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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComfort_Inn_Report_042916 MEMORANDUM TO: Midtown Urban Renewal District Board FROM: Lauren Waterton, AICP, Land Planner RE: Comfort Inn Façade and Site Improvements Grant Application DATE: May 5, 2016 Pr oject Description: A request for rehab grant funding in the amount of $26,893.75 for parking lot repairs, building façade improvements, parking lot lighting and landscaping improvements. Total project costs are $179,291.71. Project Location: 1370 N. 7th Avenue and is legally described as Minor Subdivision 097, Lot 183 within Section 1, Township 01 S, Range 05 E, within Bozeman, Gallatin County, Montana. The property is located within the B-2, Community Business District. Recommendation: Approve grant in the amount of $14,131.00. See Project Review Criteria for analysis. Project Review Criteria: The N7Rehab provides grant to foster voluntary rehabilitation of eligible commercial properties for the elimination of blight in the North 7th Corridor. To evaluate requests, the following review criteria are used by the Midtown Urban Renewal Board and Staff to evaluate projects. Analysis follows each criterion. Public Improvements Does the proposed project address a lack of, or poor condition of: storm water facilities, curb and gutter, sidewalks, landscaping in the right-of-way, parking lot approaches, parking lot access issue, or encroachments into the public right-of-way? No, the proposed project does not address deficiencies or public improvements. Regulation Compliance Does the proposed project address non-compliant signage, lack of paving or poor condition of paving, ADA access, landscaping, parking circulation or storm water control? Improvements to the paving and landscaping will help to bring the property into compliance with the Design and Connectivity Plan and the Bozeman Municipal Code. The current pavement is in poor condition seemingly due to some deferred maintenance issues. The proposed paving will address the poor condition of the paving. Additionally, the landscaping improves compliance with Plan and the BMC, particularly along N. 7th Ave. 3. Is the building/site currently vacant? No. 4. Is it converting a building/site from a non-conforming use to a conforming use? No 5. Design and Connectivity Plan Does the proposed project address the site and building level objectives to encourage the rehabilitation and redevelopment of parcels that are underutilized or do not meet current standards, establish a stronger relationship between buildings and the street by providing pedestrian connections and orienting buildings to the street; incorporates pedestrian amenities and landscaping in existing developments, and incorporates public art in small pocket parks and plazas? The project moderately addresses the criteria related to the Design and Connectivity Plan. While no improvements to pedestrian connections or building orientation are proposed, the new landscaping adjacent to North 7th will improve and enhance the character of the corridor. The landscape plan indicates a sculpture, however, no details have been provided. 6. Design and Connectivity Plan Corridor Goals Does the proposed project strengthen the corridor as a neighborhood service center by providing double fronting building, pedestrian connection to public right-of-way and on-site bicycle facilities or landscape buffers when adjacent to residential neighborhood No change. 7. Bozeman Design Objectives Plan Does the proposal improve the aesthetic experience by strengthening the appearance, character and feel of the building through the application of guidelines from the Bozeman Design Objectives Plan? The landscaping, lighting and addition of a stone base at the front façade all improve the aesthetic appearance of the building. Summary The proposed improvements include façade and site improvements. Generally, this project will improve the property and be an enhancement to the corridor. The specific improvements of landscaping, lighting, and exterior stone will all be visible from the public right-of-way and meet several objectives within the Design and Connectivity Plan. The exterior painting of the building addresses a desire by the owner to enhance the building, but doesn’t necessarily address blight as described by the review criteria. Similarly, the parking lot paving and maintenance improves deficiencies resulting from a lack of maintenance, but doesn’t address the criteria of improving site conditions by reducing pavement area or consolidating curb cuts. The application could be improved by providing detailed information on the proposed light fixture, as well as the proposed sculpture. It is recommended that a grant award in the amount of $14,131, be given for project costs related to lighting, exterior stone and landscaping. This amount represents 15% of the $94,206.71 associated with these improvements. The grant should be contingent on verification by Economic Development Department that vendor selection is compliant with the City of Bozeman purchasing policy.