HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-10-1997 DRB Minutes DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1997
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE
Vice-Chairperson Kim Walker called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. She directed the secretary
to record the attendance.
Members Present Members Absent Staff Present Visitors Present
Walt Willett Cliff Chisholm Dave Skelton Lowell Springer
Kim Walker Mara-Gai Katz Chris Saunders Gene Mickolio
Paul Gleye Andrew Epple Lonnie Walker
Rich Noonan Carol Schott Don DeCosse
Ed McCrone Tom Milleson
Roger Cruwys Herman Chan
ITEM 2. MINUTES OF MAY 13, AND MAY 28, 1997,MEETINGS
Vice-Chairperson Walker called for corrections or additions to the minutes. Mr. McCrone asked
to have"except for the painting of the roof band. He complimented Mr. Springer for his well
researched presentation" added to page 8,paragraph 8 of the May 13, 1997,minutes. Hearing no
further corrections or additions, Mr. McCrone moved, Mr.Noonan seconded, to accept the
amended minutes for May 13, 1997, and the minutes for May 28, 1997. Both sets of minutes
were approved 6-0.
ITEM 3. PROJECT REVIEW
A. Stoneridge Concept PUD#Z-9761 - (Skelton)
North 19th/Durston Road
- A Concept Planned Unit Development Review on a 5 -Phase development
in the new N. 19th Avenue entryway corridor for the Cape-France property
between Durston Road and Baxter Lane.
Lowell Springer and Gene Mickolio joined DRB. Senior Planner Dave Skelton presented the
project. He noted it is the first proposal in the new North 19th corridor. He continued the two
principal issues are 1)the importance of the urban open space requirement of a 50 foot greenway
corridor along North 19th Avenue to establish an urban street scape, and 2) Catron Creek is
critical in the development of the trails system through the future Rose Park.
Mr. Springer noted that the property is a transitional element that buffers the high traffic area on
the east from the quality residential area on the west. He noted the proposed uses for the corridor
property, the proposed landscaping along the creek and trails, and the proposed zoning for the
property.
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Planner Skelton asked DRB to concentrate their comments on paragraph two of page two of the
memo. Mr. Springer noted that Donna Lovell is working with him and Morrison-Maierle to
coordinate the studies being done on wetlands
Mr. Willett asked about the zoning. Mr. Springer noted the locations of the proposed B-1 and R-
2A zoning areas. Mr. Willett asked if the landscaping will be required as to the City's
requirements or if the use of the PUD will lessen the requirements. Planner Skelton noted that
there are additional requirements such as a 50 foot front yard setback in this corridor and a 30%
open space provision for a PUD. Mr. Willett noted that the rows of trees need to be connected to
the rest of the open space landscaping. He asked if there are any accesses from North 19th
Avenue to this property. Mr. Springer noted the accesses have already been determined by
Montana Department of Transportation. He noted that accesses for the residential area to the
west have been included and remain as they exist.
Mr. Cruwys noted that this project is quite ambitious, and it makes sense to have a buffer zone
between the traffic of North 19th Avenue and the residential area to the west. He'd like to see
more curvilinear roadways. He would rather not see a block and lot appearance,rather a blocking
of buildings and parking lots. He suggested putting two buildings back-to-back in Phase Two,
thereby allowing more green space. He noted a more pleasant working environment is created
when the employees can look out over a park rather than a parking lot. He continued that fishing
may be marginal along the stream corridor. Mr. Springer noted he has seen 14 inch brookies in
the ditch beside the high school. Mr. Cruwys suggested park-like settings along the creek.
Mr. Springer noted there will be some trade-offs between this development and Rose Park. Mr.
Willett noted that they should not make the interior street too complicated or people will go back
to North 19th to get from the south end of the complex to the north end.
Mr. Cruwys asked Planner Skelton about the unified plan. Planner Skelton noted that the plan is
to unify projects in that area to create a high-quality, aesthetically pleasing commercial
development that avoids strip commercial development.
Mr.McCrone suggested using mini-centers or clustering of business and sharing of parking lots.
He inquired if only the architectural features were open for discussion, if not,he asked for an
explanation of the uses. Planner Skelton explained the uses, noting that the concern is in the
residentially zoned areas. He explained the intent of the North 19th entryway corridor
amendment. Vice-Chairperson Walker noted that the use will come up many times as applications
proceed through the process. Mr. Springer reviewed the concepts given by Mr. Gleye's class and
the public who live along North 19th. Mr. McCrone noted that the uses will bear out the
buffering effect.
Mr.Noonan noted that a PUD allowed an integrated use. He'd like to see more integration by
allowing the uses to flow into each other. He suggested using the curve of North 19th to break
up the north/south grid.
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Mr. Gleye asked if they were going to propose residential uses for the residentially zoned areas.
Mr. Springer noted that was the plan. He continued that with the Cape-France and the Saccoccia
properties a sizeable sum will be added to Rose Park with cash-in-lieu. Mr. Gleye asked Mr.
Springer had maximized the densities for this area. Mr. Springer noted that in some ways he had,
however, there is a balance of uses, which are at a comfortable limit. He noted there will be no
buildings more than two stories. Mr. Gleye noted that if a ground study were done of North 19th,
there probably wouldn't be much difference between berming and landscaping the parking lots.
He suggested enhancing the park-like setting by moving the buildings closer to the 50 foot buffer
and bring the parking to the front of the buildings. Mr. Springer noted that they plan to mix the
spacing of the buildings and berms in the project. Mr. Gleye suggested bringing the buildings
closer to the corners of the street intersections. Mr. Springer noted that there is a sewer easement
along the one street which would prevent that kind of movement of the buildings.
Mr. Cruwys asked if the uses listed are the uses they have planned in the project. He continued
that it is quite an extensive list. Mr. Springer noted that any or all of the uses listed could be
located there. Planning Director Andrew Epple noted that the uses will be decided by the
Planning Board and the City Commission.
Vice-Chairperson Walker noted the problem she noticed was with the linearness of the parking
lots. She concurred with Mr. Gleye on the parking not being located behind the buildings. Mr.
Willett noted that sometimes the size of the building requires that parking has to be located behind
a building. Mr. Gleye noted that berms not only hide the cars parked,but also the buildings. Mr.
Springer noted the idea is to provide a variety of what is seen as one drives past. Discussion
ensued on the 90 degree angle of the street meeting North 19th.
ITEM 4. INFORMAL REVIEW
A. The Wok Restaurant Informal#I-9730 - (Saunders)
319 North 7th Avenue
- An Informal Review for comments on a proposed 1233 sq. ft. addition.
Tom Milleson, Herman Chan, and Don DeCosse joined DRB. Planner Chris Saunders presented
the project, noting the applicants were seeking advice from DRB. He continued Staff had noted
that boulevard trees will be required to be added as well as screening to the west of the parking
lot.
Mr. Gleye noted that this will be a marked improvement in the building. He asked if the
architectural design of the building will be changed or will it be continued on the addition. Mr.
Milleson noted that the same colors, materials, and architectural style will be kept.
Mr.Noonan commented that the number of parking spaces needed may not be correct. He
suggested combining parking spaces 18 and 24 to create an additional green space to help break
up the parking lot expanse. Mr. Milleson noted that the parking lot has never been full. The
parking will be adequate. Mr. Cruwys asked if the DRB would support landscaping in-lieu of
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parking. Planner Saunders noted that they could do that. DRB concurred that they would rather
see green space instead of all the parking. Mr. Cruwys asked where the Furniture Mart property
line is located. The parking and property lines were discussed. Mr. McCrone concurred that the
project would be an improvement to the site. He is anxious to see more grass and landscaping.
Vice-Chairperson Walker asked if there were no windows in the addition. Mr. Milleson explained
that the windows didn't show on all the plans, however, there are no windows on the south side.
Discussion followed on the roof overhang. Vice-Chairperson Walker suggested installing
windows on the long expanse of the building. Mr. Chan noted that they would rather not as they
have to keep all the blinds down in the afternoon to keep the sunlight from coming in and cars
that are driven into the lot and parked in front of the building at night would shine their headlights
right into the front desk. Mr. DeCosse noted that there is not a great view available on that side.
Mr. Cruwys noted that there would be quite a glare on the west side. He suggested some
landscaping of the north side to break up the expanse and put in an Oriental garden.
Mr. Gleye noted that parking spaces 40 and 41,the handicapped spaces, would be better used as
landscaping which could be carried to the front of the driveway. The handicapped spaces could
be moved. Planner Saunders noted that DRC that morning had indicated that the handicapped
spaces were to be located nearer to the building, as per Code.
Mr. Willett asked about the use of one area. Mr. Chan noted it was a loading/unloading zone.
Discussion ensued on the dumpster. Mr. Milleson asked if they could screen the dumpster with
the building as shown. Vice-Chairperson Walker noted they would need more screening around
the end and side of the dumpster. Planning Director Epple noted that they may need a more
opaque screening along the Villard Street exposure.
ITEM 5. ADJOURNMENT
There bei no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
Kim alker, Vice-Chairperson of Design Review Board
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