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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/21/2010City of ",q/ Wheat~idge PLANNING COMMISS Minutes of Meeting January 21, 2010 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair DWYER at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Commission Members Present: Anne Brinkman John Dwyer Henry Hollender Dick Matthews Steve Timms Commission Members Absent: Staff Members Present: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Jim Chilvers Marc Dietrick Meredith Reckert, Senior Planner Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner TIMMS to approve the order of the agenda with the addition of the following items: Appointment of new Planning Commission representatives and an announcement by Commissioner Hollender. The motion passed 5-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - November 19, 2009 It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner TIMMS to approve the minutes of November 19, 2009 as presented. The motion carried 5-0. Planning Commission Minutes I January 21, 2010 6. PUBLIC FORUM (This is the time for any person to speak on any subject not appearing on the agenda.) There was no one present to address the Commission. PUBLIC HEARING A. Case No. WZ-09-09 - An application filed by Arvada Fire Protection District for approval of an Outline Development Plan amendment to allow a fire station on property zoned Planned Industrial Development (PID) and located at 5250 Oak 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. Staff concluded that the proposed modification to the original uses specified on the Skyline Estates Filing 3 ODP must be processed as a zone change and that criteria used to evaluate a change of zoning conditions supports approval of the modification for this lot only. A recommendation of approval was given with conditions as outlined in the staff report. Commissioner BRINKMAN asked if staff believed parking to be adequate. Ms. Reckert replied that this is a different situation than most parking requirements and would be examined more closely at the time of specific design. Commissioner HOLLENDER asked what would happen to the existing detention ponds. Ms. Reckert stated that these ponds are regional and serve the developments. A drainage plan will have to be approved. In response to questions from Commissioner TIMMS, Ms. Reckert explained that a photometric plan will be required at time of development. In regard to landscaping, she explained that irrigation would be required and native seed would be allowed. Commissioner DWYER expressed concern that there will be no access onto Ridge Road. Ms. Reckert stated that Ridge Road is a collector street, and it is policy not to have direct access onto collectors. A traffic analysis has been done. John Greer, Chief Arvada Fire Protection District Chief Greer stated that the proposed station would replace Station #2 and would be one mile closer to the busiest census area of Kipling and I-70 while allowing protection to the area provided by the present Station #2. This amounts to about 90 seconds less in response time. He stated that sirens and flashing lights are not activated until after trucks have left the station. Lights would be angled to prevent spillage into residential structures. There will be no hazardous materials stored on the site. Diesel fuel will be stored in an approved above-ground tank which will be enclosed in a bricked-in area. The station will have sleeping space Planning Commission Minutes 2 January 21, 2010 for 6 individuals and parking space for 13 vehicles. Extra vehicle storage will not be allowed. Commissioner MATTHEWS asked about access across light rail. Chief Greer explained that they will use Miller Street. In response to a question from Commissioner HOLLENDER, Chief Greer stated that he is satisfied with the Oak Street access. The station is a drive-through design so trucks don't have to back up. In response to a question from Commissioner TIMMS, Chief Greer stated that Station #2 currently gets about two calls per day. The amount of calls will be increased at the proposed station. He stated that it also looks hopeful that funding will be available and the station could be constructed in about a year. At the request of Commissioner TIMMS, Brad Bonnet, the architect, presented architectural renderings of the station. He commented that the station would provide a buffer from the Coors industrial park. In response to a question from Commissioner BRINKMAN, Chief Greer explained that the fire department contracts with Pridemark for ambulance services and those vehicles will not be stationed and dispatched at the firehouse. Commissioner BRINKMAN asked if there would be a future need for additional sleeping space at the station. Chief Greer explained that any future additional firefighters will be housed at Station #1. Joseph E. DeMott Wheat Ridge City Council - District IV Mr. DeMott stated that he lives in Skyline Estates near the proposed station. He stated that he is in favor of the station and, in talking with his neighbors, he has heard no negative comments. Chair DWYER asked if there were others who wished to address the Commission. Hearing no response, he closed the public hearing. Commissioner MATTHEWS commented that access onto Ridge Road is not for the Commission's consideration at this time. Commissioner TIMMS stated that he would vote in favor of the application. He commented that a fire station is a much better use at this location than some of the industrial uses allowed by the present zoning. Commissioner HOLLENDER stated that he strongly supports the fire station at this location, but suggested that the access question be reconsidered. Commissioner MATTHEWS commended the Arvada Fire Department on the pleasing design of the proposed station. Planning Commission Minutes 3 January 21, 2010 It was moved by Commissioner TIMMS and seconded by Commissioner MATTHEWS to recommend approval of Case No. WZ-09-09, a request for approval of an amendment to the Skyline Estates Filing #3 Outline Development Plan for Lot 1 of Block 4 to allow the additional use of a fire station on property located at approximately 5250 Oak Street for the following reasons: 1. The proposed use is less impactive than existing uses allowed on the property. 2. The proposed use will provide a buffer and land use transition from the industrial uses on the south side of Ridge Road to the residential neighborhood to the north. 3. The evaluation criteria support approval of the request. With the following conditions: 1. A preliminary drainage report be submitted at the time of specific ODP. 2. A traffic analysis be submitted at the time of specific ODP. The motion passed 5-0. 8. OTHER ITEMS A. Resolution Designating a Public Place for Posting of Meeting Notices It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner HOLLENDER to approve Resolution No. 01-2010, a resolution establishing a designated public place for the posting of meeting notices as required by the Colorado Open Meetings Law. Commissioner BRINKMAN offered a friendly amendment to include the City's website as an additional location for the posting of meeting notices. The amendment was accepted by Commissioners MATTHEWS and HOLLENDER. The amended motion passed unanimously. B. Mixed Use Forum - Northwest Subarea Plan Update Meredith Reckert stated that a forum was held last week with about 35 people from the Wadsworth corridor area to discuss new regulations concerning a mixed use zone district. She invited Commissioners to attend another forum to be held regarding the TOD area around 50th and Ward. There will be a fixture forum concerning the Kipling north of 44th area. Planning Commission Minutes 4 January 21, 2010 Commissioner DWYER commented that Live Well Wheat Ridge is starting a committee to advocate for walkable spaces in mixed use areas. Commissioner TIMMS asked if there is a final report on the DOLA/Wheat Ridge 202038 1h Avenue seminar. Ms. Reckert replied that it should be available at the end of this month. C. Planning Commission Vacancies Commissioner HOLLENDER reluctantly announced his resignation from the Planning Commission due to the fact that he has moved out of the City. Meredith Reckert and fellow Commissioners expressed appreciation to Commissioner HOLLENDER for his service. Ms. Reckert announced that two other vacancies exist to replace Davis Reinhart, who was voted in as District I council representative, and Jim Chilvers, District II, whose term is up in March and is not reapplying. 9. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner BRINKMAN and seconded by Commissioner MATTHEWS to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. o m Dwyer, Chair Ann Lazzeri, Secretary Planning Commission Minutes 5 January 21, 2010