HomeMy WebLinkAbout20224 DRC Comments 10-28-2020Page 1 of 5
FROM: DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE
RE: WEST SIDE FLATS MASTER SITE PLAN
APPLICATIONS #20224
DATE: SEPTEMBER 11, 2020
Project Location: J7D Family Major Subdivision Phase 2, T02 S, R05 E, Lot R-2, Acres 14.02, Plat J-
610
Project Description: Master Site Plan for a three phase 132 unit two-bedroom apartment project
with related site improvements. The property is zoned R-O and is roughly 8.77 acres.
Recommendation: The DRC review finds that the project does not comply with the requirements
of the Bozeman Municipal Code and is deeming the application inadequate for further review.
Code corrections must be satisfied prior to continued review. All references are to the Bozeman
Municipal Code (BMC). However, as the comments are minor, the project will move forward to
notice and an ADR review.
Administrative Design Review Team: Due to events of COVID-19, all advisory boards have been
canceled. An ADR team made up of city staff will review this project and provide a summary memo
based on the review. This will be scheduled upon adequacy.
Section 2 – RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Please note that these conditions are in addition to any required code provisions identified in this
report. These conditions are specific to the development.
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.
Section 3 – REQUIRED CODE CORRECTIONS
Planning Division, Sarah Rosenberg, srosenberg@bozeman.net, 582-2297
The subdivision exemption must be approved prior to approval of the master site plan
and site plan. Easements needs to match between the subdivision exemption and the
master site plan.
Understood. The proposed easements pertain mostly to the improvements with this
master site plan submittal, so they are included with this submittal for review. They will
be included with the subdivision exemption as well.
BMC 38.230.100.A.12. As presented, the phasing plan is difficult to follow given the
complexity and scale of the development. Please provide a detailed phasing plan
accompanied with exhibits that show how the development intends to build out. The
phasing plan should clearly show sanitary sewer, water, storm, street, buildings, trails,
and other critical infrastructure that is needed to support the development.
Page 2 of 5
The proposed phasing is shown on C1.1. The linear trail along the eastern edge of the
property will be installed w/ Phase 1. The water and sewer main will eb installed in
their entirety with Phase 1. A 24’ all weather access road will be provided for
maintenance. Curb, sidewalk, trail and parking lot improvement within each phase
will installed with that phase.
BMC 38.410.040.D.1. The setback to the pedestrian access easement must be 5 feet.
Some buildings do not meet this setback.
Response: In phase 2 one 18-plex was replaced with a 12-plex and the buildings were
moved to meet setback rules. See Civil Sheets
BMC 38.510.030. A departure request is required for building 1 as there is no entrance
that faces Fallon Street. The DRC is in support of granting this departure. A fee of $284 is
required with the revision submittal.
The West Side Flats buildings design is intended to “Face” the internal driveway. We
are requesting a departure for Building’s #1 entry not facing Fallon Street. We feel this
departure request is reasonable considering the overall project design and intention
of the internal driveway acting as the “street” for the project. We will pay the $284
departure fee as required.
BMC 38.520.040.C.4. A crosswalk should be provided on the east side of Dragonfly to
connect to sidewalk in between the parking lot and drive aisle
Response: The crosswalk has been added to the east side of Dragonfly.
BMC 38.520.040.C.4. There should be a crosswalk going east-wide along the drive aisle
between buildings 1, 2, and 3 as there is a requirement for at least one walkway per
every four rows of parking or at a maximum spacing of 200 feet.
Response: The crosswalk has been added east-west between buildings 1-3.
BMC 38.550.050.C.2.e. The parking areas that exceed 100 feet wide must have a
landscaped area and not just a cross walk. The parking lot in front of building 8 and on
Dragonfly do not meet this standard.
Response: The landscape area has been added to parking lot in front of building 8 see
L105.
Parks Department; Addi Jadin, ajadin@bozeman.net
BMC 38.410.040.D. The midblock crossing (east-west trail) must be at least 30 feet
wide, however, the north south trail alongside the eastern portion of the property
should have a 25 foot easement.
The proposed North/South easement along the eastern property boundary is 35’ wide
to allow the proposed trail to remain (mostly) out of the zone 1 watercourse setback
along Baxter Creek. C&H discussed this with Sarah and it was determined that the trail
could be left 35’ wide.
If the trail is not going to be built in its entirety with the first phase, it should at least get
connected to an open space trail running east-west.
Page 3 of 5
The trail is proposed to be constructed in it’s entirety in Phase 1
Engineering Division; Lance Lehigh, llehigh@bozeman.net
See separate comments sent September 2, 2020.
Solid Waste Department; Russ Ward, rward@bozeman.net, 406-582-3235
Need to make sure each enclosure has 50 foot straight approach to front of refuse
enclosure with no vehicle parking inside the 50 feet. ( on plan it is hard to tell if there is
the 50 feet)
Response: The straight approach template has been added to site plan sheets.
Design of the refuse enclosure is acceptable.
Northwestern Energy; Thomas Stewart, thomas.stewart@northwesternenergy.com
Plans show a 10-ft utility easement. Any new gas mains and electric primary
underground or overhead extensions will require a minimum of a 10-foot easement to
be shown on the plats. i.e. Extensions from junction cans to transformers or loop feed
transformers to other equipment needing primary. Utility locations shown on the civil
plan set look good except for a few minor details which the NWE engineer will help to
address.
Response: Note that gas lines have been eliminated from the project. The remaining
electric utility design will be coordinated with the NWE engineer as requested.
Entry ways to the some of the buildings have an awning cover entry which extends over
the utility easement and utilities which is not acceptable. Need to redesign entryway
awning cover to the buildings, along the utility easement, so they do not extend or
encroach into the utility easement.
Response: We revised the awning cover design, so it doesn’t extend into the utility
easement, see civil sheets C3.0, C3.1 and C3.2, and sheets A3 and A3.1.
Service entry locations do not match. Architecture elevation plans do not match the civil
site utility plan for meter locations. The locations shown on the Civil site plan installation
is on the side of the buildings which is acceptable. Architecture elevation plans show
meters on the back side of the building. Meters will not be allowed to be installed on
the back side of the buildings. During the NWE design process the NWE engineer will
work with the applicant to assure the appropriate location for the meter installations.
Response: The utilities have been moved to sides of buildings in the architectural plans,
see sheet A3.
Architecture elevation plans do not show gas meters just electric meters. Do they want
gas? If so gas meters will need to be installed in the same location as the electric meters.
Response: No gas is proposed for the project.
Page 4 of 5
Meter locations will need to be approved by NWE. NWE policy is to maintain a minimum
30-inches wide by 3-feet clear zone between the front of the meter and landscape
screening and allow easy access to the meters for operation and maintenance. This can
be determined through the design process after an application is submitted through
NWE and the area engineer will work through allowable shrubs and plants for screening
and to determine adequate clearances for access to our meters.
Response: No gas is proposed for the project.
The following applies to all buildings in regards to the gas regulator. The gas regulator
cannot be placed under a window or within 3’ of the operable portion of the window. It
can be placed under a window/deck on the second story, provided the “open/operable”
portion has at least 6’ of clearance from the regulator. Ensure that there is 10’ of
separation from any mechanical air intake, including air conditioning units. The
regulator will need to be 3’ from the closest corner of any portion of the electric meter
base. Submitting an application to NWE will get the NWE engineer involved and can help
with this process.
Response: No gas is proposed for this project.
Junction can will need to be installed at the secondary junction can shown on site plan 2
in front of building 5 then, primary installed in the 12-inch pvc utility culverts to the
west, to towards building 6 where a transformer will need to be installed for building 6
18-plex.
Response: A junction has been added to secondary junction see sheet C3.1.
All the transformers for the new buildings will need to be three phase transformers. For
3 phase power a transformer pad site should be planned. Typical 3-phase pad is going to
be a 7’x7’ pad. For oil filled transformers a 2-foot clearance is required to non-
combustible walls and surfaces that do not have any openings such as doors, windows,
air intake, and fire escapes routes. For transformers 750kVA & larger a 3-foot 6-inch
clearance is required. For any combustible surface a minimum of a 10-foot clearance is
required. Minimum Working Space for a Pad-Mounted Transformer is 2-feet on the
sides and back portion of the concrete pad and 10-feet of clearance on the front side of
the pad where the transformer doors are located. Note, all distances are referenced to
the edge of the pad. The NWE engineer will help to determine the appropriate location.
Response: Transformer information has been added to civil sheets.
As for landscape. No large deep rooted trees or bushes will be allowed within the 10-
foot utility easement.
Response: The landscape plans have been updated so there are no deep-rooted trees or
bushes with in the 10’ utility setback.
Page 5 of 5
If the utility infrastructure for all three phases is not going to be completed as a part of
phase then utility conduit stubs will need to be extended to the next phase.
Response: See sheet C1.1. for the location of stub locations relating to the phase
locations.
It is my recommendation that the applicant submit a service application to NWE as soon
as possible to get the NWE engineer working with the engineers and architects to help
correct any issues and provide direction and feedback as the process continues through
design.
Response: The general contractor has initiated this.
For easements and question per Northwestern Energy standards for utility easements you
can contact Northwestern Energy’s real estate representative Dylan Swanson at 406-497-
3663.
Future Impact Fees - Please note that future building permit applications will require payment of
the required transportation, water, sewer and fire impact fees according to the City of Bozeman
adopted impact fee schedule in place at the time of building permit issuance. If you desire an
estimate of the required impact fees according to current rates please contact the Department of
Community Development and/or visit.
Note: During preparation of the staff report, additional conditions of approval may be
recommended based on comments and recommendations provided by oteher applicable
review agencies involved with the review of the project.