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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-02-13 Northeast Urban Renewal Board MinutesNortheast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, July 2, 2013 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana. Present: Absent: Voting Members: Erik Nelson, Vice Chair Tom Noble, Chair Daniel Doehring Robert Pavlic Jeanne Wesley-Wiese (arrived at 6:43 p.m.) Non-Voting Members: Commissioner Liaison: Chris Mehl Staff: Allyson Brekke, Neighborhood Coordinator Dustin Johnson, Project Engineer Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: Kevin Jacobsen, Morrison-Maierle Chris Nixon Call to Order – Vice Chair Erik Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. Public Comment – No comment was received under this agenda item. Consent Items – Approve minutes from June 4, 2013 meeting. It was moved by Dan Doehring, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the minutes of the meeting of June 4, 2013, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 3-0 vote. Discussion/Action Items – Neighborhood News. Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke stated work is being done on the brewery wall celebration. It is anticipated the event will be held in September rather than August, in conjunction with the Parade of Sheds, and will include a fundraising race. Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke reported on several planning projects that are in the greater northeast sector of the community, although not within this district. They include the Block M project, which involves demolition of three houses to allow for a multi-family development. Also, demolition permits have been issued for a home on East Villard Street and a home on North Black Avenue. Dave’s Sushi is also moving forward with an expansion. Responding to Vice Chair Nelson, the Neighborhood Coordinator stated she has received no word on the Story Mill project. She noted Maddy Pope gave a good update to the NorthEast Neighborhood Association about the Story Mill land that has been acquired for parkland development and, if this Board is interested, she will invite Ms. Pope to make her presentation at an upcoming meeting. The Board members agreed that it would be good to receive an update. The Neighborhood Coordinator stated the Planning Department has received an informal application from Steve Schlegel to allow construction of a “floating caboose” addition to his warehouse on East Cottonwood Street. The proposal is for construction of a cantilevered caboose-looking residential structure. The caboose is to be elevated rather than constructed at ground level. She noted staff has identified issues with the Front Street right-of-way adjacent to this site since the Transportation Plan still includes a bypass on the North Broadway Street/Front Street/Oak Street alignment. Responding to Vice Chair Nelson, Project Engineer Dustin Johnson stated the Oak Street bypass was left in the Transportation Plan for further consideration. A study has revealed the right-of-way is 50 to 60 feet wide along this corridor, while a 90-foot right-of-way is needed for the bypass; and a number of historic buildings would be impacted by the project. As a result, it is expected that the project will not move forward. Bob Pavlic noted that he has leased that portion of the Front Street/railroad right-of-way adjacent to his property. Also, the site where the caboose is proposed has significant water issues. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese arrived at 6:43 p.m. Update on mowing services for East Aspen Street right-of-way trail. Bob Pavlic stated he and Jeanne Wesley-Wiese met with the contractor for mowing of the street right-of-way. They also went over to the depot trail park, where they were informed that someone from the City had told them to just mow one mower width along each side of the trail. Mr. Arnold, who owns the property by the caboose, is concerned about fire resulting from the unmowed portion of the site; so it is important to begin mowing more of the parcel, especially near adjacent structures. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted that the recent storm washed out some of the fines on the trail and asked that it be repaired. Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke stated she will request an updated price from Facilities Director James Goehrung that includes additional mowing in the depot trail park. It was moved by Bob Pavlic, seconded by Dan Doehring, that the Board authorize the additional costs of mowing in the depot trail park to include, at a minimum, a widened swath along the trail and all of park area adjacent to other properties. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. Update regarding restoration of that portion of North Church Avenue trail damaged by work on water/sewer lines. Dan Doehring stated a section of the trail along North Church Avenue south of East Cottonwood Street was damaged when the City did work on its water/sewer lines last year. The property most severely affected is owned by Velma McMeekin’s estate. He noted that he talked to representatives from the company doing the work as well as the City and, while they listened to him, they made no comment. Project Engineer Dustin Johnson stated he will bring this issue to Project Engineer Bob Murray’s attention and make sure it is included in the punch list for this water renovation project. Discussion on engineering services for East Tamarack Street/Front Street/North Ida Avenue street improvements; provide direction on desired design standard and scope of services. Kevin Jacobsen, Morrison-Maierle, noted that conversations with Project Engineer Dustin Johnson and Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke have revealed this Board is interested in engineering services for East Tamarack Street/Front Street/North Ida Avenue to provide a connector to East Peach Street. He cautioned that the North Ida Avenue segment is the most challenging because of its narrow right-of-way and encroachments that currently exist. Vice Chair Nelson characterized his vision of North Ida Avenue as “an alley on steroids”. He suggested the design could include a quasi-defined pedestrian way made with a different surface and separated from the driving lane by a valley gutter. He noted this would provide a safe place for pedestrians while accommodating vehicular traffic that requires additional pavement for its maneuvers. He stressed that, once a stop light is installed at the intersection of East Peach Street and North Rouse Avenue, most traffic will use that corridor, but this connector link is also important to the district. He envisions East Tamarack Street as similar to East Peach Street; and he noted that the bridge points on both streets are very significant and should possibly include a pedestrian crossing with an area where they can gather. He concluded by stating that he feels it is important for this design contract to include getting the street standard approved, rather than allowing it to languish like the East Peach Street design has. Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke stated she and Project Engineer Dustin Johnson have been pushing harder to get the East Peach Street design approved; however, they have recently recognized it may be preferable to wait for this street design to be completed and then include all of the street designs in a single package for Commission adoption. Project Engineer Dustin Johnson noted that, included in the budget approved at last night’s meeting, is $20,000 in the Planning Department’s budget for an infill policy. He noted that the North 7th Avenue Urban Renewal Board has already included a commercial infill component in its policies; however, the Planning Department wants to create a more encompassing policy on a city-wide basis. He suggested that the modified street designs being developed by this Board seem to dovetail with that effort and suggested that the process has some momentum right now. Responding to Vice Chair Nelson, the Project Engineer confirmed that this Board should brainstorm what it envisions for infill within the district. Commissioner Liaison Mehl stressed the importance of providing input throughout the process rather than waiting until it is nearly complete. He then suggested that, if this Board meets the consultants and likes them, it may be possible to do an addendum to the City’s contract to include additional work for this district. He then noted the Director of Community Development has suggested the infill policy can be completed in seven months; and he feels the Commission will be delighted to have the final product by the end of the fiscal year. Kevin Jacobsen stated he plans to move forward under the assumption that this Board wants to see a design similar to the one developed for East Peach Street. Responding to Commissioner Liaison Mehl, Project Engineer Johnson stated East Tamarack Street is designated a collector street between North 7th Avenue and North Wallace Avenue. Vice Chair Nelson cautioned that the turning radius from North Wallace Avenue to East Tamarack Street must accommodate large trucks. Responding to questions from Kevin Jacobsen, Vice Chair Nelson asked how the right-of-way width for East Tamarack Street compares to that for East Peach Street. He then encouraged the consultant to develop a street design within that right-of-way if possible. Project Engineer Dustin Johnson reminded the Board that the right-of-way for East Peach Street is narrow and, as a result, sharrows were included instead of bike lanes. He cautioned that if a similar design is proposed for East Tamarack Street, the design must also be approved by the Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board. Responding to Kevin Jacobsen, Vice Chair Nelson confirmed that the intersection of Front Street and North Ida Avenue is awkward, and suggested that a more delineated corner be included in the design. Chris Nixon noted one of the issues that arose during the meeting on the depot is the desire to have the street adjacent to the depot property delineated and the pedestrian area identified, since the asphalt currently runs up to the building itself. Responding to Vice Chair Nelson, Kevin Jacobsen stated that issue can be easily added to the survey and topography map. Kevin Jacobsen stated he did a cost estimate for this project, based on the scope for the East Peach Street design project, and distributed copies of the proposed contract to the Board. He then cautioned that, if the Board wants the consultant to assume additional duties, they are not included in this estimate. Responding to Vice Chair Nelson, Kevin Jacobsen stated the design plans for East Peach Street are essentially complete, noting that the project could be bid within a month. Responding to Commissioner Liaison Mehl, Project Engineer Johnson indicated it is staff’s intent to do an amendment to the contract for the East Peach Street design to include East Tamarack Street/Front Street/North Ida Avenue. It was moved by Dan Doehring, seconded by Jeanne Wesley-Wiese to direct City staff liaisons to negotiate a contract amendment with Morrison-Maierle for the street designs for East Tamarack Street/Front Street/North Ida Avenue. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. Vice Chair Nelson asked about the timeframe for completing the project. Kevin Jacobsen asked that the Board set the timeline it would like to see. As a result of discussion, it was determined that the consultant will give an update on surveying and mapping at the September meeting and will have the final design prepared by the end of the calendar year. Determine whether to meet in August; set agenda or cancel meeting. Vice Chair Nelson suggested that the August meeting be cancelled. It was moved by Bob Pavlic, seconded by Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, that the August 6 meeting be cancelled. The motion carried on a 4-0 vote. As a result of this action, the next meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2013. Adjournment – 7:35 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, Vice Chair Nelson adjourned the meeting. Eric Nelson, Vice Chair Northeast Urban Renewal Board City of Bozeman