HomeMy Public PortalAbout2013.10.30 Special MinutesMINUTES
McCall City Council
Special Meeting
Legion Hall (McCall City Hall - Lower Level)
October 30, 2013
Agenda
Call to Order and Roll Call
Work Session
Adjournment
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Bailey called the regular meeting of the McCall City Council to order at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor Bailey, Council Member Swanson, Council Member Scott, and Council Member
Witte all answered roll call. Council Member Aymon was absent
City staff present was Gene Drabinski, City Manager; Michelle Groenevelt, Community
Development Director; Delta James, City Planner; and BessieJo Wagner, City Clerk.
Planning and Zoning Commission Members present were Kim Apperson, Amanda Thompson,
Fallon Fereday, Derek Williamson, and Scott Tunnell
Council Member Aymon arrived at 6:23 p.m.
WORK SESSION
Joint Session with the Planning and Zoning Commission to receive an update on the
Downtown Master Plan
Harmony Design and Engineering gave a presentation on the Downtown Master Plan.
Throughout the presentation the Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission were
engaged in conversation regarding the Draft Downtown Master Plan to assist with the
development of the final product.
Bruce Meighen, Logan Simpson Design Inc., presented the following main points regarding the
Draft Downtown Master Plan.
There were a 3 part Series of workshops, including the public and key stake holders, held in
McCall with the following goals:
• Endorse strategies — opinions on the 12 steps of the plan
• Discuss actions for implementation
There were 3 themes to the document
• Buildings
• Connections
• Economic development
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The following strategies were discussed in detail:
1. Create unique character districts within downtown to better define uses and services
within each area.
a. Downtown core
b. Lakefront District
c. Lakefront mixed use District
d. Mixed use District
e. Campus district
Discussion - How do you get there? What kind of regulations would need to be implemented?
Who lives downtown? How do you get density downtown? It was presented to consider a
nontraditional city campus area, which could include a community center and a transit center. It
was discussed that there were lots of opportunity and the way the campus could be developed
would assist in the way it is accepted by the community. The Master Plan showed the possibility
to consider that buildings could be multistoried to capitalize on the land. There were some
residential district concerns in the possibility for downtown growth. It was also discussed that
residential would be dense.
2. Focus downtown on Payette Lake to maximize the experience and connection to the lake.
Discussion — The possibility of the commercial area increased at the lake. It was discussed that it
could be difficult to combine private and public efforts. The ideas seem way far into the future.
The group discussed the Grand Payette proposal and how close to achieving this strategy was
within that proposal. Discussion also included ways to create other opportunities, possibly
through incentive based code. There was some concern that "private" would not want to share
with "public."
3. Create unique key gathering places to encourage longer stays in Downtown.
Discussion — Points of interest are important to assisting with encouraging families to stay longer
in the downtown.
4. Create streets that properly address safety and mobility for bikes, pedestrians, and
vehicles.
Discussion — Complete sidewalks to include ADA accessibility. There could be difficulty
dealing with a highway. They discussed the possibility of taking away parking on Third Street to
gain a better bike lane and better area to move in. The goal would be to keep parking on the west
side and lose the parking on the eastside. There was discussion that there should not be an
expectation that there will always be street side parking. The idea would or could be
controversial. The general opinion of the group was favorable to this strategy. There was some
concern expressed regarding the bike lane on the highway. It was countered with that if no bike
lane were present then it could result in bike riding in an area with no lane which would be much
less safe.
5. Create a vibrant, new, pedestrian -oriented 2nd Street that connects the Civic Center with
the lakefront.
Discussion — To create character the street could become an event space. It was discussed that it
would be a large investment but could change the feel of the downtown. There was some
consideration to closing the street to include the possibility of temporarily closing the street and
move toward the idea of closing the street permanently. There was general favorable opinion
from the group.
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October 30, 2013
6. Locate parking lots and new transit center to encourage pedestrian and economic activity
Downtown.
Discussion — The possibility of moving the parking in front of Toll Station to behind and
adjacent to the building, and then use the space for a building close to the sidewalk.
7. Increase the stability and diversity of the Downtown economy.
Discussion — To work toward year around economic vitality was the primary focus. The
possibility of a convention center concept was also discussed.
8. Promote diverse and unique shopping experiences that define Downtown as a retail
destination.
Discussion —
9. Build upon the unique attributes of McCall to link the economy of Downtown to
surrounding economic opportunities.
Discussion — The use of the local transit to accomplish this goal has been successful in other
communities.
10. Increase density of potential customers in downtown thorough development of support
businesses such as lodging, offices, etc.
Discussion — The issue of professional offices on street fronts in downtown was discussed
stating that by limiting professional offices it could create some dead space. It is ideal to have
retail in that space. There was some additional discussion regarding building heights.
General consensus from both the City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission were
that the strategies were a good start for the plan. It was stated that conceptually the plan looks
good. There were some concerns expressed for what the plan would be in reality. It was
explained that the studies were done in small tour based town concepts. It was also discussed that
Second Street and Third Street would be more doable for starting the process.
Next steps:
The next step would be to incorporate the comments received into the draft Downtown Master
Plan which would be coming within the next month. Ideally the plan would be adopted by end of
year. Once adopted there would be a series of action items and a look forward to funding.
Action will be general.
ADJOURNMENT
Without further business, the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m.
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McCall City Council Special Meeting
October 30, 2013
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