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CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING COMMISSION
Minutes of Meeting
November 4, 2004
ORIGINAL
1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Wheat Ridge Planning Commission was called to order by Vice
Chair McMILLIN at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500
West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
2. ROLL CALL
Commission Members Present:
John McMillin
Jerry Scezney
Kim Stewart
Scott Wesley
Kevin Witt
Commission Members Absent:
Jim Chilvers
Marian McNamee
Phil Plummer
Staff Members Present:
Alan White, Community Development Director
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 4,
2004. A set of these minutes is retained both in the office ofthe City Clerk and in the Community
Development Department of the City of Wheat Ridge.
4. APPROVE ORDER OF AGENDA
It was moved by Commissioner WESLEY and seconded by Commissioner STEWART to
approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
5. APPROVE MINUTES - October 21, 2004
It was moved by Commissioner SCEZNEY and seconded by Commissioner WESLEY to
approve the minutes of October 21, 2004 as presented. The motion passed 4-0 with
Commissioner WITT abstaining and Commissioners CHIL VERS, McNAMEE, and
PLUMMER absent.
Planning Commission
November 4, 2004
Page 1
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6. PUBLIC FORUM
Roger Loecher
4599 Carr Street
Mr. Loecher appeared before the Commission to address pending changes to the sign code and
particularly off-premise signs. He asked that the sign code make provision for reasonable
advertising for Wheat Ridge businesses. As an example, he expressed concern that his sister-
in-law is unable to display a sign on Wadsworth to advertise her apartment building at 4200
Yarrow because the apartment building is not located on the same parcel.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Case No. WZ-04-08: An application filed by Robert Dubois for approval of an
Outline Development Plan and Final Development Plan for property zoned Planned
Industrial Development (PID) and located at 4951 Miller Street.
The case was presented by Meredith Reckert. She entered all pertinent documents into the
record and advised the Commission there was jurisdiction to hear the case. She reviewed the
staff report and digital presentation. Outline and final development plans must be approved to
legitimize the existing use of the property and allow for future redevelopment. The City
Attorney advised that this property is zoned PID, not A-I as depicted on the zoning map. Even
though the mylars were never recorded, the zone change ordinance was recorded in 1998
without the knowledge of the planning staff. Therefore, staff recommended approval of the
application with conditions as outlined in the staff report.
Commissioner WESLEY expressed concern about the failure to have the mylars recorded when
the PID was approved in 1997. Ms. Reckert stated that the case has been thoroughly reviewed
by the City Attorney and he concluded that the PID zoning stands. Commissioner WESLEY
suggested that, although he had no problem with the property being zoned PID, the
Commission delay a decision on this matter until the matter can go back to City Council to
render a decision regarding the legitimacy of the rezoning and go forward from there. He did
not feel this would cause any undue burden for the applicant.
Alan White commented that even though the mylars were not recorded, the zoning ordinance
was recorded and for seven years the property has been shown as PID on public records. He
further stated that action recommended by staff at this meeting was based upon legal advice
given by the city attorney.
Commissioner SCEZNEY stated that he believed action suggested by Commissioner WESLEY
would cause a month's delay in the process and present an undue burden on the applicant. In
light oflegal advice received from the city attorney, he stated he would vote to approve the
case tonight.
Commissioner McMILLIN suggested that City Council review all of these matters before
making a decision.
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November 4, 2004
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Glen Gidley
8684 West Warren Drive
Mr. Gidley, who was representing the applicant, was sworn in by Vice Chair McMILLIN. Mr.
Gidley explained that Mr. Dubois bought the subject property approximately a year ago with
the understanding it was zoned industrial. Mr. Dubois operates a tree trimming and snow
removal business. He was not aware of a problem until a Wheat Ridge code enforcement
officer informed him that the property was zoned A-I and not industrial.
Mr. Gidley further stated that the problem with the ordinance getting recorded without the
mylars being recorded happened during a time oftransition in the planning director's position
for the City. Mr. Gidley was leaving the position and was being replaced by the present
director, Alan White. He also commented that all ofthe past and present issues will be
discussed during the City Council hearing and will therefore receive adequate public notice and
discussion.
Mr. Gidley informed the Commission that Mr. Dubois has agreed to pay for the curb, gutter
and sidewalk although he had planned on paying for these items in the future ifhe ever decided
to redevelop the property.
Vice Chair McMILLIN asked if there were others present who wished to address the matter.
Hearing no response, the public hearing was closed.
Commissioner WESLEY stated that the application meets all city standards for outline and
final development plans and he would therefore vote in favor of the application with the
condition that City Council review and comment on the impact of the previous nonrecording
issues.
It was moved by Commissioner WESLEY and seconded by Commissioner WITT to
recommend approval of an outline development plan for property zoned Planned
Industrial Development located at 4951 Miller Street for the following reasons:
1. It will legitimize the existing uses on the property.
2. It will allow the opportunity for future redevelopment.
3. All requirements for an outline development plan have been met.
With the following condition:
1. In light of the current code which requires a 30-day period for filing of mylars,
City Council shall review and comment on the fIling inconsistencies as far as the
impact they have, or will have, on Ordinance No. 1073.
The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners CHILVERS, McNAMEE and PLUMMER
absent.
It was moved by Commissioner WESLEY and seconded by Commissioner SCEZNEY to
recommend approval of a final development plan for property zoned Planned Industrial
Development located at 4951 Miller Street, for the following reasons:
Planning Commission
November 4, 2004
Page 3
1. It will legitimize the existing uses on the property.
2. The final development plan is consistent with the outline development plan.
3. All requirements for a final development plan have been met.
With the following conditions:
1. On the fmal development plan document, label buildings A, Band C.
2. On the final development plan document, correct the case number reference in the
case history box to WZ-04-08.
3. The applicant either be responsible for construction of public improvements
utilizing the design already prepared by TST, Inc. of Denver or be required to
coordinate with the contractor for the Arvada Ridge project for installation of the
improvements.
The motion passed 5-0 with Commissioners CHILVERS, McNAMEE and PLUMMER
absent.
8. OLD BUSINESS
o Commissioner McMILLIN asked for an update on the sign and lighting codes. Alan White
stated that staff is ready for a study session on the sign code at a meeting in December. The
last meeting of the lighting committee is scheduled for next Tuesday.
9. NEW BUSINESS
o Commissioner McMILLIN asked what effect the recent sales tax increase would have on
the Community Development Department. Alan White replied that it would probably be
minimal. Already in the Department's budget is funding to hire a consultant to update the
Comprehensive Plan.
o In response to a question from Commissioner WESLEY regarding the possible construction
of a Cabela's store in Wheat Ridge. Alan White stated that a pre-application meeting has
been held with representatives of Cabela's and a tentative schedule has the Planning
Commission hearing some time in March.
10. COMMISSION REPORTS
There were no commission reports.
11. COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS
There were no committee and department reports.
12. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioner STEWART and seconded by Commissioner WESLEY to
adj n the meetin a :05 p.m. The motion passed una . ously.
Planning Commission
November 4,2004
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PUBLIC HEARING ROSTER
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING COMMISSION
November 4, 2004
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