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Home My WebLink About10/21/2003 ORIGINAL MINUTES OF WHEAT RIDGE URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY October 21, 2003 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The Wheat Ridge Urban Renewal Authority meeting was called to order by Chair Hashem at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was held in the council chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Commissioners present: Norm Burkpile Vance Edwards (arrived at 8:25 p.m.) Mary Hashem Elwyn Kiplinger Tom Mallinson Terrell Williams Commissioners absent: Margy Platter Janet Leo Also attending: Alan White, WRURA Executive Director Jim Windholz, WRURA Attorney Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There being no additions or corrections, the minutes of October 15,2003 were approved as written. 4. PUBLIC FORUM Prior to opening the public forum, Chair Hashem informed those present that a revised financial package has been received from the developer since the last Urban Renewal meeting and will be considered during executive session. She requested a representative from Cornerstone Group to address the audience. Jeff Bailey Cornerstone Group Mr. Bailey stated that it has been the developer's intent to leam what concerns the neighborhood has in order to try to alleviate those concerns. In response to concerns about the proposed alley vacation, it is now proposed to simply relocate the alley in addition to adding speed humps on Ames Street. The site plan has been reworked to provide access to the store in a marmer which would prevent WRURA Minutes 10-21-03 Page I motorists from winding through the neighborhood. At the neighborhood meetings, he stated he has heard from individuals who were in favor of the project and from individuals who were opposed to the project. Walgreens has also agreed that no liquor sales will take place at this location. Scott Martin 3635 Ames Street Mr. Martin asked if access would be allowed to Walgreens from the relocated alley. Mr. Bailey explained that the drive-through would be adjacent to the alley and a restriction would be placed to prevent southbound turns onto Ames from the alley. In response to Mr. Martin's request for a copy of the revised site plan, Mr. Bailey stated that he would provide Mr. Martin with a copy. Tim Sullivan 1101 Lake Street, Chicago, IL Mr. Sullivan stated that it is the developer's intent to restrict left turns onto Ames in addition to installing speed humps on Ames. Henry Nichol 3625 Ames Mr. Nichol expressed concern that Ames Street has twelve turns while Sheridan only has six making Ames and 38th a main intersection rather than 38th and Sheridan. He was concerned about safety for neighborhood children. Mr. Bailey stated that there are existing curb cuts and an alley which presently allow southbound turns onto Ames. Walgreens would restrict the southbound turns onto Ames from the alley. Mr. Nichol expressed concern about reduction in property values ifWalgreens is built. He suggested that Walgreens could instead locate in a vacant building at 38th and Benton. Charles Durbin 3703 Ames Mr. Durbin stated that residents of the area like the existing businesses and do not want them replaced by Walgreens. He expressed concern about the cost to the city from this project. Mr. Bailey asked Mr. Durbin if he would be in favor of the project if the existing businesses were satisfied with it. Mr. Durbin replied that it was his understanding that existing business owners are not satisfied with it and do not want to sell their businesses. He further stated that he did not feel the project was financially feasible for the city. WRURA Minutes 10-21-03 Page 2 Elise Brougham 3545 Allison Court Ms. Brougham stated her opposition to the project because business owners are unwilling to sell and stated that the Authority should back off immediately. The surrounding neighborhood is opposed because of increased traffic on Ames Street and the project does not meet the Comprehensive Plan for Village Center designation while the existing businesses do meet that designation. She was opposed to the additional I % public improvement fee for sales at the Walgreens and expressed concern that customers will not realize they are paying an additional I % that is not applied to other stores in Wheat Ridge. Further, the city will not receive any economic benefit for at least five years. Rob Oye 3512 Ames Street He spoke in opposition to the project. He suggested the developer pay business owners enough money for their businesses to enable them to retire. He asked why new traffic counters have been installed on Ames. He requested a copy of the traffic study. Chair Hashem advised that he could obtain a copy from Alan White's office. Alan White stated that he would find out about the most recent traffic counts and make that information available also. Chuck Mandril 5208 West 38th Avenue Mr. Mandril expressed frustration that the Authority, Planning Commission and City Council seem to be ignoring neighborhood opposition to this project. He expressed concern that he would not be adequately compensated for his property if the project goes through. He believed increased revenue from Walgreens would be offset by lost revenue from King Soopers and the three existing businesses. He did not believe the project was financially feasible. Jeff Bailey explained that Walgreens prefers to be located near other businesses for the synergy involved. They also hope to pick up traffic coming from 1-70 southbound onto Sheridan and noted that sales tax will be generated from other communities in addition to that generated from Wheat Ridge. This will generate sales tax revenue to the city that would otherwise not occur. Kim Oye 3512 Ames She voiced her opposition to the project and expressed concern about neighborhood children's safety due to increased traffic on Ames. In answer to a question from Jeff Bailey, she stated she did not believe speed humps would alleviate the traffic situation on Ames. She also expressed concern that teenagers in the area will have no place for entertainment if the billiards hall is removed. There were no other individuals who wished to address the Authority at this time. WRURA Minutes 10-21-03 Page 3 Chair Hashem advised the audience that no definitive action would be taken by the Authority this evening. Therefore, it was decided that this meeting would be continued to Wednesday, October 22, at 5:00 p.m. 5. EXECUTIVE SESSION It was moved by Terrell Williams and seconded by Norm Burkpile to move into Executive Session under CRS Section 24-6-402(4)(e) for the purpose of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions and, further, for the purpose of determining matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategy for negotiations and/or instructing negotiators regarding financing for the 38th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard redevelopment project. The motion passed unanimously. The regular meeting was continued to October 22,2003 at 5:00 p.m. and adjourned into executive session at 7:30 p.m. The executive session was convened in the second floor conference room at 7:45 p.m. The executive session was adjourned and recessed at 9:15 p.m. Those attending the executive session were: Tim Sullivan, Jeff Bailey (both left the executive session at 8:35 p.m.), Vance Edwards (arrived at 8:25 p.m.), Elwyo Kiplinger, Norm Burkpile, Terrell Williams, Mary Hashem, Tom Mallinson, Alan White, Jim Windholz, Arne Ray and Ann Lazzeri. 'Yc~t~dd. Mary H shem, Chair c2-u WRURA Minutes 10-21-03 Page 4 MEETING ROSTER CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE URBAN RENEWAL AUTHORITY Date: f~c7-06C/Z~ -V00~ (Please print) Name Address ~ Sr E5, ~r'~JJj ~✓Z/~ ~~~,`f~l>/fsL, ~V,Q~~%lG~ z ~7`~/l ~ ~ ' 1