HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity/County Planning Board Minutes 05.07.2015 1
MINUTES
LAUREL CITY-COUNTY PLANNING BOARD
May 7,2015 10:00 AM
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT: Kathy Siegrist,Chairman
Greg Nelson, Member-at-large
Dan Koch, City Rep.
Judy Goldsby,County Rep.
Lee Richardson,County Rep.
OTHERS PRESENT: Monica Plecker, Laurel Planning Director
Cheryl) Lund, Laurel City Secretary
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 10:00 am by Chairman Siegrist.
Roll Call: Members present were Koch,Goldsby, Richardson, Nelson and Siegrist.
Approval of Minutes from previous meeting: A motion was made by Judy Goldsby and seconded by
Greg Nelson to approve the minutes from the April 30, 2015 meeting. Motion carried by a vote of 5-0.
New Business: Public Hearing: Public Hearing: CHS Refinery Zone Change
Planning Director Monica Plecker spoke. She read her Staff Findings into the record.
CHS has submitted an application requesting a zone change on multiple parcels. They are described as
follows:
Parcel 1: Legal Description
S16,T02 S, R24 E,C.O.S. 1676, Parcel 1, NWSW4 also known as 830 Yellowstone Avenue S.
Acreage: 3.34
Existing Legal Access: S. 9th Street and Yellowstone Ave.S
Existing Land Use: Residential
Proposed Land Use: Parking/Light Fabrication
Existing Zoning: Residential Manufactured Homes
Proposed Zoning: Light Industrial
North: Zoning: Light Industrial
Land Use Residential
South: Zoning: Residential Manufactured Homes
Land Use Residential
East: Zoning: Heavy Industrial
Land Use CHS Refinery
West: Zoning: Light Industrial
Land Use Residential
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Parcel 2: Legal Description
A portion of S15,T02 S, R24 E,S2NW(LESS HWY)78.91 AC
A portion of S15,T02 S, R24 E, FRAC N2NW S of HWY(LESS C/S 1142& 1291)
A portion of S15,T02 S, R24 E,C.O.S. 1142, Parcel 1,AMND
Acreage: 42
Existing Legal Access: S. Laurel Rd., Bernhardt Rd.
Existing Land Use: Vacant Residential,Agriculture
Proposed Land Use: Small section to be used for transportation maintenance facility
Existing Zoning: Agricultural Open
Proposed Zoning: Heavy Industrial
North: Zoning: Highway Commercial
Land Use Interstate 90
South: Zoning: Heavy Industrial
Land Use CHS Refinery
East: Zoning: Agricultural Open
Land Use Agricultural, Residential
West: Zoning: Heavy Industrial
Land Use Vacant
As a side note Monica stated CHS has established a buffer zone of 1,320'from the eastern property line.
Parcel 3: Legal Description
A portion of S21,T02 S, R24 E, Lots 1 to 3 N2NW 185.2 AC
Acreage: Portion to be rezoned 105
(North of Canyon Creek Ditch)
Existing Legal Access: S. 8th Avenue
Existing Land Use: Agriculture
Proposed Land Use: No immediate plans
Existing Zoning: Agricultural Open
Proposed Zoning: Heavy Industrial
North: Zoning: Heavy Industrial
Land Use CHS Refinery
South: Zoning: Unzoned
Land Use Agricultural, Residential,Yellowstone River
East: Zoning: Agricultural Open
Land Use Agricultural Open
West: Zoning: Unzoned
Land Use Agricultural, Residential
As a side note Monica stated that CHS has established a buffer zone of 1,520'from the western property
line.
Applicant Data:
Owner: CHS Refinery
Address: 803 Highway 212 Sth
Concurrent Application:
None.
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STAFF FINDINGS:
1. LMC 17.72.030 requires a preapplication conference for persons or parties interested in
submitting an application for zone change. A preapplication meeting was held prior to
submission of the application.
2. A map showing the parcels has been attached.
3. All lots have existing legal and physical access.
4. The Economic Development Goals of the Laurel Growth Management Plan have been attached.
These zone change requests would help to meet goals identified in the plan such as, retaining a
high quality workforce,nurturing existing businesses,ensure adequate infrastructure to support
existing businesses and encouraging industrial development.
5. As per the requirements of LMC 17.72.070,a public hearing on the matter shall be held before
the zoning commission before being heard by the Governing Body. As per B. of the section,
public notice was published in the Laurel Outlook and adjacent property owners were notified
by certified mail more than 15 days prior to the public hearing.
ZONING COMMISSION CONSIDERATIONS AND RECOMMENDATION:
Planning Board Public Hearing: May 7,2015.
APPLICANT:
Brandon Gauthier project manager for CHS Refinery spoke.
Brandon stated in light of some of the previous concerns by neighboring property owners Cenex has
provided buffer zones of approximately'A of a mile on parcels#2 and#3.They feel this will help
accommodate the neighbors by lessening their concerns.
They have also identified that traffic needs to be addressed so they have hired KU Engineering to help
establish both short term and long term goals for traffic and safety which will help both CHS employees
and the neighboring property owners.
Chairman Siegrist opened the public hearing at 10:02 am and read the rules for public hearings.
PROPONENTS: Chairman Siegrist asked 3 times if there were any proponents wishing to speak in favor
of the zone change. There were none.
OPPONENTS:
Chairman Siegrist asked if there were any opponents wishing to speak in opposition of the zone
changes.
Larry Wolf of 1104 Bobcat spoke. He lives in Salem Oregon in the winter and at 1104 Bobcat in the
summer. He asked if his property was part of the zone change.
Monica stated that he is not within 300 feet of the zone change requested and gave Mr.Wolf a map
with that information on it. Mr.Wolf thanked the board for their time and didn't continue speaking.
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John Marstaeller of 915 Bobcat Drive spoke. He is concerned that this zone change will lower his
property values and quality of life. He is also concerned in how the Refinery affects the water from the
well he uses and what minerals are making their way into the water. He stated he and his family have
had health issues and feels it's from the water. He is also concerned with safety issues CHS's heavy
traffic causes.
Chairman Siegrist asked 2 more times if there were any other opponents wishing to speak in opposition
of the zone change. There were none.
Chairman Siegrist closed the public hearing at 10:15 am.
A motion was made by Greg Nelson to recommend approval of the requested zone change for CHS on
Parcel#1 as per the staff findings. The motion was seconded by Judy Goldsby.
There was no discussion by the board.
The vote was called for and the motion to recommend approval was passed by a vote of 5—0.
A motion was made by Greg Nelson to recommend approval of the requested zone change for CHS on
Parcel#2 as per the staff findings. The motion was seconded by Judy Goldsby.
There was no discussion by the board.
The vote was called for and the motion to recommend approval was passed by a vote of 5—0.
A motion was made by Dan Koch to recommend approval of the requested zone change for CHS on
Parcel#3 as per staff findings. The motion was seconded by Judy Goldsby.
Chairman Siegrist stated that adding''/,mile buffer zones makes the application more palatable to her.
She also stated that traffic and safety have been a concern and likes the fact that studies on traffic and
safety are being addressed by an engineering company. It also follows the Laurel Transportation Plan.
She has seen improvements in traffic during shift changes.
Greg Nelson stated the buffer zones are good. He also stated that CHS having the traffic and safety
studies done by KU Engineering is good. He does not see a problem with the proposed zone changes.
The vote was called for and the motion to recommend approval was passed by a vote of 5—0.
Monica told the applicant that the next step for approval will be heard before the Yellowstone County
Commissioners at a public hearing. The neighbors within 300 feet of the property will be noticed again
by certified mail and 2 ads will be placed in the paper. She will contact the applicant with the date of
the public hearing.
NEW BUSINESS: DISCUSSION ON RESIDENTIAL ZONING DENSITY CHANGES
Monica led discussion on changes that the Board wanted to discuss regarding residential zoning density.
The board feels that the maximum lot coverage of 55%and there being no maximum height
requirement for buildings in Residential Multi Family needs to be looked at.
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After a lengthy discussion and many calculation scenarios the board decided to propose changing the
maximum lot coverage in Residential Multi Family to 45%and the maximum building height to 40 feet.
Also minimum lot sizes are recommended to increase.
A public hearing has been set for 10:00 am at the June 4,2015 Planning Board meeting to receive public
input on these proposed changes.
NEW BUSINESS: Reappointment of County Board member Kathy Siegrist.
Yellowstone County Commissioners reappointed Kathy Siegrist as a County Representative for the Laurel
City-County Planning Board. Her term runs from July 1,2015 to June 30,2017.
OLD BUSINESS: Neighborhood Zoning Meetings
There have been previous discussions to consider whether or not the board should require applicants to
hold neighborhood zoning meetings prior to a public hearing for a zone change. The board was unsure
as to whether this should become a requirement and asked Monica if more information on the zone
change could be put on public hearing notices to the property owners.
Monica added two links to the public hearing notices for zone changes so property owners can find
information on zoning designations and their definitions.
The board agreed not to pursue neighborhood meetings at this time.
Miscellaneous: Conservation District Member Vacancy:
Montana Code Annotated dictates that one member of the Planning Board be a Conservation District
board member.
Chairman Siegrist and the Planning Director will attend the Conservation District meeting in Billings to
seek out anyone wishing to be a member of the Laurel Planning Board. If no one on that board wants
the position the Commissioners and Council may appoint a member jointly.
Next meeting,June 4,2015:
There will be a public hearing at the June 4,2015 meeting for a Special Review application for Red Neck
Pizza. They have requested to be able to sell alcohol on their premises.
Public Comment on non-agenda items: None.
Adjournment:
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Judy Goldsby and seconded by Dan Koch. The motion
carried by a vote of 5-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 am.
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Respectfully submitted
Cheryll Lu d,City Secretary