City Council Regular Meeting- Workshop

Star City Council Workshop Notes September 6, 2016 Present: Mayor Chad Bell, Councilmen Trevor Chadwick, Richard Lockett, Kevin Nielsen, City Attorney Chris Yorgason, and Deputy City Clerk Kathleen Hutton. Heron River Park Discussion – Craig Groves, representing Heron River, came to start the conversation with the Council regarding the development and maintenance of the future park at Heron River Subdivision; to be deeded to the City in the future. Discussion was held regarding the reclamation of the ponds with a shelf and the shoreline reclaimed (smoothed and graded) so people could access the ponds as they plan to have Fish and Game stock with fish. The Mayor noted they have been in communication with Becky and would like to have a buffer between the residential lots and the lake, allowing all citizens access all around the ponds. Groves stated he would like to encourage access to the park from the south to the ponds. Discussion was held regarding beaches around the pond and it was agreed that a couple small beaches at each lake would be best and they would like to see a dock at each; but no motorized boats would be allowed. Groves explained the proposed phasing for developing the balance of the subdivision and asked about the various comments at Council Meetings regarding maintenance for the park and where would the maintenance money come from. The Mayor stated the City would maintain the park and maintenance money would come from taxes. To supplement the maintenance budget, Groves suggested imposing a Star River Walk Litigation Fee, which would be imposed on homes every time they sell. Yorgason stated the HOA must approve the fee as the CCR’s will change. The HOA must understand that by approving this fee, it would not give them any exclusiveness or veto power toward the City’s planning of the park. When asked, Groves stated he was not in a position to present the fee to the HOA, he just wanted to make the suggestion. Groves asked if the City planned to hook into Heron River’s pressurized irrigation or would the City be looking at their own system, as there will be water rights deeded to the City for the park. Groves stated he believed the system would accommodate the City and they had put in gate valves to each pond that could put irrigation water into the ponds if needed. The Mayor stated that if the system would handle the City’s needs, he felt it would be more cost effective to hook into Heron River’s system and he would like to see the City enter into an agreement. The Mayor explained the Council would like to receive some property that would be out of the floodplain to accommodate buildings. They would like to see a restroom with a concession stand or rental building attached and a parking lot put in between the two ponds, as that area will be out of the floodway and would allow for construction. Groves stated he was not sure about losing that many lots. Amenities for the park were discussed and the Mayor explained they would like some trees, boulders and natural grasses put in, a lot of pathways, some picnic tables and benches, BBQ stations, a facility for concessions or rental of various equipment. They want this to be a natural park, not all manicured, but would like an 18-hole disc golf area (to which Groves said he was going to suggest). Groves indicated he had considered an amphitheater in the southwest corner. Groves asked about the City’s plans for the property at 960 S. Main and the Mayor stated they are looking at it being a Rec facility. It was the consensus that they should engage a Landscape Architect to get some construction drawings, and from there begin getting an idea of costs. There was discussion on how to do project: City put out to bid; City do an agreement with developer to bid out and construct; or do a combination. The Mayor would like to see the City working hand-in-hand with the Developer and they start making plans. No decision was made. Groves asked about the installation of the stoplight at Plummer Road. They have been in discussions with ITD and ACHD and it was discussed that the building of Ridley Store or the occupancy of the 450th house in Heron River would trigger the installation of the stoplight. The Mayor stated he thought originally it was discussed at the 375th house. Groves stated he felt if they were planning to bring school buses down Plummer it would increase traffic and the need for the light. He would like to propose installation with the building of Ridleys or occupancy at 425. The Mayor noted he would take before the Council for a decision and get back to Groves in a couple of weeks. Dana Partridge – Facebook/Webpage – Dana explained she is doing the Facebook page for the City and there are 2500 likes. She is requesting to be the Social Media Liaison for the City and would like to be included more in what’s happening in the City; to have more contact with the City. The Mayor suggested possibly a short meeting on Tuesdays after the Staff meetings. Dana stated she would be available to help keep the City webpage updated, updating minor details such as minutes, agenda’s and the calendar. She would not be involved in development of the website or with updating large items, which would be up to the developer. The Mayor stated he would talk it over with Cathy regarding the updating and promoting what’s going on within the City. Tom Erlebach – Update on Skatepark – Due to irrigation and maintenance issues, Tom came to talk to the Council about putting in artificial grass and a shade cover in instead. He showed them several samples of artificial grass and presented an estimated cost sheet for astro turf, a shade structure, and additional concrete. The Mayor explained the cost and process for putting in the turf. Council agreed to go with what Tom felt would be the best choice. Tom explained they are looking at using old tables and bolting them in for now, then replacing them as money comes available. They are estimating skatepark to be complete around the first of November. Discussion was held on pouring concrete. Tom explained it would cost more if Grindline does the work. The Mayor stated they would have it done – no need to pay double to Grindline. Tom informed them Rule and Montry would be building the rails for the shade structure and was recommending it have a flat top. Everyone agreed they would like to have as much done as soon as possible, before bad weather sets in. Comprehensive Plan Discussion – The Mayor stated he believed they started identifying at the workshop in Cascade where they want commercial, a higher density corridor and neighborhood commercial. He would like for them to continue refining the map and look at some light industrial and possibly look at allowing three-story buildings. Nielsen noted looking at commercial mix–use would allow for mix use residential; it would be a new definition. The Mayor asked if they were envisioning having some light industrial, and if so they would need to have easy access. Nielsen felt it would make sense to have light industrial along the main highway. Yorgason noted they could use commercial mix-use or residential mix-use designation and could make light industrial an approved or a conditional use. The Mayor explained Commercial Mix-Use would be a new use and they would need to create the definition in order to incorporate it. Yorgason explained the Comp Plan can zone one piece of property into several zones; the Com Plan’s intent is to make zones blend. Mayor Bell asked if they wanted to make Highway 16 at the bridge a high density corridor or mixed use. Nielsen felt high density would encourage business to come. The Mayor noted Highway 16 will connect to the freeway in the future and our citizens at public hearings stated they wanted to move high density out of town. He asked what they were willing to put in to support big business to go in along Highway 16. Nielsen felt they could make a major urban center from State north along Highway 16 by creating a new definition. Chadwick brought up putting in high rises to bring more people in. Nielsen asked if their vision was to sprawl out or be an urban center. The Mayor asked where do they want new residents to be, what do they want to do with our major corridor, and to consider we need more population for major stores to come to Star. Yorgason pointed out they can control the height or stories of building by code. The Mayor pointed out they will need to take into consideration the Fire Department’s concerns and ability to service development. Yorgason stated the Fire Department will comment on any new development and Council also needs to take into consideration the Star Sewer and Water District. Discussion was held on creating a new zone “Urban”. Chadwick and Nielsen felt they needed it defined more before putting into place and it was suggested looking at other city’s terminology. The Mayor felt they needed to work on definitions for proposed new zones of commercial mix-use, residential mix-use, and urban. They will need to spell out what will be allowed and where the zones will be on the map. Yorgason stated they could define in the code and the Comp Plan. Chadwick stated he would like more research before putting the new zones on the map. Mayor Bell recommended making commercial mix- use now and adding urban later. Nielsen suggest light industrial could be a part of urban commercial along Highway 44 with light industrial behind. Mayor Bell stated along Highway 16 north of Highway 44 would be a good corridor. Chadwick felt that corridor could be commercial mix-use with light industrial. Yorgason pointed out they can define in text the areas that would include light industrial, by indicating in the matrix approved, not approved, or approved with conditional use. Consensus for now was to recommend commercial mix-use and transitioning to residential mix-use along the Highway 16 corridor; the terms needing to be defined. They would like to pursue gaining knowledge regarding urban zoning before adding. When they review the code, they need to better define open spaces; and what is allowed to be used in the calculation of open space. Also the possibility of changing the setback standards to allow for more diversity. Discussion was held on expanding the Area of Impact. The Mayor explained there was more to it than just doing an ordinance. It was decided to leave the area along Star Road and Joplin as mixed use. Workshop ended at 9:20 pm.