HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-1997 DRB Minutes DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1997
MINUTES
ITEM 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ATTENDANCE
Vice-Chairperson Paul Gleye called the meeting to order and directed the secretary to take the
attendance.
Members Present Members Absent Staff Present Visitors Present
Mara-Gai Katz Kim Walker Dave Skelton Todd Smith
Roger Cruwys Walt Willett Andrew Epple Rich Noonan
Paul Gleye Ed McCrone Carol Schott Lowell Springer
Henry Sorenson
ITEM 2. MINUTES OF AUGUST 12 AND AUGUST 26, 1997, MEETINGS
Chairperson Gleye asked for corrections or additions to either set of minutes. Mr. Sorenson
corrected page 5 of the August 12 minutes, the last line to read "not recommend". Hearing no
other corrections or additions, the Chair noted the minutes were approved as amended.
ITEM 3. PROJECT REVIEWS
A. Ohmont Office Building Site Plan Modification Z-9723A- (Olsen)
710 West Mendenhall Street
- A Modification to an approved Minor Site Plan/Certificate of
Appropriateness with Deviations to allow professional office/retail businesses
to replace the approved restaurant.
Todd Smith joined the DRB. Planning Director Andrew Epple presented the application to
modify an approved Minor Site Plan to convert a single family residence into a restaurant on the
first floor with an apartment in the basement. The project was approved and most of the site
improvements have been completed. Planning Director Epple noted the applicant has applied to
modify the restaurant portion of the structure by converting it into office space. He noted that
the opinion of Planning Staff is that condition#4 should be eliminated, since it dealt with
screening of roof top mechanical equipment associated with the restaurant. Mr. Smith noted the
biggest change is modifying the front porch into a shorter entry/dormer.
Mr. Smith asked that condition#4 be omitted. The DRB members had no other questions.
Mr. Sorenson moved to conditionally approve the application with all of the previous conditions,
except omitting condition#4. Ms. Katz seconded the motion which carried 4-0.
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ITEM 4. CONTINUED REVIEW
A. Stoneridge Subdivision Developmental Guidelines -(Skelton)
Conceptual review of the developmental guidelines for the Stoneridge
Subdivision PUD.
Senior Planner Dave Skelton reviewed the guidelines. He exhibited the location of the
development on the N. 19th Avenue/Oak Street Corridor Master Plan land use plan. Mr.
Springer joined the DRB. Planner Skelton reviewed the architectural design elements with a
suggestion that more emphasis be given to the use of plazas. He noted there are three pedestrian
circulation systems in the N. 19th corridor.
Mr. Sorenson asked about the curvilinear pedestrian path. Planner Skelton demonstrated the
greenway corridor which includes 120 feet for roadway with 50 feet of greenway on each side of
North 19th Avenue. He noted there is to be a curvilinear trail along the corridor.
Mr. Sorenson noted he liked the connection between the trail, park, and stream corridors. He
noted the plan emphasises the linear park, which he likes. Parcels of land are surrounded by open
parkland space. He suggested perhaps tying together the green areas with Rose Park. Mr.
Springer noted he has suggested to Mr. Cape that a nice, formal entrance to the linear park across
from N. 20th could be incorporated. He noted the walkway along N. 19th will be just a nice
entrance into Bozeman, as he feels there will be very little foot traffic occurring there. He thinks
pedestrians will use the linear trail for foot traffic. He hopes people will enjoy walking through
the greenways then enjoy doing park things in the park.
Mr. Cruwys asked for the locatrion of Rose Park. Mr. Springer pointed it out on the Master Plan.
Vice-Chairperson Gleye asked Senior Planner Skelton what is expected at this point from DRB.
Planner Skelton noted the Planning Department is asking for comments and recommendations
from the DRB to assist the developer in preparing the application for P.U.D. Preliminary Plan
Review of the project.
Ms. Katz would support making the linear trail more defined. Also she was not sure how the
pathway reaches into the park. Discussion followed on how the trails will pass through, how the
wetlands will be determined and how the development will accommodate that area.
Ms. Katz asked if the path would be usable for skiers. Mr. Springer noted they are suggesting a
granular surface, not paved, so bikers can use,but not as a speedway along Catron Creek. He
continued that this surface should be usable for skiing.
Planner Skelton emphasized that the architectural guidelines are what needed to be discussed. It
is important to know how they will interact with one another.
Mr. Cruwys noted it seems that there is too much detail shown on the Master Plan. He suggested
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developing a framework with overlays for inserting the details. He suggested extablishing nodes
for development to establish the framework. He asked to see more detail on how the
development of the nodes will happen. He sees this as a segmented plan. He suggested carving
some ponds if the Fish and Game will allow. Mr. Springer noted that the Fish, Wildlife and Parks
have told him that the ponds would fill with sediments and algae. Mr. Cruwys noted that could be
overcome with pumps, etc. He suggested designing a framework, then a framework within a
framework.
Ms. Katz concurred with Mr. Cruwys. She feels that the devlelopemt should fit the linear trail,
park, and greenway. Mr. Springer noted the area adjacent to the east side of Rose Park is
swampy and they aren't sure how much they will be able to develop it.
Mr. Sorenson concurred with the two previous DRB members. He was concerned with the
finished quality of the plan. He asked how much infrastructure will be installed in the initial
proposal. He suggested design ideas for the interior street,the end building, and the residential
areas. Mr. Springer noted he is having a difficult time creating examples of exhibits that will work
in every location of this development. He is concerned that someone will try to place a building in
an improper place or try to use all the design elements on one building,making it ugly.
Planner Skelton interjected that we are looking for a unified plan for development of the project.
Staff is not looking for a particular architectural style or theme, but instead for character-giving
architectural features that will make a good impression along the entryway cooridor. One of the
key issues is the orientation of the buildings to North 19th Avenue. The guidelines need to
establish parameters for development of the corridor and need to provide the architectural
expertise for a developer who has no expertise, including the amenities to encourage superior
design.
Vice-Chairperson Gleye noted the DRB could perhaps steer Mr. Springer in the direction of
creating a framework for superior design for the entryway into the City. He suggested separate
sections for the various things the document does. Such as the homeowners association items,
the development standards that are required, and third separate out the design guidelines. If an
item can be measured, it isn't a guideline. He suggested that Mr. Springer define the overall
character of the areas, then define the relationship between them. He suggested defining the
character of each building area and setting up guidelines for each area. Lastly,he suggested items
for architectural guidelines. He commended Planner Skelton for his comments in the staff s
memo. He suggested using overlays to show the layers of development.
Mr. Springer noted he has used layers to produce this development to the point that the owner
wants to define lot sizes. Mr. Cruwys explained his suggestions. Mr. Springer noted the reasons
that they didn't present the plan that way. Ms. Katz noted that looking at lots and their design is a
site plan issue. Planner Skelton suggested Mr. Springer take the entryway guidelines and apply
them to this area. He noted that this is an opportunity to go beyond those guidelines. Ms. Katz
noted Lowell needs to make a commitment to a Master Plan.
Design Review Board Vliautes-September 9,1997 3
Mr. Sorenson suggested every site should benefit from the plan and each site needs to function on
its own. There is a need for a layer to show the fundamental items such as clustering, then
different designers/developers can use those fundamentals to develop a site. Mr. Cruwys noted
that the framework needs to be developed, then the lots are created around the framework.
Mr. Cruwys suggested the applicants be given more flexibility in the 50 foot setback to allow a
less rigid alignment of buildings and parking and a more fluid"in and out"green space with an
opportunity for"pocket"parks and more open space.
Discussion followed on the N. 19th guidelines and the framework that could be developed. Mr.
Sorenson suggested the guidelines encourage the sharing of parking. Vice-Chairperson Gleye
suggested making an automobile oriented area on the north end. He noted there is a decrease in
scale as one travels south. He wondered about a rationale for why the development is happening
as it is. Vice-Chairperson Gleye asked if the 30% open space requirement could be located in one
area. Planner Skelton noted it could. Mr. Springer noted if there is too much large scale or small
scale development,one starts to want relief from that. He noted that the way to present the
development may be to use layers to explain how they interact.
Planner Skelton commented that one disadvantage Mr. Springer has had is the burden that the
City has placed on him to set the tone for the corridor, since this is the first development under
the North 19th Avenue/Oak Street Corridor Master Plan Amendment was finalized.
Planning Director Epple noted the tone of the discussion is to show the development with layering
to help the public and the Planning Board understand the development. In Summary Mr. Springer
noted that for the review process to be clear, he needs to start with his starting point and show
how he progressed.
Mr. Springer discussed how the guidelines have developed and how they have changed with the
finalizing of the document. He plans to use general sketches for models. Mr. Sorenson suggested
using a montage of photos to give ideas of the generalities. Discussion followed on what to
include, how to depict it, and how to break it down for each area.
Mr. Springer noted he is very satisfied with the discussion and the suggestions given him by this
Board.
ITEM 5. DISCUSSION ITEM
A. Orientation/Work Session with City Commission(9-22-97)
Planning Director Epple discussed the meeting with the City Commission. It will be a training
session on the Design Objectives Plan and an exchange of ideas on the role of the DRB and
Commission based on a framework presented by Senior Planner Skelton and himself. Mr.
Sorenson noted he needs the meeting to start at 4:15 as he is teaching a class until 4:00. Vice-
Chairperson Gleye noted he won't be here that day. Planning Director Epple suggested flip
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flopping the Planning Board and DRB meeting dates 22nd for the 29th and noted he will
investigate the trading of dates.
ITEM 6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no er busin the meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Paul Gleye,Vice-Chairperson
Design Review Board
Design Review Board Minutes-September 9,1997 5