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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity/County Planning Board Minutes 01.06.2011 MINUTES LAUREL — YELLOWSTONE CITY - COUNTY PLANNING BOARD January 6, 2011 7:00 PM Laurel City Council Chambers Members present: Kathy Siegrist, Chairman Dan Koch, City Rep. Dick Fritzler, County Rep. Judy Goldsby, County Rep. Greg Nelson, City Rep. John VanAken, County Rep. Hazel Klein, City Rep. Lee Richardson, County Rep. Others present: James Caniglia, City Planner Cheryll Lund, City Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Chairman Siegrist. Minutes: Minutes of the December 2, 2010 meeting were approved as written by a motion from Judy Goldsby, seconded by Dick Fritzler. Motion carried by a 7 -0 vote. Public Input: There was no public input. Discussion on Future Miscellaneous Planning Issues James Caniglia stated that through previous discussions issues have come up that need to be addressed and discussed for possible future implementation. The board talked about increasing housing density in the Central Business District. Currently residential dwellings located in CBD are required to go by the Residential Limited Multi- family zoning requirements which allows a maximum of 4 units (if there is 10,000 square feet of property) and 40% lot coverage. There are also stricter setbacks in RLMF zoning which would restrict or even eliminate some future buildings planned in the CBD. The Tax Increment Finance District that was implemented within the CBD could also provide funding for some of the projects, if they fall within the proper parameters. By allowing more density within the CBD it would also increase taxes which would increase the tax base for the TIF District. Dan Koch requested that parking be established for those new buildings since the parking in the CBD for residents is limited already. 1 James stated that parking for residential buildings in the CBD is already required within the building codes. There was a discussion on whether or not the city was going to implement angle parking on Pennsylvania in the near future. James explained that it takes City Council action to change the code to allow angle parking on Pennsylvania Avenue. James feels that it would be beneficial to the businesses in that area. James talked about the Entryway Zoning area. Although there are Building Design Standards written into the zoning James would like to see further requirements such as the using of natural building materials on building facades. James pointed out to the board how nice the Water Specialties building on E. Main Street looks after the owner added some natural materials to the facade on the metal building. The Water Specialties building located on W. Main Street said this type of design only costs about 20% more than a pole barn building. James suggested that the Entryway Zoning could be extended to cover all of Main Street. By doing so the entire Business District would look more uniform. James felt certain types of restaurants and other businesses don't want to be located next to pole barn buildings. James pointed out that there is an available Facade Improvement program that business owners can apply for. The program is a 50% matching grant program. The Laurel Urban Renewal Agency oversees the program that uses TIF District money. LURA also reviews and approves the applicant's facade plan. The Facade Improvement program is available on Main Street from 8 Avenue to Alder Avenue. Judy Goldsby asked if there were plans for the next City Planner to sit in on the Laurel Urban Renewal Agency meetings. James stated that he did not know. Judy suggested that it be considered and stated how good it was to have a city representative present at those meetings. A lot was accomplished that might not have been. Hazel Klein asked if there were any plans to extend the TIF District to the north. She believes the city will eventually expand to the north and with Ricci's, Laurel Medical Center, Tender Next and the Yellowstone County Veteran's cemetery, it would be beneficial. James stated there are no plans to extend the TIF District. He feels that if that did happen a lot of other areas would like to be included. Also, with a TIF District you have to show blight problems and he doesn't see any of those problems going north. Greg Nelson stated that he has done some research on the internet regarding buildings that are neglected by the owner and left to deteriorate over many years time without the prospect of allowing someone else to purchase it and fix it up. 2 Greg would like the city to look into options for this type of a situation and get something written into our code to help with a remedy. The building in question is the old Trading Post located on the corner of W. Main Street and 2 Avenue. James stated that there has been discussion at the LURA meetings about potentially using the building for a theatre or a public building for renting out. They will only be able to do so if the owner agrees to sell the property, or fix it up. James suggested that board members might want to attend the LURA meetings. The meetings are held on the first Mondays of the month at 11:00 am at the Owl Diner. A question was raised on whether or not the old Trading Post building is structurally sound. James stated that an architect looked at it from the outside and said that from the appearance of the roof it looks like a sound building. Greg Nelson stated that it is definitely something that needs to be addressed. James stated that he will bring this situation up with the City Attorney to get his input. Miscellaneous Dan Koch stated that there is a bad situation at West Elementary School in regards to where parents can safely drop off and pick up their kids for school. Prior to the 8 Avenue street project the parents were able to drop their kids offon W. Sixth Street (in a designated turn around area) and the buses dropped the bus kids offon 8 Avenue directly in front of the school. Now, because of the new street `bulbs" on 8 Avenue the buses use W. Sixth Street and the school has prohibited parents from using that drop off point. Thus, the parents are sometimes forced to park and walk their kids in from sometimes 2 blocks away. This is not the ideal situation for parents and can create some bad situations for some families with younger siblings. James stated that this is an issue that should be brought to the schools attention since the Police Department is the only one that can prohibit the use of a street. The board members thank James for his service to Laurel and told him he would be missed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm. Respectfully submitted, Cheryl And, Secret 3