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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity/County Planning Board Minutes 06.27.2013 MINUTES LAUREL CITY - COUNTY PLANNING BOARD June 27, 2013 6:00 pm COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Kathy Siegrist, Chairman Dan Koch, City Rep. Dick Fritzler, County Rep. Judy Goldsby, County Rep. Lee Richardson, County Rep. John VanAken, County Rep. OTHERS PRESENT: Monica Plecker, City Planner Cheryll Lund, Secretary Alyssa Vandersloot, 411 West Avenue, Laurel Keith Crookston, 3719 US Hwy 10, Laurel Rita Mus, 610 Cottonwood, Laurel CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Kathy Siegrist called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm. ROLL CALL: A roll call was taken. Members present were Koch, Fritzler, Goldsby, Richardson, VanAken and Siegrist. PUBLIC INPUT: Citizens may address the Board regarding any item of City business not on the agenda. The duration for an individual speaking under Public Input is limited to three minutes. While all comments are welcome, the Board will not take action on any item not on the agenda. There was no public present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING: A motion was made by Judy Goldsby and seconded by Dan Koch to approve the minutes of the June 6, 2013 meeting. The motion carried by a vote of 6 — 0. New Business — Variance request by United Steel Workers 11-443 to reconstruct a non - conforming use on their property at 1006 E. 6th Street. Monica stated that the United Steel Workers have requested a variance on their property described as Nutting Subdivision, S10, T02, R24E, Block 6, Lots 13 — 24 with the address of 1006 E. 6 Street. Their intent is to tear down the existing building and build a new single level building on the same property. The applicant was unable to attend the June 6, 2013 meeting due to the turnaround work their Union is involved with at the Refinery. The public hearing was held and the variance was postponed for no more than 30 days because board members had questions that can only be answered by the applicant. 1 APPLICANT: Alyssa Vandersloot who lives at 411 West Avenue, Laurel, Montana spoke on behalf of the variance. She is a member of United Steel Workers Union 11 -443. Alyssa stated that the existing Union building at 1006 E. 6th Street is in poor shape and the Steel Workers would like to tear the existing 2 -level structure down and replace it. The building was built in 1920 and is worn out. They would like to rebuild a 1 -level structure for better access for Union members as well as the public. They plan to make the building energy efficient and give the exterior a nice clean look. Questions by Board: Judy Goldsby asked if the Union was going to allow the community members to use the new building for functions. Alyssa stated that they have plans to make it accessible to the community for functions as there is a need in the community for places to hold receptions, reunions and meetings. Dan Koch asked if they were going to allow alcohol to be consumed on the premises. Alyssa is unsure if Laurel Municipal codes allow alcohol on the premises and if permits are required. City Planner Monica Plecker told the board she did some research on allowing alcohol on the premises and she will address the alcohol question when all of the other questions have been asked by the board. Judy Goldsby asked what the capacity will be for the proposed building. Alyssa stated that at this time the building has a capacity of 80 and the proposed new building will be built to hold a capacity of 150. The building will also be made handicapped accessible. Lee Richardson asked if patrons would have to park off - street. Alyssa stated that the proposed plan would place the building towards the north so the parking lot for the facility will be large enough to accommodate the facility. She was unsure how many parking spots they would be able to fit into that proposed parking lot. The property consists of 2 city blocks so parking can be in front of the building and also on the side. Chairman Siegrist reminded the board that at this time there are no plans laid out for the building because this is only a request for a variance. If the variance is approved a plan will be drawn up and at that time the parking lot issue will be addressed by the building department. Keith Crookston lives at 3719 US Highway 10 and spoke as a member of the United Steel Workers Union. He thanked Alyssa for her effort and hard work on the variance request. Keith stated that the Steel Workers Union has been in Laurel for 73 years. Many of their members live in Laurel and support the community. The old Union Hall over the years has held many different types 2 of functions. The plan is to continue providing that service to the community as in the past. The building has less opportunity to hold functions at this time because the building cannot pass inspection due to its age and not being handicap accessible. The Union has been a part of the community for many years and they support the schools alcohol free graduation parties and the Headstart programs in Laurel, Park City and Billings. Once a year they hold a party for their retirees from the Refinery which packs the Hall so tightly that it doesn't leave enough room for the current membership to attend. Keith went on to say that there is a need to update the building because there are elderly and handicapped people that cannot make it up the steps into the building. The cost to update the old building to handicap accessibility would cost more than building a new building. Keith would like the boards' consideration for approval of this variance because it will benefit the community of Laurel. He also stated that the proposed building would be built on the back of the lot with a full paved parking lot in the front and on the side of the lot. This will also help with weed control on the property. He thanked the board for their time and consideration. Monica took a minute to address some of the questions from the board. When the variance request was presented to the city and because it was a preliminary request no plans are required to be submitted. The parking requirements will be addressed during the building permit process. Monica went on to say that she researched alcohol consumption and current city codes does not prohibit alcohol consumption within an assembly hall in a residential zone. Motion by Judy Goldsby, seconded by John VanAken that the variance for the United Steel Workers Union 11 -443 Union Hall located at 1006 E. 6 Street go onto the City Council with a recommendation of approval with the following staff conditions: 1. The variance shall be good for 3 years from approval on unimproved property. 2. The applicant shall apply for a building permit. 3. Property shall be kept free of noxious weeds. 4. All storm water must be kept on site. Board Discussion: Chairman Siegrist feels that because of the existing buildings age and the inability to pass the necessary safety inspections for usage of the building for functions can be deemed as a hardship to the applicant which falls under L.M.C. Chapter 17.60.020 (4) "Unless the hardship was created by someone other than the owner". Dick Fritzler asked how long they had owned the building and how that could be a justifiable consideration within L.M.C. Chapter 17.60.020(7) "Ordinarily unless the applicant owned the property prior to the enactment of this title or amendment ". Yellowstone County Property tax records show that the Union has owned this property since 1954 which is prior to the enactment of Laurel zoning regulations in 1979. This consideration does apply according to L.M.C. 17.60.020 (7). 3 At this time the motion was voted on and passed unanimously by a vote of 6 -0. Discussion Series: Annexation Monica gave a short presentation on annexation of privately owned land when it's annexed by intent of the city. Applications for Reappointment: Monica stated that the County Commissioners confirmed the re- appointment of Dick Fritzler and Kathy Siegrist for 2 year terms. Miscellaneous: Next meeting: The next scheduled meeting will be held on August 8, 2013 at 6:00 pm instead of August 1, 2013. Monica stated that the Interlocal Agreement between Yellowstone County and the City of Laurel is in need of updating. Monica met with the County Commissioners on April 15t to get the ball rolling. The Interlocal Agreement lays out the number of board members and the roles of the multi - jurisdictional board as well as the role of the City- County Planner. It also specifies the jurisdictional area and various responsibilities of both the City and the County in regards to various subdivision applications. The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 pm. Respectfully submitted, to Cheryli Lund, Secretary 4