HomeMy WebLinkAboutNorton East Ranch Major Subdivision, Phase 3 Preliminary Plat_15Page 1 of 24
P14037, Staff Report for the NORTON EAST RANCH MAJOR
SUBDIVISION, PHASE 3 PRELIMINARY PLAT
NOTE: UPDATES TO THIS STAFF REPORT THAT HAVE BEEN MADE SINCE ITS
PRESENTATION TO THE PLANNING BOARD ARE SHOWN IN RED.
Date: Planning Board meeting is on September 2, 2014
City Commission meeting is on September 22, 2014
Item: The Norton East Ranch Major Subdivision Phase 3, Preliminary Plat is for the
subdivision of approximately 119.90 acres into 104 single-household residential, 6
townhouse residential, 2 restricted development lots, and the remaining area as streets,
common open space, and parkland.
Project Location: The property is located in the Northeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of
section 9, Township Two South (T2S), Range Five East (R5E), P.M.M., Gallatin County,
Montana. The subject property is generally located west of Laurel Parkway and south of West
Babcock Street.
Recommendation: Approval with conditions
Recommended Motion:
Recommended Motion for Preliminary Plat: “Having reviewed the application materials,
considered public comment, and the staff analysis, I hereby adopt the findings presented in the
staff report for P14037 and move to approve the preliminary plat for the Norton East Ranch
Major Subdivision, Phase 3 with the recommended conditions in Planning Board Resolution
P14037.”
Report Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Staff Contact: Brian Krueger, Development Review Manager
Agenda Item Type: Action (Quasi-judicial)
Unresolved Issues
The Planning Board discussed two items at the public hearing on September 2, 2014 that are
highlighted for Commission consideration:
1) Public comment from four adjoining property owners on the west side of the subdivision
requested that West Babcock Street not be constructed to the western property boundary of the
subdivision as they believe it will have negative impacts on their properties which are held in
conservation easements. The extension of West Babcock Street to the western property
boundary is shown in the approved Norton East Ranch Master Plan that was required by the City
Commission during the annexation of the Norton Properties in 2007. The Planning Board
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expressed their general support for not improving the street west of proposed Street A, until such
time West Babcock is extended west. The right-of way for West Babcock Street was granted at
the time of annexation and extends to the western property boundary. The City Commission has
purview over the timing of subdivision improvements and could direct the property owner to not
extend West Babcock Street to the west at this time. If that were to occur, the only unresolved
issue moving forward would be who would pay to extend West Babcock Street from Street A to
the west property boundary in the future if West Babcock Street is extended to the West. If the
Commission would like to not require the applicant to construct West Babcock Street to the west
property boundary a motion to add a new condition to terminate the construction of West
Babcock Street at the western edge of Street A would be required.
2) The application proposes a 30’ wide east/west linear park with a 10’ wide bike and pedestrian
pathway along the south side of Street E to connect the buffer parkland along the western
property boundary to the subdivision neighborhood center at the southeast corner of the
intersection of Laurel Parkway and West Babcock Street. The Recreation and Parks Advisory
Board Subdivision Committee endorsed the idea of this connection during the subdivision pre-
application stage as a 30’wide open space corridor and not parkland. The applicant proposes the
corridor as linear parkland and the Subdivision Committee recommends the corridor be included
in the subdivision design as open space to be owned and maintained by the property owner’s
association in lieu of parkland. The Planning Board recommended adding an alternative to the
condition to either provide the 30’ wide corridor as open space or to eliminate it and provide a
standard local street section with a 5’ wide sidewalk and boulevard planting strip along the south
side of Street E. If the Commission would like to accept this corridor as City parkland a motion
to eliminate condition number 11 would be required.
Project Summary
The project proposes a three phase subdivision to subdivide approximately 119.90 acres into 104
single-household residential, 6 townhouse residential, 2 restricted development lots, and the
remaining area as streets, common open space, and parkland on property generally located west
of Laurel Parkway and south of West Babcock Street.
The proposed preliminary plat is consistent with the approved Norton East Ranch Master Plan
that was required by a term of annexation and the City Commission during the annexation of the
Norton Properties in 2007 see map in Section 1 here. The proposed preliminary plat is consistent
with the street layout and configuration to extend West Babcock Street to the western property
boundary and to provide a buffer parkland area and a local street adjacent to the west property
boundary. The properties to the west are under County jurisdiction and are encumbered by a
conservation easement that restricts further development rights. The Development Review
Committee recommended conditional approval of the preliminary plat with the conditions and
code provisions identified in this report on August 6, 2014. The Recreation and Parks Advisory
Board Subdivision Committee reviewed the application on August 8, 2014 and recommended
conditional approval.
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Alternatives
1. Approve the application with the recommended conditions;
2. Approve the application with modifications to the recommended conditions;
3. Deny the application based on the Commission’s findings of non-compliance with the
applicable subdivision criteria contained within the staff report;
4. Open and continue the public hearing on the application, with specific direction to Staff
or the applicant to supply additional information or to address specific items.
Planning Board:
The Planning Board conducted their public hearing on September 2, 2014. There were four
members of public who provided comment. The public comment was from the four owners of
the adjacent properties encumbered by conservation easements. The primary comments
provided were in regards to the high groundwater in the area, support of the buffer parkland, a
request that West Babcock Street not be extended to the western property boundary, and that the
City require the applicant to construct a new fence along the western property boundary. The
Planning Board considered each of the public comments. The Planning Board moved to modify
Condition 11 related to the proposed east west linear parkland along Street E to add an
alternative to either provide the 30’ wide corridor as open space or to eliminate it and provide a
standard local street section with a 5’ wide sidewalk and boulevard planting strip along the south
side of Street E. They also recommended approval of the subdivision as a whole. The vote was
7-1 with one member of the Planning Board not in favor of the subdivision. The minutes from
this meeting are attached to this report.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Unresolved Issues ............................................................................................................... 1
Project Summary ................................................................................................................. 2
Alternatives ......................................................................................................................... 3
Planning Board: .................................................................................................................. 3
SECTION 1 - MAP SERIES .......................................................................................................... 5
SECTION 2 - RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL ............................................ 9
SECTION 3 - CODE REQUIREMENTS REQUIRING PLAT CORRECTIONS ...................... 11
SECTION 4 - RECOMMENDATION AND FUTURE ACTIONS ............................................ 12
SECTION 5 - STAFF ANALYSIS............................................................................................... 13
Applicable Subdivision Review Criteria, Section 38.03.040, BMC................................. 13
Primary Subdivision Review Criteria, Section 76-3-608 Mont. Code Ann. .................... 14
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Preliminary Plat Supplements ........................................................................................... 17
APPENDIX A – PROJECT SITE ZONING AND GROWTH POLICY..................................... 21
APPENDIX B – DETAILED PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND.................... 22
APPENDIX C – NOTICING AND PUBLIC COMMENT ......................................................... 22
APPENDIX D – OWNER INFORMATION AND REVIEWING STAFF ................................. 23
FISCAL EFFECTS ....................................................................................................................... 23
ATTACHMENTS ......................................................................................................................... 23
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SECTION 1 - MAP SERIES
Vicinity Map – 2012 Aerial Photo with Zoning
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Norton East Ranch Master Plan Map adopted by the City Commission at Annexation of the Norton
East Ranch Properties 2007
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Proposed Preliminary Plat 104 Single Household Lots, Six Townhouse Lots.
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Proposed Preliminary Plat showing Restricted Development Lots R1 and R2 and Neighborhood
Center.
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SECTION 2 - RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Please note that these conditions are in addition to any required code provisions identified in this
report. Mandatory compliance with the explicit terms of Chapter 38, BMC does not constitute
conditions of approval. The conditions of approval may require compliance with more than the
minimum standards in order to conform to the physical and economic development of the City,
and to the safety and general welfare of the future lot owners and of the community at large. The
applicant must comply with all provisions of the Bozeman Municipal Code which are applicable
to this project.
Recommended Conditions of Approval:
Community Development Department:
1. The Final Plat shall conform to all requirements of the Bozeman Municipal Code and the
Uniform Standards for Subdivision Plats (Uniform Standards for Certificates of Survey and
Subdivision Plats (24.183.1104 and 24.183.1104 ARM) and shall be accompanied by all
required documents, including certification from the City Engineer that as-built drawings for
public improvements were received, a platting certificate, and all required and corrected
certificates. The Final Plat application shall include three (3) signed reproducible copies on a
3 mil or heavier stable base polyester film (or equivalent); two (2) digital copies; one (1) PDF
copy; and five (5) paper prints. The Gallatin County Clerk & Recorder’s office has elected
to continue the existing medium requirements of 2 mylars with a 1½” binding margin on one
side for both plats and COS’s. The Clerk and Recorder will file the new Conditions of
Approval sheet as a separate document from the Plat. This accompanying sheet may either
be on a same sized mylar sheet or a letter or legal paper document with up to 11x17 exhibits.
2. The applicant is advised that unmet code provisions, or code provisions that are not
specifically listed as conditions of approval, does not, in any way, create a waiver or other
relaxation of the lawful requirements of the Bozeman Municipal Code or state law.
3. The applicant shall submit with the application for Final Plat review and approval, a written
narrative stating how each of the conditions of preliminary plat approval and noted code
provisions have been satisfactorily addressed, and shall include a digital copy (pdf) of the
entire Final Plat submittal. This narrative shall be in sufficient detail to direct the reviewer to
the appropriate plat, plan, sheet, note, covenant, etc. in the submittal.
4. The subdivider shall provide the necessary declaration, and recitals indicating that the
property owner’s association bylaws and/or declaration of covenants, conditions and
restrictions include this property as being annexed into the existing Norton East Ranch
property owners association.
5. Documentation of compliance with the parkland dedication requirements of Section
38.27.020 BMC shall be provided with the final plat. A table showing the parkland
requirements for the Norton East Ranch, Phase 3 subdivision and the method of meeting the
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parkland dedication for each lot in this subdivision shall be included on the conditions of
approval sheet of the final plat as document acceptable to the City of Bozeman.
6. The final plat shall provide all necessary utility easements and shall be described,
dimensioned and shown on each subdivision block of the final plat in their true and correct
location. Any rear or side yard utility easements not provided will require written
confirmation from ALL utility companies providing service indicating that rear or side yard
easements are not needed.
7. Lots R1 and R2 of the Norton East Ranch Subdivision, Phase III shall be platted as
undevelopable lots in accordance with Section 38.39.080.B.6, BMC, with the following
language placed on each undevelopable lot of the final plat “Lot development subject to
further subdivision review.” No public improvements shall be required for the undevelopable
lots until it is subdivided as a lot which is not subject to this restriction. This language shall
be placed on the face of the plat or in a separate executed document to be recorded with the
final plat: “NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all potential purchasers of Lots R1 and R2 of
the Norton East Ranch Subdivision, Phase III, City of Bozeman, Gallatin County, Montana,
that the final plat of the subdivision was approved by the Bozeman City Commission without
completion of on and off site improvements required under the Bozeman Municipal Code, as
is allowed in Chapter 38.39 of the Bozeman Municipal Code. As such, this Restriction is
filed with the final plat that stipulates that any use of this lot is subject to further subdivision,
and no development of this lot shall occur until all on and off site improvements are
completed as required under the Bozeman Municipal Code. THRERFORE, BE ADVISED,
that Building Permits will not be issued for Lots R1 and R2 of the Norton East Ranch
Subdivision, Phase III, City of Bozeman, Gallatin County, Montana until all required on and
off site improvements are completed and accepted by the City of Bozeman. No building
structure requiring water or sewer facilities shall be utilized on this lot until this restriction is
lifted. This restriction runs with the land and is revocable only by further subdivision or the
written consent of the City of Bozeman.”
8. The final plat shall contain the following language in a plat note to be placed on the
conditions of approval sheet, placing future landowners of individual lots on notice of the
presence of high groundwater in the area of the subdivision: “Due to the potential of high
ground water tables in the areas of the subdivision, it is not recommended that residential
dwellings or commercial structures with crawlspaces, full or partial basements be constructed
without first consulting a professional engineer licensed in the State of Montana and
qualified in the certification of residential and commercial construction.”
Engineering Division:
9. All phases of the subdivision shall be supplied by 2 separate water mains.
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10. The improvements required to provide an acceptable level of service at the intersection of
Cottonwood and Durston shall be installed or financially guaranteed prior to filing of the
final plat, and installed and accepted prior to issuance of building permits.
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board:
11. The proposed linear park 1-5 shall not be accepted as dedicated City Parkland, but shall be
Common Open space owned and maintained by the Property Owner’s Association or
converted to meet the applicable City local street section.
12. All proposed parkland shall be dedicated with phase 1 of the subdivision, with the
corresponding improvements completed with each phase in the required amount to support
the number of dwelling units in each phase. A phasing plan consistent with this condition
shall be included in the parks master plan.
13. The parks master plan shall include a landscape plan for the proposed improvements to the
one acre neighborhood center public park located at the southeast corner of West Babcock
Street and Laurel Parkway.
SECTION 3 - CODE REQUIREMENTS REQUIRING PLAT CORRECTIONS
1. Section 38.24.080.BMC requires that City standard sidewalks (including a concrete sidewalk
section through all private drive approaches) shall be constructed in all developments on all
public and private street frontages, except for alleys. The requirements of the city design
standards and specifications policy and the city modifications to state public works standard
specifications shall apply. The developer shall install sidewalks adjacent to public lands,
including, but not limited to, parks, open space, and the intersection of alleys and streets or
street easements. The proposed asphalt pathway in Linear Park 2-6 is not consistent with
this code section. The pathway shall be of a concrete section in accordance with city
design standards and specifications.
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SECTION 4 - RECOMMENDATION AND FUTURE ACTIONS
Project Name: Norton East Ranch Major Subdivision Phase 3 Preliminary Plat
File: P14037
Development Review Committee
The Development Review Committee (DRC) reviewed the Preliminary Plat application on July
16, 23, 30, and August 6, 2014 and as a result, finds that the application, with conditions, is in
general compliance with the adopted Growth Policy, the Montana Subdivision and Platting Act
and the Unified Development Code. The DRC recommended conditional approval of the
preliminary plat application with conditions.
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, Subdivision Committee
The Recreation and Parks Advisory Board (RPAB) Subdivision Committee reviewed the
Preliminary Plat application and Parks Plan and proposed improvements to parkland on August
8, 2014. The RPAB committee supported the continued development of the Norton East Ranch
Subdivision and recommended approval of the subdivision and parks improvements with
conditions.
Planning Board
The Planning Board held a public hearing on the application on September 2, 2014. Four
members of the public provided public comment. The Planning Board voted 7-1 to recommend
conditional approval of the application with the conditions provided in Planning Board
Resolution P14037. One written public comment exhibit was submitted at the meeting and is
attached to this report. The meeting minutes are attached.
City Commission
The City Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing and review the preliminary plat on
September 22, 2014.
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SECTION 5 - STAFF ANALYSIS
Analysis and resulting recommendations are based on the entirety of the application materials,
municipal codes, standards, plans, public comment, and all other materials available during the
review period. Collectively this information is the record of the review. This analysis is a
summary of the completed review.
Applicable Subdivision Review Criteria, Section 38.03.040, BMC.
The applicant must comply with all provisions of the Bozeman Municipal Code, which are
applicable to this project, prior to receiving final plat approval. The applicant is advised that
unmet code provisions, or code provisions that are not specifically listed as conditions of approval, does not, in any way, create a waiver or other relaxation of the lawful requirements of the Bozeman Municipal Code or State law.
In considering applications for subdivision approval under this title, the advisory boards and City
Commission shall consider the following:
1) Compliance with the survey requirements of Part 4 of the Montana Subdivision and
Platting Act
The preliminary plat has been prepared in accordance with the survey requirements of the
Montana Subdivision and Platting Act by a Professional Engineer registered in the State of
Montana. As noted in recommended condition no. 1, the final plat must comply with State statute
and the Bozeman Municipal Code including the newly adopted ARM’s from the State.
2) Compliance with the local subdivision regulations provided for in Part 5 of the Montana
Subdivision and Platting Act
The final plat shall comply with the standards identified and referenced in the Unified
Development Code (UDC). The applicant is advised that unmet code provisions, or code
provisions that are not specifically listed as a condition of approval, does not, in any way, create
a waiver or other relaxation of the lawful requirements of the Bozeman Municipal Code or State
law.
3) Compliance with the local subdivision review procedures provided for in Part 6 of the
Montana Subdivision and Platting Act
The hearings before the Planning Board and City Commission have been properly noticed as
required by the Bozeman UDC. Based on the recommendation of the DRC and other applicable
review agencies, as well as any public testimony received on the matter, the Planning Board shall
forward a recommendation in a Resolution to the City Commission who will make the final
decision on the applicant’s request.
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4) Compliance with Chapter 38, BMC and other relevant regulations
Based upon the review of the DRC, all applicable regulations appear to be met. Pertinent code
provisions and site specific requirements are included in this report for City Commission
consideration.
5) The provision of easements to and within the subdivision for the location and installation
of any necessary utilities
As noted under item number 2 above and as required under Section 38.23.060.A BMC, all
easements, existing and proposed, shall be accurately depicted and addressed on the final plat
and in the final plat application. Therefore, all utilities and necessary utility easements will be
provided and depicted accordingly on the final plat.
6) The provision of legal and physical access to each parcel within the subdivision and the
notation of that access on the applicable plat and any instrument transferring the parcel
All of the proposed lots have frontage to adjacent perimeter streets meeting minimum standards.
Vehicular access to each lot is proposed via curb cuts to perimeter streets.
Primary Subdivision Review Criteria, Section 76-3-608 Mont. Code Ann.
The Montana Subdivision and Platting Act, Section 76-3-608, M.C.A. establishes the following
primary review criteria for the governing body to consider when evaluating subdivisions. Staff,
the DRC and other applicable review agencies have made comments in relation to those and
other criteria as described below, and have recommended conditions of approval as outlined at
the beginning of this staff report.
1) The effect on agriculture
The subject property is designated as Residential according to the City of Bozeman Community
Plan. The subject property is zoned for residential development. The property is in temporary
agricultural production in anticipation of development, but the overall unit size is too small for
long term viable production. Therefore, this subdivision will not have adverse effects on
agriculture.
2) The effect on Agricultural water user facilities
There are no changes or impacts identified to agricultural water user facilities located on the
subject property.
3) The effect on Local services
Water/Sewer – Municipal water and sewer mains exist in the adjacent street right-of-ways. The
applicant has provided the necessary water and sewer design report for review by the City
Water/Sewer and Engineering Departments.
Final approval of the water distribution system and sewage collection/disposal system will be
obtained through normal approval procedures of preliminary and final plat review by the City
Engineering Department, Superintendent of Water/Sewer, and Montana Department of
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Environmental Quality. This subdivision requires an extension to the City sewer and water
services. This subdivision is currently a “peninsula” of the City extending westward and does
not have connectivity to the north or to the south to provide redundancy in service distribution
and collection, the Engineering Division recommends a condition to require a minimum of two
separate water mains for redundancy as the subdivision phasing develops.
Streets – The DRC has determined that the adjacent streets have capacity to accommodate this
development. The proposed subdivision is bound by West Babcock Street (collector) to the
north, Street A (local) to the west, May Fly Street (local) to the south and Laurel Parkway
(collector) to the east. Laurel Parkway is being improved as part of Norton East Ranch phase
2A. The proposed subdivision improvements for phase 3 will include the installation of the
westerly extension of West Babcock Street and seven local streets to be constructed to current
City design standards. One alley is proposed to provide vehicular access to Lots 1-6 in Block 2
as no access to Laurel Parkway is allowed per access spacing requirements for collector streets.
There are no new intersections with the surrounding major street network proposed with this
subdivision. The ownership and maintenance of all streets will be accepted by the City of
Bozeman.
A traffic impact study was completed by Abelin Traffic Services and was included in the
applicant’s submittal materials. The traffic impact study stated that “As proposed, the Norton
East Ranch Subdivision Phase II will not create any roadway capacity problems along
Cottonwood Road. The planned road improvements in this area by the City of Bozeman will
provide sufficient capacity to serve the currently platted developments in this area. No
additional roadway improvement sill be necessary to serve Phase III of the Norton East Ranch
project.” The City is scheduled to construct improvements to Cottonwood Road during years
2015 and/or 2016. Until such time the improvements are constructed, the Engineering Division
recommends a condition of approval to require that improvements to provide an acceptable level
of service at the intersection of Cottonwood and Durston shall be installed or financially
guaranteed prior to filing of the final plat, and installed and accepted prior to issuance of building
permits.
Stormwater – The applicant submitted a preliminary design report for stormwater management
for review by the City Engineering Division. Surface runoff will be controlled by channeling
flows into a retention area. The retention pond will limit runoff to the predevelopment rates and
allow for percolation and aquifer recharge. The retention basin will filter sediments and oil
reducing the potential for contamination of down gradient aquifers. The standard requirement for
a detailed review of the final grading and drainage plan, and approval by the City Engineer, will
be required as part of the infrastructure plan and specification review process prior to final plat
approval.
Police/Fire – The property is located within the City’s Police and Fire emergency response area.
The subdivider must obtain addresses for the new lots from the City Engineering Division prior
to filing the final plat to facilitate emergency response to the site.
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Parklands – The parkland dedication requirements for this subdivision will be satisfied with
public parklands dedicated with the filing of final plat and the required site improvements. At
0.03 acres of dedicated parkland per dwelling unit, the calculated parkland dedication with this
preliminary plat application would be 3.3 acres. The proposed parkland to be dedicated and
improved with this subdivision includes Park 1 (Buffer park) 74,598 square feet, Public Park
(Phase IIA SE corner of Babcock and Laurel Parkway) 43,325 square feet, and Linear Parks 2-6
23,084 square feet or a total of 3.23 acres. A excess parkland balance from Norton East Ranch
Phases 1-2A exists of 2.45 acres. A parks master plan is proposed and is required to be finalized
and reviewed by the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board(RPAB) and the City Commission
prior to final plat. The RPAB recommends conditions to not accept the Linear Parks 2-6 as
dedicated City parkland due to size, maintenance requirements, and potential encroachment
issues with adjacent lots; to add a landscape plan for the neighborhood center to the Parks Master
Plan; and to provide all parkland dedication with phase 1 and the corresponding parkland
improvements to support the density of each phase in order to provide compliance with the
Norton East Ranch Master Plan and code requirements.
4) The effect on the Natural environment
This property is located in an area of the City which has been identified and developed for
residential uses at urban density and no changes are proposed that would impact the natural
environment. No significant physical or topographical features have been identified, (e.g.,
outcroppings, geological formations, steep slopes), on the subject property. No surface water
exists within the boundary of phase 3. Aaijker Creek, a perennial stream, is located to the west
of the property boundary. No wetland areas were identified within the boundary of phase 3.
Phase 3 is not located within a floodplain. The applicant has entered into an agreement for a
Noxious Weed Management Plan with the Gallatin County Weed Control District that is current
as of January 22, 2014. High groundwater was identified in all soil test pits within phase 3, the
consulting engineer recommends groundwater mitigation systems for all subterranean foundation
construction for dwellings. Staff recommends a condition to require a final plat notation that
reads “Due to the potential of high ground water tables in the areas of the subdivision, it is not
recommended that residential dwellings or commercial structures with crawlspaces, full or
partial basements be constructed without first consulting a professional engineer licensed in the
State of Montana and qualified in the certification of residential and commercial construction.”
5) The effect on Wildlife and wildlife habitat
No known endangered species or critical game ranges have been identified on the subject
property. This area of the City has been identified and developed for urban purposes in a
location of the City where no physical features, established vegetation, or habitat exist, which
reduces the potential for development of any wildlife habitat.
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6) The effect on Public health and safety
The intent of the regulations in Chapter 38 of the Bozeman Municipal Code is to protect the
public health, safety and general welfare. The subdivision has been reviewed by the DRC which
has determined that it is in general compliance with the title. Any other conditions deemed
necessary to ensure compliance have been noted throughout this staff report. In addition, all
subdivisions must be reviewed against the criteria listed in 76-3-608.3.b-d, M.C.A. and as a
result, the DRC and Department of Community Development have reviewed this application
against the listed criteria and further provides the following summary for submittal materials and
requirements.
Preliminary Plat Supplements
A subdivision pre-application plan review was completed by the DRC on April 9, 2014. With
the pre-application plan review application, no waivers were requested by the applicant from
Section 38.41.060 “Additional Subdivision Preliminary Plat Supplements.” Staff offers the
following summary comments on the supplemental information required with Article 38.41,
BMC.
38.41.060.A.1 Surface Water
No surface water exists within the boundary of phase 3. Aaijker Creek, a perennial stream, is
located to the west of the property boundary. No wetland areas were identified within the
boundary of phase 3. There is a 50 foot watercourse setback along Aaijker Creek that in places
crosses the west property boundary and is located on the linear buffer park. No existing water
bodies are proposed to be altered with this subdivision.
38.41.060.A.2 Floodplains
Phase 3 is not located in a floodplain.
38.41.060.A.3 Groundwater
Depth to groundwater was measured in different locations on the property in June of 2014. The
depth to groundwater was between 4 to 10 feet from the surface. As discussed in the report the
fluctuations of groundwater depth can be attributed to the season, irrigation and land use. Due to
shallow groundwater elevations dewatering for all utilities and foundation construction will
likely be required. The consulting engineer recommends groundwater mitigation systems for all
subterranean foundation construction for dwellings. Staff recommends a condition to require a
final plat notation that reads “Due to the potential of high ground water tables in the areas of the
subdivision, it is not recommended that residential dwellings or commercial structures with
crawlspaces, full or partial basements be constructed without first consulting a professional
engineer licensed in the State of Montana and qualified in the certification of residential and
commercial construction.” Installation of municipal water and sanitary sewer services will
greatly reduce any concerns regarding the potential of groundwater degradation.
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38.41.060.A.4 Geology, Soils and Slopes
The site is located on the Bozeman alluvial fan complex. The soils include fine to coarse grained
sediments sandy soils, with gravels and topped with rich topsoil are predominant. There are no
known geologic hazards associated with this site, with exception to the Seismic Zone 3 for earthquakes, which is common for the Bozeman area. No significant physical features or topographical conditions have been identified, and no slopes in excess of fifteen percent (15%)
grade are evident.
Other than high groundwater and the need to dewater areas for utility installation addressed in
the previous supplement, there does not appear to be anything in the geotechnical report that indicates any geologic hazards. The Building Department will require a soils report for each lot prior to approving a building permit.
38.41.060.A.5 Vegetation
The site is noted on the NRCS soils and vegetation map as Shallow to Gravel, Sub–Irrigated, and
Wet Meadow. The area receives 15 to 19 inches of annual precipitation. The property is
currently planted in barley. No critical plant communities have been identified. The applicant
has entered into an agreement for a Noxious Weed Management Plan with the Gallatin County
Weed Control District that is current as of January 22, 2014.
38.41.060.A.6 Wildlife
Due to the agricultural history of the property and limited mature vegetation in the area, any
potential impacts to wildlife and wildlife habitat are limited to small mammals and ground
nesting birds, but also larger mammals such as deer frequent the property. No known
endangered species or critical game ranges have been identified in the area. The 50-foot
watercourse setback along the existing watercourse will protect any riparian environment already
established on the adjacent property. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks was contacted regarding
the subdivision and they responded with comment regarding stormwater runoff entering
perennial streams. The concern is addressed with the stormwater design report that provides a
design that channels runoff into a retention basin that is located no closer than 50 feet to any
watercourse..
38.41.060.A.7 Historical Features
The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has determined that no historical features exist on
the subject property. Any artifacts or historical features discovered during construction should
be preserved and the City and SHPO shall be contacted prior to continued construction.
38.41.060.A.8 Agriculture
The 119 acre phase 3 subdivision consists of approximately 160 acres in planted barley and
vacant cropland. Due to fractured ownership of the surrounding properties and adjacent
development the site is no longer considered a viable farm unit. The adopted Growth Policy
identifies this property as Residential. The City Commission approved the residential zoning on
the property with the annexation. The zoning designations and adopted Growth Policy do not
contemplate agricultural uses for this property. The property to the west of the subdivision is in
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P14037, Staff Report NORTON EAST RANCH MAJOR SUBDIVISION PHASE 3 Page 19 of 24
agricultural production and within a conservation easement. A buffer park and street is provided
per the approved Norton East Ranch master plan to provide separation of the uses.
38.41.060.A.9 Agricultural Water User Facilities
There are no agricultural water user facilities on the subject property.
38.41.060.A.10 Water and Sewer
Adequate capacity exists to service the subdivision. Municipal water and sewer mains exist in
the adjacent street right-of-ways. The applicant has provided the necessary water and sewer
design report for review by the City Water/Sewer and Engineering Divisions. Final approval of
the water distribution system and sewage collection/disposal system will be obtained through
normal approval procedures of preliminary and final plat review by the City Engineering
Division, Superintendent of Water/Sewer, and Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
38.41.060.A.11 Stormwater Management
The property generally slopes from south to north, curb and gutter will convey stormwater from
the street network to a temporary stormwater retention pond located in the northwest corner of
the property. An easement will be provided to accommodate access and maintenance of the
facility. Final approval of the stormwater system will be obtained through the City Engineering
Division.
38.41.060.A.12 Streets, Roads and Alleys
Access to phase 3 will be provided from West Babcock Street and Laurel Parkway. The
proposed subdivision is bound by West Babcock Street (collector) to the north, Street A (local)
to the west, May Fly Street (local) to the south and Laurel Parkway (collector) to the east. Laurel
Parkway is being improved as part of Norton East Ranch phase 2A. The proposed subdivision
improvements for phase 3 will include the installation of the westerly extension of West Babcock
Street and seven local streets to be constructed to current City design standards. One alley is
proposed to provide vehicular access to Lots 1-6 in Block 2 as no access to Laurel Parkway is
allowed per access spacing requirements for collector streets. There are no new intersections
with the surrounding major street network proposed with this subdivision. The ownership and
maintenance of all streets will be accepted by the City of Bozeman.
A traffic impact study was completed by Abelin Traffic Services and was included in the
applicant’s submittal materials. The traffic impact study stated that “As proposed, the Norton
East Ranch Subdivision Phase II will not create any roadway capacity problems along
Cottonwood Road. The planned road improvements in this area by the City of Bozeman will
provide sufficient capacity to serve the currently platted developments in this area. No
additional roadway improvement sill be necessary to serve Phase III of the Norton East Ranch
project.”
A combination of five and six foot sidewalks are proposed within the development and around
the perimeter of the subdivision. All sidewalks adjacent to parks and arterial streets will be six
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P14037, Staff Report NORTON EAST RANCH MAJOR SUBDIVISION PHASE 3 Page 20 of 24
foot wide, while all other sidewalks will be five foot wide. An asphalt pathway is proposed in
Linear Parks 2-6 in lieu of a sidewalk. Per Section 38.24.080 BMC, all street frontages including
park frontages and open space shall include a concrete sidewalk. The Recreation and Parks
Advisory Board recommends that this proposed linear park not be accepted as Parkland. A
condition is recommended to not accept the dedication of the linear park. Staff recommends an
additional condition to require that the pathway be constructed as concrete to satisfy code
requirements, whether the Commission determines that is area be dedicated as a linear park or
that it be platted as common open space area to facilitate connectivity between parks. Final
approval of the sidewalk improvement plans will be obtained through the City Engineering
Department.
38.41.060.A.13 Utilities
The gas, electric, phone and fiber optic services will be extended into the subdivision from the
existing internal and perimeter streets. All private utilities servicing the subdivision will be
installed underground. The standard utility easements have been provided with the preliminary
plat. The final plat includes the easement notation required with the Certificate of Dedication as
set forth in the Unified Development Code. All utilities will be required to coordinate their
installation and location with the installation of the infrastructure. The DRC and local review
agencies did not identify any potential impacts and/or concerns with providing private utilities to
the subdivision.
38.41.060.A.14 Educational Facilities
The applicant solicited comments from the Bozeman School District and received a letter
confirming that the Bozeman school District could accommodate the new students anticipated to
come from this subdivision. The subdivision is in the Meadowlark Elementary School, Chief
Joseph Middle School, and Bozeman High School attendance areas. The letter indicated that the
existing bus system can accommodate the estimated number of additional students.
38.41.060.A.15 Land Use
The 110 lot subdivision is planned for single household and limited towhouse residential uses as
allowed in the underlying R-3 (Medium Density Residential) zoning district.
38.41.060.A.16 Parks and Recreation Facilities
The parkland dedication requirements for this subdivision will be satisfied with public parklands
dedicated with the filing of final plat and the required site improvements. At 0.03 acres of
dedicated parkland per dwelling unit the calculated parkland dedication with this preliminary plat
application would be 3.3 acres. The proposed parkland to be dedicated and improved with this
subdivision includes Park 1 (Buffer park) 74,598 square feet, Public Park (Phase IIA SE corner
of Babcock and Laurel Parkway) 43,325 square feet, and Linear Parks 2-6 23,084 square feet or
a total of 3.23 acres. A excess parkland balance from Norton East Ranch Phases 1-2A exists of
2.45 acres. A parks master plan is proposed and is required to be finalized and reviewed by the
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board(RPAB) and the City Commission prior to final plat. The
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P14037, Staff Report NORTON EAST RANCH MAJOR SUBDIVISION PHASE 3 Page 21 of 24
RPAB recommends conditions to not accept the Linear Parks 2-6 as dedicated City parkland, to
add a landscape plan for the neighborhood center to the Parks Master Plan, and to provide all
parkland dedication with phase 1 and the corresponding parkland improvements to support the
density of each phase.
38.41.060.A.17 Neighborhood Center Plan
The dedicated parkland at the south east corner of West Babcock Street and Laurel Parkway is proposed to be improved to satisfy neighborhood center requirements for this subdivision. The
platted location of the park generally does meet the criteria detailed in Section 38.23.020.A
BMC: the geographic center point of the neighborhood center shall be no further than 600 feet
from the geographic center of the development and the neighborhood center shall have frontage
along 100% of its perimeter unless otherwise approved.
38.41.060.A.18 Lighting Plan
Street lights are proposed around the perimeter of the subdivision. Internally, street lights are
being proposed at all intersections in accordance with the City of Bozeman Design Standards and
Specifications Policy. Final approval of the lighting system will be obtained through the City
Engineering Division at infrastructure plan review.
38.41.060.A.19 Miscellaneous
There are no public lands other than parkland within 200 feet of the subdivision or any health or
hazards on site or adjacent to the subject property.
38.41.060.A.20 Affordable Housing
The Workforce Housing Ordinance (Ordinance 1710) requirements have been suspended by the
City Commission.
APPENDIX A – PROJECT SITE ZONING AND GROWTH POLICY
Zoning Designation and Land Uses: The subject property is zoned “R-3” (Residential Medium
Density District). The intent of the R-3 residential medium density district is to provide for the
development of one- to five-household residential structures near service facilities within the
city. It should provide for a variety of housing types to serve the varied needs of households of
different size, age and character, while reducing the adverse effect of nonresidential uses.
Adopted Growth Policy Designation: The property is designated as “Residential” in the
Bozeman Community Plan. This designates places where the primary activity is urban density
dwellings. Other uses which complement residences are also acceptable such as parks, low
intensity home based occupations, fire stations, churches, and schools. High density residential
areas should be established in close proximity to commercial centers to facilitate the provision of
services and employment opportunities to persons without requiring the use of an automobile.
Implementation of this category by residential zoning should provide for and coordinate
intensive residential uses in proximity to commercial centers. The residential designation
indicates that it is expected that development will occur within municipal boundaries, which may
require annexation prior to development.
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P14037, Staff Report NORTON EAST RANCH MAJOR SUBDIVISION PHASE 3 Page 22 of 24
The dwelling unit density expected within this classification varies between 6 and 32 dwellings
per net acre. A higher density may be considered in some locations and circumstances. A variety
of housing types can be blended to achieve the desired density. Large areas of single type
housing are discouraged. In limited instances the strong presence of constraints and natural
features such as floodplains may cause an area to be designated for development at a lower
density than normally expected within this category. All residential housing should be arranged
with consideration of compatibility with adjacent development, natural constraints such as
watercourses or steep slopes, and in a fashion which advances the overall goals of the Bozeman
growth policy. The residential designation is intended to provide the primary locations for
additional housing within the planning area.
APPENDIX B – DETAILED PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND
Project Description
The Norton East Ranch Major Subdivision Phase 3, Preliminary Plat is for the subdivision of
approximately 119.90 acres into 104 single-household residential, 6 townhouse residential, 2
restricted development lots, and the remaining area as streets, common open space, and parkland.
Project Background
The Norton East Ranch property was annexed into the city limits in 2007. At the time of
annexation and within the annexation agreement the City Commission required the Norton East
Ranch ownership to develop a master plan to guide future development, provided in Section 1
Map Series. The primary components of the master plan were to identify parkland areas, the
generalized primary street grid layout, and extension of appropriate City streets to the west
property boundary, and to provide a buffer design to separate the subdivision development from
agricultural property within a conservation easement to the west.
This is the overall fourth phase of the Norton East Ranch Subdivision to be platted. The
previous Norton East Ranch Subdivision located east of Laurel Parkway received preliminary
plat approval in 2007 and three phases were final platted prior to the expiration of the
preliminary plat: phases 1, 2, and 2A. This subdivision is proposed as phase 3. The Norton East
Ranch Subdivisions are managed by a master property owner’s association who maintain the
parkland and open spaces.
APPENDIX C – NOTICING AND PUBLIC COMMENT
A subdivision pre-application was submitted on January 21, 2014. The pre-application was
reviewed by the Development Review Committee (DRC) on February 5, April 2, and April 9,
2014 and summary review comments were forwarded to the applicant in preparation of the
preliminary plat application and granted numerous supplemental information waivers under
38.41.060, BMC.
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A complete preliminary plat application was submitted on July 2, 2014 and deemed acceptable
for initial review on July 10, 2014. The preliminary plat was reviewed by the DRC on July 16,
23, 30, and August 6, 2014 the DRC reviewed the application materials and provided a favorable
recommendation on the application to the Planning Board and City Commission. The
application was deemed adequate for continued review on July 30, 2014.
Public notice for this application was placed in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle on Sunday, August
10, 2014. The site was posted with a public notice on August 7, 2014. Public notice was sent to
adjacent property owners via certified mail, and to all other property owners of record within 200
feet of the subject property via first class mail, on August 7, 2014. No written public comment
has been received on the application as of the writing of this staff report.
On August 28, 2014 this major subdivision staff report was drafted and forwarded to the
Planning Board with a recommendation of conditional approval. The Planning Board held a
public hearing on the application on September 2, 2014. Four members of the public provided
public comment. The Planning Board voted 7-1 to recommend conditional approval of the
application with the conditions provided in Planning Board Resolution P14037. The meeting
minutes are attached.
The City Commission is scheduled to review the preliminary plat and conduct a public hearing
on September 22, 2014. The final decision for a Major Subdivision with fifty or more lots must
be made within 80 working days of the date it was deemed adequate or in this case by November
20, 2014.
APPENDIX D – OWNER INFORMATION AND REVIEWING STAFF
Owner/Applicant: Norton Properties, LLC, 63020 NE Lower Meadow Rd., Ste A, Bend, OR
97702
Representative: C&H Engineering and Surveying, Inc., 1091 Stoneridge Drive, Bozeman
MT 59718.
Report By: Brian Krueger, Development Review Manager
Bob Murray, Project Engineer
FISCAL EFFECTS
No unusual fiscal effects have been identified.
ATTACHMENTS
The full application and file of record can be viewed at the Community Development
Department at 20 E. Olive Street, Bozeman, MT 59715.
1. Public Comment Exhibit Submitted at the Planning Board Meeting 9-2-14
2. Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Subdivision Review Committee Memo
3. Applicant’s submittal materials
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P14037, Staff Report NORTON EAST RANCH MAJOR SUBDIVISION PHASE 3 Page 24 of 24
4. Planning Board Resolution P14037 Draft
5. Planning Board Meeting Minutes 9-2-14
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Preliminary Plat Application
and
Preliminary Plat
Supplemental Information
Norton East Ranch Subdivision, Phase 3
Bozeman, Montana
Owner and Developer:
Norton Properties, LLC
63020 NE Lower Meadow Rd. Ste. A
Bend, OR 97702
Prepared By:
June 2014
Project: 14300
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Norton East Ranch Major Subdivision, Phase 3
RESOLUTION P14037 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN PLANNING BOARD REGARDING A MAJOR SUBDIVISION PRELIMINARY PLAT APPLICATION TO SUBDIVIDE
APPROXIMATELY 119.90 ACRES INTO 104 SINGLE-HOUSEHOLD RESIDENTIAL,
6 TOWNHOUSE RESIDENTIAL, 2 RESTRICTED DEVELOPMENT LOTS, AND THE REMAINING AREA AS STREETS, COMMON OPEN SPACE, AND PARKLAND ON PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 9, TOWNSHIP TWO SOUTH (T2S), RANGE FIVE EAST
(R5E), P.M.M., GALLATIN COUNTY, MONTANA AND GENERALLY LOCATED
WEST OF LAUREL PARKWAY AND SOUTH OF WEST BABCOCK STREET.
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman has adopted a growth policy pursuant to Section 76-1-
601, M.C.A.; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman Planning Board has been created by Resolution of the
Bozeman City Commission as provided for in Title 76-1-101, M.C.A.; and
WHEREAS, the property owner and applicant Norton Properties, LLC represented by C & H Engineering and Surveying, Inc., submitted a Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat
Application to subdivide approximately 119.90 acres into 104 single-household residential, 6
townhouse residential, 2 restricted development lots, and the remaining area as streets, common
open space, and parkland on property is located in the Northeast Quarter of the Southwest
Quarter of section 9, Township Two South (T2S), Range Five East (R5E), P.M.M., Gallatin County, Montana and generally located west of Laurel Parkway and south of West Babcock
Street; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat Application has been
properly submitted, reviewed, and advertised in accordance with the procedures of Section 38.03
of the Bozeman Unified Development Code; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman Planning Board held a public hearing on Tuesday,
September 2, 2014, to review the application and any written public testimony on the request for
said Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat Application; and
WHEREAS, four members of the general public provided oral testimony on the matter of
the preliminary plat application regarding how the subdivision will interact and impact the existing conservation easements due west of the subject property and a request to not construct
West Babcock Street to the western property boundary; and
WHEREAS, members of the City of Bozeman Planning Board discussed the proposed
preliminary plat application in regards to the Norton East Master Plan that was approved by the
City Commission as a term of Annexation, the extension of West Babcock Street to the western property boundary, parkland requirements including a proposed east west linear parkway and
parkland to provide a buffer from the conservation easements, street and lot access, perimeter
fencing; and
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Norton East Ranch Major Subdivision, Phase 3
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman Planning Board moved to recommend approval of the preliminary plat application with the recommended conditions of approval provided in the staff report; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman Planning Board moved to modify condition of
approval 11, to allow conversion of the proposed linear parkway to be converted to meet the
applicable City local street section; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman Planning Board reviewed the application against the requirements of the Montana Subdivision and Platting Act and found that, with conditions, the
Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat Application would comply with those requirements; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Bozeman
Planning Board, having heard and considered public comment, adopted the findings presented in the staff report for P14037 and voted 8-0 to modify recommended condition of approval 11 as presented in the staff report, to allow conversion of the proposed linear parkway to meet the
applicable City local street section and subsequently the Planning Board voted 7-1 to recommend
approval of the preliminary plat application for the Norton East Ranch Major Subdivision, Phase
3 authorizing to subdivide approximately 119.90 acres into 104 single-household residential, 6 townhouse residential, 2 restricted development lots, and the remaining area as streets, common open space, and parkland on property is located in the Northeast Quarter of the Southwest
Quarter of section 9, Township Two South (T2S), Range Five East (R5E), P.M.M., Gallatin
County, Montana and generally located west of Laurel Parkway and south of West Babcock
Street subject to the following conditions:
1. The Final Plat shall conform to all requirements of the Bozeman Municipal Code and the Uniform Standards for Subdivision Plats (Uniform Standards for Certificates of Survey and
Subdivision Plats (24.183.1104 and 24.183.1104 ARM) and shall be accompanied by all
required documents, including certification from the City Engineer that as-built drawings for
public improvements were received, a platting certificate, and all required and corrected certificates. The Final Plat application shall include three (3) signed reproducible copies on a 3 mil or heavier stable base polyester film (or equivalent); two (2) digital copies; one (1) PDF
copy; and five (5) paper prints. The Gallatin County Clerk & Recorder’s office has elected
to continue the existing medium requirements of 2 mylars with a 1½” binding margin on one
side for both plats and COS’s. The Clerk and Recorder will file the new Conditions of Approval sheet as a separate document from the Plat. This accompanying sheet may either be on a same sized mylar sheet or a letter or legal paper document with up to 11x17 exhibits.
2. The applicant is advised that unmet code provisions, or code provisions that are not
specifically listed as conditions of approval, does not, in any way, create a waiver or other
relaxation of the lawful requirements of the Bozeman Municipal Code or state law. 3. The applicant shall submit with the application for Final Plat review and approval, a written narrative stating how each of the conditions of preliminary plat approval and noted code
provisions have been satisfactorily addressed, and shall include a digital copy (pdf) of the
entire Final Plat submittal. This narrative shall be in sufficient detail to direct the reviewer to
the appropriate plat, plan, sheet, note, covenant, etc. in the submittal. 4. The subdivider shall provide the necessary declaration, and recitals indicating that the property owner’s association bylaws and/or declaration of covenants, conditions and
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Norton East Ranch Major Subdivision, Phase 3
restrictions include this property as being annexed into the existing Norton East Ranch property owners association. 5. Documentation of compliance with the parkland dedication requirements of Section
38.27.020 BMC shall be provided with the final plat. A table showing the parkland
requirements for the Norton East Ranch, Phase 3 subdivision and the method of meeting the
parkland dedication for each lot in this subdivision shall be included on the conditions of approval sheet of the final plat as document acceptable to the City of Bozeman. 6. The final plat shall provide all necessary utility easements and shall be described,
dimensioned and shown on each subdivision block of the final plat in their true and correct
location. Any rear or side yard utility easements not provided will require written
confirmation from ALL utility companies providing service indicating that rear or side yard easements are not needed. 7. Lots R1 and R2 of the Norton East Ranch Subdivision, Phase III shall be platted as
undevelopable lots in accordance with Section 38.39.080.B.6, BMC, with the following
language placed on each undevelopable lot of the final plat “Lot development subject to
further subdivision review.” No public improvements shall be required for the undevelopable lots until it is subdivided as a lot which is not subject to this restriction. This language shall be placed on the face of the plat or in a separate executed document to be recorded with the
final plat: “NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all potential purchasers of Lots R1 and R2 of
the Norton East Ranch Subdivision, Phase III, City of Bozeman, Gallatin County, Montana,
that the final plat of the subdivision was approved by the Bozeman City Commission without completion of on and off site improvements required under the Bozeman Municipal Code, as is allowed in Chapter 38.39 of the Bozeman Municipal Code. As such, this Restriction is
filed with the final plat that stipulates that any use of this lot is subject to further subdivision,
and no development of this lot shall occur until all on and off site improvements are
completed as required under the Bozeman Municipal Code. THRERFORE, BE ADVISED, that Building Permits will not be issued for Lots R1 and R2 of the Norton East Ranch Subdivision, Phase III, City of Bozeman, Gallatin County, Montana until all required on and
off site improvements are completed and accepted by the City of Bozeman. No building
structure requiring water or sewer facilities shall be utilized on this lot until this restriction is
lifted. This restriction runs with the land and is revocable only by further subdivision or the written consent of the City of Bozeman.” 8. The final plat shall contain the following language in a plat note to be placed on the
conditions of approval sheet, placing future landowners of individual lots on notice of the
presence of high groundwater in the area of the subdivision: “Due to the potential of high
ground water tables in the areas of the subdivision, it is not recommended that residential dwellings or commercial structures with crawlspaces, full or partial basements be constructed without first consulting a professional engineer licensed in the State of Montana and
qualified in the certification of residential and commercial construction.”
9. All phases of the subdivision shall be supplied by 2 separate water mains.
10. The improvements required to provide an acceptable level of service at the intersection of Cottonwood and Durston shall be installed or financially guaranteed prior to filing of the final plat, and installed and accepted prior to issuance of building permits.
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Norton East Ranch Major Subdivision, Phase 3
11. The proposed linear park 1-5 shall not be accepted as dedicated City Parkland, but shall be Common Open space owned and maintained by the Property Owner’s Association or converted to meet the applicable City local street section.
12. All proposed parkland shall be dedicated with phase 1 of the subdivision, with the
corresponding improvements completed with each phase in the required amount to support
the number of dwelling units in each phase. A phasing plan consistent with this condition shall be included in the parks master plan. 13. The parks master plan shall include a landscape plan for the proposed improvements to the
one acre neighborhood center public park located at the southeast corner of West Babcock
Street and Laurel Parkway.
DATED THIS DAY OF , 2014 Resolution P14037
_____________________________ ____________________________ Brian Krueger, Development Review Manager Trevor McSpadden, Chairperson
Department of Community Development City of Bozeman Planning Board
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MINUTES
CITY OF BOZEMAN PLANNING BOARD COMMISSION MEETING ROOM, CITY HALL 121 NORTH ROUSE AVENUE
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2014
7:00 P.M. :01 sec
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE
BOARD MEMBERS: Jeff Krauss, Mayor
Trevor McSpadden, Chairperson Laura Dornberger
George Thompson Erik Garberg
Julien Morice Paul Neubauer
Jerry Pape – joined meeting at 8:12pm
CITY STAFF: Brian Krueger, Planner
Chris Kukulski, City Manager Ron Price, Chief of Police
Karl Seel, Municipal Court Judge APPLICANT: Mike Balch, C&H Engineering
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: Al and Connie Lien
Lyle Happel Logan Happel
:18 secs
ITEM 2. PUBLIC COMMENT (Limited to any public matter within the jurisdiction of the Planning
Board and not scheduled on this agenda. Three-minute time limit per speaker.)
No comment forthcoming.
:43 secs
ITEM 3. DRAFT MINUTES OF JULY 01, 2014
Motion and second to accept minutes. No discussion. Motion carries unanimously.
1:21minutes
ITEM 4. PROJECT REVIEW
1. Norton East Ranch Major Subdivision Phase 3 Preliminary Plat Application P14037
A Subdivision Preliminary Plat Application requested by the property owner Norton Properties,
LLC, 63020 NE Lower Meadow Rd., Ste A, Bend, OR 97702, represented by C&H Engineering
1 479
& Surveying, Inc., 1091 Stoneridge Dr., Bozeman, MT 59718 to allow the subdivision of 119.90 acres into 104 single-household and six townhouse residential lots, and 2 restricted development
lots that will be subject to further subdivision review in three phases with streets, parkland, and
open space. The property is located in the Northeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of section
9, Township Two South (T2S), Range Five East (R5E), P.M.M., Gallatin County, Montana. The
project is generally located west of Laurel Parkway and south of West Babcock Street.. (Krueger)
1:40 min
Planner Krueger presented the staff report to the Planning Board.
18:26 min
Planner Krueger completed his presentation and was available for questions.
Mr. Garberg asked about the wording of conditions for open space and if the parkland condition
could be amended by motion.
Mr. Thompson asked if the developer is still “on the hook” for parkland since the proposed
parkland has been recommended to be open space owned by the Homeowners’ Association.
He believes that there is disincentive to provide any open space. He also asked if the mid-block
crossings would be paved or grassy paths.
22:29 min
President McSpadden closed questions for staff closed and opened for questions of the applicant.
Mr. Balch, C&H Engineering addressed the Board. He stated they are fine with whatever
decision is made regarding where Babcock ends.
Mr. Neubauer stated he is confused by 119 acres being platted into 140 single house hold units,
but the map shows the parcel is 30 acres and if the large park that has been dedicated, but not
improved, will be ample park space for the true 112 acre completed subdivision. Also, is the
north/south trail corridor on the Norton Ranch property and not in the conservation easement?
Mayor Krauss asked how they are meeting their dedicated parkland requirements. Mr. Balch
responded that dedicated parkland from previous phases combined with this phase meets the
requirements.
Mr. Neubauer asked about the eastern boundary lots of Ph 3 facing Laurel Parkway being alley-
loaded.
Ms. Dornberger asked whether the parkland will be improved and if the Neighborhood Facility
will be built with this development.
Mr. Thompson asked about on-street parking near the park along Laurel Parkway and when will
the park be completed. Planner Krueger responded that a parking lot will be built, but also it has
about 98% street frontage with on-street parking on W. Babcock St. and Mayfly St. The corner piece of the park will be developed in Ph 1 of this project, which will complete the park.
Ms. Dornberger asked about W. Babcock being tee-offed and if there is a huge need for it now.
32:43 min
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President McSpadden closed questions for the applicant and opened for Public Comment.
33:12 min
Mr. Logan Happel, 4700 Gooch Hill Rd, gave a heads-up of the layout of the surrounding area
with corresponding photographs. There are three easement properties on the west side of the
proposed development extending from Durston Rd to Huffine Ln. Mr. Happel’s easement is the center easement – Aajcker Creek Properties – which has been in his family since the 1940s and
put into a conservation easement in the 1980s with the Gallatin Valley Land Trust. He explained
that a conservation easement is a permanent easement and does not modify itself. Only one
family is allowed to occupy the property. It doesn’t go away. W. Babcock would dead-end at the
fence line with three posts and a triangle and then the conservation easement begins.
He asked why there would be a nice buffer zone of open space along the fence line and then at a
certain spot, the road would point right to the easement at the property line. A conservation
easement doesn’t mean there is public access, it just means there is open space. It has the same
trespassing rights as any other private property and can’t be intruded upon. He believes it’s a big invitation for people to park their cars at there at the end of the day because there is no
residential area, just open space on either side. He requests the Board to not extend Babcock near
the open space area. It would destroy the whole purpose of the open space and buffer zone. He
doesn’t want people attracted to the amenities of his property. He requests a good fence that
protects the property and to not extend W. Babcock to the property line. He appreciates the fact that the developer will build a buffer zone.
He closed by saying he grew up on the ranch, born and raised in Bozeman, and understands that
development will happen, but asks for these two concessions.
39:05 min
Mrs. Connie Lien, 8507 Huffine Ln. She and her husband, Mr. Al Lien, have a conservation
easement adjacent to the proposed development. She agrees with what Mr. Happel said. She has
one particular point with the buffer zone. She hasn’t seen a time line for when the buffer zone
would be put in place. Their request would be that it would go in prior to any development. She witnessed that when the Laurel Glen subdivision went in, the fences were pushed down, dirt was
run over it and garbage was beyond belief. She requests a fence that will hold the garbage out
and give them some space from construction. The Liens run an active life stock operation with
cattle and horses.
She reiterated that their conservation easement is a permanent easement and that at no point
would it be broken up so that Babcock could go through. They want to address this issue now so
that Babcock would not extend right to the fence line. She requests that the buffer zone goes the
entire length – from Huffine to the final lot on the north end.
41:32 min
Mr. Al Lien, 8507 Huffine Ln, quoted former State Representative Jim Elliot saying “If you want
open space, keep farming.” When Mayor Stueck and Commissioner Al Stiff were on the City
Commission, the Mayor commented that they better get west of town and talk to the neighbors next to them. He agreed that that would be a good idea and he’d buy them coffee. He’s still waiting for that conversation. No one has shown up.
He thinks they have a unique, site-specific situation. The Liens conservation easement was part
of estate planning. He asks them to respect the easement and the animals. He stated that when
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Laurel Glen was built, people poured paint and beer on the sheep across the fence. There is no oversight and no enforcement.
He said the buffer zone needs to be wider the further south it goes towards Huffine. He stated
there is a culvert 75 feet from his property line to the east that runs under the highway. The
culvert has backed up and flooded the proposed development area in the past. He asked if the cross-section of the buffer zone has a mound of dirt or is it flat so they can mow it and keep the
weeds sprayed.
Aajcker Creek, at the north end of the property, is an irrigation ditch in summer which requires a
maintenance easement along it for cleaning.
He wants something to mark where Babcock ends, a concrete block or something, to keep “the
inebriated” from driving into his fields. He asked at another hearing for a continuous steel fence
and never got an answer. He also asked about his gates that go to the Norton Property, wire them
shut or something.
He recommends the Planning Board to amend the policy of three steel posts with a triangle to
mark the end of a road in this unique situation. He also wondered why the local streets end in a
‘California circle’ and don’t go through to Laurel Parkway so a person can go around the block?
50:41 min
Mr. Lyle Happel of Aajcker Creek Properties, 4700 Gooch Hill Rd, but lives at 208 E Story St.
The subdivision is ¼ mile from their property and they are already experiencing trespassing by
trucks and dogs running amok. They have a creek, conservation trees, and wildlife habitat on the
property that is appealing to kids. He said it’s important that Babcock ends before the fence line and that a good berm and fence is built.
55:48 min
Mr. Lien made further comment stating they did try to buy more land from the Norton’s, but it
was not an option.
56:17 min
President McSpadden closed public comment and opened for Motion, Discussion and Vote.
Mr. Morice asked if the planners have spoken to the City Attorney about the Conservation Easement and West Babcock and what the limitations are for the future.
President McSpadden noted that staff stated that by not extending W Babcock to the fence line,
they are out of compliance with the Master Plan and would need to amend it. The developer
stated they can offer a right-of-way for the road if it should go through in the future.
Mr. Thompson asked if there really is no way this can be dealt with without entailing a great deal
of cost to the developer.
Mr. Garberg noted that the Master Plan is tied to the Annexation Agreement. President McSpadden noted he did not see a condition in the staff report that is specific to the issue.
Referring to public comment, Mr. Morice asked why the local streets don’t go through to Laurel
Parkway. Mr. Garberg stated the approaches with that separation are not safe and are too close to
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the intersection and to each other.
1:05:09 hr
MOTION
Mr. Garberg made the motion:
“Having reviewed the application materials, considered public comment, and the staff analysis, I
hereby adopt the findings presented in the staff report for P14037 and move to recommend
approval of the preliminary plat for the Norton East Ranch Major Subdivision, Phase 3 requested in application P14037 authorizing to subdivide approximately 119 acres into112 lots with the
remaining area as streets, common open space, and parkland.”
Seconded by Mr. Morice.
Discussion: Mr. Garberg said he has no problem ending W Babcock in respect to the neighbors but due to the
complexity of the process, he believes that it is necessary to mandate the 50’ of road to the fence
line because it is consistent with policy. The other issue is to propose conditional language on
Condition 11 to anticipate flexibility with the open space issue.
President McSpadden asked for consideration since this is an Advisory Body, that in this unique
situation, strict compliance with the Master Plan may not be the most appropriate situation. He
would like to make it a formal finding that strict compliance with the Master Plan is unnecessary.
Mr. Garberg would be in full support of President McSpadden’s comment.
Mr. Morice added that the City Attorney should comment on what a Conservation Easement is,
how it would limit access through the piece, and if indeed it is locked forever. He would
absolutely support what President McSpadden is saying.
Ms. Dornberger feels more strongly to make it a formal finding since the Commission doesn’t
see the notes or the meeting.
01:11:29 hr President McSpadden stated he would accept a new motion and second or an amendment.
Mr. Garberg amended his motion to state:
“Amend the motion to include a finding that due to the unique and specific conditions found in this application that we recommend the Deciding Board, the City Commission, and its duly
planned representative, to examine terminating W Babcock St at the intersection, rather than
extending to the property line.”
Seconded by Mr. Neubauer.
MOTION
01:12:33 min
Mr. Garberg made a motion:
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“Amend Condition #11, which addressed the park issue to include a sentence stating that this area may also be converted to meet the applicable City street section.”
Seconded by Mayor Krauss.
Mr. Garberg noted that the intent here is rather than make them go back to a platting process,
they could put the area back in lot and build the other half of the street to the local street City standard.
Mayor Krauss seconded it because the Park and Rec Board stated they wanted parkland to
connect it and then said they wouldn’t take it as parkland. If they offer it to us as parkland, we
should take it as parkland. It bothers him that the Park and Rec Board rejected the parkland and said it’s open space. He hopes to take it as parkland.
Mayor Krauss stated the Park and Rec Board is an advisory board, but the Planning Board is not
an advisory board and is actually making a statutory decision.
Mr. Thompson brought up the issue of the fence. When the land is being used for agricultural
purposes and needs the protection of the fence tp protect livestock, people on the residential side
need to respect it. There will be more and more alignment issues with conservation easements in
the future. If there is 40 acres of wheat planted and some kids go light fireworks on it and it
catches on fire, somebody is going to be upset. There needs to be a secure perimeter.
Mayor Krauss made a point that there is an amendment on the table that needs to be voted on.
01:18:12 hr
President McSpadden closed the discussion on the amendment to Condition 11 and asked for a vote.
Amendment passes unanimously.
01:18:41 hr President McSpadden opened for discussion of the original motion for approval of the
subdivision application.
Mayor Krauss spoke to the fence. He advised to go a little more lightly on the residents on the
east side of the fence. They are the people we represent. He believes that good fences make good neighbors, but he’s not sure where in the regulations we are required to build a steel wall
between ‘us’ and ‘you.’ He thinks some of the rural and urban conditions and problems are just
going to exist. The suburban model doesn’t work any better than the urban model.
He also asked about the berm vs. trail buffer. Where does the berm fit in with the idea of a buffer?
01:23:31 hr
Mr. Pape joined the meeting. Mr. Neubauer thinks it’s good that the Board added the amendment. He liked that the land
owners came out to state their concerns. He stated that if we accept the fact the conservation
easements are valuable and an important part of Gallatin Valley’s heritage. It’s important to have
open space in agricultural use. It’s a worthwhile endeavour for the City to try to mitigate the
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problems of urban/ag interface. If we don’t try to mitigate their concerns, it will be more difficult to work with other agriculture interests in the future.
01:25:08 hr
Mayor Krauss thinks it’s great that there are conservation easements, but these easements land-
lock the city. Development will happen on the other side of the easements. In the end, you don’t want to land lock your city in a sea of green. That results in no growth and no tax base.
1:27:09 hr
President McSpadden ended the discussion and called for a vote on the application.
Motion passes 7-1 with Mr. Neubauer voting against.
01:27:38 hr
2. Rouse Justice Center Presentation
Chris Kukulski (City Manager), Ron Price (Chief of Police), and Karl Seel (Municipal Court Judge) from the City of Bozeman will offer a presentation on the Rouse Justice Center
construction bond and operating levy on the November 4th City election. (Price/Kukulski)
01:29:08 hr
City Manager Kukulski opened the presentation to the Board.
01:30:00 hr
Chief Price began the presentation to the Board. Bozeman is the safest city in Montana. The
citizens demand to be safe and participate in their own level of safety. The Rouse Ave Law &
Justice Center (L&J) is not the new Police Department, it’s a community justice center. The police/court moved into the current Law and Justice Center in 1994. They have outgrown the
building. He showed pictures and discussed the current space issues of the Police Department.
01:39:30 hr
Judge Karl Seel made the Court’s presentation to the Board. The Municipal Court sees about 9,000 cases each year. The building is too small for the needs of the Court. Judge Seel showed
pictures of the current space and explained the issues.
01:44:20 hr
Chief Price gave the presentation on the proposed new L&J on Rouse Avenue. The site was acquired through a land exchange for MDT’s Bozeman site on Rouse Avenue for land on
Frontage Rd.
01:18:46 hr
City Manager Kukulski addressed the cost of the new L&J and what is on the ballot – a bond issue to cover the debt and the net increase to operational expenses. The bond will add $72/yr, or
$6/mo for the median household. The net increase to operational expenses will be $1.50/mo per
household.
City Manager Kukulski stated this presentation has been made 8-10 times and they have 30+ more presentations scheduled and hope to make 60 presentations between now and November.
The proposed timeline, if the bond passes, is to break ground in the Spring of 2015 with a ribbon
cutting in late 2016.
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01:51:27 hr Opened for questions.
Mr. Thompson asked what is the median home. (Taxable value is $275,000).
01:52:31 hr Mr. Pape stated that Chief Price made a strong case and that he has been to the current L&J
many times and stated the current working conditions are deplorable. He stated that from the
perspective of the Planning Board, it’s an enormous amount of money that should be spent the
right way, under right way conditions, for the right longevity. He said it’s a 15 year performa for
a building that has to last up to 70 years. The City Manager explained the thinking behind the numbers.
Mr. Pape’s concern is that there have been a number of investments at approximately the same
cost and he wants to know for how many years the $1.50 has been calculated because he expects
operation and maintenance for the life time of the building to be three times the amount of the bond issue. Chief Price addressed the issue.
01:57:38 hr
President McSpadden stated that the Board deals so often with mitigating impact of a project and
this project is the implementation of a mitigation. He noted there were other sites considered for the new L&J asked if Rouse Avenue is the best choice. Chief Price responded that he believes
it’s ideal partly because several other City buildings are located on Rouse (City Hall, City
Shops), and because of ease of finding it.
Judge Seel stated the court loves the location because of the bus lines and arterials make it easier to find the Court. He stated he thought the Board, as planners, would love it because no one is
asking to keep MDT at the corner of Rouse and Tamarack. He thinks it’s a great way to reclaim
and upgrade the site with a great facility.
02:01:44 hr Mayor Krauss stated that someone else rebuilds Rouse (state and federal money). Speaking from
the Planning Board side, he has to ask hard questions. Because they are asking for the operating
levy, are they building a building they can’t afford to operate? If the bond passes, but the levy
fails, could they build it? City Manager Kukulski stated they would have to find another way tot
build it.
Why isn’t it better to have all the courts together like they are now? Why isn’t that the most
important thing? Judge Seel stated there is no interaction between the District Courts, the County
Courts and the Municipal Court.
Mayor Krauss asked if they need to be right by the jail. Judge Seel stated most of their
communication with the jail is done be Vision Net, a Skype system.
For the Chief, Mayor Krauss stated that most employers in the city don’t provide a gym, so why does the new L&J need a gym? Chief Price answered that it’s currently just an empty room on the plans, but if the Police Association or the Union choose to build it out with equipment paid
for by the Association and Union, he completely supports it for a healthy work environment.
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02:07:05 hr Mr. Garberg asked if there were benchmarks for the levels of service and could the building be
scaled down? How did we get to where we are? Chief Price stated the building has been scaled
down and the levels of service and size were discussed. Judge Seel said three studies conducted
indicated the amount of space needed for the courts. Mr. Garberg asked where the court would
be space-wise with the new building. Judge Seel stated it would be where they should have been in 2010, but with additional space they could handle growth for next 20 years.
02:10:56 hr
Mr. Thompson asked when they move out of the current space on S. 16th, will the County say it
will cost more to operate it and want to get rid of it, there by raising County taxes? The City Manager responded saying that with the City moving out, it would open up 16,000 sq. ft.
02:13:16 hr
Mr. Pape doesn’t need more justification for the project, but his concern is the previous behavior
of the Municipality in respect to what is a priority. The City priorities stated that this is one of many priorities with a significant fiscal magnitude. The new L&J Center is critical, whereas the
$23 million bond for the aquatic center and and the $50 million bond for parks, open space and
trails aren’t nearly as critical and they weren’t entirely transparent. This will cause the City to
have to be overly-transparent about costs. You will have to gain voter confidence to convince the
public that the bond will produce what you claim. With all the taxes people have to pay, (impact fees, parks, open space and trails, and on and on) it adds up to $200/month for a first time home
buyer. There has to be some constraint.
02:18:20 hr
Mr. Morice asked what is the percentage of taxes we pay for public safety and what do people in the towns the size of Bozeman generally pay for similar service? City Manager Kukulski stated
that generally, cities pay about 50% of funds for public safety - police, fire, courts. Bozeman
pays 54%. The median taxpayer expenditure is about $650/year in property taxes. The new L&J
would add $90/yr, or about 30%.
Mr. Morice asked if the bond could be sold for a longer period of time to decrease the amount?
The City Manager said the bond is a 20 year debt schedule. Mayor Krauss replied it’s a legal
issue. Bonds like this can’t be sold for more than 20 years.
02:23:18 hr Mr. Neubauer stated that $90/yr is nothing to them, but for the 1st time homebuyer who also has
S.I.D. payments, etc, it’s a shock. He asked to have the $450,000/yr maintenance cost broken
down. Chief Price stated the $450,000 is a high-water mark. There are three components -
maintenance, utilities and additional employees. Utilities are forecasted to be significantly higher
in coming years. Maintenance is taking care of the building, snow plowing, etc. The remainder is for a half time FTE for an Evidence Technician and for six Record Specialists, currently a
County function under 911.
Mr. Neubauer asked whether there would be cost saving for the City by vacating the current L&J? We’re leasing that space from the County. Every year, we pay the County $150,000 for the space. Who did the court side studies? Carter, Gold and Lee. How was ThinkOne chosen? Chief
Price answered saying it was done through an Request For Proposals, with 8 responses which
were scored through a scoring and interview system. Mr. Neubauer asked about the costs for
preliminary design.
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02:33:25 hr
Ms. Dornberger had no questions.
Mr. Thompson mentioned the Story Mansion, the trails bonds, Story Mill, the Aquatics Center,
soccer fields, etc, saying these are frivolities while we have something of high importance and need, the Law & Justice Center, which has been basically ignored. He is concerned that, due to
special interests, the Aquatics Center might get built before the L&J. The City Manager replied
that the L&J has not been ignored. It has been on the adopted goals of the City Commission
since 2005 or 2006, but the Great Recession got in the way of it happening sooner.
02:35: 39 hr
Mr. Garberg stated, that as a former City Commissioner, it’s unfair to call the City on the carpet
for this issue and feels they have a right to defend themselves. The Planning Board team has the
responsibility to raise those issues.
02:38:00 hr
Mr. Pape stated that Bozeman is a town where needs, wants and what’s possible aren’t always
well-defined and that Chief Price and Judge Seel are going to face a battle of wants vs. needs and
the ‘wants’ people of this town speak loud and have short horizons.
Chief Price stated he was given two missions when he was hired – one was to refine and better
utilize the hiring system, and the second was to make this building a reality if he felt the need
existed, which he believes is beyond question. He believes we need to cultivate the public who
are only aware of their ‘wants.’
02:40:57 hr
Mr. Pape asked to make a motion to vote, as a Board, in support of this project. President
McSpadden stated that as an advisory board, it was within their parameter to make that type of
motion. The City Manager stated that State law does not allow city tax dollars to be spent
advocating for or against bond issues, etc. All they can do is educate.
02:44:02 hr
President McSpadden stated he did not want to make a formal motion and to assume their
questions and comments were noted.
02:45:11 hr
Mayor Krauss noted that the Commission already put it on the ballot.
02:46:13 hr
The City Manager thanked the Planning Board for their time, advice, and comments.
02:47:13 hr ITEM 5. ADJOURNMENT
This meeting is open to all members of the public. If you have a disability that requires assistance,
please contact ADA Coordinator, James Goehrung, at 582-3200 (voice) or 582-2301/582-2432 (TDD).
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