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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-08-13 Northeast Urban Renewal Board MinutesNortheast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, October 8, 2013 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 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 Dustin Johnson, Project Engineer Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: Kevin Jacobsen, Morrison-Maierle Call to Order – Chair Tom Noble called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. Public Comment – No comment was received under this agenda item. Consent Items – Approve minutes from September 3, 2013 meeting. It was moved by Erik Nelson, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the minutes of the meeting of September 3, 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. Kevin Jacobsen, Morrison-Maierle, stated surveying is underway, but not yet complete. He also noted that they are working on locates; however, the City crews have not yet been out to assist with that process. He reminded the Board that the right-of-way for East Peach Street varied in width from the low 50s to 60 feet; however, the rights-of-way for both North Ida Avenue and East Tamarack Street have been much more consistent, which will make designing of improvements much easier. Kevin Jacobsen distributed copies of the map for North Ida Avenue, noting that this street is located in a 45-foot-wide right-of-way, which is narrower than the standard 60-foot right-of-way for a local street. He stated the map includes an aerial photo of the roadway with a bold dark line depicting the right-of-way. Responding to Erik Nelson, Kevin Jacobsen stated that the right-of-way line overlaid on the aerial map is accurate to within a foot. Project Engineer Dustin Johnson confirmed that the Silent Knight Muffler building is on the right-of-way line. Kevin Johnson noted that the cross sections on the right side of the map show conditions as they currently exist. He observed that the road curves and meanders within the right-of-way rather than being centered within it. He also drew attention to the constraints that exist, including large trees, buildings and railroad tracks. He concluded by noting there are no sidewalks along North Ida Avenue, which provides more flexibility and options for designing improvements. Kevin Jacobsen then distributed maps of the East Tamarack Street right-of-way from North Rouse Avenue to Front Street, as well as the portion of Front Street from East Tamarack Street to just east of North Ida Avenue. He characterized the right-of-way for East Tamarack Street as much cleaner than that for North Ida Avenue, being consistently 60 feet wide. He noted that the pavement is roughly centered in the right-of-way, with wide travel lanes. He suggested that parking options along this roadway should be discussed as designing of improvements progresses. He indicated that the dark black line depicts the existing right-of-way and, except for the map of Front Street, is essentially accurate. He indicated that the triangle around the depot park is obviously offset, and efforts to correct it were not successful. Responding to Erik Nelson, Kevin Jacobsen stated the minimum width of a travel lane is 10 feet, and travel lanes are typically 10 to 12 feet wide. Kevin Jacobsen noted the right-of-way for Front Street is 50 feet wide, and while the road meanders through that right-of-way, it is typically toward the east side. He observed one of the key issues is providing improvements that better guide the traffic. He concluded by asking for Board comments as well as key items they want to have considered while plans are being developed. Erik Nelson noted East Tamarack Street is a major connection between North Rouse Avenue and North Wallace Avenue and, as a result, should probably be a pretty standard street section, with parking and a boulevard. He characterized North Ida Avenue as the most challenging and needing a creative design. He suggested the street be improved with a 2-foot-wide swale, two driving lanes that are no more than 10 feet wide, another 2-foot-wide swale integrated into the hard surface and then a demarked surface for pedestrian travel that could also be used by trucks making turning maneuvers if necessary. He suggested that the paving adjacent to Silent Knight Muffler could possibly continue to be used for parking, although it might choke down the width of the driving lane in that area. He concluded by voicing his interest in making the driving lanes as narrow as possible to allow for multi-function use and pedestrian safety. Project Engineer Dustin Johnson reminded the Board that the design they choose will be subject to review and approval by other City advisory boards as well as the City Commission. Bob Pavlic expressed concern about the safety of the intersection of East Cottonwood Street and North Ida Avenue, particularly since traffic on North Ida Avenue travels fast. Project Engineer Johnson reminded the Board that drainage along North Ida Avenue must be taken into consideration, noting options include conveying it through a swale or valley gutter, piping and an inlet facility, or treatment in the East Aspen Street right-of-way. Responding to Erik Nelson, the Project Engineer indicated that pedestrian facilities could be provided on one side only, particularly in light of the narrow right-of-way and the light amount of pedestrian traffic. He then stated he does not feel dedicated bike lanes are needed; rather, sharrows would be adequate. He noted that, as engineers, staff wants to see the “most vanilla approach” possible; however, he recognized that North Ida Avenue is only three blocks long. He reported that Director of Public Service Woolard has expressed interest in potentially putting these streets on the City’s capital improvement program once the design has been completed. He concluded by encouraging the Board to keep the design of these streets practical, noting that the need to address storm water and pedestrian safety would warrant placing these streets on the CIP for potential future funding. Neighborhood Coordinator Breeke noted that tax increment financing monies could be used for the extras, such as landscaping or intersection delineations through changes in surfacing. Kevin Jacobsen expressed his support for including pedestrian facilities on only one side of the street. Responding to Chair Noble, Erik Nelson stated he envisions swales instead of curbs on North Ida Avenue. Project Engineer Johnson cautioned the City will want curbs along North Ida Avenue. He then noted that valley gutter was used for Harrington’s on South Wallace Avenue, and suggested that may be an option for business access along this street. Kevin Jacobsen asked if there is any desire to expand the right-of-way to 60 feet for North Ida Avenue; the Board expressed no interest in expanding it. Kevin Jacobsen asked the Board to identify three things it wants to keep to maintain the neighborhood character and identify what is off limits. He noted that information will then be used as his firm prepares a design for consideration at next month’s meeting. Erik Nelson expressed interest in protecting the large trees along North Ida Avenue as well as the railroad tracks, with pedestrian facilities on the west side of the road and traffic moved to the east side of the right-of-way. He also voiced interest in a serpentine road within the right-of-way. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese indicated a place to walk is the most critical issue, noting her preference for soft trails. Kevin Jacobsen stated he will take the trees, railroad tracks and trail to the boulder into consideration as he prepares the design for this roadway. Chair Noble turned the Board’s attention to the East Tamarack Street improvements, noting this has previously been identified as a gateway to the district. As a result, he feels the improvements should include something that invites people to the area. Project Engineer Johnson noted that this is the only street into the district that has a signalized intersection. He reminded the Board that large trucks carrying trusses use this street, and encouraged them to consider 12-foot-wide driving lanes and a wide turning radius at North Wallace Avenue to encourage the trucks to use this street rather than continuing south on North Wallace Avenue. He then asked if the Board wishes to see the standard street design with curb, gutter and sidewalk for this roadway. Erik Nelson expressed interest in drawing attention to the creek crossing, particularly since the trail comes out to the road at that crossing. He noted that, other than that, he has no problem with standard street improvements. Kevin Jacobsen asked the Board whether it wishes to see on-street parking included in the design; the Board members expressed varying interests in on-street parking. The Board identified items it wishes to see preserved. Those items include encouraging truck traffic to use East Tamarack Street rather than North Wallace Avenue, preserving the pastoral setting of the roadway, preserving existing trees, and drawing attention to the trail entrance to the street. Erik Nelson suggested that the design for East Tamarack Street east of North Wallace Avenue could be different to match the neighborhood. Kevin Jacobsen asked for Board input on the street design around the boulder area, and asked if additional parking for the depot park should be provided. The Board generally voiced interest in providing additional parking around the park area. Project Engineer Johnson noted that Front Street was originally platted as a through street; however, North Ida Avenue actually functions in that capacity. Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke noted that next month’s meeting may be devoted to ethics training and asked if it would be alright to include street designs on the December agenda. Kevin Jacobsen expressed concern about delaying further discussion on the street design for that long, particularly since this Board had previously expressed interest in seeing the design completed by the end of the year. As a result, Erik Nelson and Bob Pavlic agreed to serve on a subcommittee to meet with the consulting engineers during November. Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke indicated that, if the design is completed in December or January, she will start the outreach to other City boards in January. She will also check on the possibility of scheduling a presentation to the NorthEast Neighborhood Association (NENA), since they have not yet scheduled their fall meeting. Discussion regarding proposal to place porta potty in East Aspen Street right-of-way improvements. Project Engineer Dustin Johnson stated an application for encroachment permit is needed to place a porta potty in the street right-of-way; and it appears there would not be any reason to reject it. He noted, however, that staff is concerned about the liability and safety of placing a porta potty in this location and whether it would receive any use. Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke asked if the porta potty is to be located on the site just during the summer. She then observed that there are no porta potties along any other trails in the community; they are only located in parks. Chair Noble asked that this issue be brought back in the spring for further discussion. Dan Doehring asked if a doggie station has been installed at the Aspen Street entrance to the boulder area; the Neighborhood Coordinator stated she will follow up on it. Discussion – conduct annual ethics training at the November 5 meeting. Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke asked if the Board would be willing to participate in a joint meeting with the North 7th Avenue Urban Renewal Board on Thursday, November 7, rather than having separate ethics training for this Board. She noted the North 7th Avenue Board generally meets at 4:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month. After several Board members indicated it would be difficult to attend a meeting at 4:30 p.m., the Neighborhood Coordinator suggested the ethics training be set for 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7; the Board agreed. Determine whether to meet in November; set agenda or cancel meeting. In light of the discussion under the previous agenda item, a special Board meeting will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, for ethics training. In addition, the subcommittee will meet with Kevin Jacobsen to review his progress report on the East Tamarack Street/Front Street/North Ida Avenue project. Neighborhood News. Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke distributed copies of the recommendation from staff regarding a demolition by neglect ordinance. She cautioned that the recommendations are very broad and not specific to historic structures. She encouraged the Board members to review the staff report, which will be considered at next week’s Commission meeting. Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke invited Board members to attend Waterfest, which will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, at Bogert Park. She noted that the 50-year plan for water will be presented at that event. Responding to Bob Pavlic, the Neighborhood Coordinator stated the new water treatment plant construction is complete. Adjournment – 8:03 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