The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About08/16/2012The 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. REEMEM Commission Members Absent: Anne Brinkman Tracy Guildner Staff Members Present: Lauren Mikulak, Planner I Meredith Reckert, Senior Planner Tim Paranto, Director of Public Works Deborah Baker, Recording Secretary 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — July 19, 2012 It was moved by Commissioner BUCKNAM and seconded by Commissioner DURAN to approve the minutes of July 19,2012 as written. Motion carried 5-0 with Commissioner BUCKNAM abstaining. 6. PUBLIC FORUM (This is the time for any person to speak on any subject n appearing on the agenda.) i No one was present to speak at this time. Planning Commission Minutes August 16, 2012 A. Case No. MS-12-02: An application filed by the City of Wheat Ridge for a 5-lot consolidation plat for property zoned Public Facilities (PF) and located at 11210 West 45th Avenue. This case was presented by Lauren Mikulak. 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. Tim Paranto was present to help answer questions. The purpose of the request is to remove internal property lines in preparation for an expansion of the existing maintenance facility to accommodate both Public Works and Parks maintenance equipment and personnel. A consolidation for 5 lots is processed as a minor subdivision. Because there is no right-of-way dedication, Planning Commission is the final authority for approval. The total area of the city-owned site is 5 acres. Only two of the parcels have been previously platted; the middle three lots are unplatted. The proposed plat will consolidate the property from five lots into one lot. The consolidation plat will result in several primary structures on a single property; for that reason an application for a planned building group (Case No. PBG-12-01) accompanies this request. Staff concludes that the proposed consolidation plat is compliant with Article IV (subdivision regulations) of the zoning and development code; therefore Staff recommends approval of the plat with no conditions. It was moved by Commissioner MATTHEWS and seconded by Commissioner OHM to APPROVE Case No. MS-12-02, a request for approval of a five-lot Avenue, for the following reasons: 1. All requirements of Article IV of the zoning and development code have been met. B. Case No. WA-12-11: An application filed by the City of Wheat Ridge for approval of a 76 percent variance from the landscape requirement for shrubs, reducing the total number of shrubs on the site to 104 on property zoned Public Facilities (PF) and located at 11210 West 45 Avenue. C. Case No. PBG-12-01: An application filed by the City of Wheat Ridge for a Planned Building Group to allow construction of several principal buildings on the lot in order to implement the Master Plan for the City Maintenance Facility for property zoned Public Facilities (PF) and located at 11210 W. 45 Avenue. Planning Commission Minutes -2— August 1 6, 2012 This case was presented by Lauren Mikulak. 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. Tim Paranto was present to help answer questions. In 2004, the Public Works and Parks & Recreation Departments collaborated to complete the Public WorkslParks Maintenance Master Plan which was approved by City Council. It recommends consolidation of maintenance operations and storage related to the Public Works, Parks, and Police Departments at the WRMF property. The purpose of Case No. PBG -12 -41 is to legitimize the existence of several primary structures on the property and to prepare for an expansion of the city's maintenance facility to accommodate both Public Works and Parks maintenance equipment and personnel. Applications for more than four main structures require approval by the Planning Commission at a public hearing. Staff concludes that the proposed planned building group meets the requirements of the Public Facilities zone district and will promote development of the Wheat Ridge Maintenance Facility site in all efficient and orderly manner. Staff recommends approval of this case. Ms. Mikulak described the proposed landscaping plan. Staff concludes that the request for a landscape variance is in compliance with the majority of the review criteria; therefore, approval of the variance request is recommended. In response to Commissioner BUCKNAM's request for clarification on the perimeter landscaping plan, Staff responded that only columnar trees and native grasses are planned as landscaping for the perimeter. Most of the landscaping will be behind the buildings, except in the northeast comer and around the office buildings where the landscaping will be more extensive and attractive. In response to Commissioner WEAVER's question asking if tile city is required to install 72 trees if the variance is approved, Ms. Mikulak replied that it can be made a condition; if the PBG and variance are approved. The PBG is recorded with the county. In reply to Commissioner OHM's question regarding an increase in trees provided, Ms. Mikulak replied that Staff considered CDOT ratios of I tree per 4 shrubs. Ultimately, they evaluated the space between the trees and determined that 72 would be the maximum number that could be planted. Planning Commission Minutes - 3 — August 16, 2012 Commissioner OHM asked if the proposed reduction in shrubs will set a precedent for the future. Ms. Mikulak explained that variances do not set a precedent; each variance must be evaluated on its own. Chair TIMMS commented that it appears this master plan is a long range plan and asked if the plan can be amended. Ms. Mik responded that there is a process to amend if necessary. Commissioner WEAVER asked if the agricultural property to the west would be transformed to residential, could the residents request the City to plant trees. Meredith Reckert responded that the City is responsive to citizens and would work with them to be a good neighbor. Commissioner MAT HEW commented that this is a unique situation for perimeter landscaping and a reduction in shrubs but increase in trees will actually make the community better. It was moved by Commissioner BUCKNAM and seconded by Commissioner OHM to APPROVE Case No. WA-12-1 1, a request for approval of a 76% variance from the landscape requirement for shrubs on property zoned Public Facilities and located at 11210 W. 45 Avenue, for the following reasons: Im 1. That the number of trees that the City plant will total 72 trees as referenced in the proposed plan rather than the required 44 trees. �!Ii�piiiiliiji 1 111 a pla building group on property zoned Public Facilities and located at 11210 W. 45'1 Avenue, for the following reasons: Planning Commission Minutes - 4 — August 16,2012 Motion carried 6-0. WNNNN�� Meredith Reekert reminded everyone of the Carnation Festival this upcoming weekend and encouraged attendance. In response to Commissioner OHM's inquiry about 3 8` h Avenue updates, Ms. Reckert responded that the old planters have been embellished with pictures in preparation for the Carnation Festival the parade on Saturday. Traffic control is being worked out now in preparation for Saturday's parade. There is also a 3 8` h Avenue grand opening d celebration scheduled for September 22 , • Ms. Mikulak reported that the neighborhood meeting was held for the 3 8` h Avenue corridor rezoning and of those invited about 50 came. The Planning Commission public hearing is scheduled for a date in September, and potentially it will be going to City Council in October. • There were no other items to come before the Commission. The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for September 6, 2012. Planning Commission Minutes August 16, 2012