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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/18/2003CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting September 18, 2003 1. 2. 3. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER ORI"INAL The regular meeting of the Wheat Ridge Planning Commission was called to order by Vice Chair WEISZ at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. ROLL CALL Commission Members Present: Commission Members Absent: Staff Members Present: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Kimberly Davis John McMillin Phil Plummer Michael Stites Paula Weisz Kevin Witt Karen Berry (excused) Marian McNamee (excused) Alan White, Community Development Director Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary Following is the official set of Planning Commission minutes for the public hearing of September 18, 2003. A set of these minutes is retained both in the office of the City Clerk and in the Community Development Department of the City of Wheat Ridge. 4. APPROVE ORDER OF AGENDA It was moved by Commissioner PLUMMER and seconded by Commissioner WITT to approve the order of the agenda as presented. The motion passed 6-0 with Commissioners BERRY and McNAMEE absent. 5. APPROVE MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner STITES and seconded by Commissioner McMILLIN to approve the minutes of September 4, 2003 as presented. The motion passed 4-0 with Commissioners PLUMMER and DAVIS abstaining and Commissioners BERRY and McNAMEE absent. 6. PUBLIC FORUM There were none present to address the Commission during this portion of the meeting. Planning Commission Page 1 September 18, 2003 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Case No. WZ-02-13 (continued from September 4,2003): An application filed by Melody Homes, Inc. for approval of a Planned Residential Development final development plan for property located at 10285 Ridge Road. B. Case No. WS-02-01 (continued from September 4,2003): An application filed by Melody Homes, Inc. for approval of a 38-lot subdivision plat for property located at 10285 Ridge Road. The cases were presented by Alan White. He entered all pertinent documents into the record and advised the Commission there was jurisdiction to hear the case. He reviewed the staff report and digital presentation. Staff recommended approval of the applications for reasons outlined in the staff report. Mr. White entered into the record a letter dated September 17, 2003, from Matthew A. Hickey of the Temple-Inland Property Group stating that their company has been operating this manufacturing facility 24 hours a day for several years and have no plans to change the hours of operation in the future. The letter suggested that in order to avoid future complaints, the City consider a requirement that Melody Homes build a berm between the light industrial use and the residential lots and to formally disclose to all future buyers of the lots facing the industrial area, that Inland and other industries located nearby operate around the clock, 365 days per year. Mr. White stated that the berm suggestion could be considered at the time the light industrial site is considered by Planning Commission. While the city has no way of monitoring disclosures made by Melody Homes, they did assure City Council that they make such disclosures to all of their buyers. In reply to a question from Commissioner McMILLIN, Mr. White explained that the light industrial portion of the development does not constitute spot zoning. Further, the area will be used more for commercial uses than light industrial. Commissioner McMILLIN expressed concern about the lack of nearby parks for residents of this development and suggested that one of the retention ponds be used for a playground. Commissioner McMILLIN referred to the Comprehensive Plan which had designated the subject areas as large lot residential and asked what changes have occurred to change this situation. Mr. White explained that all of the adjacent Arvada development has taken place since the Comprehensive Plan was adopted. Further, the proposed development will contain 27% open space and will utilize enhanced design standards. Darrell Pennington Melody Homes -11031 N. Sheridan Blvd. Mr. Pennington was sworn in by Vice Chair WEISZ. He presented an overview of the proposed development. In response to a question from Commissioner WITT, Mr. Pennington stated that the proposed light industrial site is not owned by Melody Homes. Planning Commission Page 2 September 18, 2003 In response to a question from Commissioner STITES, Mr. Pennington stated that Melody Homes had no objection to installing sidewalk along Ridge Road. Commissioner STITES complimented the developer and staff for working together to create a fine residential area. Commissioner McMILLIN asked if the retention areas would be large enough to accommodate soccer games, etc. Mr. Pennington stated that the areas will be seeded with natural grasses and would probably not be amenable to such activities. Commissioner MCMILLIN referred to an earlier development in the city where the developer agreed to place a playground in a retention area and asked if Melody Homes would consider a similar arrangement. Steve Wilson Melody Homes Mr. Wilson, Vice President of Community Planning for Melody Homes, was sworn in by Vice Chair WEISZ. He stated there would be a problem with Commissioner McMILLIN's suggestion because one retention area is too small and the other is adjacent to the light industrial-commercial area. He pointed out there is a large recreational facility four blocks to the north in Arvada; however, Melody Homes would be willing to investigate with the city the possible use of some of the fees in lieu of park dedication to develop a small park. All of the retention areas are planned to be planted with maintained natural grasses. Commissioner McMILLIN suggested that the City of Wheat Ridge and the City of Arvada work together with park funds to develop a park in the development. He pointed out that the recreational facility four blocks to the north is used for team sports. Commissioner WEISZ commented that, while she was not opposed to having a park in the development, the developer has provided 27% open space where children could play, there is a nearby park in Arvada, and it seemed unfair to make this kind of change at this point in the development process. A matter such as this should have been considered during the outline development approval process. Commissioner STITES agreed with Commissioner WEISZ and pointed out the homes will have fenced yards where small children will play and commented that parents are more safety conscious these days about where their children play. Commissioner McMILLIN suggested a joint meeting between the Parks Commission and the Planning Commission in an effort to understand how park locations, etc. are decided. Commissioner PLUMMER commented that this single-home development with yards and 2.5 acres of open space does not compare with the Garrison Street project which was comprised of multi-family dwellings. It was moved by Commissioner PLUMMER and seconded by Commissioner STITES that Case No. WZ-02-13, a request for approval of a Final Development Plan for the residential area of the property located at 10285 Ridge Road, be approved for the following reasons: 18,2003 Page 3 1. The requirements of the City's Planned Development Regulations have been met. 2. Adequate infrastructure will be constructed with the development to serve the proposed use. 3. The Final Development Plan meets the development standards set forth in the approved Outline Development Plan for the site. With the following conditions: 1. Since the Final Development Plan pertains to the residential portion only, the Industrial Standards section on sheet 1 should be eliminated. 2. The typical front landscape detail needs to address any irrigation provided by the developer. Commissioner DAVIS offered the following friendly amendment to add two additional conditions as follow: 3. The maximum height for garages and sheds be changed from twenty feet to twelve feet. 4. The request by Melody Homes to defer construction of the tree lawn until such time as the industrial lot is developed be approved. The amendments were accepted by Commissioners PLUMMER and STITES. The motion passed 6-0 with Commissioners BERRY and McNAMEE absent. It was moved by Commissioner DAVIS and seconded by Commissioner PLUMMER that Case No. WS-02-01, a request for approval of a Final Plat for 38 lots on property located at 10285 Ridge Road be approved for the following reasons: 1. All requirements of the City's Subdivision Regulations have been met. 2. The lot sizes meet or exceed the minimum lot sizes established in the Planned Residential Development and Planned Industrial Development zoning. 3. All required utility easements are being provided. 4. Adequate infrastructure will be constructed with the development to serve the proposed use. 5. Sufficient public right-of-way for streets is being dedicated in the amount approved by the City's Public Works Department. With the following condition: 1. The 37 residential lots shall be subject to the City's park land fee in lieu of land dedication and will be collected upon issuance of individual building permits. The motion passed 6-0 with Commissioners BERRY and McNAMEE absent. 8. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to come before the Commission. ommission rage 4 18, 2003 9. NEW BUSINESS Alan White reported that City Council approved the Melody Homes rezone with changes recommended by Planning Commission. 10. COMMISSION REPORTS There were no Commission reports. 11. COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS There were no committee or department reports. 12. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner PLUMMER and seconded by Commissioner DAVIS to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. r Ann Lazzeri, Record g ecretary Planning Commission Page 5 September 18, 2003