HomeMy WebLinkAboutSite Plan Review Comment Narrative 05-20-20
Flanders Mill Apts
Site Plan Review Comments Narrative
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FLANDERS MILL APARTMENTS SITE PLAN
SITE PLAN REVIEW COMMENTS NARRATIVE
APPLICATION 20079
Section 2 – RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
1. The applicant is advised that unmet code provisions, or code provisions that are not
specifically listed as conditions of approval, does not, in any way, create a waiver or other
relaxation of the lawful requirements of the Bozeman Municipal Code or state law. BMC
38.230.040 – DRB review thresholds. This project meets criteria for DRB review.
RESPONSE: This condition is acknowledged
2. Please consolidate sheets C1.0, C1.1, C0.2 into two with all dimensions relevant for plan
review on one sheet. Include the block frontage dimensions on the sheet that has block
frontages labeled. Please review dimensions, several are not snapped to features or are
floating. Please create a dedicated utility sheet and remove utilities from the dimensioned
site plan to clarify linework.
RESPONSE: Sheets have been revised to better clarify the proposed design. The
dimensions have been corrected and all relevant dimensions provided.
3. BMC 38.220.080.A.2.q. – Site plan submittal requirements. Phased site plans. The 8’
pedestrian pathway and bridge that connects Broken Spur Drive to Flanders Mill Road
must be constructed with phase I.
RESPONSE: A note has been added to the Site Plan specifying that the trail and bridge
to be constructed in Phase I.
4. BMC 38.350.050. – Setback encroachments. The 20’ rear setback must extend to Harvest
Parkway. The Unit 1 12-plex, the adjacent parking lot and the trash enclosure located
within it will need to be redesigned/relocated as they are likely encroaching into the 20’
rear setback.
RESPONSE: Per Community Development Director Martin Matsen’s April 22 email
the 5’ side yard setback is acceptable.
5. BMC 38.410.040. - Blocks. Pedestrian rights-of-way. The proposed 8’ gravel trail is not
acceptable. Pedestrian right-of-way block delineations must have a sidewalk built to City
of Bozeman standards. Show the required 5’ minimum setback on either side of the 30’
pedestrian access easement.
Flanders Mill Apts
Site Plan Review Comments Narrative
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RESPONSE: The call-out was incorrect and has been corrected. The 10’ setback is
shown.
6. BMC 38.410.100. – Watercourse setback. Include the an exhibit of the actual approved
variance area overlayed onto the site plan.
RESPONSE: The original 50’ wetland setback line, that was granted a variance for, is
shown and labeled on Sheet C0.2. A pdf copy of the Exhibit for the Variance,
prepared by C&H, is included in this submittal.
7. BMC 38.520.040. - Form and intensity standards. Setbacks. The west side of the
property will be considered the rear for purposes of setbacks. Extend the 20’ setback to the
property line on Harvest Parkway and revise all affected structures.
RESPONSE: Per Marty Matsen’s April 22 email the 5’ side yard setback for the 12 plex
is acceptable.
8. BMC 38.510. - Block Frontage. Special Residential. Many of the buildings do not have a
dimension from the edge of the pathway to the building to show that the Special Residential
setback is being met. Include the block frontage labels and corresponding dimensions on
the same plan sheet.
RESPONSE: Block Frontage Designation and dimensions have been added to all the
bldgs to the back of the walk on Sheet C0.2.
9. BMC 38.520.060. - Usable residential shared open space. The minimum width for any
dimension of useable shared open space is 15’. Several of the open spaces do not meet this
requirement. The open space area at the north of the property that is surrounded by parking
must provide adequate landscaped screening. All open space areas need to meet the design
requirements of 38.520.060.2. Specifically subsection ‘d’ which reads, “Shared open space
must feature paths or walkable lawns, landscaping, seating, lighting, and play structures,
sports courts, or other pedestrian amenities to make the area more functional and enjoyable
for a range of users.” Currently they are only showing benches and picnic tables which will
not satisfy this provision.
RESPONSE: All of the small open spaces have been eliminated as they were not
required to fulfill the minimum requirement. Dimensions have been added to
all shared open spaces and show all the sides are in excess of 15’. Detailed
dimensioned exhibits have been added to Sht C0.2.
A cover shade structure has been added to the main open space area and is
detailed on Sheet A.1.
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Site Plan Review Comments Narrative
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10. BMC 38.520.070. - Service areas. Five feet of landscaping must be provided between any
service area enclosure and adjacent pathways. Please revise to include minimum 5’ of
landscaping for all service areas, trash enclosures and direct pedestrian access.
RESPONSE: Landscape areas adjacent to the trash enclosures and pathways have
been widened to a minimum of 5’.
11. BMC 38.530.060. - Building materials. Provide a color and material detail sheet for all
building types.
RESPONSE: A material and color detail sheet are included for each building on Sheet
SP2.3, for each building type.
12. BMC 38.540. - Parking. The parking stalls adjacent to the trash enclosures that are not
accessible must be striped and omitted from the parking calculations.
RESPONSE: The parking spaces adjacent to the trash enclosure have been striped
and removed from the parking count. The area will be used for snow storage.
13. BMC 38.540.020.M – Snow storage. All of the snow storage areas that are located on
parking lot landscape areas are not acceptable. The snow storage located on a parking stall
next to the trash enclosure that is included in the parking total is not acceptable.
“Snow removal storage areas must be provided sufficient to store snow accumulation on
site. Such areas may not cause unsafe ingress/egress to the parking areas, may not
cause snow to be deposited on public rights-of-way, may not include areas provided for
required parking access and spaces, and may not be placed in such a manner as to damage
landscaping.” Please revise.
RESPONSE: We respectively disagree with your interpretation of this section of code.
It is common practice to provide snow storage on the landscape islands within
the parking lot. The landscaping in the proposed snow storage areas have been
designed for the storage of snow. In the event the City experiences a higher than
normal snow event the property management will contract to have then excess
snow removed for the site.
14. BMC 38.550. - Landscaping. Provide adequate landscape screening for residential open
spaces, trash enclosures. Provide dimensions of parking lot landscape islands.
RESPONSE: The landscaping has been designed per the City development code.
15. BMC 38.570– Lighting. It appears that the 0.3 maximum illuminance at the property line
is exceeded on the north side of the property. Provide a clear, bold property line on the
photometric plan.
Flanders Mill Apts
Site Plan Review Comments Narrative
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RESPONSE: The 0.3 is on the private side of the property line. The property line has
been darkened for better clarity.
Engineering Division
Easements
1. BMC 38.410.060 (C) (1) Easements -The applicant must provide a thirty (30) foot
public utility easement to accommodate both water and sewer prior to site plan approval.
An additional ten feet of width is required for each additional main that occupies the
easement.
RESPONSE: A proposed 30’ wide public utility easement is shown on Sheet C1.1. A
draft easement document is included in this submittal for review. Once
approved the easement will be signed and recorded and a copy provide to the
City prior to final site plan approval.
Stormwater
1. BMC 38.410.080 and 40.04.500.A Requirement to control and reduce stormwater
pollutants
The applicant provided a geotechnical investigation report dated 01-24-18 as well as an
excerpt showing the various test pit locations for the subject property. However, at the
time of the geotechnical investigation, typically groundwater levels are at their seasonal
low. The report does discuss seasonal water level variations and notes that levels can be
expected to increase 2-2.5 feet above the water surface elevations encountered in the
exploratory test pits, but does not specifically discuss maximum groundwater elevations
or provided evidence to support the high water assumptions. Furthermore, the actual
stormwater report does not reference the geotechnical investigation, discuss groundwater
elevations, identify specific test pit locations, or certify that the proposed stormwater
design adequately functions during high groundwater conditions.
Given the know high groundwater conditions associated with this particular area, the
maximum groundwater elevations must be included in the stormwater report and must be
vetted by the engineer certifying the drainage design. The certifying engineer must show
that the proposed system functions throughout the entire season. In addition, a figure
showing the seasonal high groundwater elevations vs. the proposed subsurface unit
should be show for reference. Stormwater storage that extends below the seasonal high
groundwater elevation will not be considered in meeting the City’s storage requirement.
The stormwater report must be updated to reflect these requested changes prior to site
plan approval.
Flanders Mill Apts
Site Plan Review Comments Narrative
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RESPONSE: Groundwater levels are currently being monitored on a weekly basis and
will continue thru high ground water to determine the maximum groundwater
level, and compare it to the proposed storm water detention facility.
2. Sheet C1.3 Drainage Plan –it appears that the proposed subgrade storm drainage facility
is located in the direct path of City sanitary garbage pickup (I.e. the sanitary dump trucks
would drive over the facility to access the properties garbage cans.) The certifying
engineer needs to verify the facility can handle these types of live loads without structural
damage prior to site plan approval.
RESPONSE: The subsurface storm water facility has been changed from an R-Tank
system to an ADS StormTech System which is H20 rated.
Water Rights
1. BMC 38.410.130 (A) (1) Water rights The applicant must contact Brian Heaston
with the City Engineering Department to obtain a determination of cash-in-lieu (CIL) of
water rights.
a. The applicant needs: 1) decide if they’re going to take the offer being made for
CIL reduction in the CILWR agreement; if yes then 2) finalize the agreement
prior to issuance of site plan approval; then 3) pay CIL pursuant to the agreement
prior to Phase 1 plan approval.
RESPONSE: Included in this resubmittal are the preliminary calculations
provide to Brian H. Prior to final approval the final CIL will be approved
and paid.
Transportation
1. BMC 38.220.060 (A) (12) - The conclusions presented within the traffic impact study
(TIS) are based on an analysis from 2013. Given the recent development around the
vicinity of the subject property, the 2013 TIS assumptions, and changes in actual traffic
conditions; the information presented within the existing TIS is not reflective of current
site conditions. This TIS must be updated with current traffic data and expansion/changes
to the City’s street network and pedestrian grid prior to master site plan approval.
a. The applicant is advised that they must coordinate with the City to determine the
scope and extent of the TIS update
RESPONSE: Included in this resubmittal is an email from Lance Lehigh
granting a waiver for Phase I updating the TIS for Flanders Mill
Subdivision.
Flanders Mill Apts
Site Plan Review Comments Narrative
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2. BMC 38.540.020 (M) Stall, aisle and driveway design - The applicant must identify
snow storage areas on the Site Plan for the parking area. Snow removal storage areas
must be sufficient to store snow accumulation on site. Such areas shall not cause unsafe
ingress/egress to the parking areas, shall not cause snow to be deposited on public rights-
of-way, shall not include areas provided for required parking access and spaces, and shall
not be placed in such a manner as to damage landscaping. The applicant must verify that
adequate snow storage is available prior to master site plan approval.
RESPONSE: Adequate snow storage is provided for this development. In the event
the City has a major snow storm event and on-site snow storage becomes
problematic the management of the residential community will remove the
snow from the property.
Conditions of Approval
1. Sheet C1.0 Master Site Plan – Numerous street cuts along Windrow drive and Broken
Spur Drive (approximately 21) are proposed to extend water, sewer, and fire lines to
service the proposed develop. At a minimum, these streets must be milled and overlaid
extending the full width and full length of the disturbed area. This modification must be
shown on the site plan and called out so that the City can verify its completion with the
final occupancy inspection.
RESPONSE: No street cuts are proposed nor required for the development. Watre
and sewer services and main stubs were installed with the subdivision to serve
the proposed development. The site plan clearly notes the services in the street
are “ext’g”
Solid Waste Division
1. Refuse enclosure doors must open 180 degrees.
RESPONSE: The trash enclosure detail has been revised to show the doors are
capable of swinging 180°.
Fire Department, Scott Mueller
1. Rooms shown for domestic and fire services should be reviewed for sizing to meet City
standards. Some appear a bit small.
RESPONSE: Per the Architect it has been determined the rooms have been sized
appropriately.
2. Depending on final building designs, fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems may be
required.
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Site Plan Review Comments Narrative
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Response: Fire sprinkler have been discussed with Scott Mueller and per the
Architect only the 6 and 12-Plex are going to require fire sprinklers. Fire
alarm systems are coordinated by electrical.
3. Road access widths and fire hydrant layouts are adequate as proposed.
Response: Acknowledged
4. Depending on final design “Fire Lane” designations may be required.
Response: Acknowledged
NorthWestern Energy
1. Installing the power under sidewalks is acceptable if the applicant is needing to maintain a
tight siteplan. They will need to provide a utility easement that covers under the sidewalk
and then the transformer locations.
Response: Acknowledged. 10’ wide utility easements will be provided as required
based on NWE’s final layout.
2. It appears that they are not planning gas within the development, however the existing gas
locates should be shown as it is existing along the subdivision roads where there is gas.
Response: Acknowledged.
3. Location from water and sewer services and power service will need to be a minimum of
5’. Transformers will need to be 10’ from the W&S services (double check that with John,
I know that is the case on mains).
Response: The location of the services are 5’ from the underground power. The
final size of the transformers may make it difficult to provide the full 10’
separation.
4. They need to bring the services meters towards the front of the buildings, not at the
back. The plans are showing the services all in one location, the developer/builder will
need to be flexible, as our requirements are to the nearest corner of our facilities. Unit 2 &
Unit 3 (12 Plex) should have electrical panels located near the front corner of the building,
not towards the rear. It would be better to have these two units have electrical panels that
mirror so that NWE can install one transformer between the buildings, but feed service to
both.
Flanders Mill Apts
Site Plan Review Comments Narrative
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Response: The final location of the meters to be resolved with the Architect and
power company prior to construction.
5. The landscape plan will need to ensure that there is 10’ of clearance at the front, door side,
of the transformers and open sections to allow easy access to the transformer. Need to
follow NWE guidelines for landscaping around transformers and meters. No thorny bushes.
Response: The landscape plan has been designed accordingly.
6. It appears that they are planning to use landscaping for “hide” the panels, this is acceptable
as long as there is 3’ of clearance in front of the meter location and adequate access to the
panels. Green is acceptable, red needs to be fixed.
Response: The landscape plan has been designed accordingly.
END OF NARRATIVE