Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-20-15 Planning Board - MinutesCity Planning Board Tuesday, October 20th, 2015 7:00pm, City Commission Chamber – 121 N. Rouse Ave. A. 07:02:40 PM Call meeting to order Mayor - Jeff Krauss: Present Council Member - Erik Garberg: Present Board Member - Paul Neubauer: Present Board Member - Julien Morice: Present Board Member - George Thompson: Present Board Member - Gerald Pape Jr.: Present Board Chair - Trever McSpadden: Absent Board Member - Laura Dornberger: Present Board Member - Brett Potter: Present Board Member - Sharla Rae Stuber: Absent Board Member - Justin Aliport: Absent B. 07:03:20 PM Changes to the Agenda C. 07:03:31 PM Public Comment – No Public Comment D. 07:03:51 PM Action Items 1. Resolution of Recommendation for the Midtown (North 7th Avenue) Urban Renewal District Plan (Fine/Brekke) A Resolution recommending support of the Bozeman Midtown Urban Renewal District Plan and a statement of conformance with the Bozeman Community Plan and a statement that the Bozeman Midtown Urban Renewal area is zoned for uses in accordance with the Bozeman Community Plan. 07:04:04 PM David Fine introduces the project for Lanette Windemaker to give presentation. 07:05:37 PM Lanette Windemaker begins presentation on the project. 07:07:22 PM Erik Garberg questions if the Planning Board would be responsible for finding that the zoning is correct for this project. Lanette Windemaker responded that yes, they were responsible for it as it needs to be in line with the growth policy. 07:07:40 PM Questions for the staff by the board. Mayor Kraus questions if there have been any changes in what the plan will be paying for. Ms. Windemaker responds in detail. Mayor Kraus clarifies that projects in the TIF district will need to meet the goals in the Urban Renewal plan to be considered for payment. Conversation continues between Ms. Windemaker and the board regarding the goals of the project. 07:09:37 PM Julien Morice questions how they go about getting funding through the TIF district. David Fine explains that the document lays out goals for the district and that funding is based on the priorities and funding for the board. Mr. Fine explains that the north 7th/Midtown board has access to TIF money and that the document at hand allows for them to create programs such as loans for businesses in the area or grants for improvements. 07:11:30 PM Mr. Garberg clarifies that ultimately the funding is approved by the Commission. Mr. Fine states that yes, each year the budget will be approved and consistent with the plan. 07:12:10 PM Mr. Thompson questions residential zoning in the district. Mr. Fine explains that as part of the growth policy rewrite, North 7th is planning to have the consultant reconsider the zoning of the district which could allow for housing in B2 or rezoning areas for high residential or creating a new zone that applies to only parts of the district. Mayor Kraus explains that there may be a “midtown” zoning district that may be points based and as long as your project scores enough points to achieve the goals of the district it can be approved, it meets the zoning. He states that currently you see this in Arlington, VA in the urban renewal of 60’s sprawl. 07:14:13 PM Lanette Windemaker states that currently we see some residential in this district and it’s up to the board to determine if it’s in conformance. 07:14:48 PM George Thompson questions parks and open space near this district. He said he could not find much to address the natural features near the area. He feels some sort of connective trail system may be nice. Ms. Windemaker replies that this particular plan does not cover that. We would see that in the park plan and perhaps this document could help implement it. The goal of this document is to support public infrastructure and rehabilitation, so this could help to do that – by putting TIF money into parks or repairing parks or putting in trails. 07:16:17 PM Mr. Thompson questions what will happen with the historic buildings. Mr. Garberg stated that this does not supersede the existing process. It just assists in funding those improvements. 07:17:17 PM Paul Neubauer questions how much funding they are expecting to accrue in 5 years. Mr. Fine stated that they are currently receiving about $650,000 per year, but they are expecting to receive more as they expand the district. 07:17:50 PM Mr. Neubauer points out that the document states that the poverty rate in the city is at 21% - which is higher than the county, city and national average. Going off of that, he questions what the goals would be for the trailer park that is located within the district. Mr. Fine states that they have not specifically addressed that trailer park. He said that, although they have not discussed that area specifically, the program is designed so that the property owners approach the board for funding, they are not requiring any improvements. As of the date of this meeting, the owners of that property have not confronted the board, but they are encouraging more and better housing in the area, so if any developer came to them to encourage more and better affordable housing, the board would be very interested in that project. 07:19:38 PM Mayor Kraus stated that the property owner would like to refurbish that area and put some prefab homes on the lot, however, current zoning would not allow for that. However, with the new rewrite of the midtown zoning, there is the ability for the code to change that. There was a question whether the current residents own those trailers, Mr Kraus states he’s not sure how the landowner would set it up in the future, but he could work with HRDC to make something happen. He said that the current zoning is complicated and does not allow them to achieve what they want. He stated that currently the property is run down; however, if they move the homes off of the property, they cannot replace them with current zoning. 07:21:37 PM Mr. Garberg clarifies that if that specific property were to seek funding from the TIF money, that they would need to meet certain goals as laid out in the renewal plan. Mr Fine stated that the goals are far reaching enough that if that particular property owner wanted to cooperate with the TIF district, they would consider a number of projects for that site. Discussion continues regarding affordable housing. 07:23:27 PM Mr. Neubauer questions what using Aspen as a festival street meets – as indicated in the plan. 07:23:54 PM Mr. Potter stated that Aspen is the street that splits the U-Haul and Cat’s Paw. He said that the idea is that that area is a restaurant district in the making. The idea was to turn Aspen into a pedestrian way to allow access as the district extends west. 07:25:12 PM Mr. Neubauer states that he feels businesses in that area are well represented, but wants to know how people in that area will be kept informed. Mr. Fine replied that 2 of the 5 members represent individuals who reside in the district. In addition, all meetings are open to the public. Finally, having sent out notices that certain areas have been deemed “blight” is bringing to some resident’s attention that they live in the district – so they can be more aware. Mr Fine stated that they are trying to make any effort to be more transparent with advertising and “branding” the district and letting people know that it’s there. He stated that the City currently has 5 TIF districts and most people only know of downtown, because they have made an effort to brand themselves. He feels that this could eat up costs, but it’s important to let people know it’s there. 07:27:09 PM Mr. Pape states that Mr. Potter has had a lot of experience working in this area and wants to know what he can relate to having worked in areas like this. 07:27:37 PM Mr. Potter stated that he’s done about a dozen projects on North 7th. The benefit of the district is that the funds allow you access to engineers, etc. to get you through the process and map out idea. In addition, there are funds available for sidewalk improvement, demolition, façade upgrades, etc. He highlights the U-Haul project that wasn’t possible without the funding from the district. He states that these districts have the ability to add pedestrian connectivity. He also stated that it allows to close off some of the accesses and extend sidewalks. 07:29:49 PM Mr. Pape states that the indication that broadband is not adequate on the strip is not entirely accurate. In his experience, it is fine the closer you are to Main Street, but he does recognize that it’s not as well performing in properties further north. 07:30:37 PM Mr. Pape highlights that the district will extend over the highway and we should recognize that the character of the district may change drastically from the south side of the highway to the north side of the highway. 07:32:31 PM Mr. Garberg closes questions and comments for staff. 07:32:49 PM Open for public comment – no public comment 07:33:12 PM Brought back to the board for motion, discussion and vote. 07:33:26 PM Motion by Julien Morice – “Having reviewed and considered staff and consultant materials, public comment and all the information presented, I move to approve the resolution of recommendations, as the planning boards written recommendation to the Bozeman city commission supporting the midtown urban renewal project plan and it’s conformity with the city of Bozeman community plan. Second by Brett Potter 07:33:57 PM Julien Morice comments that he thinks it’s a great idea. He still has questions on how it will work, but he appreciates that it’s an avenue towards allowing for improvements. 07:34:24 PM Mayor Kraus stated that Mr. Potter has worked on it more than anyone else at this point, so if the board has any questions, to ask him. He also continues to explain that the TIF money is helpful in funding for the engineers and design teams to explore how you can make a project better and fit with the goals of the district. In addition, as the property improves, any incremental tax increase for a property goes back into the district. This will also allow for infrastructure improvements. Mayor Kraus also points out that the infrastructure for sewer, water, etc is already in place, and so by allowing for infill and putting it on North 7th, the city saves money rather than expanding into space on the outskirts of the city. He said these projects are beneficial for all parties – the owners, the City and residents who will utilize the area. 07:37:30 PM Mr. Pape stated he feels we need to let people know the benefits of these districts – but letting people know that if they purchase property along this strip that they won’t be starting out underwater, it makes the City more attractive. He feels we need to address the traffic as it may change on this property. 07:39:18 PM Mayor Kraus questions how the TIF financing worked for the Universal Athletics building. Mr. Fine stated that the property owner came to the TIF district with a plan. He stated that they reviewed the project for what is eligible and they could cover up to 15% of eligible improvements and that it ended up being over $60,000 in aide. 07:40:28 PM Mr. Thompson questioned what kind of stimulus does this provide to get improvements. Some buildings may do some improvements, but what about other things that don’t get done. Mr. Fine stated that the board can help push candidates as much as possible and the board may be reluctant to reward large grants to those who do not go above and beyond the goals and objectives. Mr. Thompson had questioned one project in particular that he improvements, but still left much to be desired and Mr. Fine clarified that with that particular project, the owner plans to do a pad site on part of the less desirable parking area. Mr. Thompson stated he was not aware they were planning to do that – and that makes sense instead of investing in improvements that will be removed. Mr. Fine stated that they may have an opportunity with another grant to do more of what they want to do. 07:42:29 PM Mr. Garberg stated that as a reuse building, the requirements are lower to encourage redevelopment. Helping someone to improve within the district adds more value that pushing them further out. 07:43:15 PM Mr. Fine stated that U-Haul was brought up a couple times and he’s not sure how much convincing was involved to get the property owner on board, but in that district, there are many places that are at the mercy of property owners. He hopes that there will be incentive to improve, but there will be properties that will not improve and impede the progress. Often times, money is not the only value. 07:44:26 PM Mr. Pape agreed it’s not just money – but that the City Commission needs to address those individuals in whatever legal mechanism is possible to hopefully get them on board for the project. 07:45:05 PM Mr. Garberg brought the conversation back to the original motion. 07:45:29 PM Mr. Potter stated that based on material presented this document seems to promote infill. Since the growth policy seems to favor infill, this policy seems to support the goals. 07:46:03 PM Vote on motion: approved unanimously. Mr. Garberg informs the audience that this will be going to the commission on November 2nd, 2015 E. 07:46:32 PM FYI/Discussion 07:46:54 PM Informational item #1 by Mr. Saunders: The city is revising the code and there will be an event November 16th through the 18th where Makers will be in town to do a Community Studio for the public to come in an engage with the consultants. 07:47:59 PM Information item #2 by Mr. Saunders: The city is preparing to release a request for proposal for a strategic plan – different than the growth policy, but hopefully will support the update that will be coming within the next year. This will support the growth policy, but not just be land use, will be focused on all of the city and everything that it does. 07:48:56 PM Information Item #3 by Mr. Saunders: The Bozeman transportation plan is being updated. Mr. Saunders informed the board of an interactive web page that they could provide feedback on that consultants will use to build the plan. Discussion continues regarding tracking transportation. 07:55:07 PM Mr. Saunders notified the board that they will be getting updated bylaws for the board. 07:55:50 PM Mr. Thompson confirms the dates and content of the consultant meeting on November 16th-18th. F. 07:57:39 PM Adjournment For more information please contact Alicia Kennedy at akennedy@bozeman.net This board generally meets the first and third Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm Committee meetings are open to all members of the public. If you have a disability and require assistance, please contact our ADA coordinator, Chuck Winn at 582-3207 (TDD 582-2301).