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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/28/2003 MINUTES OF WHEAT RIDGE URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY January 28, 2003 7:00 p.m. ORIGINAL 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The Wheat Ridge Urban Renewal Authority meeting was called to order by Chair Mary Hashem at 7:10 p.m. The meeting was held in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Members present: Vance Edwards (Arrived at 7:25 p.m.) Mary Hashem Elwyn Kiplinger Tom Mallinson Kandi McKay Margy Platter Members absent: Norm Burkpile John Hall Janet Leo Also attending: Alan White, WRURA Executive Director Jim Windholz, Urban Renewal Attorney Steve Szymanski, Szymanski/Ray Arne Ray, Szymanski/Ray Arm Lazzeri, Recording Secretary 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Kandi McKay requested an amendment to the minutes of January 13, 2003. Page two, last word under Old Business should be changed from 44th and Wadsworth to 44th and Ward. It was moved by Tom Mallinson and seconded by Elwyn Kiplinger to approve the minutes of January 13,2003 as amended. The motion passed unanimously. 3. PUBLIC FORUM There was no one present to address the Authority at this time. WRURA Minutes 1-28-03 Page 1 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Review and Public Comment on Relocation Policv Terry McFadden Paradise Billiards, 5250 West 38th Avenue Mr. McFadden inquired as to the timeframe for his business to be relocated so he can contact realtors, etc. He expressed concern about the effect this relocation would have on the two national pool tournaments he will be holding this summer. Jim Windholz gave Mr. McFadden his phone number to call ifhe has any other questions. He then explained the urban renewal process up to this point. He stated that he is in the process of writing a contract with Cornerstone Group, the developer for Walgreens, which will set forth the timetable for acquiring property. Mr. Windholz estimated that the acquisition process would probably not begin until late spring or summer. Mr. McFadden expressed concern about the thirty-day time limit for relocation. He did not feel that thirty days allowed sufficient time to relocate a business. He also believed that a maximum of $3,000 for impaired goodwill was inadequate. Mr. Windholz eXplained that the relocation policy has not been adopted. The reason for this meeting, although not required by law, is to receive comments on the draft policy and consider the concerns of people who will be affected by this project. Chair Hashem advised Mr. McFadden that he would be informed as the process proceeds and that circumstances, such as the national tournaments, will be taken into consideration. Jim Windholz commented that time lines will be negotiable. (Vance Edwards arrived at this point in the meeting at 7:25 p.m.) Robert Wallace 3748 Sheridan Mr. Wallace asked how fair market value would be determined. He asked the Authority to consider that his property is a legacy for his children. Paula Akin 3718 Ames Ms. Akin lives in Parker, and spoke on behalf of her mother who lives at the above address. Her mother wants to continue living in this house and she asked that the house not be torn down. Mr. Windholz explained that her mother's house is included in the urban renewal project and the Authority will pay for an appraisal and make an offer based upon that appraisal. If she does not agree with the amount offered, she may hire WRURA Minutes 1-28-03 Page 2 another appraiser, at the Authority's expense, and the price will be negotiated. The Authority will pay moving expenses. Ms. Akin asked if her mother could have such things as appliances, doors and lighting fixtures removed before the house is demolished. Mr. Windholz advised her that he could see no reason that they couldn't take these things from the house. Mr. Mallinson advised Ms. Akin that all the items they wish to remove from the house should be listed in the contract. Art Fast Kitchen Masters, 5280 West 38th Avenue Mr. Fast is the owner of Kitchen Masters. He did not believe that allowing 30 days to relocate a business was adequate and asked that the time limit be extended from 30 days to "no less than 90 days." In regard to goodwill and lost profits, he did not believe three months of lost profits was adequate and thought that six months would be more reasonable. Further, he disagreed with $75-100 per year for goodwill was adequate and suggested that $5,000 to$10,000 was more reasonable for businesses which have been in this location for 30-40 years. He stated that 60% of his business comes from people who drive by. He also commented that it would be very expensive to move his business due to the showrooms. Kelly Zielbauer 5280 West 38th Avenue Ms. Zielbauer owns the property that Kitchen Masters now occupies. She inherited the property from her grandparents. She did not believe she has been adequately informed about the process. She objected to the fact that she cannot make a decision as to when, or if, she wants to sell her property. Mr. Windholz explained the process involved if she wanted to appeal the price that is offered. The process would involve a hearing before a jury consisting of three Jeffco property owners. Vance Edwards requested that all of those in attendance, sign a sheet listing their name, address and all phone numbers where they may be reached in order to facilitate the communication process between the Authority and affected property owners. Chuck Mandril Casman's Automotive, 38th and Sheridan Mr. Mandril believed the city should try to attract business to Wadsworth rather than 38th Avenue. Vance Edwards explained that Wadsworth from 35th to 45th has also been designated as an urban renewal area. Mr. Mandril stated that a realtor who he suspected was representing Walgreens has been trying to purchase his property for the last ten years but they wouldn't accept Mr. Mandril's selling price. He also stated that the realtor would not WRURA Minutes 1-28-03 Page 3 divulge who he was representing. He believed that Walgreens is now using the Urban Renewal Authority in order to gain the property. He also stated that he had already given land to the City for easements. If the city purchases his property, he also wants to be reimbursed for the land he dedicated to the city for the streetscape program. Tom Mallinson explained that the Authority was not acting on anyone's behalf. Walgreens expressed an interest in the property and when requests for proposals were sent out, Eckerd's Pharmacy also expressed an interest. It was determined by the Authority that Walgreens proposal was the most feasible. Kim McKinney 3690 Ames Ms. McKinney expressed concern about the amount of traffic that will be generated by Walgreens. This traffic will present a safety hazard to children in her neighborhood. While she has been assured that there will be no entrance to Walgreens from Ames Street, her concern is that people driving to Walgreens will come down Ames Street to avoid congestion on Sheridan. She has made a request to the city for speed bumps on her street. She also stated that she believed the businesses which have existed for years at the subject location are more in keeping with the feel of Wheat Ridge along 38th A venue than a new Walgreens building will be. Terry McFadden He stated that it was asking a lot from businesses to provide a state audit for the last three years to prove profit and loss. He believed the same accounting procedures that he uses for determining the amount of city sales tax to be paid should be sufficient for him to collect lost profit. He also stated that he believed the party interested in purchasing property in this area could not get the price they wanted so they went to the Authority. Vance Edwards stated that he understands the frustrations of property owners, and the Authority does not want to do anything to destroy the fabric of the community, but is obligated to evaluate development when it is presented to see if it makes sense. He further stated that, should the Walgreens project develop, the Authority would do everything in its power to be fair and equitable to the affected . property owners. He also assured the property owners and tenants that every effort would be made to keep them informed. Alan White commented that there hasn't been much to report for the past two months and reiterated that those affected will be kept up to date on any new developments. WRURA Minutes 1-28-03 Page 4 Chuck Mandril He stated that the urban renewal process is hurting his business. He asked that the Authority expedite the process so business and property owners know what steps they need to take. 5. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to come before the Authority. 6. OTHER MATTERS There were no other matters to come before the Authority. 7. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Vance Edwards and seconded by Kandi McKay to adjourn the meeting to February 11 at 7:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8: 17 p.m. if~B.~ Mary Hashem, Chair r2 /0. \ V\ {7J~~ Arm Lazzeri, Secretary WRURA Minutes 1-28-03 Page 5