HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 7, 2005 P&Z Minutes
Meridian Planning & Zoning Commission
JUly 7, 2005
Page 33 of 110
(Recess.)
Item 14:
Item 15:
Item 16:
Continued Public Hearing from June 2, 2005: AZ 05~019 Request for
Annexation and Zoning of 10.9 acres from RUT to C-G zone for Dorado
Subdivision by Kimball Properties, LLC - NWC of South Eagle Road and
East Overland Road:
Continued Public Hearing from June 2, 2005: PP 05~024 Request for
Preliminary Plat approval for 16 commercial building lots on 10.9 acres in
a proposed C~G zone for Dorado Subdivision by Kimball Properties, LLC
- NWC of South Eagle Road and East Overland Road:
Public Hearing: CUP 05~031 Request for conceptual approval of a
Conditional Use Permit for a Planned Development for approximately
110,000 square feet of hotel, commercial, retail and restaurant uses
(some with drive~thru windows) in a proposed C-G zone for Dorado
Subdivision by Kimball Properties, LLC - northwest corner of South
Eagle Road and East Overland Road:
Zaremba: Okay. We will reconvene this evening. Let the record show that all
Commissioners that were here before the break are again with us. And I will open
public hearings for AZ 05~019, PP 05~024, CUP 05-031, all relating to Dorado
Subdivision, northwest corner of South Eagle Road and East Overland Road, and just
to repeat a comment that we made last time, the file number for PP 05-024 was
mistakenly reported as PP 05-020 on some paperwork, but 05~024 is the correct
number. And we will begin with the staff comments.
Guenther: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Members of the Commission. This is an
annexation and rezone application that comes along with a planned development for
10.9 acres immediately off of the '~84 inter ~- off ramp and it's immediately west of Eagle
and north of Overland. The EI Dorado Subdivision, Bonito final plat, is immediately
south of this project. That is a mixed use regional, as well as this designation is mixed
use regional by our comp plan. The aerial photo shows that it is completely bare at this
time. There was a house that was located in the southwest corner of the property. That
has been removed. As well as there was a flood plane issue that was on the northeast
corner of the site. That has been -~ they have done the work on that in order to bring
that up to elevation and compact it in order to put building footprints and such on that.
The preliminary plat for the site shows 16 commercial lots and a proposed zoning of C-
G. This rendition is the original submittal for the site. This does show some inaccurate
landscape buffers on this. The landscape buffer for the 1-84 interchange would be 35
feet, as it is an entryway corridor to the City of Meridian. As well as Eagle Road is an
entryway corridor and is 35 feet. And Overland Road is an entryway corridor and
requires 35 feet of landscape buffers. Overland Road was recently redone by ACHD
and the existing accesses -- there is one point immediately across from the main
entrance -- one of the main entrances into EI Dorado. This is a full access, right-in,
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July 7, 2005
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right-out and left turn lane. There is a right-in, right-out access closer to the Overland,
Eagle Road intersection, as well as the applicant is proposing an alternative style off
ramp, I guess you could say, from Eagle Road that would be a right-in only, there would
no right out off of this subdivision from ~- onto Eagle Road. The request is for
approximately 110,000 square feet. A hotel, retail, commercial, restaurant uses. This
site being, in this proximity, it is a mixed use regional designation, but the mixes of uses,
with the hotel and retail and restaurant, that is primarily what we would expect to see on
this site and we are not looking for or asking for an extensive mix of uses on the ~- for
this site. The site plan that you see in front of you is the site plan that is referenced in
the staff report as being submitted on July 5th. Is the detailed conceptual ~- detailed
approval, detail planned development that has been submitted. As you can see, they
will landscape and provide the off ramp from Eagle Road into the subdivision. The hotel
would be located in approximately the northwest corner of the subdivision. This is -- I
believe they had indicated that this is a Marriott Travel Lodge. There are three uses in
the -- off of Overland Road that are requesting drive-thrus to be approved. One is a
bank right off of the intersection of Overland and Eagle. This bank would have a drive-
thru as well. These are drive~thrus that would not need a Conditional Use Permit in the
future for the drive~thru. These projects would just be required to submit a certificate of
zoning compliance. As you can see, this detailed planned development does not follow
the lot lines that have been submitted and this is very common for a commercial
development. Staff would almost expect to see a permanent plat or a final plat come
into our office that would reflect these changed lot lines when we actually have this
come before us in the future if the uses are established more permanently. The
applicant has indicated that the hotel would be located where it's proposed, as well as
the bank in the corner have already been fairly secured in their locations and should be
platted accordingly. With the planned development, this would be required to provide
an amenity. The applicant has shown a plaza unit in the center of the parking lot, center
of the subdivision. Staff is not supporting that amenity as it's presented and located.
The director and myself met with the applicant this afternoon and gave them several
proposals for locations of the amenity, which would potentially be in the center of the
two restaurant retail uses in either this location or in the southwest corner. We feel that
with the size of these restaurants that they are most likely going to have seating waiting
lists and such and an amenity that could be provided to pedestrians, people waiting to
be seated, is more beneficial to the site, than having a random amenity in the middle of
a parking lot with no pedestrian accesses or feasibility for actual use of that. That is
noted in the memo that you received dated July the 6th. The other issues with the site
are currently -- this is ~~ immediately west of the site is Overland Way Subdivision. It is
an Ada county R~1 subdivision. We do not anticipate this subdivision to be maintained
as residential in an extensive time in the future. This would ~- this subdivision is
designated as commercial in our Comprehensive Plan and we anticipate it to develop
as such in the near future. The applicant has indicated that several developers have
purchased these home sites. They are all populated with single~family residential
homes and are approximately one to two acres in size. With that, there is an existing
residence that is a single family residence, as defined by our staff ~- the staff report,
which the landscaping ordinance does say that the matrix for commercial to residential
districts, it requires a 25 foot landscape buffer. The memo that you have in front of you
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July 7, 2005
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does detail that Lots 1, 2, 3, 15 and 16, respectively, as I have described them here --
let me go back to the plat -- would be these five lots right here would border that
residential use and some creative conditioning has been drafted and is in front of you to
try and reflect the -~ not only the protection of the residents that's on the one lot in
Overland Way Subdivision, but also to facilitate the commercial development of this site.
The condition does read that they will not be required to actually install the 25-foot of
landscape, but that it should be acknowledged that each one of these lots would have to
come back for a detailed Conditional Use Permit for the uses located within the scope of
those lots and that's so that this board can determine in the future if the use that is being
proposed for those lots is going to interfere or could an alternate landscape proposal be
developed in order to mitigate any type of commercial impacts on the residential lots
and also the -- there is a condition that is in the memo that was delivered that says that
if this property here is annexed and it would most likely, in compliance with the
Comprehensive Plan, be annexed as commercial, that all of those conditions for Lots 1,
2, 3, 15 and 16, would become void. So, that the developer would not have to come
back and get a Conditional Use Permit on those properties, if that property is developed
and annexed in as commercial. The last thing I would like to cover is that in discussions
with the applicant and with the submittal of this detailed Conditional Use Permit planned
development, staff feels that the development agreement may be waived and the
recommendation is to remove the annexation and zoning comment number five for a
development agreement, with the addition of the conditions that are stated in the memo
and of the amendments of the conditions from the staff report, staff feels that the
concerns of staff can be met through the planned development conditions and,
therefore, eliminate the stuff of the development agreement. At this time I will stand for
questions if you have any.
Zaremba: Commissioners, any questions?
Borup: Just one of curiosity. Why -- you had mentioned the lots and the buffering.
Why did you leave out 13 and 14?
Guenther: Lots 13 and 14 ~- 13 is the more square one here against ~- the property
here, the applicant has indicated, is owned by Winston Moore, which is the developer,
and the property immediately south of Mr. Moore's property and north of Mr. Sasser's
property, is under contract with Winston Moore as well. That's the reason for making
this -- these Lots 13 and 14 be eligible for the five foot landscape buffer, as we know
that this will develop as commercial.
Borup: Okay.
Guenther: And so, therefore, that's the reason for that.
Moe: I have no questions.
Zaremba: Any further questions? Okay. Thank you. Would the applicant care to come
forward, please?
Meridian Planning & Zoning Commission
July 7, 2005
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Seal: Good evening. Jonathan Seal, W.H. Moore Company, 1940 Bonito, Meridian.
First off, I would like to apologize for the -- if we can get the conceptual plan back up --
for the delay in getting this to you. In this concept plan originally, I think as we are faced
with oftentimes, you know, we are trying to get approval for something, we know what
we want, but we are not sure what it's going to look like. And as this started to develop,
it became apparent that I think this is a pretty fair approximation of what it will ultimately
look like when it's developed. And so with that, that's why we submitted it here within
the last week. So, we apologize for any confusion this evening that might have been
created in the process. So, having said that, one of the things that I would like to point
out -- I think a couple things if we mention in here. We have a -~ right here, just to give
you a little bit of overview on this project. This is a Marriott hotel. The Marriott hotel is a
town place suites. It's essentially one of those where someone stays for a period of a
week, two weeks, almost like a small apartment type of thing. It was approved by
corporate a couple of weeks ago. With Marriott, once it's approved by corporate, that
pretty well is a done deal. So, that became -- in fact, if you can flip over to the rendering
on the Marriott, we can kind of show you. And kind of jump back and forth here a little
bit, but -~ right there. So, that's a rendering of generally what it's going to look like. We
think it's going to be an attractive project. It was an attractive project. It will be an
attractive project. We think it's something that the city and the community will be a real
asset for, so we think it's a real plus. The other thing, if we can flip back to the concept
plan, and I apologize for moving back and forth, but I'm trying to kind of show you --
over in this corner we have signed an agreement with Sterling Bank for this location.
Sterling Bank, if you are familiar, has about seven billion dollars in assets. They have
got about 135 banks currently. They consider this to be an excellent location for their
project. They are looking at about a 4,500 to 5,000 square foot building here. They are
looking at doing some very extensive construction on it, including possibly clock towers
and what have you. So, we think it's going to be real attractive. The balance, as we go
through here right now, we are talking to a very ~- a group of restaurants. We are not at
the point where we can share those, but it looks like at least some of them will
materialize and we are quite a ways down the road. So, we feel very confident. The
same situation with potentially the balance of these. At this point it's a little bit more un-
established. So, that will develop over time. As we mentioned with ACHD, they have
allowed us a right-in only here. This is a right-in only and it's dictated by location across
from EI Dorado Business Campus and, then, of course, this is a full access itself,
dictated by its location across from EI Dorado Business Campus. As I mentioned, we
have got the landscape through here and I will talk about this landscaping in a minute.
If I could flip over to the one that shows the subdivision for -~ there is another one there.
There. I think it's been mentioned and I know some of the neighbors will get up here.
It's very obvious that this is a residential subdivision -- this is our project right here -- that
borders our project. I think the interesting thing with this -- and maybe some of the
neighbors will disagree. This is at least my -- my humble opinion on it -- is that, you
know, for example, we came to you for EI Dorado Business Campus, we border
Thousand Springs, we recognized that Thousand Springs was going to be a residential
subdivision, would continue to be open, there was no reason for it to change. However,
I think this one here -- and, again, in my opinion, is a residential subdivision in transition.
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July 7, 2005
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As he mentioned, Winston Moore has bought this -- he has made -- clarification. He
has made an offer on this with Bill Urris. I believe he's going to accept it. They had a
very good face-to-face conversation. And Mr. Sasser I know owns this -- at least I know
he's operating it -- or it's being operated as a business or what I understand he may be
moving back into that and may live there forever, but at least as of right now that's the
case. Over here Ron Van Auker owns these three. So, these other two right here -- or
the five here are owned by the individuals. So, I think, as you know, this right here is all
vacant land. I think Mr. Van Auker, I believe, owns this over here and I think the plan is
for this ~- because it's mixed use regional, it would developed as that. In fact, if you look
at the staff report, you will see where they acknowledge over a period of time ~- we don't
know how soon, but I think within a reasonable period of time you're going to see this all
go away and become a development. So, I think with that, that was the reason why we
see it as a transition, why we came in -- if we could flip back to -- I'm sorry, I keep -- the
one that shows ~- thank you. This is why we asked for, in this particular case -~ this is
where the 25 feet of landscape buffer is going to be or was supposed to be requested
and the reason why we asked for the five feet -~ if you look at this, what we have done is
we have taken the 25 feet and drawn it around this so you can see it, if you look at
these two particular lots, the depth of these lots, if you take your 25 feet, if you take a 25
foot drive aisle, if you take your 20 feet of parking, a sidewalk, 35 feet of buffer there,
you can build a 32~foot wide building. I don't think there is going to be too many people
that want to build a 32-foot wide building. What -- here, the problem we have had here,
again is this drive aisle is dictated by ACHD in its location across the street here from EI
Dorado. If you do 25 feet here, you, basically, impede this drive aisle coming in. As I
understand it -- and I'm not a traffic engineer, but you need approximately 150 to 200
feet for cars to come in to get out of the way, to go towards their parking, so you don't
have people backed out into the street. So, right here we -- right now we have it -- we'd
almost have to either move this drive aisle over, which would be a domino effect on
everything else that goes through there. Up here it's not quite as big a problem. So,
what we -- what we are willing to do ~- and at least we would suggest -- and I know the
homeowners have some concerns, we are not sure what those concerns are, but I
suspect ~- I can take a reasonable guess. You know, we can look at, for example, a
fence, we can look at six, seven, eight foot fence as well. We can add some additional
landscaping. We can also -- even though we don't own this, we can add landscaping
here. We are willing to do that if necessary. We are also willing to do that through here.
If you flip over to the aerial, if you will see here, again, there is, for example, Mr.
Sasser's house, there is Mr. Urris. This is the one Winston has purchased. If you can
see, there is approximately 180 feet from there to there and if we were to build a
building over here, we would probably -- that's another 75 feet. So, you're almost 300
feet of buffer from the house. I understand people live in their backyards, too. So, also
in this particular case, the building right here, you have got a large shop here, so it has
mitigated -- some of this is mitigated. But, again, I recognize that this is a home, I'm
sensitive to that, but I think we have got some factors here that potentially mitigate it. If
you can take ~- there is a photo there that shows the back of his property. Right there.
That's a view of Mr. Sasser's house in this case. This is probably where one of our
buildings would sit ultimately. This house is back here. There is some pretty mature
pine trees that I suspect have been there for awhile. We can, again, add more fencing
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July 7, 2005
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and stuff, but I think you have got a far substantial buffer. What we are willing to do is
go along with the CU for here, so, in essence, the people here, as they continue to live,
have had a second bite at the apple. They can come back ~- we will be coming back
and asking for approval for this. But what we are simply saying is -- is I'm not sure that
that 25 feet is necessarily critical. Again, that's my interpretation and that there is may
be other ways that we can mitigate it or reduce the impact that we may have potentially
on buildings out here, whether it's through say higher fences. So, anyway, if we can put
back the concept plan. Okay. The other thing, in addition, then, to allowing us the five
feet -- and as I say, we are very open to other ideas, as I say, the fencing, a couple
other things in the staff report that we would request ~- over here we are asking for 35
feet of landscaping, which we have no problem with. However, we have a right turn
only in here. What we are asking is in this particular case that that be reduced by the
distance of what will be the drive aisle. We have to work that out with ACHD specifically
how long that will be, but I suspect that would be about 14 feet. Again, what we are
willing to do is put trees or other things up in this area or down in this area or through
here, to, again, I guess give you an alternative for reducing that landscaping in that
particular area. The other thing, this plan right now shows a sidewalk right here. We
don't. As you know, over in EI Dorado we had to do 35 feet of landscaping. We did a
meandering sidewalk through that 35 feet. As I understand it, in the staff report what
they are saying is in addition to 35 feet, if the sidewalk is five feet, they want that five
feet added on top of it. That's new to me. But I guess, apparently, it's been done.
Again, what we would ask, if they modify it, that we do a meandering sidewalk through
here, that that could be part of the 35 feet buffer, so -~ the other thing that I just want to
clarify and it may just -- there is some confusion and, hopefully, I'm not going to muddy
the waters, but, you know, we are looking at -- it's a conceptual plan. We are looking at
this as possibly some slight changes in it. We don't see material changes in this. We
don't see material change in use, but I got a little concerned when Joe was saying this is
exactly what it's going to be. Again, what we are trying to do is come up with what we
think is the best thing and I think as Commissioner Borup said, I heard him earlier, you
know, we so often fall in that dilemma, we have to give you something very specific, but
we are not sure what we are doing completely yet. I don't mean literally, but on the
plan. So, I just want to -- I think I want to get that clarified. We believe this is generally
what it's going to be, but, for example, this could very well be one building or something,
you know. So, I just want to clarify that. As far as the amenities, as we mentioned to
staff, they have asked it here, if we could provide them with some details.
Unfortunately, at this point we can't. What we can do is we would visualize some type
of covered seating area. It might be in here. Anna even suggested here. We might be
able to incorporate something somewhere in here and we will work with staff between
now and City Council and we will come back with a specific design and plan for that, so
we can address that. So, I think, in closing, I think, as you well know, because we have
been here before, we did this with EI Dorado, we sat up here in front of you and said we
will build a quality project and I think we did. I think it was something that, you know,
everybody could be proud of. I think Winston Moore went well beyond what would be
expected in that project. We will do the same here. We think this is a quality project.
What we are asking for is some flexibility as far as these considerations and ask you to
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July 7, 2005
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modify the staff report with those. And with that I would be glad to answer any
questions.
Zaremba: Commissioners, any questions? Commissioner Borup. You look like you
were about to speak and I was calling on you. Commissioner Borup.
Borup: Okay. Well, I'll probably have some more later, but just at this point we do not
have a preliminary plat; is that correct?
Seal: Yes, we do.
Borup: We do? That-~
Seal: That's the preliminary plat right there.
Borup: Right there.
Seal: Yes.
Borup: Which doesn't ~- that doesn't jive with your building locations at all, though.
Seal: No. Because what we did initially -- and we can -~ we can modify that.
Borup: I thought there was a new plat that was ~~
Seal: No. And then we -- yeah. And the same thing we had here at EI Dorado. And if
you go back and you look at, for example, EI Dorado Business Campus, we came in
with all these -- we have done lot lines all over the place. We have done adjustments.
We have had to spend 15,000 dollars to re-subdivide a couple lots that we didn't
anticipate. So, what we are trying to do is provide ourselves some degree of flexibility in
our design, so if we have to move things around or something, we can move the lot
lines around and we are not having to come in for a re~subdivision down the road.
Borup: You had mentioned that you have got probably four ~- four or five of them that
are already -- pretty done deal?
Seal: Yes, we -- they are not a done deal at this point, but they are close. So, you
know, the old saying, it ain't over until it's over. But we feel confident enough that we
can present a plan tonight that we think is going to be a pretty good representation. I
don't think you're going to come back five years from now and look at this and say,
wow, this really didn't look like what we saw before. So, that's why we are willing to
submit that.
Moe: But, then, at the same time you do take exception to some of the staff comments
in regards to the preliminary plat for, you know, site specific conditions; right?
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Seal: As far as landscaping?
Moe: Landscaping. Right. Okay. I have nothing.
Zaremba: Thank you.
Borup: Did you mention everything that you had concerns with as far as the staff report
in your --
Seal: Yes. I think in the additional memo I think we addressed everything.
Borup: Okay.
Seal: So, my really concerns, I think, again, to kind of summarize, is the five feet. We
are willing to live with the CUs on those particular lots. We are asking for the five feet.
We are willing to provide other things to, as I say, as alternative, so to speak. We are
asking for the stuff as far as the driveway coming, the right in, and the 35 feet there and
the meandering sidewalk in the five feet.
Borup: Thank you.
Newton-Huckabay: Mr. Seal?
Seal: Yes.
Newton-Huckabay: When you said additional memo, you're talking about ~-
Seal: Yes. Yes, I am.
Newton-Huckabay: Okay.
Seal: I know it's got more confusing.
Newton-Huckabay: Just to make sure I'm looking at the right document.
Zaremba: No further questions.
Seal: Thank you very much.
Zaremba: Thank you. Okay. Signed up to speak is Becky McKay. Okay. Not signed
up, but you're welcome to come and speak. I didn't look at Item 16. You are signed up.
Sasser: Commissioners, My name is Gale Sasser and I own property at 1546 Loder
Place, which is the one that's parallel on two sides of the proposed development. So,
anyway, I guess my biggest concern with this proposed development ~- we are in favor
of it, by the way h is the -~ is the landscape barrier around the perimeter to five foot.
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The entrance to the development will actually be coming and, then, the cars could be
turning and the headlights are going to be basically shining right on our house. Now,
they showed the mature trees on the east side. Now, on the south side, which is where
our bedroom is in our house, a very minimal amount of trees, so we are really not
protected by the ~- by the mature trees and -- but that's my major concern and as we
attended the preliminary meeting with the W.H. Moore Company, which ~~ a
neighborhood meeting to address our concerns, the only concern that I had and that I
brought up to Mr. Seal was that very thing. Noise and lights. And his response to that
is what do you care, you live by the freeway. So, that was somewhat shocking, but --
but that's what he said. Anyway, I'm in full agreement with the staff's report and
recommendations of the ~- maintaining that 25 foot landscape area around our
perimeter. Other than that, I have no issues. So, basically, that's all I have.
Moe: Mr. Chairman?
Zaremba: Commissioner Moe.
Moe: Yeah. Mr. Sasser, in regards to the property on the south side, would you be
looking at wanting some screening and whatnot, some additional fence screening and
such for that?
Sasser: Something to protect us from the lights, yes. Because we are going to be
extremely vulnerable. Our master bedroom is on that south side, so all night long we'd
have car lights, you know, shining in the bedroom.
Borup: And that was the same question I had. So, like a six foot fence would ~- would
help?
Sasser: Yes, a six-foot fence and some landscaping to buffer it a little bit.
Moe: Okay.
Sasser: That's alii have.
Zaremba: I do have a question. And certainly we have the obligation to protect your
right to live there as long as you wish to and to not have this disturb you any more than
possible, but thinking to some day where it might be desirable on your part to change
the use of your property into a commercial, might you ~- I'm just thinking of how would
your property develop into a commercial property, which is envisioned eventually in the
Comprehensive Plan, not that anybody's going to push you to it, but eventually.
Wouldn't you want to actually have cross-access into this property, which would mean
not only not 25-foot landscape buffers, but maybe even holes in the buffer that would
provide you drive aisle access and cross-easements with this property?
Sasser: That's a possibility that ~-
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July 7, 2005
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Zaremba: I mean that's way in the future, but I'm just -- I'm throwing that out as a - 25-
foot landscape buffer all the way around you might make it very difficult to develop your
property, at least in coordination with this one.
Sasser: Sure. I have had nobody approach me on that.
Zaremba: Okay. All right. So, it's too early for you to have an opinion.
Sasser: I really don't have an opinion. I haven't seen really much. I got the first
information at noon yesterday on the proposed plot and staff report, so -- as you have
as well.
Zaremba: Thank you.
Sasser: Thank you very much.
Zaremba: Don Hutt is it? Okay. Then we will have Becky McKay.
McKay: Becky McKay, Engineering Solutions, 150 East Aikens, Suite B, Eagle. I'm
here representing Don Hutt and Gale Sasser. They came to my office around the first
of May and brought in the site -- the preliminary plat of this project and were asking
questions and asking me to tell them what the ordinance said and what their rights
were, because this is a residential subdivision and they had some concerns. I e~mailed
Anna on May 12th with some questions and concerns, because they had been down to
the Ocity-planning department and there was very little information as far as a site plan
or uses in the file. They said that they were very concerned about the lack of
information that had been provided; they were concerned about the height of the
buildings next to them that a lot of the residents have lived there for a long time. They
wanted to be assured that the livability of this neighborhood would, obviously, be
maintained. They were concerned about traffic circulation, size of the buildings, parking
area. Anna e-mailed me back, she said the staff has the same concerns. I forwarded
this e-mail on to Jonathan Seal, this was May 13th. He never called me. Never e-
mailed. Nor did they contact Mr. Hutt or Mr. Sasser, which really disturbs me, because
I'm in the same business as they are and when residents ask for additional information
or have concerns, we typically take the time meet with them. I normally don't come here
to testify about other projects, but it bothered me that the comments at the
neighborhood meeting were made such as, well, you already live by the freeway and
that the hotel is non-negotiable, when they were trying to find some middle ground. Mr.
Hutt indicated I am not opposed to the project. Mr. Sasser indicated he's not opposed
to the project. They are just very concerned about the possibility of construction or
service traffic going down Loder Street. If Mr. Moore purchases clear to Loder, they
don't want that residential street being used for commercial uses. The lighting impact.
The landscape buffering. The other question they had was why weren't the other two
parcels included that they have optioned and within their subdivision. A new site plan
was submitted just on Tuesday. Staff report was written. I read through it, it was
outdated as soon as it was e~mailed to me, because the new staff report came out. I
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read the addendum, then, also the staff showed me some adjustments that were made
to the addendum. In my opinion, if I came before this body and was bringing staff site
plans in two days before, the staff was adjusting their site plan, I would expect to be
reprimanded. I would -- I don't think you would tolerate that of the rest of us and I
wouldn't think that it would be tolerated here. I think you have to consider that these
poor residents, even if this does transition, which it very well may, probably will, they still
have to live there and those buffers - 25-foot buffers for more intensive commercial
uses against residential, are important. They are there for a purpose. Very rarely -- I
have never asked for a waiver on them or on the entryway corridors, because the
landscaping, the esthetics of our project, are very important to the city, to the
community, and I just want you to take those things into consideration and that's what
Mr. Hutt asked me to, please, pass onto you. Do you have questions? Thank you.
Zaremba: Thank you. That covers everybody who was signed up. There is
opportunity for anybody who didn't sign up to comment if they wish, though. Come
ahead.
Arnold: Members of the Commission, for the record, my name is Steve Arnold, I'm with
Stanley Consultants. I submitted the application and I was not prepared here to speak
tonight. I, actually, came here from a movie, was not anticipating to speak, but in
defense of what we submitted, we met with staff, we did -~ we discussed the application.
Because the commercial application such as this, are not the typical subdivisions with
commercial applications, such as the Lochsas, the Bridgetowers, that has ~- they go in
there with an application and they have commercial uses that are planned or permitted
at intersections or corners, there is some issues that, you know, these things ~~ you're
not adjacent to neighborhood properties ~- I guess in response to the 25-foot buffers
and the variances from those buffers, yeah, I mean if we were coming in with a
subdivision next to a residential neighborhood, Magic View being one of them, you
know, at the northwest corner of Eagle and the interstate, you know, the Commission
has held with the buffers or, for that matter, the EI Dorado Subdivision, the same
developer of this project did EI Dorado, and they -- they did a buffer along Thousand
Springs and they will provide that. You know, the buffer that we are providing here or
the buffer that's being recommended, in my opinion, is temporary. You've got a use that
is proposed to be commercial use. If you go in there and you start putting these large
buffers on these properties adjacent to these current residential pieces, we all know
they are going to transition to commercial. You know, if I was representing the property
owners of those residential uses, I'd say, look, are you going to live there for the next
ten years, 15, 20 years. If you're not going to live there for the next 15 or 20 years, start
thinking about the long-term solution. The long-term idea is you're going to transition to
commercial. Do you want these 25-foot buffers adjacent to another commercial use?
Do you want to segregate your property and isolate it? A couple issues there is buyers
get issues providing services, emergency services, and police services. As soon as you
start putting these buffers -~ I don't have a light pen. You know, as soon as you start
putting commercial -- these bufferings around these residential uses -- I'll be quicker.
You know, if you're looking at doing commercial buffering around here or, for that
matter, around here, what you start doing is isolate these units in there. They start
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becoming their own unit. Most likely, the buildings stand up front in this area, parking
goes in back, and it becomes an enforcement problem. You start having issues with
police, because now you have got this wide buffer around this area that police can't see,
you know, as they enter this area. They can't see as they enter Loder Street. That
becomes an issue. You know, the idea of what we submitted -~ and let's go on with the
buffers and I think Jonathan spoke to those, but the idea of what we submitted to you
and why things have transitioned so much, is when we submitted it, we told the planning
director, you know, we have dealt with subdivisions, I mean commercial subdivisions
such as this, the Meadow Lakes, the Gemtone, the Treasure Valley, you know, the
Bonito, which my client is -~ at the other corner. As you start getting things platted,
things change. I mean your tenants you don't have lined up, so what we submitted to
the Planning and Zoning Commission was a flexible schedule. We had extra lots,
basically. We don't think we are going to use them all. But you can't increase lots when
you go to final plat. You can decrease them through density reduction. So, our
anticipation or our expectation is that, you know, this lot configuration will change. The
conceptual plan that we brought with us will basically stay the same. We don't know
exactly what tenants are going there. We don't know exactly what uses will be there or
where the drive~thrus will be. But we know there is going to be drive-thrus, we know
there is going to be commercial uses that go in there. Our thought with this conceptual
plan is, you know, we will submit it to you, you guys mill it over, is the commercial use
here adjacent to what is going to be commercial use, is that acceptable. Granted, there
are existing residential uses. What can we do as an alternative solution towards the
requirement to provide the 25~foot in the alternative conditions? What can we do to
provide something that will buffer this area and this area against the existing residential
use? You know, I don't know if it was brought out, but this use here currently is a
mortgage company. You know, we expect that it's going to change uses. You know,
what can we do in the short term that will suffice in keeping that residential use buffered
from the new use, you know, in this area. Our solution was some sort of solid fencing
and five foot landscape buffering, you know, and that's what we are here to negotiate,
whether -- is that sufficient. If that's not sufficient, you know, what is? What do we need
to do. You know, we all know that this area, bounded by, you know, a principal arterial,
the interstate here to the north, a principal arterial to the south, and Eagle Road over
here, it's going to transition. What should we do that would be sufficient. And the idea
of the application was to leave flexibility for not only the applicant -- so I know your
staff's busy. You know, I have submitted these revised preliminary plats to you guys
many times before. What our intention is to do is to try to give you something that gives
us and you flexibility. You know, here is conditions, here is what we want to place on
our plat, and here is how we -~ here is how we mitigate any impact to existing residential
use. That's the intention around the conceptual PUD. And if I understood staff
incorrectly, that's my fault. You know, my intention was to come here, so that we could
submit something that was flexible enough that you guys can act on it, but, you know, if
we needed to reduce units we could. And I'll stand for questions.
Zaremba: I guess my confusion is that I don't remember ever seeing -- and maybe I'm
just not remembering, a conceptual preliminary plat or a conceptual CUP. We do ask
for conceptual designs when somebody is only bringing an annexation. That helps us
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determine whether they are asking for the right zone or -- or not and, then, we do treat
them as conceptual. But I have not been on this Commission forever, but my instinct is
that a preliminary plat and CUPs are -- I don't remember ever seeing a conceptual one.
I guess I'll have to ask other Commissioners and staff. I understand the reason for it if
all we are getting is an annexation and a zoning, but it seems to me this is something
that's going to get recorded and needs to be --
Arnold: Commissioner Zaremba, if I may interject there, you know, we are -~ the plat
here is fixed. That's -- this is the number of lots that we are proposing. We submitted
an area map that showed, basically, you know, we are going to have a hotel in this area
and that should be in your packet. And we would have restaurant and retail uses in this
area and other -- you know, a bank and perhaps other office, drive-thrus, in that area.
That's the only thing that's conceptual. We are going in for a fixed, you know, C~G
zoning. We are going for a fixed PUD -- preliminary plat with a fixed number of lots.
The only thing that is conceptual is the actual buildings that are going there. And the
problem with going in with a specific CUP and a specific lot layout is we always change.
Now, I have not had one preliminary plat that is -- that is commercial or office or retail in
Meridian that stayed the same. You know, I keep coming back before you. You know,
the Gemtones, the Treasure Valleys, the Meadow Lakes, they all change and we had
this discussion with the planning director and she said, well, come in with the number of
lots that you need, you know, the maximum number that you expect. And we don't
expect to final plat this with that number of lots. Come in with the anticipated uses, you
know, the retail, commercial, banking, hotel, and we put that on a map and that's been
submitted -- and submit that. You know, the number of lots that you end up with are
probably going to be different. You know, we are going to lot line adjust this as we get
uses come in. Instead of bringing you a new preliminary plat re-platting what you have
already seen and creating additional work for these guys, which they see Jonathan and
I too much, you know, we are coming in with something that's flexible enough with your
existing ordinance that allows us to adjust things and final plat it as we know we have
tenants to occupy the lots. That's the whole idea and that was the intention that we met
with staff earlier on to try to figure out, now, how do we do this so we don't create a
bunch of work continually. You know, we are just doing this ~- you just review -- you
didn't -- but the City Council just reviewed another final plat for Bonito Subdivision,
because the tenants changed. You know, we want 20,000 square feet, we don't need
15. So, we had to lot line -- we couldn't lot line adjust, we had to replat and do some
other things and this -- the whole idea around this is you need to know the uses that are
going to go in, but we don't know, you know, roughly--
Newton-Huckabay: Mr. Arnold?
Arnold: I'm sorry.
Newton-Huckabay: I'm sorry. I think we are starting to repeat the point. Is this
applicant response or public testimony or -- because we are starting to drag on here.
Zaremba: It's been a little flexible. You answered my question, so --
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Arnold: I'm sorry.
Zaremba: Thank you. Are there any other questions of Mr. Arnold?
Newton-Huckabay: I have none.
Zaremba: All right. Assuming Mr. Seal wants to speak again, we will give him the final
word.
Moore: Commissioners, Winston Moore, at 11655 Thomas Drive in Boise.
Nary: Mr. Chairman.
Moore: Just two or three quick things. With respect to the neighbors, we are certainly
going to do for these neighbors what we have done with all the neighbors in the past.
We are going to respect their wishes and their rights and it sounds to me like about the
only consideration there is the -- perhaps the width of the landscape buffer. If you folks
or the neighbors insist that it's 25 feet, that's, obviously, what we will do. Respectfully, I
think that a narrower buffer with a fence would accomplish a lot more than a flat or
slightly mounded 25-foot buffer. The buffer doesn't do anything for sound. It certainly
doesn't do anything for headlights. And so my -~ if the neighbors would agree and we
won't solve that at this meeting, probably, but I just want to repeat, we will do whatever
these folks really think we should do. And I'm of the opinion that the fence would be a
lot more satisfactory and beneficial to them than just a landscape buffer. Mr. Borup
asked about how -- I believe about how many business that we are pretty well along in
our negotiations with. I can tell you that the Sterling Savings Bank on the corner, we
have a letter of intent from them. We are drafting right now at their request the build to
suit lease agreement. We are going to build their facility for them. Design it. I mean in
concert with each other. We are going to own it and lease it to them. That one's done.
And, then, just -- I think I have a pointer here. All right. This is the bank, of course. We
have a letter of intent and these people are anxious for us to go beyond that for a
restaurant. we have a national restaurant right here with a letter of intent. And some of
these the community is going to be really pleased to see that they are coming to
Meridian. This is an Italian restaurant with a -- frankly, a Blimpy as part of it. This may
or may not be. They tell us it will be. We don't have anything in writing yet. I'll just
name some names. Panda Express, which is, as you know, a Chinese restaurant. So,
we are pretty well along with a lot of those negotiations. And I think that you will find a
year or two from now that when you go back and superimpose what we have built on
this, there isn't going to be that much variation. Just one more quick thing with respect
to the plat not being exactly fixed as the way it will ultimately be. This is, essentially,
what we did at EI Dorado. I think what Silverstone is doing. If you come in sincerely
with what you think you're going to need, but it never works out that way, unless it's a
residential subdivision. It just ~- things change and that's one of the reasons I think you
allow in your ordinance for lot line adjustments. So, we are not -- we are coming in with
something that's vague and nebulous. This isn't going to be, in that context,
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significantly different than EI Dorado and Silverstone, which I don't think have been a
problem for you. It's just -- the neighbors -- again, I have not met these folks, but we
have every intention of cooperating with them. If you have any questions for me.
Zaremba: Thank you.
Moore: Thank you.
Nary: Mr. Chairman?
Zaremba: We will give Mr. Seal a couple of minutes. Mr. Moore took some of the ten.
Nary: Mr. Chairman?
Zaremba: Yes.
Nary: Before you finish that, Mr. Arnold's testimony went well beyond your normal three
minute testimony, to it basically being an additional presentation, and you had already
had your rebuttal testimony. It's unorthodox, but your testimony to preserve your
record, your might want to be assured that those people have an opportunity to rebut
that. His testimony should have been part of the initial presentation, not in the middle of
all the other testimony. I think you have a risk of having a defective record without
allowing those people to have that opportunity to rebut what he had to say if they wish
to, before you get to the final word from Mr. Seal.
Zaremba: Okay. We will do that. I appreciate that advice. Mrs. McKay, as a
spokesman for the others, do you care to comment on the further things that have been
added? Okay. She does not have anything to add to that. So, Mr. Seal, we will ask
you to conclude. And briefly, please.
Seal: Very briefly. It's not really a rebuttal. I think for one, to Mr. Sasser, I apologize on
that comment, because I meant it one way and, obviously, it come out another way on
the freeway, so I apologize. And, Becky, I guess I learned something about
communication tonight. She was under the impression that I was going to call her. I
was under the impression that if she wanted to she would call me. So, that's where it
stood and, unfortunately, instead of getting together and avoiding all this tonight, we
didn't, we are doing it here. So, I guess I bear some responsibility. But had I known I
certainly would have gotten together with the neighbors. That's always been my style.
Apparently, this one just got muddied up, so -- and, obviously, at this point if the
neighbors want to get together, we are glad to get together with them if they have any
concerns. That's always been our style and will continue to be our style. So, maybe
that's a little bit of my fault, too. So, I bear some responsibility. As far as Mr. Sasser,
we can certainly address his concerns with the lights, we can go with the six or even a
seven foot fence. So, I think we can address his concerns with the lighting if necessary.
It sounds to me like that's really the only issue there. So, however long he stays there,
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we can address that. If he'd like to, we would be glad to sit down with him and get that
worked out and stuff. So, with that, I will sit down.
Zaremba: This was kind of an off-of-the-wall question that I asked Mr. Sasser, but
would you see any interest in preserving the ability of cross-access between what
eventually might happen on his property?
Seal: I think I would -- let me put it this way: I think we would certainly look at that. You
know, I don't think we -- you know, I think, as you well know, Winston Moore is not an
unreasonable person.
Zaremba: Sure.
Seal: And if there is something, we could certainly take a look. We would be glad to
look.
Zaremba: I think the reason I asked that question --
Seal: I think it's a reasonable question.
Zaremba: We are talking about 10.9 acres.
Seal: Yes.
Zaremba: And even a residential development of that size would be required one or
maybe even two stub streets to the neighboring property and ~-
Seal: Yeah. It might be a win~win for all of us.
Zaremba: We will assume that the rest of it some day, who knows when, will be
commercial, the cross~access is appealing to me. I don't know about anybody else. But
even if the 25 foot landscape buffer were the eventual result, I still think there should be
holes in it that would allow some cross-access, so --
Seal: If there is cross-access, that would all go away, the 25 feet. At least that's the
way it's got to ~- but we -- you know, we will certainly work with them and if there is any
interpretation on the neighbor's part that we didn't want to, we apologize for that, that's
never been our intention, but, apparently, that seemed to come across, so --
Zaremba: Let me ask a couple of things that are probably ACHD issues, not ours, but
just in looking at your concept. They have made the requirement that you put a six-inch
high median strip on Eagle Road.
Seal: Actually, what you have got is is you got the draft staff report. We had that
modified. Apparently, you didn't get that.
--.. -.-------....----..-
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Zaremba: Okay.
Seal: Because you can see, there is no point in it to have a median there, because
when they turn in they are pretty well locked in.
Zaremba: I am agreeing with you. That doesn't seem like an appropriate place to put it.
However, it would make sense to me to put the same thing on Eagle Road.
Seal: There is one on Eagle Road right there.
Zaremba: It already exists?
Seal: Yes.
Zaremba: Okay. I'm sorry.
Seal: Yes. There is one there. We had to put that in with EI Dorado Business Campus
when we did Farmers and Merchants.
Zaremba: Next would be a discussion of the sidewalk. I guess some of the sidewalk
already exists, but this little portion up here that goes out, the peninsula or the spit,
makes me pretty uncomfortable. My thinking would be if there is a requirement to
provide a meandering sidewalk, that there should be a cross-over where the traffic is
going the slowest and not bring pedestrians ~~ I would even try and remove that portion
of the sidewalk.
Seal: Yeah. I think we probably -- you know, we would be looking at some type of
meandering sidewalk. It might be across here, which would probably be a little bit safer,
and, then, have it meandering through here. Where it goes from there, I guess you're
on your own. But, yeah, I think that's what we --
Zaremba: I'm not sure those are our staff issues, that's probably ACHD's staff issue.
Seal: You know, we certainly can accommodate or take a meandering sidewalk down
to some point.
Zaremba: We are all thinking the safety of any pedestrians that may -- we do need to
preserve the need for pedestrians, even though they are not going to walk across the
freeway, there may some day be bus service and a sidewalk is how they would access
it. So, it sounds like we are thinking in the same direction, so that's good.
Seal: Okay.
Zaremba: Commissioners, any other questions?
Seal: All right. Thank you very much.
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Zaremba: Oh, I did have one other question. And that is probably a question for maybe
staff, but while you're here, I'll ask you if you know this. My recollection is that 1-84, as
either an entryway corridor or something -- aren't there design review requirements
along 1-84? Do we need to mention submitting for design review anything that faces 1-
84 or exactly what is that --
Guenther: We don't have the design review for that type of an issue. Normally, that's
addressed during the submittal of elevations and this board would either ask for a height
reduction or additional landscaping, something to mitigate if you felt that it was going to
impact the -- the appearance of the entryway corridor for the city. You have seen the
elevation for the hotel and if you're comfortable with the way that's going to look or if you
would like to see more detail submitted to the City Councilor back to this Commission,
that's something you could ask for as well.
Zaremba: Okay.
Guenther: And we don't have design reviews, but --
Zaremba: Okay.
Nary: Mr. Chairman?
Zaremba: I thought I heard that somewhere. Mr. Nary.
Nary: Yeah. Mr. Chairman, Members of the Commission, if there are some concerns
or some assurance that this Commission is seeking, I know the staff originally had
thought a development agreement wasn't necessary, but that's certainly another option
is to have a development agreement to address those concerns on the buildings that
may be oriented towards the freeway.
Zaremba: Okay. Any other questions?
Borup: Yes, Mr. Chairman.
Zaremba: Commissioner Borup.
Borup: And maybe just an idea in concept, but on ~- speaking of the amenity seating,
would you agree that ~- as staff's contention that, really, to be feasible and usable it
needs to be more central to the other buildings and the location where it is now probably
isn't real practical?
Seal: Yes. We think that's a reasonable request and I think as we start to develop this,
I think -~ I think that's a possibility. There are a couple of spots that would probably work
better than this and let's put it here.
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Borup: Okay. So, that would be a desire to get it closer to the building in order to be
usable?
Seal: Sure.
Borup: And the other, I don't know if it's really a question or a comment. It appears to
me that the ~~ and maybe this isn't really pertinent, but the hotel rendering and the
footprint don't really seem to match each other.
Seal: Well, they don't entirely, because it's a rendering, it's just kind of a general one.
What we were trying to do is give you what it's going to be --
Borup: So, that was not ~- that rendering --
Seal: It's not a construction drawing or a specific rendering for this one. That's their
general. So, it's going to look very close to that, but it's not going to be that
Borup: I mean the shape of the building wasn't even close.
Seal: No. That's was going to be -- but you're going to see what -- the kind of
construction, what the appearance is going to be. It's an approximation.
Moe: We know it's going to be a hotel.
Seal: We know it's a hotel and it's going to be a Marriott. There you go.
Borup: And it could be that architectural style.
Seal: And it could be that architectural style. Other than that, we don't know.
Moe: One question I have. I'm a little bit -- number one, I love the development, I think
it's going to be a great -- a great great add to the city and whatnot, but based upon, you
know, getting the changes and whatnot in such short time frames and we have got -- we
still have some issues in regards to the buffers and whatnot and the fencing and
whatnot I guess I'm -- I'm somewhat reluctant to try and structure this thing, you know,
for me tonight, to go ahead and make the conditions and move it on. I guess I'm going
to ask you do you have any problem if we do a continuation to try and get some of these
issues resolved in regard to the screening and the buffers and whatnot with the city,
along with the courtyard, but basically just trying to clean up some of these issues. I'm
not talking a long continuation, but I just think just enough time to get some of the things
worked out. I, myself, would like to see it come back to this body prior to it going to City
Council, so that at least I know what it looks like before it goes to Council.
Seal: Obviously, we can't say no to that, but our preference would be is -- and I think ~~
I talked with staff about that today, because, quite honestly, I had some concerns about
this point and I apologize for bringing this in at the last minute, but we also are very
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anxious to get started on this project. I know Winston is typical chomping at the bit to
get started. We'd like to get the infrastructure started here as soon as possible, which is
once we get approvals and we start moving forward. So, P&Z -- the next P&Z hearing
is two weeks away, which, then, we have already gone from just an annexation rezone
to a PUD, and if we postpone it a month, we have lost a month and a half. So, I would
ask if at all possible if we can give it the old college try and try to get this cleaned up and
get it to City Council. And staff at least has indicated to me that they can do that. So,
I'm kind of relying on staff with that respect. So, if we could, I would appreciate it.
Obviously, we can't tell you no, but that's sure what I'd like to do.
Borup: Mr. Chairman?
Zaremba: Commissioner Borup.
Borup: Maybe to continue what Commissioner Moe said -- and just to see if I got it
clear in my mind the things that you had concerns with. The notes I had was, really, the
staff comments on the 25-foot buffer to a five foot and your preference is five foot. And,
then, the landscaping on Eagle Road to include the sidewalk within that and make
allowances for the access road. And that's -- you know, I didn't see anything else.
Seal: On the CUs, we are agreeable to that, on these lots, and so, you know, again,
somebody could come back. I think, again, as Mr. Sasser said -- and I'm -~ hopefully,
I'm not misstating him, but it sounds like if we can address his concerns with lighting
here and I think we can do that between now and City Council, I believe that's his
primary concerns, and we will sit down with him, we will meet with him and stuff. So, I
don't see any -- I don't see a lot of things that we need to really address. I understand
that we got a memo, we have got a staff report, but I think when you ~~
Borup: How about a development agreement? Are you okay with keeping that or ~-
Seal: No, I'd rather not. I think that the PUD and we go through with the certificate of
zoning compliance and what have you and we talk to them, you know, in my opinion,
again, I don't -- I don't see the need for that.
Borup: And what's the concern?
Seal: Well, I think it just adds another level of complexity to this. We have to deal with
that. We are -~ you know, we are really showing you we are going to have 35 feet along
here. This is an off ramp. These will be restaurants. This will be a hotel. I'm not sure
where the concern is as far as what might go here. It's obviously going to be quite a
project. This is bordering, for example, residential or a residential street or something
that where I think you would have a level of concern. It's a freeway off ramp. So, I
would prefer to stay away from the development agreement. I think it's just ~- it's
something, in my opinion, that I'm not sure is necessary.
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Borup: And staff did delete that in the new thing, but they left the condition ~- or the
conditional use in there. Okay.
Nary: Mr. Chairman?
Zaremba: Mr. Nary.
Nary: It's nice of Mr. Seal to save me some work, but that's just not really necessary.
The other thing, I guess, I would remind the Commission -- and I guess the City Council
can choose what they want to do -- you know, the recent project that this Commission
and the Council saw regarding the Majestic, had the same issues that Mr. Seal is
saying, but it was oriented to the freeway and that was the only assurance that the
Council could have. Subsequent now is to have a development agreement, to have
some opportunity to have some opportunity to visit what the designs of the building are
and the orientation to the freeway. It is on a collector street, I understand that, but the
front of that building faces the westbound traffic of the freeway and so it mayor not fit ~-
right know, I guess, without having a lot more information, there isn't -- there isn't a way
to determine whether or not it's going to be a distraction for the freeway. But that's just
a method in which to do that and the Council can, then, choose to do that or not, but just
to remind you that we have just revisited -- we just went through this about two months
ago, so -~ just about four months now, so --
Seal: Is the certificate of zoning compliance of concern?
Newton-Huckabay: Mr. Chair?
Zaremba: Commissioner Newton~Huckabay.
Newton-Huckabay: You're going to have to humor me for a minute here, but it often
seems to me when these hearings start to run over an hour, that the homework really
hasn't been done. We have met with the staff and we are doing work that the applicant
should have been doing with the staff sorting out issues that we really shouldn't have to
be sorting out at the Commission level, in my interpretation, and I -- and my little brain
starts to get very confused about this point when we are making all these changes. I
would not feel comfortable moving this onto City Council. I think this work -- and correct
me if I'm wrong -- should have been done by the applicant with the staff prior to this
hearing.
Seal: Well, in some defense, I know Joe, you know, not to make excuses, but Joe was
sick with pneumonia, so we did have some difficulty hooking up, obviously, when he
was not available. Again, we apologize for that. We didn't purposely delay it until the
end, but there was some circumstances there that I think were beyond our control, Joe's
control, my control. In fact, to the point where Craig can attest to it, I called down
Friday, said where is the staff report, we are running out of time. So -- oh, we have had
some situations here. Again, I certainly would ask if we could move it onto City Council.
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I appreciate the fatigue level at this point. But we are -- if you say -- we'd at least like to
get the infrastructure going and get that process done. It's your call.
Zaremba: Let me ask one more question. I just ~;. I'm trying to find the second amenity
and -- we have talked about one of them. A PO requires two. What is the second one?
Seal: I think when I talked with Anna and I think Brad might have been in the meeting,
we recognize with something this small, you know, to try to create something with a
covered area, you would have some seating, you could sit back, as the two amenities,
but we kind of combined the two.
Zaremba: A covered seating area near one of the restaurants?
Seal: Yes. And, then, have seating, maybe have a fountain, maybe have some
landscaping or something like that. So, is it probably at the level of like EI Dorado
Business Campus with 80 acres, where we are talking ten acres -- and, in fact, I think
Anna made the comment one time, this is too small, almost, to be a PUD with all those
amenities. So, I think that's the thinking and Joe may disagree or agree, because I can't
remember if Joe was in that meeting or not, but, anyway, that's our thinking.
Zaremba: Okay. Thank you. Further questions? All right. Thank you very much.
Seal: Thank you.
Zaremba: Just to express an opinion, it's been mentioned that many of the commercial
plats have come back for realignments and readjustments and to me that's a normal
part of the process. You do kind of expect that to happen and, to be honest, the
Winston Moore projects have been a benefit to the city and they have -- every one of
them that I have seen has gone well and neighbors have been treated well. My instinct
on this one is that almost everything that has been talked about can be resolved, but I
think -- I feel like what I think hearing other commissioners say, we don't feel it is
resolved yet and my feeling would be, even a short period of working together with the
staff, even if it was just two more weeks, again, it goes back to our discomfort with
passing things along to the City Council that weren't pretty final when we made the
recommendation. The City Council has asked us not to do that. I think everything can
be resolved and, again, I trust the word that they will get together with the neighbors
and solve what they can solve, get together with the staff and solve what they can
solve, but I would ask the question of staff, would a two week continuance be enough to
resolve issues that you feel may still remain?
Guenther: Mr. Chairman, when it comes to this type of an issue -- I believe that all of
the issues have been resolved tonight. You have to keep in mind that Mr. Seals has
already agreed that all of these properties here will come in for a conditional use, which
is why the buffer for the 25-foot should be a non~issue, because it will have to be
addressed in the future anyhow. Therefore, that buffer, as long as the conditions in the
memo are incorporated into a complete staff report for City Council, I have to do that
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anyhow to make the amendments prior to the City Council meeting. So, if you're
comfortable with the minutes that have been on the record, have the memo, amending
the staff report, that all will be incorporated into one complete staff report prior to City
Council and -~ so, therefore, if you made the recommendation tonight, as we have
discussed, it should be complete going to City Council. There should be no breaks,
there should -- there should be no more discussions between staff and the applicant,
because everything has been ironed out and they have agreed to what has been
presented to tonight. One last point of clarification is that with a planned development
we do see a detailed planned development and you had asked that question before.
Typically with just an annexation and zoning we will see a conceptual plan, but this
came with a plat and a planned development and the planned development should be a
detailed planned development and that's what we only flushed out to this extent earlier
this week and, again, I --
Zaremba: Even though it didn't come as early as we all would have liked, you feel
satisfied that it's ready to move forward to City Council?
Guenther: I feel satisfied that I can get a staff report addressing all of the concerns that
we have discussed, all of the agreements that have come down with this meeting
tonight, and prepare that for City Council. If you would like, I can include a copy of that
with your next packets for your meetings to make sure that I didn't miss anything.
Unless you wanted to table it out to that time and adopt the Findings and Conclusions at
the meeting on the 21 st, whichever way you feel most comfortable doing it, we can
accommodate.
Zaremba: Okay. Any need to re~insert the development agreement to get a design
review or is that going to happen anyhow?
Guenther: That is up to the Commission. Staff doesn't feel that -- that a development
agreement is going to change very much. The original development agreement was
taken out for the fact that with the lack of the detail for the original submission, that staff
had recommended that all lots become conditional, therefore, at that -- with that type of
a condition, a development agreement would be essential. With removing that and
becoming more detailed and calling out the specific lots, requiring the conditional uses,
staff feels comfortable with eliminating the development agreement.
Zaremba: Okay. Works for me. Commissioners?
Borup: Well, I -- a question I had earlier, when you had mentioned two weeks to work
out issues, my question is what are the issues? And I don't know of any, other than
what -~ the couple that we have discussed and I still think those things need to be
discussed by this Commission before we proceed on, in my mind.
Zaremba: I can agree that most of the things that began as issues have been resolved.
I guess my question is do we want to see them in writing before we make the
recommend or --
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Borup: But which ones would ~- I'm not even sure what you're referring to.
Zaremba: Well, the developer's going to work with the neighbors and the staff to solve
their concerns.
Borup: Oh. Okay. So, maybe we need to make a -- maybe we need to have that
discussion and make a recommendation ourselves.
Zaremba: Okay.
Borup: You're talking about a 25-foot buffer. I'd some discussion on that item before I
want to vote on something.
Zaremba: Okay. I personally don't have a problem with a fence line and a smaller
buffer. I think some day we are going to want to punch through and make
interconnectivity and the bigger the buffer is, the less coordinated the neighboring
developments are going to look.
Borup: And I agree with that. I mean I think you got to look at -- you got to look at the
projects in this location, this size of the adjoining lots, the Comp Plan designation and
those ~-
Zaremba: Or, actually, the point on that is that if those lots have to come back for a
CUP anyhow, we can discuss them and that may be -- you know, that may not be
tomorrow that they come back for the CUP, but the situation on the neighboring
properties may have changed by the time we --
Borup: So, you're saying that those last -~ their last -- you're saying that it can be
amended ~~ so, you're feeling that it wouldn't even need to be amended by us at this
point? Changing the 25 -- page two. We just mentioned ~~ the staff report mentions 25-
foot landscape buffers on those locations and, then, the next paragraph says it can be
amended. But, again, for if we are looking for lights and separation and privacy, a six-
foot fence would do more than, you know, one tree every 35 feet.
Zaremba: Or we would have to call it alternate compliance or something like that.
Borup: Right. And they mention that, that they would do some landscaping
compliance, get some denser landscaping with the fence.
Zaremba: Sure.
Borup: The only other thing I ~~ that still in my mind is the development agreement. If
staff feels that's necessary, I mean I would agree, based on past experience with -- with
the previous projects that they have always been first class, but, you know, 25 years
ago we used to buy lots on a handshake with not even a written agreement and
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sometimes it's just good business to do things properly, whether -- you know, it has
nothing to do with whether you trust the person to do a good job or not.
Hawkins~Clark: Chairman Zaremba, could I just add one point on that?
Zaremba: Brad. Please.
Hawkins-Clark: On the development agreement issue, the city attorney made the
reference to the Majestic Theater. I think the main difference there is we did not have a
planned development.
Zaremba: Okay.
Hawkins~Clark: You know, I mean the Conditional Use Permit is going to run with the
land and if you ~- you want to see some conditions that run with the land, put them in a
Conditional Use Permit. I think that's the big difference. If you didn't have a Conditional
Use Permit, then, definitely a DA. I think that's just ~~ unless there is something I'm not
seeing, but I think that was -- as far as the clarification on some of these projects, you
know, it's just as effective of a tool to carry conditions with the property.
Borup: Oh, I may have misunderstood. Are we looking at a conditional use on every
building or just the western boundary?
Zaremba: Just selected properties.
Borup: Okay. That's what I thought. That's what I thought.
Guenther: Yeah. It's just the select properties. And there is even a condition in there
that they don't have to construct the landscape buffer along that property line in order to
start building other buildings. So, they can come in and get their hotel certificate of
zoning compliance after they file their preliminary plat and not have to do 25~foot
landscape buffer until those lots develop. Once those lots develop, then, they come
back to this board and through reviewing the detailed site plans for those buildings, you
will determine if the five foot landscape buffer with a fence is going to be appropriate or
if you'd like to go with the 25-foot landscape buffer and, therefore, that 25-foot should be
a non-issue at this time, because you're going to see it again.
Zaremba: Or even if the neighboring property has changed use.
Guenther: There is a clause in there that says if the neighboring property changes use,
all of those conditions go away. So, if this property -- Mr. Sasser's property is annexed
as a C-G property, all of the conditions for Lots 1,2, 3, 15, and 16 are void.
Zaremba: Okay.
Nary: Mr. Chairman?
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July 7, 2005
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Zaremba: Mr. Nary.
Nary: Again, it doesn't really make a big difference to me either way, but I was under
the impression that those northern-most properties, the hotel, those restaurants, don't
have a conditional use, that there aren't any conditions placed upon them, because of
where they are located and oriented. So, I don't know whether or not there is any other
thing besides zoning compliance to have some assurance as to how those are. This is
a major entry corridor to the city, I agree Mr. Moore has always built first class projects,
so that's not -- it's a concern with Mr. Moore, but this is an ongoing, a long-term project,
so -- but there isn't another method that I'm aware of for those locations. The CUs are
all on the bottom, on the southern portion of the property, not on the top. Unless I
misunderstood.
Zaremba: No. I think that's the way I understood it. I'm agreeing with you.
Nary: The development agreement process that we have implemented since I have
been here is significantly faster than the previous process. Actually, most of the time
the developer is the one that makes the process to take longer. Normally, if the City
Council approves it on a Tuesday night, most times we can have that to the developer
within a week. And so the process from our end doesn't take very long. Sometimes the
developer can take up to 18 months to sign the development agreement, but that's in
their ballpark to get that done. We can get it to them fairly quickly. So, if it's a concern
about a delay in the development agreement, that hasn't been our experience in the last
eight months.
Zaremba: Okay. Commissioner Newton-Huckabay.
Newton-Huckabay: Mr. Chairman, I recommend we close the Public Hearing on AZ 05-
019, PP 05~0 ~- it's 24, not 20; right?
Zaremba: Two four is the correct number.
Newton~Huckabay: ~- 24 and CUP 05-031.
Moe: Second.
Zaremba: We have a motion and a second. All in favor say aye. Any opposed?
Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: FOUR AYES. ONE ABSENT.
Borup: Do we want any discussion of a motion?
Zaremba: Well, my sense is we all think this is a good project. The question is do we
want to noodle the details.
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Borup: The only two things that I'm contemplating on is if we want to mention
recommendation on that landscape buffer and a development agreement. Beyond that,
the staff report I think handles everything else. Well, it handles that, too, but --
Zaremba: Well, Mr. Nary's point is that a development agreement that would allow
some design review on the properties that don't need to come back for a CUP -- I mean
we have agreed that the southwestern properties are all going to come back for a CUP.
On the northern properties that don't come back for a CUP, a development agreement,
for design review, since they face the freeway and our entryway corridor, I think is a
reasonable request.
Borup: And that's the things that -- you know, I'm really looking forward to this. I'm
looking forward to, you know, want to eat, go out there and you drive around in circles
for five minutes deciding what food you want, but we will have to see how soon that
happens.
Zaremba: Well, I was going to suggest that they contact Cheesecake Factory. It's a
national chain and it's outstanding and we need one.
Borup: I don't think it hurts to add something like a development agreement. It's not
going to really impede the project. That's just -- that's just good business, it seems to
me.
Zaremba: I'm on board with that. Are we ready for a motion?
Borup: Do we need to mention anything on the landscape buffer or just leave it as in
the staff report? I mean five feet with some alternate extra landscaping and a six foot
fence to me handles things real well.
Zaremba: That would satisfy me, but I think the staff's point is we can decide that when
we see the CUP.
Borup: Okay. And see if anything changes between now and then.
Zaremba: Yeah.
Borup: All right.
Newton~Huckabay: Don't forget your meandering sidewalk.
Zaremba: Uh~huh.
Borup: That's right. That doesn't ~- that's back in the original staff report; right?
Guenther: I'm sorry, which portion was that?
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Borup: The sidewalk.
Guenther: Yes. That's in the original staff report. That hasn't changed.
Borup: What page would that be on? Is that on the preliminary plat?
Guenther: Preliminary plat, site-specific comment number three.
Borup: Number three. I went over that too fast.
Guenther: From what we have determined, the sidewalk on Eagle Road and Overland
Road were constructed within the existing right of way and which is why they would not
be included with the landscape buffer.
Borup: The existing ones you say are?
Guenther: Yes. They have already built those sidewalks in there, which is why the
property line doesn't start until -- on the other side of the sidewalk on -- and that's why
the 35 feet is referenced on that.
Borup: So, with this concept submitted, we don't know where that 35 feet starts, is that
what you're saying?
Guenther: It starts at the back of the curb. On the ~-
Borup: But you don't know whether it's drawn that way or not.
Guenther: No. And that's why this isn't a condition. On the ~- Mr. Seal referenced the
EI Dorado Business Park. With that one they didn't build attached sidewalks, they built
meandering sidewalks, which were incorporated into a 35-foot landscape buffer. But
when ACHD did the north side of Overland Road, they attached the sidewalks, which is
an ACHD build issue. So, therefore, that was incorporated into the right of way.
Whereas the sidewalks on the EI Dorado development were incorporated into the
landscape buffer.
Borup: See, in my mind, south of Overland is where you're going to have some ~~ going
to have some pedestrian traffic. North of Overland I don't see a lot of pedestrian traffic
heading over the freeway. I don't see a lot of ~-
Zaremba: Only enough pedestrians to maybe assemble for a bus stop.
Borup: On Eagle Road?
Zaremba: Yeah. That's a logical place for bus service.
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Newton-Huckabay: Wasn't the question just if we would allow a meandering sidewalk?
Moe: I guess I would --
Borup: This would be a change of the staff report. Yeah.
Moe: And based on your comment about not much walking, you've got two hotels on
the north side of the freeway and a lot of restaurants on the south side, I can anticipate
you're going to have walking over there at times.
Borup: Over the freeway?
Moe: You bet you. You bet. I wouldn't.
Zaremba: There is no pedestrian lane on that bridge, is there?
Moe: There isn't?
Zaremba: I don't think so.
Moe: Well, maybe not, then.
Zaremba: I don't think there is a sidewalk.
Borup: That's what I was thinking.
Newton~Huckabay: Are we going to do a meandering sidewalk or a straight sidewalk,
guys?
Zaremba: My assessment is to the north the sidewalk isn't really going to go anywhere.
There does need to be a portion of sidewalk to accommodate public transportation, but
it's not necessarily going to connect across the freeway to anything. So, it doesn't make
any difference to me whether it's meandering or not, necessarily.
Guenther Mr. Chairman?
Zaremba: Yes.
Guenther: The issue at hand, I believe, with the meandering sidewalk is the fact that
this sidewalk right here on Eagle Road has already been built.
Zaremba: Right.
Guenther: If you put this curb cut in here and this drive aisle goes right in, this
deceleration lane into the project, they are going to have to eliminate the existing
sidewalk, so they are going to have to tear it out in order to put this type of drive in. And
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July 7, 2005
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like what Mr. Hawkins-Clark just mentioned, when they have to redo the sidewalk in
there, this portion -- they may relocate the sidewalk in the landscape buffer at this
location.
Borup: That was my assumption, that the existing sidewalk would stay, and, then, it
would come off of that and then -~
Zaremba: The new sidewalk can be counted within the 35 feet.
Guenther: That is correct.
Zaremba: It doesn't have to be in addition to the 35 feet. That's what Mr. Seal was
trying to clarify.
Guenther: Yes.
Zaremba: Where did he go? I lost him.
Borup: That was my assumption.
Zaremba: Okay. So, adding this -- this entryway is going to cause a reconfiguration
anyhow and if they put a meandering sidewalk into the landscape buffer, it's within the
35 feet, anything new they put in.
Guenther: And as Mr. Seal stated earlier, this section for Eagle Road north of that
access point does require alternative compliance and they are going to provide
additional green space within the development in order to mitigate the loss of the
roughly 14 feet of the drive aisle and the meandering sidewalk. Our ordinance currently
says that if you have 35 feet you can't count that sidewalk. So, if you have 35 feet with
a meandering sidewalk, it all of a sudden becomes 40 feet. So, you can't count the
sidewalk in there anyhow, because these are seven foot attached sidewalks on
Overland Road, where there is five foot detached meandering sidewalks on the EI
Dorado ~~ on the south side of Overland Road here.
Borup: That EI Dorado has 35 feet or are you saying has 40 feet?
Guenther: Our ordinance says that you cannot count the sidewalk.
Borup: Unless we make an exception.
Guenther: Unless you approve it as an alternative compliance, which is what they are
requesting here.
Borup: Okay. Are we ready?
Zaremba: Certainly.
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Moe: Go for it.
Zaremba: Please proceed. Commissioner Borup.
Borup: Mr. Chairman, I move we forward to City Council recommending approval of AZ
05-019, request for annexation and zoning of Dorado project, with two sets of staff
reports, one for public ~~ both for Public Hearing July 7th, one with a transmittal date of
July 1 st and the second with ~~ what was the date? I guess July 7th. Today. With all
staff comments, with --
Zaremba: Might say -- just to say as modified by the memorandum.
Borup: Yes. And I want to eliminate one strike out, though.
Zaremba: Okay.
Borup: I thought. Isn't that under the zoning? I got too many pieces of paper here.
Okay. Oh. Okay. No, I do not have any other modifications on the annexation. End of
motion.
Moe: I'll second.
Borup: Did I hear a second?
Moe: Yes.
Zaremba: Okay. We have a motion and a second. All in favor say aye. Any opposed?
Newton-Huckabay: Opposed.
Zaremba: We have three in favor and one opposed and one absent. Motion carries.
MOTION CARRIED: THREE AYES. ONE NAY. ONE ABSENT.
Borup: Mr. Chairman, I move we forward to City Council recommending approval of
continued Public Hearing PP 05~024, request for preliminary plat approval of 16
commercial building lots on 10.9 acres, proposed Dorado Subdivision, to include all staff
reports for Public Hearing of July 7th, with -- I lost that again. Today's -- today's memo,
the one that had a strike out; right? To eliminate the strike out on page two, under
special consideration preliminary plat, the development agreement -- in other words,
that would be included. I believe end of motion. Anything else that needs to be there?
Guenther: Mr. Commissioner, were you going to include ~-