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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/20/2008 ary af ]~qrW heat -idge PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA March 20, 2008 Notice is hereby given of a Public Meeting to be held before the City of Wheat Ridge Planning Commission on March 20; 2008, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to participate in all public meetings sponsored by the City of GYheat Ridge. Call Heather Geyer, Public Information Officer at 303-235-2826 at least one week in advance of a meeting if you are interested in participating and need inclusion assistance. 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA (Items of new and old business may be recommended for placement on the agenda.) 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - March 6, 2008 6. PUBLIC FORUM (This is the time for any person to speak on any subject not appearing on the agenda. Public comments may be limited to 3 minutes.) 7. PUBLIC HEARING A. Case No. ZOA-08-01: An ordinance amending Section 26-803 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws pertaining to floodplain control. 8. STUDY SESSION A. Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy 9. OTHER ITEMS 10. ADJOURNMENT \ . ary of "~`7`TheatP~idge PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting March 6, 2008 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair CHILVERS at 7:08 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29"' Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Commission Members Present: Commission Members Absent Anne Brinkman Jim Chilvers Dick Matthews Kim Stewart Steve Timms Davis $einhart Jerry Scezney Staff Members Present: Meredith Reckert, Senior Planner Ann Lazzeri, Recarding Secretary 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner BRINKMAN to approve the order of the agenda. The motion passed unanimously. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - February 7, 2008 It was moved!by Commissioner BRINKMAN and seconded by Commissioner STEWART to approve the minutes of February 7, 2008 as presented. The motion passed 4-0 with Commissioner TIMMS abstaining and Commissioners REINHART and SCEZNEY absent. 6. PUBLIC FORUM (This is the time for any person to speak on any subject not appearing on the agenda.) There was no one to address the Commission at this time. Planning Commission Minutes 1 March 6, 2008 7. PUBLIC HEARING A. Case No. MS-07-04 and Case No. WA-07-25: Applications filed by Brian Joluison for approval of a 2-lot minor subdivision plat with a lot width variance and a setback variance for property zoned Residential-Two and located at 3516 Jay Street. Meredith Reckert informed the Commission that she had received a phone call from the applicant the afternoon of the hearing requesting a continuance of his case. Brian Johnson 13997 W. 22"d Avenue, Golden Mr. Johnson, the applicant, addressed the Commission to requesY a continuance of his case in order to wark out details with the ditch company regarding the ditch that runs through his property. It was moved by Commissioner BRINKIVIAN and seconded by Commissioner MATTHEWS to continue Case No. MS-07-04 and Case No. WA-07-25, applications filed by Brian Johnson for approval of a 2-lot minor subdivision plat with a lot width variance and a setback variance for property zoned Residential-Two and located at 3516 Jay Street, to May 15, 2008. The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners SCEZNEY and REINHART absent. 8. OTHER ITEMS A. Election of Officers Anne Brinkman was elected to serve as Chair of the Planning Commission. Dick Matthews was elected to serve as Vice Chair of the Planning Commission. B. Introduction of New Commission Member Meredith Reckert introduced Steve Timms as the newly appointed Commissioner from District Two. Planning Commission Minutes 2 March 6, 2008 9. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner STEWART to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Anne Brinkman, Chair Ann Lazzeri, Secretary Planning Commission Minutes 3 March 6, 2008 City of ` `)`Theat I~dge - COMM,UNP[Y DEVELOPMfiN? Memorandum TO: Planning Commission FROM: Meredith Reckert DATE: March 11, 2008 SUBJECT: Case No. ZOA-08-O1/Floodplain Control This Case is: Quasi-judicial _X Legislative Proper notice was given for this public hearing. New floodplain studies for Clear Creek and Lena Gulch have been accepted by the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District. The new studies are scheduled to be adopted by City Council and references in Article VII of Chapter 26 must be updated. Pursuant to Municipal Code, all zoning code revisions must have a public hearing in front of Planning Commission. Attachment 1 is a copy of the proposed legislation. RECOMMENDED MOTION: "I move that Case No. ZOA-08-01, a proposed amendment to Section 26-803.G. of Article VIII., Floodplain Control, of the VJheat Ridge Code of Laws, be forwarded to City Council with a recommendation of APPROVAL for the following reasons: 1. The proposed legislation adopts the new studies. 2. It will allow the City to administer activities within the correct floodplain boundaries." CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLO1tAD0 INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BERRY Council Bi1106-2008 Ordinance No. Series of 2008 TITLE: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 26-803 OF THE WHEAT RIDGE CODE OF LAWS PERTAINING TO FLOODPLAIN CONTROL WHEREAS, the City of Wheat Ridge has previously adopted Article VIII of Chapter 26 of the Code of Laws pertaining to floodplain control; WHEREAS, amendment of the description of the Flood Regulatory District is needed to reflect current information; BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO THAT: Section 1. Subsection G of Section 26-803 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws is amended to read as follows: G. Official maps and engineering reports. The location and boundaries of the Flood Regulatory District shall be as identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in "The Flood Insurance Study far 7efferson County, Colorado", dated June 17, 2003, and any amendments or revisions thereto are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this Article. The location and boundaries of the Floodway and Flood Storage Districts shall be as shown in the following engineering reports and accompanying maps: l. Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panels dated June 17, 2003 for portions of the City of Wheat Ridge. 2. Clear Creek: Flood Hazard Area Delineation of Clear Creek by Icon Engineering For the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District, April, 2007. 3, Lena Gulch: Flood Hazard Area Delineation Lena Gulch (Lower) by George K Cotton Consulting for the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District, October, 2007. The flood insurance rate map and the above-mentioned engineering reports constitute the current flood insurance study for the City of Wheat Ridge and are hereby adopted by the above reference and declared to be part of these regulations. The flood insurance rate map and the above- mentioned engineering reports, which constitute the flood insurance study are on file at the Wheat Ridge Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Section 2. Safetv Clause. The City of Wheat Ridge hereby finds, determines, and declazes that this ordinance is promulgated under the general police power of the City of Wheat Ridge, that it is promulgated for the health, safety, and welfare of the public and that this ordinance is necessary for the preservation of health and safety and for the protection of public convenience and welfare. The City Council Further determines that the ordinance bears a rational relation to the proper legislative object sought to be attained. Section 3. Severabilitv. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, or part of this Zoning code or the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall for any reason be adjusted by a court of competent jurisdiction invalid, such judgment shall not affect application to other persons or circumstances. Section 4. Supersession Clause. If any provision, requirements or standard established by this Ordinance is found to conflict with similar provisions, requirements or standards found elsewhere in the Code of Laws of the City of VJheat Ridge, which are in existence as of the date of adoption of this Ordinance, the provisions, requirements and standards here shall supersede and prevail. Section 5. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect 15 days after final publication. INTRODUCED, READ, AND ADOPTED on first reading by a vote of 8 to 0 on this 25`" day of Februarv 2008, ordered published in full in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Wheat Ridge and Public Hearing and consideration on final passage set for Monday. March 24, 2008, 2008, at 7:00 o'clock p.m., in the Council Chambers, 7500 West 291h Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. READ, ADOPTED AND ORDERED PUBLISHED on second and final reading by a vote of to , this day of 12008. SIGNED by the Mayor on this day of 12008. JERRY DiTULLIO, MAYOR ATTEST: Michael Snow, City Clerk \ APPROVED AS TO FORM BY CITY ATTORNEY GERAL DAHL, CITY ATTORNEY 1 ST publication: February 28, 2008 2"a publication: Wheat Ridge Transcript Effective Date: I ~ ~ - cty of "/Y/ WheatRj ~qge _ .OMMUNiTY DEVELOPMENT Memorandum TO: Planning Commission FROM: Kenneth Johnstone, Director of Community Development DATE: March 14, 2008 SUBJECT: Adoption of the Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy as an Amendment to the City'sComprehensive Plan BACKGROUND: The City contracted with Winston Associates in late-20C revitalization strategy far the City of Wheat Ridge. Tha of a document entitled "Repositioning YVheat Ridge: Ne (NRS). On July 25, 2005, after a variety of public!outre. develop the document, City Co findings and recommendations City Council's acceptance of tt that the NRS is in many ways r is very aggressive in its recomt to achieve the goals of the doci adopted Resolution it doeuinent as guid in nt. evelop a ation Strategy" used to help 36, Series 2005, which accepted the rinciples for revitalizing the City. leed a bold decision, to the extent of the current state of the City and it the City needs to consider in arder SUMMARY OF THE' NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION STRATEGY: There is a great amount of usefu] analysis, findings and recommendations in the NRS. The document is organized into three parts A) introduction and overview; B) findings on key indicators; and C) contains the implementation recommendations broken into 3 parts: 1) The Plan; 2) The Tools; and 3) The Activities. Early in the document, the overall approach to revitalization is characterized in a simplified 3 pronged approach: 1. Fix Some Things 2. Make Some Things Great 3. Keep What is Good That simplified approach is further broken down in Section C) of the NRS, which is what this ~ summary will focus on. ` The Plccn: The overall goal of the NRS is to "reposition Wheat Ridge in the marketplace". The report identified 6 general categories of activities that are needed to improve the image of Wheat Ridge. 1. Address visually unattractive/eyesore areas. 2. Create recognizable "Gateways" to Wheat Ridge 3. Increase the visibility of open space in Wheat Ridge 4. Promote/improve Wheat Ridge's rural qualities 5. Promote/improve Wheat Ridge's historic qualities 6. Market Wheat Ridge as a Community of Choice The Plan also emphasizes 4 targeted redevelopment areas: 1. Redevelopment ofthe Wadsworth Comdar 2. Accelerate and shape the development of 38`" Avenue 3. Development of 44`h Avenue into an Orchard District 4. Development of a Town Center The Tools: Seven "tools" are identified as being needed to be able to implement the recommendations of The Plan. 1. Subarea Planning for portions of Wheat Ridge. Subarea plans lay the framework for defined geographic areas within the City. They facilitate redevelopment efforts and give more predictability to implementation efforts such as rezoning applications or the development of overlay zones. Subarea plans have recently been completed for the Northwest Subarea, portions of 44"' Avenue ("Fruitdale") and the Wadsworth Corridor. 2. The City's Comprehensive Plan. The report indicates that the City's Comprehensive Plan is out of date and needs to be updated. A specific issue identified to be addressed in that update process is the location of a town center. 3. An uvdated set of ZoninQ Codes and Land Use recommendations. The NRS recommends an update to the City's development regulations to allow for development patterns that strong households desire: pedestrian friendly; mixed use, higher density, upscale shops and architectural quality. 4. The work of budgeting and capita] investments. Every effort should be made to prioritize capital improvement inveshnents in the areas targeted for redevelopment in the Plan. 5. Economic Develonment. The economic development challenges that the NRS recommends be addressed include the following: a. Increase aggregate buying power by growing either (or both) the number of households or the disposable income of Wheat Ridge households. b. Improve the aesthetics of existing commercial real estate and upgrade facilities in terms of ease of access and the quality of the shopping environment a Create a regulatory environment and business culture of a sort that makes businesses want to take risks 6. Urban Renewal and Eminent Domain. The report aclaiowledges that urban renewal and eminent domain are tools that may be needed to facilitate some of the recommended redevelopment goals; though they should be used with caution and fairness. 7. Transnortation Planning. The NRS notes that the transportation system is integral in defining the community's image. Wadsworth Boulevard and the proposed transit station were identified as areas where the City has opportunities to create an enhanced image through coordinated transportation and land use planning efforts. The Activities: The NRS identifies three central recommendations in this section: 1. All nine of the following strategies must be implemented (see below). 2. Wheat Ridge must overhaul how the City and residents manage change. 3. Wheat Ridge must create a public, nonprofit corporation capable of facilitating and encouraging appropriate development in Wheat Ridge. 1. The SYrategies: 1. Develop new market rate housing at key locations throughout the City. 2. Acquire, upgrade and sell out-of-date housing stocks throughout the City. 3. Improve existing multi-family rental property throughout the City. 4. Redevelop Wadsworth Corridor. 5. Develop West 44"' Avenue into an Orchard District. 6. Accelerate and shape the development of 38`1' Avenue. 7. Develop a Town Center. 8. Continue the development of Wheat Ridge Open Space. 9. Develop signage and enhance gateways and improve the City's general appearance (beautification). STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The findings of the NRS were adopted by City Council on July 25, 2005. Resolution No. 36 resolves "that the Wheat Ridge City Council does hereby accept the Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy report, Repositioning Wheat Ridge, and establish its findings and recommendations as guiding principles for revitalizing the City." Certainly that adoption process provided clear direction to the citizenry and City staff that City Council intended to implement the recommendations contained in the NRS. That stated, staff has received a consensus of City Council at the Januazy 7`" Study Session to go one step further and adopt the NRS as a formal amendment to the City's Comprehensive Plan based on the following findings: l. The NRS has numerous recommendations that relate to Comprehensive Planning, both substantive land use recommendations and procedural recommendations in regards to improving the City's land use entitlement processes. 2. The existing Comprehensive Plan recommends that as subsequent subarea plans and studies are completed (such as the NRS), they be adopted as Amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan. 3. Adoption as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan requires a hearing before the Planning Commission, which presents an opporiunity to better familiarize that body with the recommendations of the NRS and how it should impact many aspects of their decision making processes. 4. While the Comprehensive Plan is an advisory document for the City Council, it is also a document that City Council and City Staff are required to reference and be consistent with when making land use decisions ranging from rezonings to subdivisions to variances. 5. Adoption as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan eliminates ambiguities that currently exist between the two documents. There are numerous recommendarions in the ~ NRS that are in conflict with the current (2001) Comprehensive Plan. Adoption of the NRS as a Comp Plan Amendment will clarify that the NRS is now the controlling document in those instances. 6. As staff works on zoning code text ainendments in 2008 and beyond, we have a clear basis for proposing those changes based on numerous citations in the NRS. 7. Adoption of the NRS as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan sets a clear tone for the direction of the Citywide Comprehensive Plan Update when that process begins later in 2008. 8. Adoption of the NRS as an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan will further support WR2020 in its implementation efforts. CITY COUNCIL DIRECTION: Staff will begin the process of moving forward with adoption of the NRS as an amendment to the City's Comprehensive Plan with a Study Session with Planning Commission on March 20. Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan require review and a recommendation be made by Planning Commission at a public hearing. Based on the extensive public outreach that occurred during the initial development of the NRS, staff is not recommending additional public workshops or open houses that would typically occur with a Comprehensive Plan Amendment.