HomeMy WebLinkAbout23085 Staff Report Staff Report
Berkshire Hathaway Site Plan
Application No. 23085
September 11, 2023
Page 1 of 15
Application No. 23085 Type Site Plan
Project Name Berkshire Hathaway Office Building
Summary A proposed two-story office building located near the corner of Stafford Avenue and West
Babcock Street on a pad lot within the Valley West Square Master Site Plan (MSP) #18355.
The parking area, parking lot landscaping, solid waste enclosure, and vehicular and
pedestrian access from Stafford Ave. and N. Cottonwood Rd. are existing and were
constructed with Phase 1 of the MSP #19264. This application proposes a two story office
building on Lot 4 with associated walkways, landscaping, building mounted lighting, and
bicycle parking.
Zoning B-1 Growth Policy Community Commercial
Mixed Use
Parcel Size 0.31 acres
Overlay District(s) None
Street Address 15 Stafford Ave. (final address TBD)
Legal Description Valley West Sub, S10, T02 S, R05 E, Block 1, Lot 4, Acres 0.312, Per Plat J-320b, City of
Bozeman, Gallatin County, Montana
Owner Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, 1020 South Ave, Missoula, MT 59801
Applicant Same as Owner
Representative Cushing Terrell, 13 N. 23rd St., Billings, MT 59101
Staff Planner Danielle Garber Engineer Simon Lindley
Noticing Public Comment Period Site Posted Adjacent Owners
Mailed
Newspaper Legal Ad
6/16/23 – 7/11/23
6/16/23 6/16/23 NA
Advisory Boards Board Date Recommendation
Development Review
Committee
6/12/23 The application is adequate, conforms to
standards, and is sufficient for approval with
conditions and code provisions
Design Review Board NA NA
Recommendation The application is adequate, conforms to standards, and is sufficient for approval with conditions and
code provisions as noted below.
Decision Authority Director of Community Development Date: September 11, 2023
Full application and file of record: Community Development Department, 20 E. Olive St., Bozeman, MT 59715
Staff Report
Berkshire Hathaway Site Plan
Application No. 23085
September 11, 2023
Page 2 of 15
FINDINGS OF FACT AND APPEAL PROVISIONS CERTIFICATE
A) PURSUANT to Chapter 38, Article 2, Bozeman Municipal Code (BMC), and other applicable sections of Ch.38, BMC, public
notice was given, opportunity to submit comment was provided to affected parties, and a review of the Site Plan described in
this report was conducted. The applicant proposed to the City a Site Plan (SP) to permit the construction of a two-story office
building in the Valley West Square Master Site Plan lot 4. The purposes of the Site Plan review were to consider all relevant
evidence relating to public health, safety, welfare, and the other purposes of Ch. 38, BMC; to evaluate the proposal against the
criteria of Sec. 38.230.100 BMC, and the standards of Ch. 38, BMC; and to determine whether the application should be
approved, conditionally approved, or denied.
B) It appeared to the Director that all parties and the public wishing to examine the proposed Site Plan and offer comment were
provided the opportunity to do so. After receiving the recommendation of the relevant advisory bodies established by Ch. 38,
Art. 210, BMC, and considering all matters of record presented with the application and during the public comment period
defined by Ch. 38, BMC, the Director has found that the proposed Site Plan would comply with the requirements of the BMC if
certain conditions were imposed. Therefore, being fully advised of all matters having come before them regarding this
application, the Director makes the following decision.
C) The Site Plan has been found to meet the criteria of Ch. 38, BMC, and is therefore approved, subject to the conditions listed
in this report and the correction of any elements not in conformance with the standards of the Title. The evidence contained in
the submittal materials, advisory body review, public testimony, and this report, justifies the conditions imposed on this
development to ensure that the Site Plan complies with all applicable regulations, and all applicable criteria of Ch. 38, BMC.
On this ______ day of ________________, 2023, Anna Bentley, Director of Community Development, approved with
conditions this Site Plan for and on behalf of the City of Bozeman as authorized by Sec. 38.200.010, BMC.
D) This Director of Community Development’s project decision may be appealed by filing a documented appeal with and paying
an appeal fee to the Clerk of the Commission for the City of Bozeman within 10 working days after the date of the final decision
as evidenced by the Director’s signature, following the procedures of Sec. 38.250.030, BMC.
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
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.
CODE PROVISIONS
1. BMC 38.410.130. - Water Adequacy: To satisfy the City's water adequacy requirement a cash-in-lieu of water rights
fee must be paid prior to final site plan approval. The assessed fee is $1,582.00.
Staff Report
Berkshire Hathaway Site Plan
Application No. 23085
September 11, 2023
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Figure 1: Current Zoning Map
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Berkshire Hathaway Site Plan
Application No. 23085
September 11, 2023
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Figure 2: Site Plan Overall
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Application No. 23085
September 11, 2023
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Figure 3: Enlarged Site Plan
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Application No. 23085
September 11, 2023
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Figure 4: Landscaping Plan
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September 11, 2023
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Figure 5: Planting Plan
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Application No. 23085
September 11, 2023
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Figure 6: South West Perspective (from Babcock)
Figure 7: North Elevation (from parking area)
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Berkshire Hathaway Site Plan
Application No. 23085
September 11, 2023
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Figure 8: North Elevation
Figure 9: South Elevation (east and west elevations in application materials)
Staff Report
Berkshire Hathaway Site Plan
Application No. 23085
September 11, 2023
Page 10 of 15
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
Analysis and resulting recommendations based on the entirety of the application materials, municipal codes, standards,
plans, public comment, and all other materials available during the review period. Collectively this information is the record
of the review. The analysis in this report is a summary of the completed review.
Plan Review, Section 38.230.100, BMC
In considering applications for plan approval under this title, the Director of Community Development shall consider the
following:
1. Conformance with Article 1 - Consistency with the City’s adopted Growth
Policy 38.100.040.D
Meets Code?
Growth Policy
Land Use
Community Commercial Mixed Use Yes
Zoning B-1, Neighborhood Business District Yes
Comments: The project conforms to the requirements of the B-1 zoning district. The 2020 Community Plan
designation of Community Commercial Mixed Use correlates with the B-1 zoning district. The proposed
project conforms to this designation by providing a smaller scale office activity in an established community
business corridor near residential uses, and arterial and collector streets.
2. Conformance with Article 1 - All other applicable laws, ordinances, and
regulations (38.100.080)
Condominium ownership No
Comments: Additional steps will be required including but not limited to review of building permits and
infrastructure plans. The Building Division of the Department of Community Development will review the
requirements of the International Building Code for compliance at the time of building permit application.
3. Conformance with Article 2, including the cessation of any current violations
(38.200.160)
Meets Code?
Current Violations None Yes
Comments: There are no current violations on the property.
4. Conformance with Article 2 - Submittal material (38.220) requirements and
plan review for applicable permit types (38.230)
Meets Code?
Site Plan Yes
Submittal requirements 38.220.100 Yes
Phasing of development
38.230.020.B
No. of phases: 1 Yes
Comments: The application conforms to the site plan criteria and submittal requirements. The building
and site updates are proposed to be built in one phase.
Any additional use permit (Special use Permit) 38.230.120 No
Comments: A special use permit is not triggered. Offices are principal uses in the B-1 district. In the B-1
district, the footprint of individual buildings must not exceed 5,000 square feet. The applicant proposes a
footprint of 4,929 square feet.
5. Conformance with Article 3 - Zoning Provisions (38.300) Meets Code?
Permitted uses 38.310 Offices Yes
Form and intensity standards 38.320
Zoning: B-1 Setbacks
(feet)
Structures Parking /
Loading
Yes
Staff Report
Berkshire Hathaway Site Plan
Application No. 23085
September 11, 2023
Page 11 of 15
Front Block Frontage Block Frontage
Rear 10 10
Side 5 8
Alley NA NA
Comments: The proposed project fronts onto West Babcock Street with a mixed block frontage
designation and a 10-foot front setback. The building also exceeds the 10-foot setback on Stafford
Avenue with a 17-foot setback. 5-foot side setbacks to the existing parking area, and the adjacent lot on
the west side are met. No new parking areas are proposed.
Lot
coverage
36.3% Allowed 100% Yes
Building
height
35’ 9 ¼ “
<3:12
Allowed 40-feet Yes
Comments: Lot coverage and building height form and intensity standards are met with the proposed design.
Applicable zone specific or overlay standards 38.330-40 NA
Comments: The project is not within an overlay district, or zoning district with specific standards
General land use standards and requirements 38.350 NA
Comments: No setback or height encroachments are proposed. No other general land use standards are
triggered.
Applicable supplemental use criteria 38.360 NA
Supplemental
uses/type
NA NA
Comments: No supplemental uses are proposed.
Wireless facilities 38.370 NA
Affordable Housing 38.380.010 NA
Affordable housing plan NA
Comments: No wireless facilities are proposed. No housing is proposed.
6a. Conformance with Article 4 - Community Design Provisions: Transportation
Facilities and Access (38.400)
Meets Code?
Streets 38.400.010 Yes
Street and road dedication 38.400.020 NA
Access easements NA
Level of Service
38.400.060
Yes Transportation grid adequate to serve
site
Yes
Comments: Adjacent streets exist to serve the site, no additional dedication is needed. A traffic impact
study was not required by the Engineering Division. Level of service standards and roadway capacity for
streets serving the site was evaluated by engineering with a traffic peak hour trip generation letter
provided by the applicant.
Sidewalks 38.400.080 Yes
Comments: Sidewalks exist and connections are provided to West Babcock Street and Stafford Avenue.
Drive access 38.400.090 Access to site: 0 proposed, 2 existing MSP Yes
Fire lanes, curbs, signage and striping Yes
Comments: Drive accesses exist to connect the site from North Cottonwood Rd., and Stafford Avenue.
Street vision triangle 38.400.100 Yes
Transportation pathways 38.400.110 Yes
Pedestrian access easements for shared use pathways and similar transportation
facilities
Yes
Public transportation 38.400.120 NA
Staff Report
Berkshire Hathaway Site Plan
Application No. 23085
September 11, 2023
Page 12 of 15
Comments: No transportation pathways or public transportation facilities are proposed with this
application.
6b. Conformance with Article 4 – Community Design Provisions: Community
Design and Elements (38.410)
Meets Code?
Neighborhood centers 38.410.020 NA
Comments: This project does not trigger neighborhood center requirements.
Lot and block standards 38.410.030-040 Yes
Midblock crossing: rights of way for pedestrians alternative block delineation NA
Comments: This project does not trigger lot and block standards.
If the development is adjacent to an existing or approved public park or public open
space area, have provisions been made in the plan to avoid interfering with public
access to and use of that area
NA
Provisions for utilities including efficient public services and utilities 38.410.050-060 Yes
Easements (City and public utility rights-of-way etc.) Yes
Water, sewer, and stormwater Yes
Other utilities (electric, natural gas, communications) Yes
CIL of water Yes
Comments: Requirements were reviewed by engineering. CILWR must be paid prior to final site plan
approval.
Municipal infrastructure requirements 38.410.070 Yes
Comments: Municipal water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer systems proposed with this project have
been reviewed by engineering.
Grading & drainage 38.410.080 Yes
Location, design and capacity of stormwater facilities Yes
Stormwater maintenance plan Yes
Landscaping: native species, curvilinear, 75% live vegetation 38.410.080.H Yes
Comments: Location, design and capacity of stormwater facilities was reviewed by engineering. No new
drainage facilities are proposed with this application. A storm discharge memo was provided by the applicant
and reviewed by engineering to ensure capacity within the existing retention facilities at the northwest corner
of the master site plan. Per the memo, there will be less runoff from this lot than anticipated and no additional
facilities are needed.
Watercourse setback 38.410.100 NA
Watercourse setback planting plan 38.410.100.2.f NA
6c. Conformance with Article 4 – Community Design Provisions: Park and
Recreation Requirements (38.420)
Meets Code?
Parkland requirements 38.420.020.A NA NA
Cash donation in lieu (CIL) 38.420.030 NA
Improvements in-lieu NA
Comments: NA, no residential uses proposed.
Park Frontage 38.420.060 NA
Park development 38.420.080 NA
Recreation pathways 38.420.110 NA
Park/Recreational area design NA
Comments: NA
Staff Report
Berkshire Hathaway Site Plan
Application No. 23085
September 11, 2023
Page 13 of 15
7a. Conformance with Article 5 – Project Design: Block Frontage Standards
(38.510)
Meets Code?
Block frontage classification Mixed – Landscaped Yes
Departure criteria None requested Yes
Comments: West Babcock and Stafford Avenue are mixed block frontages. The primary frontage for the
application is the West Babcock frontage. Mixed-landscaped standards including the building placement,
façade transparency, parking location, and sidewalk width requirements are met. A front facing building
entrance with weather protection is provided and this building architecturally addresses the primary frontage
along Babcock.
7b. Conformance with Article 5 – Project Design: Site Planning and Design
Elements (38.520)
Meets Code?
Design and arrangement of the elements of the plan (e.g., buildings, circulation, open
space and landscaping, etc.) so that activities are integrated with the organizational
scheme of the community, neighborhood, and other approved development and produce
an efficient, functionally organized and cohesive development
Yes
Relationship to adjacent properties 38.520.030 NA
Non-motorized circulation and design systems to enhance convenience and safety
across parking lots and streets, including, but not limited to paving patterns, pathway
design, landscaping and lighting 38.420.040
Yes
Comments: Pedestrian paths into and through the site meet the standards in this section for location,
connections, and widths.
Design of vehicular circulation systems to assure that vehicles can move safely and
easily both within the site and between properties and activities within the general
community 38.420.050
Yes
Internal roadway design 38.520.050.D NA
Comments: NA
On-site open space 38.520.060
Total required NA, site is under 1 acre. Yes
Total provided NA, site is under 1 acre Yes
Comments: No commercial open space is triggered with this application. However, the design is
proposing a landscaped plaza at the west side of the building with seating, landscaping, and bike racks.
As well as a deck on the northeast corner of the 2nd floor.
Location and design of service areas and mechanical equipment 38.520.070 Yes
Comments: Mechanical equipment for the building will be housed on the roof and will be screened by a
prefinished vented aluminum screen wall system. Solid waste will be collected via existed facilities
constructed with phase 1 of the master site plan. Gas and electric meters and landscape screening are
located on the south side of the building.
7c. Conformance with Article 5 – Project Design: Building Design (38.530) Meets Code?
Compatibility with, and sensitivity to, the immediate environment of the site and the
adjacent neighborhoods and other approved development 38.530.030
Yes
Building massing and articulation 38.530.040 Yes
Building details, materials, and blank wall treatments 38.530.050-070 Yes
Comments: The proposed building is meeting the building design standards of this section. Entries,
building materials, and windows serve to break up the elevations. Cultured stone, brick veneer, and metal
panels make up the bulk of the proposed exterior materials.
Staff Report
Berkshire Hathaway Site Plan
Application No. 23085
September 11, 2023
Page 14 of 15
7d. Conformance with Article 5 – Parking (38.540) Meets Code?
Parking requirements 38.540.050 Yes Yes
Parking requirements residential 38.540.050.A.1 NA
Reductions residential 38.540.050.A.1.b NA
Parking requirements nonresidential
38.540.050.A.2
17 spaces
Reductions nonresidential 38.540.050.A.2.c NA
Provided off-street 20 spaces
Provided on-street 0
Bicycle parking 38.540.050.A.4 10
Comments: Parking is proposed to be provided for the office building in the existing off-street parking lot.
The parking stalls total 20 spaces allocated to Lot 4. Each stall provided off-street meets the stall, aisle,
and driveway design requirements of Section 38.540.020. The amount of parking on site is reduced by
20% to for offices in neighborhood commercial (B-1). The required parking metric of 1 space per 400
square feet was approved with the master site plan and follows the Valley West PUD commercial metric.
Bicycle parking meets the stall length and width required in this section.
Loading and uploading area requirements 38.540.080 NA
First berth – minimum 70 feet length, 12 feet in width, 14 feet in height NA
Additional berth – minimum 45 feet length NA
Comments: NA
7e. Conformance with Article 5 – Landscaping (38.550) Meets Code?
Mandatory landscaping requirements 38.550.050 Yes
Drought tolerant species 75% required Yes
Parking lot landscaping NA
Additional screening NA
Street frontage Yes
Street median island NA
Acceptable landscape materials Yes
Protection of landscape areas NA
Irrigation: plan, water source, system type Yes
Residential adjacency Yes
Comments: The provided landscaping plan conforms to standards. No new parking lot landscaping is
proposed. Landscaping around the building and used to screen utility meters are consistent with the
standards in this section.
Landscaping of public lands 38.550.070 NA
Comments: Public landscaping in the adjacent boulevard strips is existing.
7f. Conformance with Article 5 – Signs (38.560) Meets Code?
Allowed SF/building 38.560.060 NA NA
Proposed SF/building NA NA
Comments:. A sign permit is required prior to the installation of any signs.
7g. Conformance with Article 5 – Lighting (38.560) Meets Code?
Site lighting (supports, cutoff, footcandles, temperature) 38.570.040 Yes
Building-mounted lighting (supports, cutoff, footcandles, temperature) 38.570.040.B Yes
Comments: New building mounted lighting is proposed with this application. The proposed lighting meets
the intensity, cutoff and shielding requirements of this section. Two types of lighting will be mounted to
Staff Report
Berkshire Hathaway Site Plan
Application No. 23085
September 11, 2023
Page 15 of 15
the building, fixture C1 (referenced on the photometric plan) is recessed under the north and south
entrance awnings, W1 are Lithonia wall packs at the east and west elevations.
8. Conformance with Article 6 – Natural Resource Protection Meets Code?
Floodplain regulations 38.600 NA
Wetland regulations 38.610 NA
Comments: NA
9. Relevant Comment from Affected Parties (38.220) Meets Code?
Public Comment Yes
Comments: A public notice period was conducted meeting the requirements of this section and detailed on
page 1 of this report. No public comment was provided.
10. Division of Land Pertaining to Subdivisions (38.240-Part 4) Meets Code?
Subdivision exemptions NA
Required easements Yes
Comments: No subdivision exemptions were required with this application. Easements are existing.