Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-03-13 Northeast Urban Renewal Board MinutesNortheast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, December 3, 2013 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana. Present: Absent: Voting Members: Tom Noble, Chair Daniel Doehring Erik Nelson Robert Pavlic Jeanne Wesley-Wiese Non-Voting Members: Commissioner Liaison: Chris Mehl Staff: Allyson Brekke, Neighborhood Coordinator Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: Ke vin Jacobsen, Morrison-Maierle Chris Nixon Ken VanDeWalle Call to Order – Chair Tom Noble called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m. Public Comment – Ken VanDeWalle stated he is currently working on various memorial type projects and is attending this meeting to see if there are any opportunities for him to help develop ideas for this district since it is his neighborhood. He noted that he is currently in the early stages of designing a tensil type cable bridge for another trail and would be willing to provide similar assistance for this Board. He then stated he would rather work on development, design and fabrication of improvements than serve on the board, which he would view as a conflict to his work. Chris Nixon noted this Board is open to looking at a bridge across the creek at various locations, not just the East Aspen Street alignment. He then asked if the Board is interested in feedback from the neighborhood regarding various locations for the creek crossing, since the only input received to date is specifically for the Aspen Street crossing. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated she does not understand why options are open for constructing a pedestrian bridge across the creek and noted that, while she would support enhanced bridges across the creek, she would not do so at the expense of a pedestrian only bridge. Commissioner Liaison Chris Mehl noted the reason the listing in the work plan and budget is for a pedestrian bridge is so that any adjustments to the exact location of the bridge can be made by this Board rather than going through the Commission for a budget amendment. Erik Nelson noted the Board may find another location makes more sense for a creek crossing, noting that options identified to date include East Peach Street, East Aspen Street and East Tamarack Street. Chair Noble noted that additional monies will be coming in from the tax increment and, while the Board could choose to enhance the bridge on East Peach Street, that does not mean a bridge on East Aspen Street will never be built. He noted that if the Board wants to do a survey, it needs to determine who will do the survey and whether it is to be a formal survey or more informal. Ken VanDeWalle expressed his interest in seeing a bridge that is beautiful and sculptural rather than heavy concrete, not matter where it is located. Consent Items – Approve minutes from October 8, 2013 meeting and November 7, 2013 special session. It was moved by Bob Pavlic, seconded by Erik Nelson, that the minutes of the meeting of October 8, 2013, and the special session of November 7, 2013, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 4-0 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, distributed copies of the rights-of-way for the streets, showing the existing layout of each street at given cross sections, and the relationship of the road to the right-of-way. He noted that proposed options for street improvements have also been provided. Kevin Jacobsen began his review by turning his attention to the East Tamarack Street design, noting it is based in large part on the East Peach Street design. He stated the design includes a bioswale in the boulevard and a basic street section that moves traffic, bicycles and pedestrians. He stressed that the right-of-way for this street provides adequate space for a typical street standard, and noted the road flares about 2 feet on each side at the bridge. He suggested this additional space could be used to provide a pedestrian crossing or to include a railing on the bridge. Responding to Erik Nelson, Kevin Jacobsen stated he overlaid the most current Montana Department of Transportation plan on the map showing existing conditions and then tied that plan to the proposed improvements. He then indicated that, except for the bioswales, the proposed street section complies with City standards. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted the telephone box at the northwest corner of the intersection of North Wallace Avenue and East Peach Street is constantly being run over and suggested it may need to be moved. Kevin Jacobsen stated a 35-foot radius would be needed to move large trucks through the intersection, so the telephone box will have to be moved. He cautioned that, no matter how large the radius is, people will still tend to cut the corner. Erik Nelson noted that, since North Wallace Avenue is the only access to the old Idaho Pole site and is the major access to recreational and park sites on the north side, this intersection is more important than some of the others. Chair Noble noted that future development of the Brewery site will have an impact on the traffic patterns in the area. He also cautioned that any redevelopment of the old Idaho Pole site will have an impact on this district since North Wallace Avenue and L Street are currently the only access; and he is concerned that the City Commission may not take those impacts into consideration. He also noted that Story Mill Road and L Street have become an artery for traffic. Kevin Jacobsen suggested the Board could take the position that development of a certain size will trigger a traffic study. Responding to questions from Kevin Jacobsen, Board members indicated support for the proposed street section for East Tamarack Street. They asked that the sidewalk be meandered around existing trees to the greatest extent possible. Kevin Jacobsen turned the Board’s attention to the Front Street section, noting this street is located in a 50-foot-wide right-of-way. He identified drainage and adequate travel lanes as key issues to be addressed, and noted the intersection of Front Street and North Ida Avenue needs to be improved to encourage traffic to turn onto North Ida Avenue rather than continuing east on Front Street. He stated the proposed street section contains two 10-foot driving lanes with swales to provide drainage. He cautioned that this plan does not allow for good pedestrian movement because of the narrow right-of-way, although it would allow for parking on one side or both sides of the street. Responding to Erik Nelson, Kevin Jacobsen stated the design with swales on both sides is proposed is because the road is currently crowned, and he was trying to reduce the costs of improving the roadway. Erik Nelson stated he would not put parking in front of the depot. Instead, he suggested adding one foot to the driving lanes, pedestrian facilities on both sides of the road, and valley gutter and drainage on the south side of the street. Responding to Commissioner Liaison Chris Mehl, Bob Pavlic stated much traffic circulation is along the south side of the street, although some people do walk by the depot and then cross the street to access the park. Kevin Jacobsen suggested one possibility might be to install valley gutters using porous material on both sides of the street, and use that area as a pedestrian way as well. He voiced concern about that suggestion because of the maintenance involved and the fact that it would put pedestrians where the stormwater runs off. Bob Pavlic questioned the need for parking on Front Street. Kevin Jacobsen stated he is not completely satisfied with the proposed design for North Ida Avenue and requested Board comments and suggestions. Erik Nelson suggested that sidewalk be provided along only on the west side of North Ida Avenue and that a boulevard not be included. He suggested the design include the sidewalk, swales on both sides, two lanes of traffic and parking on the east side of the street. Kevin Jacobsen suggested that if cost is not a large concern, the swale could be made larger and serve as the parking area as well. Erik Nelson proposed that the swale remain the standard size, but that parked cars straddle the swale. He then questioned why the City would leave 14 feet of public right-of-way in someone else’s hands, as shown on one of the proposed designs, rather than utilizing the space in the best way possible for moving traffic. Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke asked that the costs of the various options be provided, particularly since the Director of Public Service is talking about including these street designs in the capital improvement program. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated she wants a pedestrian facility included along North Ida Avenue. She noted that there are currently no pedestrian facilities provided; and people tend to walk along the west side since it is an easier place to walk. Chair Noble voiced support for a swale. He then stated he does not find North Ida Avenue is a dangerous street for pedestrians. Kevin Jacobson suggested that a swale and sidewalk be included on the west side of the street, a swale on the east side of the street and sharrows for bicycles to use the driving lanes. Responding to Bob Pavlic’s concerns about visibility at the intersection of East Cottonwood Street and North Ida Avenue, Kevin Jacobsen noted that overgrown hedge could be cut back to provide better visibility. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese suggested that Mrs. Edgerley might be willing to move the railroad track a little bit to provide space for the street improvements. Kevin Jacobsen noted the section by Silent Knight Muffler is difficult; and he has moved the road to the east as much as possible to give them room to access their bays. Kevin Jacobsen turned his attention to East Aspen Street, noting that it includes valley gutters on both sides to carry water and parking on both sides of the street, straddling the gutters. Bob Pavlic stated he would rather see trees than sidewalk along the depot side of Front Street, noting it might help create a sound barrier to dampen the noise from the trains. He suggested that the trees might also help to slow traffic on Front Street. Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke cautioned that future redevelopment of the depot must be considered when determining the locations of trees. Responding to Kevin Jacobsen, Erik Nelson stated he feels parking can be provided along both sides of Front Street east of North Ida Avenue but is not needed on the remainder of the street. Kevin Jacobsen thanked the Board for its input and indicated he will explore bridge options for East Tamarack Street prior to the next meeting. Determine whether to meet in January; set agenda or cancel meeting. Following a brief discussion, the Board set its next meeting for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2014. Agenda items will include an update on the East Tamarack Avenue/Front Street/North Ida Avenue design, and preliminary discussion about goals, work plan and budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Neighborhood News. Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke reported that the NorthEast Neighborhood Association (NENA) held its fall meeting. Chris Nixon stated that 34 people attended the meeting and, since they didn’t have the 45 required for a quorum, NENA was unable to vote on the Story Mill proposal. He stated they are now considering a special meeting before the Story Mill proposal goes before the Commission or the advisory board for park bond monies. After acting on this proposal, they will also consider revising the quorum requirements so that the association can more easily take official action. Chair Noble noted there are 1200 households in NENA, yet it is not possible to get 45 people to attend a meeting. Adjournment – 8:05 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