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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/15/20111.4 rHJO2 ogPaSE� PUBLIC HEARING ROSTER CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE PLANNING COMMISSION September 15, 2011 Please sign this roster if you wish to speak on any subject not appearing on the agenda. (Public comment may be limited to three minutes) Name Address t s - �1.` AI 1- gen1Td `7D 80 CW 38 r ue ON/ ' f {�— += k�`�'- �A"TT ln.Q 69 VY��I .��. City of r000rWheat1idge PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting September 15, 2011 1. 2. 3. El 5. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair BUCKNAM at 7:02 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 Ken Johnstone, Community Development Director Tim Paranto, Public Works Director Sarah Showalter, Planner II 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — September 1, 2011 It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner GUILDNER to approve the minutes of September 1, 2011 as presented. The motion carried 5 -0 with Commissioners BRINKMAN, DIETRICK, and TIMMS abstaining. Planning Commission Minutes 1 September 15, 2011 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) Thomas Slattery 6869 West 32 " Avenue On behalf of Wheat Ridge United Neighborhoods, Mr. Slattery invited members of the Commission, staff and citizens to submit proposed questions for the Candidates and Issues Forum to be held on September 29. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Case No. WPA- 11 -01 A resolution recommending adoption of the 38 Avenue Corridor Plan and, by such adoption, amending the Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan. This case was presented by Sarah Showalter. She reviewed the staff report and digital presentation. In response to a question from Commissioner MATTHEWS, Tim Paranto explained that the road diet scenario would add an estimated 20 -40 seconds to a trip along the corridor. Commissioner BUCKNAM suggested that cyclists be encouraged to use 35 Avenue as designated bike corridor. In response to a question from Commissioner BRINKMAN regarding school bus traffic and emergency vehicles, Ms. Showalter stated that representatives from the fire district and the hospital were involved and expressed no concern with the plan. Commissioner BUCKNAM suggested further discussions with the school district regarding peak school traffic. Denise Balkas Real Estate Director, Wheat Ridge 2020 Ms. Balkas stated that WR2020 is in favor of the Plan. WR2020's priority is to preserve existing businesses and invite new businesses along 38 Avenue. WR2020 received a State grant to conduct a visit by revitalization experts to analyze the 38 Avenue corridor. Their action plan included development of the 38 Avenue Corridor Plan. WR2020 has participated in development of the Corridor Plan from the beginning. The development process was open and inclusive to the community. She submitted a flow chart into the record that shows the steps involved in getting the Plan to this point. Russ Redig 7080West 38 Avenue Mr. Redig represented A -1 Rentals at the above address. He was on the stakeholder committee and expressed opposition to the plan. His business has Planning Commission Minutes 2 September 15, 2011 been in its present location for fifty years and he believed the Plan would restrict traffic flow to his business. An informal poll of his customers indicated that the majority of them would divert from 38 Avenue if the road diet plan takes place. He stated that most of his customers find him by driving by and believed implementation of the Plan would put him out of business. Don Eafanti Mr. Eafanti commented that 38 Avenue east of Harlan is different than west of Harlan. He sees no need for a change on 38 Avenue other than installing a sidewalk from Robb to Harlan. He did not agree that slowing traffic down would bring more business to merchants. Frank Stites 3354 Zephyr Court Mr. Stites stated that he has been in business on 38 Avenue for fifty years. He expressed opposition to the street diet because it would interfere with emergency vehicles. Drivers will also funnel onto 38 from north Denver. 38 and Pierce is already tied up for a block when school lets out. He stated that he has not heard any business people complain about 38 Avenue as it is. He expressed concern about the cost of implementing the plan. He believed any improvements along 38 should be made behind the street not on the street itself. Pete Maroon 3950 Eaton St. Mr. Mamon spoke in favor of the Plan because it will attract people to the area from outside Wheat Ridge. It is difficult to look at businesses when you are driving at 35 miles per hour. (Chair BUCKNAM declared a recess at 8:37 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 8:45 p.m.) Mary Cripe 3950 Eaton St. Ms. Cripe spoke in favor of the Plan which would make 38 Avenue more walkable and attract more businesses. She has seen similar plans work well in Portland, Oregon. Ted Heyd Live Well Wheat Ridge Mr. Heyd stated he was involved in the development of the Plan and that Live Well Wheat Ridge is highly in favor of the Plan. Wheat Ridge needs a downtown district and the Plan effectively addresses community health with a pedestrian friendly environment that accommodates vehicles without affecting levels of service. He commended the work of WR2020 in bringing new businesses to the corridor. He stated that he has been a planner for twelve years and believed the road diet is the essential piece of the Plan that will make it work. He pointed out Planning Commission Minutes 3 September 15, 2011 that downtown corridors of surrounding communities have two -lane streets with occasional turn lanes. Tara Jahn 3620 High Court Mr. Jahn stated she decided to buy a home in Wheat Ridge because of the work in progress to bring change to the City. She has been involved in the Wheat Ridge Planning Academy and the stakeholders meetings. She was excited about the vision of vibrancy presented by the Plan. She would like to see a corridor where people drive to it rather than driving through it. Tim Reed Director of Facility Planning, Jefferson County Schools Mr. Reed stated that the School District will continue to work closely with the City to ensure safety of students, parents and bus drivers. Sharon Rogers 7053 West 38` Avenue Ms. Rogers stated that she has had a business in Wheat Ridge for 35 years. She asked about snow removal with the road diet plan. She expressed concern that her business could be adversely affected by the Plan. Lloyd Rogers 7053 West 38` Avenue Mr. Rogers is co -owner of the business at this location. He was in favor of bicycle traffic being diverted onto 35` Avenue. He did not believe the street diet would move more traffic nor would it increase his customer base. He would like to see a trial period for the street diet scenario. Larry Merkel 7175 West 34` Avenue Mr. Merkel stated that the Plan would create more congestion on 38` Avenue. He believed the Plan would be of more benefit to the Lakeside area that is planning to build a new WalMart than to businesses on 38` Avenue in Wheat Ridge. Tracy Volkman Environmental Health Specialist Jefferson County Public Health Department Ms. Volkman commended the diligence of those involved in putting the Plan forward. Jefferson County Public Health Department is in favor of the Plan which would promote an environment to accommodate pedestrian, bicycle and automobile traffic. It would result in a reduction of ambient noise and improve air quality and encourage physical activity. Planning Commission Minutes 4 September 15, 2011 Brandi Wilson 4765 Everett St. Ms. Wilson is co -owner of Fran's Cafe and expressed opposition to the Plan. The majority of her customers are senior citizens from nearby high rises. She expressed concern that the Plan would take out the parking lot in front of the restaurant. If the seniors can't park in front, they won't come. Janet Pint 7047 West 38` Avenue Ms. Pint is co -owner of Fran's Cafe. She expressed opposition to the Plan because people would avoid traffic congestion caused by the street diet. Buzz Calldns 7268 South Tucson Way Mr. Calkins' family owns the Bradley Gas Station at 38` and Vance and the self service gas station at 38` and Pierce. He woke in opposition to the Plan. He believed that most of the businesses on 38` Avenue are impulse and convenience businesses. The road diet will lower traffic counts that will result in substantial loss to his business that relies on volume. He believed that 38` Avenue is the wrong place for this Plan. Britta Fisher Executive Director, WR2020 Ms. Fisher agreed that she would not bike on 38` Avenue. WR2020 is a flag bearer of vision for progress in the community. Successful economic development has business clusters where people can stop and visit several businesses. The Plan is conceptual and she invited affected business owners to contact her or Sarah Showalter to discuss their concerns. She pointed out that the building at 38` and High Court previously referred to in the meeting will be sold in two weeks to a pizza pasta pub that wants to be part of the future of 38` Avenue. Jeff Sieh 6440 West 32 "d Avenue Mr. Sieh stated his opposition to the Plan. He expressed concern that the road diet on 38` Avenue will divert more traffic onto 32 Avenue where he lives. He also expressed concern about snow removal on sidewalks. Existing buildings should be revitalized. Cristen Sieh 6440 West 32 " Avenue Ms. Sieh expressed concern about safety for school students. She was also concerned about safety issues associated with more traffic being diverted onto 32 " Avenue. Many children live along 32 "d Avenue. Planning Commission Minutes 5 September 15, 2011 Tom Slattery 6869 W. 32 Avenue Mr. Slattery asked if there were plans for RTD bus pull -outs on 38` Avenue. In response to a question from Commissioner POND, Ms. Showalter stated that RTD doesn't generally recommend pullouts on streets where traffic moves under 40 mph; however, signalized intersections at Harlan and Pierce would have extended right hand turn lanes to serve as bus pull -outs. Commissioner POND asked if any business parking lots would be removed. Ms. Showalter stated that parking lot removal is not proposed for any business. Private property would not be impacted by the short-term road diet. Any curb cut consolidation would be in cooperation with property owners. Commissioner DIETRICK asked if any studies had been done regarding destination versus impulse buyers. Ms. Showalter replied that no studies have been done, only anecdotal information from other communities that seems to point out that slower traffic is an advantage for impulse shopping since drivers are more likely to notice businesses and signs. In response to a question from Commissioner BUCKNAM, Ms. Showalter stated that an ordinance concerning snow removal regulations is under consideration. Commissioner BUCKNAM encouraged interested citizens to go to the City's website to look at the traffic analysis. In response to a question from Commissioner BUCKNAM, Mr. Paranto stated that present capacity for 38` Avenue exceeds 20,000. Chair BUCKNAM closed the public hearing. Commissioner BRINKMAN thanked the citizens who attended the meeting to express their views. She commented that focus should be on revitalization of 38` Avenue and how to move it forward. Dressing up the street in 2001 did not work. The vacancy rate has increased. She stated that she lives in this district and has participated in numerous 38` Avenue studies. She stated that she would vote for this revitalization vision for 38 Avenue. It is time to move forward. Commissioner MATTHEWS stated that he supports the multi -modal concept. However, he didn't think that simply slowing traffic would bring about revitalization. He believed the road diet as part of a package of landscaping and building to the front of the street would work. It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner GUILDNER to continue the public hearing to October 20 to allow time for staff to work with property owners and businessmen along Planning Commission Minutes 6 September 15, 2011 38 Avenue. The motion failed 6 -2 with Commissioners TIMMS, DIETRICK, BUCKNAM, BRINKMAN, POND and OHM voting no. Commissioner POND expressed appreciation to everyone involved in development of the plan and to those citizens who attended the meeting to make their views known. He commented that the prime intent of the Plan is to bring people to the corridor. He stated that he looks forward to the leadership committee being formed as soon as possible and requested that at least one member of the Planning Commission, preferably from District One or Two, be included in the membership. Commissioner OHM stated that he would vote in favor of the Plan. The amount of work that has been put forth to develop the Plan is outstanding and he believes it is a turning point to start moving forward. Commissioner GUILDNER commented that she can understand business owners' concerns. She was not convinced about the street diet and expressed concern about chasing existing businesses away. Commissioner BUCKNAM lives in District One. He expressed appreciation for all the effort expended by all those involved in developing the plan. He thanked all those who came to the meeting to offer their input. The road diet is a component of a more comprehensive solution to revitalize 38` Avenue. He would like to see more done with 35 and 44 Avenues and signalization around the schools. It was moved by Commissioner BRINKMAN and seconded by Commissioner POND to adopt Resolution 02 -2011, a resolution recommending adoption of the 38th Avenue Corridor Plan as an amendment to the Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan, Envision Wheat Ridge, and forwarding said recommendation to the Wheat Ridge City Council for the meeting on October 10, 2011. The motion carried 6 -2 with Commissioners MATTHEWS and GUILDNER voting no. 8. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner GUILDNER and seconded by Commissioner OHM to adjourn the meeting at 9:51 p.m. The motion carried 8 -0. 4&1"�, I Alan Bucknam, Chair Ann Lazzeri, Seci etary Planning Commission Minutes 7 September 15, 2011