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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/03/2010♦ City of W heatRjdge PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting June 3, 2010 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair MATTHEWS at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29 Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. 2. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Commission Members Present: Anne Brinkman Alan Bucknam Marc Dietrick John Dwyer Dick Matthews George Pond Steve Timms Commission Members Absent: Staff Members Present: 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Dean Gokey Meredith Reckert, Sr. Planner Sarah Showalter, Planner II 4. APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA It was moved by Commissioner DWYER and seconded by Commissioner BUCKNAM to approve the order of the agenda. The motion carried 7 -0. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — May 20, 2010 It was moved by Commissioner BUCKNAM and seconded by Commissioner DWYER to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2010 meeting as presented. The motion carried 6 -0 with Commissioner DIETRICK 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 who wished to address the Commission at this time. Planning Commission Minutes 1 June 3, 2010 7. PUBLIC HEARING A. Case No. ZOA- 10 -01 An ordinance amending Article VII of Chapter 26 concerning off - premise identification signs, community event/sponsorship banners, and signs in the public right -of -way. This case was presented by Sarah Showalter. She entered all pertinent documents into the record and informed the Commission there was jurisdiction to hear the case. She reviewed the staff report and digital presentation. Commissioner POND asked how size criteria was developed. Ms. Showalter replied that sizes were determined primarily on actual requests and determining a size that would fit best with them and similar future requests. Staff was reticent to set a standard that would allow any large commercial sites in the city to put up off - premise signs, so the size for major activity centers was intended for large, regional shopping centers only. Master sign plans for developments would be reviewed by Planning Commission. Commissioner BUCKNAM asked if staff had consulted with the Jefferson County School District regarding size and duration of banners. Ms. Showalter explained that school properties were not part of the original ordinance and it might be a good idea to consult with the school district regarding time and size limitations. Private schools are exempt. Commissioner BRINKMAN expressed concern about time limitations for banners and stated that she believed that the 7 -acre requirement should be reduced. She also recommended considering lowering the 150 -acre requirement. Ms. Reckert reminded the Commission that businesses and quasi - public uses are allowed to have one banner at all times. Commissioner TIMMS asked if the city attorney had reviewed the language in the amendment as it relates to Colorado Revised Statutes. Ms. Showalter stated that the city attorney did review the language but would make sure he also reviewed it in light of CRS statutes. Commissioner TIMMS expressed concern that exceptions for signs in the public right -of -way could turn into becoming the norm. Ms. Showalter stated that while most jurisdictions have no criteria for this situation, Wheat Ridge has a set of specific criteria in the proposed code to restrict these types of signs so that they are only allowed in limited circumstances. Commissioner DWYER expressed concern that criteria seemed to be developed based on actual situations and not necessarily on all the possible scenarios that could arise in the future. He also asked why highway signage is not allowed for urban renewal areas. Ms. Showalter explained that it was an attempt to reduce the Planning Commission Minutes 2 June 3, 2010 amount of highway signs. Ms. Reckert also explained that any business within 1 /4 mile of a freeway is allowed a 50 -foot sign in the current code. Commissioner BUCKNAM suggested removing the words "wood or metal" in describing material used in a pole supporting a sign. The type of pole material should not be designated. Commissioner POND asked if the ordinance allows for variances. Ms. Showalter stated there is language in the master sign plan that allows flexibility for Planning Commission to make exceptions to the standards. Commissioner MATTHEWS expressed concern about acreage criteria. When there is only one site in the entire city that meets those criteria, it is getting close to quasi-judicial. He suggested that there should be at least two or three sites that would meet that criteria. Commissioner MATTHEWS asked how regulations apply to bus benches on public rights -of -way. Ms. Showalter explained that the sign code has specific regulations for bus benches that would not be changed. Public Works Department works with RTD on these issues. It was moved by Commissioner TIMMS and seconded by Commissioner BUCKNAM to divide the question and vote on the following issues separately: (1) Off - Premise Identification Signs; (2) Community Event /Sponsorship Banners; and (3) Signs in the Public Right -of -Way. The motion passed 7 -0. Commissioner TIMMS expressed concern about the balance between community aesthetics and the rights of businesses to advertise in an effective way. It is important to be flexible but he was not sure if the ordinance adequately addresses the issues. He stated that he would not support numbers 1 and 3. He agreed with Commissioner POND that pole sign regulations could result in more monument signs that are more permanent. It was moved by Commissioner BRINKMAN and seconded by Commissioner DWYER to recess the meeting at 8:05 p.m. The motion carried 7 -0. (The meeting was reconvened at 8:15 p.m.) • Off - premise identification signs were discussed. Commissioner POND stated that the flexibility allowed through master sign plans lessen his concern about acreage criteria. Planning Commission Minutes 3 June 3, 2010 Commissioner BRINKMAN expressed concern about the arbitrary nature of acreage designations. Commissioner BUCKNAM shared her concern. He would be more comfortable if there were a map or listing of multiple sites where this designation would be applicable. Commissioner DWYER expressed similar reservations as Commissioners BRINKMAN and BUCKNAM. The entire first section seems targeted to a very limited number of places. He would like to see this matter studied further. It was moved by Commissioner TIMMS and seconded by Commissioner DWYER to deny the amendment to Article VII, Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws regarding off - premise identification signs. The motion carried 5 -2 with Commissioners BRINKMAN and POND voting no. • Community Event/Sponsorship Banners were discussed. Commissioner BUCKNAM stated that he would be in favor of this item with the condition that staff consult with the School District to create appropriate size, time and event restrictions for banners placed on district property and to include the District's recommendations regarding final specifications. This would allow the District to better meet its needs. Ms. Showalter commented that any modifications made as a result of discussions with the School District could be added to the proposed ordinance before it goes before City Council for discussion. It was moved by Commissioner BUCKNAM and seconded by Commissioner DWYER to recommend approval of the amendment to Article VII, Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws regarding community event /sponsorship banners with the following condition: In order to allow the Jefferson County School District to meet their needs, and to maximize the opportunity to generate awareness of school programs, events and sponsorship opportunities, staff must consult with the Jefferson County School District to create appropriate size, time and event restrictions or banners placed on School District property and include the School District's recommendation in any final specifications regarding the same. The motion carried 7 -0. • Signs in the public right -of -way was discussed. Commissioner BUCKNAM asked what would happen with existing pole signs in the right -of -way. Ms. Showalter stated that they would be legal nonconforming signs. It was moved by Commissioner DWYER and seconded by Commissioner BRINKMAN to approve the amendment to Article VII, Chapter 26 of the Planning Commission Minutes 4 June 3, 2010 Wheat Ridge Code regarding signs in the public right -of -way as written. The motion carried 5 -2 with Commissioners TIMMS and DIETRICK voting no. 8. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING Chair MATTHEWS closed the public hearing at 8:26 p.m. It was moved by Commissioner DWYER and seconded by Commissioner POND to adjourn the regular meeting to study session. The motion carried 7 -0. The regular meeting was adjourned to study session at 8:28 p.m. 9. STUDY SESSIONS A. Mixed Use Zoning (continued from 5- 20 -10) Staff started an update and discussion on the second draft of mixed use zoning at the 5 -20 -10 meeting. Since there was not sufficient time to finish the discussion, it was continued to this meeting. Staff requested discussion and feedback from the Commission on the following items: Auto - oriented uses Gas stations and build -to requirements Mixed use requirements for mixed large sites over five acres. Residential transitions: height restrictions 5. Development review process: fully administrative 6. Parking maximums 7. Provisions for nonconforming properties There was agreement that it makes sense to keep gas stations as a conditional use in MU -C interstate. Where gas stations are allowed, "build -to" can be met through a combination of a perimeter wall and a canopy. There was some uncertainty about leaving gas stations as non - permitted use in TOD areas. There was general discussion about whether all of 38 Avenue, or just certain nodes, should be designated MU -N. Regarding mixed use requirements, there was general agreement that "mixed use" really means a mix of uses. It was suggested that there should be a notification period and neighborhood meeting for developments over ten acres. It was agreed that it makes sense to keep parking maximums. There should be requirements for bicycle parking. Planning Commission Minutes 5 June 3, 2010 B. Commercial Accessory Structures There was agreement that shipping containers would be allowed in industrial zones but must be screened. Shipping containers would not be allowed in commercial zones. Small sheds up to 120 square feet would be allowed on commercial properties. It was recommended that they do not have to be consistent with the primary building materials. Types of building material should be flexible rather than restrictive. Maximum height should be twelve feet. Sloped roofs could be recommended but not required. Sloped roofs are mainly a concern in residential zone districts, but not commercial or industrial. 10. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner DWYER and seconded by Commissioner BRINKMAN to adjourn the study session at 10:25 p.m. The motion carried 7 -0. Dick Matthews, Chair Ann Lazzeri, Secretar Planning Commission Minutes 6 June 3, 2010