TOWN OF GILBERT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING OF JUNE 19, 2003, 6:30 PM.

10 S. GILBERT ROAD
GILBERT, ARIZONA

COMMISSION PRESENT: Vice Chairman Fresquez, Commissioner Thomson and Commissioner Valentine

COMMISSION ABSENT: Chairman Haug and Commissioner Iacobazzi

STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Specialist Carl
Harris - Morgan, Planning Manager Linda Edwards and Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Stupski

OTHERS PRESENT: Wayne Bryan (Independent), Brian Powell (Tribune), Ruben Rias (TranSystems Corp), Bruce Beenken (TranSystems Corp), Steve Lehide (Logan Simpson Design), Howard Hargis (Computran), Larry Taggart (Friends for Life), Sam Bromert (Liberty Market)
ROLL CALL

Roll was called and a quorum was declared.

1.        Minutes - Approve the Regular meeting of May 15, 2003
Commissioner Valentine had a spelling correction on page 6, second sentence the word rod changed to wrought. Commissioners Valentine and Thomson indicated they would abstain from the vote. Approval of the minutes tabled until the July 17th Redevelopment Commission meeting.

COMMUNICATION FROM CITIZENS
Vice Chairman Fresquez opened the floor to the public for any comments or communications on items not on the agenda. No communications from citizens.

2.        Amendment to the Heritage Court Building Sign Package
Planning Manager Linda Edwards presented the amendments to the Heritage Court Building sign package.
Highlights and features for the sign:
General sign for building and not a “user” or “tenant” specific sign
Attach to the front of building and extend over the right - of - way
Approximately 35 square feet in size which meets the new sign code requirements
Fourteen feet in length and 2.5 feet wide
Sign meets the criteria for the district, blending in with the unique architecture and taking advantage of some neon and historic style

Planner Edwards stated the only issue staff had with the placement of the sign is that it encroaches over the right - of - way. The legal department is currently working on an “Encroachment Permit” which will be required from the owner/sign company prior to installation of sign.

Questions asked by the Commission:
What is the clearance underneath the sign for pedestrian access
Response:        15.5 feet above grade
Is the encroachment agreement different from other businesses on the 200 block such as Joe’s BBQ
Response:        Not sure. The encroachment agreement being used has been used by Engineering Manager Rick Allred for other projects for encroachments in the right - of - way
Do all the merchants in the 200 block have some kind of an agreement with the Town for the awnings?
Response:        Not sure but will research it. It may depend on what the Town was doing at the time the awnings were installed

The Commissioners said the sign was well done in keeping with the design intended for the district and representative of the theme.

Mr. Sam Bromert, Liberty Market, stated he liked the sign but had a question about the encroachment agreement and what it might cover. Planning Manager Edwards indicated that it is any permanent structure in the right - of - way.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Valentine, seconded by Commissioner Thomson, to approve DR97 - 80, the sign package for Heritage Court subject to two conditions as stated by staff. The two conditions read as follows:
1.        The sign shall be permitted per the attached exhibits approved at the Public Hearing held June 12, 2003.
2.        Prior to installation or pulling of sign permits, there shall be an Encroachment Permit obtained by the applicant, as drafted and approved by the Town Attorney.

Voice vote carried 3 - 0.

3.        Park - N - Ride Project
Planning Manager Edwards gave a presentation of the Park - N - Ride Lot which included a model of the bus shelters as well as sketches of the site plans. She indicated the site is surrounded by the water tower and the new Hale Theatre. The project implements the goals of the Redevelopment Plan, the General Plan and the Heritage District Character Area. The project will be built in one phase.

Highlights of the project:
A shared parking facility for those visiting Liberty Market, Hale Theatre and Gonzo’s.
Metal canopies to shade 70 spaces. Painted a tan color to match the bus shelter
Bus shelters to emulate the train depot that was in Gilbert in 1905
Use of light poles and fixtures approved in the Heritage District Redevelopment Plan
One way bus lane now a 2 way street for all traffic
Landscaping to include use of 36″ box shade trees, variety of hardy shrubs and colorful groundcover
Shelter area will include adequate lighting, benches, vines on the wire mesh and trees of a flowering species
Proposing bicycle loops and lockers near bus shelters

Questions or comments made by the Commission:
Possibility of adding a third bus shelter
Lighting energy conservative and maintenance
Type of protection for the lights fixture against possible vandalism

The Commission felt the overall design of the project was well - done and was responsive to the comments made during earlier meetings.

Mr. Larry Taggart, 229 Pinto Court and on the Board for Friends for Life, had a concern about pedestrian safety at night and whether there is adequate lighting especially around the bus shelter because of the vines on the metal mesh. Planning Manager Edwards responded that lighting for the area would be provided by the street lights, parking lot lights as well as the wall sconces on the structure and use of bollards.

Mr. Sam Bromert, Liberty Market, asked about light rail and whether the facility could accommodate it. Planning Manager Edwards indicated not at this time but when and if light rail becomes a reality, it would have to redo some of the areas to accommodate the light rail.

Mr. Bromert commented on the buses coming in on Vaughn and out on Page as it may be difficult for buses to make a turn. Planning Manager Edwards indicated that Page will be redesigned to soften a turn and may lose one parking space because of it.

The Commission was concerned about providing enough trash receptacles on the site for its patrons. Planning Manager Edwards suggested the Commission include a stipulation about trash receptacles in their motion.

A MOTION was made by Commissioner Thomson, seconded by Commissioner Valentine, to approve DR03 - 45, Heritage District Park and Ride, site plan, bus shelter and walls elevations, conceptual landscaping plan, preliminary grading and drainage, lighting plan and colors and materials subject to the following stipulations:
1.        Construction of the project shall conform to the exhibits approved by the Redevelopment Commission at the June 19, 2003 public hearing
2.        At the time of construction document submittal, the site plan shall include Town of Gilbert Standard Commercial and Industrial Site Plan Notes.
3.        The light poles and fixtures for the parking lot and streets shall be the approved fixtures for the Heritage District.
4.        Prior to construction drawing submittal, staff shall approve a thornless vine species for the metal mesh on the bus shelter.
5.        Existing driveways on Ash Street for Norwood Furniture will be drawn on the site plan and the location for access to the parking lot on Ash Street will be re - assessed by the Town Engineer to determine acceptance for the proposed point of access.
6.        The Landscape Plan shall note the light pole locations, Sissoo Trees along the railroad shall be 20 - 25′ o.c., landscape islands under the car canopies shall be shown on the plan, ground cover will be included in the landscape planters in addition to trees in all locations, the plan shall note that an automatic irrigation system will be provided, the plan shall note the size and color of decomposed granite, the plan shall note total square footage for landscape on - site and off - site, a shrub species that is hardy shall replace the Salvia.
7.        The site plan shall include 2 trash receptacles per bus shelter and 2 trash receptacles in the general parking lot.

Voice vote carried 3 - 0.

4.        Update on Current Projects (Downtown Sewer Project; Gilbert Home Septic to Sewer Project; Current Boys & Girls Club Site; Water Tower and Street light and Sidewalk Project)
Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan gave an update on some of the current projects within the Heritage District.
Downtown Sewer Project:
Postcards were mailed this week for a neighborhood meeting on June 24th
Construction already started
Completed section on Page Avenue near the Hale Theatre
Currently working on the alley between Hale Theatre and Gonzo’s
Project to continue south past Liberty Market and going underneath Norwood’s
After completion of the above sections, project to proceed through the rest of the town with the first stop at the alley behind Heritage Court where Ink It! and Joe’s BBQ is located. Schedule to be available Tuesday, June 24th
Gilbert Homes Septic to Sewer Project:
The design work is complete
Currently working on the specifications and how to word some issues between the property owners and what the contract documents might look like. As soon as issues are resolved, project would go out for bid
One month later, owners to receive letter with the dollar amount it would cost for them to participate and give one month for their decision as to what they want to do
Those who signed up to participate would be hooked up to the sewer system
Estimated start for construction is September
Current Boys & Girls Club Site:
Town has contacted a company to perform an assessment on the building
Town received a price for such service. As soon as it is written up and some of the details worked out, it should take about three weeks to complete the assessment
The Commission to get a presentation of the findings either July or August on the status of the building, the necessary renovation work and other needed work so a determination can be made as to how to proceed.
The new Boys & Girls Club facility scheduled to open next month
Water Tower:
Coalition scheduled to meet Tuesday, June 24th at the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, 4:00 p.m. Town Manager Pettit to attend to discuss some issues of the Water Tower Site
Coalition told to expand the site design to include the two lots south of where the tower is located
Concerns or issues to be addressed are:
How the design should proceed?
Who is responsible for it?
How is it going to be paid for?
Staff discussing the possibility of a driveway at the south end of the site (one way) from the alley that heads to the west to Ash. Reason: Currently struggling with what to do with garbage enclosures and deliveries within the area since it is a dead - end alley
Street Light and Sidewalk Project:
Contacted the company who started the design for the street light project and met with them.
Company to give a price for completing the design work of installing all the street lights in the downtown area
Company to look at the amount of available funds for a cost estimate and design recommendations to install outdoor furniture (such as bollards)
The plan is to comeback not only with lighting design but with the outdoor furniture palette, possibly redesign of sidewalks to address the slope issue
Looking at the possibility of removing the shake shingle shade coverage on the east side of Gilbert Road just north of Heritage Court if the owner agrees to replace it. This is very preliminary and more details would have to be worked out. A question was asked whether the property owner would have to replace the awning and the response was no. This might be an issue for the Commission to address

Vice Chairman Fresquez asked about the prohibiting of truck traffic that was part of the prioritized list. She would like to see the traffic issue addressed and included on the list so it does not get lost.

Mr. Sam Bromert had a question about the sewer project and the sewer lines by his property. Community Development Specialist Harris - Morgan indicated he will speak to Mr. Bromert after the meeting.

COMMUNICATIONS
5.        Report from Chairman on current and future events
No report.

6.        Report from Community Development Specialist on current and future events
No report.

7.        Report from Commissioners on current and future events.
Commissioner Thomson had a concern about the paint color being used for the trim on the new Boys and Girls Club facility. He would like the plan revisited to verify the color. Planner Edwards will follow - up and contact Commissioner Thomson.

Commissioner Thomson would like on the next agenda an item to discuss the Elm Street parking lot and parking enforcement by Town staff.

ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION was made by Commissioner Thomson, seconded by Commissioner Valentine, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

ATTEST:

Mary Ellen Fresquez, Vice Chairman

Elizabeth A. Stupski, Recorder

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