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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-14 North Seventh Urban Renewal minutesNortheast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 9, 2014 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2014, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana. Present: Absent: Voting Members: Tom Noble, Chair Daniel Doehring (arrived at 6:40 p.m.) Erik Nelson (arrived at 6:40 p.m.) 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 Craig Woolard, Director of Public Works Guests: Kevin Jacobsen, Morrison-Maierle John Usher Call to Order – Chair Tom Noble called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Public Comment – No comment was received under this agenda item. Consent Items – Approve minutes from April 1, 2014 meeting. It was moved by Bob Pavlic, seconded by Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, that the minutes of the meeting of April 1, 2014, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 3-0 vote. Discussion/Action Items – Update on plans for East Tamarack Street/Front Street/North Ida Avenue street designs. Kevin Jacobsen, Morrison-Maierle, noted that design of these street improvements was significantly more challenging than originally anticipated, particularly near the Depot Park. To address the grading and drainage issues, the design now includes an inverted crown on North NURB Meeting September 9, 2014 1 Ida Avenue and drainage to the north on Front Street and East Aspen Street near the park. Kevin Jacobsen gave an overview of the street designs, identifying the various street sections. He began with East Tamarack Street between North Rouse Avenue and North Wallace Avenue. He noted that the Montana Department of Transportation plans for North Rouse Avenue improvements are continually changing and, as a result, he has stopped the design approximately 300 feet from that intersection so these improvements can tie into the North Rouse Avenue improvements. He stated this section of roadway is as close to City standard as possible, and includes the normal 3-percent crown, 16½ feet of asphalt on both sides of the street, a 5½-foot boulevard and 5-foot sidewalk on both sides, parking on the north side and a bike lane on the south side. Kevin Jacobsen turned his attention to the design for Front Street from North Wallace Avenue past the depot, noting that it includes a normal 2-percent crown and 6-foot valley gutters instead of the traditional curb and gutter. East of the depot, the street design transitions to a 2-percent slope toward the railroad with valley gutters. The design also includes sidewalks along both sides of the street in front of the depot. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese expressed concern that the sidewalk adjacent to Treasure State Oil could be a safety hazard, particularly since ingress and egress can occur anywhere along the street frontage. She also resents the fact that she has to walk in the street to get around encroachments; and she feels all property owners with encroachments should be treated the same. Kevin Jacobsen turned attention to the short segment of East Aspen Street between North Ida Avenue and Front Street, noting that it includes a 2-percent slope. It will tie to the existing curb by the park; and the south side of the street will include the standard boulevard and sidewalk. Finally, he addressed the design for North Ida Avenue, noting it includes an inverted crown. The roadway is shifted to the east side of the right-of-way, and includes 18 feet of asphalt from the invert to the east side of the roadway that allows for driving and parking lanes and a 10½-foot- wide driving lane and sidewalk on the west side of the roadway. He noted that drainage will flow to the middle of the right-of-way and then to the north, past the depot and onto the Front Street right-of-way. He noted that the Silent Knight Muffler building has a zero setback, thus it sits on the west right-of-way line of the roadway. Responding to questions from Erik Nelson, Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke stated options for reuse of the existing building will be very limited. If redevelopment of the site is outside those options, the building may need to be torn down, thus allowing the new use to more closely meet code requirements. Erik Nelson voiced concern that the draft design for these street improvements does not include the 10½ feet on the west side of the right-of-way. He asked that those improvements be included in the final design, noting he anticipates that they will include the standard boulevard and sidewalk. He stated this will eliminate any confusion about how that right-of-way might be used in the future. NURB Meeting September 9, 2014 2 Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke stated the Board will need to identify which streets are the most important, noting she does not anticipate North Ida Avenue will be that street. Kevin Jacobsen noted that improvements to East Peach Street can be made with a minimum impact on the pavement. He stated that approximately two feet of pavement will need to be removed at the edge of the street to allow for installation of curb and gutter and sidewalks and a smooth transition from those improvements to the existing pavement. He noted that the same approach can be used on East Tamarack Street from North Rouse Avenue to North Wallace Avenue; however, improvements to the roadway east of North Wallace Avenue will require removal of most of the paved surface and reconstruction of the roadway. He stressed that this assessment is dependent on an adequate base below the existing paved surface. Responding to Jeanne Wesley-Wiese, Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke cautioned that care must be taken to ensure not just portions of sidewalk are installed, but that they provide the needed connectivity to ensure safe pedestrian movement. Kevin Jacobsen noted that the street designs are now ready to be submitted for the City’s review process. Project Engineer Dustin Johnson indicated that staff will review these plans and then submit them to the various advisory boards, including the Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board and Pedestrian/Traffic Safety Committee and then forward them to the Commission for action. Responding to Erik Nelson, Project Engineer Johnson stated he feels the process can easily be completed by the end of the calendar year. Kevin Jacobsen noted that Recording Secretary Sullivan mentioned to him the Board had budgeted monies for a survey of the right-of-way on East Aspen Street from North Rouse Avenue east to the creek. He noted that in 2012, Morrison-Maierle completed a survey for a City water renovation project. He stated the survey does not include the right-of-way lines, but much of the base work is already done; and a review of the area to see if any changes have been made since 2012 could be easily done and the right-of-way lines established. Responding to Erik Nelson, Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke noted this issue arose during a Northeast Neighborhood Association (NENA) meeting, in light of the neighborhood interest in ensuring safe pedestrian access to the potential new bridge across the creek. The Board indicated an interest in proceeding with identification of the right-of-way for East Aspen Street. Kevin Jacobsen stated he will look at the Montana Department of Transportation plans for improvements to North Rouse Avenue as he looks at potential street improvements. Staff update regarding street lighting districts and lighting ownerships within the District. Neighborhood Coordinator Allyson Brekke stated she looked at the map developed a couple years ago, and it appears none of the street lights within the TIF district are within a lighting district. As a result, she is uncertain about whether the City or NorthWestern Energy has control of the lights. NURB Meeting September 9, 2014 3 Director of Public Service Craig Woolard stated he anticipates research of the issue will reveal that NorthWestern Energy controls the lights. He cautioned that there are limited options for changing out the heads, even if this Board chooses to pay the costs. He noted that the Board could request the creation of a lighting district, and cautioned that the residents will be responsible for paying the lighting costs and maintenance. He voiced a willingness to work with NorthWestern Energy on this issue if the Board so wishes. Responding to Erik Nelson, Director Woolard stated he will work with NorthWestern Energy on the possibility of adding lights as well as changing out the heads. He stressed that the best time to make changes to the street lighting is in conjunction with street improvements. Erik Nelson expressed an interest in finding out how much it would cost to replace the existing light fixtures. Staff update regarding City contribution to street improvements. Director of Public Service Craig Woolard stated the Commission and staff have identified the need to rebuild some of the streets in town, noting that some of them were not built right initially or have not been properly maintained. He stated the current City policy is to assist property owners with the rebuilding of those streets through a cost share program. Under this program, property owners along local streets would pay 75 percent of the costs while the City contributes 25 percent; property owners along minor arterial streets would pay 50 percent while the City contributes 50 percent; and property owners along major arterial streets would pay 15 percent while the City contributes 85 percent. He stated the property owner share is typically paid through a special improvement district; however, if owners of 50 percent of the street frontage protest the district, it is not created and the improvements are not made. The Director noted that both East Peach Street and East Tamarack Street are minor arterials, so the costs would be split on a 50/50 basis. The remainder are local streets and the cost split would be on a 75/25 percent basis. Neighborhood Coordinator Brekke asked if this Board would be willing to contribute tax increment financing monies to write down the property owners’ portion of the costs. Erik Nelson noted that this district will end in five years; however, it can issue bonds for a period of twenty years. He then asked if it is possible to combine tax increment financing monies and a special improvement district and then, if that is possible, if the City would still be willing to contribute its share. Responding to questions from Erik Nelson, Project Engineer Dustin Johnson stated the CTEP program is dead, and has been replaced by a new program under which all cities in the state complete for a finite pool of money that is much smaller than what was available under CTEP. Director Woolard indicated a willingness to pursue this issue further if the Board is interested. NURB Meeting September 9, 2014 4 Erik Nelson asked if storm drainage would be addressed in conjunction with the street improvements. Director Woolard responded that he would insist on it. Chair Noble asked how property owners would be notified of these potential improvements, particularly those who reside out of state. Director of Public Service Woolard responded that letters would be sent out, then a couple meetings would be held. He noted that a resolution of intent to create a special improvement district would be passed and notices sent out. During the protest period, if owners of more than 50 percent of the street frontage protest, the district would not move forward. He noted that silence is considered approval. He then stressed it is important to build streets in logical sections rather than allowing developers to improve small portions. Director of Public Service Woolard recognized that sidewalks have also been neglected in Bozeman. He stated it seems the sidewalk program blows up when installation of sidewalks is required where they don’t currently exist. He concluded by indicating he will research the questions that have been raised in this discussion. Set agenda for October 7, 2014 meeting. Project Engineer Dustin Johnson stated he will proceed with review of the street designs that were presented to the Board at this meeting and will develop cost estimates for those street improvements. Neighborhood News. Chair Noble noted the brewery wall has been torn down and the property is for sale. He noted the electrical substation has also been removed. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted there is a meeting tonight for roofing of the depot. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese asked that, at next month’s meeting, the Board discuss the impacts of traffic from the Story Mill Park, particularly in light of the recent paving of L Street and Story Mill Road. She also voiced concern about pedestrian safety, particularly at the railroad crossing. Erik Nelson stated he feels the park is a great idea. He voiced concern that, while those designing the park are identifying Bridger Drive as the main access to the site, the result will really be additional traffic on L Street and North Wallace Avenue. He also anticipates a significant increase in pedestrian traffic on the streets and trails within this district. Adjournment – 8:16 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 NURB Meeting September 9, 2014 5