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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/21/20161. 2. 3 4. City of Wheat Oge PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting January 21, 2016 CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Bucknarn at 7:01 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 291h Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Commission Members Present: Commission Members Absent: Staff Members Present: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Dirk Boden Alan Bucknam Emery Dorsey Donna Kimsey Scott Ohm Steve Timms Amanda Weaver None Meredith Reckert, Senior Planner Tammy Odean, Recording Secretary APPROVE ORDER OF THE AGENDA It was moved by Commissioner TIMMS and seconded by Commissioner KIMSEY to approve the order of the agenda with the addition of Resolution 01-2016 establishing a designated public place for the posting of meeting notices as required by the Colorado Open Meetings Law, under number 8 Other Items. Motion carried 7-0. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — December 3, 2015 It was moved by Commissioner DORSEY and seconded by Commissioner WEAVER to approve the minutes of December 3, 2015, as written. Motion carried 7-0 Planning Commission Minutes January 21, 2016 6. PUBLIC FORUM (This is the time for any person to speak on any subject not appearing on the agenda.) No one wished to speak at this time. 7. PUBLIC HEARING A. Case WZ-15-12: an application filed by Equinox Properties for approval of a zone change from Residential -One (R-1) to Mixed Use Commercial (MU -C) for property located at 3865 Kipling Street. Ms. Reckert gave a short presentation regarding the zone change process and the application. She entered into the record the contents of the case file, packet materials, the zoning ordinance, and the contents of the digital presentation. She stated the public notice and posting requirements have been met; therefore the Planning Commission has jurisdiction to hear this case. The applicant is requesting a zone change from Residential -One (R-1) to Mixed Use - Commercial (MU -C) for property located at 3865 Kipling Street. The zone change is the first step of the process for approval for redevelopment of this site under MU -C zoning. The purpose of the rezoning is to modify the list of uses and to simplify the review and approval for future development on the property. Ms. Reckert stated that the purpose of the MU -C zone district is to create a flexible approach to land uses and to enhance the character of the City's commercial areas by promoting development that accommodates a mix of land uses, is more urban in character and is more pedestrian friendly. The Mixed Used zoning has been very popular because it is a more predictable land use process instead of going through a long planned development process. There is also the option for a drive-thru if the applicant can meet the criteria. A neighborhood meeting was held on December 15, 2015 with one person in attendance and he was supportive on the rezoning and reinvestment in the property. There were no concerns from service agencies or city departments. Assuming the process moves forward then the next step would be a City Council public hearing on March 14, 2016, a site development plan, possible a plat and then a building permit. Ms. Reckert also stated that Kipling is a major highway and the commercial development along the Kipling Street corridor continues to intensify with new redevelopment. This rezone is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and would provide further opportunity for new development. Commissioner OHM asked if any portion of the property is in a flood plain. Ms. Reckert stated it is not although Lena Gulch is adjacent to the property, but was channelized in the late 80's, early 90's. Planning Commission Minutes -2— January 2_January 21, 2016 Commissioner OHM inquired with regards to the funny little jog on the north side of the property, is it a road to connect to 391h Avenue. Mr. Reckert state that at one time it was considered to be a potential access point to the property, but it doesn't make sense anymore because the Rec Center is so heavily used. Commissioner TIMMS asked about there being no scenarios by the applicant at this time, but at the neighborhood meeting there were two proposals. Ms. Reckert said that when the notes were taken from the Pre -application meeting then there were a couple of speculative proposals, but there is nothing at this time moving forward. Commissioner WEAVER asked what the regulation is with the sidewalk on the west side of Kipling. Ms. Reckert stated there will be build -to lines for new structures and the applicant will be required to build separated sidewalks and a tree lawn on both the Kipling Street and 38`h Avenue sides. Commissioner WEAVER also asked what the plan is for making 38`x' and Kipling more pedestrian friendly. Ms. Reckert said the policy with heavily travelled corridors is to get the improvement built when property develops and then fill in the links. Commissioner BODEN had a few questions regarding the scenarios at the neighborhood meetings and whether it is appropriate to ask. Ms. Reckert restated that the intent of the zoning is there are no specific scenarios at this time. Commissioner BUCKNAM asked what the mandatory separation requirement for a drive-thru in MU -C the zoning. Ms. Reckert stated it is 500 -feet. If the applicant does a true mix of uses, a residential and a commercial component, then they do not have to meet the separation requirement. Commissioner BUCKNAM asked if self-service gas stations with kiosks count as a drive-thru as well as automatic car washes. Ms. Reckert said yes, they do. Planning Commission Minutes -3— January 3_January 21, 2016 Commissioner BUCKNAM also wanted some clarification on the zoning map. There is an R-1 zoning on the southwest corner, two properties to the west of the subject site and whether that was a previous case. Ms. Reckert stated it has been rezoned to MU -N, just not updated on the map. Commissioner BUCKNAM wanted to know why there is a differentiation of MU -N on the property to the southwest and this request for a MU -C. Ms. Reckert stated it is because of the proximity to Kipling Street which is more commercial. Commissioner OHM asked if the MU -C will go to the center line of the road. Ms. Reckert said yes, typically the zone district extends to the center line of the street. Erica Shorter Equinox Properties 1873 S. Bellaire St., Denver, CO Ms. Shorter explained that this property was purchased by Equinox Properties in October from Evergreen Development. Evergreen Development did have a Pre - Application meeting with possible site plan uses, but Equinox Properties is hoping to change the zoning then decide on uses for the property. Commissioner Boden asked if there have been any negotiation with the Shell Gas Station directly on the corner of 381h and Kipling. Ms. Shorter stated that there have been talks with Shell, but nothing is solidified at this time. Commissioner TIMMS asked if there is still an access permit with CDOT for Kipling Street. Ms. Shorter said there still is. It was moved by Commissioner OHM and seconded by Commissioner DORSEY to recommend approval of Case No. WZ-15-12, a request for approval of a zone change from Residential -One (R-1) to Mixed Use -Commercial (MU -C) for property located at 3865 Kipling Street, for the following reasons: 1. The proposed zone change will promote the public health, safety, and welfare of the community. 2. The proposed zone change is consistent with the goals and objectives of the City's Comprehensive Plan. 3. The zone change will provide additional opportunity for redevelopment in the area. 4. The criteria used to evaluate a zone change support the request. Planning Commission Minutes -4— January 4_January 21, 2016 8. Motion carried 7-0 OTHERITEMS A. Resolution 01-2016: Establishing a designated public place for the posting of meeting notices as required by the Colorado Open Meetings Law. Ms. Reckert said this is a statutory requirement done once a year and the public posting area is the front lobby of the Municipal Building. The meetings are also posted on the website and in the Wheat Ridge Transcript. Nothing has been changed on this resolution from the previous year. It was moved by Commissioner TIMMS and seconded by Commissioner Kimsey to approve Resolution 01-2016, a resolution establishing a designated public place for the posting of meeting notices as required by the Colorado open meetings law. Motion carried 7-0. B. Terms Ending/Election of Officers Ms. Reckert stated there are three Commissions whose terms are coming to an end on March 2, 2016, Commissioner BUCKNAM, OHM and DORSEY, if interested in continuing then you need to reapply at the City Clerk's office. There is also still an opening for District 4. Ms. Reckert stated that at the second meeting in March a vote will be held for a new Chair and Vice Chair. C. New packet format In order to promote sustainability for the City of Wheat Ridge and the Community Development Department, new reusable packet satchels have been purchased for packet delivery. Ms. Reckert thanked all the Commissioners for returning the new satchels in which their Agenda Packets were delivered. 9. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner WEAVER and seconded by Commissioner DORSEY to adjourn the meeting at 7:31 p.m. Motion carried 7-0. C' Alan Bucknam, Chair Planning Commission Minutes January 21, 2016 Tammy Odea ecording Secretary -5—