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1 Star City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2014 The regular meeting of the Star City Council was held on November 18, 2014 at Star City Hall, 10769 W. State Street, Star, Idaho. Mayor Nathan Mitchell called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm and all stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call: Council persons Chad Bell, Tom Erlebach, Richard Lockett and Tammy McDaniel were all present. Approval of the Agenda: Erlebach moved to approve the agenda, Lockett seconded the motion. All aye: motion carried. Consent Agenda: McDaniel moved to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of: Regular Meeting Minutes for October 21, 2014 and Claims Against the City for October 2014, Lockett seconded the motion. All aye: motion carried. Presentations/Public Input: The Land Trust Presentation – Tim Breuer – Tim Breuer, Land Trust of Idaho, pointed out the flyer in front of the Council and explained some of the activities they have been doing this past year. They have had a stewardship coordinator working with a Star Elementary fourth grade class once a month, participated in a program called “Bird by Bird”, planting of new cottonwood trees, and eradication of invasive shrubs along the River Walking path by natural means. He has been in discussions with the Mayor about a possible floating boat ramp at the river along the path. Breuer emphasized they have done some noxious weed removal by natural means, but their main focus had been on education with the school. Erlebach stated he felt they weren’t seeing much for the City money spent, would like to see more accountability, and wondered if Breuer was before them to request more money. Breuer stated it depended on what the Council wanted to continue doing. Mayor Mitchell clarified there was money in this year’s budget to continue the partnership with The Land Trust. Erlebach and Bell expressed concerns that there were no specific expectations written down and they would like to see this done for the coming year. Mayor Mitchell noted there was a Memorandum of Understanding signed explaining the expectations; and he would get a copy for the Council to review. Public Input - Ulysses Mori,10073 W. Preserve, Star Idaho asked when they expected the gravel pond at Heron River to be done. Mayor Mitchell explained they have up to five years, but are expecting to be done in the next year. He expects to have land transfer agreements and easements in place by the end of 2015. No one from the public signed up to speak, but a citizen from the audience asked if it was known when the Ridley store would be built. The Mayor explained Ridley’s did own a lot in Heron River, but the timeframe for construction was unknown. Old/New Business: Ordinance No. 241 McLeod Property Annexation & Zoning – The Mayor explained that Ordinance No. 241 had been previously approved by Council, but the legal description was incorrect and the ordinance had not been published in the correct timeframe; therefore, it was again before the Council to be approved with the correct legal description. McDaniel moved that pursuant to Idaho Code, Section 50-502, the rule requiring an Ordinance to be read on three different days, with one reading to be in full, be dispensed with and that Ordinance No. 241 be ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 considered after reading once by title only, Erlebach seconded the motion. Roll Call: Bell, Erlebach, Lockett, and McDaniel – all aye: motion carried. Bell moved to approve Ordinance No. 241, an Ordinance annexing to the City of Star certain real property located in the unincorporated area of Ada County, Idaho and contiguous to the City of Star, establishing the zoning classification of the annexed property as Residential (R-2) of approximately 41 acres; directing that certified copies of this Ordinance be filed as provided by law; providing for related matters; and providing for an effective date, Erlebach seconded the motion. Roll Call: Bell, Erlebach, Lockett, and McDaniel – all aye: motion carried. Resolution No. 2014-10 Ada City County Emergency Management Joint Agreement – McDaniel moved to approve Resolution No. 2014-10, a Resolution of the City of Star, Idaho approving a joint powers agreement between Ada County and the City of Star, Idaho; providing for emergency management administration and operational guidelines; authorizing the Mayor to execute such approval on behalf of the City; and providing for an effective date, Lockett seconded the motion. Roll Call: Bell, Erlebach, Lockett, and McDaniel – all aye: motion carried. Public Hearing – Clydesdale Ranch Preliminary Plat – Mayor Mitchell reviewed the process for the public hearing. The Mayor asked Council if there was any ex parte contact or conflicts of interest; hearing none the Mayor opened the public hearing. Applicant – Jason Densmer, The Land Group, 432 E. Shore Drive, Ste. 100, Eagle, Idaho stated he was representing Blossom 1and explained some of the background information for this property, which is now annexed and zoned R-2. The preliminary plat is for 2 existing and 79 new homes, with each home bordering a water feature, either a pond or stream. The project will have seven acres of lakes, which the Homeowners Association will maintain. They are proposing private roads internally, to be maintained by the HOA, with the main entrance off Floating Feather Road. Requesting approval of private streets is integral to the design of the project. They are asking to excavate around seven acres for ponds, over a five year period, with a lot of the gravel to be used in the project and excess hauled off. There is no request for rock crushing requested with this application though there may be some stock piling of gravel for a time. They are also asking for a waiver of block length. They are in agreement with all agency recommendations. Council – Erlebach questioned his statement that one-third of the property would be open to the public – to what public. Densmer stated it was an amenity for the residents of the development. Erlebach asked where the excess gravel would be hauled to, to which Densmer stated they did not know at this time. Erlebach asked about the phasing and if the private roads would be built to the county specification. Densmer explained they are planning on building homes in five phases when done with the gravel extraction and the roads would be built to county standards. The HOA will have the funds to pay for improvements, snow removal and maintenance of the private streets. Lockett asked how the lakes would benefit the community of Star and not only the homeowners. Densmer explained the lakes were an amenity for the community of Clydesdale Ranch, not for the community of Star. They are part of the subdivision common area and would be maintained by the HOA for the benefit of the homeowners. Erlebach asked about the width of the roads. Densmer explained they will be 32 feet wide to allow room for side street parking; ACHD only requires 24 feet. McDaniel asked if there was any way to consider reducing the gravel extraction and crushing time from five years. Densmer stated they were hesitant to reduce the time frame, not knowing where the excess gravel will go, but would hope to do it faster. Mayor Mitchell explained this application does not approve rock crushing. If they want rock crushing they will be required to submit another application, come before the ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 Council for approval, and the Council can then put stipulations on it. For now they can only extract gravel, load it and haul it off. Sandy Sanderson, 1775 W. State Street, Boise, Idaho explained he was the developer and wanted to clarify they would be digging the three smaller ponds right away, then the large pond. They will be selling the gravel without it being crushed. He estimates the excavation will not take five years, probably over two years, with some stockpiling and then hauling it out. Erlebach asked how deep the pond would be. Sanderson stated they are looking at 25 feet for the large pond to get clear water but the smaller ponds will be less, hoping around 20 feet. They have someone looking at developing aeration for the ponds. Bell asked who would set up the private roads and gated community through the HOA. Sanderson stated the developer will set up the HOA structure; looking at $75 a month per home in association fees. Bell stated he was concerned about the items requested for variance from the City Code, wondering what the benefit to the City would be. Sanderson said they would add variety to the City, water features attracts homeowners, and gated communities attract senior citizens. They view this project as an upscale market. Mayor Mitchell asked why would he want a gated community, and pay more for HOA fees and still be paying for ACHD to maintain roads. Sanderson explained citizens look for privacy and safety, or at least the perception of safety. Louis Buhrley, from the audience, asked how large the lots on the south side would be. Mayor Mitchell stated they would be roughly similar to the size of lots in the last phases of Rockbridge. Bell and Lockett noted three streets were out of compliance with the City Code in regard to length, W. Golden Rain, W. Shumard, and N. Glen Aspen. Sanderson explained the only way to conform to code length would be to make smaller ponds and he felt the larger pond is more aesthetically pleasing. Erlebach stated he was okay with the variance of road length as the streets do not connect to anything. Sanderson noted that in regards to the road variance, if the City would like to see projects like this the Council will want to look at the trade offs. McDaniel asked about the gates. Sanderson stated they will gate the entrance off Floating Feather Road, have a restricted entrance to the east which will allow emergency entrance of fire trucks as the Fire Department requires an alternate entrance, and the road to the west will be restricted and not be able to connect to any public road. Erlebach asked if the two existing homes on the property would be a part of the project and be required to connect to sewer and water services. Densmer stated they were and they will be required to connect. Lockett noted he felt this was a pretty large project to be gated, that they were usually smaller. Sanderson stated he felt this would be considered a medium size project. Mayor Mitchell noted that if they feel this is a good project they may want to consider there are flaws in the City Code. Lockett noted they could have longer street and not have it be a gated community and have connectivity to the neighboring subdivision. Densmer pointed out that the street were interrupted with landscaping to the ponds and would not appear to just be a long line of garages. Public – Louis Buhrley, 10300 W. Andromeda Court, Star, Idaho asked if there was any way to connect Rockbridge with this development; so they can get to know neighbors. Mayor Mitchell explained there was no way to connect to Rockbridge as the irrigation company would not allow a bridge to be built. Sanderson pointed out the development is pedestrian oriented and will have two ingress and egresses for pedestrians. Erlebach asked where water runoff will go. Densmer stated they will have a biofiltration system with swales, and the running slope of the road will not allow runoff to go into the ponds. ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 Lockett asked if there were any sidewalks in this development. Densmer stated there were not, that was the purpose of the wider streets was to allow pedestrians to walk on the streets. Staff – Staff had nothing to add to the staff report. Zoning Administrator was not present. The Mayor closed the public hearing and moved to deliberations. McDaniel stated she felt this was a well thought out preliminary plat and a nice choice for residents. Bell stated he had no problem with street length, the project looks well thought out. He still had some grief over the private roads versus ACHD roads. They must remember that what’s assigned to the land stays with the land. He is okay with the plat as long as it is developed to the plan presented. He felt it would be a nice choice to the housing market. Lockett stated he has a problem with the gated community; but no problem with road McDaniel moved to approve PP-14-05 Revised Preliminary Plat for Clydesdale Ranch Subdivision with the standard 13 conditions of approval, Bell seconded the motion. Bell, Erlebach, McDaniel aye; Locket nay: motion carried. Reports: Staff – Staff had nothing to report. Council – Bell stated he had nothing to report. Erlebach informed everyone the Christmas tree for City Hall would be here December 2nd. He asked about the status of the third sign for the River Walk Park and if there was any way to acknowledge citizens who do things for the City. Lockett stated he had attended the Fire Department meeting and they are almost out of the red. McDaniel stated she had nothing to report but a constituent asked about streetlight outage, specifically the light that is out on Mira. The Mayor stated he would look into it as to whether the City or the subdivision was responsible to replace the burned out bulb. Mayor – Mayor Mitchell noted the concession and restroom construction at Hunters Creek would be slow due to the weather. The parking lot is done except for one punch item. He asked the Council whether they should be plowing the snow out of the park parking lots. The consensus was they didn’t see a need. Adjournment: The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm. Approved: Respectfully submitted: Nathan Mitchell, Mayor Kathleen Hutton, Deputy City Clerk