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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/05/2006 ORIGINAL CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting October 5, 2006 (Due to a technological failure, proceedings ofthis meeting could not be recorded. Minutes are based on notes made by the recording secretary.) 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The regular meeting ofthe Wheat Ridge Planning Commission was called to order by Acting Chair PLUMMER at 7:00 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 Jim Chilvers John McMillin Phil Plummer Cassie Spaniel Kim Stewart Commission Members Absent: Jerry Scezney Scott Wesley Staff Members Present: Alan White, Community Development Director Meredith Reckert, Sr. Planner Joyce Manwaring, Parks and Recreation Director Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA It was moved by Commissioner CHIL VERS and seconded by Commissioner SPANIEL to approve the order of the agenda. The motion passed unanimously. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - September 21, 2006 It was moved by Commissioner McMILLIN and seconded by Commissioner STEWART to approve the minutes of September 21, 2006 as presented. The motion passed with Commissioners SCEZNEY and WESLEY absent and Commissioner BRINKMAN abstaining. Planning Commission October 5, 2006 - 1 - Commissioner PLUMMER reiterated his concern about the lack of ball fields in the city. Present ball fields are overscheduled and overused. He stated he would vote against adoption of the plan, not because there were not enough funds, but because there were no plans for additional ball fields. He believed the $800,000 designated for the Miller Street parking should be used for a parking lot on the west side of Kipling in the 4200 block similar to that on the east side of Kipling for the Greenbelt. Joyce Manwaring stated that the study revealed Wheat Ridge to be above-average for the number of ball fields and the surveys did not indicate citizen desire for more ball fields. The study did recommend the addition of one more ball field. Commissioner PLUMMER also commented that more picnic areas are needed in Prospect Park. Commissioner STEWART expressed concern about the lack of handicapped accessible picnic areas. She also commented that, in addition to organized sports activities, children need park space where they can just play, dig in the dirt, etc. She expressed concern that the area north of 44th between Kipling and Tabor is served only by Fruitdale Park. She would like to see a safe crossing on 44th Avenue to provide access to Prospect Park. Joyce Manwaring replied that the Master Plan recognizes this area's need for a neighborhood park. One possibility might be to develop the historic park as a neighborhood park. Joyce Manwaring stated that she would report back to the Commissioners regarding their concerns expressed during this hearing. It was moved by Commissioner STEWART and seconded by Commissioner McMILLIN that Case No. WPA-06-04, Resolution 03 of 2006, the proposed draft of the Parks and Recreation Mater Plan, be recommended for APPROVAL for the following reasons: 1. Chapter 2-60 ofthe Code of Laws authorizes Planning Commission to give recommendations regarding amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and other supporting documents. 2. The proposed Parks and Recreation Master Plan will supersede outdated documents currently iu place. Commissioner McMILLIN offered a friendly amendment to include a statement that staff will research and confirm the serious accidents at Willowhead Dam on Clear Creek and, by a separate expediting process from the overall Master Plan, investigate the hazards and remediation of those hazards. The amendment was accepted by Commissioner STEWART. Planning Commission October 5, 2006 - 3 - 6. PUBLIC FORUM (This is the time for any person to speak on any subject not appearing on the agenda. Public comments may be limited to 3 minutes each.) There was no one present to address the Commission at this time. 7. PUBLIC HEARING A. Case No. WPA-06-04: A resolution adopting the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Joyce Manwaring Parks and Recreation Director Joyce Manwaring was sworn in by Chair PLUMMER. She reviewed the process involved in developing the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Much ofthe plan was based upon a needs assessment performed in the community to receive citizen input. The Neighborhood Revitalization Study, Wheat Ridge 2020 and the Open Space Management Plan were also considered in formulation of the Parks Master Plan. Commissioner McMILLIN reiterated his concern from the last meeting regarding the hazardous dam on Clear Creek. Rather than following the recommendation that this dam be considered as part of the master plan as a whole, he suggested an expedited process for a Clear Creek master plan in order to address the dangers presented by the dam. Joyce Manwaring agreed that the situation should be researched to come up with a definite solution. Commissioner STEWART commented that she did not want to see Pruitdale Park used for ball fields. Joyce Manwaring explained that residents around this park have expressed some uncomfortable feelings because of the park's isolation which has led to some undesirable activity in the park. Part of the Master Plan's recommendation is to do something that would increase activity in the park whether it be a dog park, ball fields, etc. In response to a question from Commissioner CHIL VERS, Joyce Manwaring stated that she did not believe a master plan for the greenbelt is necessary because of the existing open space management plan. Commissioner McMILLIN expressed concern about weed management on open space land. He specifically referred to the Zarlengo property and suggested that all of the weeds be cut periodically. He observed 4-5 foot high weeds on the day of the hearing that appeared not to have been cut all year. Joyce Manwaring explained that the city doesn't mow the entire property but would take Commissioner McMILLIN's comments under advisement and further research would be conducted. Planning Commission October 5, 2006 - 2 - Commissioner McMILLIN offered another friendly amendment to state that the Zarlengo Park area needs restoration to natural landscaping with short or tall grass vegetation and/or riparian habitat. This amendment was accepted by Commissioner STEWART. In response to a question from Commissioner BRINKMAN, Joyce Manwaring stated there are no funds presently available for restoration of the Zarlengo property. The motion passed 5-1 with Commissioner PLUMMER voting no and Commissioners SCEZNEY and WESLEY absent. 8. OTHER ITEMS A. Briefing on X Process Alan White reviewed the proposed X-Zone concept that resulted from the Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy and evolved into the X Process. The Commission will consider an ordinance to adopt the X Process at a later date. He explained that the X Process involves more of a change in process and streetscape and architectural design than rezoning. Commissioner BRINKMAN expressed concern that some of the ODP and PDP changes could possibly reduce community input. Commissioner McMILLIN suggested research that would show how many changes Planning Commission has made at the ODP stage. Pollowing discussion of subdivisions, Alan White stated that he would check with the city attorney regarding possible criteria to deny subdivisions. Commissioner McMILLIN suggested a review of the streetscape manual because of its elevated importance in the X Process. Alan White will bring the streetscape manual to the Commission for review before the ordinance is considered. Alan White stated that the next step in the process would be to gather input from the development community. The goal is to be able to adopt the ordinance by the end of this year or the beginning of next year. B. Light Rail Commissioner McMILLIN reported that he attended a public meeting in Arvada where he learned that RTD does not have a firm commitment to use Union Pacific right-of-way for the "Gold Line" light rail. Union Pacific does not want to allow Planning Commission October 5, 2006 -4- light rail in their right-of-way because of liability issues. RTD will continue attempts to negotiate with Union Pacific. (Note: The right-of-way proposed for the Gold Line is owned by Burlington Northern/Sante Fe.) 9. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner CHIL VERS and seconded by Commissioner STEWART to adjourn the meeting at 9:14 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. 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