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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/07/1996T • MINUTES OF STUDY SESSION 1MESTING November 7, 1996 CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING COMMISSION TUDY SES52O23 The following are the Minutes of Planning Commission Study Session and Regular Meeting of November 7, 1996. A copy of these minutes is retained both in the office of-the City Clerk and in the Department of Planning and Development of the City of Wheat Ridge. A pre-meeting dinner and presentation by Gary WARDLE, Director of Parks and Recreation, began at 5:35 p.m.. Mr. WARDLE gave a presentation on the proposed sites to be considered for the building of the new Wheat Ridge Recreation Center. Following is a recap of discussion: 1. Initially the Parks and Recreation Commission-considered-- fourteen - four acre sites. Each were evaluated to assure compliance with criteria previously established. City • Council had asked the Commission to reduce the number of sites to six. 2. The six sites considered were as follows: A. Anderson Building: Pros - centrally located, cost effective, City already owns majority of property, people are used to going to this area, mass transportation available. Cons - In/out access is difficult due to lack of land; land to north area would need to be_acquired, some citizens view-this site as the "west" side park, not viable as joint venture as site #6. B. Lutheran Hospital: Pros - possible joint venture with hospital, definite dollar savings for City, centrally located, 10 acre parcel; mass transit available, joint venture could possibly be built quicker, customer generation (Lutheran employees). Cons - not as visible, keep agreement with Lutheran fair, possible residential objection. . C. Weller Site: Pros - centrally located, adjacent to greenbelt, level land, good access. Cons - front ,, Planning Commission Study Session Minutes November 7, 1996 Page 2 property needs new development, possible residential objection. Some concern was expressed regarding the intersection, overall access, and organized sports use for a portion of land. A question was raised if the school district would donate a section of land. Mr. WARDLE advised that the district had been approached - previously and were not interested in participating by land donation. E. Einarsen Property: Pros - good access, mass transportation available. Cons - property slopes, part of property has other use, again viewed as "west" park. F. Willis Property: Pros - Master Plan calls for additional park in District 3, possible venture with Lakewood, 10 acres. Cons - unattractive, bad access, includes wetland area, Chevron has purchased. • • G. 26th and Wadsworth: Pros - City of Lakewood joint venture, partially owned by Lakewood. Cons - not within City of Wheat Ridge limits, private land would need to be acquired, ponds would need to be restructured, poor access. The Park Commission has made a recommendation that the Anderson Property or the joint venture with Lutheran Hospital appear to be the most logical selections to be considered. General discussion continued. Commissioner WILLIAMS inquired about the structures on the Anderson Property. Mr. WARDLE stated that the Anderson building would be rebuilt and that there were some amenities which would remain. Chairperson LANGDON asked about the venture with Lutheran Hospital. Mr. WARDLE stated that nothing final had been decided and that only a couple of preliminary ideas had been discussed. Commissioner ECKHARDT inquired if any other parcel within the Lutheran land area had been considered. Mr. WARDLE replied that only minor consideration had been given. Commissioner ECxuARnT 7 Planning Commission Study Session Minutes November 7, 1996 Page 3 stated that he could understand the possible objection of residents in the area. Commissioner CERVENY asked if there would be a warm water pool included in the new rec center and suggested that it should be for two reasons. One, since the population of Wheat Ridge included a significant number of senior citizens with arthritis problems, it would be nice to provide them with a warm water pool to soothe them. Second, the Arthritis Foundation has been known to provide funds for such pools and could be z source of funding. However, the Foundation has specific standards which would have to be investigated and followed to assure the funding. A question was raised as to the acceptance of the citizenry regarding the new rec center. -. Mr. WARDLE stated that surveys had been mailed and returned with an +82°s in favor of the center and of those, +80o approved the sales tax issue. • Commissioner CERVENY asked what would become of the Anderson building if it were not selected. Mr. WARDLE stated that it would be a satellite facility. Director GIDLEY reviewed a plan drawing of an alternative site located at IIpham Street and 44 Avenue. He stated that commercial and recreational activities is good land use mix. A post office, bank and restaurant is located there. He also stated that there was no access from Upham Street. Mr. WARDLE stated that this location did not make the top choices due to the. high costs involved to build there. Director GIDLEY stated that there may be funds available through Urban Renewal. Commissioner CERVENY stated that it may be a good idea to revitalize this area as a benefit to the future of the City which would include increased sales tax benefits. Commissioner ECRARDT stated that he did not believe this area has done much for the City. Commissioner CERVENY said that there was not much tax revenue now but that this endeavor would bring more people to the site, Mr. WARDLE stated that this site had not been considered since 1992. Commissioner GRIFFITH asked what type of building would be in the area of Perkins Restaurant. Director GIDLEY stated that a • smaller size retail or restaurant similar to Perkins could be built. i ~~ Planning Commission Study Session Minutes November 7, 1996 Page 4 Mr. WARDLE stated that four neighborhood meetings would be held for the area selected and invited the Planning Commission to attend. Commissioner ECKHAitDT asked if there was consensus from the City as to which sites were most feasible-. Mr. WARDLE stated that sites 1 and 2 on the list provided were most favorable, (i.e., Anderson and Lutheran Hospital properties}. Chairperson LANGDON asked what radius was considered to attract customers to the facility. Mr. WARDLE replied, 6 miles. Chairperson LANGDON inquired about the use of sales tax. Mr. WARDLE stated that $2.6 could be available with sales tax use through the year 2001. Mr. WARDLE was due at another meeting and thanked the Planning Commission for allowing him to present this information. REGULAR METING f• 1. CALL TH8 MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chairperson LANGDON at 6:30 p.m., on November 6,1996, in the second floor meeting room of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. 2. ROLL CALL: MEMBERS PRESENT: Robert ECKHARDT Harry WILLIAMS Carolyn GRIFFITH Carl A. CERVENY George LANGDON Warren JOHNSON Janice THOMPSON - EXCUSED ABSENCE Jay RASPLICRA - EXCUSED ABSENCE • Planning Commission Study Session Minutes November 7, 1996 Page 5 STAFF PRESENT: Glen GIDLEY, Director of Planning & Development Gary WARDLE, Director of Parks and Recreation Sean MCCARTNEY,Planner Marilyn GUNN, Secretary 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 4. APPROVAL OF ORDER OF THE AGENDA 5. APPROVE THE MINUTES Commissioner ECKI-TARDY moved to approve the Minutes for the meeting of October 17, 1996, upon completion of correction of typographical errorse A copy of corrected Minutes were provided to Secretary Gunn to make said corrections. Commissioner . WILLIAMS seconded the Motion. Commissioner CERVENY objected to the paragraph located on Page 19 under "Secretary Comments." He felt it was misleading and should be reworded. A change will be made to eliminate the word °`confusing." Consensus was reached with a Motion by Commissioner WILLIAMS and seconded by Commissioner ECICHARDT to accept the Secretarial Comments as amended. Motion carried 6-0 to authorize Secretary Gunn to make appropriate corrections to the Secretarial Comments. Motion to accept the Minutes as a whole as corrected carried 6-.0. 6. PUBLIC FORUM No one was present to speak. 7. PUBLIC HEARING item l: Case WZ-96-Q • Chairperson LANGDON opened the item regarding Public Hearing concerning WZ-96-6. Director GIDLEY stated that this item • Planning Commission November 7, 1996 Page 6 Study Session Minutes originally was rescheduled to November 21, 1996. However, the applicant has requested additional time. Therefore, this Public Hearing has been postponed for an indefinite period of time. Commissioner ECKHARDT Motioned to continue the Public Hearing for an indefinite period of time. It was second by Commissioner Williams. Motion carried 6-~ to approve continuing the Public Hearing for an indefinite period of time. 8. Public Hearing regarding w7.-96-6 was closed. 9. Old 8usineas Director GIDLEY discussed the Master Plan concept for the northwest Kipling/38 Avenue area. A meeting had been held in May for residents of the immediate area. He stated that there was very good turn out to discuss the possible plans for the site. The plan calls for an upgrade of land use, provide local access for residents, and to allow personal ownership retainment without • encroachment from the City. He went on to describe that Lena Gulch would be incorporated in the design as a recreation link to outside areas. Plans that have commercial areas will also include a heavy landscape buffer which may also include walls and paths. Concept A includes small shops and access from Lee Street and Kiping. To the north side of the gulch, a grocery store could be incorporated to include heavy berm. Plan A appears to suggest the highest traffic increase and residential impact. T`he design concept will be repeated throughout the neighborhood shopping area.- No auto repair shops or businesses with extensive outside activity would be allowed in this project. Chairperson LANGDON inquired if there was any interest for this use from an economical development point of view. Director GIDLEY stated there had been no official sanction and that the presentation was the imagination of the Planning Department on what could be considered and was only in the discussion stages. Commissioner GRIFFITH asked if-this plan would break up the area. • Director GIDLEY state it would-all depend on the total use package of all land being considered. Commissioner JOHNSON asked • Planning Commission Study Session Minutes November 7, 1996 Page 7 if townhouses had been considered. Director GIDLEY stated that __ Concept C included townhouses in the plan. Commissioner GRIFFITH asked if the concepts had been-shown to residents of the area. Director GIDLEY stated that most were but that at this evening°s meeting the concepts had been revised to include input from the citizens. The general consensus of the citizens was to include less commercial areas .__ The meeting tonight was to secure input from the Planning Commissioners. Commissioner JOHNSON inquired if the plan for the houses in the St. Ives area had been changed. Director GIDLEY stated that no. changes had been made. Commissioner ECKHARDT stated that shoppettes to the north and south of this land parcel had not been doing well and commented that he did not believe another concept including the same overall plan would be feasible. Director GIDLEY said that it was suggested by residents and City Council that the Urban Renewal Plan be looked at for the surrounding area. • Director GIDLEY went on to Concept B. He stated there would be reduced retail, a residential buffer for existing residents, and said that historical places located on this land could be relocated or used for some other alternative. This concept would also include a connection across the gulch. A smaller grocery store. or retail, 2-4 family units, and a heavy land buffer are included. This concept also excludes auto repair type shops. Commissioner ECKHARDT stated he felt there was still too much commercial .use and suggested that the historical house be used for something such as a small gallery, museum, or something similar. Commissioner JOHNSON agreed that there may be too much commercial use and inquired if new rec center_ had been considered on this plat of land. Director GIDLEY stated that it had on another concept. Concept C includes more residential, small retail, 3-4 plexes and perhaps a small church.. The buffer would be removed. Director GIDLEY also stated that the intersection on 39 Avenue caused a problem and was not eligible for a signal warrant from the state. Commissioner CERVENY also agrees with having too much commercial • use in this area and asked how many units would be built if this Planning Commission Study Session Minutes November 7, 1996 Page 8 concept was chosen. Director GIDLEY stated 9 with additional streets and 11 without, per acre. Concept D includes expansion of the Cambridge Village Residential concept, 3-4 townhouse type development, heavy landscaping, berm, and wall. This concept would probably be acceptable to residents of the area. The City could be able to "buy down" land prices in order to help this concept come to fruition. Concept E includes the new rec center and includes a corporate campus with neighborhood retail. Lena. Gultch would also be an amenity. Duplexes could be built on the north side. Parks and Recreation may not like this location as well as some of the others being considered. Commissioner ECI{HARDY stated he preferred the rec center use of the land vs more retail. Commissioner JOHNSON asked what impact would occur on the property to the south where the old Safeway is. Director GIDLEY stated it would make the area more feasible for retail. There • was discussion regarding zoning the property for office. space. There was consensus that the demand for additional office space was very minimal. Commissioner JOHNSON inquired if costs had been considered. Director GIDLEY stated that it was and that there are legal, creative solutions available to address the area of funds. Commissioner_JOHNSON asked if developers had shown any interest. Director GIDLEY stated there were two developers and one land owner that have inquired about development of the parcel but nothing serious is know of. Director GIDLEY inquired if the Planning Commissioners would like to meet with residents and then decide on a plan and implementation. Chairperson LANGDON asked if the parcel was in the flood plain. Director GIDLEY stated that with exception of the Lena Gulch channel, this land area was not affected by the 100 year flood plain. He asked how the Commission wanted to structure future meeting with the neighborhood. Discussion was held. It was discussed that two meetings would be better, one with residents and the other with business/land owners. Director GIDLEX will check to see if this meeting is • quasi-judicial. A question was posed as to how far out notification need to be. Director GIDLEX suggested 600 feet. • Planning Commission Study Session Minutes - November 7, 1996 Page 9 Another general discussion took place which included concerns of postings since both meetings are considered Public Hearings and how could you keep one group-from attending the other group°s meeting. Director GIDLEY suggested that one meeting be held with the first hour used for presentations of-the proposed concepts. The second hour of the meeting would be for the land owners to comment and a third hour for surrounding area residents to pose their questions. Commissioner JOHNSON asked if a concept could be developed including the old Safeway area: Director GIDLEY asked Planner McCartney to prepare a new concept including the Safeway area. A suggestion was made to-have the meeting with anyone who wants to attend and present the plans and let what happens, happen. Commissioner JOHNSON Motioned to direct Director GIDLEY to update the-concepts, schedule one meeting for all concerned as discussed and post a Public Hearing notice as soon as possible. The Motion was second by Commissioner WILLIAMS. Motion passed 6-0. Director . GIDLEY said he would bring updated information back to the Planning Commission for consideration and schedule a second meeting with all interested parties. 10a NEW BUSINESS Chairperson LANGDON suggested the Commission finish its review and make recommendations regarding the Recreation Center site. He suggested that the Commission vote for the preferred -- recreation site-/plan to be considered. Each site was voted on by the-Commissioners with the results as follows in priority order: 1. Lutheran Hospital Site: 5 votes - #1 1 vote - #3 2. Anderson Park Site: 4 votes - #2 1 vote - #1 1 vote - #3 3. Spartan Site: 2 votes - #2 4 votes - #3 4. Weller Site: 4 votes - $4 1 vote - #5 • Planning Commission Study Session Minutes November 7, 1996 Page 10 1 vote - 5. 26th & Wadsworth Site: 2 votes - • 2 votes - 1 vote - 1 vote - 6. Einarsen Site: 5 votes - 7. Willis Site: 3 votes - 2 votes - 1 vote - il. Discussion and Decision Items #6 #4 #7 #3 #6 #5 #6 #7 #5 Director GIDLEY brought to the attention of the Commissioners the difficulty in keeping up with two formal Public Hearing/Planning Commissioners meetings per month due to the workload, meetings and increased activity being experienced by the Planning Department. He asked the Commissioners to consider having one meeting per month as a Public Hearing and the other as a Study Session such as this meeting was. Also should there be no need for a Study Session, it could be canceled_ He suggested that this idea be tried for a year and if it did not work, then return to the original meeting schedule. Director GIDLEY would decide when and where the Study Sessions and Public Hearings would occur and notify the Commissioners. Consensus was requested and received by Chairperson LANGDON. Commissioner ECICHARDT inquired if a decision was to be made on the rec center site at this meeting. General discussion was held and Planner McCartny was requested to provide updated concepts for the meeting of_November 27, 1996, on preferences 1,- 2, and 3. 12. Committee and Departmental Reports Director GIDLEY stated packets for the Wadsworth Corridor Committee would be distributed on Friday, November 9, 1996, requesting feedback from the Wadsworth Committee on dates and format. Amass mailing will take place to all property owners of the area and Director GIDLEY will advise the Commission when and where the Corridor meeting will be held. • ~~ Planning Commission Study Session Minutes November 7, 1996 Page 11 13. ADJOURNMENT A Motion was made by Commissioner ECKHARbT, second by Commissioner to WILLIAMS to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned by a vote of 6-0 at 8:50 p.m.. I~rz1y G Secretary • •