Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/22/2007 ORIGINAL CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT Minutes of Meeting March 22, 2007 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Wheat Ridge Board of Adjustment was called to order by Chair BELL at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers ofthe Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. 2. ROLL CALL Board Members Present: Tom Abbott Janet Bell Bob Blair Paul Hovland Bob Howard Larry Linker Board Members Absent: Betty Jo Page Staff Members Present: Meredith Reckert, Sr. Planner Ann Lazzeri, Secretary 3. PUBLIC FORUM No one wished to address the Board at this time. 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Case No. W A-07-03: An application filed by Wheat Ridge Rotary Club for approval of a variance to Section 26-709.K.2 (semi-public signs) to allow an additional semi-public sign on property zoned Commercial"One and located at 4005 Kipling Street. The case was presented by Meredith Reckert. She entered all pertinent documents into the record and advised the Board there was jurisdiction to hear the case. She reviewed the staff report and digital presentation. City code allows two signs per activity. Since there are going to be two multi- organizational signs at the entrances ofthe city on Wadsworth which will include the Rotary Club's name, a variance is necessary to allow a third sign. Staff recommended approval of the variance for reasons outlined in the staff report. Board of Adjustment March 22, 2007 -1- Board Member ABBOTT commented that the only unique thing about the subject sign is that it would indicate where and at what time the Rotary Club meets. Board Member HOVLAND commented that since there are signs at the north and south ends of the city, it might open the door for other organizations to request signs. Walt Pettit President, Wheat Ridge Rotary Club Mr. Pettit was sworn in by Chair BELL. He showed the two proposed signs. The first was a round 18- inch Rotary Club sign with the second being a smaller rectangular sign indicating meeting place and time. Mr. Pettit stated that the Rotary Club will pay for the sign and the installation. He stated that Joyce Manwaring, Director of Parks and Recreation, has written a letter stating she has no objection to the sign being placed on the northeast corner of the recreation center property. Board Member ABBOTT asked Mr. Pettit what, other than permission from the City as the property owner, was unique about this situation to allow more than one sign per organization. He suggested that perhaps this section of the sign code needs to be amended. Mr. Pettit stated that there is a unique situation with the Rotary Club in that it supports the city by iroproving city facilities and has donated over $30,000 to the recreation center for community room iroprovements. There were no other individuals to speak at this time. Therefore, Chair BELL closed the public hearing. In response to a question from Board Member HOWARD, Meredith Reckert stated that several phone calls were received from residents who lived in the Cambridge Park Subdivision to the west. Once they understood the nature of the variance request, they were not opposed to it. Board Member HOVLAND commented that it seems there would be no harm done by granting the variance; however, it is difficult to find a hardship. He agreed that the sign code may need to be changed. Board Member LINKER commented that it is a unique situation when the Rotary Club meets at the recreation center. Board Member BLAIR stated that he would support a motion to approve the variance. He could see no problem with placing a sign on that stretch of Kipling that has very little signage. Board of Adjustment March 22, 2007 -2- Upon a motion by Board Member ABBOTT and second by Board Member LINKER, the following resolution was stated: Whereas, the applicant was denied permission by an administrative officer; and Whereas, Board of Adjustment Case No. W A-07-03 is an appeal to this Board from the decision of an administrative officer; and Whereas, the property has been posted the fifteen days required by law, and in recognition that there were no protests registered against it; and Whereas, the relief applied for may be granted without detriment to the public welfare and without substantially impairing the intent and purpose of the regulations governing the City of Wheat Ridge. Now, therefore, be it resolved that Board of Adjustment Case No. W A-07- 03 be, and hereby is, APPROVED. For the following reasons: 1. The proposed semi-public sign will not impact the essential character ofthe neighborhood. 2. Granting ofthe variance would not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to other properties or improvements in the neighborhood. 3. The additional sign would not impact the adequate supply oflight and air to adjacent properties and would not increase the chance of fire or endanger the public safety. 4. There may be a benefit to the applicant and the community due to increased exposure for a Wheat Ridge service club. 5. Toward recommendations from the NRS, this sign may promote additional civic involvement. 6. The request was approved by the planning staff and a letter of permission was submitted by the city as property owner. With the following condition: 1. The Rotary Club will approach city council to consider modifying this ordinance toward the benefit of all other organizations affected by this ordinance. The motion carried 7-0. Board of Adjustment March 22, 2007 -3- 5. CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING There were no other cases to be heard by the Board at this time. Chair BELL closed the public hearing portion ofthe meeting. 6. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to come before the Board. 7. NEW BUSINESS A. Request for a rehearing of Case No. W A-06-21(A) which was denied by Board of Adjustment on January 25, 2007. Meredith Reckert presented this item. On January 25,2007, The Board heard this case which was a request for approval oflandscaping and paving variances for property located at 11990 West 52nd Avenue. The Board approved the request for a variance to landscaping but denied the request for variance to paving. The applicant has submitted new evidence which is a drainage analysis regarding existing conditions on the property and is requesting the Board to reconsider his case. It was moved by Board Member BLAIR and seconded by Board Member HOVLAND to rehear the case on April 26 with the proviso that an engineer be present to make interpretations for the lay person. The motion passed 6-1 with Board Member HOWARD voting no. B. Approval of Minutes -January 25, 2007. It was moved by Board Member HOWARD and seconded by Board member HOVLAND to approve the minutes of January 25, 2007 with amendments to the listing ofthose present at the meeting. The motion passed 6-0 with Board Member BELL abstaining. C. Election of Officers It was moved by Board Member ABBOTT and seconded by Board Member HOVLAND seconded to nominate Board Member BLAIR as Chair. The motion passed 7-0. It was moved by Board Member ABBOTT and seconded by Board Member HOVLAND to nominate Board Member LINKER as vice chair. The motion passed 7-0. Board of Adjustment March 22, 2007 -4- 8. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Board Member HOWARD and seconded by Board Member BLAIR to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 p.m. ~~ et Bell, ChaIr ~~ Ann Lazzeri, Secretary Board of Adjustment March 22, 2007 -5-