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CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING COMMISSION
Minutes of Meeting
July 5, 2001
ORIGINAL
1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair McNAMEE at 7:30 p.m., July 5, 2001, in the City
Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge,
Colorado.
2.
ROLL CALL
Commission Members Present:
Anne Brinkman
Jerry Collins
Marian McNamee
Janice Thompson
Paula Weisz
Commission Members Absent:
Paulette Cooper
Mark Miller
Nancy Snow
Staff Members Present:
Alan White, Planning Director
Meredith Reckert, Sr. Plauner
Mike Garcia, Development Review Engineer
Steve Nguyen, Traffic Engineer
Ann Lazzeri, Secretary
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The following is the official set ofPlauning Commission minutes for the public hearing of July 5,
200 I. A set of these minutes is retained both in the office of the City Clerk and in the Department of
Plauning and Development of the City of Wheat Ridge.
4. APPROVE ORDER OF AGENDA
It was moved by Commissioner THOMPSON and seconded by Commissioner WEISZ to
amend the agenda to postpone item 9(A) Discussion of Residential Setback Standards
(ZOA-OI-02) until the next Planning Commission meeting when Commissioner SNOW
can be present. The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners COOPER, MILLER and
SNOW absent.
5. APPROVE MINUTES
Chair McNamee requested an amendment to page four, paragraph 5: "Mr. Svoboda"should be
changed to "Bob Goebel". It was moved by Commissioner THOMPSON and seconded by
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July 5, 2001
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Commissioner COLLINS to approve the minutes of May 17, 2001 as amended. The
motion passed 4-0 with Commissioner BRINKMAN abstaining and Commissioners
COOPER, MILLER and SNOW absent
6. PUBLIC FORUM
There was no one to appear before the Commission
7. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Case No. SUP-OI-0l: (continued from June 21, 2001) - Application by Karl Koch
for approval of a Special Use Permit to allow a 14-bed assisted living facility on
property zoned Restricted-Commercial (R-C) and located at 4415 Jay Street.
This case was presented by Meredith Reckert. She reviewed the staff report and presented
slides and overheads of the application. All pertinent documents were entered into the record
and accepted by Chair McNAMEE. Commission members were advised that they had
jurisdiction to hear the case. Staff recommended approval of the application with conditions as
outlined in the staff report.
Commissioners THOMPSON and BRINKMAN expressed concern about inadequate visitor
parking.
Commissioner BRINKMAN asked if fill would be added because the subject property is lower
than the other properties. Mike Garcia replied that a drainage plan was submitted and there are
plans to add some fill.
Karl Koch
3090 West 63" Avenue, Denver
Mr. Koch, the applicant, was sworn in by Chair McNAMEE. He stated that he purchased the
subject property for the purpose of building an assisted living facility. He explained that each
room would have its own shower, sitting area and kitchenette without stoves. Nine parking
spaces are plauned which he believed to be more than adequate because it is doubtful that any
of the residents would drive.
Commissioner WEISZ asked Mr. Koch if he plauned to retain ownership ofthe building. Mr.
Koch replied that he would probably retain ownership ofthe building and lease to a
professional management company. The leases would probably be on a month-to-month basis.
He further explained that it is plauned to have two assistants employed during the day and one
on-site employee at night which meets state requirements for assisted living facilities.
Mr. Koch stated that, in addition to the nine parking spaces, street parking is available although
he expressed concern about the automotive radio shop on the comer parking commercial
vehicles in front of his property. The person living on-site would be restricted to one car. He
indicated he had no problem with designating four or more parking spaces as visitor parking.
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July 5, 2001
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Commissioner THOMPSON asked what the regulations were about commercial vehicles
parking in residential neighborhoods. Alan White explained that semi's are not allowed to park
on the street. Commissioner THOMPSON suggested parking signs to enforce the sight
triangles.
Mr. Koch asked if signs could be posted that would say: "no overnight parking, no parking of
commercial vehicles, or no RV parking, etc."
Steve Nguyen replied that he wouldn't recommend these types of signs because it is extremely
difficult for the police department to enforce.
Commissioner BRINKMAN asked if the applicant planned to replace the 6-foot cedar fence
when the park behind the proposed building is developed. Mr. Koch replied that, should the
park be developed, part of the fence would be replaced with wrought iron to provide an open
view into the park.
In response to a question from Commissioner BRINKMAN, Mr. Koch stated that there would
be oxygen in the building which would be regulated by state requirements.
Commissioner BRINKMAN asked if trash trees in back ofthe property would be removed.
Mr. Koch said they would be removed and he plans to plant evergreen trees which would be
irrigated until established.
In response to a question from Commissioner COLLLINS, Mr. Koch replied that there would
be no heating or air conditioning units on the roof of the proposed building.
Commissioner COLLINS inquired about governing agencies for assisted living facilities. Mr.
Koch replied that the state acts as governing agency; however, nursing homes and Alzheimer's
facilities require additional governing agencies.
Chair McNAMEE expressed concern that, while this would be a 14-bed facility, there could be
more than 14 residents if there are two people to a room. Mr. Koch explained that, while it
would not be in violation of state regulations to have two occupants in a room, he stated he
would have no problem with adhering to 14 beds. He also stated that it is not unusual for one
or two rooms in an assisted living facility to be occupied by a married couple.
Chair McNAMEE asked if two occupants in a room would change the parking requirements.
Alan White stated that it would not because parking requirements are based on the number of
rooms.
In response to a question from Commissioner THOMPSON, Alan White stated that staff was
satisfied with the parking set forth in the plan.
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July 5, 200 I
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Chair McNAMEE asked ifthere were others present who wished to address this matter. There
was no response.
It was moved by Commissioner THOMPSON and seconded by Commissioner WEISZ to
approve Case No. SUP-OI-0l, a request for approval of a special use permit by Karl Koch
to allow a congregate care facility on R-C zoned property at 4415 Jay Street, for the
following reasons:
1. The proposed SUP will fill a demand for housing alternatives for the elderly.
2. The request is consistent with the comprehensive plan.
3. The proposed special use is a better alternative for the neighborhood than
commercial uses.
With the following conditions:
1. The permit run with the land in perpetuity.
2. The management of the facility shall remain in accordance with the applicant's
Exhibit 'C'. Any deviation from Exhibit 'c' shall require renewal ofthe special
use permit.
3. The site plan shall be modified to reduce the curb cut from 57 feet to no more than
35 feet with the remaining 22 feet in mountable curb with appropriate painting
and striping.
4. This facility will be a 14-room facility with a maximum of 16 residents plus a live-
in manager.
The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners COOPER, MILLER and SNOW absent.
B. Case No. ZOA-OI-0l: (continued from June 21, 2001) An ordinance amending Article
II of Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning the addition of a
Conservation Zoning District.
It was moved by Commissioner COLLINS and seconded by Commissioner WEISZ that
Case No. ZOA-OI-0l be continued to the Planning Commission meeting of July 19,2001.
The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners COOPER, MILLER and SNOW absent.
8. OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business to come before the Commission.
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion of Residential Setback Standards (ZOA-OI-02). (This item was
postponed to the next meeting of the Planning Commission on July 19,2001 by an
earlier motion.)
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July 5, 200 I
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B. Condolences - Commissioner THOMPSON requested that the record reflect the
Commission's condolences to Commissioner SNOW in the recent loss of her son, Peter.
C. New Commission Member - Chair McNAMEE welcomed Anne Brinkman to the
Planning Commission.
D. Commission Vacancy - Due to excessive absences of Commissioner MILLER, Chair
McNAMEE has written a letter to City Council requesting a replacement.
10. COMMISSION REPORTS
A. Economic DeveloDment Committee - Chair McNAMEE stated that she has served on
this Committee for the past year and is ready to step down. She asked if there was
another Commissioner who would like to serve in her place on this committee to let her
know.
11. COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS
12. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioner THOMPSON and seconded by Commissioner COLLINS
to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
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MARIAN McNAMEE, Chair
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Planning Commission
July 5, 200 I
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