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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-10-14 Wetlands Review Board MinutesWetland Review Board Friday January 10, 2014 @ 10:00 am City of Bozeman Department of Community Development 20 East Olive, Upstairs Conference Room ITEM 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE WRB meeting called to order at 10:06 am. Attendance: Cyndi Crayton Rex McLachlin Brian Sandefur Staff: Tom Rogers Members of the Public: Clint Litle, P.E. Rich McEldowney, PWS ITEM 2. PUBLIC COMMENT Please state your name and address in an audible tone of voice for the record. This is the time for individuals to comment on matters falling within the purview of the Committee. There will also be an opportunity in conjunction with each action item for comments pertaining to that item. Please limit your comments to three minutes. There was no public comment. ITEM 3. ACTION ITEMS Meadow Creek MaSub Pre-App #P-13046 (Rogers/Johnson). Intersection of Goldeneye and South 27th Ave. * Subdivision preliminary plat review for the Meadow Creek Subdivision Phase 1, Lots 8-15, Block 5, Lots 14-18, Block 9 Major Subdivision to subdivide 13 existing lots of approximately 10.3 acres into 47 lots for singe household development. Requesting variance from Section 38.23.100, Watercourse Setback requirements. (Tom Rogers) Staff Presentation Planner Rogers stated for the record that this action item is a request to further subdivide existing lots within the Meadow Creek Subdivision with a variance request from wetland setbacks requirements. Applicant presentation Clint Litle, P.E., the Applicant’s representative, gave a brief summary of the overall project and outlined the documentation requested by the WRB during the Pre-Application review. He continued by articulating why the variance is requested and how the proposed design furthers the intent of the wetland setback. The projects totals 10.3-acres and will create 47 single-household lots for residential development. During his presentation Mr. Litle referred to the documentation provided the WRB and how the requested variance meets the criteria of evaluation. Specifically that the existing trail to the east of the residential lots will provide a protective buffer between the wetlands and residential activities, the maximum encroachment into the setback will be 14.7 feet and the average wetland buffer for lots 7-10 will be approximately 45 feet, and the proposed design allows substantial compliance with other design standards while respecting the intent of the wetlands buffer. Public Comment There was no public comment on the proposal. Board Discussion The WRB was supportive of the variance request. The Board found the proposed encroachment to be reasonable while insuring adequate separation between human activity and the wetlands. The Board continued by stating it appeared the Applicant provided the additional information requested during the Pre-Application review necessary form the Board to perform an adequate review of the project and provide the Commission a positive recommendation on the project. Board member Sandefur moved to recommend that the City Commission grant the setback variance from Section 38.23.100, BMC. The motion was seconded by Board member McLachlin. The motion passed unanimously (3:0). Informal discussion on Story Mill wetland and stream restoration project, located near the confluence of the East Gallatin River and Bozeman Creek in northeast Bozeman. Staff Presentation Planner Rogers stated for the record that this is an informal discussion on the Story Mill wetlands and stream restoration project. No formal action is required; however, any comment, concerns, or other is encouraged from the Board. Applicant presentation Rich McEldowney, PWS, representing RESPEC Consulting & Services, described the intent and objectives of the project for the Board. Mr. McEldowney provided a written summary and a number of illustrations to describe the project. Mr. McEldowney located the three parcels being affected by the project. In general the restoration on the “north” parcel includes removing fill and re-contouring the river bank to re-establish wetlands adjacent to the water course. The watercourse on “triangle” parcel, which includes an old slaughter house, will be brought more into its original form to create a larger floodplain for the river. Activities in this area will include removing a car garage structure and road fill and road base and be replaced with topsoil and native grass. Plans for the South parcel include the removal of the ditch connecting the pond with the East Gallatin River and re-contouring the banks of the pond to create more natural habitat. In addition, the plans include the removal of the farm house. Mr. McEldowney stated they are plans to integrate a trail system in the area which may be located in the required watercourse setbacks. He asked what, if any, permits might be required prior to the construction and whether or not spurs would be allowed that reach the edge of the water course. Board Discussion Although no formal recommendation was provided the Board was supportive of the effort to improve the health of the watercourses and the proposed restoration. General Responses to Questions and Issues: 38.24.110.D, BMC required all proposed trials trails to be submitted to the Community Development and Parks Departments for review and approval prior to construction and must be constructed to meet ADA specifications for recreational facilities. 38.24.110.H states trails may be located within watercourse setbacks. 38.23.100.A.2.e, allows the construction of trails with Zone 2, as defined, of a watercourse setback. In addition, non-looping, developed spur trails may be constructed to the water’s edge. Conclusion In summary, a trail may be constructed within the wetland setbacks and are allowed to have spurs to access the water edge. Within permitted limits the main body of the trail constructed within the Zone 1. However, the proposed trail(s) must be reviewed and approved by the Department of Community Development and the Parks Department prior to construction. Advisory Note(s) A cultural resources survey of the area was completed in 2007. Created by InteResources Planning, Inc., of Bozeman, the document covers all of the property included in the previous development application. The survey evaluates everything from archaeological sites to buildings. As part of the development application, the document is available at the Department of Community Development for public use. Generally, demolition or movement of structures and other man-made landscape alterations (including canals or ditches) at this site should be evaluated by the Department of Community Development through a Certificate of Appropriateness. The Department of Community Development looks forward to working with the Trust for Public Lands to address cultural resource management at the site. ITEM 4. NEW BUSINESS (Board requested) The Board discussed the election of Officers and requested a current copy of the WRB bylaws for their next meeting, if they exist. Staff will provide the bylaws prior to the next meeting and will add the election of officers to the next agenda. ITEM 5. ADJOURNMENT The WRB adjourned at 11:07.