SALT LAKE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION
451 South State Street, Room 315
Present from the Planning Commission were Chairperson Kimball Young, Max Smith, Gilbert lker, Diana Kirk, Judi Short, Fred Fife, Andrea Barrows and Carlton Christensen. Aria Funk and Jim McRea were excused.
Present from the Planning Staff were Planning Director William T. Wright, Brent Wilde, Doug Wheelwright, Margaret Pahl, Ray McCandless, Craig Hinckley and Doug Dansie.
A roll is being kept of all who attended the Planning Commission meeting. The meeting was called to order at 5:05 p.m. by Mr. Young. Minutes are presented in agenda order, not necessarily as cases were heard by the Planning Commission. Tapes of the meeting will be retained in the Planning Office for a period of one year, after which, they will be erased.
Mr. Young welcomed Andrea Barrows as a new member of the Planning Commission.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Smith moved to approve the minutes of Thursday, January 23, 1997 as presented. Ms. Kirk seconded the motion. Mr. Christensen, Mr. Fife, Ms. Barrows, Ms. Short, Ms. Kirk, Mr. Smith and Mr. lker voted "Aye." Mr. McRea and Ms. Funk were not present. Mr. Young, as Chair, did not vote. The motion passed.
PETITIONS
PUBLIC HEARING - Receive public comment on the "Salt Lake City Area Railroad Consolidation Implementation Plan Final Report" and consideration of a Federal Transit Administration CFTA) 49 United States Code <USC) Section 5309 [formerly Section 3] grant application to be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration.
Mr. Tim Harpst, Director of the Transportation Division, was present for this portion of the meeting. Mr. Harpst stated that the Salt Lake City Area Railroad Consolidation Implementation Plan is a combination of a one year long effort sponsored by Salt Lake City Corporation, UDOT and the services of Sear-Brown and several subconsultants to perform an analysis of this matter.
Mr. Steve Meyer, project manager from Sear-Brown, gave a brief overview of the Railroad Consolidation Implementation Plan outlining the major issues and the findings of fact, a copy of which is filed with the minutes. The staff report identified the 300 North viaduct as a major point of concern based upon comments received from the community. Mr. Meyer addressed the 300 North grade separation. It is being recommended, for safety reasons, that the train traffic be separated from the automobile, pedestrian and bicycle traffic at 300 North and provide a safe corridor to West High School. The plan suggests a viaduct rather than an underpass. The neighborhood has expressed concerns that this may increase traffic and that it may also cause a neighborhood separation.
Mr. Young opened the hearing to the public and asked if anyone wished to address the Planning Commission.
Mr. Bill Bond, President of Metro Steel Recyclers, Inc., presented a letter which states that maintaining rail service is necessary for the survival of his company. A copy of the letter is filed with the minutes.
Mr. Kevin-Bruce Mahaffey, a resident from the neighborhood, stated that he is opposed to the 300 North viaduct. He feels that the viaduct will increase crime in the neighborhood and make it an unsafe place for the children walking to and from the youth center and West High School.
Ms. Raven Rivera, a resident from the neighborhood, stated that she is opposed to the 300 North viaduct because she feels that it will make the neighborhood unsafe for the children.
Mr. Arnold Antell, representing Mountain Cement, a business that utilizes the rail service, stated that he would like to be kept informed so that he will know what impact the project will have on his business.
Mr. Randy Sorenson, representing Holnam, a business that utilizes the rail service, stated that he would like to see the City petition UDOT and have them help some of the businesses relocate.
Mr. Leo Montoya, a resident from the neighborhood, stated that he is opposed to the 300 North viaduct because he feels that it will make the neighborhood unsafe for the children.
Mr. Scot Barraclough mentioned that he was speaking from three different views. First, as a resident from the neighborhood, he is opposed to the 300 North viaduct. As a representative from Salt Lake Neighborhood Housing Services, they would prefer an underpass at 300 North rather than an overpass and have the underpass be at a restricted height. Finally, as Vice-chair for the State Fairpark Community Council, they request that a decision not be made until after the entire plan can be reviewed by the Community Council at their next meeting which will be February 28, 1997. A letter from Russ Jacobsen, Chairperson for the State Fairpark Community Council, is filed with the minutes.
Mr. Stephen Goldsmith, a concerned citizen, stated that Mayor Corradini hosted a "City Design Workshop" recently that consisted of a committee of designers and planners from all over the country. The committee members discussed many issues, one of which was the use of the two depots for all kinds of uses. The committee members are preparing a report that is not due until March. Mr. Goldsmith feels that waiting for the committee's recommendation would be a good idea so that all opportunities are looked at and considered. Mr. Goldsmith also stated some concerns regarding the quality of design that will go into the viaducts.
Mr. Roger Borgenicht, Director of Assist and Chair of the Future Moves Coalition, stated that a long range approach needs to be considered for the location, character, treatment and priority that an intermodal center offers in an opportunity such as this one. A goal should be to attempt to reduce alliance on the private automobile by emphasizing other modes of travel. If passenger rail is to succeed, it must be integrated in a very central way into community development patterns Mr. Borgenicht also stated that a full analysis and options be kept open to look at giving the intermodal center a front door location and make it convenient, attractive and affordable for people to use something other than their car for almost every trip they take.
Ms. LuAnn Fawcett, Director of Housing and Development Services, stated that the 300 North crossing should be well thought out and well planned so that it will not negatively impact the neighborhood. She also encouraged that there be a lot of community input.
Upon receiving no further requests to address the Planning Commission, Mr. Young
closed the hearing to the public and asked Mr. Meyer to address some of the concerns mentioned by the public.
Mr. Meyer addressed the concerns of the public. He stated that he will be meeting with the State Fairpark Community Council on February 27, 1997 to start discussions on the project. The 300 North crossing will be one of the later phases of the project, it will be we11 thought out and community input will be considered.
Mr. Young opened the hearing for Planning Commission discussion. Major items of discussion were the intermodal facility and 300 North. There were concerns expressed that the location of the mainline not prohibit potential use of the existing rail terminals as an integrated part of the intermodal facility. That the mainline be located along the existing 600 West track in order to facilitate the shortening of the viaducts. The proposed intermodal location at 600 West will be critical to any future plans, but it may need to be expanded to include additional land to encompass the existing rail depot. Also, that further study be conducted at 300 North to determine whether an underpass is technically feasible.
Motion on Salt Lake City Area Railroad Consolidation Implementation Plan - Final Report:
Mr. Smith moved to approve the Railroad Consolidation Implementation Plan based on the findings of fact and subject to the clarifications listed in the staff report with the stipulation that the 300 North overpass be restudied and that effort be made to incorporate the Rio Grande Depot as part of the intermodal. Ms. Kirk seconded the motion. Ms. Kirk added that the 300 North railroad crossing, the intermodal facility and the final design come back to the Planning Commission and that the business concerns are addressed. Mr. Christensen suggested that the Commission strongly encourage that there be a consensus arrived with the community about the design or the type of crossing at 300 North. Mr. Smith accepted the modifications to the motion. Mr. Christensen, Mr. Fife, Ms. Barrows, Ms. Short, Ms. Kirk, Mr. Smith and Mr. lker voted "Aye." Mr. McRea and Ms. Funk were not present. Mr. Young, as Chair, did not vote. The motion passed.
PUBLIC HEARING - Petition No. 410-256 by Bob Burns requesting a conditional use
for a residential planned development consisting of six single family lots located at 1429 West Van Buren Avenue in a Residential "R-1/7000" zoning district.
Ms. Margaret Pahl presented the staff report outlining the major issues of the case, the findings of fact and the staff recommendation, a copy of which is filed with the minutes.
Ms. Kirk asked why there is no landscaping along the east side of the property.
Ms. Pahl stated that the affected City departments recommended that there be a sidewalk in lieu of landscaping to stay consistent with the existing sidewalk.
Mr. Christensen asked about the utilities and wondered why they were not dedicated.
Ms. Pahl responded that Public Utilities has a policy stating that they will only maintain utilities that are under a City owned street. Therefore, if the street was being dedicated then the utilities could also be dedicated.
Mr. Bob Burns stated that he agreed with the staff report and recommendations. He noted that the street design had been changed from a hammerhead to a circular design. Mr. Burns then stated that his reason for not dedicating the street is because it would require a 50 foot right-of-way which would make the property uneconomical to develop.
Mr. Young opened the hearing to the public and asked if anyone wished to address the Planning Commission. Upon receiving no response, he closed the hearing to the public and opened it for Planning Commission discussion.
Motion on Petition No. 41 0-256:
Ms. Kirk moved to approve Petition No. 410-256, based on the findings of fact and subject to the conditions listed in the staff report with the additions that the Planning Director look at landscaping as an alternative to the sidewalk and that the City should look into changing the specifications for future street dedications. Mr. Christensen seconded the motion. Mr. Christensen, Mr. Fife, Ms. Barrows, Ms. Short, Ms. Kirk, Mr. Smith and Mr. lker voted "Aye." Mr. McRea and Ms. Funk were not present. Mr. Young, as Chair, did not vote. The motion passed.
PLANNING ISSUES
Update on the location map for telecommunication cellular antennae. colocation issues and equipment abandonment issues.
Messrs. Wilde and McCandless presented a map that has been prepared reflecting a three to five year plan outlining locations of present and future cellular antennae for wall and building mounted structures as well as monopoles. The map is a compilation of the five companies in the telecorr1munication industry. Mr. Wilde stated that since the Telecommunication Subcommittee now has a good understanding of what to expect in the future, it is recommended that the "informal hold" be taken off and that the City can start receiving and processing applications again. Mr. Wilde then explained that some of the companies are manufacturing every pole for colocation. In most cases, colocation means an additional height of 20 feet and an additional set of antennae. Therefore, the subcommittee recommends that each application be evaluated with colocation in mind, but not mandate that every pole be designed for colocation. The abandonment issue was also discussed. The subcommittee first looked at performance bonds and then concluded that the current ordinance, with a provision for a 30 day notice for removal, would be sufficient. At the end of the 30 days, the City has the ability to write a citation as a zoning violation with an accruing daily penalty. However, if we were to take the next step, a performance bond would be the answer. The Planning Commission asked staff to look into putting a cap on the telecommunication antennae. A new subcommittee was created to discuss and update the ordinance for foothill communication towers.
Messrs. McRea and Fife were selected to serve on the subcommittee.
Briefing on the Arcadia Heights'H" Rock Small Area Plan.
Mr. Hinckley outlined the properties involved for the small area plan. He stated that the same process used for a full plan will be used for this plan. Since this plan is for property in the foothills, staff will concentrate on aspects surrounding foothill development. Some of the main points of discussion will be whether or not vacant properties are suitable for development, environmental issues related to foothill development, seismic issues, rock fall, debris flows, wildlife habitat, traffic circulation in existing subdivisions, impact on traffic in the vicinity and other issues that may arise as a result of open houses and community council meetings. Mr. Hinckley then stated that staff has already begun meeting with the community councils in relation to this area. As part of the planning process, staff will be working closely with the Salt Lake County Planning Director.
A short discussion followed as to how the process should get started. It was decided that a subcommittee should be formed to be a part of the discussions and details for this small area plan. The City will then hold a series of open houses to get the public involved and the subcommittee informed. After the open houses, the subcommittee will report back to the full commission before an issues only hearing is held.
Mr. Hinckley stated that he will prepare a schedule of future meetings for the commission.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. lker commented on the fact that Mr. Dave Winder, a personal friend of his, spoke very highly of the planning staff. Mr. Winder sent a letter outlining some of his concerns with foothill scarring. He was very impressed with the fact that a response, by Mr. Wheelwright, was very expeditious and professional.
Mr. lker then stated that he feels very uncomfortable with the fact that the Redevelopment Agency uses public moneys for developments then later denies public access to the investments they have made. He asked staff to research this and then report back to the full commission.
Mr. Wright updated the Commission on Senate Bill 14 which pertains to billboards. He stated that the bill got advanced out of the corr1mittee. The City has prepared a counter bill focusing on fairness and addressing the problem of relocating billboards along 1-15 that will be removed due to the upcoming construction. Mr. Wright then encouraged the commission members to call their senator to try to get the bill stopped. Mr. lker stated that he prepared a letter, speaking against Senate Bill14, and has faxed it to every senator and house of representative.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.