HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-05-11 Northeast Urban Renewal Board MinutesNortheast Urban Renewal Board (NURB)
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, 2011, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana.
Present: Absent:
Voting Members:
Tom Noble, Vice Chair Erik Nelson, Chair
Daniel Doehring
Robert Pavlic
Jeanne Wesley-Wiese
Non-Voting Members:
Commissioner Liaison:
Carson Taylor
Staff:
Keri Thorpe, Assistant Planner
Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary
Guests:
Kevin Jacobsen
Chris Nixon
Marcus Engler
Call to Order. Vice Chair Tom Noble called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
Public Comment. Chris Nixon stated he has contacted Tate Chamberlain, host of the BeerFest at the Fairgrounds this weekend, and he is willing to allow Chris to set up a booth with photos
of the wall at the Brewery and to solicit signatures from those interested in seeing the wall saved. He also talked to Daryl Schliem, Executive Director of the Bozeman Area Chamber
of Commerce; and he has suggested there may be a potential for a no interest or low interest loan through the Bozeman Economic Development Council to help save the wall. He has also
talked to the architect and unsuccessfully attempted to contact the owner. He noted that the costs of tearing the wall down are projected at $76,000 to $82,000 while stabilizing the
wall is estimated to cost $120,000.
Chris Nixon then announced that the NorthEast Neighborhood Association will hold its spring meeting on April 28 in the Commission Room at City Hall. He asked if this Board wishes to
present any information at that meeting. The Board decided that an update on the North Church Avenue trail and the East Aspen Street trail, update on the bridge, and information on
the East Peach Street road improvements would be beneficial.
Planner Keri Thorpe announced that Historic Preservation Officer Courtney Kramer received notice of funding through a small grant that is being used to make signs highlighting various
historic districts in Bozeman. She noted that she has the graphics for those signs available if the Board wishes to see them.
Consent Items –
Approve minutes from March 1, 2011 meeting. It was moved by Dan Doehring, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the minutes of the meeting of March 1, 2011, be approved as submitted. The motion
carried on a 4-0 vote.
Discussion Items –
Peach Street engineering study—survey information gathered by Morrison-Mairele. Kevin Jacbosen distributed copies of the existing street right-of-way on East Peach Street between North
Rouse Avenue and North Plum Avenue, along with impingements and ownerships. He noted the first step was to identify what actually exists, and then schematically reflect it on this diagram.
He stressed that this street is located in an older part of town, and the property pins sometimes depict a different story from the anticipated 60-foot right-of-way width. He noted
that, while sidewalks are typically located one foot inside the right-of-way line, there are instances along this roadway where the sidewalk is three feet inside the right-of-way line.
He stated that, due to the weather and snow remaining on the ground, Morrison-Maierle has not been able to complete a topographical study of the street, and that is the next step in
accurately determining the existing conditions. Kevin Jacobsen concluded by asking the Board members what they envision for street improvements along this corridor, keeping the existing
right-of-way width in mind.
Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated it was her hope that street improvements on the eastern portion of the roadway will help mitigate the current loading and unloading issues that exist between
Bronken’s and the residential properties immediately across the street.
Bob Pavlic noted that rain water needs to be diverted into gutters.
Jeanne Wesley-Wiese voiced her preference for more permeable surfaces, noting that such surfaces are better for the community and its residents, and reduce the need for addressing runoff.
She then noted that the curb at the intersection of East Peach Street and North Wallace Avenue is always being crushed by semi trucks.
Kevin Jacobsen noted the radius of that intersection is 15 feet, which is typical for residential streets; however semis need a 20 to 25-foot radius to successful negotiate a turn.
He indicated that is one issue they can review to see if adjustments can be made.
Responding to Vice Chair Noble, Kevin Jacobsen stated the section of Peach Street lying west of North Rouse Avenue is 37 feet, back-of-curb to back-of-curb. He noted that, given the
existing right-of-way and conditions, that would be the maximum width of the street improvements being considered under this project. He then stated they will attempt to use the existing
drainage system to the greatest extent possible. For those areas where that is not possible, he suggested a swale or retention system could be pursued.
Planner Thorpe stressed that a design for the street improvements needs to be developed so that, if this street should become a capital improvement project, any future improvements could
dovetail with this project. She noted that, if the Board wishes to consider 10-foot-wide driving lanes, that could give the Board a little more flexibility in considering other improvements
within the right-of-way while providing some traffic calming because of the narrow width. She then stated that, looking at the project at the northeast corner of the intersection of
North Wallace Avenue and East Peach Street, it appears the intent was to continue the sidewalk and boulevard in its typical alignment along East Peach Street.
Kevin Jacobsen stressed that the right-of-way for the street does not lie in a straight line and, as a result, it may be necessary to slightly curve the street in some places.
Planner Thorpe asked if the Board is interested in bike lanes and how it wishes to address the stormwater issues.
Vice Chair Noble asked about the feasibility of putting a bike trail on one side of the street, noting it is important to provide a safer environment for bicyclists.
Planner Thorpe responded that a shared use path is typically 12 feet wide; and people are often not comfortable with a 10-foot-wide shared sidewalk. She also noted it is important to
recognize the difference in design standards between transportation paths and recreational paths.
Kevin Jacobsen observed that East Peach Street is classified as a minor arterial, which requires a 100-foot-wide right-of-way, and noted it will not reach that type of road design for
many years, if ever. He noted that the lane widths of the existing roadway vary from 10 to 11 feet; and the design standard for a minor arterial allows for an 11-foot-wide driving lane
but with a 1-foot-wide space separating those lanes. He stated that the collector road standard allows for a 10-foot-wide driving lane and suggested that standard could be incorporated
into the improvements for this roadway.
Vice Chair Noble voiced interest in seeing a design that moves the curb adjacent to the sidewalk on the north side of the roadway to gain extra road width for bike lanes but leaves the
landscaped boulevard on the south side of the street.
Planner Keri Thorpe suggested that stormwater control could possibly incorporate tree pits. She then cautioned that signed access easements may be necessary for sidewalks to be installed,
since some of the same right-of-way issues may be encountered along East Peach Street as there were along North 7th Avenue.
Kevin Jacobsen noted that they need to gather a little more data on the exact locations of property lines, and the next map will include cross streets. He stated that the topographical
map will also provide more information. He then asked for Board input on what types of improvements they wish to see in the street right-of-way so that information can be included in
the new street design. He noted that ideas discussed to this point include green space and trees as well as a wider street with bike lanes and cautioned that all of those may not fit
within the existing right-of-way.
Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted her primary desire is to help resolve the conflicts between
industrial uses and residential uses, particularly on the east end of the street. She also wants to see more green along the corridor and a roadway that reflects a balance between uses,
not leaning toward industrial uses. She would also like to explore alternative bike routes rather than including a bike lane on this busy street.
Responding to questions from Chris Nixon, Kevin Jacobsen stated the intersection of North Wallace Avenue and East Peach Street will require some modification to accommodate the turning
maneuvers of large vehicles. He then noted that adding bike lanes does help big trucks because they push the driving lanes a little further from the curb. He then reviewed the configuration
of Peach Street west of North Rouse Avenue, noting that it includes a 5-foot-wide bike lane along the south side, two 10-foot-wide driving lanes, and an 11-foot-wide shared parking/bike
lane on the north side. He cautioned that it will be difficult to accommodate bike lanes on this subject section of East Peach Street, but they will try to do so if that is a priority
of this Board. He noted that may include eliminating parking along the north side of the street, particularly if boulevards and sidewalks are desired.
Following a brief discussion, a majority of the Board members agreed that bike lanes should be eliminated from the proposed design.
Tom Noble asked about the possibility of including traffic calming options.
Responding to questions from Vice Chair Noble, Kevin Jacobsen stated that the current lack of curbs allows people to create driveway widths larger than standard curb cuts. He noted
that, if Bronken’s needs additional width for their driveways, a laydown curb may be the best option along that frontage.
Kevin Jacobsen asked for Board input on opening this process and discussion up to the entire neighborhood.
Jeanne Wesley-Wiese suggested a short presentation at the NorthEast Neighborhood Association (NENA) meeting might be appropriate. She noted that this item should be included on the agenda
for the meeting, as well as highlighted in the upcoming NENA newsletter.
Planner Thorpe cautioned that it is important to notify those with property along East Peach Street prior to the NENA meeting. She stressed that the notification should come from this
Board, and volunteered to provide that notice on Board letterhead.
Kevin Jacobsen stressed that, if this project is to be presented at the NENA meeting, the engineers need a little more direction from this Board, cautioning that if a specific proposal
is not provided, the discussion with more people will result in less valuable input.
Chris Nixon questioned whether the project should be introduced at this meeting or if it would be better to wait until the fall NENA meeting.
Planner Keri Thorpe suggested that the issue be introduced at this spring meeting, so that property owners in the area are aware of the impending project. She noted that this could
simply consist of a quick overview by Chair Nelson and an announcement of when and where this Board meets.
Planner Thorpe noted that, if the neighborhood wants to see all of the improvements made, including sidewalk, boulevards and bike lanes, they could request the creation of a special
improvement district. She stated, however, it seems they want to see a little improvement to the roadway but not all of the improvements that have been discussed.
Kevin Jacobsen stated that after the consultants complete the topographical map, they will submit a drawing that leaves the driving lanes in essentially the same configuration and, after
that, the Board can talk about boulevards again. He concluded by agreeing to attend the NorthEast Neighborhood Association meeting with some exhibits of the roadway. He stated he will
present what is currently on the ground and then possibly touch on the improvements being considered at this time.
Trail construction project – general update. Planner Keri Thorpe reported she is still working on the bid documents. She indicated that the bench installation will be separated into
two types so that the Board can make an informed decision on whether it wishes to proceed with the standard bench or a bench specifically designed for this district.
Board member recruitment. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated she has had no success in recruiting board members.
Chris Nixon stated he would apply for a non-voting position since he is attendance at most of these meetings.
FYI Items. No comment was received under this agenda item.
Adjournment – 8:45 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, Vice Chair Noble adjourned the meeting.
Tom Noble, Vice Chair
Northeast Urban Renewal Board
City of Bozeman