Planning and Zoning Commission

City of Evanston Planning & Zoning Commission Board of Adjustment 1200 Main Street, Evanston, Wyoming 82930 Ph.# (307) 783-6470 Fax: (307) 783-6490 Email: jcampbell@evanstonwy.org Web: www.evanstonwy.org Planning and Zoning Commission/Board of Adjustment Meeting Minutes December 5, 2016 6:00 p.m. – City Hall Commissioners Present: Chuck Straw, Chairman Amy Valasquez John Holderegger Mike Sellers Eric Mander Phil Peterson Deborah Demander Staff Present: Dennis Boal, City Attorney Paul Knopf, City Planner DuWayne Jacobsen, Associate Planner Janel Campbell, Administrative Assistant Chairman Straw called the meeting to order at: 6:01p.m. Chairman Straw asked for a motion to approve the agenda for the December 5, 2015 meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Holeregger, seconded by Commissioner Demander. Motion Carried. Chairman Straw asked for a motion to approve the minutes for the October 5, 2015 meeting. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Commissioner Demander and seconded by Commissioner Valasquez. Motion Carried. With no old business to discuss, Chairman Straw proceeded to new business, CP 15-14 which is a combined hearing with HE 15-01. Attorney Boal explained the legalities of the hearing stating the applicant(s) would be heard from first, followed by those who were in favor of the applicant(s), and finally, from those who were opposed. He explained that the public hearing was a contested case hearing and that anyone who wishes to submit a legal brief shall make it known to him at the closing of the hearing. Attorney Boal opened the hearing with CP 15-14 and HE 15-01. CP 15-14 is a request by the Uinta County Fire Protection District to amend Conditional Use Permit CP 05- 27 which allowed a Fire Department substation to be constructed on Lot 10 of the South Valley subdivision No. 2. The substation property is located along the southeast side of the intersection of Wyoming Highway 150 and Hayden Avenue east, and addressed as 45 Hayden Avenue. Zoning for this property is Medium Density Residential – Developing (MR-D). HE 15-01 is a request by the Uinta County Fire Protection District for a Height Exception to allow a portion of the new fire department training facility on Lot 11 of the South Valley subdivision No. 2 to exceed the height limitation of 25 feet for an accessory structure. Zoning for this property is Medium Density – Residential (MR- D). Tim Overy, who resides at 1136 Front St., representing the Uinta County Fire Protection District was sworn in. Mr. Overy provided information and an overview of the existing structure and reviewed plans for the new training facility. Mr. Overy intends to match the new training facility with the existing substation while meeting the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) requirements. He then explained that the new training center is not a public venue and impact to the community, in regards to equipment, would be minimal. Mr. Overy stated that Park City has an identical facility located in a residential area and has no issues with adjacent tenants. Mr. Overy also explained that the new training center would not only be used to train local fire fighters but other agencies as well. Attorney Boal asked if there was anyone present who had questions for Mr. Overy. Mrs. Claudia Scott, who resides at 239 Hayden Avenue, has concerns regarding parking congestion and fencing. Mr. Overy stated that personnel would arrive in fire-fighting equipment, not their personal vehicles. Fencing could be discussed to keep the public out but at this time it was not yet decided. Mr. Craig Furnace, who resides at 252 Hayden Avenue, had questions regarding the looks of the fencing. Mr. Overy said that the fencing has not yet been decided on but he would want the fencing to be appealing to the area. Mr. Paul Barnard, who resides at 246 Aspen Hills Court, asked if the exterior of the new building would be stone. He also asked the plans to clean and maintain the facility. Mr. Overy stated that the building would be constructed of a steel exoskeletal frame with medal siding. The use of “nova brick” would be used along the bottom for aesthetics. Mrs. Margaret Magee, who resides at 226 Toponce Drive, asked if there would be frequent smoke exercises. She also asked if there would be signage announcing training days. Additionally, Mrs. Magee asked if Law Enforcement would be performing “live fire” exercises in the new facility. Mr. Overy stated that training would be held approximately 1-2 times per month. He indicated that Law Enforcement will address the “live fire” concerns. Commissioner Deborah Demander asked where the current training facility is located and what the cost was to provide training to local fire-fighters. She also asked who currently pays for the training and what the length of training was. Mr. Overy said that training is paid for through the Fire District, with additional funding coming from private funding. Currently, fire-fighters are sent out to other facilities throughout Wyoming. He emphasized that the new training facility would reduce training cost locally. Evanston would also have the ability to facilitate training to outside agencies from neighboring communities. Commissioner Mike Sellers asked for actual statistics on how effective a training facility of this type is in communities they have been built in. Mr. Overy stated that he did not have any statistics at this time. Commissioner Phil Peterson questioned the use of hydrocarbons at the new facility. Mr. Overy indicated that the use of hydrocarbons was against city code and would not be an option. Commissioner Eric Mander asked if the new training facility could have a basement to avoid the height exception. He also had questions concerning outside lighting. Mr. Overy explained that the building could not have a basement due to safety concerns. He then re-emphasized that the only lighting on the building would be for security purposes. Commissioner Amy Valasquez asked if the lighting would match the current substation lighting. Mr. Overy stated the lighting would match the current substation lighting and be facility appropriate. Attorney Boal asked Mr. Overy if he had any more witnesses he would like to speak on his behalf. Mr. Steven Harms, who resides at 749 Cachina Circle, Golden Colorado, representing Fire Facilities, stated he has constructed over six hundred facilities around the world. New facility will enhance the training of the fire-fighters and better protect the community. Attorney Boal asked if there were any questions for Mr. Harms. Chairperson Chuck Straw asked if a final drawing could be completed more exact to our area. Attorney Boal asked if there was a representative from Law Enforcement to speak on behalf of the new facility. Officer Mike Vranish, who works at 1148 Front Street stated that law enforcement would use the facility for force – on – force training with Simunitions. No live fire training will be conducted within the confines of the new training facility. Attorney Boal asked if the Commission had any questions for Officer Vranish. Attorney Boal asked if there was anyone in the audience that would like to speak in favor of the new Uinta County Fire Protection District training facility. Mr. Paul Barnard, who resides at 246 Aspen Hills Court stated that he was encouraged that Park City allowed one in their community. Attorney Boal asked if there were any questions for Mr. Barnard or if there was anyone else who would like to speak in favor of the new Uinta County Fire Protection District facility. There were none. Attorney Boal asked if there was anyone in the audience that would like to speak in opposition of the new Uinta County Fire Protection District facility. Mr. Craig Furniss, who resides at 252 Hayden Avenue stated that this facility should not be in a residential neighborhood. Attorney Boal asked the Commission if they had any questions for Mr. Furniss, there were none. He then asked if there was anyone else who would like to speak in opposition. Mr. Jim Magee, who resides at 226 Toponce Drive, asked if there would be significant smoke that would pose any health concerns to the public. He stated that DEQ Chapter 10 prohibits burning within 500 feet of a residential area. He also had concerns about the noise levels. He then asked if any hazardous materials would be burned in the new facility. He asked if the facility could be moved outside city limits. Mr. Tim Overy responded that DEQ regulations would be followed but he was not sure if the 500 foot policy pertains to the new facility. Noise levels would be low due to the advancement of fire equipment. The property was obtained for the purpose of response time to the community it serves. Attorney Boal asked if the Commission had any questions for Mr. Magee. Commissioner Amy Valasquez asked Mr. Overy if they would be willing to compromise with anyone in opposition. Attorney Boal asked Mr. Overy if any of these type of facilities have been constructed in residential areas. Commissioner Deborah Demander asked Mr. Overy if there would be public notice before training was to take place. Mr. Overy responded that Park City and Riverton were constructed in residential neighborhoods. He also stated that sixty percent of these training facilities have been constructed in residential areas with no incidents to date. He also stated that they want to be good stewards for the community and would welcome any interaction. He emphasized that notice would be given via social media as well as signage. Mr. Jim Magee, who resides at 226 Toponce Drive, would like to view the surrounding area to ensure the 500 foot air quality measure is met. Attorney Boal asked if there was any further opposition. There was none. He also stated that he was not sure that DEQ Chapter 10 measures would affect the facility but would like to see a scaled drawing showing the 500 foot radius. With no more questions Attorney Boal closed the meeting. Chairperson Chuck Straw made a motion to approve CP 15-14 and HE 15-01. Commissioner Eric Mander made a motion to approve CP 15-14 and HE 15-01. The motion was seconded by Commissioner John Holderegger. Chairperson Chuck Straw asked for discussion of the motion. With no further discussion, he called for a vote. There were 7 aye votes. Motion Carried Unanimously. With no further business, Chairperson Straw indicating future meetings would be January 4th. The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.