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1 Star City Council Meeting Minutes December 2, 2014 The regular meeting of the Star City Council was held on December 2, 2014 at Star City Hall, 10769 W. State Street, Star, Idaho. Council President Chad Bell called the meeting to order at 7:00 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. Mayor Nathan Mitchell was absent. Approval of the Agenda: Erlebach moved to approve the agenda, McDaniel seconded the motion. All aye: motion carried. Consent Agenda: McDaniel moved to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of Regular Meeting Minutes for November 18, 2014 and Claims Against the City for November 2014, Lockett seconded the motion. All aye: motion carried. Presentations/Public Input: Law Enforcement Report – Chief Laraway – Chief Laraway stated five unlocked vehicles had been broken into and reminded everyone to please lock their vehicles. Three juveniles who vandalized a house in town have been caught and the case is now in the Prosecutor’s hands. He informed the Council that since the detective for the City started the first of October they have had eleven child neglect cases. Public Input – No one from the public spoke. Old/New Business: Public Hearing – Rezone for Alderbrook Subdivision – Council President Bell reviewed the process for the public hearing. Bell asked Council if there was any ex parte contact or conflicts of interest; hearing none Bell opened the public hearing. Applicant – Bob Taunton, 2724 South Palmatier Way, Boise, Idaho stated he was representing the applicant, and Kevin McCarthy and Kirsti Allphin were also present for any technical questions. He stated they are requesting a rezone from R-2 to R-3 for 5.51 acres so it would be consistent with the R-3 zoning of the larger portion of the property. The zoning would also be consistent with neighboring properties. Taunton stated they are in agreement with the staff report and the conditions listed. Staff – Staff noted that in front of the Council there was a hard copy of a report from the Ada County Highway District that was received after Council packets were sent out. The Zoning Administrator was not present. Public – David Christensen, 12247 W. Havencrest Drive, Star, Idaho stated he had lived here for eight years. He is concerned with the higher density and asked how many more homes would be added. He is also concerned with increased traffic onto Can Ada Road and then onto Highway 44. He is concerned there is no turn lane from Highway 44 onto Can Ada Road. He would like to see dedicated turn lanes. Carol Storkan, 22491 Can Ada Road, Star, Idaho stated she is also concerned with increased traffic. Also, it appears the entrance is facing their property at their driveway. ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 Bud Storkan, 22491 Can Ada Road, Star, Idaho stated the property was originally zoned R-2 to transition it into County property. He asked the Council to take this into consideration. Applicant Rebuttal – Bob Taunton noted ACHD has jurisdiction over roads and he has not been made aware of any improvements. Deerhaven Way will connect to Havencrest, which will allow for another alternate route and improve the flow of traffic. Erlebach clarified that Highway 44 is a state highway and Can Ada Road is under Ada County Highway District jurisdiction. Bell noted this parcel was originally part of the Saddlebrook Subdivision and was zoned R-2 and R-3 with most of it being zoned R-3. The smaller portion along Can Ada Road was originally zoned R-2 and they are now looking to have all of the property zoned R-3. From the audience, Anthony Kelley, 1086 N. Starbright Lane, Star, Idaho noted if the property was zoned R- 2 and R-3 in 2008; what has changed to justify rezoning it to R-3. Bell explained there is a new applicant and they are presenting a new application. Roger Derang, 1109 N. Crown Haven Way, Star, Idaho questioned if by changing to R-3, would it change the layout presented on the screen. Bell explained the map before them on the screen was the proposed subdivision layout. Taunton noted the R-3 zoning is consistent with the City Comp Plan and allows for a greater mixture of lot sizes. It will add a few more homes. Council President Bell closed the public hearing and moved to deliberations. Council – McDaniel stated she felt this would bring the property into compliance with the Comp Plan. In regard to traffic, they have seen an increase in turn lanes with an increase in demand. She is in favor of approving the rezone request. Erlebach stated he was also in favor of the rezone. The County would not improve roads until they see an increase in traffic. He could not see any reason not to approve the application and make all the property R-3. Bell stated when demand is there ACHD will act. The City Comp Plan now allows this area to be zoned R-3, and as such he did not see there was any legal reason to deny their request. McDaniel moved to approve File RZ-15-01 Rezone for the Lionwood Property, Lockett seconded the motion. All aye: motion carried. Public Hearing – Preliminary Plat for Alderbrook Subdivision – Council President Bell asked Council if there was any ex parte contact or conflicts of interest; hearing none the Council President opened the public hearing. Applicant – Bob Taunton thanked the Council for approving their zoning request. This preliminary plat request is for 71 lots, 69 buildable and 4 common lots, with 4.52 acres of open space, which exceeds the City's open space requirement. They are requesting two variances, West Hidden Point Drive exceeds block length requirements and West Hollowtree Court exceeds the City cul-de-sac length requirement. Taunton explained the site constraints. It was noted there would be a crossing of the canal from Hidden Point Drive to Hiddenbrook. Hidden Point Drive is 614 feet long, exceeding the block length, but has a curve in it so it is not just straight. Taunton explained the plat attributes which include additional access to Can Ada Road for the neighborhood; completing the missing segment of N. Deerhaven Way; it will have sidewalks which ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 create connectivity of neighborhoods; and they will create landscaped useable open space next to the ditch which will be fenced. They will create a 14 foot gravel road along the ditch for the canal company and for use as a walking path. Lot sizes will be between 60 and 70 feet wide and range from 6,200 to 18,000 square feet in size. Property will be developed in two or three phases. Landscaping along the ditch will be more riparian with wild flowers and grasses; along Can Ada the grass will be more formal and have trees; and along collector roads they will have the required number of trees. There will be no swales within the subdivision, they will capture water in inlets that will run to ponds and be discharged into the ditch. The trees required on the buildable lots will be planted during house construction. Fencing along common areas will be four foot vinyl with possible two foot lattice or cedar. Fencing along the north will preserve the existing fencing. They will install five streetlights that meet the City's standards. Council – Erlebach asked who they would be marketing the houses towards. Taunton explained that depending on the market, the applicant would be looking at either families or empty nesters. Erlebach pointed out if you took away the ditch open space then there would only be 7% of open space not 20% and he didn't see any space for kids to play. Taunton stated that there was a 100 foot easement along the ditch which was not useable, except as a walking path. Erlebach asked about keeping water onsite with the ponds. Taunton stated there is a standard design required by ACHD and they would build the retention ponds accordingly. Erlebach reiterated he didn't see any play area's for the amount of kids that may be living in this development. Taunton stated they are looking at adventure play instead of a structured play area. He noted the HOA would be taking over maintenance of the open space. Lockett stated he was concerned with having the amenity be along the canal. He would like to see a park/play area. He noted there was no way to access the lot east of Deerhaven except to cross the road, so he did not really consider it a play area. Taunton stated they would be willing to look at a possible play area. Public – Carol Storkan, 22491 Can Ada Road, Star, Idaho expressed concern where the street entry is in location to their property as it looks like it may face into their driveway and house. Jeff Storkan, 22727 Can Ada Road, Star, Idaho stated he was concerned with houses setting so close to Can Ada Road. He asked if they could be set farther back. Storkan asked if these were to be Hubble homes and would they be going with their general building plan style. Bell explained that Hubble Homes was the applicant and that the City does not set standards for building style, but they must meet the City's building standards. Storkan stated he was understanding the City doesn't have archetectural design standards but does have zoning and building standards in place. Susan Kelley, 1086 N. Starbright Lane, Star, Idaho stated she appreciated Erlebach's questions. She stated she knew Hubble Homes was the applicant and knows they do not follow through with their commitments. Her opinion is this will not be built as presented. Anthony Kelley, 1086 N. Starbright Lane, Star, Idaho agreed there was no open space. He asked if they did not get their variances, could they redesign to allow some open space useable for play. Roger Derang, 1109 N. Crown Haven Way, Star, Idaho stated that when Tucana Sky was put together they put in a berm with trees to separate it from Can Ada Road and wondered if this development could put in a berm to enlarge the open space along Can Ada Road. He also asked where the irrigation water was coming from and when the subdivision was built out would they have their own HOA or did they plan to join the Havencrest HOA. Taunton stated they had shares in the Middleton Irrigation Company and he would address all concerns at rebuttal. Sandra Walker, 12169 W. Havencrest, Star, Idaho expressed concern that the pie shaped lot, abutting her property, was not appropriate for a play space as it is too small and is up against the canal. ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 Steve Plischke, 75 N. Union, Star, Idaho stated he would like to reiterate what Erlebach and Lockett said about open space. This development appears to be house after house and he would like to note that older people also like open space. Applicant Rebuttal – Bob Taunton explained that Alderbrook has an opportunity to create their own HOA, or join with the Havencrest HOA as their board has asked them to. He stated the board for Havencrest has indicated they would like them to join into their irrigation system and participate in upgrades; or they have the opportunity to create their own irrigation system. He noted they will have 35 - 40 feet of buffering along Can Ada Road. Bell stated it appears the exit is south of the driveway across from them. He would like to have them take a look at that, but not sure of the options available to them. Bell stated the open space percentages were great, but he too was concerned with the amenities and didn't feel there were any real amenities. In exchange for the variances he would like to see a tot lot/open play space. He realized the ditch area must be dealt with but didn't feel the ditch was much of an amenity. Taunton stated he felt the canal could be an open space amenity and would provide a walking area. McDaniel stated she was having issues with the lots seeming to be square after square. She would like some diversity in the lots; maybe put in some variation with open space. She asked what the footage for the entry buffer would be, to which Taunton replied it would be 35 - 40 feet with attractive landscaping. Erlebach questioned if Can Ada Road was widened, would it take any of the 35 foot common space. Taunton explained the 35 feet was set common space and was in addition to the right-a-way for ACHD. Erlebach questioned who would pay for the trees in the front lawns. Taunton explained the builder would; it may be part of the lot purchase price with the builder installing the tree. Erlebach asked if the road along the canal was for the benefit of the development or the canal company; and who would maintain the road. Taunton explained the 14 foot road was required by the ditch company at the developer's expense but would be a benefit as a walking path. At this time he was not sure of who would maintain the road - the HOA or the ditch company. Staff – Staff had nothing to add to the staff report. The Zoning Administrator was not present. Council President Bell closed the public hearing and moved to deliberations. Locket stated he would like them to come back with plan B with some amenities. Erlebach stated he also would like them to come back with a plan with some useable common area. McDaniel agreed with Erlebach and Lockett and would like to see more useable open space. McDaniel moved to table File PP-15-01 Preliminary Plat for Alderbrook Subdivision to a date certain that was agreeable to the applicant with a plan with more useable open space. Motion failed due to lack of a second. Erlebach asked for clarification between tabling and denying the application. Bell explained if they tabled the application they could come back with a reworked plan and if they denied the application the applicant would have to start the process over. The City Attorney, Cliff Brown, stated that tabling was preferred and Council could tell them what they wanted in the plan. McDaniel moved to table File PP-15-01 Preliminary Plat for Alderbrook Subdivision to the January 6, 2015 Council Meeting to allow the applicant to present a reworked preliminary plat with more open space and amenities, Erlebach seconded the motion. All aye: motion carried. ---PAGE BREAK--- 5 Taunton asked if staff would be able to clarify what Council would specifically like. Bell stated staff would be able to. McDaniel stated they would like more useable open space and not so cookie cutter housing. Reports: Staff – Staff had nothing to report. Council – Locket stated he attended the Ada County Solid Waste meeting. Erlebach announced the Chamber Christmas Bazaar was this weekend and the tree lighting would be Saturday at 6:00 pm at City Hall. He asked if the Council would approve the expenditure to purchase a 20 foot Christmas tree for $380.00. Council stated they had no problem with it and felt the Mayor could approve these expenditures. McDaniel stated she had nothing to report. Bell stated he had nothing to report but wanted to extend an invitation to everyone to attend the tree lighting. Adjournment: Council President Bell declared the meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm. Approved: Respectfully submitted: Nathan Mitchell, Mayor Kathleen Hutton, Deputy City Clerk