Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/04/17�11 4f Wheatlidge PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting May 4, 2017 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair OHM at 7:02 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 291h Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Commission Members Present: Dirk Boden Alan Bucknam Emery Dorsey Donna Kimsey Janet Leo Scott Ohm Amanda Weaver Vivian Vos Commission Members Absent: Staff Members Present: Lauren Mikulak, Senior Planner Dave Brossman, Development Review Engineer Tammy Odean, Recording Secretary 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. APPROVE ORDER OF THE AGENDA It was moved by Commissioner BUCKNAM and seconded by Commissioner KIMSEY to approve the order of the agenda. Motion carried 8-0. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — March 16, 2017 It was moved by Commissioner DORSEY and seconded by Commissioner VOS to approve the minutes of March 16, 2017, as written. Motion carried 6-0-2 with Commissioners BUCKNAM and WEAVER abstaining. 6. PUBLIC FORUM (This is the time for any person to speak on any subject not appearing on the agenda.) Planning Commission Minutes — 1 May 4, 2017 No one wished to speak at this time. 7. PUBLIC HEARING A. Case No. MS -16-08: an application filed by Wazee Partners for approval of a minor subdivision to replat the property from 5 parcels to 2 lots for property zoned Mixed Use -Commercial (MU -C) located at the northwest corner of 38th Avenue and Upham Street. Ms. Mikulak gave a short presentation regarding the Minor Subdivision and the application. She entered into the record the contents of the case file, packet materials, the zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations and the contents of the digital presentation. She stated that the public notice and posting requirements have been met, therefore the Planning Commission has jurisdiction to hear this case. Commissioner BUCKNAM asked about the history behind the 1990 dedication right-of-way dedication labeled as an excepted parcel on sheet 4. Mr. Brossman explained that ADA ramps needed to be constructed and that was the reason for the 1990 dedication. He also added that the right-of-way (ROW) on Upham was previously dedicated as a series of ROW and roadway easements, which is similar to a grant of use to construct the road but not an actual conveyance of land. With the dedication on the proposed plat, the property owner will convey the land and ensure they are not paying taxes on that piece of land. Commissioner VOS asked what is meant by the requirement for streetscape improvements and if those designs will be determined now or later in the process. She also asked if those designs are available for public viewing. Ms. Mikulak explained that streetscape improvements typically includes sidewalk, amenity zone, street furnishings, and lights. The design of the streetscape has not yet been approved and will be a part of the civil construction plans. Those plans will be reviewed by the Community Development and Public Works Departments and can be viewed by the public but are not online. Commissioner VOS asked why on -street parking is needed. Ms. Mikulak explained on -street parking is encouraged in the zoning code and viewed as a benefit to this kind of site in a mixed use, walkable area. The market will demand more parking than can be accommodated on site and the ROW dedication width will allow for on -street parking. Commissioner VOS asked for clarification regarding the southbound lanes on Upham at 38th Ave. Planning Commission Minutes —2— May 2— May 4, 2017 Ms. Mikulak explained that two southbound lanes would be provided immediately at the intersection: one for turning left and the other as a bypass lane for turning right. It will be striped so drivers know it is not a parking lane. Tyler Downs, Wazee Partners 1255 S. Filmore, Denver Mr. Downs did not have a presentation but offered to answer any questions. Commissioner BODEN asked where the parking garage is going to sit in relation to the storm water detention. Mr. Down stated the garage will be above the storm water detention which is a subterranean vault. Commissioner BUCKNAM wanted to know if the hammerhead easement is an access for the parking structure or other purpose. Mr. Downs explained the hammerhead easement is for emergency access and will be adjacent to one of the two entrances for the parking garage. Commissioner DORSEY asked if Vectra Bank is going to be relocated and have a drive-thru. Mr. Downs confirmed Vectra Bank is still a part of the project and it will have a drive-thru. Commissioner VOS asked if the parking garage will be for public use or just for residential tenants. Mr. Downs explained the parking garage will be for both public and residential parking. A gate within the garage will separate the different parking areas. Britta Fisher, Localworks Ms. Fisher explained she, as well as other Localworks employees, are currently officed in the Vectra Bank building and are strongly in favor of this project even though they will be displaced by the new development. She testified that the developers have met with the community and local businesses and have a great revitalization strategy that supports retail in the area. She is very supportive of this project, and retailers in the area are excited to have new residents, which translates to new customers. It was moved by Commissioner BUCKNAM and seconded by Commissioner WEAVER to APPROVE Case No. MS -16-08, a request for approval of a two - lot minor subdivision plat on property zoned Mixed Use -Commercial (MU -C) and located at the northwest corner of 3811 Avenue and Upham Street, for the following reasons: Planning Commission Minutes —3— May 3— May 4, 2017 1. All requirements of the subdivision regulations (Article IV) of the zoning and development code have been met. 2. All agencies can provide services to the property with improvements installed at the developer's expense. With the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall continue to coordinate utility service with the appropriate agencies and any updated information regarding utility easements shall be reflected on the plat prior to recordation. 2. The developer shall enter into a subdivision improvement agreement with required security prior to recordation of the subdivision plat. Motion passed 8-0. 8. OTHER ITEMS Wheat Ridge • Ward Station — Area Visioning Update Ms. Mikulak gave a brief presentation which summarized the contents of the memo provided in the meeting packet. She explained the history planning in the Northwest Subarea and explained the most recent vision document which was created to help articulate the City's vision for the area and to implement projects resulting from the 2E ballot issue passed in 2016. The City is focused on making sure that 2E investments are spent wisely and leveraged fully. She gave an updated on the G line opening. The Wheat Ridge - Ward Station is the beginning of the G Line and the station is already built. Once the A line technology is fixed, the G line can begin testing and should be opening in 2017. The 2006 subarea plan outlined a vision for mixed use, transit oriented development (TOD) but a little vague. In 2013 the plan was updated to incorporate the finalized station design and to incorporate several planning accomplishments. The goal of the 2013 update was not to change the vision for the area, but to refine the City's vision for TOD with an emphasis on employment in the station area. In 2015, the City collaborated with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to study the area surrounding the rail station. ULI recommended that the City be open-minded in terms of creative and innovative employment based land uses. They recommended building a street grid for good urban design and walkability and encouraged some multifamily development to make the area feel like a neighborhood. The City contracted with WSP/PB in 2016 to refine the vision for the station area. The elements included in the vision are a coworking/maker space, a recreation and regional park, an active public space and linear park, a pedestrian bridge and a "Base Camp" brand that focuses on the outdoor recreation industry. Planning Commission Minutes —4— May 4— May 4, 2017 Next steps for implementing the vision and moving forward with public investments include meeting with property owners and developers to identify opportunities for public- private partnership. The Parks Commission is also scheduled to receive an update on the vision document and Investing 4 the Future funds. City Council endorsed the vision in April. Commissioner DORSEY asked if there are development plans for the Jolly Rancher property. Ms. Mikulak stated the current owner is marketing the property for sale and does not intend to develop it themselves. The zoning that is in place will allow for a wide variety of uses, but there are no specific plans yet. She explained the vision plan calls for some flex/coworking space. Commissioner BODEN expressed supported and liked the idea of the two ponds being utilized with the recreational activities and wanted to know how the water levels would be sustained. Ms. Mikulak did not know what the water source was and explained that there are many unanswered questions because the lakes are not city owned. Commissioner BODEN also asked about the linear park going south from the station and if it was an existing road or will bisect through buildings. Ms. Mikulak explained that there are a few possible options for the alignment of the linear park including doing improvements to Van Gordon and/or Tabor. As shown in the vision plat it would be a new road and primarily would run adjacent to the Lakemont property line, but should not bisect any buildings. Commissioner BODEN asked if there have been any conversations with property owners to the south of the station. Ms. Mikulak stated there have not been conversations as of yet, but in a couple of weeks they City will hold small group property owner meetings to engage the community. Commissioner BUCKNAM was impressed with the vision for the station area and thought this will be a great gateway for outdoor enthusiasts. His main concern is related to cyclists and a need to ensure connectivity that allows riders to get to the station on their bikes. Ms. Mikulak said this is being actively looked at because the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan is close to being adopted. The City is working with Arvada and focusing on infrastructure. Planning Commission Minutes —5— May 5— May 4, 2017 Commissioner VOS asked if Arvada has any monetary participation in the Ward Road Station area. Ms. Mikulak explained that a meeting had taken place with Jefferson County, Arvada, and Wheat Ridge to discuss collaboration. There was discussion of a signal at Ward Road and Ridge Road, but financial commitments have not yet been discussed yet. Commissioner LEO asked if there is any connection across the rail other than Tabor Street to the east and Ward Road to the west. Ms. Mikulak confirmed those are the closest access points. Commissioner WEAVER expressed her support for the vision but observed that there are barriers when cycling to the station from the south. She echoed Commissioner BUCKNAM'S comments and encouraged the City to focus on connectivity to improve access to the station area. Commissioner OHM expressed support and stated he was in favor of the pedestrian bridge. He also expressed support for the utilizing the lakes and for the Regional Park concept on the south side of the area. He suggested that sidewalks or paths be planned all the way around the lakes. He also would like to see some of the colors reminiscent of the Jolly Rancher factory be incorporated into the area. Commissioner OHM asked if the City is thinking about a form -based code for the site. Ms. Mikulak explained that our mixed-use code is similar to a form -based code. The City will be considering if an overlay district is appropriate for the area. Commissioner OHM also said he would like to see food -related uses in this area and maybe some pop-up retail. He expressed excitement for the G Line to get moving and hopes it will revitalize this area of Wheat Ridge. 9. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner WEAVER and seconded by Commissioner DORSEY to adjourn the meeting at 8:19 p.m. Motion passed 8-0. SFott hm, 6mir Planning Commission Minutes May 4, 2017 Tammy Od , Recording Secretary