HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity/County Planning Board Minutes 12.11.2019
MINUTES
CITY OF LAUREL
CITY/COUNTY PLANNING BOARD
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2019
5:35 PM
LAUREL 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.
General Items
1. Roll Call
Chair called the meeting to order at 5:46PM.
Evan Bruce
Roger Giese
Jon Klasna
Gavin Williams
Judy Goldsby
Nick Altonaga (City of Laurel)
Richard Herr (Laurel City Council)
Gavin Williams provided a quick introduction. He left the Laurel area in 1993 and has recently moved
back. He lived in Arizona for a few years after attending college. He runs sales for 360 Office Solutions
and joined to board trying to get involved locally.
2. Approve Meeting Minutes: October 30, 2019
Planning Board members review Minutes from October 30th and November 20th.
Jon motioned to approve the minutes from October 30th and November 20th.
Evan seconded.
Motion carried.
3. Approve Meeting Minutes: November 20, 2019
New Business
4. Discussion: Growth Management Plan (Resources, Schedule, Assignments)
Nick presented the meeting schedule for the lifespan of the project and the notes drafted on the different
topics to be discussed. Nick asked what topics do members think are important to discuss?
Members noted that they would like to see some documents and content to review.
Judy mentioned that it would be important to see a few more appointees with an interest in the work of
the board and with relevant experience if possible. A wider variety of interests/experience such as
bankers, realtors, business owners, etc. would provide better insight.
Roger brought up the Diefenderfer property along E. Railroad street and if the site/design issues were
followed-up with. Nick reported that the design issues were handled and that there were a few minor
issues still being addressed but this is with Public Works.
LARC center will be based out on the West End of Laurel.
January 7th - Present to City Council.
January 20, - Vue and Brew meeting.
Members reviewed and discussed the current Laurel Zoning Map and discussed the possibility of future
growth near the West Laurel Interchange.
Richard Herr mentioned that some big things to discuss include:
➢ Yard office Subdivision (94 lots)
➢ West Laurel Interchange – commercial development (Motels, gas stations, etc.)
➢ LARC Center
Nick mentioned that the property south of the recent Yard Office annexation had signed a waiver for
City Water Services. This might be a prospective annexation applicant.
Members discussed the difficulty in rehabilitating property due to buried gas tanks and other hidden
costs.
Members asked whether any department heads have chimed in on the GMP update yet? Kurt recently
brought up the possibility of a new water tank on the northern end of town and an estimated cost of a
few million dollars to bring the project to reality.
Members discussed provision of service and how it can be a double-edged sword: Needing services to
attract people to the area, but needing people present to utilize them.
Nick will be conducting outreach to agencies and inviting them to meetings of the Planning Board.
Jon – Discussed that there are multiple drain ditches near the West Laurel Interchange and how these
ditches can complicate development.
Members had a general discussion of the road improvements near the West Laurel Interchange including
turning lanes, the long development timeline for MDT and how we can plan to get things done, and the
road network in the Laurel area.
Old Business
Other Items
Announcements
5. Next Meeting: January 8, 2020
Roger motioned to adjourn the meeting.
Jon seconded.
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.
DATES TO REMEMBER