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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/18/2001 , ';". CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting October 18, 2001 ORIGINAL 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair McNAMEE at 7:30 p.m., October 18, 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 Philip Plummer Nancy Snow Commissioner Members Absent: Paulette Cooper Janice Thompson Paula Weisz Staff Members Present: Alan White, Planning Director Meredith Reckert, Sr. Planner Travis Crane, 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 October 18, 2001. A set of these minutes is retained both in the office ofthe City Clerk and in the Department of Planning and Development of the City of Wheat Ridge. 4. APPROVE ORDER OF AGENDA Commissioner BRINKMAN requested addition of an item under Old Business regarding John Elway Auto Nation. It was moved by Commissioner SNOW and seconded by Commissioner COLLINS to approve the order of the agenda with the addition requested by Commissioner BRINKMAN. The motion passed 5-0, with Commissioners COOPER, THOMPSON and WEISZ absent. 5. APPROVE MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner BRINKMAN and seconded by Commissioner COLLINS to approve the minutes of October 4, 2001 as presented. The motion passed 5-0, with Planning Commission October 18, 200 I Page 1 Commissioners COOPER, THOMPSON and WEISZ absent. 6. PUBLIC FORUM There was no one to appear before the Commission. 7. PUBLIC HEARING A. Case No. WZ-00-08 (continued from September 6, 2001): An application submitted by Janet Daughenbaugh for approval of a rezoning from Residential-Two (R-2) to Planned Commercial Development (PCD) and approval of an outline development plan and final development plan and plat for property located at 4240 Kipling Street. The case was presented by Meredith Reckert. She reviewed the staff report and presented overheads of the subject property. Staffrecommended approval of the final development plan and plat with conditions as outlined in the staff report. Commissioner BRINKMAN questioned the comment that fences are not to be placed in the floodplain when there is a fence around the park which is located in a floodplain. Mike Garcia stated that any fence permits for floodplain areas require approval by the floodplain administrator. Janet Daughenbaugh Chair McNAMEE reminded Ms. Daughenbaugh, the applicant, that she was still under oath from the previous hearing. Ms. Daughenbaugh stated that she spoke with Mr. Nelson who owns property to the east of the development and he indicated that since he already had a solid fence within a chain link fence he would prefer to not have another fence. She was unable to contact the Helms family. Commissioner BRINKMAN asked the reason.for not changing the design of the building from the one presented at the last meeting. Ms. Daughenbaugh replied that the building would be somewhat different due to the fact that the front will be facing the park area. Further, she did not see anything wrong with the original design. Commissioner SNOW asked if the applicant would be providing trash service for the new building. Ms. Daughenbaugh stated that she would. Chair McNAMEE asked if there were others present who wished to address this matter. Hearing no response, she closed the public hearing. It was moved by Commissioner BRINKMAN and seconded by Commissioner COLLINS to recommend approval of a planned commercial development final development plan for property located at 4240 Kipling Street for the following reasons: 1. It is consistent with the approved outline development plan. 2. All requirements for a final development plan under the previous zoning code have been met. Planning Commission October 18, 2001 Page 2 With the following conditions: 1. A note should be added that mechanical equipment shall be screened from view from all sides. 2. All citations should be corrected to reflect the new code's numbering system relative to development standards for signage, landscaping and lighting. 3. A note be added regarding maximum building height. 4. The landscape plan be modified to eliminate sight distance obstructions on Kipling. Commissioner SNOW offered an amendment to set the maximum building height at 24 feet. The amendment was accepted by Commissioners BRINKMAN and COLLI NS. Commissioner BRINKMAN commented that fences placed in flood zones should be consistent whether on public or private property. Commissioner SNOW stated that she would vote in favor of the application, however she believed the applicant should have met the request for increased landscaping in order to improve the general appearance of Kipling and upgrade that section of the city. The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners COOPER, THOMPSON and WEISZ absent. It was moved by Commissioner BRINKMAN and seconded by Commissioner COLLINS to recommend approval of a subdivision plat for property located at 4240 Kipling Street for the following reasons: 1. It will consolidate the two parcels into one developable property. 2. All requirements of the subdivision regulations have been met. The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners COOPER, THOMPSON and WEISZ absent. B. Case No. WZ-OI-05: An application submitted by Semper Development for Walgreens for approval of a rezoning from Restricted Commercial (RC) and Commercial-One (C-l) to Planned Commercial Development (PCD) and approval of a preliminary development plan and plat for property located at 12700 West 32nd Avenue. This case was presented by Travis Crane. He reviewed the staff report, presented overheads of the subject property and entered all pertinent documents into the record. The documents were accepted by Chair McNAMEE. He advised there was jurisdiction for the Commission to hear the case. Staff recommended approval ofthe application with conditions as outlined in the staff report. Commissioner SNOW inquired about the proposal for a drive-through window. Travis Crane explained that the drive-through would be allowed for Walgreens only. If another business should develop at this location and request a drive-through, they would have to apply for a special use permit. Planning Commission October 18,2001 Page 3 In response to a question concerning drainage, Alan White explained that it is planned to have underground detention under the front half of the lot with a release into the storm sewer on 32nd Avenue. Commissioner BRINKMAN inquired about proposed economic benefits to the city from this project when Walgreens has been in existence in the area. Mr. Crane replied that the new location would provide greater exposure for Walgreens and other retailers would fill the spot vacated by Walgreens in the Applewood Shopping Center. Chair McNAMEE inquired about existing power poles on the property and asked ifthey would be removed if the project were approved. She also expressed concern about the safety of the present bus stop. Mr. Crane deferred to the applicant to address these questions. Brenda Godfrey Ms. Godfrey, representative for the applicant, was sworn in by Chair McNAMEE. In regard to economic benefit to the city, Ms. Godfrey stated that Walgreens is presently leasing their location in Applewood. This lease will expire in December 2002 necessitating relocation. She stated the developer would be willing to place a maximum height limitation on their building. In response to a concern about increased traffic in the area, she advised that a professional traffic engineer has been consulted and is working with the city to restripe 32nd Avenue to provide better access to the proposed Walgreens. She also stated that the bus stop would be redesigned. The nature of Walgreens' business would result in a steady flow of traffic throughout the day. It is planned to have a monument sign with a planter base that would be no more than eight feet in height. In regard to the Amoco easement, Ms. Godfrey stated that the property is anticipated to be redeveloped when the ground lease expires and that easement area will be dedicated to provide a free right turn lane around the property. A number ofthe power poles will be removed at the time of development. It is planned to have a 24-hour drive-through facility. Ten to 15% of Walgreens' business is transacted through the drive-.through facility. Customers with disabilities and small children are in favor of the drive-through facilities. Walgreens has agreed with the neighbors to restrict delivery and trash pick-up hours from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Adjacent neighbors will be given the phone number of the store manager to report any infractions of these hours. Commissioner SNOW expressed concern about the location of the drive-through being located on the side ofthe building adjacent to a residential neighborhood. Ms. Godfrey explained that there would only be lighting under the drive-through canopy. A six-foot cedar fence would also be installed along the perimeter of the property. Commissioners PLUMMER and COLLINS suggested relocating the drive-through facility. Ms. Godfrey explained that it is impossible to place the drive-through facility in another location because it would interfere with the entrance and layout of the building as well as parking. Planning Commission October 18, 200 I Page 4 In response to a question from Commissioner BRINKMAN concerning crime, Ms. Godfrey stated that there have been no criminal incidents associated with any Walgreens drive-through facility in Colorado. Joseph Bailey 12655 West 31st Avenue Mr. Bailey was sworn in by Chair McNAMEE. He spoke in favor of the application. His property is adjacent to the proposed development. He stated that the Walgreens store would be a great improvement over the present vacant lot that is used as a public dump. He was very much in favor of the landscaping plan which would provide a park-like buffer for the neighborhood. He indicated that he was speaking on behalf of several other neighbors as well. Chair McNAMEE asked if there were others present who wished to address the Commission. Hearing no response, she closed the public hearing. It was moved by Commissioner COLLINS and seconded by Commissioner BRINKMAN that Case No. WZ-OI-05 a request for rezoning from RC & C-l to PCD and apfroval of a preliminary development plan and plat for property located at 12700 West 32n Avenue be approved for the following reasons: 1. The use is consistent with the neighborhood-serving retail designation in the Comprehensive Plan. 2. There will be an increase in economic benefit to the city. 3. There will be an increase of service and convenience to the surrounding neighborhood. 4. The redevelopment will improve existing blighted conditions. With the following conditions: 1. Restriction of hours for trash pick-up and deliveries to 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 2. Building height will be restricted to 32 feet. Chair McNAMEE offered a friendly amendment to change the word "towers" to "tower" on page one. The amendment was accepted by Commissioners COLLINS and BRINKMAN. Commissioner SNOW expressed concern that the definition of neighborhood serving retail prohibits drive-through facilities. It was moved by Commissioner SNOW and seconded by Commissioner BRINKMAN to restrict the hours of operation for the pharmacy drive-through from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. or that the building be redesigned to have the drive-through on the west side of the building. The motion passed 3-2 with Commissioners COLLINS and McNAMEE voting no and Commissioners COOPER, THOMPSON and WEISZ absent. The amended motion passed unanimously. Planning Commission October 18, 2001 Page 5 It was moved by Commissioner SNOW and seconded by Commissioner BRINKMAN that Case No. WZ-OI-05, the portion requesting approval of a subdivision plat for property located at 12700 West 32nd Avenue, be approved for the following reasons: 1. It meets all requirements of the subdivision regulations. With the following conditions: 1. That, at the time of any change in use or redevelopment of Lot 2, the land be dedicated for road purposes. The motion passed unanimously. 8. OLD BUSINESS A. John Elway AutoNation - Commissioner BRINKMAN suggested that the city arrange a neighborhood meeting with the applicant prior to the December 6th public hearing to discuss the concerns of both sides. There was a consensus to have Alan White check with the city attorney regarding this suggestion. (Chair McNAMEE declared a brief recess at 9: 1 0 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 9: 15 p.m.) 9. NEW BUSINESS A. Case No. WZ-OI-05 Commissioner SNOW requested that the record reflect the Commission failed to make a decision mandated by the zoning ordinance regarding whether the special use for the drive-through facility for the Walgreens store went with the applicant or went with the land. She requested that an appropriate motion be prepared for the City Council hearing of Case. No. WZ-Ol-05. B. Review of Proposed Redevelopment Plans for Wadsworth Corridor, 38th Avenue Corridor and Ward Road/West 44th Avenue Resolutions for the proposed redevelopment plans for the Wadsworth Corridor, 38th Avenue Corridor and Ward Road/West 44th Avenue were presented by Alan White. He stated that there are presently no specific redevelopment projects in the works for any of these three plans. These plans simply set the stage for possible future redevelopment to occur. It was moved by Commissioner SNOW and seconded by Commissioner COLLINS to approve Resolution No. 01, a resolution finding a proposed redevelopment plan for the Wadsworth Boulevard corridor redevelopment area is in conformance with the Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan. The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners COOPER, THOMPSON and WEISZ absent. Page 6 Planning Commission October 18, 2001 It was moved by Commissioner COLLINS and seconded by Commissioner BRINKMAN to approve Resolution No. 02, a resolntion finding a proposed redevelopment plan for the 38th Avenue Corridor redevelopment area is in conformance with the Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan. The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners COOPER, THOMPSON and WEISZ absent. It was moved by Commissioner SNOW and seconded by Commissioner PLUMMER to approve Resolution No. 03, a resolution finding a proposed redevelopment plan for the 44th Avenue/Ward Road redevelopment area is in compliance with the City of Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan with the addition of the following language: Changes were made on page seven of the map to change the western most area to match the designation on the map in the Comprehensive Plan as small officelbusiness center and remove bullet No.9 on page 4 for the reason that the Comprehensive Plan limits all industry to the north of /-70. The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners COOPER, THOMPSON and WEISZ absent. 10. COMMISSION REPORTS There were no commission reports. 11. COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS A. Economic Development Task Force - Chair McNAMEE reported that the Economic Development Task Force will hold a breakfast for the business community at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center on November IS at 7:30 a.m. Planning Commissioners are invited to attend. She also reported that an educational seminar for small business owners, or prospective owners, will be conducted some time in January. B. Code Changes - Alan White reported that code changes regarding creation of a conservation district as well as changes regarding code violations are scheduled to go before Council on second reading at the end of November. Further, the City Council has requested ajoint Planning Commission/City Council study session to be held some time in January to discuss the lSOO-foot separation. Residential setbacks will also be discussed at this study session. 12. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner COLLINS and seconded by Commissioner PLUMMER to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. (Y)OIlQ/j IfOI'().M~ MARIAN McNAMEE, Chair /' Planning Commission October 18, 200 I Page 7