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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-15-13 Northeast Urban Renewal Board MinutesNortheast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 15, 2013 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana. Present: Absent: Voting Members: Tom Noble, Chair Jeanne Wesley-Wiese Daniel Doehring Erik Nelson Robert Pavlic Non-Voting Members: Commissioner Liaison: Chris Mehl (arrived at 7:10 pm) Staff: Keri Thorpe, Assistant Planner Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: Peter Skidmore Call to Order – Chair Tom Noble called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. Public Comment – No comment was received under this agenda item. Consent Items – Approve minutes from December 4, 2012 meeting. It was moved by Erik Nelson, seconded by Dan Doehring, that the minutes of the meeting of December 4, 2012, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. Discussion Items – Bozeman Creek Enhancement Plan – Questions and answer session with Peter Skidmore. Chair Tom Noble stated he has invited Peter Skidmore to talk about the on-going Bozeman Creek project. Peter Skidmore distributed maps of the Bozeman Creek Enhancement Project as well as the Bozeman Creek Reach Zoning and a table identifying the existing conditions, creek structure and function, and access for each of the reach designations. He stated that he serves on the Bozeman Creek Enhancement Committee, an informal steering committee that includes expert citizen members interested in identifying the current status of Bozeman Creek and preferred alternatives to improve it. He noted the Committee’s desire is to develop a plan to use as the basis for future decisions that affect the creek. Mr. Skidmore reviewed the management zones, which are as follows. The south end between Goldenstein Lane and Sourdough Ridge Road is designated as the maintenance reach, which is the relatively undisturbed and pristine segment of Bozeman Creek. Moving north, the next segment is the restoration reach, extending from Sourdough Ridge Road to the diversion dam just south of East College Street. This segment can still be turned into a functioning natural system with the removal of debris and naturalization of the stream bed. The next segment is the enhancement reach and extends from the diversion dam to East Olive Street. In this section, the channel is severely constrained by buildings and other structures, and enhancement is limited to what landowners are willing to allow. He noted, however, that the preferred alternative for the Bogert Park enhancement project is located in this stretch. It includes both park enhancements and stream enhancements that will help return the stream to a more natural state and limit access to it. The next segment is the urban reach, and extends from East Olive Street to East Lamme Street. This portion of the stream is channelized and/or culverted through the downtown area. The preferred alternative for the City parking lot at the northwest corner of the intersection of East Babcock Street and South Rouse Avenue includes enhancements to both the creek and the parking lot. Peter Skidmore stated that monies were raised for a hydraulic modeling project between East Story Street and East Peach Street, to allow for evaluating how any project might impact the stream. Baseline hydraulic information has been gathered, and any proposed project can be run through the model to determine impacts on the stream. He stressed that any configuration of the creek, such as somewhat straightening the dogleg immediately north of East Lamme Street, can be run through the model to identify the outcomes of such a project. Responding to Erik Nelson, Peter Skidmore stated the model does not measure the parking lot run-off impacts, rather, it is designed to identify flow impacts. Peter Skidmore noted the Montana Department of Transportation is actively considering alternatives for reconstruction of North Rouse Avenue from East Mendenhall Street to Story Mill Road. He suggested that this Board might actively lobby the MDT to purchase more residential lots to provide an opportunity to consider alternatives that would benefit the creek and alleviate flooding and bring more natural and recreational value to it. He also suggested that Creekside Park could be enhanced. Peter Skidmore noted that the next segment of the creek, which extends from East Lamme Street to the railroad crossing is identified as an enhancement reach. He recognized that there is not much opportunity to return the creek to its natural state, but enhancements can be undertaken to improve its water quality and fisheries. He noted this is the section that extends through the Northeast Urban Renewal District, and private property generally bounds the creek. Responding to Chair Noble, Peter Skidmore confirmed that bridges are preferred to culverts; and longer bridges are better since they minimize impacts on the streambanks. He also noted that a natural bed is preferred for the creek; however, if that is not possible, a natural bed through a culvert is preferable to a concrete or steel bottom. Erik Nelson noted the Board has talked about a bridge across the creek at the end of East Aspen Street, Peter Skidmore stated crossings across creeks are dissuaded because they decrease the value of the natural setting; however, he recognized that in an urban setting, stream crossings must be allowed. He noted that in this instance, there is a stream crossing just a block away, and his preference would be to go to that crossing. He also questioned what the next connection would be if the crossing dead-ended on Aspen Street. He then suggested that a preferable alternative would be to locate the trail on the other side of the creek and then cross it at East Peach Street. Responding to questions from Board members, Planner Keri Thorpe stated realignment of East Peach Street is part of the Montana Department of Transportation project; and the creek crossing will be part of that project. She recognized that, since East Tamarack Street does not need to be realigned, the MDT project will probably end prior to the creek crossing; however, she suggested the creek crossing could mirror the one on East Peach Street to provide consistent entrances into the district. Peter Skidmore noted the last stretch of the creek, which extends from the railroad crossing to the East Gallatin River, is identified as a restoration reach. He reminded the Board that the Trust for Public Lands has purchased the old trailer park and some of the riparian land. He suggested that with this ownership, it may be possible to enhance this portion of the creek. Responding to comments from Chair Noble, Peter Skidmore stated anything that can give the riparian area a larger buffer should be encouraged. Responding to Bob Pavlic, Peter Skidmore stated the North Church Avenue trail is almost ideal, particularly since the trail is offset from the creek and the vegetative cover is good. He also noted that occasional minimal interaction with the creek is possible; and that is preferable to the trampled bank that has occurred in Bogert Park. He noted that a 20 to 30-foot separation is preferable; and manicuring of properties down to the streambank should be discouraged. Chair Noble thanked Mr. Skidmore for his presentation. Discussion of City Commission Annual Work Plan recommendations from the NURB. Demolition by Neglect Ordinance will be discussed. Planner Keri Thorpe distributed a draft letter to the Commission. Chair Noble stated he continues to have concerns about a demolition by neglect ordinance, which is one of the bullet points in the draft letter. His concerns include the potential that such an ordinance could lead to victimizing low-income and elderly people in the district who cannot afford to maintain their properties. He recognized the main reason for this ordinance is to save a handful of buildings in the city; however, he questioned the prudence of adopting a city-wide ordinance to address that issue. Erik Nelson voiced his support for eliminating that bullet point in the letter. He feels the impetus for including this issue in last year’s letter was predicated on some missteps that have since been corrected in the current planning process. Dan Doehring also supported its elimination. Commissioner Liaison Mehl asked the Board what type of incentives it is seeking for infill development. Erik Nelson stated he is interested in a more flexible set of development standards for infill projects. He noted that the parking and site development standards for an infill project in the city’s older districts are the same as for Greenfield areas; and that can make a project not possible or feasible. He suggested that these flexible standards could be limited to conservation overlay districts and urban renewal districts. Planner Thorpe suggested that the incentives for infill should extend beyond current overlay or district boundaries. She noted the staff is currently talking about a menu approach under which an applicant will earn points for a variety of options. As a result of discussion, it was determined the bullet point pertaining to the infill policy should be expanded to include both residential and commercial/industrial uses as well as the phrase “especially with regard to mixed use districts”. Erik Nelson stated he feels it is important for this Board to connect itself and the district with the pipeline for economic development, particularly since there are vacant lots within the district as well as opportunities for re-use. Commissioner Liaison Mehl noted the Chamber of Commerce encourages attracting and retaining businesses; and the City also has its economic development arm. He suggested it may be time for this Board to meet with Brit Fontenot again. Responding to Commissioner Liaison Mehl, the Board members stated they feel a coordinated effort between the economic development department and the NURB should be included in the bullet points. It was moved by Erik Nelson, seconded by Dan Doehring, that the NURB’s list of recommended priorities for the 2013 City Commission Work Plan be approved as amended in the above discussion, and that these recommendations be forwarded to the Commission before January 31, 2013. The motion carried on 4-0 vote. Staff Support for NURB. Erik Nelson asked if the Board will have access to the templates that Planner Keri Thorpe has created. Planner Thorpe noted that, with her departure from the Planning Department on January 23, the $5,000 budgeted for staff services should be pro-rated. She suggested that the remaining monies could be used to pay Recording Secretary Robin Sullivan for additional staff support hours. She indicated that the templates she has developed will be made available to the Board. She then stated she will work with the Interim Planning Director to determine how much of the budgeted monies will remain. Erik Nelson requested that Planner Thorpe send out an e-mail to Board members so they know what items need follow-up. Neighborhood News. Chair Tom Noble noted it looks like work on the new bakery is progressing. Erik Nelson asked when the North 7th Avenue Urban Renewal Board meets; Planner Thorpe responded it meets the first Thursday of the month. Scheduling of Next Board Meeting. It was moved by Erik Nelson, seconded by Dan Doehring, that the February meeting be cancelled. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. Planner Thorpe noted the next board meeting will be on March 5. 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