5667 Cell 406-582-6220 Direct 1982 Stadium Dr, Suite 3 Bozeman, MT 59715 ********************************************************* To the Downtown Tax Increment Board:  The sale of the East Willson Building coupled with the renovation of the Willson Auditorium has put added pressure on the parking at Willson School.  Because of this, we are planning to expand the parking lot on the west side of the Willson building.  In order to maximise the number of parking spaces, we are seeking an exemption to three City of Bozeman requirements. Specifically: 1. Section 38.26.050.C.c , as one parking stall of the 46-stall lot does not have a tree within 90 feet 2. Section 38.26.050.C.e requiring 20 SF of landscape area within the parking lot for each off-street parking stall for the proposed 46-stall 3. Section 38.26.050.C.e.2, as the proposed design exceeds the required 100-ft maximum of unbroken parking rows by 12 feet. We do plan to comply with the landscaping requirements for the south 5th Avenue and Main Street frontage of the parking lot per the attached plans. We are requesting a Downtown TIF grant in the amount of $7,500 to allow us to add additional landscaping from the northwest corner of the building to the east end of the main street landscaping.  This is beyond the City requirement but we feel it would be a beneficial enhancement in light of the requested exemptions.  Thank you for your consideration. Steve Johnson  Steve Johnson, Deputy Superintendent Operations Bozeman Public Schools PO Box 520 Bozeman, MT 59715 406-522-6042