Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/05/2008 ,," J.~ ~ ~ City of ?WheatR-L-dge PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting June 5, 2008 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair BRINKMAN at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Commission Members Present: Anne Brinkman Jim Chilvers John Dwyer Dick Matthews Davis Reinhart Kim Stewart Commission Members Absent: Jerry Scezney Steve Timms Staff Members Present: Meredith Recker!, Senior Plauner Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner REINHART to approve the order ofthe agenda. The motion passed unanimously. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 15,2008 It was moved by Commissioner REINHART and seconded by Commissioner MATTHEWS to approve the minutes of May 15,2008 as presented. The motion passed 4-0 with Commissioners DWYER and CHILVERS abstaining, and Commissioners SCEZNEY and TIMMS absent. 6. PUBLIC FORUM (This is the time for any person to speak on any subject not appearing on the agenda.) There was no one present to address the Commission. Planning Commission Minutes I June 5, 2008 7. PUBLIC HEARING A. Case No. WZ-08-02: An application filed by Shaw Sign and Awning Company for United Presbyterian requesting approval of an Outline Development Plan amendment for the Highland South Planned Residential Development located at 6340 West 38th Avenue to allow a 10-foot 4-inch freestanding sign. This case was presented by Meredith Reckert. The purpose of the amendment is to allow for a freestanding sign which exceeds residential standards of Article VII of the zoning and development code in an existing planned residential development district. Ms. Reckert entered all pertinent documents into the record and advised the Commission there was jurisdiction to hear the case. She reviewed the case file and digital presentation. The request was reviewed by the Community Development Director for administrative approval and was denied based on an increase in the intensity of use and the increase in structure height. Therefore, the request must be heard by the Planning Commission who will give a recommendation to City Council. Staff concluded that there are options available for signage on the property which are consistent with the existing ODP document and sign code. The sign could easily be modified to be consistent with the seven foot height limitation while providing adequate visibility for the development. Because the proposed sign is not consistent with "human scale" design recommended in the Architectural and Site Design Manual and because precedent could be set for similar requests, staff gave a recommendation of denial. Ms. Reckert noted the following conditions which were not included in the Commission packet: . Title needs to be corrected to reflect an ODP amendment. . Legal description needs to be corrected. . A note needs to be added that all other provisions ofthe existing ODP are still in force. . Site data table on page one relates only to lot one. Commissioner REINHART commented that the subject development could be considered commercial rather than residential. In response to a question from Commissioner DWYER, Ms. Reckert explained that the subject property consists of two developments with the same owner. Planning Connnission Minutes 2 June 5, 2008 Lisa Brown Property Manager for Highland Ms. Brown stated that, as part of updating their campus, it is necessary to replace the outdated sign with one that would be proportionate to the size ofthe high rise building. The sign would be pleasing and helpful to the community. Although the property is zoned residential, it is serviced as a commercial property. Johnathan Harshaw Shaw Sign and Awning Ft. Collins, CO Mr. Harshaw stated that his goal is to design a sign to benefit the customer as well as the community. He believed the sign, as designed, would have no negative impact and the sign would provide economic benefit to customers and the community as a whole in an area that is being revitalized. He believed the "human scale" element in the Architectural and Site Design Manual is a subjective determination. The sign would not look out of perspective, would be easily recognizable 200-300 yards down 38th Avenue and would provide for public safety in legibility and clearly recognizable access to the development. In response to a question from Commissioner DWYER, Mr. Harshaw explained that the time and temperature portion ofthe sign is I foot 7 inches. In response to a question from Commissioner CHIL VERS, Mr. Harshaw explained that the sign would simply give time and temperature and would not change colors or give other messages. Lisa Brown returned to podium to state that they do not want the sign to be distracting in any way. The time and temperature element would probably be added at a later date. In the meantime, the numerical address would be in the space. Chair BRINKMAN asked to hear from members of the public. The following individuals indicated they were in favor of the application but did not come forward to address the Commission: Sarah Loughrey Anne Conklin Judy Jester Ann Myers Ruth Breckon Jim Niquette 3860 Everett Street, Wheat Ridge Planning Commission Minutes 3 June 5, 2008 Mr. Niquette approached the podium and stated that he was in favor of the application. Commissioner DWYER asked about staffs distinction between a commercial and residential development in this case. Ms. Reckert explained that staff is ofthe opinion that it is a residential development even though it is a rental situation that produces income. The development is very well maintained and stafflikes the sign for many reasons. However, the objection to the sign is based on the proposed height. She also stated that she was not aware of any other residential developments in the city that have signs that exceed the 7 foot height limit. In response to a question from Commissioner REINHART, Ms. Reckert stated the code provides no distinction between small multi-family developments and large complexes such as Highland West. The city is trying to move away from tall signs to monument signs. She also stated that no comments have been received from adj acent property owners. Commissioner STEWART commented that there are commercial developments on both sides ofthe street near Highlands West that have as large or larger signs. Jonathan Harshaw returned to podium and submitted a drawing of an 8-foot 8- inch sign as a compromise. This sign would not have the time and temperature element. Commissioner STEWART asked if the base size could be reduced from two feet to one foot. Mr. Harshaw explained that two feet is the minimum in order to decrease vandalism, damage by mowers, etc. Commissioner CHILVERS commented that the intent of the sign is to provide visibility for drivers. If the base is too low, it wouldn't be as visible. Commissioner REINHART stated that he would vote in favor of the application because the sign is appropriate for the intended use; the sign is consistent with long term planning for the corridor and the size of the building. The sign is also consistent with a complex that has a commercial use. It was moved by Commissioner REINHART and seconded by Commissioner MATTHEWS to recommend approval of Case No. WZ-08-02, a request for approval of a change in zoning conditions and an amended Outline Development Plan for property located at 6340 West 38th Avenue for the following reasons: 1. The sign is an appropriate amendment for the site. Planning Commission Minutes 4 June 5, 2008 With the following conditions: . The title shall be corrected to reflect an ODP amendment. . The legal description shall be corrected. . A note shall be added that all other provisions ofthe existing ODP remain in force. . It be noted that on the site data table on page one relate only to lot one. The motion passed 5-1 with Commissioner BRINKMAN voting no and Commissioners SCEZNEY and TIMMS absent. 8. OTHER ITEMS Meredith Reckert informed the Commission that no cases are scheduled for the June 19th meeting. It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner REINHART to cancel the meeting of June 19, 2008. The motion passed unanimously. The next scheduled meeting would be July 3, the day before a holiday. It was moved by Commissioner STEWART and seconded by Commissioner REINHART to cancel the meeting July 3, 2008. The motion passed 5-1 with Commissioner DWYER voting no. 9. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner DWYER and seconded by Commissioner REINHART to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. ~uJ-i~ Anne Brinkman, Chair ~ Planning Commission Minutes 5 June 5, 2008