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Planning Board Minutes - November 13, 2012CALL TO ORDER AND The regular meeting of the Kalispell City Planning Board and ROLL CALL Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Board members present were: Chad Graham, Rory Young, Phillip Guiffrida, Ken Hannah and Charles Pesola. Bryan Schutt and Richard Griffin were absent. Tom Jentz and Sean Conrad represented the Kalispell Planning Department. There were 7 people in the audience. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Guiffrida moved and Hannah seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the August 14, 2012 meeting of the Kalispell City Planning Board and Zoning Commission. VOTE BY ACCLAMATION The motion passed unanimously on a vote by acclamation. PUBLIC COMMENT No one wished to speak. TANNER, ETAL ZONE A request from Natasha Tanner etal, for a zone change on three lots CHANGE REQUEST from R-3 (Residential) to R-4 (Residential). The three lots are addressed 50 & 70 Rising Sun Circle and 202 Farview Drive and are located in the Parkview Terrace subdivision on the north side of Indian Trail Road. STAFF REPORTS KCU 12-03 Sean Conrad, representing the City of Kalispell reviewed Staff & KZC-12-01 Report KZC- 12-02 for the board. Conrad said this is a zone change request from R-3 (Residential) to R-4 (Residential). The property is located on Highway 93 North off of Indian Trail Road. The applicants are requesting the zone change for Lots 1, 3 & 7 of the Parkview Terrace subdivision. The owner of Lot 7, Ms. Tanner is in the audience. Conrad reviewed the growth policy future land use map and noted the Urban Residential land use designation anticipates 3-12 dwelling units an acre, primarily made up of single-family homes, duplexes and low -density multi -family zoning. The R-4 meets the Urban Residential land use designation. Conrad continued with a review of an aerial view of the Parkview Terrace neighborhood and two of the properties proposed for rezoning are currently non -conforming since one is currently a four -plea building and the other a duplex. Approval of the zone change would make the duplex property conforming. Rezoning the third property, currently a single-family home, would allow the property to convert into a duplex which would create the potential for one additional dwelling unit. Conrad added just to the south of Kalispell City Planning Board Minutes of the meeting of November 13, 2012 Page 1 of 6 these properties is an area already zoned R-4 (Residential). The Parkview Terrace subdivision is made up of primarily single- family homes with some duplexes, tri-plexes, and four-plexes. The subdivision was developed in primarily the 1970's & 1980's with the mix of uses not generally seen today unless developed as a planned unit development. At that time the subdivision was not required to include sidewalks but the street is adequate to accommodate any increase in density based on the proposed zone change to R-4. Neighbors on the south side of Indian Trail Road were contacted regarding being included in the zone change and although they did not want to be a part of the zone change they didn't oppose the proposed R-4 zone change. Staff recommends that the Kalispell Planning Board adopt Staff Report KZC-12-02 as findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the properties be rezoned to R-4 (Residential). BOARD DISCUSSION Guiffrida asked which neighbors were also contacted and Conrad said Ms. Tanner contacted property owners to the east to see if they wanted to be a part of the zone change request to make the use more consistent with the surrounding land use and close the gap between these properties and the other R-4 properties to the south. Graham asked if the gap caused by the road matters and Conrad said if it was only one lot being presented to the board it could be considered spot zoning but with the three lots it won't disrupt the character of the immediate neighborhood. APPLICANT/TECHNICAL Natasha Tanner, 202 Farview Drive stated she is the applicant and SUPPORT she built her house last fall. She noted the neighborhood is clearly multi -family mixed with single-family homes and she would like to finish her basement the way she wants which includes adding plumbing fixtures and a door. Guiffrida asked if her intent was to convert her property into a duplex and Tanner said she is strongly considering that because it would give her a lot more options. PUBLIC HEARING No one else wishing to speak the public hearing was closed. MOTION Hannah moved and Guiffrida seconded a motion that the Kalispell Planning Board adopt Staff Report KZC-12-02 as findings of fact and recommend to the Kalispell City Council that the properties be rezoned to R-4 (Residential). BOARD DISCUSSION Guiffrida said he will support the zone change because the dynamics of the neighborhood is a variety of uses, a lot of them non -conforming and this change will help bring two of the properties into conformance. Guiffrida said he appreciates the Kalispell City Planning Board Minutes of the meeting of November 13, 2012 Page 2 of 6 applicant talking to the neighbors and finding two other property *wners who were willing to support the zone change as he doesn't like spot zoning. This looks like a good plan. ROLL CALL I The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote. CORE AREA PLAN PUBLIC A request by the City of Kalispell to amend the Kalispell Growth HEARING Policy 2020 by including the Core Area Plan into Chapter 12, Neighborhood Plans, within the growth policy. STAFF REPORT KGPA-12-01 I Sean Conrad, representing the City of Kalispell reviewed staff report KGPA- 12-02 for the board. Conrad said this is a growth policy amendment to include the Core Area Plan as part of the city's growth policy. Conrad reviewed the boundary of the core area. He noted the goals of the plan are consistent with the city's growth policy future land use map. Conrad mentioned the planning board had two work sessions on the plan and he provided a general overview of the public outreach that has occurred in this process which included one-on-one meetings with 65% of the property owners within the core area; two open houses; staff attended the Flathead County Fair and met with approximately 75 people over three days; a planning board meeting with the Flathead County Fairgrounds Manager and fair board; Picnic in the Park; a Kalispell Chamber Luncheon with approximately half of the 215 persons in attendance completing a questionnaire with an overwhelming position response to the direction of the core area plan; and six seasonal newsletters were mailed to approximately 400 property owners updating them on the core area plan and process. Conrad added as part of the overall planning process this board designated a Core Area Steering Committee (CAST) who has met monthly and gave the staff direction, helped create the vision and goals in the plan and the concept plans that CTA prepared. Conrad reviewed the members of the board for the public. Conrad noted the CAST has reviewed the draft plan and recommended some minor changes which have been incorporated into the copy of the draft plan before the board. Conrad then reviewed the contents of the plan and the vision statement. He noted the major areas of concern brought to the staff s attention by businesses, core area property owners and the general public included removing the railroad track; creating a linear development & green space and replacing and/or an addition to the railroad track running through the core area; adding more high density housing; creating a compatible mix of commercial and residential uses; increasing pedestrian/bicycle trail development; Kalispell City Planning Board Minutes of the meeting of November 13, 2012 Page 3 of 6 increasing the number of sidewalks and improving the existi o ones, and street improvements and increasing the number north/south street connections. Conrad reviewed the overall concept plans, which is part of the draft plan. He noted after the core area plan was drafted they had an opportunity to meet with people through the Kalispell Area Chamber of Commerce and the inclusion of a chapter on Arts, Culture & Tourism was recommended to be included in the plan. That section was sent to the board after the packets were mailed and staff is recommending the planning board consider adding this chapter to the core area plan. Staff recommends that the Kalispell Planning Board adopt staff report KGPA-12-01 as findings of fact and to take public comment at the public hearing and based on that comment and additional board discussion make changes as they feel appropriate. Staff also recommends that the planning board adopt Resolution KGPA-12- 01 and forward the Core Area Plan to the Kalispell City Council for review and adoption. BOARD DISCUSSION Guiffrida asked for examples of preserving and protecting irreplaceable resources and Conrad said the intent is to promote reuse of those resources and as an example the 2 nd floor of the Western Outdoor Building, which is included in the core area, was used as a large theatre and hasn't been in use for many years. If that building were to be a reused this plan supports the city working with a private developer to keep some semblance of the theatre, if that is what they want to do with the property. Conrad also used the example of the loading dock, the businesses may not be historic but they have done a great job preserving the old building and improving the infrastructure. Hannah asked if parking garages or underground parking would be a requirement or encouraged and Conrad said it will not be a requirement but it will be heavily encouraged when working with individual developers to help achieve the vision of making the building the focal point and not the parking. Jentz added covering a block with open-air parking limits what can ultimately be constructed but, he added underground parking is expensive. The city will review the parking standards to see if they are limiting development and perhaps could assist the developer by abandoning an alley or using TIF money where available to help meet these parking goals. Jentz said this plan is not a regulation but an encouragement. Hannah said at the last work session the costs estimates were on track to come in January and Conrad said our consultants Willdan Kalispell City Planning Board Minutes of the meeting of November 13, 2012 Page 4 of 6 will be here for a work session on December I 11h and will present some preliminary estimates at that time. Final costs and a presentation to the city council is expected the end of February. Graham noted the word encourage is throughout the plan and he asked what will the staff do to encourage the developers to help meet the goals and Jentz said possibly using the funds from the TIF district to develop a low interest loan program and by reviewing our regulations to see where if our regulations hinder development. Jentz added there may be other programs that come along later. Jentz provided the example of Depot Park the 40 unit low income senior apartment building where they specifically chose the location based on the development of a trail in the future in place of the railroad tracks that are directly north of their development. Graham said so this is a framework to place incentives for businesses to locate in this area and staff said yes. Guiffrida added this is a neighborhood plan and a growth policy which is an outline of the vision the city wants in this area and that is why the words encourage or discourage are throughout the plan. Guiffrida added it is not a document of regulation or law. PUBLIC HEARING I No one else wished to speak and the public hearing was closed. MOTION Guiffrida moved and Young seconded a motion that the planning board approve Resolution KGPA-12-01 adopting an amendment to the Kalispell City Growth Policy 2020 to add the Core Area Plan, including the Arts, Culture & Tourism addendum and to forward the plan to the Kalispell City Council for review and adoption. BOARD DISCUSSION Guiffrida said this has been an incredible journey to be a part of and he thanked the citizens for their involvement in this process because the city can't succeed without the citizens. Also he thanked the staff and the Core Area Steering Committee for their hard work and vision. Guiffrida said he fully supports the plan and he hopes it will become a reality. Guiffrida continued he also supports a partnership between the City of Kalispell and Flathead County in relation to the future development of the fairgrounds property. He hopes the commissioners' work with the fair director and fair board to develop a pleasing property that other businesses would want to develop next to which would add to the county's tax base as well. Graham agreed and added the staff and Core Area Steering Committee are to be congratulated for their hard work. Graham said this framework is based on public input from the people in this area which is very important. Kalispell City Planning Board Minutes of the meeting of November 13, 2012 Page 5 of 6 ROLL CALL The motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote. OLD BUSINESS: None. NEW BUSINESS: Sorensen reviewed the text amendment proposed for the December 11 th meeting that would change certain governmental uses from conditional uses to permitted uses. Jentz provided additional information on the amendment for the board. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:55 p.m. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for December 11, 2012 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the City of Kalispell Council Chambers located at 201 1 " Avenue East in Kalispell. WORK SESSION The next work session will be held on December 11, 2012 immediately following the regular meeting to discuss the following: 1. Willdan - Core Area Plan consultant presentation. Chad Graham President APPROVED as submitted/corrected: /12 Michelle Anderson Recording Secretary Kalispell City Planning Board Minutes of the meeting of November 13, 2012 Page 6 of 6