HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-04-11 Minutes, City Commission, WORK
MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION MEETING
OF THE CITY COMMISSION
BOZEMAN, MONTANA
April 11, 2005
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The Commission of the City of Bozeman met in work session in the Commission Room, Municipal
Building, on Monday, April 11 ,2005, at 7:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Andrew Cetraro, Commissioner Jeff
Krauss, Commissioner Marcia Youngman, Commissioner Steve Kirchhoff, Commissioner Lee Hietala,
Acting City Manager Ron Brey, Director of Public Service Debbie Arkell, City Attorney Paul Luwe and Clerk
of the Commission Robin Sullivan.
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.
Public comment
No comment was received under this agenda item.
Informal review - FeUowshiD BaDtist Church - Droposal to construct new church at northeast corner
of intersection of West Oak Street and North 27th Avenue and residential develoDment immediatelv
to the north (alona west side of Rose Park) CI-05006}
Included in the Commissioners' packets was a memo forwarding an informal proposal from the
Fellowship Baptist Church.
Planner Erin Daley noted that the Fellowship Baptist Church wants to relocate its church from the
corner of Durston Road and North 22nd Avenue to the corner of West Oak Street and North 27th Avenue,
along the western boundary of Rose Park. She stated this application has been reviewed by the
Development Review Committee; and their comments are included in the Commissioners' packets.
Planner Daley gave a brief overview of the proposal, noting that this property potentially has street
frontage on all four sides. The applicant is proposing a church on the south end of the parcel and possibly
residential development on the northern portion. The proposal includes not extending North 25th Avenue,
but street improvements to only North 27th Avenue and Tschache Lane; staff, however, feels that North
25th Avenue should be extended. The Planner noted that issues identified during staff review of this
application include connectivity, public access to the park, parking for the park, and not allowing access from
West Oak Street.
Mr. Dan Kamp, architect representing the applicant, stated the applicant has the sUbject property
under contract and is now doing its due diligence. He noted it is difficult to find affordable property on which
to construct a church; and this parcel stretches the church's financial abilities. As a result, it is looking for
creative ways to complete the project. He noted the original concept was to make the parking lot available
to the public for access to Rose Park when it is not being used for church events; however, discussion
during the Development Review Committee meeting pointed out some potential conflicts and issues. He
indicated that the proposed residential development on the north end of the site is designed to reduce the
overall cost of owning the property, although nothing specific has been proposed to date.
Mr. Kamp turned his attention to the issue of north/south connectivity between West Oak Street and
Tschache Lane. He questioned the importance of extending North 25th Avenue or providing any other
north/south connector through this property since North 27th Avenue runs along the western boundary and
is to be constructed as an arterial. He cautioned that extending North 25th Avenue along the western
boundary of Rose Park will essentially create the type of situation that exists around Kirk Park, which he
feels generates conflicts and potential safety hazards; and noted the applicants prefer a Lindley Park feel,
where safety is provided for those using the park through access that does not result in through traffic.
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Mr. Kamp stated the applicant has no problem removing the access from West Oak Street shown
on the conceptual drawings, thus providing all access to this site from North 27th Avenue. He stressed that
the primary concern of the applicant is the cost of infrastructure improvements, particularly if required to
construct North 25th Avenue. Also, requiring street dedications on all sides of the parcel will reduce the
amount of land available for development.
Responding to questions from Commissioner Kirchhoff, staff indicated that Tschache Lane is
designated as a local street. Also, the unified development ordinance requires that street frontage be
provided along 50 percent of a park's perimeter to provide ease of public access. Planner Daley then
indicated there is 367 feet between North 27th Avenue and North 25th Avenue at the north end of this
property.
Commissioner Krauss noted that North 25th Avenue is the same length as, and parallel to, Hunters
Way; and he supports its extension to the north.
Commissioner Kirchhoff expressed his support for the staff comments, noting he feels it makes
sense to extend North 25th Avenue to Tschache Lane and keep the street grid system alive. He
acknowledged that installation of the street will result in a hardship on this applicant, but to not require the
installation will result in a hardship on the street system over time. He also likes the idea of streets on all
four sides of a park rather than the 50 percent frontage required by the code. He suggested one alternative
to alleviate financial impacts on the applicant would be to phase in development of North 25th Avenue rather
than requiring immediate installation.
Responding to Commissioner Youngman, Planner Daley stated that after the Development Review
Committee meeting, she talked to the Director of Public Service and Project Engineer to discuss possible
alternatives. At a minimum, she stressed the importance of acquiring an easement or dedicated right-of-
way for North 25th Avenue.
Commissioner Krauss stated he feels North 25th Avenue ought to be constructed, noting it is
important to provide streets that can share the traffic load. He also noted that, since development to the
north and west will continue, connectivity is very important.
Commissioner Hietala stated he, too, supports extension of North 25th Avenue; however, he feels
there is a potential to be flexible on its installation.
Responding to questions from Commissioner Hietala, Mr. Shaun Shahan, member of Fellowship
Baptist Church, stated it is important to maximize development on the north end of the site to help pay for
the costs of infrastructure. He noted that an east/west connector may also be required through this property,
further reducing the amount of land available for development. Given the constraints that result from the
street connections and setbacks, he estimated that possibly ten duplex lots could be created on the north
end of the property.
Mr. Dan Kamp noted that when Rose Park was first created, the City Commission supported
parkland dedications that expanded that park area and asked if that is still a desire. If so, he suggested the
possibility of using parkland dedication to write down the costs of infrastructure improvements.
Director of Public Service Debbie Arkell noted that when Rose Park was dedicated, this subject
property was included in the area for which that dedication was provided, so no additional parkland
dedication will be required.
Responding to Mr. Shahan, the Commissioners voiced interest in having an east/west connector
through this property to provide access to Rose Park from the subdivision to the west; however, they
indicated a willingness to be flexible on the alignment of that access.
Commissioner Kirchhoff drew attention to the great park and trail system in this area and asked that
the trail system be continued through this property.
Mayor Cetraro concluded the agenda item by thanking the applicant for the opportunity to review
this informal application.
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Discussion - initial review of proposed revisions to the unified development ordinance
Associate Planner Chris Saunders gave a brief history of this revision process. He noted that the
proposed revisions before the Commission at this time have been reviewed by the Planning Board and the
Zoning Commission, and their recommendations have been included in the packet. He stated the index
lists in numeric order the various edits and suggested that it be used to assist in this review process. He
stressed that, if a majority of the Commission indicates that it is not willing to consider a proposed
amendment, it will fall off the list of items to be considered further. A positive response at this time simply
means that the proposed revision will go through the formal amendment process, which includes a public
hearing before the City Commission.
Commissioner Krauss suggested that the Commission review the list of revisions that are more
editorial in nature or easy to make determinations on and submit them back to the Planning staff to proceed
through the revision process.
Associate Planner Saunders cautioned that if the proposed amendments are considered in batches
every few months, the result may be the need to reprint the entire unified development ordinance multiple
times because several of the revisions affect several different sections of the document. He then
recognized that doing the small items first and then moving into the material elements might be the best way
to approach these amendments.
City Attorney Luwe suggested that, with a specific delayed effective date in the ordinance adopting
any revisions, some of those concerns could be addressed.
Associate Planner Saunders led the Commissioners through a review of individual revisions that
were generally minor in nature, although a few policy issues were included on which there was little
discussion and general consensus at the Planning Board and Zoning Commission reviews.
As a result of that review, Associate Planner Saunders indicated staff will proceed with the identified
revisions and bring them back through the formal process.
Mayor Cetraro asked that the revisions for which Planning Board discussion has been provided be
considered at the work session on May 9.
Discussion - FYI Items
The following "For Your Information" items were forwarded to the Commission.
(1 ) Letter from the Southwest Building Industry Association to City Manager Kukulski, dated
March 17, regarding the proposed fee increases for planning, zoning and annexation applications.
(2) Letter from Prugh and Lenon Architects, dated April 6, requesting reconsideration of four
conditions for approval of The Garage at City Center.
Acting City Manager Ron Brey asked if the Commissioners wish to revisit The Garage at City Center
and the conditions of approval, as requested by the applicant; a majority of the Commissioners indicated
a willingness to do so. The Acting City Manager indicated that, as a result of that direction, staff will place
this request on next week's agenda, at which time the Commission will set a date to revisit the application
and conditions of approval.
(3) Letter from Don Kreitz, dated April 4, voicing concern about the new library project.
(4) Letter from Sean McNeill, dated March 30, drawing attention to the health problems revolving
around the dog excrement in Cooper Park and voicing concern that this situation precludes families from
enjoying the park.
(5) Letterfrom Montanans Against Toxic Burning, dated April 11 , expressing concern about the
burning of Asarco slag in the Trident kiln.
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(6) Newsletter from Headwaters Recycling, announcing the next board meeting, scheduled for
April 11 at Chico Hot Springs.
(7) Letter from the State of Montana Department of Administration Local Government Services
Bureau announcing the schedule for legislative updates and accounting seminars.
(8) Agenda for the Gallatin Local Water Quality District meeting that was held on April 7.
(9) Agenda for the School Board of Trustees meeting to be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April
11, at the Willson School.
(10) Agendas for the County Commission meetings to be held at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 12,
and 1 :30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13, at the Courthouse.
(11 ) Agenda for the Development Review Committee meeting to be held at 10:00 a.m. on
Wednesday, April 13, in the Commission Room.
(12) Agenda for the Design Review Board meeting to be held at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April
13, in the Commission Room.
(13) Agenda for the Bozeman Area Transportation Coordinating Committee meeting to be held
at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 27, at the Bozeman Public Library.
(14) Commissioner Kirchhoff noted that Rhonda Larson, a graduate of Bozeman Senior High
School and renowned flutist, is in Bozeman for several appearances, and her husband has asked that she
be recognized. He then read a proposed proclamation and asked for Commissioner support in his
presenting it to her at the concert on Wednesday evening; the Commissioners concurred.
Adiournment - 9:20 D.m.
There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, it was moved by
Commissioner Kirchhoff, seconded by Commissioner Hietala, that the meeting be adjourned. The motion
carried by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Commissioner Kirchhoff, Commissioner
Hietala, Commissioner Krauss, Commissioner Youngma nd or Cetraro; those voting No, none.
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AND RO, Mayor
ATTEST:
~~SLAP~
Clerk of the Commission
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