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Home My WebLink About013 3-1_Departure and Agency Exemption Summary 190 NORTHSTAR LANE BOZEMAN, MT 59718 406‐581‐5730 www.headwatersmt.net Page 1 of 14 June 7, 2022 City of Bozeman Community Development 20 East Olive Street Bozeman, MT 59771 Re: Bozeman Legion Baseball Indoor Facility Site Plan Submittal Agency Exemptions 901 N. Black Ave. Dear Planner, The Bozeman Legion Baseball Indoor Facility will be constructed to serve and benefit over 400 youth baseball players in Bozeman, with primary use and operations by the non‐profit Bozeman Bucks Legion Baseball Organization. The group will use the building for year‐round indoor baseball practice and training. In order to fit in with surrounding buildings, maximize the function of the building, and minimize unnecessary costs, the Owner is pursuing certain agency exemptions (listed below and in the following pages) to the City of Bozeman site plan requirements, per MCA 76‐2‐402. None of the requested agency exemptions will negatively impact public health, safety, or the general welfare of the public. Gallatin County, a public entity and owner of the parcel (the Bozeman Bucks are the lessor of the parcel), is supporting the requested agency exemptions for this site plan on this PLI‐zoned parcel. Sec. 38.220.100. – Submittal Requirements for Landscape Plans The Bozeman Bucks and Gallatin County Fairgrounds request exemption from the requirement to include a landscape plan with the site plan submittal. The existing site includes nearly 4 acres of irrigated grass, trees, and shrubs, and complies with the intent of this section. See Figures 1 and 2 for examples of existing landscaping. No further landscaping is proposed, in order to maximize the indoor recreation space and not impede further into the existing ballfield area. The location of this site, interior to the fairgrounds and away from city streets, shield the building from direct public view. There is an existing fence east of the proposed building that will remain and serves to separate the property from the neighboring City of Bozeman Public Safety Center, currently being constructed. 190 Northstar Lane, Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 581‐5730 www.headwatersmt.net Page 2 of 14 Figure 1. Vast, irrigated, lush green grass on site. Figure 2. Additional bushes, trees, grass, and other landscaping on site. 190 Northstar Lane, Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 581‐5730 www.headwatersmt.net Page 3 of 14 Sec. 38.410.080.H ‐ Grading and drainage The Bozeman Bucks and Gallatin County Fairgrounds request exemption from the requirement to make stormwater facilities into landscaped amenities due to limited funding and the nature of the site already consisting of nearly 4 acres of landscaping. Additionally, the buildings, parking areas, and open spaces already existing at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds site do not include landscaped stormwater amenities, so this request would be in‐line with the existing conditions of the developed areas of the property. The storm facilities will be seeded or sodded with grass to match the surrounding areas. Sec. 38.520.040 ‐ Non‐motorized circulation and design. C.1. Internal Circulation The Bozeman Bucks and Gallatin County Fairgrounds request exemption from the requirement to connect buildings via pedestrian walkways or path on this very large, spread out, fairgrounds site. A sidewalk is planned to connect the parking lot to the building entrances for functional use of the building, but there is no anticipated need to connect this building to other areas/buildings on the Fairgrounds. The closest sidewalk on the Fairgrounds, outside of the baseball facility, is 285 feet to the west. The nearest roadside sidewalk is nearly 600 feet to the south, along Tamarack St. The Fairgrounds site has limited sidewalks to connect to. Refer to the accompanying EX‐1 Site Map Exhibit for site map details. C.4. Pedestrian paths through parking lots The Bozeman Bucks and Gallatin County Fairgrounds request exemption from the requirement to provide pedestrian paths through parking lots. The existing, shared, parking lot will be used to serve this building. The existing parking lot is gravel. Improvements to the shared parking lot are outside of the scope of this project, and are not necessary to provide functional use of the building. The existing parking lot does not include any existing pedestrian paths. Figure 3 shows the existing parking lot. 190 Northstar Lane, Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 581‐5730 www.headwatersmt.net Page 4 of 14 Figure 3. Existing gravel parking lot. C.5. Connections to adjacent properties The Bozeman Bucks and Gallatin County Fairgrounds request exemption from the requirement to provide pathways to connect to adjacent properties due to contextual challenges. This site is internal to the Fairgrounds and connections to adjacent City of Bozeman Streets would be lengthy, costly, and unnecessary. This building is meant to serve the lessor of the property, and is not intended for walk‐in or public drop‐in traffic. Use of the building will be reserved, scheduled, and intentional. The users will park near the building and use the designated sidewalk to access the building entrance. D.2 Pathway Design. The Bozeman Bucks and Gallatin County Fairgrounds request exemption from the requirement to provide additional 2’ widths on sidewalks adjacent to perpendicular or angled parking. Six‐foot sidewalks, which is 1‐ foot wider than required in non‐parking areas, are planned adjacent to the building and parking lot. Heavy foot‐traffic is not anticipated since the sidewalk only goes to the building, and does not continue off‐site. Additionally, there is ample space north of the sidewalk for persons to maneuver if there is a conflict. D.3. Pathways must be separated from structures by at least three feet of landscaping… The Bozeman Bucks and Gallatin County Fairgrounds request exemption from the requirement to separate pathways structures by at least three feet of landscaping. Existing buildings on the site do not include this 190 Northstar Lane, Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 581‐5730 www.headwatersmt.net Page 5 of 14 landscaped buffer. There is significant landscaping and open space already provided adjacent to the proposed building. Adding a 3’ landscape buffer would project into the adjacent utility access easement and require a smaller building footprint, limiting the usable area of the building. E. Bicycle facilities. The Bozeman Bucks and Gallatin County Fairgrounds request exemption from the requirement to provide bicycle racks or lockers. This location is not near a school and does not see consistent or high‐volume bike usage. This site is internal to the Fairgrounds and the building is meant to serve the lessor of the property, and is not intended for public drop‐in traffic. Use of the building will be reserved, scheduled, and intentional. Nearly all users are anticipated to commute via vehicle and park close to the building. Sec. 38.520.070. Location and design of service areas and mechanical equipment. D.1 Utility meters, electrical conduit, and other service utility apparatus. The Bozeman Bucks and Gallatin County Fairgrounds request exemption from the requirement to provide screening around utility meters. The proposed building is located internal to the Fairgrounds, away from City streets, and is not easily visible from the streets. The utility meters will be on the far east side of the building, facing away from the parking lot. This building site is immediately adjacent to a shed with electrical panel and meter (see Figure 4), a large cell tower (see Figure 5), and above ground electrical/cell equipment, so the planned utility meters will not be unsightly in comparison. Figure 4. Adjacent electrical panel and meter. 190 Northstar Lane, Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 581‐5730 www.headwatersmt.net Page 6 of 14 Figure 5. Adjacent cell tower. Sec. 38.530.040. – Building massing and articulation B. Facade articulation The Bozeman Bucks and Gallatin County Fairgrounds request exemption from the requirements to provide three articulation features every 60 feet. This building is designed to maximize function and fit in with the existing adjacent buildings on the Fairgrounds site, and minimize unnecessary project costs. The location of this site, interior to the fairgrounds and away from city streets, shield the building from direct public view. See Figures 6 – 10 for examples of existing buildings at the Fairgrounds. 190 Northstar Lane, Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 581‐5730 www.headwatersmt.net Page 7 of 14 Figure 6. Existing hockey rink building on the Fairgrounds. 190 Northstar Lane, Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 581‐5730 www.headwatersmt.net Page 8 of 14 Figure 7.Existing building on the Fairgrounds. Sec. 38.530.070. ‐ Blank wall treatments C. Untreated blank walls visible from a public street, pedestrian‐oriented space, common usable open space, or pedestrian pathway are prohibited. The Bozeman Bucks and Gallatin County Fairgrounds request exemption from the requirements of this section, in order to maximize function of the building, blend in with surrounding buildings on the fairgrounds, and minimize project costs. The location of this site, interior to the fairgrounds and away from city streets, shield the building from direct public view. Architectural features, such as windows, would be too easy to damage and/or break with the nature of the use of the building as a sports facility, with baseballs travelling at high speeds. See Figures 6 – 10 for examples of existing buildings at the Fairgrounds. 190 Northstar Lane, Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 581‐5730 www.headwatersmt.net Page 9 of 14 Figure 8. Existing hockey rink building on the Fairgrounds.. 190 Northstar Lane, Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 581‐5730 www.headwatersmt.net Page 10 of 14 Figure 9. Existing grandstands at Heroes Park. Figure 10. Existing Gallatin County Search and Rescue building on the Fairgrounds site. 190 Northstar Lane, Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 581‐5730 www.headwatersmt.net Page 11 of 14 Sec. 38.540.020. – Stall, aisle and driveway design G. Striping The Bozeman Bucks and Gallatin County Fairgrounds request exemption from the requirement to stripe parking stalls. The existing parking lot is gravel, and striping on gravel would quickly deteriorate. G. Curbing The Bozeman Bucks and Gallatin County Fairgrounds request exemption from the requirement to provide concrete curb. The existing parking lot is gravel, with no curbing. It is not within the scope of this project to add concrete curb. The parking area in front of the building is proposed to have raised concrete sidewalk, which will act as a vehicle stop in front of the building. Sec. 38.550. – Landscaping C. Parking lot landscaping. The Bozeman Bucks and Gallatin County Fairgrounds request exemption from the requirements to provide landscaping in the existing parking lot. The existing site includes nearly 4 acres of irrigated grass, trees, and shrubs and complies with the intent of this section. No further landscaping is proposed, in order to maximize the indoor recreation space and not impede further into the existing ballfield footprint. There is an adjacent utility access easement (and cell phone tower) to the west, and another easement (and cell tower equipment) east of the building that restricts the available space for the building footprint and adjacent landscaping. Figures 11 – 12 show the existing equipment in the area of the proposed building site. Figure 11. Adjacent cell tower equipment. 190 Northstar Lane, Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 581‐5730 www.headwatersmt.net Page 12 of 14 Figure 12. Looking northeast towards the proposed building site, showing existing conditions. Sec. 38.560. ‐ Signs The Bozeman Bucks and Gallatin County Fairgrounds request exemption from the requirements of this section. The building is planned to include exterior mounted signs, to match the existing ballfield outfield fence, which includes approximately 6,000 SF of 4’x8’ and 8’x8’ signs that advertise program sponsors. The location of this site, interior to the fairgrounds and away from city streets, shield the building from direct public view. The existing and planned signs primarily face in a direction internal to the site, and are not easily visible or distracting from City streets in the area. 190 Northstar Lane, Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 581‐5730 www.headwatersmt.net Page 13 of 14 Figure 13. Existing outfield fence signs. Figure 14. Existing outfield fence signs. 190 Northstar Lane, Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 581‐5730 www.headwatersmt.net Page 14 of 14 If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at 406‐570‐3676 Sincerely, ____ Garrett Schultz, P.E. Headwaters Engineering, Inc. H:\2028\001\DOCS\Site Plan\3‐1_Departure and Agency Exemption Summary.docx