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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/04/2011I/ City of l WheatRidge PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting August 4, 2011 2. 3. 4. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair BUCKNAM 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 Alan Bucknam Marc Dietrick Tracy Guildner Dick Matthews Scott Ohm George Pond Steve Timms Staff Members Present: PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Meredith Reckert, Sr. Planner Tim Paranto, Director of Public Works 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. The motion carried 8 -0. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — June 16, 2011 It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner TIMMS to approve the minutes of June 16, 2011 as presented. The motion carried 6 -0 with Commissioners Dietrick and Guildner abstaining. 6. PUBLIC FORUM (This is the time for any person to speak on any subject not appearing on the agenda. Public comments may be limited to 3 minutes) No members of the public wished to speak at this time. Planning Commission Minutes I August 4, 2011 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Case No. MS- 11 -02: An application filed by Weston Solutions for a 3 -lot minor subdivision plat with dedications on property zoned Mixed Use Commercial (MU -C) and located at approximately 7340 West 44` Avenue. This 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 case file and digital presentation. Staff recommended approval for reasons, and with a condition, as outlined in the staff report. Steve Art Economic Development and Urban Renewal Manager Mr. Art stated that Renewal Wheat Ridge, the city's urban renewal authority, has reviewed the subdivision and fully concurs with staff recommendations. Chair BUCKNAM opened the public hearing and asked to hear from members of the public. Rebecca Zachmeier 4200 Upham Ms. Zachmeier wanted to know what drainage will look like and expressed concern about above - ground detention. She expressed concern about the senior housing project and stated that she would like to see more home ownership properties in the city. Joseph Sadar 4355 Teller Ms. Sadar wanted to know more details about the senior housing project. Ms. Reckert explained that the plans are presently under administrative review and citizens may come to the Community Development Department to see them. Judy Capra 4290 Teller Ms. Capra stated that she was surprised to hear the senior housing project had been approved. She believed Lot 2 is not large enough to accommodate 88 units and should be larger. She was opposed to a waiver of park land dedication. Myrna Shaw 4195 Teller Ms. Shaw expressed concern about street allotments that would encourage drivers to speed. Also, increased traffic in the area would affect safety of children in the Planning Commission Minutes 2 August 4, 2011 area. She was opposed to placing a median on Wadsworth toVance Street because it would have a negative impact on existing businesses. Lorraine Neumann 4281 Upham Ms. Neumann stated that she is now landlocked and asked if she would have a curb cut to allow access to her property from 43` Avenue. She also asked if the existing trees would remain Gay Ann Fey 4320 Upham Ms. Fey expressed concern about 43` Avenue going through that would result in increased traffic. Drivers already speed in this area. A light at Vance will cause drivers to cut through on 43` Andy Horn 7175 West 42 " Avenue Mr. Horn expressed opposition about that 88 -unit living complex for limited income seniors because Wheat Ridge already has a glut of low- income rentals. He understood that the use for this area would be mixed use with commercial and believed this was a "bait and switch" by the city. The senior living complex will not bring strong families to Wheat Ridge. He was also opposed to a median on 44` Avenue that will increase traffic congestion at Vance, Teller and Upham. A signal at Vance will not help traffic congestion. 44` Avenue could be backed up as far as Teller. His neighborhood already gets cut - through traffic on Teller. He did not believe open space requirements can be met by some tables and patio space. He expressed concern about a subdivision being approved before development for the property is planned. Craig Ailero 4200 Upham He stated that he was not aware that the senior housing project had been approved. He believed that a library and DMV building was promised for the area. He was also concerned about storm water flushing through the remediation area for the demolished transmission shop. Suzanne Capra 7070 West 43` Avenue She didn't understand why the city is buying rentals to convert to home ownership when this housing project will add to rental property in the city. She expressed concern about increased traffic on Upham Street. Steve Art reminded those present that the matter before the Commission is the subdivision and not the ultimate development. However, he described the proposed development that is presently under administrative review. The apartments will not abut 43` but will be in an L -shape that will run Planning Commission Minutes 3 August 4, 2011 along Vance street and the other along the northern border of the property. Only a portion of the project that is counted toward open space is patio and open space. An area at the north end of the property is planned for a garden area. A public space will be required for Lot 1 when it is developed. Ms. Reckert commented that development of the property is market- driven. The City was working with Renewal Wheat Ridge and Jefferson County to find a public use for the property but Jeffco decided to locate their building elsewhere. Another development proposal was a medical clinic that also decided to locate elsewhere. It is not known at this time who the users will be for Lots 1 and 3. There is also a need for affordable multiple housing in the City. John Reisma Weston Solutions In response to a question from Commissioner GUILDNER, Mr. Reisma stated that the ground has been tested for contamination and everything is coming back clean. There is also ongoing monitoring and there is no need to expedite that monitoring before construction of a detention pond takes place. The pond will meet all EPA standards. In response to a question from Commissioner OHM, Mr. Paranto stated that different scenarios have been examined for the detention pond and it was determined that it would be placed in the northeast corner. It will initially be an earthen pond to give the future owner of Lot 1 the right to change the configuration if so desired. It could possibly be put underground. For clarification, Commissioner TIMMS commented that Planning Commission is voting on the subdivision plat and cannot make a recommendation about the apartment plans. Further, the Commission has no jurisdiction over the proposed 44 Avenue median. Lot 2 meets minimum standards of MU -C zoning in terms of lot size and frontage. In response to a question from Commissioner BRINKMAN regarding Ms. Neumann's landlocked situation, Mr. Paranto stated that she can have a curb cut when the street is constructed. He also commented that traffic engineers have predicted morning and evening hour peak traffic should be eleven cars onto Upham from the p h roposed project. The light at Vance and 44 will provide an easy access to 44 . The intent of this light and a median on 44` is to make it a safer street. There are presently many accidents at this location. In response to a question from Commissioner BUCKNAM regarding the drainage easement over a remediation site, Mr. Paranto stated that while he has not reviewed the plans, Renewal Wheat Ridge is aware of what needs to be done regarding stabilization of the earth to meet State Health Department requirements. There is very little contamination dissipating today and there will be no undue burden on future owners of the site Planning Commission Minutes 4 August 4, 2011 Commissioner TIMMS stated that he would vote in favor of the application based upon the criteria set before the Commission. He encouraged Renewal Wheat Ridge to conduct extensive outreach to the neighborhood about whatever occurs in the area. It was moved by Commissioner TIMMS and seconded by Commissioner MATTHEWS to approve Case No. MS- 11 -02, a request for approval of a three -lot minor subdivision plat with right -of -way dedication on MU -C zoned property located at 7340 West 44 Avenue, for the following reasons: 1. All requirements of Article IV of the zoning and development code have been met. 2. The utility providers can serve the property. 3. It will facilitate development of the site in compliance with the approved Concept Plan. With the following condition: 1. The applicant continue to work with the Department of Public Works on technical drainage requirements. Commissioner MATTHEWS stated that he would support the subdivision plat. He expressed concern that this project looks like "piecemeal" redevelopment. Motion carried 8 -0. 8. OTHER MATTERS A. 38 Avenue Corridor Plan Update Ms. Reckert encouraged Commission members to attend the third and final public meeting on the 38 Avenue Corridor Plan to be held on August 9 at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center. 9. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner GUILDNER to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 p.m. The motion carried 8 -0. Alan Bucknam, Chair Ann Lazzeri, Secretary Planning Commission Minutes 5 August 4, 2011