Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/02/1999CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING COMMISSION ®R I I A L Minutes of Meeting December 2, 1999 2. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order by Chair MACDOUGALL at 7:30 p.m. on December 2, 1999, in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Chair MACDOUGALL welcomed Paulette Cooper as a new member of the Planning Commission. ROLL CALL: Commission Members Present: Anne Brinkman Paulette Cooper Jerry Collins Dick Doyle Don MacDougall Nancy Snow Commission Members Absent: Staff Members Present: 3. Dean Gokey (excused) Janice Thompson (excused) Alan White, Planning Director Meredith Reckert, Sr. Planner Bob Goebel, Public Works Director Greg Knudson, Public Works Ann Lazzeri, Secretary PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The following is the official set of Planning Commission minutes for the public hearing of December 2, 1999. A set 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. 4. APPROVAL OF ORDER OF THE AGENDA It was moved by Commissioner SNOW and seconded by Commissioner COLLINS to approve the order of the agenda. The motion passed by a vote of 6-0, with Commissioners GOKEY and THOMPSON absent. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner SNOW and seconded by Commissioner BRINKMAN to approve the minutes of November 18, 1999. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0, with Commissioners COOPER and COLLINS abstaining and Commissioners GOKEY and THOMPSON absent. 6. PUBLIC FORUM There was no one signed up to speak before the Commission on unscheduled matters. PUBLIC HEARING A. Case No. WZ-99-12: Application by Roger Loecher for approval of a zone change from Residential-Two to Restricted-Commercial-One for the purpose of building a 4,200 square foot credit union and office building on property located at 3502 Wadsworth Boulevard. (This case was continued from November 18, 1999 because the drainage report had not been approved at that time.) This case was presented by Meredith Reckert. She reviewed the staff report and presented slides and overheads of the property. All pertinent documents were entered into the record and accepted by Chair MACDOUGALL. Ms. Reckert advised the Commission that there was jurisdiction to hear the case. She reviewed the criteria involved in evaluation of a zoning change request. Because the proposed 24-hour drive-through ATM would create negative effects for adjacent properties, staff recommended denial of the case. A correction was noted to page three of the staff report as follows: Colorado Department of Highways will not allow direct access to Wadsworth (not West 35th Avenue). Commissioner COLLINS expressed concern about traffic on 35th, including truck traffic, and felt a traffic study should be done before any decisions are made. Commissioner BRINKMAN asked if the addition of another commercial property at this location would increase the possibility of a traffic light warrant at 35th Avenue. Bob Goebel replied that any increase in traffic volume takes you closer to the potential for a warrant but, even with the completion of a commercial building, this situation would probably not meet the requirements for a warrant. Roger Loecher 4599 Carr Street Mr. Loecher, the applicant, was sworn by Chair MACDOUGALL. He stated his request for a zone change which he felt would be an improvement to this area of Wadsworth. Commissioner SNOW asked if the drive-up lane for the ATM could be located on the west side of the building to alleviate concerns of neighbors who live to the east of the building. Mr. Loecher replied that this had been considered; however, with the 50-foot setback required for this area of Wadsworth, he could not make that design work. In response to another question from Commissioner SNOW, he replied that ATM companies require 24- hour operation; however, there is very little night use of the ATM's. In response to a question from Commissioner COLLINS, Mr. Loecher stated that Lutheran Hospital Credit Union does not have a drive-up ATM. Commissioner BRINKMAN asked the applicant if he would agree to removing two of the principal permitted uses for this location: (1) Clinics and off ces for counseling and treatment of psychological, social, marital, developmental or similar conditions including Planning Commission Minutes December 2, 1999 the counseling and treatment ofsubstance abuse and alcoholism; however, not including residential facilities or residential treatment; and (2) parking of automobiles of clients, patients, patrons or customers or occupants of the adjacent commercial districts. Mr. Loecher stated that he would agree to the removal of these uses if he is allowed his proposed use. Commissioner BRINKMAN asked the applicant if he had considered moving the ATM to the north side of the building. He replied that this had been considered; however, that location would not allow for a turning radius. Commissioner SNOW expressed concern about the effect of security lights on the adjacent neighbors. Mr: Loecher replied that there would be lights under the canopy and there is no further requirement of which he is aware for security lights. David Kotzebue 797 Camp Eden Road, Golden Mr. Kotzebue, engineer for the applicant, was sworn by Chair MACDOUGALL. In response to a request from Commissioner COLLINS, Mr. Kotzebue explained the drainage system design for the subject project. He stated that his plan meets city and state criteria. Commissioner COLLINS asked what plans there were for storm drainage to soak into the ground. Mr. Goebel explained that water is soaked into the ground in its present condition. If developed, water flows from the site at the same historic rate; however, volume is much greater than that which comes off the site at the present. It is designed to flow down 35th Avenue. Commissioner BRINKMAN expressed concern about an increase of drainage into the property at 7575 West 35th Avenue. Mr. Kotzebue replied that, according to standards, the plan has been designed for drainage to stay the same and it would be released to the curb and gutter. He felt this would be an improvement over existing conditions where there are several low spots where water collects. Commissioner SNOW asked if Mr. Kotzebue had performed a study regarding the effect of the drainage plan on water tables in the area. Mr. Kotzebue replied that his study applied only to surface water and he could not answer questions concerning water tables. James Turre 1375 East Tufts, Englewood Mr. Turre, representing the owner, was sworn in by Chair MACDOUGALL. He stated that the proposed use would be an improvement to an unsightly area. The owner has not considered other proposed uses which he felt would be detrimental to the adjacent neighbors. There would be a six-foot landscaped area with a six-foot fence that would buffer the building from adjacent neighbors. He didn't feel it was right to use this vacant lot Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 December 2, 1999 as a catch-all for water to build up water tables for wells on properties which have city water. Commissioner SNOW stated that her earlier comment about the wells referred to her concern that the project not take water away from existing wells. She did not mean that the vacant lot should be used for water storage for wells. She also added that the Planning Commission is responsible to see that no development occurs which would deplete the water supply to the wells. Commissioner BRINKMAN asked if the applicant would be willing to eliminate the drive- up ATM. Mr. Turre replied that he did not have the authority to make that decision. Vince Fandell 2745 Taft Court, Lakewood Mr. Fandell, representing Lutheran Credit Union, was sworn by Chair MACDOUGALL. He explained that the Lutheran Credit Union has been existence for 26 years and has been housed at Lutheran Hospital. Over the past several years he has received many requests from members of the credit union to expand the facilities because of inadequate parking at its present location. Members also requested a place to do business without getting out of their cars. By building a new facility, he would be able to accommodate existing membership and not lose member base to competitors. The existing office on the Exempla- Lutheran campus would remain. Mr. Fandell stated there are approximately 4,000 members and that 80-85% work for the hospital with the remainder of the members being retired or separated from service with the hospital. The 15% of retired or separated employees is the segment he wants to serve with the new facility. Since a credit union is established by charter and can only serve Lutheran Hospital employees, the plan is not to increase membership but to serve existing membership. The credit union would occupy 2500 square feet of the proposed 4300 square foot building. Mr. Loecher had requested that he attempt to locate a tenant for the other portion of the building that would be compatible with the credit union use. In response to a question from Commissioner BRINKMAN, Mr. Fandell stated that he would not be interested in this location if the drive-up ATM is eliminated. In response to a question from Commissioner COOPER regarding the need for a 24-hour ATM, he replied that it is necessary to meet the competition. He also replied that he could provide counts from Rocky Mountain Bank Card in regard to 24-hour ATM activity. Commissioner SNOW asked if there were projections for the main facility to move to the proposed location. Mr. Fandell stated that there is no change in location for this facility in the five-year plan. Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 December 2, 1999 (Chair MACDOUGALL declared a recess at 9:00 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:15 P.M.) Bob Goebel addressed the drainage associated with this property. Commissioner SNOW asked if there was a plan for storm drainage improvements in this area. Mr. Goebel replied that there is nothing in the capital improvement budget for such a project at this time. Because there is a history of drainage problems in the area, he stated that staff would be willing to help the neighbors present a drainage improvement to the City Council for inclusion in the capital improvement budget. In answer to a question from Chair MACDOUGALL, Mr. Goebel stated the nearest storm drain for this property is at Upham Street to the east. Linda Epperson 7520 West 35th Avenue Ms. Epperson was sworn by Chair MACDOUGALL. She stated her opposition to the case because a 24-hour ATM is not compatible adjacent to a residential neighborhood and the project would increase an existing drainage problem. She stated that installation of curb and gutter would not alleviate the problem because the street elevation is higher than her home. In response to a question from Commissioner BRINKMAN, Ms. Epperson stated that she felt a doctor's office or similar business would be acceptable for this area. She also suggested a "no left turn" sign coming out of the drive. Jackie Ingenthrone 7575 West 35th Avenue Ms. Ingenthrone was sworn by Chair MACDOUGALL. She stated her opposition to the rezoning because the proposed drive-through lane for the ATM would face her bedroom. She was also concerned that the project would increase existing drainage problems. She also noted that she no longer has water in her well. Marlin Weinberg 7500 West 35th Avenue Mr. Weinberg was sworn by Chair MACDOUGALL. He stated his opposition to the rezoning. He expressed concern about increased traffic which would result on 35th Avenue. Dave Dowda 7510 West 35th Avenue Mr. Dowda was sworn by Chair MACDOUGALL. He stated his opposition to the rezoning. He did not feel that a 24-hour drive-up ATM was compatible with the neighborhood and he was also concerned about increasing the existing storm drainage problems. Chair MACDOUGALL asked if there were others present who wished to address the Commission. There was no response. Planning Commission Minutes December 2, 1999 It was moved by Commissioner COLLINS and seconded by Commissioner SNOW that Case No. WZ-99-12, a request for approval of a rezoning from Residential-Two to Restricted-Commercial-One for property located at 3502 Wadsworth Boulevard be denied for the following reasons: 1. It is inconsistent with the designation on the Comprehensive Plan. 2. As designed, it is incompatible with adjacent residential land use. 3. A 24-hour ATM and drive-up lane is incompatible with the neighborhood and would cause a negative effect on adjacent properties. 4. Drainage from this development would increase flooding problems for the adjacent properties. 5. Increased traffic on 35th Avenue would have a negative impact on the neighborhood for several blocks to the east. The motion passed by a vote of 6-0 with Commissioners GOKEY and THOMPSON absent. 8. CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING Chair MACDOUGALL declared the public hearing portion of the meeting to be closed. 9. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to discuss. 10. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to discuss. 11. COMMISSION REPORTS There were no commission reports. 12. COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS There were no reports. 13. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner COLLINS and seconded by Commissioner COOPER that the meeting be adjourned at 9:45 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. (~J ~a (-I' Don MACD UGALL, Chair cJ Ann Lazzeri, Record' g Secretary C:\Barbara\PCRPTS\PLANCCOM\PCMINUTMI999\99I202.wpd Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 December 2, 1999