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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-06-11 Northeast Urban Renewal Board Minutes Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 6, 2011 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6, 2011, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana. Present: Absent: Voting Members: Erik Nelson, Chair Daniel Doehring Tom Noble Robert Pavlic Jeanne Wesley-Wiese Non-Voting Members: Commissioner Liaison: Carson Taylor Staff: Keri Thorpe, Assistant Planner Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Tim McHarg, Planning Director Guests: Kevin Jacobsen, Morrison-Maierle Trevor McSpadden, Morrison-Maierle Ed Sypinski, Planning Board Chris Nixon Putter Brown Call to Order. Chair Erik Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Public Comment. Putter Brown, part owner of the Brown Building at the intersection of East Peach Street and North Wallace Avenue, stated he is exploring the idea of a restaurant in one-half of the main floor, which would be approximately 1800 square feet. He noted that one of the outcomes of the informal review was a sense that he should reach out to the neighborhood as the first step in the formal review process. Putter Brown stated that he needs supplemental parking for the restaurant. As a result, he approached Chad Groth about the possibility of using the parking spaces on his site and, since the restaurant would only operate from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., obtained approval from Mr. NURB Meeting—September 6, 2011 1 Groth and all of his tenants to use those existing parking spaces. He noted that the restaurant would be Damasco's, an existing Italian restaurant in Belgrade that would relocate to this site. He stated the owner currently serves beer and wine, and that license would transfer to this site as well. The existing restaurant is 1500 square feet; and the owner would like to increase the size to 1800 square feet with his relocation to Bozeman. He stated the restaurant would be closed on Sundays and Mondays. Putter Brown noted that many different ideas for use of this building have arisen over the years, but he has not been comfortable with any of them. In this instance, the business has been successful in Belgrade for four years; the owner lives in Bozeman; his wife grew up just a couple blocks from the site and attended Hawthorne School; and his children currently attend Hawthorne School. Responding to Bob Pavlic, Planner Thorpe stated the subject property is zoned HMU, and under this zoning a 1500-square-foot restaurant would be allowed. Since the owner would propose to serve beer and wine, the conditional use permit process would be triggered; and the applicant could seek up a deviation to increase the size up to 25 percent. If any external modifications are proposed, a certificate of appropriateness would also be required. Erik Nelson expressed his support for the proposal, stating he feels it would be compatible and would bring vitality to the area after 5:00 p.m. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese acknowledged that this restaurant would be good for business but stated that, as a resident, she is a little anxious about it and potential impacts on the street and the area. She noted that one of her major concerns is parking, particularly in light of the congestion around Audrey's Pizza Oven and the current proposal to eliminate parking along the north side of East Peach Street. Putter Brown responded that those issues are the reasons that he chose to obtain existing parking spaces close to the site. Bob Pavlic expressed some reservations about this proposal, stating he feels that restaurants are more appropriately located downtown or close to a highway, rather than in this mainly residential area. Dan Doehring stated he is generally supportive of the idea, noting that one of the ideas of a mixed use district is to bring services, such as food, closer to the residents. Chris Nixon voiced his interest in the idea, noting it would result in a restaurant only a block from his business. He finds anything that adds to the vitality of the area a positive. He noted, however, he is concerned with how the proposal to remove parking along the north side of East Peach Street might impact this business as well as other businesses along that street. Chair Nelson noted that, as the formal application moves through the process, the Board may act on it, or the members can comment individually. He concluded by stressing the importance of the applicant talking to this Board as well as the neighbors. NURB Meeting—September 6, 2011 2 Consent Items — Approve minutes from August 2, 2011 meeting. It was moved by Dan Doehring, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the minutes of the meeting of August 2, 2011, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 5-0 vote. Discussion Items — Peach Street Concept Plan Update — Responses from the Neighborhood. Various Board members gave updates on their efforts to talk to residents about the proposed improvements on East Peach Street. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated those from Classic, Inc., that she spoke to are excited about the proposed street improvements. She reported that Ketra had no concerns with the project. She noted that Chandler Dayton did not have time to review the plans, so she will e- mail them to her. Chandler understands that efforts will be taken to mitigate the existing issues with the Bronken's operations across the street in conjunction with the street improvements. She concluded by stating that she also spoke to Frankie , and relayed his strong concerns about any loss of on-street parking on the south side of the street. He also wanted to know if the sidewalk would remain as it is now and if the new gutters are to line up with the existing gutters. Chair Nelson stated he tried unsuccessfully to schedule a meeting with Peter Bronken, but made him aware of what the Board is considering. He talked to Tom Simkins, who voiced concern about potential impacts to his trucks, which use East Peach Street to reach North Rouse Avenue and turn on North Ida Avenue to access the gas station. He also talked to people at Karst Stage, who asked for verification that their busses would still be able to turn off North Wallace Avenue onto East Peach Street and then indicated they have no issues with the proposal. Tom Noble stated he talked to Wendy Visscher at the Help Center and gave her a set of plans. She is concerned about losing on-street parking. She noted that there is a right-of- way behind the neighbor's house that could provide access to the back of the Help Center's lot; however, she does not feel it is their responsibility to develop that access. Chair Nelson noted that, during his presentation of this year's work plan to the Commission, the Mayor was adamant the plans for improvements to East Peach Street be set so that the Montana Department of Transportation's plans for North Rouse Avenue improvements can appropriately tie to these improvements. Bob Pavlic and Dan Doehring stated they had no assignments. Kevin Jacobsen, Morrison-Maierle, noted that the MDT's plans will impact the Help Center more than these plans, since their improvements will extend past that property. NURB Meeting—September 6, 2011 3 Chair Nelson stated he does not anticipate much of this project will happen until someone wants to do something along this corridor. Kevin Jacobsen stated the Bike Board will consider the proposed draft letter at next month's meeting since they did not meet this month. Responding to questions from Kevin Jacobsen, Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated she feels it is important to present the concept plan to the NorthEast Neighborhood Association at its fall meeting, which will be held at 7:00 p.m. on October 12 at City Hall. She noted that those at the meeting should be allowed to comment on the plan, but they should not be given an opportunity to vote on it. Chair Nelson noted that any interested NENA members can then appear before this Board at its November meeting to provide formal input. District Plan implementation inquiry from Planning Board. Planning Board President Ed Sypinski stated he is currently doing outreach and information gathering from a variety of interested parties in an attempt to learn how the Planning Board might be able to help move projects through the process. He noted that earlier this year the Board talked about partnering with urban renewal boards as well as other districts and, as a result, set time aside at its October 18 meeting for those districts to appear before the Board. He indicated that the Board will listen to presentations at that meeting as well as consider written comment. Mr. Sypinski reported that he met with the North 7t" Avenue Urban Renewal Board last week, and increased parking was of primary interest. He observed that tonight, he seems to be hearing that parking could negatively impact this district due to the large amount of residential property within it. Chair Nelson noted this district has its own unique attributes and, while code provisions may work well for Greenfield development, they don't work so well in an older developed area. He asked that the Planning Board be respectful of innovative ideas for infrastructure, citing the handling of stormwater as one example. He noted that the current parking standards can also be difficult to meet in this type of area. He concluded by noting that, because of how the requirements for the HMU district were written, setback requirements can be excessive. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese identified how the Planning Board deals with historic properties in the district is also a concern, citing the brewery wall as an example. She noted that it appears the depot is being subject to demolition by neglect, and suggested the City may still have a chance to save it. She wants the Planning Board to be more aware of historic properties in the community and how its character is changing as those properties are lost. NURB Meeting—September 6, 2011 4 Ed Sypinski noted that a lot of the Planning Board's efforts have been toward promoting economic development, and the Board must be mindful of whether giving up certain design standards is desirable. He also noted that, in lieu of overlay districts, the Board has discussed the possibility of self-imposed design standards and considering individual applications. Bob Pavlic noted that there are large clumps of residential development, with some commercial areas interspersed throughout the district. He stated the majority of conflicts seem to arise where those two uses are adjacent. He then expressed an interest in seeing the dark skies lighting standards extended to include street lighting. Tom Noble noted that Gallatin County has the "Code of the West" and suggested that Bozeman should have a "Code of the Neighborhood". He stated many of the issues stem from gentrification, with those moving into the area having a different set of values from those who have lived in the area for years. Chair Nelson asked that, in preparation for the October 18 Planning Board meeting, this Board review the existing zone code and formulate ideas at its October 4 meeting. Responding to Commissioner Liaison Carson Taylor, Ed Sypinski stated the Planning Board will use the information gathered to look at potential zone changes, development standards with a specific tax increment financing district, or possibly special use permits. Audrey's Pizza CUP application for outdoor seating. Planner Keri Thorpe stated that the owner of Audrey's Pizza is proposing additional outdoor seating on the lawn on the Rouse side of the building. The patio would be extended toward North Rouse Avenue, and the applicant envisions two 2-top tables and two 4-top tables under an awning. The site would contain a total of 360 square feet, which would not trigger the need for any additional parking since they currently have more spaces than required under the code. She noted this application will be before the Commission at its September 19 meeting. Responding to Bob Pavlic, Planner Thorpe stated staff is supportive of the application. She noted that its use would be seasonal; and they close at 9:00 p.m. She stated that staff is recommending that no outdoor music be permitted, which should help to reduce the potential impacts of outdoor seating. Tom Noble noted that the outdoor seating does not mean more people will eat at Audrey's-, rather, they may simply sit somewhere else. Chair Nelson voiced his support for the application. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted that she continues to be concerned about the amount of on- street parking and congestion that results from this business; however, she is relatively NURB Meeting—September 6, 2011 5 neutral on this proposal. Depot Pocket Park Maintenance — follow-up discussion. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated she has done some watering in the park but has not had a chance to coordinate additional mowing. Responding to Planner Thorpe, Board members indicated on real concern with people camping by the railroad track. Boulder in Depot Park. Tom Noble noted it has been brought to his attention that the climbing boulder is slick on top. Bob Pavlic stated the builders of the boulder talked to him about the fact that someone put epoxy on the top of the boulder. The epoxy makes the boulder slick; and they cannot fix it. North Church Avenue and East Aspen Street trails — status report. Planner Keri Thorpe reported that she has a signed contract with Wildwood Trails for the work, which is scheduled to begin in mid-September. She noted the Ken DeWalle's bench will be installed in the Aspen Street right-of-way. Demolition by Neglect (aka Property Maintenance Code) — follow-up discussion. Planner Thorpe reminded the Board that the Commission did not make this a priority for Planning staff to work on. Responding to Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Commissioner Liaison Carson Taylor stated he failed to get this made a priority for the upcoming year even though it had been raised by this Board as well as the Historic Preservation Advisory Board. Since the Commission set its priorities, he has attempted unsuccessfully to get two other Commissioners to move this to priority status. He suggested there may still be an opportunity after the Commission sets its budget next week to raise the issue once again, and suggested that Board members may wish to talk to Commissioners they know in an effort to get this issue onto the priority list. Responding to Bob Pavlic, Commissioner Liaison Taylor stated that if a situation creates a danger, the City can act on it without this ordinance in place. Planner Thorpe noted the buildings that this Board is concerned about contribute to the historic district and cautioned that this ordinance will not protect the historic character of those buildings. Tom Noble voiced his continuing concerns about the potential for abuse of the ordinance. He characterized the brewery wall as a bungling of the process by Planning and suggested that type of issue should not be addressed by adopting another ordinance. NURB Meeting—September 6, 2011 6 Chair Nelson acknowledged that the Board is specifically concerned about the depot and suggested there may be a better way to handle it. He noted that a more proactive approach could be taken with the railroad to gain control of the building through a lease that is acceptable to the City. Commissioner Liaison Taylor indicated that he will talk to Staff Attorney Tim Cooper and Planner Courtney Kramer to see if there is a possibility of working with the railroad to develop a lease that is acceptable to both parties. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese requested that an update on the status of the brewery wall be placed on next month's agenda so that the Board has information for the October NENA meeting. Action Items — Consider a motion directing staff to forward the Peach Street Concept Plan to the NENA. It was moved by Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the Board forward the East Peach Street improvement plan to the NorthEast Neighborhood Association meeting on October 12 for review and comment. The motion carried on a 5-0 vote. Adjournment — 8:35 p.m. There being no further business to come before the board at this time, Chair Nelson adjourned the meeting. Erik Nelson, Chair Northeast Urban Renewal Board City of Bozeman NURB Meeting—September 6, 2011 7