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The meeting was called to order by Chair TIMMS at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council
Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 29 Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
Commission Members Present:
Commission Members Absent:
Staff Members Present:
Ken Johnstone, Community Development
Director
Ann Lazzeri, Recording Secretary
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No one wished to speak at this time.
Planning Commission Minutes - I — June 21, 2012
A. Case No. ZOA-12-03: An ordinance amending the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws
concerning group home regulations.
Commissioner MATTHEWS asked about detox facilities that have a change in number of
residents from day to day. Mr. Johnstone explained that these types of facilities are not
allowed in residential districts. They are classified as a special use in C- I and C-2
districts and a permitted use in Industrial zoned district.
In response to a question from Commissioner BUCKNAM regarding the number of
group homes in Wheat Ridge, Mr. Johnstone explained that the city does not retain a
registry. Registries are maintained by the State.
In response to a question from Commissioner BUCKNAM regarding the size of recent
applications for group homes, Mr. Johnstone stated that a recent inquiry was received
about a 32-bed facility.
Commissioner BUCKNAM expressed concern that if the cap for the number of
caregivers in a facility is removed it could increase traffic in a residential neighborhood.
Mr. Johnstone commented that caregivers are more market driven and there shouldn't be
more than three or four at a facility any time during the day.
Chair TIMMS opened the public hearing.
She expressed opposition to limiting the number of residents in a facility to eight.
Hearings on applications for more than eight would be unfriendly and very expensive to
the city and to the group homes. She would like to see a higher number allowed so
Planning Commission Minutes - 2 — June 21, 2012
Commissioner WEAVER asked if there are restrictions on the number of group homes
allowed in the city. Mr. Johnstone stated that there are no restrictions for a federally
protected class. It is the same as for residential homes.
In response to a question from Commissioner WEAVER, Mr. Johnstone stated that a
home for a protected class (such as those with Alzheimer's disease) would be exempt
from the maximum number of eight occupants. The restriction of eight would apply to
homes for elderly.
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Chair TIMMS closed the public hearing.
Commissioner MA HEWS expressed appreciation to former Council Member Snow
for sharing her knowledge. He agreed that the number of people allowed in a group
home is already addressed in state regulations and actual square footage of house and
there is no need to set additional requirements.
Planning Commission Minutes -3— June 21, 2012
It was moved by Commissioner BUCKNAM and seconded by Commissioner
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abuse clinics.
Commissioner TIMMS commented that, since the ordinance is fundamentally tied to
numbers, the motion would "gut" the ordinance. He suggested further review by staff.
The motion failed 2-5 with Commissioners BRINKMAN, BUCKNAM, GUILDNER,
TIMMS and WEAVER voting no.
There was discussion about continuing the matter for further review by staff. Mr.
Johnstone commented that he was not sure what further research data exists.
It was moved by Commissioner BRINKMAN and seconded by Commissioner
BUCKNAM to recommend denial of the proposed ordinance amending various
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.ibuse clinics.
The motion carried 6-1 with Commissioner TIMMS voting no.
There were no other items to come before the Commission. The next Planning
Commission meeting is scheduled for July 19, 2012.
tev Chair
Ann Lazzeri, Recordmig"Secretary
Planning Commission Minutes - 4 — June 21, 2012