HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-25-16 DRB MinutesDesign Review Board
Wednesday, May 25, 2016, 5:30 pm, City Hall, City Commission Chambers – 121 N.
Rouse
A. Call meeting to order and Roll Call – Bill Rea calls meeting to order.
Mark Hufstetler – Present
Lessa Racow – Present
Bill Rea – Present
Mel Howe – Presents
Chris Saunders Planning Staff – Present
B. Changes to the Agenda – no changes to the agenda.
C. Public Comment – no public comment
D. 5:38:50 ‐ Action Items – Chris Saunders begins project presentation.
1. 16158 Lakes at Valley West Ph 3 Concept Plan PUD – (Saunders/Kohtz)
5600 Durston Road
Concept plan with 15 relaxations to facilitate development of phase 3, 60 lot subdivision of the Lakes at
Valley West. Mix of attached and detached housing within R‐1 district is proposed. Reduced lot sizes and
non‐standard streets are included with this project.
5:46:00 Chris Saunders completes presentation
5:46:10 Greg Stratton – states there is not presentation from applicant, but they are available for questions.
He also addresses that with regards to the smaller lots, they currently have a home in for review building
review that will fit on the smaller lots. He also states that the storm water on Durston will be underground.
He states it is an extension of the project they’ve been doing with regards to other phases.
5:47:50 Robert Lee ‐ Second applicant representative states that Chris Saunders has offered ideas on ways
to handle the requested relaxations and they are fine with those suggestions.
5:48:36 Open for questions from the board.
Mark Hufstetler states he just has a couple of quick questions. He questions if the lots size in phase 3 is
significantly different than those in phase 2. Mr Saunders states that there are a handful that are about 250
sq ft smaller than the smallest in the other phases, but that over all they are pretty similar.
5:49:30 Mr. Hufstetler questions access easements and pedestrian connectivity. Mr. Saunders responds with
speculation and applicant responds that there will be pedestrian connectivity and its purpose. In addition he
addresses open space for snow storage.
5:51:29 Melvin Howe states that there is a request for a 25ft front yard widths on the lots and asks for
clarification. Applicant responds that if they went to a lot width that small, it would be a duplex with zero lot
line on one side. Mr. Howe confirms that all other setbacks would apply. Applicant responds that yes, all
other setbacks would apply. Further conversation about how to require duplexes on those sites between
Mr. Howe and Applicant.
5:53:46 Mr. Rea questions if there would be design guidelines on individual lots. Applicant responds that is
the case – especially for some smaller lots.
Mr. Rea questions lot 27 and its access. Applicant responds that it is land locked, but an easement will be
provided, with a driveway installed.
5:55:45 Mr. Rea questions the unzoned area to the West. Mr. Saunders responds that it is county land and
that’s why it is not zoned. Discussion continues regarding conservation easements nearby.
5:57:18 Chris Saunders states that this is just a concept review, so there is no formal recommendation
required, this meeting was intended for formal comment from the board.
5:57:47 Mark Hufstetler states it’s a project we’ve discussed in the past and that there are no additional
comments for this phase. He feels it will be interested to see how this will play out with the smaller lot sizes.
He hopes they will continue their design philosophy in future phases. He also addresses access from Durston
to the property. He states he’s happy to see it moving forward.
5:59:20 Lessa Racow states that she’s concerned that the woonerfs have not been approved yet and they
are approving the project based on that. With the specific design of the woonerf, she’s a little disappointed
with the layout. She states she is still concerned about parking and the reduced lot size with regards to
parking.
6:01:40 Melvin Howe questions what a woonerf is and what it looks like according to the city. Mr. Saunders
responds with what it is defined as: a narrower right of way that allows pedestrian and vehicle to have equal
right of way and slows vehicle. Less likely to have a raised curb, but a flush sidewalk. Mr. Howe questions the
success of previous woonerfs. Mr. Saudners said they are in the first construction season since their
approval, and so they are just now seeing how they play out. Mr. Howe states that in other areas, they are a
little more traffic calming with more interchange between pedestrians, cars and bikes, but until he sees it
built here, he’s not sure if his vision of it will play out. He questions how you calm vehicle speed without
something physical. Applicant states that the first phases have them built, so he can go check them out. Mr.
Howe states that he went out there, but didn’t see anything that looked like a woonerf. Applicant responds.
6:06:45 Mr. Howe questions the location of them to go out and look again. Applicant and Mr. Saunders
indicate where the existing woonerfs are. Discussion continues regarding existing construction.
Applicant responds to Lessa Racow’s comment regarding missing open space, stating that they are hoping to
bring them back where they can.
6:09:10 Mr. Rea states that he doesn’t have anything to add and appreciates the applicant coming to the
board.
6:09:35 Mr. Hufstetler states that this could have been implemented in a better area that is more pedestrian
friendly. He states that he would like to see more of this closer to down town.
Mr. Saunders responded that the City is currently working on a Cottage Housing Ordinance which can help
to bring more creative design option to infill properties. He also provided information on dates when it will
be presented to the public and City Commission.
Mr. Hufstetler states that without knowing details, he think it could be great. Less Racow states that she
agrees with Mark Hufstetler that this type of project would be great downtown
E. FYI/Discussion – no FYI/Discussion
F. Adjournment – Bill Rea closes the meeting at 6:12:50
For more information please contact Alicia Kennedy at akennedy@bozeman.net
This board generally meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 5:30pm
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