HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-01-14 North Seventh Urban Renewal minutes
Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB)
Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 1, 2014
The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April
1, 2014, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman,
Montana. Present: Absent:
Voting Members:
Tom Noble, Chair (arrived at 6:45 p.m.) Daniel Doehring Erik Nelson, Vice Chair
Robert Pavlic
Jeanne Wesley-Wiese
Non-Voting Members:
Commissioner Liaison:
I-Ho Pomeroy Staff:
Allyson Brekke, Neighborhood Coordinator
Dustin Johnson, Project Engineer
Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests:
Kevin Jacobsen, Morrison-Maierle
Chris Nixon
Call to Order – Vice Chair Erik Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:38 p.m.
Public Comment – No comment was received under this agenda item.
Consent Items – Approve minutes from March 4, 2014 meeting. It was moved by Jeanne
Wesley-Wiese, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the minutes of the meeting of March 4, 2014, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 3-0 vote. Update on plans for East Tamarack Street/Front Street/North Ida Avenue street
designs. Kevin Jacobsen, Morrison-Maierle noted he has encountered some areas where he
needs additional Board input as a result of working on the final designs for these streets.
Kevin Jacobsen stated that the Montana Department of Transportation has revised its street
design for East Peach Street at its intersection with North Rouse Avenue since his initial
presentation. As a result, the street design approved by this Board last year no longer ties in
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properly and will need to be revised.
Chair Noble arrived at 6:45 p.m.
Responding to questions from Erik Nelson, Kevin Jacobsen indicated the design change is not
huge, but is larger than can be accommodated by a slight tweak to the design. He noted that one
of the key changes is replacing the bridge with open bottom culverts.
Further responding to Erik Nelson, Project Engineer Dustin Johnson noted that all of the bridges
within the city limits are under the Gallatin County Road and Bridge Department; and he could
contact them to find out the condition of the existing bridge. He then reminded the Board that the
North Rouse Avenue project has been split into two phases, with the first being from East Oak
Street north and the second being from East Oak Street south, which means construction of the
improvements will be even further out than originally anticipated.
Erik Nelson suggested that, if the Board feels a new bridge would be better than the proposed
culverts, it could consider constructing the bridge prior to the North Rouse Avenue improvements
being undertaken.
Kevin Jacobsen noted that the Montana Department of Transportation’s design for East
Tamarack Street at North Rouse Avenue includes curb walk while the design for the remainder of
the street includes a boulevard walk. He proposed that the boulevard walk on the south side of
the street be extended as far as possible, then curved to meet the curb walk alignment at the
intersection. The Board agreed with that proposal.
Kevin Jacobsen turned his attention to the existing storm drain inlets at the intersection of North
Wallace Avenue and East Tamarack Street. He noted that there are inlets at each corner of the
intersection, and suggested that the old style covers be replaced with the new style covers if the
system seems to be functioning properly. He then indicated there are little secondary inlets
located north of the intersection, and it is his intent to eliminate those inlets.
Chris Nixon noted that these storm drain inlets work well, unlike the ones adjacent to his property
at North Wallace Avenue and East Aspen Street.
Responding to questions from Chris Nixon, Kevin Jacobsen stated the stormwater from this
intersection dumps directly into the creek without any treatment.
Kevin Jacobsen turned his attention to the radius of the intersection. He indicated the turning
radius is 15 to 20 degrees right now. He is unable to obtain the ideal 35 degree turning radius at
the northwest corner of the intersection, but he is able to design a 27 degree radius. He
cautioned that the major transmission line on the southwest corner of the intersection precludes
an increase in that turning radius.
Kevin Jacobsen moved the Board’s attention along East Tamarack Street to its turn into Front
Street, noting that the property on the north side of the street has encroachments into the right-of-
NURB Meeting April 1, 2014 2
way. He noted that a boulevard sidewalk in its standard location would abut the corner of the
building and would cross a corner of the ramp. Also, the rail car located on the north side of the
structure extends across the area where the sidewalk should be located. He cautioned that the
existing fire hydrant would be located in the boulevard for the standard sidewalk location; and
changing to a curb walk to accommodate the encroachments would require moving the hydrant.
Chair Noble stated that if the rail car is encroaching into the right-of-way, it needs to be moved.
He recognized that the sidewalk could be moved slightly to accommodate the encroachment of
the building and possibly the ramp.
Erik Nelson voiced his agreement that the rail car should be moved out of the right-of-way.
Responding to Kevin Jacobsen, Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated that Bob Arnold, owner of the
property, does sometimes drive through the gate to access the back portion of his property, but
he also has other accesses to that area. In further response to questions from Kevin Jacobsen,
the Board stated no curb cut is needed to provide vehicle access through the gate.
Kevin Jacobsen turned his attention to the street designs for North Ida Avenue, Front Street and
East Aspen Street. He reminded the Board that the street design for North Ida Avenue includes
an inverted crown with Front Street tipping toward the northeast and East Aspen Street tipping
toward the north. He cautioned that may not be possible since the northeast side of Front Street
is about a foot higher than the southwest side. He noted that the existing topography has made
this design trickier than originally thought, but indicated he will develop a street design that will
work for the area. He stated it may be necessary to capture some of the stormwater and pipe it
into the storm drain system rather than allowing it to flow northward on the roadways.
Chris Nixon asked if the stormwater can be dumped into the depot trail area and used for
irrigation rather than piped to the creek.
Kevin Jacobsen estimated that the preliminary construction designs are 60 to 70 percent
complete and noted they should be essentially complete next month.
Responding to questions from Erik Nelson, Project Engineer Dustin Johnson indicated that once
the design is complete, it will be subject to in-house review through the Engineering Department,
then forwarded to the Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board and the Pedestrian/Traffic Safety
Committee for their review and comments. After that process has been completed, the design,
as tweaked in response to those reviews, will be forwarded to the Commission for action. He
noted that the legal staff will need to determine the process for formal adoption of the design and,
once that step has been taken, funding options for construction can be considered.
Erik Nelson stated he does not need to see the street designs again; rather, he feels the final
design can be submitted directly to the Engineering Department; the other Board members
concurred.
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Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke suggested that, if something does arise that needs
Board comment, it could be done via e-mail.
Discussion regarding work plan and budget for upcoming fiscal year. Recording
Secretary Robin Sullivan reviewed the changes that she made to the work plan resulting from last
month’s meeting. She reminded the Board of the discussion on a possible survey of lighting in
the district, and noted that the revisions do not include that work item because the Board was
waiting input from the members who were absent.
Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted that she had raised this issue of lighting at last month’s meeting.
She stressed that she does not want to see any more lighting in the district; rather, she is
interested in investing in shielding of the existing lights to comply with the dark skies criteria. She
indicated that she is not interested in new poles or fancy lights; rather, her interest is in
addressing the unprotected light.
Project Engineer Dustin Johnson noted the City is undergoing a complete redesign of lighting
standards, which will include the use of LED lights. He stated that the number of street light
options will also be decreased, to possibly half a dozen. He then cautioned that the street lights
within this area are likely owned by NorthWestern Energy; and they cannot do LED retrofits. He
noted that, as a result, if this Board wishes to see the lights within the district retrofitted, the lights
must first be removed from NorthWestern Energy’s control and put under the City’s control.
Erik Nelson asked if this Board could spend monies to hire someone to research the ownership of
the lights and come back with a response.
Project Engineer Johnson stated that three summers ago, an Energy Corp volunteer inventoried
all of the lights in town and tried to find all of the Special Improvement Lighting Districts (SILDs).
He estimated that the information is 90 percent accurate now since new lights have been
installed, and indicated that staff can see what information is available in-house.
Responding to questions from Erik Nelson, Project Engineer Dustin Johnson stated that Kevin
Jacobsen is the consulting engineer for the North 7th Avenue lighting project. He noted that, if the
Board wishes, the contract with Morrison-Maierle for the street designs within this district could be
amended to include the street lighting.
Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke stated she can bring the map that shows all of the lighting
districts in the City and whether the lights are owned by NorthWestern Energy or the City as the
first step in reviewing the lighting within the district. She then indicated it would make sense to
amend the Morrison-Maierle contract to include street lighting, since the locations of those lights
are linked to future street improvements and sidewalk locations.
Chair Noble noted that last month, the Board members talked about including $10,000 in the work
plan and budget for a lighting study; the Board members agreed.
Chair Noble indicated that this work item will be included under Priority II.
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Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted that one of this district’s principles is night skies, and none of the
existing lights reflects that principle.
Erik Nelson stated the Board has earmarked monies for streambank enhancements and for
redevelopment projects; however, none of those monies has been spent to date. He asked if the
availability of those funds could be raised at an upcoming NorthEast Neighborhood Association
meeting.
Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke cautioned that the programs and the criteria for expenditure of
those funds must be set up before the monies can be expended.
Erik Nelson noted that the redevelopment program was to be set up to function like the North 7th
Avenue redevelopment program. He stated that use of the funds is to be limited to installation of
public infrastructure and is to be a matching program.
Chair Noble noted that the criteria for the streambank restoration program should include
acquisition of a permit and a project that includes best practices.
It was moved by Erik Nelson, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the Board approve the draft Work
Plan and Budget for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 as amended to include $10,000 for a lighting study
within the district, and direct staff to forward the amended plan to the City Commission. The
motion carried on a 4-0 vote.
Set agenda for May 6, 2014 meeting. Due to the lack of agenda items, Chair Noble
proposed that the May meeting be cancelled, with the next meeting being scheduled for June 2;
the Board concurred.
Neighborhood News.
Brewery Wall. Chris Nixon reported that he talked to Building Official Bob Risk
today; and he had just received an application for demolition of the Brewery wall. He noted it
appears the City is really pushing to have the wall taken down, and not pushing for its
stabilization. He expressed concern that the result will be loss of the historic district, which will be
the first in the state.
Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke noted it is important to understand that the Building
Official’s position is to look at the public safety issues, not the historic importance. She noted that
the sidewalk is still blocked adjacent to the wall, and safety of the public right-of-way is at issue.
She recognized the Board’s position, noting that she also has her personal feelings about the
issue, and asked what group should be stepping forward to defend its historic significance. She
also encouraged this Board and the NorthEast Neighborhood Association to push for a demolition
by neglect ordinance.
Chair Noble noted that a look at the conduct of the developer suggests no intent to try to save the
wall.
NURB Meeting April 1, 2014 5
Erik Nelson noted that, even if the developer had been required to obtain a building permit and
pay impact fees prior to receiving the demolition permit, it would have just been a drop in the
bucket to him. He acknowledged that the developer may have had an arrogance about the
success of the project, but he was caught in the same economic downturn that caught everyone.
He then estimated that the developer has $5 to $6 million tied up in the property so far and will
likely be unable to recoup all those costs.
Responding to questions from Erik Nelson, Neighborhood Coordinator Brrekke stated that the
district does not automatically lose its designation with removal of the wall; rather, someone must
ask to have it removed. She then suggested that, if the brewery district is terminated, there may
be a way to create a new historic district based on the remaining properties.
Story Mill Park. Chris Nixon reported that the NorthEast Neighborhood
Association had 99 votes in favor of the park proposal.
Erik Nelson stated he feels the park is positive for this district, but he’s concerned about traffic
impacts on L Street and North Wallace Avenue. He noted that, while the proponents have
identified North Rouse Avenue and Bridger Drive as the major accesses to the site, he anticipates
at least 30 percent of the traffic will actually use Story Mill Road, L Street and North Wallace
Avenue. He feels those impacts should be addressed and, as a result, it is important for this
Board to stay on top of that process.
Adjournment – 8:00 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, Chair Noble adjourned the meeting.
Tom Noble, Chair
Northeast Urban Renewal Board City of Bozeman
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