HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-13-16 DRB MinutesDesign Review Board
Wednesday, July 13, 2016, 5:30 pm, City Hall, City Commission Chambers – 121 N.
Rouse
A. Call meeting to order and Roll Call
Bill Rea – Present
Lessa Racow ‐ Present
B. Changes to the Agenda
Recording does not begin until they are into public comment
C. 05:39:49 PM (00:00:01) Public Comment
Discussion with board and public commenter regarding traffic. Board lets commenter know that his concerns will be
addressed during the public comment.
05:42:19 PM (00:02:31) Sarah Morgan Edwards – requests a safe environment for kids to be able to walk around the
Heebs area. There is a daycare and kids frequently on bikes.
D. 05:44:13 PM (00:04:25)Action Items
1. 05:44:16 PM (00:04:28) 16184 Bozeman Gateway Site B (Rice / Kohtz)
1040 and 1060 Fowler Avenue
A site plan for the construction of a +/‐21,000 square foot commercial building with drive through uses and
associated site improvements on two lots within the Bozeman Gateway Development.
05:44:29 PM (00:04:41) Mayana Rice presents the Bozeman Gateway project.
05:50:37 PM (00:10:49) Staff completes presentation – questions for staff.
05:51:20 PM (00:11:32) Lessa Racow questions staff’s recommendation. Mayana Rice states that staff
recommends approval, but with some conditions of approval.
Board requests to see the elevations of the project again – brief discussion and pause while they are
reviewing elevations – board members ask for clarification on some images and the standards the project is
held to.
Lessa Racow questions if the project is reaching its maximum height. Ms. Rice responds that she is not sure
if the building is to be as high as it’s allowed to be, but that the PUD has approval to go above what the
zoning would typically allow.
05:55:43 PM (00:15:55) No additional questions for staff. Open for discussion among board members.
Charles Franklin states that the project is generic and could be in any strip mall. He supports additional
landscaping, etc to soften the look from the street. He does not think that this project is necessarily
designed for Bozeman.
05:57:10 PM (00:17:22) Lessa Racow states that she agrees with Mr. Franklin that it’s a pretty generic
building. She agrees with staff about adding landscaping. The building does not remind her of Bozeman.
While she understands variety, there may be too much variety with this building. Lack of continuity in
design. She feels the design could be improved.
05:58:45 PM (00:18:57) Bill Rea states that he has some history with the Bozeman Gateway Project and that
it has changed since its original proposal. He feels that the Kohl’s project turned the project from its original
course. He has suggested the PUD be re‐submitted, but it never happened. He does not feel that the project
is regional or belongs in Bozeman. That being said, he does not think it’s worse than what is there. Mr. Rea
shows the difference between what was proposed and what currently exists. He suggests that this project
does not get approved.
06:02:55 PM (00:23:07) Board does not have a quorum, but will make a motion – Less Racow moves to
deny the project.
Charley Franklin Seconds
Lessa Racow would like for them to come back with a new design. She suggests an informal meeting to
discuss the design.
Charley Franklin agrees that they need to look at more regional styles and address the landscaping.
06:05:00 PM (00:25:12) Vote on the motion – unanimously agree to support the motion and deny the
project.
06:05:40 PM (00:25:52) forgot to call for public comment on this project – asked if there was any public
comment on this – no public comment.
2. 06:06:07 PM (00:26:19) 16251 Bridger Vale Concept Planned Unit Development (Krueger/Kohtz)
Manley Road north of East Gallatin Recreation Area
A concept PUD to allow a mixed residential and commercial development with relaxations to zoning
regulations requested for park frontage, street design and a request for concurrent construction.
06:06:22 PM (00:26:34) Lessa Racow recuses herself from the project. Board down to Charley Franklin and
Bill Rea.
06:07:04 PM (00:27:16) Brian Krueger presents the Bridger‐Vale Project.
06:22:13 PM (00:42:25) Conclusion of staff presentation – Applicant begins presentation (Mike Balch – C&H
Engineering)
06:28:04 PM (00:48:16) Applicant concludes presentation – Questions for staff and applicant
Charley Franklin questions if they had thought about using the commercial lot for residential. Applicant
responds that they do not have any immediate plans to, but it is something to consider.
06:29:04 PM (00:49:16) Bill Rea questions if the commercial site has specific zoning. Applicant states they
have suggested REMU for it flexibility.
Bill Rea questions if parking would need to be constructed on the lot or if it would allow for street parking.
Applicant responds that it would need to be on sight and that they have a very rough conceptual idea of
what it will look like.
Bill Rea questions if the sidewalk on the south will also include a boulevard. Mr. Krueger responds that yes, it
does include a boulevard. It will mirror the north side.
Bill Rea questions why open space instead of parkland. Partly because it will be given to the rotary and also
because it meets performance measures for a PUD. Discussion regarding differences in park land and open
space.
Bill Rea confirms that it is still included in the county and that Map Brewery is in the City. As a non‐City
property, they question if it will still be noticed. Confirmation that it will be noticed. In addition, this will be
on City water and sewer.
Bill Rea questions parking – applicant responds.
06:33:28 PM (00:53:40) Open for public comment. No public comment.
06:34:06 PM (00:54:18) Charley Franklin states that he is general support of the project. He suggests
relaxations for the road for the entrance to the park. He likes the ally access for the residential properties.
He is concerned about the park to the north and whether there would be public access.
Mr. Franklin states that a little more variation in the units would be nice. He suggests varying the rooflines,
etc. He also supports setting them back from the street a bit more.
He’s not sure why there is commercial on the corner lot, he is fine with more residential there. However, he
things a small store there would be a nice amenity too.
He feels the property seems a little dense, and there could be more space for the homes. He feels density
may be his biggest concern, but other than that, it looks like a good project.
06:39:01 PM (00:59:13) Bill Rea comments that he would like a sidewalk on the south side of the street
because it will be used for overflow parking and thinks there should be a small boulevard on the south with
a wider sidewalk to feed the park. He sees the north side as resident parking and their “gear”. He questions
if the applicant could add parking on one side of the ally since that’s where the residents will come in even if
it meant an asymmetrical street. A larger island in the middle for the street would be nice too.
Mr. Rea states that the commercial aspect makes him nervous, but that he’s excited about the prospective
of some sort of mixed use. He states that the properties do seem small and that there’s a large inventory of
that size. At the fringe of the city, this is likely too dense – however, he knows that smaller lots and smaller
homes is the trend.
Bill Rea questions what this property used to be. Mr. Krueger states that there used to be a trash facility
nearby and the City is going to be cautious with development in this area.
Bill Rea commented that many individuals are concerned about parking at Map Brewery, and they should be
aware of that when developing that commercial node.
Brian Krueger informs the board that Manley Road will be required to be upgraded with this project and
others in the area. Bill Rea questions if there will also be signals installed. Mr. Krueger states that there will
likely be a signal at Manley and Griffin. Board clarifies that this project will not be responsible for all of those
improvements, it will be the result of a number of projects in this area.
Conclusion of project discussion.
3. 06:47:44 PM (01:07:56) 16194 Blackmore Crossing Informal (Krueger/Kohtz)
1324 East Main Street
An informal review application for advice and comment on a proposed site plan layout for a three building
mixed use development with shared parking and access within the East Main Street Entryway Corridor.
06:48:00 PM (01:08:12) Brian Krueger begins presentation of the Blackmore Crossing project.
07:11:22 PM (01:31:34) Conclusion of staff presentation. Open for applicant presentation. Don Kape begins
presentation on behalf of the applicant.
07:16:20 PM (01:36:32) Loll Springer begins second applicant presentation on project. (video errors make a
section of this choppy)
07:24:29 PM (01:44:41) Conclusion of applicant presentation. Open for public comment.
07:25:07 PM (01:45:19) Public Comment – Matt Kelley – 1207 E. Curtiss – Said he lives two doors down and
will be able to see it from his front. He appreciates what this will add to the neighborhood – it is an
institution in Bozeman. He is pleased at the communication they have had with the developer to date. He is
concerned that the development of this will be disruptive to the neighborhood if the main entrance is off
Curtiss – though he is hearing that the other entrances from Highland and Main may be an option too. There
are a lot of kids in the area and they are concerned about the traffic at pedestrian crossings. Another
concern is looking at the back end of a grocery store. He also would like a really strong pedestrian cross
walk.
07:29:37 PM (01:49:49) Evette Allyson – 1010 E. Babcock – She appreciates the new plans and is starting to
see some improvements. She said traffic in the neighborhood is her biggest concern. She is concerned about
the west side of Heebs and thinks they should soften the west side face with some architectural features
and landscaping to blend. She also would like it to be more attractive to pedestrians and bikes. She
appreciates the bus and pedestrian inclusions on site. She wants safe access from the local park and trail as
kids come in from those areas.
07:32:17 PM (01:52:29) John Wariam(?) – 1221 E. Curtiss – He would like to repeat a lot of the comments
already made. He appreciates the comments about pedestrian access. He would also like to see more bike
parking on site – with the multiuse path and the local neighborhood, they will see a lot more biking in and
the current building does not have enough parking. He feels that the West side of the building is pretty
bland, it could be more attractive to the neighborhood and traffic heading in that direction.
07:35:09 PM (01:55:21) Eric Bendic – 114 Ales Worth (?) – Overall the neighborhood supports the store
being there. He agrees with most comments already made. He suggests an entrance from the West side
would be ideal and allow it to mesh more with the neighborhood, so they aren’t looking at the back of the
store. He feels this is becoming a more Urban area and a rear entrance would make this a less suburban
building and open it up for a better flow from the store.
07:38:34 PM (01:58:46) Mike Everett – 116 W. Cypress – He supports what others have said. He supports
having Heebs in the neighborhood. He feels the design is headed in the right direction. With regards to the
center as a whole, it seems like a mess for traffic and pedestrian traffic. He feels creating a more pedestrian
friendly and space would be ideal for the center. He feels as that area develops, they would benefit from
some sort of plaza space for lunch and people to gather. He feels too much diversity and different materials,
etc will not age well over time.
07:42:11 PM (02:02:23) end public comment
Bill Rea thanks the public for providing input in advance and appreciates that they want the project and are
offering constructive feedback on how to make it better.
Applicant thanked the public commenters for their feedback and they will be working to incorporate their
suggestions in the final design. Commented that they have added about 40 bike stalls and commented that
due to grading, the neighborhood may not even see much of the wall from their side.
07:46:55 PM (02:07:07) Lessa Racow questions if they will see the buildings on Main Street – Brian Krueger
commented that the board will see all of the buildings that go on Main Street.
Lessa Racow questioned if they considered traffic slowing on Curtiss. Brian Krueger responded with ways to
calm traffic if it were an issue. Discussion continues between Brian Krueger and Lessa Racow regarding
traffic calming.
07:50:00 PM (02:10:12) Lessa Racow states that she likes the mixture of materials and that the building
steps back as it gets taller. She agrees that it needs more storefront windows on the ground level.
Lessa Racow questions I they were interested in switching the east and west usage of the building. Applicant
responded that it didn’t function on the site well.
Lessa Racow stated that she feels there should be an entrance on the west side to accommodate the
walking pedestrians.
Applicant responded that the change in the grade makes it difficult to create an entrance on that side.
Lessa Racow states that she feels the bus stop needs to be on Main Street, that it looks difficult to navigate
the bus through the site. She feels it can create a president by allowing busses to go into sites which could
allow for circulation problems.
Ms. Racow expresses concern with the East side of the parking lot.
Ms. Racow states that landscaping will be very important in this area to encourage people to linger in the
area.
07:58:23 PM (02:18:35) Charley Franklin appreciates the support for the project. He encourages the
applicant to reevaluate the west connection, whether with retaining walls, etc. Putting an entrance towards
the west, with a plaza could be very inviting. He agrees that putting it on Main Street would be best, but
likes the pedestrian plaza that it adds to the site plan when it’s in the center. He feels the stair case should
be the entrance based on the emphasis of entry there. Agrees that there should be additional plaza for the
retail/residential building proposed. He likes the plaza where the restaurant is – adding one on Highland and
Main would be nice.
He agrees that he does not want traffic going through Curtiss, so adjusting the entrances would be ideal.
08:03:25 PM (02:23:37) Bill Rea appreciates the informal review process – as now they have the opportunity
to provide feedback. Mr. Rea comments that they don’t really deal with traffic issues, but it’s interesting to
see how moving coolers, etc. adjusts the entries and what you can do with the building.
He feels they should open the south west corner and add an entryway plaza. He feels it would make it so
much more inviting for people all year round given it’s connectivity to outdoor recreation in that area.
He agrees with Charley Franklin’s comment about moving the entrance to the stair way.
Bill Rea encourages the neighbors to approach the speed limit concerns with the city as a separate issue.
He suggests switching the restaurant and the residential building. Applicant declines that option because of
the views from the restaurant. Bill Rea comments that those views would be advantageous for the residents
as well.
Bill Rea comments that he appreciates that there’s no gas station – there are too many already.
E. 08:10:39 PM (02:30:51) FYI/Discussion
Bill Rea mentions positions that are still open on the board and that the list of board members appears outdated
since it still includes Lori Gardner.
F. 08:11:23 PM (02:31:35) Adjournment
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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