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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-03-13 Northeast Urban Renewal Board MinutesNortheast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 3, 2013 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2013, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana. Present: Absent: Voting Members: Tom Noble, Chair Erik Nelson Daniel Doehring Robert Pavlic Jeanne Wesley-Wiese Non-Voting Members: Commissioner Liaison: Chris Mehl Staff: Allyson Brekke, Neighborhood Coordinator Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: M addy Pope, Trust for Public Lands Chris Nixon Call to Order –Chair Tom Noble called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Public Comment – Bob Pavlic noted that a log house is being constructed across the street from his property; and a lot of people are using the porta potty that the contractor has brought in for that project. In light of that usage, he suggested that the City rent a porta potty for roughly six months each year for those who enjoy using the park and Aspen Street right-of-way. He indicated it would cost approximately $85 per month, noting the porta potty could possibly be located in the Aspen Street right-of-way. He then questioned the legality of renting a porta potty for such use. Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke noted there is a porta potty in Lindley Park. She cautioned that the Aspen Street right-of-way is still street right-of-way and not dedicated parkland, so an encroachment permit would be required in this instance. She then asked who would bear the costs of the rental. Chair Noble suggested this Board bear those costs. He then noted that he was in Dillon this past weekend; and they have a permanently installed porta potty in the park there. He stated that, if a porta potty is to be located in this general area to serve those using the parks and street right-of-way improvements, it should be centrally located rather than tucked into a corner. Erik Nelson expressed concern that a porta potty may invite a more transient population, particularly in this immediate area. He then asked if this Board would fall under the City’s umbrella for indemnification if something were to occur at the porta potty. Chair Nelson requested that further discussion on this item be placed on the agenda for next month’s meeting. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated that recent mowing along the depot trail revealed a lot of litter along the trail. She noted that the last time this occurred, former Planner Keri Thorpe got the Sheriff’s Office to provide prisoners doing community service to pick up the litter and asked if that could be done again. Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke indicated she will follow up on that issue. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted that the top half of the pedestrian crossing sign on the east side of North Wallace Avenue at East Aspen Street is missing and asked that it be replaced. Consent Items – Approve minutes from July 2, 2013 meeting. It was moved by Erik Nelson, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the minutes of the meeting of July 2, 2013, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 5-0 vote. Discussion/Action Items – Update re mapping and engineering services for East Tamarack Street/Front Street/North Ida Avenue street improvements. Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke reviewed the update that Project Engineer Dustin Johnson had provided. She noted the Commission approved adding these streets to the previous agreement with Morrison-Maierle. He has contacted Kevin Jacobsen at Morrison-Maierle to confirm that the project is to be undertaken; and surveying is to be completed this week and next week. The consulting engineer will then compile the data, prepare a topography map and develop concepts for this Board to consider at next month’s meeting. Responding to Erik Nelson, the Neighborhood Coordinator stated that no further action on the East Peach Street design is to be undertaken until the design for these street improvements is completed; then the entire package will move forward. Presentation from Trust for Public Lands regarding improvement of Story Mill site as parkland. Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke noted that only a small portion of the Story Mill site is located within the tax increment financing district boundaries; however, desired trail connections could be located within the district. Maddy Pope, Trust for Public Lands, stated the Trust is a national conservation group with regional offices; and one of those regional offices is located in the Emerson Cultural Center. She noted the office has a few employees; and she is the employee devoted full time to working on this Story Mill park project. She stated this office works mainly with private timber companies and the Forest Service, and this is the first parks for people project in this region so she is now educating her parks people on this urban project. Maddy Pope noted that what the Trust is proposing is a new City park on the 60-acre site that they acquired from American Bank in December as a result of foreclosure. She distributed a map of the parcels acquired, which include the trailer park fronting on Bridger Drive and parcels extending south along the west side of Story Mill Road. She stressed that the acquisition does not include the old Story Mill buildings or other privately owned properties in the area, including the stockyards. She noted that the Trust does not typically acquire properties outright; rather, they generally hold an option to purchase. In this instance, however, they acquired the properties due to the foreclosure process and the bank’s timeline. She stated that if the community decides developing the parcel as a park is not a good idea, then the Trust will sell the property privately. Maddy Pope stated the Trust is currently working with the community in developing a proposal that includes a request for a portion of the recently-approved parks and trails bond issue. As a part of that proposal, the Trust would bring forward significant private monies for restoration and enhancement of a 10-acre wetland complex, thus providing a natural sanctuary and water enhancement close to downtown. Responding to Erik Nelson, Maddy Pope stated the proposal for park development could include the entire 60 acres. She noted the Trust conducted an informal survey between Christmas and New Year’s. In February, the Trust for Public Land hosted a community workshop; and approximately 150 people participated. She stated that the Trust has really focused on protection of the back portion of the site and buffering the half mile of the East Gallatin River that traverses that portion of the site. Many of those who attended the workshop expressed interest in seeing creative and innovative development of the front portion of the site that would complement the southern portion of the site. She suggested that a more developed and more active park, possibly with practice fields and a playground, could be located on the former Bridger View Trailer Court site. She recognized that development of the entire parcel would be expensive, and stressed the importance of having the right partners involved. Responding to Bob Pavlic, Maddy Pope stated access to the rear portion of the site could be via a trail to Bond Street or from the front portion of the site. She stressed that, with the proposed wetlands restoration on the southern portion of the site, having a light footprint on the area is important. Maddy Pope stated she is currently working to develop partnerships around the park development, and some of those partnerships are now emerging. She reported that wetlands restoration groups are now working together, and she is working with Director of Public Service Craig Woolard on monitoring to help abate phosphorus and nitrogen loading of the East Gallatin River. In addition, the way groundwater moves through the site is being monitored. Ms. Pope noted this site represents a great public education opportunity, particularly with the proposed wetlands restoration. Also, she has talked to local growers about the possibility of a farm to school program, a demonstration farm or an edible food forest. She has also talked to the Gallatin Valley Land Trust about including recreational and connector trails through the site. Responding to Chair Noble, Maddy Pope stated if the City chooses not to invest in this property, the Trust will consider selling a portion or all of the site privately, or will consider other funding sources to retain ownership. She noted that, while the front portion of the site has real estate value, the back portion of it does not. She concluded by voicing her hope that improvement of this site will promote redevelopment re-use of other parcels in the immediate area, including The Mill. Erik Nelson asked if the potential requirement to pave L Street has been considered, noting that this district could encounter additional traffic on North Wallace Avenue with these improvements. Mad dy Pope stated this development will not create as much traffic impact as the 1200 homes previously proposed for this site. Also, she anticipates most of the traffic will access the site from Bridger Drive. She then noted that she will wait for City feedback on the infrastructure improvements that will be required. Maddy Pope turned her attention to the farmstead buildings on the site, noting that it might be best to remove them since they are not particularly historic. She noted the slaughterhouse does have historic value. She concluded by stating that she has taken the feedback from the survey and community meeting into consideration in moving forward with a possible proposal for development. Also, the Trust brought in landscape architects that have designed parks in large cities to provide a range of concept plans. She noted that when the proposal is brought forward, the Trust will be transparent on what they paid and what they are asking for the property. Responding to Chair Noble, Ms. Pope stated she does not know what the bank is asking for The Mill buildings. Responding to Erik Nelson, Ms. Pope stated she hopes that upgrading of the bridge on Griffin Drive is not required, particularly since it is important to ensure the safety of the pedestrians using the park. Maddy Pope thanked the Board for the opportunity to present this update. Update regarding demolition by neglect ordinance. Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke reviewed the e-mail she received from Historic Preservation Officer Courtney Kramer. She noted a request has been made to place this item on the October 14 Commission agenda, at which time staff from Community Development, Fire and Police will talk about a broad spectrum of buildings ranging from those that are falling apart to those currently included in the nuisance code. She noted that there are currently regulations on the books to address some of the issues, but no monies to fund enforcement or mitigation. She stated that staff will be recommending the creation of a hazard fund to cover the costs of addressing unsafe structures. She concluded by asking the Board if it wants a copy of the staff memo for this agenda item, noting it is due by October 3 for inclusion in the Commission packets. Responding to Erik Nelson, the Neighborhood Coordinator stated she anticipates staff will be seeking direction from the Commission, noting the first step will be to act on the worst buildings. She then noted the next presentation will be scheduled in December to address the middle part of the spectrum, which is preventing properties from falling into disrepair. She concluded by noting one of the issues to be discussed is construction bonding. Responding to Chair Noble, the Neighborhood Coordinator stated the next regularly scheduled meeting of this Board is October 1; however, she cautioned this memo will probably not be ready by then. Determine whether to meet in October; set agenda or cancel meeting. In light of the above discussion, it was moved by Erik Nelson, seconded by Tom Noble, that the Board set its next meeting for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8. The motion carried on a 5-0 vote. Neighborhood News. Erik Nelson stated that Economic Development Director Brit Fontenot mentioned the City is considering a land swap with the Montana Department of Transportation that would result in the Police Department and City Court relocating to the southwest corner of the intersection of North Rouse Avenue and East Tamarack Street and the Montana Department of Transportation relocating to a portion of the current Wastewater Treatment Plant property on Frontage Road at Nelson Road. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted that when this proposal was initially presented to the neighborhood, it included an aquatics center; however, that center was eliminated as a result of public comment at the Commission meeting. She stated some residents of the area are anxious about prisoners being transported to this site as well as the sirens. Chair Noble suggested the former Mandeville Farm would be a great location for the police, the courts and the detention center, and possibly even the transfer station that was initially proposed for that site. He then noted that the County wants to improve the Fairgrounds. Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke noted the County has talked about upgrading the Fairgrounds for quite some time, but does not have the monies to do so. Bob Pavlic asked if the Parade of Sheds is to be held this year and whether there will be a Brewery Wall event; Chris Nixon responded that everyone is too busy to coordinate those events, so they will not happen this year. Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke announced that she is having a baby and plans to take maternity leave in February and March, and then work part time in April and May. She will make sure that this Board is supported by staff during her absence. Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke distributed copies of a nomination form for the good neighbor award and encouraged Board members to nominate deserving people and to spread the word. She also noted that she has forms for the beautification awards program and asked the Board members to consider possible nominees for those awards as well. Both programs will honor the successful candidates later this fall. Adjournment – 7:45 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