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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity/County Planning Board Minutes 05.04.2006DRAFT Members present: Others present: M1NUTES LAUREL CITY-COUNTY PLANNING BOARD May 4, 2006 7:00 pm City Council Chambers Gerald Shay, Chairman Bud Johnson, City Rep. Hazel Klein, City Rep. Todd Linder, City Rep. Clarence Foos, County Rep. David Oberly, County Rep. Greg Johnson, County Rep. Dan Ruff, County Rep. Rick Flanagan, County Rep. Cal Cumin, City Planner Cheryll Lurid, City Secretary Minutes of the April 6, 2006 meeting were approved as sent out. Chairman Shay opened the Board acting as the City-County Zoning Commission. Public Hearing - Annexation of City Property: Water Treatment Plant, Wastewater Treatment Plant, Riverside Park The City has requested annexation of three properties they own; Water Treatment Plant, Wastewater Treatment Plant and Riverside Park. Proponents: Cai spoke in regards to the City's request for annexation. He was asked by Perry Asher, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor, to present this on behalf of the City. Cai stated that according to Montana State Law the Cky can petition to annex property that is not contiguous to the City as long as a public heating is held. The main reason the City would like to annex these properties is so they can provide effective police protection. At this time there is confusion in regards to whether or not the City Police has jurisdiction on property out side of the City limits even when the city owns the property. There are some issues that are occurring in Riverside Park in regards to the service clubs that lease the buildings. They are concerned that they will lose their leases or eventually be eliminated. The biggest issue is the outside shooting range and the ordinances that don't allow shooting within the City limits. Cal feels that the issues with the leases and the shooting ranges are something that should be discussed by the City Council and not the Planning Board. No other proponents spoke. Opponents: There were no opponents that spoke, however, a letter of protest was received from Herb Stoick and made part of the public heating record. Board discussion. Bud Johnson stated that the park leases and the annexation are two separate issues and the Planning Board should only be considering the annexation and leave the park leases to the City Council. He feels the annexation needs to be considered and passed on to the Council to discuss. Greg Johnson asked if this would make it easier for the properties around the proposed annexation to annex into the City limits. Cal stated that it would. Rick Flanagan stated that he lives in the County. When a County resident makes a 9-1-1 call the Laurel Police can come and secure the scene but they cannot handle the case due to jurisdictional issues. Clarence Foos asked how many service clubs are located in Riverside Park? It was explained that there is a Rod and Gun Club, Jaycee Hall, Rifle Club, and Amehcan Legion. Gerald Shay stated that he knows of one court case in Laurel that was dismissed because the incident occurred at Riverside Park and a Laurel policeman processed the case instead of the Sheriff' s Depta hnent. Rick Flanagan asked if the property was owned by the City? Cai stated that the part that is being annexed is owned by the City. Cai stated that the object of this is so that the city can provide law enforcement. Bud Johnson stated that if vandalism takes place the City police are compromised by not being able to do the investigation_ Rick Flanagan asked Cai if he thought the shooting ranges would be eliminated if the property is annexed. Cal stated that over time they probably would be. Bud Johnson stated it isn't uncommon for shooting ranges to have to be relocated as the population grows out; they have to accommodate in some form to the surrounding growth. In natural growth whether in or out of the City it is going to be encroached. The population is slowly growing in that area, and if you were to go hack at the time it first started in contrast up to now, there has been quite an increase. We are not the first city this has happened to. It happened to the shooting range in Swords Park in Billings. It's part of the natural process. It's not like we are singling out the Laurel Rifle Club if this were to be annexed. This is just another piece of what takes place as development and growth takes place. Whether it happens now or down the road it is going to happen. Clarence Foos asked if the clubs will still be leasing out the buildings. Cai stated that he believes the clubs will remain in the buildings. Bud Johnson stated that it is noticeable, in a negative fashion, that no one from the Public Works Office or City was present to present this annexation. Cal stated again that he was asked by Perry Asher to present the annexation. Bud stated that he felt it is not the City Planner's place to present the annexation, that the City should be represented by someone other than the City Planner. He feels that Cal is not plugged in to all of the facets that the City has in mind. Il'it's presented as a straight forward annexation then Cal could do that. Bud goes on to state that a lot of the questions and issues the Board members have are ones that Cai cannot answer. Rick Flanagan agreed. Chairman Shay questioned if the Board wanted to table the annexation request until a representative from the City was present. Rick Flanagan asked Cal if he was ready to represent the city on the insurance issues down at Riverside Park. Cal stated that the Planning Board should not be considering anything but annexation and annexation questions. Todd Linder stated that there didn't seem to be an outcry from the public either for or against the annexation. David Oberly stated that in regarding this discussion he agrees 100% with the points made tonight. He is no used to proposals being made w'rthout a team of people presenting it. He went on to say that there is no one opposing the annexation. The only people that have the questions is the Board members and they are acting as they have 3 been charged to with the annexation issue. The other issues, as it has been explained, are City Council issues. He stated that the Board needs to vote on the issue tonight. Greg Johnson asked what the negative side would be if it wasn't done. Ir'it's not done tonight the sheriff can still take care of any problems at the park. Rick Flanagan asked iftbe city Police still use the range for practicing. There are many other clubs that do use the shooting range. If they annex this there may be a tremendous service to the community that will go away. But does the Cky want this annexed? Greg Johnson stated that things will still continue on if it is not annexed. Cai stated that the City Council requested that the Planning Board hold a public hearing and make a recommendation. Motion by Bud Johnson. second by David Oberly, to recommend approval of the annexation of Riverside Park, Laurel Water Treatment Plant and Laurel Wastewater Treatment Plant. Motion carded by a 5-3 vote. Discussion: LaureI-YeBowstone City-County Subdivision Re~flntlon Review The Board went through Chapter 16 of the Subdivision Regulations as Cai explained the revisions he is proposing. Some oftbe revision is being done because of the laws enacted by the recent Legislation and some are housekeeping. The Board was asked to review the pages for the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm. Respectfully submitted, Chemyll l~und, Secretary 4 MAY -3 2006 CITY oF LAUREL