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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/06/2003 CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting November 6, 2003 ORIGINAL 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Wheat Ridge Planning Commission was called to order by Vice Chair WEISZ at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th A venue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. 2. ROLL CALL Commission Members Present: John McMillin Phil Plummer Michael Stites Paula Weisz Kevin Witt Commission Members Absent: Kimberly Davis (excused) Marian McNamee (excused) Staff Members Present: Meredith Reckert, Senior Planner Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Following is the official set of Planning Commission minutes for the public hearing of November 6, 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 PLUMMER and seconded by Commissioner STITES to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners McNAMEE and DAVIS absent. 5. APPROVE MINUTES - October 16, 2003 It was moved by Commissioner McMILLIN and seconded by Commissioner STITES to approve the minutes of October 16, 2003 as presented. The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners McNAMEE and DAVIS absent. 6. PUBLIC FORUM There were none present to address the Commission. Planning Commission November 6, 2003 Page 1 7. STUDY SESSION A. Sien Code Meredith Reckert presented this matter. The Community Development staff is in the process of evaluating changes to the existing sign code. Changes to regulations concerning flags, banners and temporary signs are being considered as well as other miscellaneous changes that will make the sign code more consistent. She reviewed the staff report containing staff recommendations and asked for discussion by the Commission. Commissioner WEISZ asked how regulations concerning the number of flags and temporary banners would be enforced. Ms. Reckert explained that, should changes to the sign code be adopted, education of business owners would take place regarding those changes and a 60-day grace period to remove flags and banners that did not meet regulations would be instituted. A fairly rigorous code enforcement effort would then take place although monitoring time limits, etc., will be difficult with reduction in staff which has taken place this year. Commissioner McMILLIN suggested the possibility of instituting fees for temporary banners. Fees could be assessed according to the time the banner is to be displayed. There was discussion about regulating sandwich signs. Commissioner WITT noted that some of them are very close to the street and can affect sight distance for drivers. Meredith Reckert commented that A-frame or sandwich signs are presently under the portable sign section of the code. Commissioner McMILLIN commented that illuminated signs with white backgrounds are very glaring and he would like to see some regulation address the brightness of such signs. These can sometimes present traffic hazards. He also requested staff to check the height of the flag at the American Hotel to see ifit is in violation of the existing code. . Commissioner McMILLIN commented that he would like to see animated signs allowed under the sign code if they meet certain requirements. Commissioner PLUMMER commented that he prefers monument signs rather than tall signs that sometimes are obliterated by trees. It is also good to have signs at drivers' eye levels. Commissioner WEISZ commented that she would not like to see the 1-70 corridor opened up to any more signs. She agreed with the suggestions to issue banner permits. It was moved by Commissioner McMILLIN and seconded by Commissioner PLUMMER that the city charge substantial fees for banners to be left up for a lengthy period of time (3 months to a year) and allow each business a free 30-day banner for grand openings, Christmas sales, or special sales. Enforcement would be based upon complaints or notice by a city inspector at which time the business owner would be given 30 days to remove the sign or purchase a permit. Commissioner WEISZ expressed concern about enforcement in light of recent staff reductions. Planning Commission November 6, 2003 Page 2 Meredith Reckert commented that most of the present code enforcement regarding signs is complaint based and she thought enforcement would not be a problem. Commissioner McMILLIN stated that he felt it was important to address excess window signage which can cause problems with police enforcement when they are called to an establishment and are unable to see inside the building before going in. A vote was taken on the motion which passed 5-0 with Commissioners DAVIS and McNAMEE absent. Commissioner McMILLIN requested staff to prepare a report presenting options for the regulation oflights and lighted signs in regard to illumination spread off the property, intensity of illumination and white backgrounds. There was a consensus of the Commission to make this direction to staff. Ms. Reckert replied that it would be many months before this could be researched and prepared. Commissioner WITT suggested that staff look into regulations concerning banners that are affixed to buildings. Some are attached by one corner to the building and extend across parking lots, etc. B. Neiehborhood Commercial Uses This matter was introduced by Meredith Reckert. Planning Commission in February, 2003, requested a review of uses to be allowed in the Neighborhood Commercial zone district. There is very little neighborhood commercial use in the city; however, a vehicle is needed to regulate those uses. Commissioner McMILLIN pointed out that newsstands are presently listed in two categories: (1) bookstores, newsstands, stationery and card stores are a special use; (2) newsstands alone are a permitted use. He suggested that newsstands be removed from the list for special use. He also believed tailoring, dressmaking or alteration shops should be a permitted use as they have a low impact on a neighborhood. Dairy stores and small bakeries were discussed. Suggestions were made that dairy stores should be permitted if under a certain square footage and small bakeries should be a permitted use. (Vice Chair WEISZ declared a brief recess at 8:30 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 8:35 p.m.) It was moved by Commissioner McMILLIN and seconded by Commissioner PLUMMER to include banks, medical and dental clinics, including laboratories, and clinics for nonresidential psychiatric counseling as special uses; include tailoring, dressmaking and alterations as a permitted use; and paint and wallpaper stores should not be permitted. The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners DAVIS and McNAMEE absent. Planning Commission November 6, 2003 Page 3 8. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to come before the Commission. 9. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to come before the Commission. 10. COMMISSION REPORTS . Meredith Reckert reported that City Council approved the consolidation plat for the proposed Walgreens at 38th and Sheridan. . City Council approved residential setback standards recommended by Planning Commission with the exception of setbacks for sheds. These standards will become effective November 21, 2003. 11. COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS There were no committee and department reports. 12. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner PLUMMER and seconded by Commissioner WITT to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Planning Commission November 6, 2003 Page 4