HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-16-06 Planning Board Minutes.doc ** MINUTES **
CITY OF BOZEMAN PLANNING BOARD
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2006
7:15 P.M.
0:02:00 [19:34:59] ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE
Chair JP Pomnichowski called the meeting to order at 7:46PM and directed the secretary to
record the attendance.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
JP Pomnichowski, President & Chair
Steve Kirchhoff, Commissioner & Liaison
Brian Caldwell
Randy Carpenter
Dave Jarrett
Ed Sypinski
Caren Roberty
Erik Henyon
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mike Hope
STAFF PRESENT:
Andy Epple, Director of Planning & Community Development
Dave Skelton, Senior Planner
Kimberly Kenney-Lyden, Recording Secretary
GUESTS PRESENT:
Chris Budeski
Susan Gianforte
David Barbisan
Sean Becker
0:02:08 [19:36:27] ITEM 2. PUBLIC COMMENT (0-15 MINUTES)
Seeing there was none, President JP Pomnichowski closed the portion of this meeting.
0:02:29 [19:37:22] ITEM 3. MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2006
Request made by Eric Henyon, in the miscellaneous discussion, Mr. Epple reference the city
commission's decision and Ms. Pomnichowski noted those comments are in the second paragraph. Mr. Henyon further noted there was no detail regarding the discussion by Mr. Kirchhoff that
was to be repeated with the county commissioners, nor was there a date or
time reflected as to when that would happen. Ms. Pomnichowski asked the recording secretary to go back into the recording and add a paragraph or two to reflect the discussion matter,
date, time, and place this was to happen. She then added she will need another copy of the revised minutes before she decides to pass them.
0:04:56 [19:37:44] ITEM 4. PROJECT REVIEW
0:04:56 [19:40:03] 1. Growth Policy Amendment Application, #P-06035
(Genesis Business Park).
A Growth Policy Amendment application requested by applicants and property
owners, Greg R. Gianforte and Susan K. Gianforte; and representative, Madison
Engineering, LLC, to change the land use designation on 20 acres from Residential
to Business Park on property legally described as Lot 1, Minor Subdivision No. 235,
Gallatin County, Montana (lying along west side of South 19th Avenue, approximately
¼ mile south of Stucky Road) (Skelton)
0:13:00 [19:40:09] Staff Report
Senior Planner Dave Skelton noted there is an error in the receipt of two different staff
reports regarding this project and added the correct staff report for Genesis Business Park is
numbered P-06035. This application is for a growth policy amendment for 20 acres just south
of the Grace Bible Church from a Residential designation to Business Park. He further added
this property is owned by the Gianforte's who also own the north eastern current Genesis
Business Park to the northwest. This proposal recognizes the existing land uses in the area
and the applicants are asking for an expansion of the current business park. Planner Skelton
noted that this property is county and there are several different zones in the surrounding
areas such as R-1, B-P, R-3, and R-4. Planner Skelton stated the planning staff reviewed this
growth policy amendment request based on the four criteria under section 2.4.1 of the 2020
plan .He further notes there was some consideration for an R-O designation, however the
applicant wishes to further expand their current business park uses with a possibility of
adding a private school. He added that according to the above information, this application
meets all the criteria, and noted that the planning department is recommending approval of
the proposed growth policy amendment. Lastly, he added there has been no public comment
up to this time.
0:14:58 [20:28:29] Questions for Staff
Commissioner Kirchhoff asked Planner Skelton why the current Genesis Business Park is not
petitioning to be annexed in as well, to which Mr. Skelton noted the Gianforte's have
expensive private infrastructure in place and do not need City water and sewer, so they are
chosing not to annex at this time.
Mr. Dave Jarrett commented that a school was mentioned and Mr. Skelton responded that it
was possibly a private school and would need a Conditional Use Permit for a Planned Unit
Development since the zoning would be BP. He added this proposal would be part of the
PUD process. Mr. Jarrett further noted that
one would assume the Gianfortes would continue their current business park uses and put in
high-tech business in this new property if it were to be approved. Mr. Skelton noted that is
their primary plan.
0:16:18 [19:40:16] Applicant Response
Chris Budeski, presenting on behalf of Madison Engineering stated he is representing the
Gianfortes GPA. He stated the intent is to expand the Genesis Business Park. He added the
possiblity of building a private school is not a firm decision. If they should decide to do
something else, the RO designation wouldn't fit if they decided to add a private school, the
BP zone will allow it. Mr. Budeski stated they have stubbed utilities and city services on this
property from the Meadow Creek area and added this would be a nice buffer to the church
and residences further south. The Barbisan's have submitted an application for zoning to R4
also. He noted that CTA is developing the area at Graf Street and there is a fire station going
in the Meadow Creek Subdivision as well. Mr. Budeski stated the reason for this designation
is that it seemed natural and logical.
Mr. Dave Jarrett wondered if this 20 acres would use the Genesis Business Park sewer and
water systems. Mr. Budeski noted that this property will connect directly to city services
through the meadow creek subdivision.
Randy Carpenter asked Mr. Skelton if an inventory of business park land is available. Dave
Skelton replied there is an inventory. He added staff recommends approval because it has
met all the 2020 plan requirements. There is a large amount of mixed uses in this area so this
is only an extension of the northern existing business.
Mr. Budeski noted the reason for this application is not to sell off offices, the Gianforte's
need land to expand the high tech industry.
0:29:50 [19:51:51] Public Comment
Susan Gianforte stated she is co-owner of the Genesis Business Park and also owner of the
20 acres in question. They started this technology business in 1998 and had no idea how fast
they were going to grow. She added that now they have 100,000 sq feet in the current
business park and don't have very much left. They have about 350 employees with an
average wage of $70K per year, however the hidden factor is the high speed lines and it's a
telecom business which is why expansion onto this property is their focus. It's close and there
would not be a separate infrastructure investment.
Mr. Steve Kirchhoff asked the applicant why they are not annexing the existing Genesis
Business Park. Ms. Gianforte noted they invested a large amount of money for a private
treatment system - hundreds of thousands of dollars to only shut it down in five years does
not make sense, however when it fails, they will apply to annex that in. Ms. Gianforte further
added they could expand anywhere in the United States, but they are choosing to expand in
Bozeman.
Mr. David Barbisan, the Gianforte's neighbor. He noted he is in favor of this proposal. He
stated he can see the need for the expansion and this will do nothing but enhance the area.
Mr. Barbisan is planning on pursuing annexation and seeking an R-4 designation which is
just to the south of this property.
0:30:37 [20:27:19] Discussion
Mr. Brian Caldwell thanked the applicant for bringing such a strong proposal, positive
growth, and job opportunities to our valley. It helps to provide a diversity of employment
opportunities. He noted he feels this is a perfect example of an appropriate land use pattern
and will support the needs of a growing industry. He is strongly in favor of this proposal.
0:31:49 [20:08:50] Motion and Vote
Mr. Ed Sypinski motioned to recommend approval of application #P-06035, with
contingencies as noted by staff, to amend the growth policy designation from residential to
business park .
Motion seconded by Dave Jarret. Those in favor being Ed Sypinski, Dave Jarrett, Steve
Kirchhoff, JP Pomnichowski, Randy Carpenter, Erik Henyon, Brian Caldwell and Caren
Roberty.
All in favor. Motion passed unanimously, 8-0.
Ms. Pomnichowski noted this application will go before the city commission on October 2nd.
0:32:41 [19:58:59] ITEM 5. OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Carpenter reminded all board members that Dan Burden, the Community Walk-ability
expert will be in Bozeman on October 3rd. He added he will not be able to attend the
Planning Board meeting that night. On October 2nd, there will be an all day professional
workshop and would be delighted to have planning board members attend that. Mr. Jarrett
asked Mr. Carpenter if he could please send the itinerary via e-mail. Mr. Carpenter stated he
will get them out to all planning board members the next day.
Ms. Pomnichowski asked members to verify their presence for the next meeting to ensure
they have a quorum and only Randy Carpenter is requesting to be excused due the the above
program with Dan Burden.
Andy Epple reminded everyone about the LEED conference on September 20th from
1:30PM-3:30PM. He is hoping some or all Board Members can attend. He further added that
the Planning Board has been authorized to continue to use the courthouse for the televised
meetings per city management.
0:38:52 [20:01:33] ITEM 6. NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Caren Roberty noted what the board approved tonight, and queried Mr. Epple as to the
possibility for a neighborhood commercial zoning in that area. Mr. Epple noted there is
community commercial just to the north, and it starts at the Stockman Bank which is B2. He
further clarified that there is no neighborhood commerical in Meadow Creek and will revisit
this in the near future as the city updates the 2020 plan.
Ms. Roberty commented that she has been hearing of problems about fire stations and not
having enough money in the city's budget to accomodate all the service and safety requests.
Mr. Epple responded that the city received an application for a fire station site and this is
something that a growing community has to deal with. He further noted the Meadow Creek
developer has dedicated property within his subdivision for a fire station and another
developer has a builder who said he is ready to build it. Ms. Roberty asked if we should be
concerned about higher density and it's impact and strain on city services. Mr. Epple replied
there are major facilities plans updates are underway to address this question. He added the
city has spent close to a million dollars to get these updated plans. Mr. Epple stated these
updated facilities plans will be the basis of which new impact fees will be assessed, and
commented the community can reasonably expect that impact fees will increase. He pointed
out that a city can never use impact fees to cure pre-existing deficiencies. Impact fees can
only be used to help provide capacity expansion.
Randy Carpenter inquired as to the fiscal impacts of growth and whether or not
the planning board needs to know about this. Mr. Epple stated that is the purpose of the
ongoing facilities planning efforts and the impact fee studies that are underway. He noted a
city can never stop planning for and building new infrastructure if it continues to grow.
President Pomnichowski stated that at the next meeting, she will be asking fellow board
members to recommend a change in the city ordinance to require term rotation change
amongst the board. She noted that she has been on the board for five years and would like to
see staggered terms so there are only 4 members leaving at one time and not all 9. There will
be an additional draft in your next packet reflecting the deletions and additions suggested to
the commission. Last, she reminded all about the first meeting in November will not be on
Wednesday, November 8th, the meeting will be on the regular night, Tuesday, at City Hall on
November 7th since the courthouse will be used by the voters.
0:51:08 [20:06:18] ITEM 7. ADJOURNMENT
President and Chair, JP Pomnichowski adjourned the meeting at 8:28PM.
_______________________________ _______________________________
JP Pomnichowski, President & Chairperson Andrew C. Epple, Director
City of Bozeman Planning Board City of Bozeman, Planning and Community
Development