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03-11-10 Site Review MinutesSITE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE SUMMARY Thursday, March 11, 2010 Lower Level Main Conference Room 201 First Avenue East ATTENDING: Tom Jentz, Planning & Bldg Director Chad Fincher, Parks Superintendent Charlie Johnson, Construction Manager Sean Conrad, Senior Planner Frank Castles, Deputy Public Works Director P.J. Sorensen, Chairman Michelle Anderson, Recording Secretary GUESTS: Steve Herzog, CTA and James Freyholtz, MDT. HEAR THE PUBLIC: None. PERFORMANCE BOND REMINDERS: None. OLD BUSINESS: Heil — 749 W Center — Sorensen said the process to bind the 2 lots is underway and Heil has indicated that they reached an agreement with the neighboring property owner on a shared access. The only other issues are still pending are the sidewalk and street profiles. ASI (Van E Apartments) — 420 Grandview — Public Works said nothing new has been received. Sorensen noted the construction date has been moved out to June or July. NEW BUSINESS: Hockaday Museum Parking Lot (Phase 1 of the expansion project) — 302 2nd Avenue East — Sorensen said the planning staff discussed the purpose of the parking lot and asked if the lot was proposed to meet city parking standards for the minimum number of parking spaces or something else and Herzog said through the PUD process they are required to have at least 13 parking spaces for the future development of the property. Sorensen said one ofthe changes that is being proposed in the update to the zoning ordinance is a minimum number of parking spaces in the core downtown area would not be required and this property is within the core downtown area. Therefore the parking lot would be optional if the city council approves that amendment to the zoning ordinance. Herzog said he would mention that to them but he added the reason they are moving forward with this portion of the development is to accommodate the special activities planned for Glacier National Park's Centennial this summer. Sorensen asked if they intended to remove the property lines at some point and Herzog explained they will eventually but are not in the position at this point in time to combine the lots. Sorensen said the parking lot is entirely on one of the parcels with 5 foot setbacks on both sides and when you do that it generates a one-way traffic flow and with 2 more feet there could be a 24 foot lane and accommodate 2-way traffic off of 2nd Avenue East. Herzog said in the future the expansion of the museum actually will come up to the edge of the parking lot and there would not be enough room to expand the lot. Herzog explained the stormwater requirements for the property. Herzog said they felt the one way in/out will work adequately at this point in time. Sorensen noted that the handicap parking space on 3rd Street East will not count toward meeting the requirement and a space on -site will be required. Herzog reviewed the plan in relation to location of a handicap space and Sorensen said the location of the space has to be the shortest accessible route to the entrance of the building. Sorensen added ADA standards are clear in that the public parking on the street cannot be relied on to meet that standard. Johnson indicated the curb adjacent to the handicap space on the street has a 2 inch jump up which does not meet the ADA standard and will need to addressed and adjusted to meet the regulations. Herzog mentioned the landscaping will be similar to what was put in place at the "group home" in the swale areas and the remainder will be mostly grassy areas. Fincher said since the landscaping will be minimal the plan is acceptable. Parks & Rec is involved in a planting project along 2nd Avenue East in that area and he is concerned with planting trees that may be damaged or in the way of trucks working on site. Fincher also asked to be informed on the type of trees that will be removed and asked that the trees be either replaced in the boulevard, if there is room with the driveway, or at another location in the city such as a park. Johnson reviewed the following Public Works issues: The power needs to be underground; the new manhole for stormwater and Castles added there is no requirement for the castings to be painted; of the 2 existing curb stops and one will be used for irrigation and the 2nd will stay active. The driveway/sidewalk has to meet city standards; a curb in the back that dead ends has to be tapered down; the drain along the parking lot needs to be addressed; the sidewalk is ok and striping or signage on either side of the driveway. If signage is used they have to be approved by the Parking Commission. Castles suggested laying out the parking spaces before they are painted. Sorensen noted if poles for parking lot lighting are installed the city will need a lighting plan. PLANNING OFFICE ITEMS: Willow Creek PUD/subdivision — There was a discussion on the southeast access road onto to Foys Lake Road from Willow Creek, and whether MDT would support a round -about at that location. James Freyholtz noted problems with a round -about are (a) it could hinder access to Foys Lake Road by property owners to the south and (b) the topography on the Willow Creek site. Conrad asked if there would be a way to have a traffic signal warranted there and Freyholtz said it would depend on traffic volumes. Freyholtz added they will require an updated Traffic Impact Study after a certain amount of lots final platted and with the bypass going in. There would be enough separation for a traffic signal at this location. It was noted the traffic volume may never warrant a traffic light especially with the access road to the north and the bypass. Conrad said he will be meeting with Public Works and WMW Engineering Monday at 1:30 pm. Casino (formerly Quizno's) — 2nd Avenue WN and Idaho — Conrad noted the planning board is recommending denial of the text amendment to reduce the 300 foot buffer between casinos and the conditional use permit was tabled until April 13th. The city council meeting on the text amendment will be held on April 5th. OTHER REPORTS: Bob's Bail Bonds — 1147 South Main — Sorensen reported the owner of Bob's Bail Bonds is pursuing a legal case against Coldwell Banker regarding that property. As far as the zoning items that the city requested they are taken care of with the exception of the handicap parking space. The Fire Department classified their requests as advisory as opposed to required and the main issues are the Building Code/ADA requirements for the restroom, access and handicapped ramp and the sidewalk/street profile. Valley Ranch PUD — Freyholtz asked what the process would be if they move forward with their plan to develop the assisted living facility and Conrad said they will have to come in with a 1 lot subdivision that would be reviewed by staff and approved by council. Freyholtz said they are working with MDT and MDT will approve full access for this project. Castles noted they need to know they will have to pay a latecomer's fee to the developers of Silverbrook. Bike Path Cross -Sections — Fincher asked if Public Works had cross -sections for construction of bike paths on sloped areas such as proposed for Willow Creek. Public Works noted that Mark Crowley of Public Works has an AASTO guide that would address pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Further discussion was held. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.