Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/19/2001 CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting July 19,2001 ORIGINAL 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair McNAMEE at 7:30 p.m., July 19,2001, in the City Council Chambers ofthe Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. 2. ROLLCALL Commission Members Present: Anne Brinkman Jerry Collins Paulette Cooper Marian McNamee Nancy Snow Paula Weisz Commission Members Absent: Janice Thompson (excused) Mark Miller Staff Members Present: Alan White, Planning Director Ann Lazzeri, Secretary 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The following is the official set of Planning Commission minutes for the public hearing of July 19, 200 l. 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 BRINKMAN requested an addition to the agenda under New Business to discuss the TCBY property on Wadsworth. It was moved by Commissioner SNOW and seconded by Commissioner COLLINS to amend the agenda to include discussion ofthe TCBY property on Wadsworth. The motion passed 6-0 with Commissioners THOMPSON and MILLER absent. 5. APPROVE MINUTES Commissioner BRINKMAN requested an amendment to page four, paragraph 2 to reflect that Commissioner WEISZ, rather than Commissioner BRINKMAN, seconded the motion. Commissioner SNOW requested that future minutes reflect whether or not absences are excused. It was moved by Commissioner BRINKMAN and seconded by Commissioner WEISZ to approve the minutes of July 5, 2001 as amended. The motion passed 4-0 with Commissioners SNOW and COOPER abstaining. Planning Commission July 19,2001 Page 1 6. PUBLIC FORUM There was no one to appear before the Commission 7. PUBLIC HEARING A. Case No. ZOA-OI-0l: (continued from July 5, 2001) - An ordinance amending Article II of Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning the addition of a Conservation Zoning District. Alan White reviewed the staff report comparing the public facilities and conservation zone districts. Commissioner BRINKMAN inquired as to the intent of the ordinance. Alan White explained that when Chapter 26 was adopted, Council gave direction to staff to come up with regulations for a conservation zone district. No other direction was given. Since it is a change to Chapter 26, the Planning Commission is to review it and forward recommendations to City Council. It was moved by Commissioner COLLINS and seconded by Commissioner SNOW that the ordinance amending Article II of Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning the addition of a Conservation Zoning District be recommended to City Council for approval. Commissioner SNOW offered a friendly amendment to item "e" under Permitted Accessory Uses to read "benches, picnic tables, and shelters. The amendment was accepted by Commissioner COLLINS. Commissioner SNOW offered a friendly amendment to add item "F" under Permitted Accessory Uses to read: f. Wildlife observation decks and platforms not to include boat docks. The amendment was accepted by Commissioner COLLINS. Commissioner SNOW offered a friendly amendment to item "bOO under Permitted Accessory Uses to read: parking lots and associated driveways and drive aisles, not to exceed fifty (50) parking spaces and, in no event closer than 3000 linear feetfrom any other parking lot. The amendment was accepted by Commissioner COLLINS. Commissioner BRINKMAN expressed concern that this ordinance is too limited to be applied to private property. The amended motion passed 6-0 with Commissioners THOMPSON and MILLER absent. It was moved by Commissioner SNOW and seconded by Commissioner BRINKMAN that the following language be added to B. Permitted Uses: Private Property: Permitted accessory uses for private properties governed by this subsection B must be needed for and clearly accessory to the natural conservation purposes of this zone district and of the specific property. Such uses shall include only: The following uses should be listed under this Planning Commission July 19,2001 Page 2 section: benches, picnic tables and shelters; and wildlife observation decks and platforms not to include boat docks. Further, under C. Prohibited Uses: Change the language to read: All uses not classified as Permitted or Accessory Uses by this Section are prohibited within a Conservation District. The motion passed 6-0 with Commissioner THOMPSON and MILLER absent. Commissioner COOPER offered a friendly amendment to the original motion by Commissioner COLLINS that language be added under G. Additional Requirements, (a) as follows: within a Conservation District exceptfor noxious weeds as defined in state statutes. The amendment was accepted by Commissioners COLLINS and SNOW. The amended motion passed 6-0 with Commissioners THOMPSON and MILLER 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) Alan White presented this matter and reviewed the staffreport of June 14,2001, regarding changes recommended by the Wheat Ridge United Neighborhoods to revise the required minimum side and rear yard setbacks in the residential zone districts; and to eliminate the exceptions to setbacks in Section 26-611. It was the recommendation of staff that the residential setbacks need to be revised to be consistent with lot sizes and lot widths and to be consistent among the same uses in different zone districts; that the five-feet per story additional setback should be used sparingly; and that the setback exceptions should remain. Commissioner SNOW stated that she <,lid not believe any side yard setbacks should ever be less than five feet. Chair McNAMEE stated her opinion that front porches which are not enclosed should be allowed to encroach into a setback. She expressed concern that the R -1 C zone district has smaller lots and severe setback restrictions would make it impossible for homeowners to expand their houses. Commissioner BRINKMAN stated she would not have a problem with more restrictive setbacks for new construction and less restrictive setbacks for a "pop-top" to an existing structure. Alan White commented that he would interpret the provision allowing an addition to be built in-line with the existing wall to mean vertically as well as horizontally. Planning Commission July 19,2001 Page 3 In response to a question from Chair McNAMEE, Alan White explained that the proposed setback regulations would, for example, prevent the addition of a chimney on an existing structure if it would encroach into the setback. Commissioner WEISZ stated that she was in agreement with the five-foot setback requirement. Commissioner SNOW commented that citizens would still have the option to go before the Board of Adjustment. Commissioner COLLINS stated that he believed the current regulations were sufficient and should not be changed. These seem to be the norm in other communities. It was moved by Commissioner SNOW and seconded by Commissioner BRINKMAN that the planning director bring back an ordinance that provides all building setbacks to be no less than five feet. Louise Turner addressed the Commission to request approval of the WRUN setback guidelines to preserve the quality of life of individuals and character of Wheat Ridge. She expressed concern about small setbacks between tall houses as well as certain architectural features such as porches, chimneys, etc., being allowed to encroach into setbacks. She was also concerned about fire accessibility when there are small setbacks and no alleyways. She proposed the following motion: "In all residential zone districts regarding side and rear yard setbacks for single family homes and duplexes for which there is already not such a provision that there be an additional five feet for each additional story." She further proposed that the four exceptions listed under Section 26-611 A, be totally deleted and replaced with: "Building setbacks shall be measured at right angles from the property line to the outermost wall or extending architectural feature with the exception of the roof overhang which is limited to two feet. Other encroachment into the required setback areas shall not be permitted except by variance granted by the Board of Adjustment. Numbers one through four are hereby deleted." She suggested that variances be limited to 1 0%. She also suggested that the Commissioners take a look at the log of variances that have been granted. She would also like to see all variances go before the Board of Adjustment including those currently granted administratively as well as by City Council and Planning Commission. Chair McNAMEE stated that limiting all variances to 10% could be detrimental in some cases such as someone wanting to encroach into a 30-foot setback to build a front porch on their home. A vote was taken on the motion. The motion passed by a vote of 4-2 with Commissioners McNAMEE and COLLINS voting no and Commissioners THOMPSON and MILLER absent. Chair McNAMEE expressed concern about having a five-foot setback requirement for those large lots included in the R-IA zone district. Planning Commission July 19,2001 Page 4 It was moved by Commissioner SNOW and seconded by Commissioner WEISZ that side yard setbacks in the R-IA zone district be changed from five feet to ten feet. The motion passed 6-0 with Commissioners THOMPSON and MILLER absent. There was a consensus to have staff bring back language that would differentiate between "pop-tops" and new construction in relation to the five-foot setback requirement for each story. There was also consensus to clarify the charts and footnotes for the R-3 and R-3A districts. (Commissioner SNOW left the meeting at 9:05 p.m.) B. TCBY Property at 41st and Wadsworth Commissioner BRINKMAN inquired about the status ofthe TCBY property and asked if Open Space funds would be used to acquire the property. Alan White explained that Open Space funds have been applied for to acquire this piece of land which would be used to expand the Town Center Park. Commissioner BRINKMAN expressed concern that 41st would go through parkland property. Mr. White explained that the street would only affect a corner of the property and other funds would be needed to acquire the piece affected by the new entrance. 10. COMMISSION REPORTS A. Economic Development Commission - Chair McNAMEE reported that the Economic Development Commission did not hold meetings during June or July. 11. COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS There were no committee or department reports. 12. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner COLLINS and seconded by Commissioner COOPER to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. ~i.(/\ /JI1c?A JO..ll'LPO AN McNAMEE, Chair ~ etary Planning Commission July 19,2001 Page 5