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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/21/2007 ORIGINAL CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting June 21, 2007 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Wheat Ridge Planning Commission was called to order by Chair SCEZNEY at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers ofthe Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Commission Members Present: Jim Chilvers Dick Matthews John McMillin Davis Reinhart Jerry Scezney Cassie Spaniel Commission Members Absent: Anne Brinkman Kim Stewart Staff Members Present: Alan White, Community Development Director Travis Crane, Plauner Ann Lazzeri, Secretary 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. APPROVE ORDER OF AGENDA It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner SPANIEL to approve the order of the agenda. The motion passed unanimously. s. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June 7, 2007 It was moved by Commissioner REINHART and seconded by Commissioner SPANIEL to approve the minutes of June 7, 2007 as presented. The motion passed 6-0 with Commissioners BRINKMAN and STEWART 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 at this time. Planning Commission Minutes June 21, 2007 - 1- 7. PUBLIC HEARING A. Case No. WZ-07-02: An application filed by H+L Architecture for Exempla Lutheran for approval of a final development plan amendment for property zoned Plauned Hospital Development (PHD) and located at 8300 West 38th Avenue. This case was presented by Travis Crane. He entered all pertinent documents into the record and advised there was jurisdiction for the Commission to hear the case. He reviewed the staff report and digital presentation. Staff concluded that the Final Development Plan meets standards established for the Plauned Hospital District. Relocation of the traffic signal is potentially the largest impact to the surrounding neighborhood and the applicant has installed measures to ensure that impact is mitigated. All landscaping and parking standards are being met. Everett Alan Davis Sr. Director of Facilities Management Exempla Lutheran Hospital Mr. Davis reviewed plans to expand the existing hospital to meet the needs of the community. The expansion will provide accommodations for private patient rooms as well as better facilities for hospital equipment. Commissioner McMILLIN complimented the applicant for preserving the existing chapel. Commissioner CHIL VERS inquired about concerns expressed at neighborhood meeting. Mr. Davis stated that traffic was the main concern expressed at the meeting. He explained that the bed size of the facility would not be increased and therefore should not increase the amount of traffic. Ambulance traffic and sirens should not increase. Concerns were expressed about construction safety. He stated that every measure will be taken to make sure the general contractor abides by all construction safety issues. There was concern that the R-l and R-2 zone district on Dudley would change. He stated that the zoning will remain unchanged. There was concern about landscaping and the mature trees south of Balsam. He stated that every attempt would be made to make sure that noise and automobile lights do not impact properties to the north. Plans also include ample parking and the parking policy will be enforced to ensure that hospital visitors and employees do not park off campus. Concern was also expressed that hospital traffic might jog through the neighborhood on Carr Street. He explained that traffic counts revealed that 16 vehicles used this route on a daily basis. Planning Commission Minutes June 21,2007 -2- In response to a question from Commissioner McMILLIN, Mr. Davis stated that construction would begin in August of 2007 with completion scheduled for January 2010. Demolition of buildings would take place at one time. Final details for construction traffic have not been finalized at this time. In response to questions from Commissioner SCEZNEY, Mr. Davis stated that the existing power plant will handle the buildout. The existing loading dock will continue to be used for receipt of materials and there is no intention to build a helipad or install additional antennas in the area. Todd Kreinbrink H+L Architects Mr. Kreinbrink reviewed the drainage plan and stated that some modification to the existing detention pond on the eastern edge of the property would be necessary. Andy Fedorowicz 3803 Balsam Street Mr. Fedorowicz stated that he was not opposed to the expansion. However, he expressed opposition to moving Lutheran Parkway to align with Balsam Street which would increase traffic going south on Balsam into the residential area and Lutheran Parkway would still serpentine through the campus. He was also opposed to the removal of mature trees. He suggested that the expansion be approved. He did not think it was necessary to build additional parking space when no additional beds are being added to the hospital. Also, there seems to be plenty of room in the eastern parking lot. Gus Allen 3837 Balsam Mr. Allen expressed concern that the addition of more blacktop would create climate change in the area. He stated that the eastern parking lot changed the environment enough to eliminate afternoon breezes in the adjacent neighborhood. He also expressed concern about increased traffic as a result of the project. He was opposed to the removal of mature trees. He believed more thought should be given to parking and suggested that additional parking be placed on the south side of the hospital. He did not state opposition to the expansion itself. There were no other individuals to address this matter. Chair SCEZNEY closed the public hearing on this case. In response to a question from Commissioner REINHART, Travis Crane explained that the proposed parking would result in less parking space than exists now. The additional hard surfaces would be attributed to drive areas rather than parking areas. Planning Commission Minutes June 21, 2007 - 3- Commissioner McMILLIN commented that he believed the plan adequately addresses traffic issues. He supported the plan on the basis of significance of the only full service hospital facility in Jefferson County. He did express concern about construction traffic on 38th Avenue and stated he would like to see strict regulations in place for construction traffic. He suggested that construction traffic could use 6th Avenue, Wadsworth and 1-70. Commissioner REINHART commented that he believed the plan is a reasonable approach to the issues involved and would support it. Commissioner CHIL VERS commented that changes are necessary for Lutheran to stay competitive in the hospital business. Commissioner SCEZNEY commented that the plan was good and strong and he would support it. It was moved by Commissioner McMILLIN and seconded by Commissioner SPANIEL to recommend approval of Case No. WZ-07-02, a request for approval of a Final Development Plan for property located at 8300 West 38th Avenue for the following reasons: 1. The Final Development Plan meets the requirements listed in Section 26-306 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws. 2. The Final Development Plan meets the standards established in Chapter 26, Article III ofthe Wheat Ridge Code of Laws. The motion passed 6-0 with Commissioners BRINKMAN and STEWART absent. It was moved by Commissioner McMILLIN and seconded by Commissioner REINHART to make a resolution of the Planning Commission to provide that during construction, the city should regulate traffic, especially aggregate, concrete and rubble, away from 38th and 32nd Avenues and concentrate on 1-70, Wadsworth and 6th Aveuue. The motion passed 6-0 with Commissioners BRINKMAN and STEWART absent. 8. OTHER BUSINESS . Alan White aunounced his resignation effective July 20, 2007. He has accepted a position with the City of Englewood. Plauning Commission Minutes June 21, 2007 -4- 9. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner McMILLIN and seconded by Commissioner REINHART to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. ~~ ,-0 (1-.. _______ Jerry ezney, Chair DO c?~ d~~ Ann Lazzeri, Secretary Planning Commission Minutes June 21,2007 - 5-