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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/01/2001 ORIGINAL CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting March I, 2001 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair McNAMEE at 7:30 p.m., March 1,2001, in the City Council Chambers ofthe Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. 2. ROLL CALL Commission Members Present: Jerry Collins Paulette Cooper Dick Doyle Don MacDougall Marian McNamee Nancy Snow Janice Thompson Commission Members Absent: Dean Gokey Staff Members Present: Alan White, Planning Director Meredith Reckert, Sf. Planner Mike Garcia, Development Review Engineer Ann Lazzeri, Secretary 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The following is the official set of Planning Commission minutes for the public hearing of March I, 2001. A set of these minutes is retained both in the office of the City Clerk and in the Department of Planning and Development of the City of Wheat Ridge. 4. APPROVE ORDER OF AGENDA Commissioner SNOW requested the addition of an agenda item to discuss City Council action on the zoning ordinance. Commissioner THOMPSON requested addition of discussion regarding duplexes at 45thand Parfet. It was moved by Commissioner SNOW and seconded by Commissioner THOMPSON that the agenda be approved with the requested additions. The motion passed 7-0 with Commissioner GOKEY absent. 5. APPROVE MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner THOMPSON and seconded by Commissioner MacDOUGALL to approve the minutes of February 15, 2001 with an amendment to indicate that Commissioner GOKEY left the meeting at 9:00 p.m. The motion passed 6-0 with Commissioner COLLINS abstaining and Commissioner GOKEY absent. Planning Commission March I, 200 I Page I 6. PUBLIC FORUM There was no one to appear before the Commission 7. PUBLIC HEARING A. Case No. MS-00-07: Application by Ojala & Co. for the Kaiser Foundation for approval of a four-lot minor subdivision plat on property zoned Commercial-One (C-I) and located at 4865,4875,4885 and 4895 Ward Road. B. Case No. WSP-OO-Ol: Application by Ojala & Co. for the Kaiser Foundation for approval of a site plan for the purpose of developing an office park on property zoned Commercial-One (C-I) and located at 4865, 4875, 4885 and 4895 Ward Road. Meredith Reckert was sworn in by Chair McNAMEE. She reviewed the staff report and presented slides and overheads ofthe applications. All pertinent documents were entered into the record and accepted by Chair McNamee. Staff recommended approval of the applications with conditions as outlined in the staff report. Commissioner THOMPSON expressed concern about safety issues associated with the width of the road into this development as it relates to turning radius for semi-trucks. Mike Garcia informed the Commission that a traffic study was required and completed for this project and there were no concerns expressed by the city traffic engineer or the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Alan White informed the Commission that the subject roadway is private and located in uuincorporated Jefferson County. Commissioner COLLINS questioned the drainage and commented that the detention pond looks small for the large amount of hard surface. Mike Garcia stated that the drainage plan met all city and CDOT requirements. Dave Forman Ojala & Company Mr. Forman was sworn in by Chair McNamee. He reviewed the site plan and explained that the private road on the north was originally developed as a 16-foot wide road and they are proposing to increase the width to 25 feet which would result in better access to the development than currently exists. There is one on-grade loading dock planned in the development that is planned to be used once a month for semi deliveries. The majority of traffic will consist of employees arriving for work in the morning and leaving from work at night. The throat of the entrance is planned to be 37 feet in width. In response to Commissioner COLLINS' drainage concerns, he informed the Commission that 71 % of the site is hard surface with 28% landscaped area. Commissioner COLLINS commented that it would be easier to make a decision if it were known what Kaiser was planning for the remaining lot. Mr. Forman stated that discussions with Kaiser have indicated they plan to use that land to expand their present facility at some Planning Commission March 1,2001 Page 2 time in the future. Alan White informed the Commission that, should the Kaiser land be developed, new traffic studies would be required at that time. Allan Ojala Ojala & Co. Mr. Ojala was sworn in by Chair McNAMEE. In response to questions about increased traffic, he estimated there would be approximately 50-60 employees per building and, therefore, parking facilities for 250-300 cars would be adequate. Commissioner THOMPSON would like to see the access concerns addressed now so that it would accommodate any future development. She commented that the present road is substandard for this development. Mr. Ojala stated that he had no concerns about the proposed road based upon thirty years experience in the development business. He further stated that he could only answer questions about his development and could not address Kaiser's future plans for the remaining property. Winona Lazaroff 4901 Ward Road Ms. Lazaroff was sworn in by Chair McNamee. She and her husband own Free Wheel Vans which is located directly behind the Texaco station on the north side ofthe private road. They use the private road to access their property which is sometimes difficult because oftrucks that are parked along that road. Complaints to Jefferson County have resulted in no solution to the problem. The Elway service lot, located farther to the west, also adds to the traffic problems. She stated that she was not opposed to the proposed development but was in favor of a wider road plus a traffic light. Mike Garcia informed the Commission that since there is an existing light 545 feet away, it would be highly unlikely that CDOT would approve another light in this area. (Chair McNAMEE declared a brief recess at 9:17 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 9:27 p.m.) Commissioner THOMPSON asked if an additional ten feet could be dedicated as a private road. Mr. Ojala replied that there is an existing curb cut on 49th and he has had a struggle with CDOT who indicated they would not move the existing power poles that are in their right-of- way. Mr. Ojala stated that he is working on agreements with adjacent property owners regarding traffic. He also commented that the majority of cars entering and leaving this development would use the lighted intersection at 48th Avenue. Kaiser requested the traffic study and is, therefore, aware of plans for the development. It was moved by Commissioner DOYLE and seconded by Commissioner MacDOUGALL that Case No MS-00-07, a request for approval ofa four-lot minor subdivision on C-l Planning Commission March 1,2001 Page 3 zoned property located at 4865, 4875, 4885 and 4895 Ward Road, be APPROVED for the following reasons: 1. A subdivision is required to separate the development parcel from the remainder of the Kaiser Permanente ownership. 2. All requirements of the Subdivision Regulations have been met. With the following conditions: 1. Easement language requested by Public Service Company be included as a note. 2. The City's specifications for paving a private road be met. Commissioner SNOW moved and Commissioner THOMPSON seconded that an amendment be made to add the following condition: 1. An additional ten feet of roadway be provided on the northern boundary ofthe property. Commissioner COLLINS and DOYLE indicated they would vote against the amendment because the roadway is private property. A vote was taken on the amendment. The motion carried by a vote of 4-3 with Commissioners COLLINS, DOYLE and MacDOUGALL voting no and Commissioner GOKEY absent. The original motion carried by a vote of 5-2 with Commissioners COLLINS and DOYLE voting no and Commissioner GOKEY absent. Commissioner SNOW moved and Commissioner MacDOUGALL seconded that Case No. WSP-OO-Ol, a request for approval of a site plan on C-l zoned property located at 4865, 4875,4885 and 4895 Ward Road, be APPROVED for the following reasons: 1. A site plan review is required pursuant to the annexation agreement and zoning conditions placed on the property. 2. All minimum requirements of the C-l zone district regulations have been met. With the following conditions: 1. The taper at the west side of the loading area must be expanded to facilitate truck- turning movements. 2. Two Austrian pines at the lighted access drive on the south must be relocated out of the sight distance triangle. 3. That the additional roadway recommended for approval as part of the subdivision regulations also be a part of this site plan. Planning Commission March I, 200 I Page 4 The motion carried by a vote of 7-0 with Commissioner GOKEY absent. 8. OLD BUSINESS A. Zoninl!: Ordinance: Commissioner SNOW requested that Commission members review the recommendations made by members of the audience during the City Council hearing on the zoning ordinance to be discussed at the next Planning Commission meeting. B. 45th and Parfet: Commissioner THOMPSON asked for clarification regarding landscaping on this development. Alan White explained that there was a condition placed to require an equivalent caliper-inch of trees to be planted as replacements for those removed from the site. C. Coors Damal!:e to Clear Creek - Commissioner THOMPSON expressed concern that Coors' actions caused damage to Clear Creek as it flows through Wheat Ridge while the funds to alleviate that damage have been allocated for projects above Wheat Ridge. 9. NEW BUSINESS A. ComDletion ofPlanninl!: Commission Terms - The terms oftwo Commissioners were concluded at this meeting. Chair McNAMEE expressed the Commission's appreciation to Dick Doyle and Don MacDougall for their service on the Planning Commission. 10. COMMISSION REPORTS There were no commission reports. 11. COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS There were no committee or department reports. 12. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner SNOW and seconded by Commissioner COLLINS to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 p.m. ~ QLlCv\ /y\<:::,j h~ ARIAN McNAMEE, Chair ~~~l~' Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary Planning Commission March 1,2001 Page 5