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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTIF Minutes 8-17 Downtown Tax Increment Finance Board Meeting Minutes August 15, 2017 Attending: Bobby Bear, Vonda Laird, Bill Stoddart, Jeff Krauss, Chris Naumann Absent: Bob Hietala, Cory Lawrence Public Comments: None Minutes ACTION: Vonda Laird moved to approve the June and July minutes as presented. Bill Stoddart seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Financial Report Chris presented the updated FY2017 year-end finances with updated income figures from the City of Bozeman Finance Department. Due mostly to higher than expected increment pledge from the City, the total income for the year was in excess of $300,000 above budget. Chris said a small amount of additional income would post with the final monies from MT DOR and earned interest. Chris highlighted the final FY17 expenses including: $10,000 contribution to the Parking Garage Long-term Maintenance Fund; $6450 to TD&H for final streetscape electrical planning; $4467 for Soroptomist landscape work; and $923 for UDC Consultant. The board had no other questions regarding the finance report. Executive Director’s Report Technical Assistance Program Update—NO CHANGES Three grants have been awarded thus far for FY2017—shown at the bottom of the chart. The chart also lists uncompleted grants that were awarded in FY2016. 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. TIF Legislative Interim Study & Audit Update The Downtown Partnership and City of Bozeman Economic Development Department will be hosting the quarterly URD/TIF working group meeting on December 6, 2017 (9:00am – 3:00pm at City Hall). The working group will meet in Great Falls September 27, 2017. Building Project Updates Lark Addition (corner of Grand and Main) 4 story building with 28 new Lark hotel rooms. Construction began in December 2016 to be completed Spring 2018. 5 West Building (northwest corner of Mendenhall and Tracy) Construction began on October 2016. First floor businesses scheduled to open in July and August 2017 and the upper floors completed in August 2017. Etha Hotel (old Armory building) first phase of foundation work complete. No date for when construction will resume. Rialto Theater under construction to be completed by November 2017. Black & Olive Apartments application is currently scheduled for the City Commission on October 2, 2017. “OSM” Building 5 story mixed use building proposed on southwest corner of Babcock and Wallace—schedule unknown BG Mill Building 5 story mixed use building proposed on southwest corner of Mendenhall and Broadway—schedule unknown New Businesses Update • Union Market—39 North Rouse—old Service Electric space opening date unknown • Stuffed Waffles—26 West Main—former Tonsorial Parlor • Intrigue Ink—12 East Main—former Headroom • Backcountry Burger Bar—127 West Main—former Bistro space • Boho Boze—129 West Main—former Jewelry Studio space • Evergreen—16 East Main—former F-11 space • Montana Silversmiths—14 West Main—former Mountain Lodge space • Reflections space—240 East Main—being remodeled for women’s clothing store • Knife—411 East Main—former Rockford space—being remodeled as sandwich shop • Fire—243 East Main—former Artcraft Printers—being remodeled as wood-fired pizza • Urban Kitchen—5 West building—opening in September • Salted Carmel—5 West building—opening in September • Little Star Diner—548 East Babcock—former Frank’s—opening early September Date Project Name Project Address Applicant Professional Type Value 8/21/2015 712 East Main 712-716 East Main BCHO Architects BCHO Architects Plan/Façade 10,500$ 12/30/2015 Big Sky Western Bank 106 East Main Big Sky Western Sanderson Stewart Façade 3,000$ Total 13,500$ Date Project Name Project Address Applicant Professional Type Value 10/31/2016 Owenhouse 2nd Floor 26 East Main Larry Bowman Yellowstone Arch Planning 7,500$ 10/31/2016 Owenhouse 2nd Floor 26 East Main Larry Bowman Yellowstone Arch Façade 3,000$ 3/30/2017 23 East Main 23 East Main Mark Kehke Intrinsik Planning 7,500$ Total 18,000$ FY17 Budget 50,000$ remaining 32,000$ Technical Assistance Program FY2017 Report • Squire House—27 East Mendenhall—Element Hotel restaurant—Opening August 19th • Opportunity Bank—5 West building—OPEN Planning Updates In this section, I will provide update about several ongoing City planning processes. Transportation Master Plan www.bozemantmp.com Consultants: Peccia & Associates (Helena), Alta Planning (Bozeman) Timeline: September 2015 (kickoff) Update: Final draft released 4/25/17. Adopted by CC May 1st UDC Revisions http://bozeman.net/Projects/UDCCodeupdate/Home Consultants: Makers (Seattle), Leland Group (Portland), Studio Cascade (Spokane) Update: CC working session August 17th and first public hearing August 24th City Vision & Strategic Plan Consultants: HDR Timeline: March 2016 (kickoff) Update: draft plan adopted by CC on May 15th 2017 Community Plan (City Growth Policy) Update Consultants: City release RFP for consultants January 2017 Timeline: October 2017 through late 2018 NCOD Design Guidelines—Chapter 4B Re-adoption Timeline: TBD Discussion and Decision Items FEMA Floodplain Appeal Update Brian Heaston, City of Bozeman Engineering Department, provided an update on the additional floodplain modelling funded in part by the Downtown URD. Brian reviewed several images showing the results of the 2-D modelling performed by Allied Engineering. The 2-D model shows considerably higher flows along the street network than predicted by the 1-D FEMA model. Brian said FEMA is reviewing the 2-D model and data sets. FEMA and the City will discuss using the 2-D data in their 1-D model to produce more realistic floodplain map for downtown. The board asked when or if we would need to file a formal appeal. Brian said if FEMA agrees to use the 2-D data then there would be need to appeal. That is the outcome all parties are working towards. Downtown Plan Update Process Chris presented an overview of a process that could be used to update the Downtown Plan (included below). The proposed process consists of two primary components: conducting an AIA R/UDAT public visioning exercise; and developing design guidelines specific to downtown. Chris said the options for the R/UDAT would be to organize and facilitate our own or contract with AIA for the service. The board said they feel that there needs to be an economic analysis component looking at development feasibility, market analysis, and future demand. Jeff said the consultants ran feasibility analyses for the North 7th and Midtown development objectives and determined they would not be feasible. He said many of the barriers were related to the UDC which was subsequently modified. Chris concluded that he would continue to add details, such as costs and timelines, to the proposed process and report back to the board. Meeting was adjourned at 1:10 pm DOWNTOWN PLAN UPDATE PROCESS INTRODUCTION COMPONENTS 1. Downtown Plan Progress Report [September – October 2017] Document what objectives have been accomplished, what progress is being made on other objectives, and which objectives still need to be initiated from the 2009 (and possibly 1998) Downtown Improvement Plan. 2. Downtown Design Assistance Team (DDAT) [January – March 2018] Conduct a highly transparent all-inclusive public workshop to create a vision for Downtown Bozeman. Essentially follow the American Institute of Architects “Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team” (R/UDAT) format and process using a strategically selected panel of architects/planners to lead a series of community workshops and collaborative events ultimately yielding a revised 10-year vision for Downtown Bozeman. “Created in 1967, the R/UDAT program pioneered the modern charrette process by combining interdisciplinary teams in dynamic, multi-day grassroots processes to produce community visions, action plans, and recommendations. The R/UDAT process generates creativity and new connections in a community. We engage diverse local expertise at all levels and provide an objective outside perspective.” This process and product would be analogous to the AIA R/UDAT project completed in 2017 for Bozeman’s Northeast Neighborhood: https://www.bozemanrudat.com/ First step would to assemble a multidisciplinary team of experts selected to address our specific needs. The DDAT team would immerse itself in the downtown community for four days, listening and gaining insight from the community. On the last day, the team would present a comprehensive report and recommendations at a public meeting. Potential DDAT Members: All would have granular familiarity with Downtown Bozeman in addition to considerable outside perspective, but not have any real conflicts of interest. • Dan Harding (Architect and Associate Professor and Director of Community Research and Design Center Clemson University) • Don McLauglin (Architect at Place Architecture, Bozeman MT and San Diego CA) • Jimmy Peppers (Retired Architect and former Urban Design Professor at UC-Santa Cruz) • Ralph Johnson (Architect and Professor School of Architecture at Montana State University) • Randy Hafer (Architect at High Plains Architecture, Billings MT) 3. Downtown Design Overlay District & Guidelines [January – June 2018] Using standard RFP process, select consultants to develop a downtown design district and corresponding design guidelines as recommended in the City of Bozeman 2016 NCOD Report. The Design District would: • Identify characteristics to protect and specific characteristics of enhance or create. • Establish Design Guidelines to achieve the desired outcome for the intent and purpose: including but not limited to massing, desired densities, streetscape attributes, material pallet, signage, respect to open/green space, preserving sightlines or view-sheds, and lighting standards. 4. 2018 Downtown Improvement Plan [April – June 2018] With the assistance, assemble the 2018 Downtown Plan to incorporate all of the components completed to date: 1998 and 2009 Downtown Plan Progress Report; Downtown UDAT Report; and Downtown Design District and Guidelines. The 2018 Plan would also include contextual analysis of various urban planning best practices; national and regional economic trends; and recommendations for actionable next steps. BACKGROUND NCOD Report: Design Overlay District PURPOSE To provide an overlay design district for the purpose of achieving a high level of design and consideration of particular areas, features or districts that have had or are intended to have a particular purpose or a defined neighborhood character. CRITERIA • Contain a minimum of eight “standard size” blocks. • Follow similar protocols for Special Improvement Districts with respect to voluntary formulation and 51 percent of all property owners agreeing to district boundary and guidelines. • Clearly stated intent and purpose for the Design Overlay District. • Identify characteristics to protect and specific characteristics of enhance/create. • Establish Design Guidelines to achieve the desired outcome for the intent and purpose. o Including but not limited to massing, desired densities, streetscape attributes, material pallet, signage, respect to open/green space, preserving sightlines or view-sheds, and lighting standards. • Define boundary of properties to include in district. • Create ad hoc district committee (property owner delegates, planning staff and neighborhood coordinator) to oversee the development of the district Initial Concept of Downtown Design Overlay District Brown area represents existing Main Street Historic District that would be governed by historic preservation standards. Green area would be the Downtown Design Overlay District. Gold areas would be potential gateway districts with different design objectives. All of these areas and associated boundaries are subject to change. RESOURCES AIA R/UDAT Program https://www.aia.org/pages/2896-regionalurban-design-assistance-team-program-rudat https://communitybuilders.org/what-we-think/blog/another-perspective-on-small-town-character Urban Renewal & Community Engagement http://thecityfix.com/blog/public-spaces-10-principles-for-better-urban-renewal-hint-community- engagement-paula-tanscheit/ Create “Shared Value” Urban areas do not belong to a single group or individual but should offer value to many actors. All those who are part of the broader community as a whole – from workers and tourists, children and students, to the underserved and investors – should benefit from urban renewal. Plan With Input From All Delivering this shared value requires engaging with communities. Decision-making techniques such as cost-benefit analysis should be explained and employed to also promote “non-financial values,” helping communities feel a sense of ownership. The researchers also suggest the creation of a common platform where information about the process and the progress of the project can be shared transparently. Build a Long-Term Vision In any extensive process of urban renewal, the initial goals of the project may change over time. Even so, a long-term vision should be locked in and changes for the sake of short-terms gains resisted, with flexibility growing as the timeline extends further into the future. Establish Clear Development Goals The planning process should develop and affirm clear objectives, not just desired outcomes. The best goals will be specific and measurable, and anticipate the physical, economic and social results of the project. Establish Options to Achieve Development Goals There are often multiple options for achieving the same development goals and they should be compared to one another as well as to baseline scenarios of what might happen without any intervention. Incorporate a Sense of “Localness” Local characteristics and peculiarities should be captured and incorporated into the new plan. These details may come from local standards, services offered in the region, the environment, the climate or other socio-cultural specificities. Evaluate Options With the Goal of Maximizing Net Community Benefits Cost-benefit analyses are often viewed with skepticism, but there are well-documented techniques that allow for the inclusion of things communities care about most, like open space, social capital and heritage.