HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-28-1995 DRC DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES - FEBRUARY 28, 1995
Members Present:
John Paysek
Rick Hixson
Doug Hughes
Roger Sicz
Fred Shields
Phill Forbes
Dave Skelton
Chuck Winn
Staff Present:
Therese Berger
Patrick Morris
Debbie Arkell
Lanette Windemaker
Visitors Present:
Don Turner, Applicant
Jerold Surdahl , Fort Ellis Fire District
Dennis Durham, Applicant
Mike Potter
Joe Sabol
Rick Kerin
Eugene Vodjansky
Final Week Review
1. Yellowstone Traditions
Planner Morris reviewed the proposal and recommended
conditions of approval . He explained that the conditions generated
from DRC will be combined.
Jerold Surdahl, Fort Ellis Fire District, commented, for the
record, that there are no developed water supplies within two miles
of the proposed development. He stated that, while the Fort Ellis
Fire District, will not mandate that the new developers fund a
water source for fire protection, it is a large concern of the
District. He noted that the proposed change in use from automotive
to office would probably lesson the hazard; however, the business
community in that area would benefit to develop some sort of water
supply closer to the sites . He suggested that a 5" water line with
a sand cap and hose connections could be extended from Bear Creek
to a signed site off Frontage Road that the Fire District ' s trucks
could access . He remarked that the cost would probably only be a
couple thousand dollars .
Dave Skelton suggested the developer entertain some sort of
participation in an RID and explained that such waivers are
generally initiated by the County.
John Paysek reviewed the Engineering Department comments
pertaining to site drainage and detention, the paving and curbing
of the parking lot, adequate handicapped accessibility, fire truck
access, and landscaping irrigation. He noted that conditions were
standard and there is a real concern regarding the drainage plan
for the site.
John Paysek explained that if the access to the public right-
of-way is going to be improved, the details need to be noted on the
final site plan.
Dennis Durham questioned the review process and conditions and
noted the existing parking lot, utility hookups , and driveway
currently on the site. Dave Skelton explained that the review
process will ensure the project is in compliance with the Uniform
Building Code and ultimately the Zoning Ordinance. Planner Morris
added that the improvements the developer has proposed and the
increase in use of the site are what trigger a site plan review
which will bring the site up to code.
Dave Skelton confirmed with Planner Morris that paving of the
drive and parking lot would be required per code. Planner Morris
indicated that Sam Gianfrancisco did not comment on the proposal .
Roger Sicz remarked that potholes always develop at the
division where the asphalt meets the gravel . He continued that it
is in the developers best interests to pave into the parking lot to
avoid future maintenance.
Roger Sicz questioned the traffic to be generated from the
site. Dennis Durham responded that less than 12 people will use
the site on a daily basis .
Planner Morris remarked that the proposal far exceeds the
required parking with 24 plus 2 handicapped spaces . Dennis Durham
indicated that he would consider redrawing the parking to 18 spaces
as it will not be a retail use.
Dave Skelton suggested the Committee either move forward with
a decision or continue the proposal to allow input from Sam
Gianfrancisco in regards to paving of the parking lot and driveway
to Frontage Road. Phill Forbes remarked that there are no
exceptions to surfacing requirements per the code.
Planner Morris and John Paysek agreed to meet with the
applicant to discuss drainage requirements . Dennis Durham remarked
that he would rather not get Sam Gianfrancisco involved if he
initially had no comments on the project .
Dave Skelton moved, seconded by Doug Hughes, to approve the
proposal with the conditions outlined by staff and members of the
DRC. The motion carried with a unanimous voice vote of the members
present.
2 . Turner Minor Site Plan
Planner Morris reviewed the proposal and recommended
conditions of approval . He noted that the applicant would need to
provide a master signage plan.
John Paysek reviewed comments from the Engineering Department .
He remarked that more detail is required regarding the drainage
treatment and recommended that the asphalt be increased from 2" to
3" . John Paysek voiced concern with the overhead power lines and
would require some sort of letter or written easement from Montana
Power Company. Don Turner agreed with the conditions .
John Paysek questioned Lowell Creek to the west of the site.
Don Turner remarked that it is not a year around creek. Planner
Morris noted staff conditions E and 11 in regards to specific ditch
conditions . Don Turner stated that he will not be altering the
stream.
Jerold Surdahl, Fort Ellis Fire District, commented, for the
record, that there are no developed water supplies within two miles
of the proposed development. He stated that while the Fort Ellis
Fire District will not mandate that the new developers fund a water
source for fire protection, it is a large concern of the District .
He noted that the proposed change in use from automotive to office
would probably lessen the hazard; however, the business community
in that area would benefit to develop some sort of water supply
closer to the sites . He suggested that a 5" water line with a sand
cap and hose connections could be extended from Bear Creek to a
signed site off Frontage Road that the Fire District ' s trucks could
access. He remarked that the cost would probably only be a couple
thousand dollars .
Planner Morris remarked that there is a possibility that
eventually a RID for fire suppression would be created for the
area. Don Turner explained that he signed a general RID waiver
with the subdivision application.
Planner Morris questioned a comment from the Department of
Health and Environmental Sciences regarding the occupancy load for
the septic system. Don Turner explained that, as part of the
preliminary subdivision approval, he will be putting in a new
septic system which will be shared with the existing structure to
the south of the site. He indicated that the type of use, mainly
rental warehouse space, tends to generate only 2-5 people per unit
and agreed to watch that the occupancy doesn ' t exceed 24 people.
Roger Sicz moved, seconded by Chuck Winn, to approve the
proposal with conditions outlined by Planning Staff and the DRC.
The motion carried with a unanimous voice vote of the members
present.
*Second Week Review - Security Bank
Planner Arkell explained that review on the subject project
will not continue until the subdivision plat is received.
Dave Skelton confirmed with Planner Arkell that if the plat is
not received by the Planning Office by Friday, March 3rd, it would
not be on next week ' s agenda.
* This is the second week that the subject project has been on
"Second Week Review° for the DRC agenda pending receipt of the
subdivision plat from the applicant.
Second Week Review
2 . Nelson CUP
Planner Windemaker reviewed the proposal and asked that the
Committee take a close look at the lack of curbing shown at the
northeast corner of the drainage plan.
Planner Windemaker remarked that the applicant can proceed
with the subject project with the approval of the subdivision plat
and installation of the infrastructure. She indicated that the
project will likely be the first building on the site.
Phill Forbes noted a discrepancy regarding curbing between two
pages of the submittal .
Roger Sicz confirmed that the infrastructure will be installed
prior to the issuance of a building permit with the first phase of
the project .
Fred Shields noted that the infrastructure would need to be
installed prior to the paving of the road.
Planner Windemaker commented that the applicant would need to
eliminate one of the two proposed signs, and indicated that the
main concerns with the project are the infrastructure and drainage
issues .
Initial Week Review
1. Nelson PUD & Preliminary Plat
PRELIMINARY PLAT
Planner Beland reviewed the proposal and noted the location of
the CUP. He remarked that the two comments of DRC at the Informal
Review concerned the length of Winchester and the possibility of a
north-south connection from Winchester to Fallon adjacent the
common open space.
Roger Sicz questioned the street light noted on the plans at
the intersection of Fallon and Fowler. Joe Sabol explained that
the lights indicated would be Wilson type street lights , but not
signalization. Dave Skelton remarked that ornamental lights should
not be in the right-of-way. Mike Potter remarked that they wish to
carry on the same low level street lighting theme throughout the
PUD. Roger Sicz confirmed with Mike Potter that the property owner
will maintain any street light fixtures .
Doug Hughes asked if a soil test has been done on the site.
Planner Beland indicated that he would look into whether any soil
tests have been performed.
Dave Skelton remarked that he assumes that the project will
utilize the Valley Unit storm drainage proposed north of the site.
Rick Kerin explained that the subject site will be the last area to
use the retention area in the park for storm sewer.
Roger Sicz confirmed with Phill Forbes that stop signs will be
installed at all the intersections on Fowler once it is connected
to US191 .
Phill Forbes voiced concern with the length of the proposed
block as it would likely become a speedway. He suggested that the
access to the common open space be expanded so that users could
drive to the park and not have to park their cars on Fallon. Mike
Potter argued that park goers who drive would most likely use the
Babcock Recreational Area to the north. He remarked that he would
like the property owners to have a nice park frontage that they
could walk to as it is a component of the larger scale linear park
system. He continued that he views the subject open space area as
simply a south to north linkage to allow pedestrian access to the
recreation area to the north.
Planner Beland commented that the issue of any north-south
linkage through the open space would be decided at the third and
final DRC review.
Joe Sabol inquired about an easement on Fallon and south along
Fowler that was given to the City, and indicated that the paperwork
was signed. He remarked that he would initiate that paperwork
again.
After a general discussion on the relocation of the
ditch/stream, Rick Kerin remarked that they would be working
through the 404 permit process .
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT
Planner Beland reviewed the PUD preliminary plan and noted
that the 25 ' beautification strip will involve a permit from the
Montana Department of Transportation. He explained that the PUD
design guidelines, once approved and if adhered to, would minimize
review other than through the building permit process .
Planner Beland commented that in the initial phase of
development, all infrastructure and "Cimmaron Drive" will be
installed. He indicated that by the next DRC meeting, staff would
have more detailed conclusions .
Dave Skelton suggested that the Engineering Department closely
review the locations of the ingress/egress points onto Fallon.
Mike Potter remarked that the applicants feel they have made good
overall decisions in regards to the access points .
2 . Blackwood II
Planner Morris reviewed the proposal and explained that the
Blackwood I building is included on the site plan to aid the
analysis .
Planner Morris asked Roger Sicz to review the location of the
trash enclosure and noted that the building might be too large for
the site.
Doug Hughes remarked that all of walls on the east side of the
structure would need to be one hour walls if the building is within
20 feet of the property line. He continued that if the structure
is within 10 feet of the property line, the openings would require
one hour glass and the walls one hour fire protection.
Fred Shields noted that no water and sewer lines are shown on
the site plan.
Dave Skelton noted the lack of on-site detention areas and
questioned whether the drainage is proposed to go into the alley.
John Paysek remarked that the entrance to unit 1 on the
southwest corner of the building looks dangerous as people could
potentially walk out right into the driveway.
Chuck Winn commented that the applicant will have to prove
that a fire truck will fit into the back parking lot. He remarked
that the 15 parking spaces proposed for the Blackwood II building
would not help the situation at the Blackwood I building. Roger
Sicz agreed that parking is a problem in the area.
Phill Forbes noted that the Department of Transportation uses
the Blackwood I building as an example of what not to do regarding
landscaping. Planner Morris indicated that Rob Bukvich would like
to Ste the four boulevard trees at the Blackwood I building removed
with the review of the subject proposal .
Planner Morris indicated that he will discuss DRC ' s concerns
with the applicant and ensure that the applicant attends next
week ' s meeting.
Dave Skelton noted that the driveway would be altered with the
new proposal . Planner Morris remarked that it does not meet the
minimum width requirement.
Doug Hughes commented that with the approval of the Blackwood
I building it was understood that they would provide a handicapped
accessible conference room on the first floor. He remarked that
the location of that conference room has changed locations three
times and is now a storage room. He continued that if the current
proposal does not provide an elevator, the will have to provide a
first floor conference room that will remain as such indefinitely.
Phill Forbes asked if there is a limit on the number of
parking spaces they can buy "cash in lieu of" . Dave Skelton
responded that the Parking Commission would need to make that
determination as there is no limitation per code. Planner Morris
remarked that the cash in lieu of price has gone up from $2000 to
$3000 per space.