Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/04/2010City of WheatWidge PLANNING COMMISS Minutes of Meeting February 4, 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 29"' Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Commission Members Present: Anne Brinkman Jim Chilvers John Dwyer Dick Matthews Steve Timms Commission Members Absent: Staff Members Present: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Marc Dietrick Ken Johnstone, Community Development Director Sarah Showalter, Planner II Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA Commissioner BRINKMAN requested an amendment to the agenda under "Other Items" to add an update on Planning Commission vacancies. It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner TIMMS to approve the order of the agenda as amended. The motion passed 5-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -January 21, 2010 It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner TIMMS to approve the minutes of January 21, 2010 as presented. The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioner CHILVERS abstaining. Planning Commission Minutes 1 February 4, 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. 7. STUDY SESSION A. Mixed Use Zoning Sarah Showalter reviewed the staff report for this study session item. Since May of 2009, staff has been researching best practices in order to refine the approach for creating mixed use zoning in Wheat Ridge. The report summarized staff s recommended approach, process and timeline for creating mixed use zone districts in the City and asked for direction from Planning Commission regarding policy. The two basic mixed use districts to be discussed are Mixed Use Commercial (MU-C) and Mixed Use Neighborhood (MU-N). MU-C district will focus on areas envisioned for higher intensity development. MU-N will be for smaller scale, more neighborhood oriented development. Commissioner BRINKMAN asked why design standards were included rather than relying on the Architectural and Design Manual. Ms. Showalter stated that the Manual doesn't address higher intensity development in areas where city charter restrictions have been removed. Further, having graphics and design standards in one place makes it easier to understand In response to a question from Commissioner DWYER, Ms. Showalter stated that the code would be updated as market and development demands change. Commissioner BRINKMAN stated that she is supportive of the districts, but expressed concern about Wheat Ridge roadways supporting mixed use. Lighting also needs to be addressed in mixed-use design standards. Commissioner CHILVERS stated he has been a long-time supporter of mixed use development as he has seen it work well in other communities. He asked if mixed use would be allowed for existing structures. Ms. Showalter stated there is nothing in the proposed code that would preclude mixed use for existing structures. Commissioner TIMMS commented that in order to see redevelopment, he believed it was necessary to reduce parking requirements. Further, it is important to have balance between desired economic development and strong regulations. He would like to see allowances for nonconforming uses in the TOD area. Planning Commission Minutes 2 February 4, 2010 Commissioner MATTHEWS commented that there could be a market for certain auto services around a TOD area. For example, commuters could have their cars serviced while taking light rail to work. Commissioner BRINKMAN asked how potential developers would be informed of the mixed use code. Ken Johnstone replied that staff is always communicating with developers. Public meetings have been held with property owners to ask if they would like to see their area rezoned. Commissioner CHILVERS asked about reaction from property owners on Wadsworth. Mr. Johnstone replied that meetings with a majority of property owners in the corridor were supportive. Owners were asked to complete a survey that included a question about how aggressive the city should be in initiating rezoning. Ms. Showalter commented that ten surveys have been returned so far. These indicated support of city-initiated rezoning. The Commission was in agreement with Sub-Districts. In regard to density, Commissioners MATTHEWS and CHILVERS commented that they were more concerned with design than with density. There was a general consensus that minimum density is not a big issue in a TOD area, however, single family structures and potentially duplexes could be excluded. Commissioner CHILVERS commented that flexibility is important and density issues should be market driven. Commissioner MATTHEWS commented that he would like to see density controlled through building height, open space, etc., rather than setting forth dwelling units per acre. Commissioner BRINKMAN commented that careful consideration should be given to auto-oriented uses. Commissioner TIMMS commented that the market would probably drive these types of businesses to Wadsworth rather than 38th and 44`h Avenues. Commissioner BRINKMAN suggested that nonconforming uses could be considered according to sub-districts. There was consensus that the allowable time period for discontinued use could be extended beyond 60 days to a year. In response to a question from Commissioner DWYER, Mr. Johnstone stated that residential height limits in the MU-N districts will remain the same. A change would require a charter amendment. The first draft of the mixed use zoning code will be available for Planning Commission in March and should be the topic of the Planning Commission study session in early April. Planning Commission Minutes 3 February 4, 2010 8. OTHER ITEMS • In regard to the three vacancies on Planning Commission, Ken Johnstone stated that these positions will be filled when City Council makes appointments to boards and commissions on February 22, 2010. Commissioner DWYER asked for feedback on the last TOD area meeting. Ken Johnstone stated that the meeting was attended by property owners who would be directly impacted by transit oriented development. They understood that they had businesses that could eventually become nonconforming and offered good suggestions as to how the changes could be less impactful. They also seemed to understand the city's long-term vision for the area. The current timetable for the transit station is the year 2016. • Commissioner BRINKMAN inquired about the final report on the DOLA/Wheat Ridge 2020 38th Avenue seminar. Ken Johnstone stated that WR2020 has completed a working draft that is under review and a final document should be ready in 2-3 weeks. 9. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner CHILVERS and seconded by Commissioner TIMMS to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Dwyer, C air Ann Lazzeri, Secret Planning Commission Minutes 4 February 4, 2010