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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/02/2006 CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting February 2, 2006 ORIGINAL 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Wheat Ridge Planning Commission was called to order by Chair McMillin at 7:07 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. 2. ROLL CALL Commission Members Present: Anne Brinkman Jolm McMillin Phil Plummer Jerry Scezney Kim Stewart Commission Members Absent: Jim Chilvers Cassie Spaniel Scott Wesley Staff Members Present: Alan White, Community Development Director Meredith Reckert, Senior Planner Jerry Dahl, City Attorney Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Following is the official set of Planning Commission minutes for the public hearing of February 2,2006. A set of these minutes is retained both in the office of the City Clerk and in the Community Development Department of the City of Wheat Ridge. 4. APPROVE ORDER OF AGENDA It was moved by Commissioner PLUMMER and seconded by Commissioner STEWART to approve the order of the agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 19,2006 It was moved by Commissioner BRINKMAN and seconded by Commissioner STEWART to approve the minutes of January 19,2006 as presented. The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners CHILVERS, SPANIEL and WESLEY absent. . 6. PUBLIC FORUM There was no one to address the Commission at this time. Planning Commission February 2, 2006 Page 1 7. PUBLIC HEARING A. Case No. WZ-05-10: An application filed by Michael G. Pharo Associates for approval of a rezoning from Residential-Two to Planned Commercial Development and approval of an outline development plan for property located at 7495 West 29th Avenue. Meredith Reckert informed the Commission that the applicant had requested a continuance of this case. Michael Sheldon Attorney for Applicant Mr. Sheldon was sworn in by Chair McMILLIN. He stated that the applicant has been meeting with the City Council and Wheat Ridge Historical Society Board of Directors regarding the historical designation of the subj ect site. At the last hearing, the City Council requested that this case be continued to allow more time for discussion with the Historical Society and city staff in order to reach a compromise regarding historical designation of a portion of the site. He stated that the applicant has since found it may be possible to find a plan to preserve the mansion and the pergola. He requested a continuance of this case to give more time for the applicant to continue dialogue with the Historical Society and the city staff. Commissioner BRINKMAN disclosed that, prior to opening her packet for this meeting, she had a conversation with a co-worker whose wife had a previous discussion with a city employee regarding the subject property. This was a brief discussion that did not include anything of importance regarding this case. Chair McMILLIN ruled that this conversation would not constitute an impermissible ex parte communication. It was moved by Commissioner STEWART and seconded by Commissioner BRINKMAN to continue Case No. WZ-05-10 to the Planning Commission meeting of March 16,2006. The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners CHIL VERS, SPANIEL and WESLEY absent. B. Case No. WZ-05-11: An application filed by Michael G. Pharo Associates for approval of a planned commercial development final development plan for properties located at 4900 and 4990 Parfet Street. C. Case No. MS-05-04: An application filed by Michael G. Pharo Associates for approval of a minor subdivision plat with dedications for properties located at 4900 and 4990 Parfet Street. These two cases were considered together and presented by Meredith Reckert. She entered all pertinent documents into the record and advised the Commission there was jurisdiction to hear the case. She reviewed the staffreport and digital presentation. Staff recommended approval of these applications for reasons, and with conditions, outlined in the staff report. Planning Commission February 2, 2006 Page 2 Michael Pharo 2835 West Oxford Avenue, Englewood Mr. Pharo was sworn in by Chair McMILLIN. He stated the main objective of the application is to continue development of the Medved retail auto complex. He stated his opposition to the condition which would require dedication of right-of-way for 50th A venue because the road would be of no value to the Medved development. This condition would constitute an onerous taking of land from which the applicant would receive no benefit and there is no guarantee if and when the continuation of 50" Avenue will take place. The applicant is already giving land for an area-wide drainage plan. Those drainage easements will help drain a very large area. At this time, details have not been worked out for the Hummer vehicle demonstration area. The applicant's hands are somewhat tied at this point by corporate dictates that haven't yet been clearly spelled out. He stated the demo area would not be constructed until such time as all the details are known and made available to the city. At the request of staff, the applicant has revised the exterior elevations to utilize substantial portions of contrasting masomy and brick. Mr. Pharo stated that the applicant is in conformance with the city's sign code. A master sign plan for the complex is being developed. He will come back to the city as the project evolves. In response to a question from Commissioner BRINKMAN, Mr. Pharo stated that he believed the parking planned for the development is adequate. Parking will be modified as phases two, three and four are developed. He believed the parking was in line with other jurisdictions surveyed by the applicant. He also commented that if more employee/customer parking is needed, inventory parking could be reduced Commissioner BRINKMAN expressed concern about parking on Parfet and asked if the applicant would have a problem with the city flagging the east side of Parfet as "no parking". Mr. Pharo objected and stated that Parfet is a public street and customers have as much right to park on public right-of-way as anyone else. Commissioner BRINKMAN asked if the demonstration area would be irrigated and if servicing would take place on the site. Mr. Pharo stated that they still don't know what corporate's design requirements are at this time. They do plan to have a pond in the demo area. He stated there would be no servicing or parts business at the Hummer site. In response to a question from Commissioner SCEZNEY, Mr. Pharo stated that all transport loading and unloading would be done on-site. Public streets would not be used for that purpose. Bruce McLennan 677 So. Colorado Boulevard Mr. McLennan was sworn in by Chair McMILLIN. He entered two exhibits into the record: (I) photographs of the Medved dealership in Castle Rock; and (2) an architectural rendering of Planning Commission February 2,2006 Page 3 proposed building. He also showed the Planning Commission samples of materials to be used on the building. He reminded the Commission that the original corporate design was for a galvanized quonset hut style building. The lighting will be manipulated to prevent spillage to adj acent properties. Wendell Ayres 7852 S. Elati, Littleton Mr. Ayres, engineer for the applicant, was sworn in by Chair McMILLIN. He stated that the drainage on this site is a small part (approximately 10 acres out 1400 acres) of a very large drainage basin. The applicant plans to build an off-site drainage channel between Oak Street and Miller Street. The channel would be built through the 100-foot public service easement presently owned by the State Land Board. A box culvert would be built under Oak Street. In order to construct the channel between Miller and Oak, the applicant will have to acquire ownership ofland presently owned by State Land Board. The State Land Board will make a ruling on this matter on February 17,2006. There is no reason to believe the Board will not sell this piece of ground to the applicant. Once easements and/or land is acquired, construction can begin on the channel as soon as March. Chuck Steismeyer 4996 Parfet Mr. Steismeyer was sworn in by Chair McMILLIN. He expressed concern about Medved employees and customers parking along Parfet Street. He wanted to be assured that there would be no light spillage onto his property. He commented that extending 50th Avenue would wipe out another house on the other side of Robb Street. He fought the 60-foot road because it would come within 3 feet of his bedroom. The proposed Arvada drainage channel as shown on the Urban Drainage & Flood Control Master Plan would wipe out his house. He also expressed concern about drainage from the proposed test track and didn't want to see people test driving Hummers through the ditch. In response to a question from Commissioner PLUMMER, Mr. Steismeyer stated that he did not object to the application. In response to a question from Commissioner BRINKMAN, Mr. Steismeyer stated that noise from loudspeakers has been significantly reduced. Meredith Reckert stated that none of the applicant's proposed improvements would affect Mr. Steismeyer's property. Wendell Ayres returned to the podium to address the drainage issue. The regional drainage plan calls for a channel to go directly through Mr. Steismeyer's property and he didn't know if it could be piped through the property or exactly how it would be handled. However, the applicant's construction of the channel on the Medved property would not affect Mr. Steismeyer's property. Planning Commission February 2,2006 Page 4 Bruce McLennan returned to the podium to state that cell phones rather than loudspeakers are now being used to communicate with sales people on the lot. In response to a question from Commissioner STEWART, Mr. McLennan stated that service for the Hummer dealership would take place at the Chevrolet facility. Commissioner BRINKMAN expressed concern about employees and customers parking on Parfet Street. Alan White replied that the city requires businesses to accommodate parking on their sites and staff agrees with the applicant's analysis that there is sufficient parking to accommodate customers and employees on the site. In response to a question from Commissioner SCEZNEY, Mr. McLennan stated that new vehicles would not be driven off the lot in order to clear snow. Mike Rich 4980 Oak Street Mr. Rich was sworn in by Chair McMILLIN. He recently moved his business to the above address. He expressed concern that the proposed development would affect access to his property. Oak Street is very narrow and if Medved has parking on their side of the street (west side of Oak), there would not be sufficient room for tractor trailers to access his property. He expressed concern about the test track area and possible contamination to his property from blowing dirt. The plan to extend 50th Avenue would be beneficial to his business. He stated he was opposed to the project because it doesn't appear there will be adequate on-site parking. Michael Pharo returned to the podium. He stated that parking was planned after a thorough traffic analysis by a traffic consultant. This analysis was approved by the city's public works department. The applicant is dedicating 30 feet of right-of-way on the west side of Oak Street and will be improving the western half of that road. In regard to the test area, the applicant doesn't want dust or debris to get splashed on inventory and therefore there would be no negative effects off site either. Bruce McLennan returned to the podium and reiterated that Medved will only be unloading automobiles on-site and not on public right-of-way. There were no other individuals present who wished to address this matter. Chair McMILLIN closed the public hearing and declared a brief recess at 9:26 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 9:37 p.m. It was moved by Commissioner PLUMMER and seconded by Commissioner SCEZNEY to recommend approval of Case No. WZ-05-11, a request for approval of a Final Development Plan for property zoned Planned Commercial Development located at 4900 and 4990 Parfet Street for the following reasons: 1. Provisions for employee parking have been incorporated into the FDP. Planning Commission February 2, 2006 Page 5 2. The final development plan is consistent with standards set forth in the approved outline development plan for this site. 3. All requirements for a PCD final development plan have been met. With the following conditions: 1. The drainage system for the northern portion of the site be redesigned to accommodate a half-width (30') dedication for West 50th Avenue. 2. Prior to installation of the vehicle demonstration testing area, additional information must be provided regarding the use, maintenance and management of this area. 3. The applicant will continue working with the ditch companies to resolve concerns prior to issuance of a building permit. 4. The applicant will continue working with the Clear Creek Valley Water and Sanitation district for inclusion into the district for sanitary sewer purposes. Commissioner BRINKMAN offered the following friendly amendment: The final development plan will be modified on page 3 of 7 to require that employee parking for the new dealership be changed from 19 to 25, employee parking for the existing dealership be changed from 50 to 75 and inventory and/or guest parking be changed from 173 to 142. The amendment was accepted by Commissioners PLUMMER and SCEZNEY. Chair McMILLIN commented that a key issue in this matter is whether or not 50th Avenue is allowed to go through. It is important to have connectivity to light rail. He stated that he was unimpressed with Mr. Pharo's statement that he doesn't want to dedicate right-of-way for 50th Avenue because it won't benefit the Medved Dealership. Other landowners have been required to dedicate land for the benefit of the city. This dedication would be similar to sidewalk dedications required of single family homeowners. Commissioner SCEZNEY stated he would vote in favor of the project and expressed appreciation to the applicant for working with other entities regarding drainage. He spoke in favor of the dedication for 50th Avenue because of its importance to the future of Wheat Ridge. The amended motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners CHIL VERS, SPANIEL and WESLEY absent. It was moved by Commissioner PLUMMER and seconded by Commissioner SCEZNEY to recommend approval of Case No. MS-05-04, a request for approval of a final plat for property zoned Planned Commercial Development located at 4900 and 4990 Parfet Street for the following reasons: Planning Commission February 2, 2006 Page 6 1. All requirements of the Subdivision Regulation have been met. 2. Staff recommends approval. With the following condition: Thirty feet of right-of-way shall be dedicated for West 50th Avenue and the easements on the north end shall be redefined to reflect required changes. The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners CHIL VERS, SPANIEL and WESLEY absent. It was moved by Commissioner STEWART and seconded by Commissioner PLUMMER to make a resolution recommending that City Council address parking on Parfet between the frontage road and 50th Avenue by limiting parking to two hours. Parking along Parfet has been an ongoing problem for residents and businesses in the area and will become more of a problem as the Medved dealership expands. The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners CHILVERS, SPANIEL and WESLEY absent. 8. OLD BUSINESS . Alan White reported that recent meetings were held regarding the end of the Gold Line, the Northwest Sub-area and the Wadsworth Corridor. 9. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to come before the Commission. 10. COMMISSION REPORTS There were no commission reports. 11. COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS There were no committee and department reports. 12. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner PLUMMER and seconded by Commissioner STEWART to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. ~ '" . ~ ;1 \ ~ ((, . ecretary Planning Commission February 2,2006 Page 7