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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-13-17 DRB Minutes Design Review Board Wednesday, September 13th 5:30 pm, City Hall, Commission Room **Due to technical difficulties, there is no video. Audio recording starts: 05:57:54 PM (00:22:40)** A. Call meeting to order and Roll Call B. Changes to the Agenda C. Minutes (none) D. Public Comment Please state your name and address in an audible tone of voice for the record. This is the time for individuals to comment on matters falling within the purview of the Committee. There will also be an opportunity in conjunction with each action item for comments pertaining to that item. Please limit your comments to three minutes. E. Action Items 1. 17-399 Ordinance 1981: B-3 design guidelines (Saunders) An ordinance of the city commission of the city of Bozeman, Montana to affirm and readopt the inclusion of Subchapter 4B to the Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District (NCOD) Design Guidelines previously adopted pursuant to City Commission Resolution 4598 (May 18, 2015).  Staff Report  Amending Resolution 4323  Original Resolution 4598 Public Comment 05:58:50 PM (00:23:36) Paul Neubauer (210 S. Bozeman Ave) commented that there is a project that meets code that has been rejected three times, which indicates deficiencies in the Unified Development Code (UDC). He noted that this is an opportunity to address some of those shortcomings. Neubauer stated that subchapter 4B is inadequate in protecting residential character areas in close proximity to the downtown core. Neubauer asked that the board reject the re-adoption of 4B requesting new text that dictates minimum 10 ft. setbacks for projects abutting residential districts, initial vertical heights should be a maximum 38 ft. and tapering back at no more than 45 degrees. He continued by stating that he felt transition area projects should have first floor height requirements waived or capped at 12 ft. maximum and parking requirements should be based on bedrooms as they are in residential zones. 06:02:19 PM (00:27:05) Stewart Mitchell (216 E. Koch) wanted to support Neubauer’s comments. He continued by stating that 4B was a theft of block character protections and zoning protections that were put in place in 2006 & 2007 by the community. He stated that prior to 2015, Black Olive would not be able to be built because there were residential buildings on the street in B3 and it was adjacent to residential buildings in R2. He stated that what makes Bozeman special is that it is not congested and that there is ample parking. He asked that the board not approve the re-adoption of 4B. 06:07:07 PM (00:31:53) Charlie West (330 S. Bozeman Ave) voiced concern with the expedited process to re-adopt 4B. West stated that it may seem like forward thinking to set up high rises around the downtown core, he stated that he felt it was rich developers taking advantage of easiest exploitable rules to maximize their profit while convincing authorities that it’s the best for their town. He stated that infill should not come at the expense of compromising the character of the city. He stated that the core needs more retail and more parking, not necessarily more beds. He continued by stating that buildings should flow seamlessly with the other residences and that there should be restrictions on building materials and design on all sides of the building to keep our town aesthetically pleasing from all angles. There should be safeguards to protect privacy and views. He stated that with the adoption of 4B, block character requirement was removed, effectively severing the B3 district from any kind of transition into the surrounding neighborhoods. 06:09:36 PM (00:34:22) Jeff Ball (323 S. Wallace) asked the board to recommend that the city not approve the Black Olive Project as it has been presented and re-presented. He stated that it does not respect the transition from residential areas into busier downtown. He argued that none of the buildings downtown are as tall as Black Olive. Jeff continued by commenting that zones should change in the middle of the street so that there are built in setbacks. 06:14:04 PM (00:38:50) Board member Lessa Racow commented that more thought needed to be put into the transitional areas between B3 and residential zoning. She also commented that parking needs to be addressed. 06:16:13 PM (00:40:59) Board member Brady Ernst commented that the 4B guidelines were put in as a ‘stop-gap’ to address non-historic buildings outside of downtown. He stated that many of the 4B guidelines were helpful, but voiced concerns on transition zones with larger projects. Ernst stated that he would recommend to the Commission that 4B should change to be more clear or make it so that the UDC address any problem areas in 4B to avoid future issues. 06:19:53 PM (00:44:39) Board Member Charles Franklin stated that the 4B guidelines did well in addressing many concerns with downtown and historic abutting areas. He voiced concerns with where the zoning line was drawn rather than the guidelines themselves. He supported the zone edge being in the middle of the street so as not to divide two residential properties and confirmed that at a vertical height of 44 ft., the building must step back at a 45 degree angle depending on what abuts the structure. Costanti finished by stating that he felt the 4B guidelines should remain as they are but that there should be additional updates to the ‘red book’ when that time comes. He added that the zoning line should be reviewed at a future date and moved to a more appropriate place. F. 06:28:10 PM (00:52:56) FYI/Discussion Planner Saunders shared that the City has filled the Historic Preservation Specialist and that he will start September 18th, 2017. G. 06:29:44 PM (00:54:30) Adjournment For more information please contact Brian Krueger at bkrueger@bozeman.net This board generally meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 5:30pm Committee meetings are open to all members of the public. 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