11-13-08 Site Review MinutesSITE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Lower Level Main Conference Room
201 First Avenue East
ATTENDING:
Charlie Johnson, Construction Manager Paul Burnham, Assistant City Engineer
Susie Turner, Senior Civil Engineer Tom Jentz, Planning & Bldg Director
Dwaine Elkins, Plans Examiner Frank Castles, Deputy Public Works Director
P.J. Sorensen, Chairman Michelle Anderson, Recording Secretary
Guests: James Freyholtz, MDT, Jim Atkinson, Eagle Transit
Hear the Public: No one wished to speak.
Performance Bond Reminders: None.
OLD BUSINESS:
Bus Shelters Status Update: Jim Atkinson, representing Eagle Transit stated they do not have
any issues with the proposed shelter permit form. However, Chandler Communications spoke
with the City Attorney recently and although Atkinson doesn't know the outcome of their
discussion Chandler has indicated they have concerns with item #5 in the permit which restricts
signs in the shelters from Four Mile Drive north. Jentz noted the city is standing by that condition
and Chandler will need to negotiate the issue with the City Attorney.
Certificate of Occupancy Program: Jentz reviewed his proposal for the C of O program for
Jim Atkinson that was discussed in length at the last Site Review meeting. Jentz noted the
committee is recommending to the city council that water meters not be issued until the final
inspection is completed and the C of O is issued. The committee feels this would be the most
effective way to ensure the builders comply with the requirements of a final inspection and this
method is used in other communities. Elkins reviewed the life/safety issues that are not addressed
when final inspections are not completed. Lengthy discussion was held.
Site Drainage Issues:
Seasonal Groundwater Depth in Relation to Subdivision Regulations: Jentz noted staff is
including in the update of the city's subdivision regulations a provision for seasonal groundwater
that would restrict basements when the groundwater is 5 — 10 feet below the surface and restrict
crawl spaces in locations where groundwater is 0 - 5 feet below the surface. The depth
information, taken from the Flathead Basin Depth to Water Table Map, would be included on the
face of the final plat. Jentz said the developer can provide the city with their own groundwater
monitoring however, the time of year the monitoring was completed presents a problem. Turner
noted Public Works' new standards that are being developed include groundwater information
and Jentz suggested they work together to ensure the regulations don't conflict. Further
discussion was held regarding foundation drainage, soil samples, and the type of geotechnical
report would need to be submitted from the developer's engineer for the subdivision. The
committee agreed on the following:
• The geotechnical report needs to be submitted for the subdivision at preliminary plat.
• The final plat should show the restrictions on each lot under the notes section.
• Sorensen suggested this be tied to the Stormwater Permit process as a double check to
ensure that the plans conform to the groundwater depth.
• Public Works will assist in the wording for groundwater monitoring.
• Remove the option that the homeowner provide the documentation of seasonal high
groundwater from Item 1 and item 1.4.
• Instead of indicating the seasonal high groundwater period as (mid March — end of June)
change it to "through the seasonal high groundwater period".
Damp -proofing foundations, basements and drainage: Jentz said this will be part of the
mandatory building inspection program. Castles added every crawl space and basement should be
damp -proofed and drained. There was discussion on where the drained water should be directed.
The committee agreed on the following:
• The water collected from the foundation drains cannot run into the sanitary sewer.
• The water can drain to a Public Works approved storm drainage system with an outfall.
• Roof drains dispense water into the lawn and can continue to do so.
• As the developer is building their storm drain system they can stub -out to each home for
foundation drainage.
Drainage plans at final plat: The committee agreed on the following:
The finished floor elevation measured from top of sidewalk should be a minimum of 12
inches + 2%, which is checked by the Building Inspector before the concrete is poured.
Site drainage plans should be prepared and submitted for each lot. (It was not clear if this
requirement would be a part of the subdivision regulations or would be placed in the
Public Works standards.)
The builder would need to certify the drainage plan was completed as submitted, before
the C of O is issued.
Castles suggested that city staff verify that the landscaping hasn't changed the drainage which has
not been done before. Jentz suggested that could be added to the bond but Burnham thought that
would be impossible to monitor in the future when landscaping changes occur. Additional
discussion was held regarding the requirement for site drainage plans for each lot. Jentz will
prepare a final memo addressing these issues for the committee to review.
NEW BUSINESS: None
PLANNING OFFICE ITEMS:
Willow Creek: Jentz briefly updated the committee on the amendments to Willow Creek that
were presented to the planning board at a work session last night. Turner will submit a new
traffic plan and a complete revised submittal including new topo maps that will show as-builts.
The project will be reviewed by the Site Review Committee and will probably go to public hearing
in January.
Outdoor Lighting: Sorensen asked Public Works their minimum for R/W street lighting. Jentz
noted that the Outdoor Lighting Standards requirements for lighting of properties conflicts with
the Public Works requirements for sidewalk lighting, which doesn't make sense. Public Works
requires not less than 5 foot candles and the zoning regulations under the Outdoor Lighting
Standards requires t/z foot candle at the R/W. Jentz said they are discussing an amendment that
the lighting at the R/W would be the minimum allowed by Public Works. Further discussion was
held.
Street Standards Based on Volume of Traffic: Jentz asked Public Works to consider adjusting
the R/W requirements to be more predictable based on the intensity of traffic that they are
serving. Castles said what drives the R/W width is the requirements of the Fire Department. Jentz
said there is a 25 foot access for the Fire Department and the next standard is 60 and then they
negotiate for something in between. Castles and Burnham said the Fire Department needs to be
included in this discussion because of the need for cul-de-sacs and hammerhead turnarounds. In
addition, the standard have to be able to accommodate school buses and garbage trucks. Further
discussion was held.
OTHER REPORTS:
WalMart: Sorensen reported that WalMart is coming in for final architectural review approval
November 18th. The Architectural Review Committee wanted their concerns conveyed to MDT
and Public Works regarding access to and from Hutton Ranch Plaza in an effort to avoid the
problems encountered when accessing Mountain View Plaza (Home Depot & Target). Sorensen
asked committee to take a close look at the WalMart plans when they come in for review. There
was discussion regarding the future connection from Hutton Ranch Road and West Reserve
Drive. Burnham said on the plans for the future upgrade of Hutton Ranch Road there were no
boulevards which will be problematic as far as pedestrian access, especially in the winter and they
need an additional 5 feet. Jentz noted there is an extra 15 foot easement in place to the south of
Hutton Ranch Road and there could be anywhere from a 3 to 5 lane road in front of WalMart so
this may or may not be an issue.
Temporary Signs: Sorensen asked if the county and state have restrictions for temporary signs
in the R/W and Freyholtz said the state maintenance department is charged with monitoring
temporary signs. Sorensen asked if that was also true for secondary routes such as Airport Road
and Freyholtz said yes. Sorensen noted the County, State and City rules regarding temporary
signs appear to be the same which will be helpful when dealing with these signs in the future.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a. in.