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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity/County Planning Board Minutes 09.16.2020 AGENDA CITY OF LAUREL CITY/COUNTY PLANNING BOARD WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 5:35 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS Public Input: Citizens may address the committee regarding any item of business that is not on the agenda. The duration for an individual speaking under Public Input is limited to three minutes. While all comments are welcome, the committee will not take action on any item not on the agenda. 1. Roll Call Chair called the meeting to order at 5:35PM Evan Bruce Roger Geise Dan Koch Ron Benner Gavin Williams Judy Goldsby Nick Altonaga (City of Laurel) General Items 2. Approve Meeting Minutes: August 19, 2020 Ron Motioned to Approve the Minutes from August 19, 2020 as written. Evan Seconded. Motion Carried. 3. Public Hearing: Review and Comments on Laurel High School Sign Replacement Planning Director Altonaga provided an overview of the Laurel High School Sign and the required public process. Wayne Fjare, Facilities Director of Laurel Public Schools was in attendance. He provided details on the sign that they plan to install. The sign will be an electronic reader board, and will be 20 inches higher off the ground, and a much higher resolution. The current sign is not working, so this will be a full replacement. Ron asked if this will be a video sign? Wayne answered that yes it will be able to do full video. The Chair and other members want the School District to know that this is outside of the zoning parameters. It would not look good to allow signs like this. Members reported that it might not look good when the district has developments like this. It might not look good when we allow the School District to install this type of sign versus private businesses being denied for these types of signs. Gavin spoke for the sign. He reported that he is a Laurel High School graduate and is happy to see something presenting information about the school. There are a lot other issues distracting people than animated signs for the High School. Sign could boost community relations and help with making the school district more a part of the community. Ron disagreed with it not being a distraction, stating that it might cause issues with more distraction, especially with kids and students crossing during the day. Judy: There are some allowable uses for the sign, including 30 second repeats. We can work with the sign maker to come up with a middle ground. Wayne stated that they do not want to create a hazard or an issue for the community. I will bring these concerns back to the School Board. Nick will send along a set of baseline rules for the sign to pass along to the Board. Roger: Would just like some more parameters, Board meetings, sporting events, upcoming events, Games, etc. There were no proponents or opponents present at the hearing. The Chair closed the Public Hearing. New Business 4. Growth Management Policy - Chapter Review Nick presented the Growth Policy for review. Nick reported that it has not changed much since the last review, but all chapters have been prepared. Board members reviewed the plan and discussed a number of items. Is there any update from MDT on road development off the new Interchange? It would impact Laurel if there are plans for more road network connections such as Buffalo Trail or towards the south. Nick reported that there is nothing major that he is aware of. Roger asked if there is any interest in companies developing by the new interchange? Nick reported that no one has contacted him and is unaware of any other city departments hearing anything about development near there. Ron: Chapter 10: Local routes and maintenance section: Add verbiage for adding roads, COMPLETING roads, improving roads. (Many roads are not full width and are lacking curbs and gutters). Have a goal of future development Gavin: Page 29: Chapter 4 – Student/Teacher ratio – Exactly the same as the United States? Please double check this. Try to find a better data source for this? Ron: Should there be a disclaimer for the facts and figures? Possibly a bibliography? Should state the data sources? Nick stated that he will see if that is the normal way things or done, or if it will be necessary, with only a few separate sources of information. Nick asked the board members to please review the document and get back to him with any comments or concerns. He then discussed the updated schedule for review and approval of the Growth Management Policy. Old Business Other Items 5. Upcoming Items Nick provided a summary of some projects that will be coming up in the next few months. These included The review and approval of the Growth Policy, the proposed Goldberg Sporting Estates which is under review by the Planning Department, and a Conditional Land Use Permit for 1009 East 6th Street. Ron: Can Kurt be present at the meeting to discuss the Water and Sewer system for the upcoming subdivision? Roger: Have you addressed any of the issues with Regal Land Development? • Karen and the Planning Director are working on these issues. • City Council has also discussed their concerns at length. Ron: Many people have built their fences directly on the property line to the Soccer fields. Have you addressed the issue with fence setbacks or difficulty for players to retrieve balls? • Planning has not been aware of this issue but can look into the issue. Roger: Any movement on the Downtown District development or planning? Nick reported that he would like to put together a downtown revitalization plan after the Growth Policy is completed, possibly next spring or summer. Members generally discussed downtown development and possible projects to help the district. • Different projects taking place • Possible projects that could improve the area • Nick mentioned the numerous vacant lots that could be used for infill development. Judy discussed the recent session with outside Rural development specialists with Laurel Revitalization League to help with Laurel. Ron: We need to see ourselves like the Heights, slow steady, consistent development to not have everyone just go to Billings for services. Members discussed options for downtown and outside funding supports and parcels available for development or redevelopment. We could position ourselves as a regional hub for the nearby rural communities. Announcements 6. Next Meeting: October 21, 2020 Ron Motioned to Adjourn. Roger Seconded. Motion Carried. Meeting Adjourned at 6:44PM. The City makes reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person’s ability to participate in this meeting. Persons needing accommodation must notify the City Clerk’s Office to make needed arrangements. To make your request known, please call 406-628-7431, Ext. 2, or write to City Clerk, PO Box 10, Laurel, MT 59044, or present your request at City Hall, 115 West First Street, Laurel, Montana.