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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/18/2010City of l?Wheat~idge PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting March 18, 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 h Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Commission Members Present: Anne Brinkman Alan Bucknam John Dwyer Dean Gokey Dick Matthews George Pond Steve Timms Commission Members Absent: Staff Members Present: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Marc Dietrick Meredith Reckert, Sr. Planner Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA Commissioner DWYER requested an addition to the agenda under "Other Items" to conduct election of officers. It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner BRINKMAN to approve the order of the agenda with the addition requested by Commissioner DWYER. The motion carried 7-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - February 4, 2010 It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner TIMMS to approve the minutes of February 4, 2010 as Planning Commission Minutes I March 18, 2010 presented. The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioners BUCKNAM, GOKEY and POND abstaining. 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 Nos MS-10-01 & WA-10-02: - An application filed by Keith Gantenbein for Crawford Holdings for approval of a 2-lot minor subdivision plat with a lot width variance for property zoned Residential- Two (R-2) and located at 3400 Wadsworth Boulevard. 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 and reminded the Commission that a super majority vote is required to approve the variance portion of the application. The purpose of the request is to separate an existing dwelling on the west side of the parcel from vacant property on the east side of the parcel for construction of a new duplex. Staff recommended approval of the variance request for reasons set forth in the staff report. Chair DWYER asked to hear from the applicant. Keith Gantenbein for Crawford Holdings In response to a question from Commissioner BRINKMAN, Mr. Gantenbein stated there is no well or irrigation on the property. A sanitary sewer serves the property. Commissioner GOKEY expressed about snow removal for Lot one if there are 6- foot fences on both sides of the driveway. Mr. Gantenbein stated that a 6-foot fence will be constructed along Wadsworth to prevent the use of an existing dangerous curb cut onto Wadsworth. A 6-foot fence will be constructed along the first 60-70 feet of the north lot line but will not extend all the way to Webster. Ms. BRINKMAN commented that sight distance requirements will have to be met. Mr. Gantenbein stated that he is making a sizeable investment to improve the existing abandoned home and to build two new town homes which will improve the neighborhood. Curb, gutter and sidewalk will also be installed along Webster. He is requesting the variance to make the property more attractive. Planning Commission Minutes 2 March 18, 2010 In response to a question from Commissioner BRINKMAN, Mr. Gantenbein stated that the proposed townhomes will be sold rather than rented. The restored house will also be for sale. Chair DWYER asked to hear from members of the public. Janet Prehn Ms. Prehn stated that she owns the duplex across the street. She asked what the width of the driveway is that serves the single family home. The applicant explained that the "flag" portion of the lot is 20-feet wide so the driveway will come in from Webster Street. Ms. Prehn stated that she was pleased with the applicant's drawings of the proposed townhomes. Leroy Rutetnories Mr. Rutetnories owns the home right behind the applicant's property. He spoke in favor of the application because it will result in a great improvement to the property. Marian Burgess Ms. Burgess stated that she lives on the corner of 34th and Webster. She expressed concern that if the townhouses don't sell, they could turn into rentals. There were no other individuals who wished to speak. Chair DWYER closed the public hearing. Commissioner GOKEY applauded the homeowner for improving the property and providing owner-occupied housing. Commissioner MATTHEWS stated that, although there is some concern about the townhomes becoming rentals, he applauded the owner in his attempt to provide owner-occupied property. Commissioner BUCKNAM stated his support of the application. Without the variance, a "dead zone" would exist that would propose problems for three different landowners. Commissioner DWYER commented that the variance seems rather inconsequential and the property will be improved. He stated his support of the application. It was moved by Commissioner BRINKMAN and seconded by Commissioner MATTHEWS to approve Case No. WA-10-02, a lot width variance considered currently with Case No. MS-10-01 for property located at 3400 Wadsworth, for the following reasons: Planning Commission Minutes 3 March 18, 2010 1. The requested variance is not inconsistent with adjacent development. 2. The subdivision could be designed so that Lot 1 meets the lot width, but it results in an illogical lot layout. 3. The property owner is proposing a substantial investment in the properly which will result in the construction of two new contemporary housing units. 4. The majority of the variance criteria support approval of the request. The motion passed 7-0. It was moved by Commissioner BRINKMAN and seconded by Commissioner BUCKNAM to approve Case No. MS-10-01, a request for approval of a two-lot minor subdivision on R-2 zoned property located at 3400 Wadsworth, for the following reasons: 1. All requirements of Article IV of the zoning and development code have been met. With the following conditions: 1. A Subdivision Improvement Agreement with security be provided at the time of subdivision recording. 2. Fees in lieu of parkland dedication be paid at the time of subdivision recording. The motion passed 7-0. 8. OTHER ITEMS A. Mixed Use Forums - 38u' Avenue between Sheridan and Wadsworth Meredith Reckert reminded Commissioners of the upcoming 381i Avenue Corridor Mixed Use Zoning Forum to be held on March 24, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Commissioner BRINKMAN asked about the status of the DOLA report. Ms. Reckert stated that the report has been received from the State and the results will be discussed at next week's study session. Commissioner TIMMS commented that the executive summary of the DOLA report is available on the Wheat Ridge 2020 website. B. Election of Officers Dick Matthews was elected to serve as Planning Commission chair. Alan Bucknam was elected to serve as Planning Commission vice-chair. Planning Commission Minutes 4 March 18, 2010 9. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner GOKEY to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. The motion carried 7-0. J hn Dwyer, Chair Ann Lazzeri, Secret Planning Commission Minutes 5 March 18, 2010