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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/19/13The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair OHM at 7:01 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 7500 West 291h Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Commission Members Absent: Anne Brinkman Dick Matthews Staff Members Present: Lauren Mikulak, Planner 11 Kenneth Johnstone, Community Development Director Kim Waggoner, Recording Secretary # A. June 13, 2013 It was moved by Commissioner GUtLDNER and seconded by Commissioner DURAN to approve the minutes of June 13, 2013 as written. Motion carried 4-0 with Commissioners OHM and TIMMS abstaining. Planning Commission Minutes September 19, 2013 B. August 15, 2013 It was moved by Commissioner GUILDNER and seconded by Commissioner TIMMS to approve the minutes of June 13, 2013 as written. Motion carried 3-0 with Commissioners WEAVER and OHM abstaining. 6. PUBLIC FORUM (This is the time for any person to speak on any subject not appearing on the agenda.) No one wished to speak at this time. A. Case No. WPA-13-01: A resolution recommending adoption of the updated Northwest Subarea Plan and by such adoption, amending the Wheat Ride Comprehensive Plan. This case was presented by Lauren Mikulak. She entered the case file, draft plan and digital presentation into the record. She stated public noticing requirements have been met and advised the Commission there was jurisdiction to hear this case. She reviewed the staff report and digital presentation. Since 2006, RTD's station plans have become more finalized, and the City has adopted several new plans and policies that warrant an update of the subarea plan. Ms. Mikulak stated Planning Commission's recommendation will be forwarded to City Council at a public hearing on October 14, 2013, Commissioner TIMMS asked if the parking expansion from 290 to 440 spaces will be on RTD's property or will additional land acquisition be required. Ms. Mikulak stated the plan includes 290 parking spaces and RTD would need to acquire additional property to expand the surface lot. Commissioner TIMMS inquired about the available on-street parking along W. 50 Place and if it will be free or paid parking. Ms. Mikulak stated currently all on street parking is free, Planning Commission Minutes 2 September 19, 2013 Commissioner WEAVER asked for clarification of what building heights would be allowed and what areas of the land use map would be eligible for taller buildings. Ms. Mikulak stated the private market would dictate how tall the building would be constructed, but the MU-C TOD zoning would permit up to 8 stories if land north or south of the tracks was rezoned. Commissioner TIMMS asked when the station is scheduled to open and if the city has seen any increased interest in this area for redevelopment. Ms. Mikulak stated the station is scheduled to open in 2016. Mr. Johnstone stated there has been some interest in development in this area and a metropolitan district has been created which establishes a financing mechanism for public improvements. Vice Chair OHM opened the public hearing. Nancy Snow 11 155 W. 40 Ave, Ms. Snow stated she was in favor of the light rail but expressed her concerns related to building height, obstructed mountain views, and the nuisance of light spilling over from the RTD parking lot lights onto neighboring properties. Ms. Snow stated that the land north of the tracks is at a higher elevation and therefore taller buildings are not appropriate in this area. Mr, Johnstone restated the height limit for the Mixed-Use Commercial TOD zoning which is 6 stories or 90 feet for single use development and 8 stories or 118 feet for mixed use development. Ms. Snow stated she saw no value in these height allowances. Commissioner URAN asked Ms. Snow if she was in favor of 6 story buildings. Ms. Snow stated no. Vice Chair OHM closed the public forum. Planning Commission Minutes 3 September 19, 2013 Commissioner GUILDNER stated she was in favor of the update and would be voting yes, as this is a chance for new businesses and residences in District 4. Commissioner DURAN asked if the commission could suggest that taller buildings be restricted only to the area south of the tracks which are at a lower elevation. Commissioner GUILDNER asked where residential homes are located within or nearby the subarea. Mr. Johnstone replied to the cast and north of the site. Commissioner DURAN stated she wants to see progress; however she has many questions and doesn't think she can support the update at this time. Commissioner TIMMS recognized the document as advisory in nature and not law. He stated lie was in support of the plan update; the site should be a gateway and more urban. Parking, landscaping, setbacks and other standards will affect development patterns and prevent a proliferation of tall buildings across the area. Just because 8-story buildings are allowed does not mean that 8-story buildings will be built across the entire area. Commissioner WEAVER asked if elevation is considered when regulating maximum height. Eight stories on a hillside will seem taller than eight stories at the base of a hill, Commissioner TIMMS asked if any future rezoning could include that discussion of maximum height. Ms. Mikulak stated that Planning Commission and City Council would review rezoning requests, but site plans are not included with request to rezone to a mixed use district. For a rezoning to a planned development, a site plan and proposed building height would be included and could be discussed. The City of Wheat Ridge does not have view-shed ordinances. Commissioner WEAVER stated her support of mixed use but has concerns with the potential impact of an eight story building at the top of the hill. Her understanding of mixed use and a planned development is that there is a specific site plan, Ms. Mikulak stated if a site plan meets all of the mixed use zoning standards and design criteria, a site plan can be approved with no negotiation of building height. There is more negotiation Planning Commission Minutes 4 September 1 9, 2013 related to a planned development. The intent of mixed use zoning was to provide consistent standards for developers and the City, and staff anticipates most rezoning requests to be to a mixed use zone district. Commissioner BUCKNAM stated that if view-shed considerations are to be incorporated, then the zoning code needs to be revisited. Building height should not be regulated on a property-by-property basis because there needs to be consistent application of the zoning code standards and consistency for developers. Commissioner OHM asked if developers' interest in the Jolly Rancher property came before or after the property was rezoned the MU-C TOD. Mr. Johnstone stated that the developer looked at the area in 2006 or 2007 prior to the rezoning. It was moved by Commissioner GUILDNER and seconded by Commissioner TIMMS to adopt Resolution 02-2013, a resolution recommending the updated Northwest Subarea Plan as an amendment to the Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan, Envision Wheat Ridge, and forward said recommendation to the Wheat Ridge City Council. B. ' Case No. ZOA-13-01: Amendments to Chapter 26, Zoning & Development Code, concerning retail marijuana regulations. Commissioner TIMMS asked for clarification related to collocation, Ms. Mikulak stated that existing medical marijuana business can also have a retail marijuana license allowing them to sell to medical marijuana card holders and the general public. The two businesses would be under the same roof and would be exempt from the 1 /4-mile Planning Commission Minutes 5 September 19, 2013 separation. Vice Chair OHM closed the public hearing as there were no members in the audience to speak. it was moved by Commissioner WEAVER and seconded by Commissioner I I of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws by adding a new Article XIII concerning retail marijuana and making certain amendments to Chapter 26 (Zoning and Development) in association therewith. Commissioner BUCKMAN stated he was in favor of the motion as it mirrors the medical marijuana zoning. REEMEMEMSEW A. Ms. Mikulak stated the meeting scheduled for October 3, 2013 has been canceled and there is a case tentatively scheduled for the second meeting in October. WIMENIMILS1 i MM I I= MEMO I 1111111a I flat 111,14 11F Anne Brinkman, Chair "KiW Magg�o • t MI Planning Commission Minutes 6 September 19, 2013