Planning Board

City Planning Board Meeting Minutes
February 11th, 2019
Meeting started: 6pm
Attendance:
Board Members: Kristin Smith, Gary Neff, Virginia Kocieda, Bobbi McCanse, Jennifer Nelson
Public: see attached
Planning Board Committee Members Elected
Gary Neff nominated Kristin Smith as Chair of the Committee, Virginia Kocieda seconded the motion, all approved
Gary Neff nominated Mark Andreasen as Vice Chair of the Committee, Virginia Kocieda seconded the motion, all approved
Jennifer Nelson nominated Virginia Kocieda as Secretary, Bobbi McCanse seconded the motion, all approved
Review & Approve Previous Meeting Minutes:
Gary Neff motioned to approve the minutes with edits; Virginia Kocieda seconded the motion, all approved.
Meeting Minutes:
(1) Kristin Smith gave an update on City Council adopting the resolution granting the Planning Committee authority to act as the City’s zoning commission
a. The Board amended the Bylaws to reflect the City Council’s resolution
(2) Discussion on reviewing the City’s Growth Plan: it is due for revision; will be adding it to the agenda
(3) Discussion on Community Development Block Grant Program (CDGB): funding avenue available for communities to support planning activities
a. Way to get funding to hire a consultant
b. Added to March Agenda
(4) Downtown Business District (DBD) changes:
a. Re-word grandfather clause on page 1
b. Under Vacant Lots 17.14.0 (page 4): add “parking lots”
c. Discussion on defining auto sales:
i. Terms of Design Standards, franchise dealership, moving it to highway
ii. No empty lots – must have existing structure
iii. Discussion on older businesses on highway with lots were too small
iv. Minimum of 5,850 sq. ft. and needs to go through design review –under Permitted Use B (auto & trailers)
d. No new curb cuts
i. No new drive-thru’s: several safety concerns with some already existing curb cuts
Public Comment:
(1) Ted Werner: Wanted clarification on including franchised car dealer designs
(2) Bill Stokesberry: Added a comment that larger crew cabs/trucks/trailers need to be factored into lot space designs
(3) Adam Montgomery: Asked whose moral compass are we using to make zoning decisions
(4) Rod Beal:
a. What are the boundaries of DBD? (Answer: 2nd Street to 8th Street and Highway 2/Mineral Avenue/California Avenue)
b. If zoning changes were to be accepted, are there any businesses that need to change now? (Answer: no)
c. Are there any businesses that are examples of what we want in the future? (Answer: All businesses; we want to think about the future and have many people that have invested in Libby already. We want to be prepared when there are more businesses/people wanting to open businesses in Libby)
(5) Duane Williams: Asked about external comments to proposed zoning changes and wanted to know if everyone had the opportunity to comment.
(6) Michelle Swagger: If the business is not on a street front, does the material matter? (Answer: Alley is considered a right of way (i.e., visible only from the alley)
a. Board: maybe change language to streets/public right of ways
b. Repairs due to damage is different from deferring maintenance
c. Building inspector would enforce zoning
Gary Neff motioned to end the meeting, Jennifer Nelson seconded the motion.
Meeting ended: 7:35pm
Next meeting scheduled: March 11th @6pm