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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/19/2007ORIGINAL CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting July 19, 2007 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Wheat Ridge Planning Commission was called to order by Vice Chair CHILVERS at 7:05 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29 h Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Commission Members Present: Anne Brinkman Jim Chilvers Dick Matthews John McMillin Davis Reinhart Kim Stewart Cassie Spaniel Commission Members Absent: Jerry Scezney Staff Members Present: Alan White, Community Development Director Sally Payne, Sr. Planner Steve Nguyen, Engineering Manager Ann Lazzeri, Secretary 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. APPROVE ORDER OF AGENDA It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner REINHART to approve the order of the agenda. The motion passed 7-0. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June 21, 2007 It was moved by Commissioner McMILLIN and seconded by Commissioner SPANIEL to approve the minutes of June 21, 2007 as presented. The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners BRINKMAN and STEWART abstaining and Commissioner SCEZNEY absent. 6. PUBLIC FORUM (This is the time for any person to speak on any subject not appearing on the agenda.) Planning Commission Minutes - 1- July 19, 2007 There was no one present to address the Commission at this time. A. Case No. WPA-07-02: A resolution adopting the Bike and Pedestrian Route Master Plan. 7. PUBLIC HEARING The case was presented by Steve Nguyen. He reviewed the staff report and digital presentation. Staff recommended adoption of the resolution for reasons outlined in the staff report. It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner STEWART to adopt Resolution 04-2007, a resolution recommending adoption of the Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan, and forward this recommendation, along with the Resolution, to City Council for their consideration. Commissioner McMILLIN offered a friendly amendment that the City place a high priority on the north-south connections along Ward Road and Kipling Street to link up with the proposed light rail stations before they open. The amendment was accepted by Commissioners MATTHEWS and STEWART. The amended motion passed 7-0 with Commissioner SCEZNEY absent. B. Case No. WPA-06-05: A resolution adopting the Fruitdale District Subarea Plan. Staffrecommended adoption of the resolution. The case was presented by Sally Payne. She reviewed the staff report and digital presentation. Commissioner McMILLIN asked if traffic calming devices had been considered for 44th Avenue. Ms. Payne stated that she was not aware of any discussion regarding calming devices. Alan White commented that cahning devices could present a conflict on a street that is a critical snow and fire route. Commissioner STEWART stated that access to the north side of 44th Avenue needs to be addressed. In response to a question from Commission STEW ART concerning requirements for a traffic light, Alan White explained that there is a warrant process that considers many factors before a traffic light can be approved. Planning Commission Miuutes -2- July 19, 2007 Commissioner BRINKMAN expressed concern that the area proposed for commercial is not big enough to sustain itself in the long term. Commissioner McMILLIN agreed that this is a valid concern. Commissioner REINHART asked what staffs original recommendation was for the area now proposed as agricultural. Sally Payne replied that staffs recommendation for this area would be single family. Commissioner STEWART commented that the 1-70 interchange will impact the area and she believed the right mix of commercial uses would be sustainable. Commissioner McMILLIN stated that he would like to see the entrance to Prospect Park improved. Gary Shoemaker 4500 Robb Street Mr. Shoemaker is the owner ofthe two acres being considered for a park. He stated that he would be amenable to bringing in a historic building to place on his property that would promote the historical aspect of the Baugh House and the sod house. The building would have a commercial benefit to Mr. Shoemaker and his family through uses such as a reception facility or shops. The facility could share parking with the Baugh House. He stated his desire to cooperate with the city in bringing historical flavor to the area. The property would have to be rezoned from agriculture if a commercial building is brought in. Terry Railton 4615 and 4625 Simms Mr. Railton owns a duplex at the above address. He suggested that instead of promoting new single family houses, existing rentals could be reduced by improving the area. This would attract owner-occupied properties. He planned to renovate his duplex and sell as single family units for home ownership. However, duplexes cannot be converted into owner-occupied units if utilities cannot be separated. He commented that the city is treating the area as rental use only. He didn't believe the city is being proactive in cleaning up the area. In regard to cahning devices on 44th Avenue, Mr. Railton expressed concern that these devices would reduce the amount of traffic flow through the area. Additional policing would serve to slow traffic. Commissioner McMILLIN read a portion ofthe plan that addresses Mr. Railton's concerns about code enforcement issues. Commissioner BRINKMAN encouraged Mr. Railton to also express his concerns to City Council. She also questioned whether the future land use map should show duplexes in the subject area. Planning Commission Minutes - 3- July 19, 2007 Commissioner CHIL VERS commented that many improvements to this area will be economically driven by people who want to locate in the area and the subarea plan will be of benefit when this happens. He was not in favor of narrowing 44th Avenue. He also suggested that the attachments to the original Fruitdale schoolhouse detract from the original architecture and should be removed. It was moved by Commissioner McMILLIN and seconded by Commissioner STEWART to adopt Resolution 03-2007, a resolution recommending adoption ofthe Fruitdale Subarea Plan, and forwarding this recommendation along with the Resolution to City Council for their consideration. Commissioner BRINKMAN offered a friendly amendment to modify the Fruitdale Subarea Plan map on page 19 to change the area designated for duplexes between Robb and Swadley and 1-70 and 45th to target area promoting home ownership; and on page 23: under Parks and Recreation, No. I should be reworded as follows: Work witlt property olVners on Robb Street between tlte Bauglt House alld tlte Itistoric park to investigate ways to utilize tit is property for a community bellefit consistent witlt tlte Itistoric nature oftlte surrounding area. The amendment was accepted by Commissioners McMILLIN and STEWART. The amended motion passed 7-0 with Commissioner SCEZNEY absent. 8. OTHER BUSINESS It was moved by Commissioner REINHART and seconded by Commissioner BRINKMAN to thank Alan White for his years of service to the City of Wheat Ridge. The motion passed unanimously. 9. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner STEWART and seconded by Commissioner SPANIEL to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Planning Commission Miuutes -4- July 19, 2007