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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/17/2003 CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting April 17 , 2003 ORiGiNAL 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Wheat Ridge Planning Commission was called to order by Chair McNAMEE 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: Karen Berry Kimberly Davis John McMillin Marian McNamee Michael Stites Paula Weisz Kevin Witt Commission Members Absent: Phil Plummer (excused) Staff Members Present: Alan White Travis Crane Ann Lazzeri 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Following is the official set of Planning Commission minutes for the public hearing of April 17, 2003. 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 WEISZ and seconded by Commissioner STITES to approve the order of the agenda as amended. The motion passed 7-0 with Commissioner PLUMMER absent. 5. APPROVE MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner DAVIS and seconded by Commissioner WITT to approve the minutes of April 3, 2003 with an amendment to the last paragraph reflecting that Commissioner McNAMEE rather than Commissioner PLUMMER moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed 7-0 with Commissioner PLUMMER absent. Planning Commission 4-17-03 Page 1 6. PUBLIC FORUM There were none present to address the Commission during this portion of the meeting. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Case No. MS-02-04: An application filed by Daniel and Diane Brauer for approval of a two-lot minor subdivision plat including a 6-foot variance to the 75-foot lot width requirement in the R-2 zone district, resulting in a lot width of 69 feet on property zoned Commercial-One, Residential-Two and Residential-Three and located at 6375 . West 44th Avenue. Due to an error in the public notice, this case could not be heard and staff recommended continuation to Thursday, May 1,2003. It was moved by Commissioner BERRY and seconded by Commissioner DAVIS to move Case No. MS-02-04 to the Planning Commission meeting of May 1,2003. The motion passed 7-0 with Commissioner PLUMMER absent. B. Case No. ZOA-03-05: An ordinance amending Section 26-123 ofthe Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning the definition of "Family Foster Home." Alan White presented this case. He stated that all notification requirements had been met and therefore the Commission had jurisdiction to hear the case. A recent Colorado Supreme Court ruling found that the number of children housed in a foster home cannot be limited. Therefore, it is necessary to amend the City Code to remove the limitation of four children not related to the caretaker in a family foster home. It was moved by Commissioner WEISZ and seconded by Commissioner DAVIS that Case No. ZOA-03-05, an ordinance amending Section 26-123 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning the definition of "Family Foster Home", be forwarded to City Council with a recommendation for approval for the following reasons: 1. It will remove the limitation of four children not related to the caretaker in a family foster home. 2. The amendment is consistent with recent action by the Colorado Supreme Court. The motion passed 7-0 with Commissioner PLUMMER absent. 8. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to come before the Commission. 9. NEW BUSINESS A. Study Session regarding membrane structures, setbacks, etc. At City Council's direction, staff was directed to look at the issue of membrane structures, building heights, setbacks and number of buildings allowed in residential zone districts. Planning Commission 4-17-03 Page 2 Planning Commission was requested to discuss these matters and arrive at recommendations to City Council. Discussion points: Membrane Structures: . Complaints are not received about membrane structures and they don't present safety issues because they have to meet code requirements. . Two-story membrane structures should not be allowed. . Membrane structures should continue to be treated in the same manner as carports. . There was a consensus that no changes to present regulations for membrane structures are necessary. Setbacks: . An additional 5-foot setback should be required for each story for multi-family structures over two stories high. . Setbacks should be increased for 2-story accessory structures. . Consider reducing fees for accessory structures as opposed to permanent structures. . While complaints are not received about metal structures in general, size and maintenance of metal structures should be considered. . Consensus for further study on heights and increased setbacks for accessory structures as well as the "building-in-line" rule. Number of Structures: . Consensus for further study on building coverage requirements. . Consensus that number of structures on a property should not be limited. Nonconforming Structures: . This matter will be discussed at a future time. What can be located in a setback area: . Placing objects in setbacks could interfere with proper drainage. B. Housekeeping Matters Chair McNAMEE offered the following procedural reminders to the Commission: . She encouraged members to be concise in questioning applicants and to avoid repetition. There is a 5-minute rule in the bylaws . Questions that need research should be posed to staff a few days before the meeting (rather than during the meeting) in order to give them time to find the answers. . Try to avoid questions regarding drainage issues, traffic issues, etc., that have already been Planning Commission 4-17-03 Page 3 covered in staff reports through engineering and other reports. . Try to avoid "redesigning" applicant's project. Further discussion included: . When voting against a motion, it is a good idea to give reasons for doing so. . Avoid interrupting applicant's presentation; however, the applicant also needs to be reminded of the time limit. . Since Planning Commission is more of an advisory body, it is good to raise questions for Council's consideration. 10. COMMISSION REPORTS . Commissioner McNAMEE will not be present for the next Planning Commission meeting. 11. COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS There were no committee or department reports. 12. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner DAVIS and seconded by Commissioner McMILLIN to adjourn the meeting at 8:33 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. /l}:LuCz/\ MCA ~ Marian McNAMEE, Chair . a~ v(~rA' ' Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary Page 4 Planning Commission 4-17-03