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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-06-18 Minutes - Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB)NURB Meeting – February 6, 2018 1 Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, February 6, 2018 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana. Present: Absent: Voting Members: John Usher, Chair Bobbi Clem Dan Doehring Robert Pavlic (arrived at 6:45 p.m.) Jeanne Wesley-Wiese (arrived at 6:33 p.m.) Non-Voting Members: Ethan Barlow Dalton Brink Nolan Campbell Commissioner Liaison: I-Ho Pomeroy Staff: Shane Strong, KLJ Engineering Brit Fontenot, Economic Development Director David Fine, Economic Development Specialist Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: Chris Nixon, 719 North Wallace Avenue Maurice Quanbeck, 520 North 11th Avenue Erik Nelson, 33 North Black Avenue Brian Caldwell, 33 North Black Avenue Call to Order – Chair John Usher called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Changes to the Agenda – No changes were made to the agenda. Public Comment – No comment was received under this agenda item. NURB Meeting – February 6, 2018 2 Minutes – January 2, 2018. It was moved by Dan Doehring, seconded by Bobbi Clem, that the minutes of the meeting of January 2, 2018, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 3-0 vote. Discussion/Action Items – Continued presentation of proposed development from 400 Development Group. Nolan Campbell announced that, since he assisted 400 Development Group in acquiring the subject property, he must recuse himself from this agenda item. He then left the table for this portion of the meeting. Erik Nelson stated they held a neighborhood meeting at the Beall Park Center on January 24, where they covered a lot of the same information that was presented to this Board. They have received comments from the City and expect to submit their preliminary PUD application some time in April. Brian Caldwell they are seeking a recommendation from this Board for this project. They also want to understand how the revenue bond process would work and which portions of the project would qualify for tax increment financing monies. He indicated that information will then be used as this project moves forward. Erik Nelson noted that the resolution, as drafted, focuses on this project and, in general terms, indicates it is the type of project this Board wishes to see within this district. He stated it also gives this team the confidence to continue moving forward and come back with more specifics for the project. David Fine noted the resolution is fairly general and underscores the conformance of this project with the urban renewal plan and how it meets most of the goals in the plan. He stated the resolution also indicates to staff and the Commission that it wants staff to work on this issue and to identify the next steps. He stressed that the final actions of both this Board and the Commission are a couple months down the road. Brian Caldwell stated they have been doing presentations for seventeen years, and the NENA meeting in January is the first time that the presentation was met with a round of applause. Bobbi Clem noted that about 150 people were in attendance at that meeting, and they gave a strong indication that this project is on the right track. Responding to questions from Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Brian Caldwell stated 20 percent of the residential units will be at 70 percent of area median income. He then stated that the residential units will range from very small studio to two-bedroom units, and 1 space per unit will be provided in the parking garage. Erik Nelson stated they do not envision any of the commercial uses operating in the evening. This will allow many of the parking spaces in the garage to be available for those uses during daytime hours. Responding to questions from John Usher, Brian Caldwell stated this PUD has its own set of guidelines that restrict uses and address the built environment and design. These guidelines will run with the property, thus ensuring that the project will function as originally approved. NURB Meeting – February 6, 2018 3 John Usher noted that the draft resolution was included in the packet information distributed last week by Robin Sullivan and asked for board member comments. Responding to questions from Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, David Fine stated that this resolution makes an advisory statement, stressing that this Board cannot bind a Commission action. Brit Fontenot stated the resolution provides broad support for the project and indicates that the Board may, in the future, consider forwarding a recommendation regarding reimbursement of expenses incurred for public infrastructure improvements. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated she will support the project because she recognizes the greater good; however, she finds that she will personally incur a huge loss in her ability to look at the Story Hills. John Usher voiced his concerns about the amount of traffic that will be added to the area. He understands the inevitability of additional development; and he feels this project is a good alternative for the subject site. Ethan Barlow acknowledged that there is no scenario where the subject site will remain static; and he finds that this project is better than what might else might occur under the existing zoning regulations. Responding to questions from Bob Pavlic, Brian Caldwell estimated that 140 people will reside in this project. Bob Pavlic stated he has reviewed the reports prepared after City reviews and has identified some specific issues to be addressed, including parking and snow removal. He then indicated that he is generally supportive of this project as presented to date. Brian Caldwell stated the next step is to get engineers involved and to develop design specifics for the buildings, inside and out. Responding to Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Erik Nelson stated they have defined open space on the site and propose to pay cash-in-lieu for parkland. He noted that if single-family homes were proposed for this site, no park dedication would be required. He then indicated that, under the City’s current guidelines regarding cash-in-lieu payments, those monies are to be expended in the general area if possible. Bobbi Clem stated her only concern is traffic and, as a result, she feels that a right turn only should be required from East Aspen Street onto North Wallace Avenue. She then noted that there were a few lukewarm comments at the NENA meeting; however, most of the comments were favorable. Dalton Brink stated he likes the big picture for this project and supports it. Erik Nelson noted the soul of the project is to provide housing at affordable rates as well as market rates and to provide a mixture of unique maker spaces and spaces for commercial uses. Commissioner Liaison Pomeroy stated she personally supports the project as presented. NURB Meeting – February 6, 2018 4 It was moved by John Usher, seconded by Dan Doehring, that the Board adopt Resolution No. 2018-01 as written. The motion carried on a 5-0 vote. Responding to comments from board members, David Fine indicated there is a disconnect between the urban renewal plan and the underlying zoning in the area. He suggested there may be a zoning designation that is more in line with the aspirations of the plan. Brit Fontenot stated the Department of Community Development is releasing a request for proposals to revise the growth plan, so this is a perfect time to consider a possible change in zoning. Review of draft letter regarding funding of feasibility study for quiet zones at railroad crossings. John Usher noted that a draft letter was included in the packet information distributed last week by Robin Sullivan. Bobbi Clem distributed information sheets that she feels would be helpful in understanding the issue. Those sheets include the map from the Helena quiet zone study and the noise levels for decibels from OSHA. She suggested that these sheets be distributed when board members talk to people. She then reported that Scott Dehlendorf at The Cannery District is supportive of this study and is contacting people about assisting with the financing of it. John Usher indicated he feels these sheets provide good support documentation. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated she feels this is a good letter; however, she personally has no problem with the trains. Bob Pavlic stated that, since he lives adjacent to the railroad tracks, he finds the train whistles very intense, particularly in the summer. He suggested that taking the steps necessary to implement a quiet zone could result in increased property values. John Usher asked if the Board wishes to include the information sheets as an attachment to the letter; a majority of the board members indicated they wish to do so. He then proposed a small change in the first paragraph to change the words “to cost” to “at”; the Board concurred. Brit Fontenot asked if the letter is to be sent out and, if so, to whom. He stated that if it is to be mailed, he can organize paying the costs of supplies and postage. Bobbi Clem indicated Vision NorthEast may volunteer to put together a list for mailing. Nolan Campbell asked if the Bozeman Daily Chronicle might be interested in writing an article, particularly if they were approached by a board member. It was moved by John Usher, seconded by Dan Doehring, that the Board approve the letter as revised, and that the sheets distributed by Bobbi Clem become an attachment to the letter. The motion carried on a 5-0 vote. Bobbi Clem stated that Vision NorthEast will be meeting tomorrow night; and it is their intent to become part of the NorthEast Neighborhood Association so it can take advantage of NENA’s 501(c)3 non-profit status. She will approach that group about creating a distribution list for the NURB Meeting – February 6, 2018 5 quiet zone study letter as well as the possibility of pursuing a trail along the railroad tracks from the wetlands to the depot. Bob Pavlic stressed the importance of remembering that this subject area is not just a railroad track; rather, it is a railroad yard with a significant amount of activity. He then noted that a trail along the railroad bed by Delaney’s property and then a pedestrian bridge across the interstate would be a good addition to the trail system. Presentation of draft design for East Tamarack Street improvements. Shane Strong stated he has a preliminary plan set for improvements to East Tamarack Street, and he will be meeting with the City Engineering staff by the end of the week to get the information needed to complete the plans. It is his intent to get the plans and specifications to the City and the Department of Environmental Quality for review soon so that they can be reviewed and approved and advertising for bids completed by the end of March. Shane Strong reviewed the road improvements to be made, which will include two 12-foot-wide driving lanes, a designated bike lane on the north side of the street and parking on the south side of the street. He noted the driving lane on the south side of the street is to be a shared use lane. Sanitary sewer and stormwater improvements are to be completed in conjunction with this street project; and that will require a jack and bore under Bozeman Creek. Responding to Brit Fontenot, Shane Strong confirmed a line item will be included in the bid to address the soils issues that have been encountered on both North Wallace Avenue and East Peach Street. Shane Strong stated that the plans for East Tamarack Street improvements extend from just west of the bridge to where the Phase II North Rouse Avenue reconstruction project ends. The improvements will also extend east from North Wallace Avenue, wrapping around onto Front Street. Stormwater will be caught at the low spot and piped to the hydrodynamic separator that was installed with the North Wallace Avenue improvements. He indicated that he should have more finalized plans and a cost estimate ready for next month’s meeting. Responding to questions from Bobbi Clem about the possibility of burying the power lines, Shane Strong stated there are pipes and gas lines in the ground that would preclude the burying of power lines within the street right-of-way. Brit Fontenot cautioned that NorthWestern Energy requires the requestor to cover the costs of burying the power lines; and there are not sufficient monies available in the district funds to cover those costs. Brit Fontenot stated that fiber conduit will be installed in conjunction with the street improvements and will extend from the curve onto Front Street to the handhold located across North Rouse Avenue, adjacent to the Fairgrounds. He then stressed the importance of ensuring that handholds are installed in appropriate locations to minimize future costs of connecting to fiber run within the conduit. Shane Strong reminded the Board that the Front Street interceptor sewer project is being completed in conjunction with this street project. It is anticipated that project, which includes a 24-inch sewer main, will start west of the bridge, turning onto Front Street and then running up NURB Meeting – February 6, 2018 6 to the hospital. This street improvement project will follow that same sequence, moving from west to east in a single phase. Responding to questions from Chris Nixon, Shane Strong stated the water main was replaced in 1985, so there is no need to make improvements to the water system in conjunction with this project. Brit Fontenot stated efforts are being made to bid as many City projects at once as possible to get the best possible price. He then indicated that the start time for this project can be coordinated with the East Peach Street project to ensure that both streets are not shut down at the same time. Shane Strong stated he is waiting for a schedule from JR Civil for the East Peach Street project, but recognized that it will be weather dependent. He anticipates the bid for East Tamarack Street will be awarded in May and, since it is a much shorter street segment, he does not foresee any problems in delaying the start date to coordinate with the remaining East Peach Street work. Updates on current projects. Shane Strong reported that JR Civil must mill and repave the entire length of the East Peach Street improvements in addition to grading outside the road, pavement marking, grassing the boulevard and completing all punch list items. He estimated it will take three weeks to complete the work. Update on Vision NorthEast process and findings. There was no update under this agenda item. Staff updates on items of interest to the Board. Brit Fontenot stated he will not be at the March meeting because he will be out of the country; however, David Fine will attend. Ethan Barlow reported that he will also miss the March meeting because he will also be out of the country. Update on financial status of NURB fund. Robin Sullivan distributed copies of the revenues and expenditures for Fiscal Year 2017-18, the spreadsheet showing revenues and expenditures by project since creation of the district, and the spreadsheet showing the bond proceeds expended to date. She noted that the first half of property tax revenues is included in this report. She then gave a breakdown of the fund balance, noting that $186,943 remains from the first draw on the bond sale. Set agenda for March 6, 2018 meeting or cancel meeting. To be included on the agenda, in addition to the standard agenda items, are possibly additional discussion on the Cottonwood/Ida project; finalized plans, cost estimate and bidding schedule for the East Tamarack Street improvements; and the initial draft of the Fiscal Year 2018-2019 work plan and budget. NURB Meeting – February 6, 2018 7 FYI/Discussion (formerly Neighborhood News). Responding to questions from John Usher, Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated the sidewalk by the old brewery wall is not being cleaned, so pedestrians are walking in the street. She has called three times to get the sidewalk cleaned. Nolan Campbell stated he will contact the property owner and ask him to clean his sidewalk. Responding to additional questions from John Usher, Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated she does not believe the sidewalk between Kenyon-Noble and the railroad tracks is being cleared. She then voiced concern that the Kenyon-Noble employees are driving over the curb and are ignoring the driveways. She is also concerned about activities that are occurring on what is to be the Front Street trail. Commissioner Liaison Pomeroy reported the Commission is working on the strategic plan, one section of which pertains to a healthy and safe community. In light of this section, she feels it is important for the City to work with HRDC to ensure the warming center is kept open, preferably on a year-round basis. She then noted that each homeless person creates $28,000 in indirect costs annually. She announced that she will be holding an open house on March 4, with proceeds going toward the warming center. Adjournment – 8:20 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, Chair Usher adjourned the meeting. John Usher, Chair Northeast Urban Renewal Board City of Bozeman