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01-13-87 Planning BoardKALISPELL CITY -COUNTY PLANNING BOARD AND ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING JANUARY 13, 1987 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by President Charles Manning at 7:35 AND ROLL CALL p.m. Those present were Manning, Stephens, Reynolds, Hash, Trippet, Gunnerson, Sloan, Treweek, and Hall (who arrived at 7:40 p.m.). Others present were David Greer, Senior Planner, Stephen Herbaly, Planning Director, and Andrew Epple, Planner II, all of the Flathead Regional Development Office. APPROVAL OF MIN- Trippet moved to approve the minutes as circulated for the meeting of UTES DECEMBER 9, December 9, 1986. Stephens seconded the motion and it passed 1986 unanimously. WELCOMING OF NEW At this time, Manning welcomed Stephen Herbaly, the new Planning PLANNING DIRECTOR Director of the Flathead Regional Development Office, and Andrew & PLANNER II Epple, the new Planner II. Both individuals shared some of their backgrounds with the Planning Board and expressed excitement in their new capacities. Manning also welcomed Therese Fox Hash to the Planning Board. She was chosen by the County Commissioners to replace Bob LeDuc. ELECTION OF Manning opened the meeting to election of the president for 1987. OFFICERS Motion Trippet nominated Brent Hall. Gunnerson seconded the nomination. Hall nominated Manning. Hash seconded the nomination. Trippet moved that the nominations cease. Stephens seconded and it passed unanimously. Hall declined acceptance of the nomination. Trippet moved to cast a unanimous ballot for Manning to be President in 1987. Sloan seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Manning opened the meeting to election of the vice-president for 1987. Motion Sloan nominated James Stephens. Trippet seconded the nomination. Stephens nominated Gunnerson. Hash seconded the nomination. Trippet moved that the nominations cease. Sloan seconded the motion. Gunnerson declined the nomination. Trippet moved to cast a unanimous ballot for James Stephens for Vice -President for 1987. Sloan seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. DISCUSSION OF REDUCTION OF ZONES Greer pointed out that Gunnerson had been elected as member -at -large at the last meeting and since then the Kalispell City Council and the County Commissioners have approved his selection. Manning introduced th procedures for reducing City of Kalispell. agenda item: Discussion of strategies and the number of zoning classifications in the 1 Greer presented a report on what the staff has been doing on this project. He stated that the Board's task is to look at the existing zoning classifications in Kalispell. The objective is to try to reduce the 33 zones into the teens if possible. He felt that there is a three step approach to doing this. First, immediately look at possible duplications and, if possible, eliminate them. Second, look at the zones and see if some can be consolidated. Third, look at the text itself. Greer stated that the purpose of this meeting would be to look at eliminating duplications. He stated that a lot of the redevelopment areas zones mimic zones outside the redevelopment area. There are 12 classifications in the redevelopment district. Outside the redevelopment district there are approximately 21 zones. Greer compared the zone classifications within the redevelopment district to similar classifications outside the redevelopment district. Two approaches were used for comparisons. He looked at the list of permitted and conditional uses in a zoning classification outside the redevelopment district and compared that list of uses to a similar classification inside the redevelopment district and pointed out their similarities and differences. He also looked at the differences between the bulk, height, and density allowed in zoning classifications inside the redevelopment district and those zoning classifications outside the redevelopment district. Charts were prepared for each of these comparisons. In the comparison tables for bulk, height, and density he compared R-5 with D1, RA-1 with D5 and D2, RA-2 with D3, RA-3 with D4, B-1 and B-2 with NC1, B-3 with Cl, B- �, 4 with C2, B-5 with C-3, P-1 with PL1, and I-1 with LM and CLM. In -� the comparison charts for permitted and conditional uses, he compared R-5 with D1, RA-1 with D2, RA-1 with D3, RA-1 with D4, RA-1 with D5, B-2 with NC1, B-3 with Cl, B-4 with C2, B-5 with C3, I-1 with CLM, I- 1 with LM, and P-1 with PL1. In the comparisons of the bulk, height, and density the districts are very similar. The major differences are found in minimum area requirements; architecture review is required for the zoning classifications inside the redevelopment area but not required for those classifications outside the redevelopment area; there are no greenbelt requirements inside the redevelopment area but they are required outside the redevelopment area; and off-street parking requirements are also different. The new classification that would result with the merging of two similar classifications will reflect the characteristics of the least restrictive classification. This should avoid any possibility of creating "new" nonconforming uses or lots. Some of the differences between the compared zoning classifications can be handled with generalized statements in the text portion of the zoning ordinance. Greer stated that he has talked with the Community Development Department and they do not have any problem with this method of merging the zoning classifications. With this process 11 zoning classifications can be eliminated. There are some zoning classifications contained in the zoning ordinance which do not presently have any application in the City of Kalispell, such as AG- 1. Greer pointed out that the RA-1, RA-2, RA-3 zones all have the same uses but differ with regards to density. Generally, there are a 2 lot more uses allowed in areas outside the redevelopment area than inside but there are some uses that are mentioned in the (\ redevelopment classifications that are never mentioned in the area outside the redevelopment area. To a large extent these are just clarifications. In cases where there are specific uses listed in the redevelopment classifications those will be incorporated into the new classification. Occasionally uses will be added. He finished by saying that this is the way we are heading now and next month he would have some proposals on how some other zones might be consolidated or eliminated. Hall asked if, when going through this task, the staff is going by some textbook or are they looking at this with the good of Kalispell in mind and are the citizens going to be able to live with it? Greer stated that he is not changing the zoning regulations as they now exist but rather trying to simplify them and reduce the number of classifications. None of the zoning district lines will be changed. This is not an attempt to try to amend the zoning ordinance. He added that he hopes to finish this whole process in three months. The City Council will have to hold a public hearing when the Board finishes with this process. Greer stated that in considering the bulk, height, density etc of each zoning classification it will be hard to create a non -conforming lot since the most lenient standards will become the standards of the new zoning classifications. He felt that this was a feasible process and has been trying to coordinate efforts with the Building Inspector and the Community Development Office. Manning stated that a year ago the Council was afraid of this being a major task and there having to be numerous public hearing. He was happy that this process would probably take only one or two public hearings. Greer asked the Board to study the charts and tables and bring their questions etc. to the next meeting. OLD BUSINESS Greer briefly discussed the progress being made on the up -coming planning conference for this area saying that he has referred this to Steve Herbaly. Steve Herbaly stated that he was looking at holding the conference in the second week or the last week of, February depending on the schedules of those who will present various sessions. Sloan stated that she would prefer to have the conference at the end of February to meet with her schedule. Steve Herbaly added that he has been working with Jerry Sorenson in Polson and they will be adding some funding to help enhance the conference. Greer stated that in the past the Board has wanted to preview the agenda for the conference. He suggested that Steve Herbaly finalize the agenda with Manning. Steve Herbaly suggested that this may be better done by mail. Manning asked that, since the whole Board is involved, an agenda be sent to the entire Board. Steve Herbaly agreed and that he would include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. O Greer stated that the ad hoc committee for the study of the need for sign regulations has been created and will hold its first meeting on 3 January 21, 1987. A letter has been written to each member which informs everyone of the scope of their job. The committee will try to make a recommendation within the next three months. Trippet asked if all the sign companies are represented. Greer confirmed that three sign companies had representatives on the committee. Greer informed the Board that a zoning informational meeting for the Willow Glen and vicinity area has been scheduled for January 29, 1987 at the H.E. Robinson Vo—Ag Center at 7:00 p.m. At that meeting, it is the intent of the staff to display section maps that describe the exact boundaries of some proposed zoning districts and it is hoped that people will express their viewpoints about these proposals. He stated that he as talked with a few people south of Kalispell and has advised them that they should convince the Board as to what zoning classification to be placed on their properties and have it sent to the Commissioners as part of the package. Greer stated that the staff will be trying to keep with the zoning classifications as they correspond to the Master Plan. It will be up to this Board to decide whether there should be an amendment to the Plan. People will be asked for input but decisions by the Board will not be made at that meeting. A public hearing is scheduled for the next planning board meeting. Manning asked if the hearing is going to be here. Greer said yes and Manning asked if there was enough room? Greer said that we could possibly have it at the Vo—Ag Center. The Board could hold more than one public hearing if more time is needed for a decision. NEW BUSINESS Greer suggested that it might be appropriate to send Bob LeDuc a 0 letter of appreciation for his years of service on the Board. Manning felt that there should be a letter signed by all of the Board members. Greer stated that the staff would circulate the letter. Manning stated for the record that he appreciates the work and time over the last 12 years that Bob LeDuc has put in for the community. ADJOURNMENT Sloan moved to Approved: adjourn the meeting and Trippet seconded it. The ed at 8:45 p.m. 4 '�9L "Zz�-- Recording Secretary, Ava Walters