HomeMy WebLinkAbout004 Project Narrative and Comment Response
Synergy Engineering and Konsul�ng • 3731 Equestrian Lane STE 102, Bozeman, MT 59718 • (406) 624-6137
Sundance Springs Phase 1B Commercial Lot 2
Project Narra�ve
Overview: Sundance Springs COMM Lot 2 is a proposed commercial development located off South 3rd
Avenue. The prosed development includes two buildings; 4,971 (west building) and 4,960 (east building)
square feet respec�vely. Both buildings are proposed as two stories. The proposed uses for the buildings
include upper-level offices and lower-level retail spaces, featuring a health gym and a restaurant. The
goal of the proposed development is to be a neighborhood stop, minimally impac�ng the exis�ng
residen�al area and providing easy access for pedestrians. Construc�on �me frame is: spring/summer
2026. A vicinity map is shown below.
General Site Informa�on:
• Zoning is B1. The block frontage is mixed use.
• The adjacent lots to the north and east are open space/trail systems owned by the subdivision.
The lot to the south across Litle Horse Drive is an undeveloped commercial lot. The lot to the
west across South 3rd Ave is an agricultural lot.
• The site has no exis�ng structures. A trail system owned by the Sundance Springs Subdivision
borders the lot on the west and north sides. There is some exis�ng mature landscaping on the
site that will be preserved with the proposed design.
Sundance Springs Site Plan Review
Synergy Engineering and Konsul�ng • 3731 Equestrian Lane STE 102, Bozeman, MT 59718 • (406) 624-6137
Parking: A parking lot has been designed to minimally interfere with the trail system and exis�ng
resident’s view. The lot is oriented to front Litle Horse Drive, away from residents and preserving the
open space throughout the subdivision. To mi�gate the views of the parking lot from S. 3rd Ave, a
landscape berm 3’ high has been designed and will be landscaped with large trees. The current lot
design consists of 52 vehicle parking spaces, including three ADA compliant spaces, and 13 bicycle
spaces. The parking lot design and parking space calcula�ons are shown on Sheet C-103.
Trails: The lot is bordered on the north and west by an exis�ng and heavily used trail system owned by
the Sundance Springs Subdivision. An extension of the northern trail is proposed to connect the
development with the sidewalk in Ellis View Subdivision. Shown on Sheet C-101.
Landscaping: Comm Lot 2 contains several groups of mature trees lining the trail and exis�ng sidewalk.
The current design has planned to preserve all this exis�ng landscaping, as well as invest in landscaping
along all parts of the property to match the surrounding area. Using a prescrip�ve pathway, the
proposed landscaping plan been designed in accordance with Sec�on 38.550.050 of the Bozeman
Unified Development Code. The general loca�on of street trees, screening, landscape separa�on,
parking lot landscaping, turf, seed mix, and all other plants are shown on Sheet l1.0 – Landscaping Plan.
Landscape water supply will be sourced from the proposed eight-inch water main, and shall be
connected to the main using a one- and one-half inch service line. Water and irriga�on shall conform
with Sec�on 3.3.1 Irriga�on Design Standards for the City of Bozeman Landscape and Irriga�on
Performance and Design Standards Manual
U�li�es: The exis�ng u�lity loca�ons are based on informa�on from the City of Bozeman’s infrastructure
viewer and surface survey informa�on. Loca�ons are shown on Sheet C-102. Proposed u�li�es are
shown on Sheet C-107. Details regarding drinking water, sewer, and stormwater are provided below.
Drinking Water: The new main will be tapped from a 12” COB water main beneath Litle Horse Drive. A
line serving more than one building is designated a water main. The water main for Sundance Springs
Comm Lot 2 has water service demands of 28 GPM. COB requires that the minimum diameter for any
new main is 8 inches unless specific approval in wri�ng is obtained from the COB. Each of the two
buildings shall have one service line for domes�c water. An addi�onal service line connec�on will
provide landscaping flows to the berm along South 3rd Ave. No hydrants are proposed on the site. Two
exis�ng hydrants on the corners of Litle Horse Drive and Ellis View Loop with South 3rd Ave provide
coverage for the lot with both buildings en�rely within 400’ of one or both hydrants per IFC 2018
specifica�ons. Water and sewer mains shall maintain a minimum 10’ separa�on.
Sewer: The new 8’’ sanitary sewer main will connect to the exis�ng city sewer line at the exis�ng
manhole in Litle Horse Drive. Three addi�onal manholes are proposed. A slope of no less than 0.4% and
minimum cover of four feet are required. Where cover is between four and five feet, pipe must be
insulated to protect from freezing. New sewer is sized to flow at no more than 75% full. 4-inch diameter
services shall connect to the main with in-line gasketed wyes. Each building shall have a separate service
line.
Stormwater: The drainage design for the development includes two reten�on ponds to manage
stormwater runoff. The site will be graded to ensure drainage flows toward these ponds, with reten�on
capacity designed to handle runoff from a 10-year storm event. The development is divided into four
Sundance Springs Site Plan Review
Synergy Engineering and Konsul�ng • 3731 Equestrian Lane STE 102, Bozeman, MT 59718 • (406) 624-6137
drainage sub-basins, and the drainage facili�es are intended to prevent any nega�ve impact on the
nearby Middle Creek Ditch. Maintenance of the reten�on ponds will be the responsibility of the property
owner, with regular inspec�ons and repairs to ensure the proper func�oning of the stormwater
management system.
Informal Review Comments and Responses:
The project was submited for Informal Review in January 2025, Project Name 25020 Sundance Springs
Comm Lt 2 INF, Workflow PLNAPP-10857. Review was completed and comments were received from the
city on February 25, 2025. Responses to comments are shown in blue with numbers corresponding to
the applicable ref # from the Plan Review – Review Comments Report.
1. SLD Waste: 1.need minimum of 50 foot straight approach to front of refuse enclosure. no raised
curbs within the straight approach. 2.need detailed plan for refuse enclosure. 3.refuse enclosure
will need to be covered.
There is over 200’ of straight to the refuse enclosure. No raised curbs are proposed within the
approach. Details for a covered and enclosed refuse area are shown on sheet C-506.
2. There is an existing address of 675 Little Horse Drive on this property for assessment purposes.
That will be assigned to one of the proposed buildings, and an additional address would need to
be assigned to the additional building once this is approved.
The exis�ng address shall be assigned to one of the proposed buildings and used for the street
address loca�on on the site plan applica�on.
3. BLDG - Accessible Parking Spaces (Van): Accessible Van Spaces shall be in accordance with 2021
International Building Code (IBC), Section 1106 and the 2017 ICC A117.1 Accessible and Usable
Buildings and Facilities, Section 502 as adopted by Administrative Rule of Montana (ARM).
According to ADA design guidelines, there must be a minimum of three accessible parking
spaces for lots ranging from 51-75 total spots. There will be two van accessible parking spaces
(96’ parking and aisle width) that adhere to ADA standards. There will be one car accessible
parking space (11’ parking and 5’ aisle width) that adheres to ADA standards.
4. NA (No ref# 4 comment in the plan review comments)
Sundance Springs Site Plan Review
Synergy Engineering and Konsul�ng • 3731 Equestrian Lane STE 102, Bozeman, MT 59718 • (406) 624-6137
5. BMC 38.410.130. Water Adequacy: The development will need to satisfy the water adequacy
code requirement prior to a future site plan approval. If sufficient water rights cant be provided
to offsets the development's annual demand then a cash-in-lieu of water rights (CILWR) payment
will be required. The City assesses the CILWR fee at a rate of $6,000 per acre-foot. The fee
determination will take place during the site plan review, however if there are any questions or if
a preliminary review is desired please contact Griffin Nielsen with the Engineering/Utilities
Department directly at gnielsen@bozeman.net or (406) 582-2279. The City encourages the use of
groundwater wells to supply irrigation demands, which in turn will reduce the CILWR fee.
Applicant must obtain a pre-determination from the DNRC demonstrating that a well
groundwater well may be permitted under Montana’s exempt appropriation or that provide the
water right documentation if existing prior to finalization of the CILWR fee determination. Finally,
the City would like to make the owner aware of an available CILWR rebate of approximately 20%
for residential units if high-efficiency fixtures (toilets, washers, and shower heads) meeting the
City Water Conservation Division standards are installed. The rebate would be released at
occupancy and requires an agreement defining the terms and amount rebate be finalized and
executed prior to final plan approval. If the owner is interested or has any questions please reach
out to Griffin Nielsen.
Cash-in-lieu of water rights is proposed for this development. Based on the informal review
comments, CILWR fee determina�on will take place during the site plan review.
6. DSSP Plans and Specifications Review Policy A. -Plans, specifications, and submittals for public
infrastructure improvements and fire service lines must be submitted to the City Engineering
Department by the design engineer through the engineering Project Dox Portal
(https://www.bozeman.net/services/development-center) for infrastructure review. The site plan
application must reach adequacy according to the reviewing engineer prior to initial
infrastructure review. The applicant is advised the Engineering Division anticipates infrastructure
review fees to be effective by spring 2025.
Infrastructure review will not be submited at this �me.
7. BMC 38.270.030.C - Completion time for site development: Provision of municipal central water
distribution, municipal sanitary sewer collection systems, streets, and stormwater systems means
that the criteria in either subsection a or subsections b and c are met. All improvements must be
installed prior to the issuance of a building permit (pursuant to the criteria established in
subsection a) for any building within the site, except when concurrent construction is an
identified purpose of the initial site plan review and approved pursuant to the criteria established
in subsection b and c of this section. The applicant must complete the concurrent construction
form found on the community development website if they intend to apply for concurrent
construction for on site or adjacent improvements associated with site development. The form
should be uploaded with the initial site plan submittal and the remaining requirements must be
completed prior to building permit issuance.
Sundance Springs Site Plan Review
Synergy Engineering and Konsul�ng • 3731 Equestrian Lane STE 102, Bozeman, MT 59718 • (406) 624-6137
See Document 004 Concurrent Construc�on.
8. BMC 38.410.060 - Easements: All Easements indicated below must be provided on city standard
easements templates. Drafts must be prepared for review and approval by the city with site plan
submittal. Signed hard copies of the easements must be submitted to the city prior to site plan
approval. The applicant may find the City Standard Easement Templates in the City Documents
and Staff Reports folder. (30 foot wide water and sewer pipeline access easement) These
templates represent the citys required easement. If the applicant chooses to request changes
they must contact the development review engineer assigned to the project. If any changes are
made to these templates the applicant must indicate in the document the specific changes when
returned to the City.
See document 014 U�lity Easement Dra�.
9. City of Bozeman Design and Construction Standards 1.5 - Utility Easements - A utility easement
shall be a minimum of 30 feet wide for 2 utility mains. - It is preferred that utility easements shall
be no less than 9 feet from the edge of the easement and at no time shall the utility main be less
than 7 feet from the edge of the easement. - Utility easements are required for meter pits and
fire hydrants maintained by the City of Bozeman and shall be a minimum of 20 feet wide. Design
and Construction Standards 4.1.1 - Water Main Clearance - The minimum clearance required
between the outside edge of pipe is 10 feet between water mains and sewer mains. The utility
easement must be reconfigured to comply with the standards.
Water and Sewer pipes are no less than 9 feet from the edge of the easement. Water and sewer
pipes shall maintain 10 foot horizontal separa�on.
10. The applicant is advised the updated Engineering Design and Construction Standards were
officially approved and are effective, as of January 13, 2025. This project is in the concept stage
and must utilize the new standards. Please note the BMC still takes precedence over the
Engineering Design and Construction Standards and there are some discrepancies between the
two documents. The intent is to eventually update the BMC to fix the discrepancies.
The updated design and construc�on standards as well as the BMC have been referenced
accordingly.
Sundance Springs Site Plan Review
Synergy Engineering and Konsul�ng • 3731 Equestrian Lane STE 102, Bozeman, MT 59718 • (406) 624-6137
11. City of Bozeman Design and Construction Standards - Storm Drainage Design 6.5.2: Storm
drainage planning and design shall address both the Minor (10-year) and Major (100-year)
Drainage Systems. Detention storage to control the rate of runoff to pre-developed levels shall be
designed for the full range of storm events (2-year through 100-year). 6.6.3: Acceptable runoff
calculation methods and their applications are summarized in Table 6.6.1. 6.9.1: The applicant
must include a storm drainage plan with post-construction storm water management controls
that are designed to infiltrate, evapotranspire, and/or capture for reuse the post-construction
runoff generated from the first 0.5 inches of rainfall from a 24-hour storm preceded by 48 hours
of no measurable precipitation.
See Document 011 Stormwater Design Report.
12. Please reference chapter 3 of the updated Engineering Design and Construction Standards for the
design report requirements for the site plan review. Please reference chapter 6.4 for the
stormwater drainage plan requirements. Please note any design report requirements listed in the
BMC, specifically the traffic study, must comply with the BMC because the BMC takes precedence
over the Engineering Design and Construction Standards. The intent is to eventually update the
BMC to fix the discrepancies.
The applica�on includes a stormwater drainage plan (document 011) and trip genera�on memo
(document 016).
13. BMC 38.220.080 A. 2.g. - The applicant must submit peak hour and average daily trip generation
values to the City to determine whether a traffic impact study is required.
See Document 016 Trip Genera�on Memo.
14. BMC 38.410.100 - Watercourse setback - On-site stormwater treatment facilities may be located
in Zone 2. Please confirm the pond does not encroach on zone 1 of the water course setback.
The two proposed on-site stormwater reten�on ponds are located within Zone 2 of the required
watercourse setback, consistent with BMC 38.410.100. Per code, a 50-foot setback is required
along both sides of certain watercourses, with Zone 1 comprising the inner 30 feet (60%) and
Zone 2 the outer 20 feet (40%). On-site stormwater treatment facili�es do not encroach on Zone
1.
15. Narrative states that landscape water supply will use city water, but l1.0 states that the
landscape water supply will use an existing well for irrigation. Please confirm water source at
next submittal.
Landscape water supply will use city water from the proposed 8” main.
Sundance Springs Site Plan Review
Synergy Engineering and Konsul�ng • 3731 Equestrian Lane STE 102, Bozeman, MT 59718 • (406) 624-6137
16. East and west buildings do not require a fire sprinkler system by adopted building code. If chosen
to keep systems, fire riser rooms will require a sidewalk to public way into fenced area/riser room
door. Also FDC/Horn-strobe will be required to be located on entrance side of building above
landing/sidewalk to public way and NOT be obstructed by any plantings retaining visual access
from drive access.
Fire sprinklers are no longer proposed. Fire flow has been omited from all water demand
calcula�ons.
17. W/S Water service. This water service configuration will not work. For each water service and fire
service, you will need a separate pipe and valve from the main to the building. In the case that's
shown that would be 4 separate pipes.
Fire service lines are no longer needed as per comment #16 a fire sprinkler system is not
required.
18. W/S Unused Water Services. You will need to abandon any unused water services at the main in
the street.
There is an exi�ng 6” water stub located east of the property entrance. The stub will be capped
before the proposed 8” water main is installed.
19. W/S Water Pressure. The water pressure in this vicinity is around 40 psi.
A water pressure of 40 psi was used for the Water Desing Report calcula�ons.
20. W/S Well. The existing well can be used for irrigation but cannot be tied into the domestic water
system at all.
The exis�ng well will shall not be used for irriga�on or �ed into the domes�c water system.
21. BMC 38.400.080 - A city standard sidewalk must be constructed along the South 3rd Avenue
frontage. The sidewalk must connect to the sidewalk to the north at Ellis View Loop and connect
to the sidewalk and pavement at Little Horse Drive.
A 5’ sidewalk along South 3rd Avenue connec�ng to the exis�ng Ellis View Loop and Litle Horse
Drive sidewalks is proposed and shown on the Civil plans.
22. BMC 38.400.050 - The applicant must install a 5 foot wide bike lane along the South 3rd Avenue
frontage. The applicant should match the existing bike lane and include a 2 foot shoulder beyond
the bike lane.
Sundance Springs Site Plan Review
Synergy Engineering and Konsul�ng • 3731 Equestrian Lane STE 102, Bozeman, MT 59718 • (406) 624-6137
South 3rd Ave is considered a collector road and has a minimum width of 24’. The current road
width is approximately 28’. The bike lane will u�lize this 4’ of the road and add an addi�onal 3’
for the rest of the bike lane and 2’ shoulder.
23. PLNG- Parking Schedule. Parking calculations of Section 38.540.050 use a variety of metrics for
calculating parking using metrics such as 'service stalls', 'units', 'staff members', 'service area',
'beds', and 'floor area'. Specifically restaurants utilize a metric of 'indoor public serving area' and
'outdoor area'. 'Health and exercise establishments', 'Retail store' and 'Offices' utilize a metric of
'floor area'. Note that Section 38.540.010.A.1 defines floor area as 85% of the gross floor area of
the use. This must be used for any parking metric of gross floor area, but cannot be applied to
other metrics such as service area. Please update parking calculations to represent the
appropriate metrics.
See updated parking calcula�ons on Civil drawing C-103 with details on Arch drawings a1.1 and
a1.5.
24. PLNG- Parking Lot Landscaping/Design. BMC Section 38.550.050.B.2.e requires that a parking lot
must facilitate vehicular circulation. Section 38.540.020.J requires that all off-street parking
areas have perimeter concrete curb. And Section 38.540.020.M. requires that snow areas do not
create unsafe ingress/egress. The large area denoted as snow storage does not comply with the
aforementioned code citations. This area, as proposed, has the potential to create traffic
circulation and parking issues, particularly in winter months. To provide appropriate safe and
predictable year-round traffic circulation, planning will require that the proposed snow storage
area be curbed and landscaped to city standard.
The site entrance is shown as curbed and landscaped to mi�gate poten�al traffic circula�on and
parking issues. Addi�onally, snow storage areas have been also been allocated. In accordance
with city requirements, designated snow storage must comprise at least 15% of the total plow
area, equa�ng to approximately 3,300 square feet. The revised design provides over 4,000
square feet of snow storage capacity, exceeding the minimum requirement and ensuring
adequate space for snow management.
25. PLNG- Setbacks. Section 38.700.110. 'Lot line, rear' is defined as the line opposite from the front.
In this case, planning would expect the rear lot line to be the north property line. Please label and
adjust the site plan to show and account for the north as a rear lot line, and the eastern and
western property lines as side setbacks.
The site plan has been adjusted accordingly.
26. PLNG- Parking Lot Islands. BMC Section 38.550.050.B.2.e.(2) requires that parking lot islands
occur every 100 feet or approximately every 12 spaces. If desired, from review of the proposal, it
appears plausible to add additional parking by redesigning to meet parking lot design standards.
The maximum number of parking space between lot islands is now 10 spaces (90 �).
Sundance Springs Site Plan Review
Synergy Engineering and Konsul�ng • 3731 Equestrian Lane STE 102, Bozeman, MT 59718 • (406) 624-6137
27. PLNG- Screening Service Areas. BMC Section 38.520.070.B. and .C. requires that service areas
such as trash enclosures be placed for convenient service while avoiding negative impacts. Given
the placement of the trash enclosure, to comply with required screening, subsection C would
need to be followed to provide adequate screening for the trash enclosure.
The trash enclosure shall be screened.
28. PLNG- Sundance Springs CC&Rs/PUD Rooflines. Sundance Springs CC&Rs/PUD Article IX 9.2 (pg
22) rooflines cannot be more than 40-feet without interruption from an intersecting roofline,
secondary roof structure or stepdown to break up the roof mass. The roofline appears to be
greater than 40 feet between the secondary features. Please adjust the secondary roof features
to meet this standard.
Architectural drawings have been revised accordingly.
29. PLNG- Sundance Springs CC&Rs/PUD Roofing Materials. Sundance Springs CC&Rs/PUD Article IX
requires that roofing materials be cedar shakes or tile and goes on to require that asphalt or
fiberglass be reviewed and approved by the Building and Landscaping Review Committee. Please
either designate the use of the allowed materials or provide approval from the BLRC per the PUD
standards.
Materials types have been provided to the BLRC for review.
30. PLNG- Sundance Springs CC&Rs/PUD. Article 9, 9.6.c) requires that concrete must not be exposed
more than 8" without appropriate covering such as masonry veneer, textured surface, or stucco.
Please amend plans to meet this standard.
Architectural drawings have been revised accordingly.
31. PLNG- Sundance Springs CC&Rs/PUD Material. Section 9.6a) has specific allowable building
materials. Metal, simulated stone, brick, and wood are all considered unacceptable, unless
considered by the Building and Landscaping Review Committee (BLRC). Please either amend
building materials to meet the standard or provide evidence that the BLRC has reviewed the
materials.
Materials types have been provided to the BLRC for review.
32. Commercial project. No park and recreation requirements.
Okay.