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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-04-12 Northeast Urban Renewal Board MinutesNortheast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, December 4, 2012 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4, 2012, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana. Present: Absent: Voting Members: Tom Noble, Chair Daniel Doehring Erik Nelson Robert Pavlic Jeanne Wesley-Wiese Non-Voting Members: Commissioner Liaison: Chris Mehl Staff: Keri Thorpe, Assistant Planner Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: Chris Nixon Call to Order – Chair Tom Noble called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Public Comment – No comment was received under this agenda item. Consent Items – Approve minutes from November 13, 2012 meeting. It was moved by Erik Nelson, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the minutes of the meeting of November 13, 2012, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. Discussion Items – Review draft letter to City Commission on proposed amendment to Unified Development Code to make all restaurants conditional uses in the Historic Mixed Use District. Planner Keri Thorpe distributed copies of the draft letter to the Board members. Chair Noble asked that the Board revise the letter as this time. Commissioner Liaison Chris Mehl stated the letter reads well; however, he proposed several changes that could make it better. Those changes included elimination of some phrases and sentences and changing the organization of others. He noted it is important the Commissioners understand the survey results are from July of this year, so they know the information is current, and that they also realize the results are from those who are within or abutting the district. He also suggested that a sentence be added at the end to indicate this is not just an update, but that the Board wishes a response. He then stated that he talked to three of the Commissioners last night, and those conversations revealed this will be an uphill battle since the request is counter to the goal that there be fewer conditional use permits overall. Chair Noble enumerated edits that he will make in response to Commissioner Liaison Mehl’s comments, hopefully by the end of the week. Responding to the Chair, Planner Thorpe stated the letter should be e-mailed to the Deputy Clerk with a request that it be forwarded to the Commission. Review draft letter to City Commission on issues to be considered for the Commission’s 2013 Work Plan. Planner Keri Thorpe distributed copies of the letter submitted for the 2012 Work Plan along with the 2012-2013 Work Plan adopted by the Commission on February 27, 2012. Responding to Erik Nelson, Commissioner Liaison Chris Mehl confirmed that the Commission may add to or delete items from the current work plan when preparing next year’s work plan. Erik Nelson proposed the Board suggest something that makes it easier for development to occur within the district, possibly through streamlining of the review process. Commissioner Liaison Chris Mehl reported the Mayor has indicated he wishes to meet with all of the advisory boards next year; and the Board could engage the Commissioners in discussion of areas where more flexibility is desired. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated she does not support loosening code requirements for the district, and noted that an incentive program has been funded to encourage development. Planner Thorpe noted the Planning staff has not had an opportunity to work on an infill policy this year. She then suggested that such a policy may be more beneficial for other parts of the city than within this district. Erik Nelson noted there are some vacant buildings within the district that people should be encouraged to redevelop. He then suggested the Board look at the Commission’s current work plan to see if there are places where a clause could be added to address some of the Board’s desires, including specific types of uses that the Board and the district might find acceptable with minimum review. Bob Pavlic noted that residents in the district want to see 9 to 5 businesses, leaving the district with its quiet evenings and weekends. Erik Nelson noted that there are many dilapidated sidewalks in the district and suggested that the Board might approach the City about partnering to address this infrastructure need. He also noted that a sewer main in Front Street is one of the unscheduled items in the capital improvement program, which means it is at least five years out. He suggested that the Board consider what other improvements might be made while that street is torn up, including possibly other sewer lines that may need repair or replacement. Commissioner Liaison Chris Mehl reported that four Commissioners say they want to make the preservation of historic properties a priority for next year. He noted they wish to require the applicant to appear before the Commission in person. He then stated Scala Properties, owner of the brewery wall site, has no immediate plans for the property and, at this time, has no partners and no buyer for the site. Responding to Chair Noble, Planner Thorpe stated the code has already been changed to avoid another situation similar to the brewery wall. Chair Noble asked if the Board wants to talk about bonding for commercial historic buildings, and if it something this Board wishes to recommend to the Commission. Following an extensive discussion, in which the potential of unintended consequences was raised and current code provisions were identified, it was determined this Board will make a final decision next month. Responding to questions from Bob Pavlic, Planner Keri Thorpe stated any proposal for use of the depot, including interior and exterior changes, would go through the Historic Planner. Commissioner Liaison Chris Mehl cautioned that just because a building is historic does not mean it can’t be torn down, and noted that the sitting Commission may have a strong pro-development policy. Erik Nelson observed it is highly unlikely what happened with the brewery, which was a significant structure in the district, would happen again under current code requirements. Chair Noble asked that Board members identify possible ideas for the work plan, to be discussed at next month’s meeting along with finalizing its position on requiring bonding and a demolition by neglect ordinance. January meeting date/agenda. Planner Thorpe noted that the January meeting would typically be held on January 8; however, Robin Sullivan will be out of town that day. Following a brief discussion, the Board set the meeting for January 15. Planner Thorpe asked what items should be included on the agenda. As a result of discussion, items identified included finalizing the letter forwarding desires for the work plan for the upcoming year and the delayed update on the Bozeman Creek Enhancement project from Pete Skidmore. Erik Nelson asked when the Board needs to start on its work plan; Planner Thorpe noted that process begins with the March meeting. Planner Thorpe stated the Planning Department is undergoing restructuring with her departure as well as the Planning Director’s. At this time, she is uncertain if there will be any staff support for this Board. Erik Nelson noted the Board budgeted $5,000 for staff support and suggested that, since staff support may be discontinued, funding from that budget should also be discontinued. Planner Thorpe voiced her concurrence, and reminded the Board that Robin Sullivan could potentially be contracted at her current rate of $25.00 an hour to assume some of the support that she has provided. Neighborhood News. Chris Nixon noted the ladies who are opening the bakery are not providing any seating area because that would trigger an additional $25,000 in impact fees. He is concerned about that decision since he would like to be able to sit in the bakery and eat and asked what steps can be taken to possibly change that situation, citing Mezzo Matto as an example where such impact fees were not required. Planner Thorpe stated that pulling a building permit triggers the assessment of impact fees, and she does not believe that Mezzo Matto was required to obtain a building permit. She then acknowledged that many people are shocked at the costs of converting from an industrial use to a commercial use. Commissioner Liaison Chris Mehl noted that the impact fees are structured to encourage re-use of existing buildings rather than constructing new buildings whenever possible. Erik Nelson noted that the downtown tax increment financing district is going to contribute toward impact fees for specific developments and suggested that this district could consider something similar. Adjournment – 7:50 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, Chair Noble adjourned the meeting. Tom Noble, Chair Northeast Urban Renewal Board City of Bozeman