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City of
`�9Wheat�idge
PLANNING COMMISSION
Minutes of Meeting
November 3, 2022
CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair ANTOL at 6:34 p.m. This meeting was held in
person and virtually, using Zoom video -teleconferencing technology. As duly announced
and publicly noticed, the City previously approved this meeting format in order to
continue with normal business amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the related public
emergency orders promulgated by the State of Colorado and the Wheat Ridge City
Council. Before calling the meeting to order, the Chair stated the rules and procedures
necessitated by this virtual meeting format.
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS
Commission Members Present
Commission Members Absent:
Staff Members Present:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Melissa Antol
Jerry DiTullio
Daniel Larson
Jonathan Schelke
Julianne Stern
Kristine Disney
Will Kerns
Janet Leo
Lauren Mikulak, Planning Manager
Scott Cutler, Senior Planner
Alayna Olivas-Loera, Planner I
Jordan Jefferies, Civil Engineer II
Tammy Odean, Recording Secretary
4. APPROVE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
It was moved by Commissioner STERN and seconded by Commissioner LARSON
to approve the order of the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
Planning Commission Minutes
November 3, 2022
-1—
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — July 7, 2022
It was moved by Commissioner SCHELKE and seconded by Commissioner
DITULLIO to approve the minutes of July 7, 2022, as written. Motion carried 5-0.
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.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Case No. WZ-22-08: an application filed by Foothills Regional Housing for
approval of a zone change from Commercial -one (C-1 to Mixed Use -Commercial
(MU-C) on a property located at 7525 W. 44'h Avenue.
Commissioner STERN disclosed that she previously worked for Foothills Regional
Housing ending in 2020.
Ms. Mikulak asked Commissioner STERN if she has any financial interest in the
application and if she can make a fair and impartial decision on the vote.
Commissioner STERN confirmed she has no financial interest in the application
and can make a fair and impartial decision on the vote. In doing so, she is allowed
to remain on the dais because there is no conflict of interest.
Ms. Olivas-Loera gave a short presentation regarding the zone change and the
application. She entered into the record the contents of the case file, packet
materials, the zoning ordinance, and the contents of the digital presentation. She
stated the public notice and posting requirements have been met, therefore the
Planning Commission has jurisdiction to hear this case.
Commissioner LARSON asked why Pep Boys opted out of the zoned change in the
past.
Ms. Mikulak mentioned the City does not have the reason and the property owners
can opt out without a reason.
Commissioner LARSON inquired why the applicant would not choose to rezone to
Mixed -Use Residential due to multi -family housing being proposed at this site.
Ms. Olivas-Loera explained that the Comp. Plan has areas from 35' Avenue to 45''
Avenue that are designated for more intensive uses, MU-C is reserved for larger
properties as this one is and there is other MU-C in the area unifying the zoning on
the block.
Planning Commission Minutes - 2 —
November 3, 2022
Commissioner DITULLIO asked the applicant if there will be some commercial
mixed in with in the residential on this site.
Aaron Kloke, applicant
11941 W. 4811 Ave.
Mr. Kloke mentioned that the planning of this site has not gotten to that level of
detail because they are waiting to see if the zone change will be approved.
Commissioner ANTOL inquired what the difference in parking requirements are.
Ms. Mikulak explained that it is difficult to compare existing and proposed zoning
requirements because the existing C-1 zoning does not allow residential uses. MU-
C allows 1 space per unit, and other parking requirements are less in MU-C than
other commercial districts.
In response to a question from Commissioner LARSON, Mr. Kloke confirmed that
the proximity to the adjacent property and their propane tanks have been taken into
consideration for future planning. He also mentioned that planning will be done
around the current park in the area. Mr. Kloke added that they like the urban feel
and want the new buildings to interact well with the surrounding area.
Public Comment
Kathleen Jones, resident
7350 W. 401 Place
Ms. Jones mentioned that there was not a lot of detail at the neighborhood meeting
or currently on how this project will impact the neighborhood. She has concerns
about a possibly tall building obstructing light and concerns about parking. She
also inquired if Foothill Regional Housing has any intention of buying the adjacent
propane business to increase the land space.
Mr. Kloke stated there is no intention to purchase the adjacent propane business.
Commissioner ANTOL closed the public comment.
Commissioner STERN commented that this application achieves a long-standing
legislative intent from 2011 and unifies the zoning along the corridor. She agrees
that the Pep Boys building is under utilized and is excited to see a more dynamic
use to the site.
Commissioner LARSON mentioned he is not quickly convinced that this zone
change is a good idea but understands the importance of the corner at 44' and
Wadsworth and the character of the intersection will be changed and agrees with it.
Planning Commission Minutes - 3 —
November 3, 2022
Commissioner ANTOL concurs with both Commissioners STERN and LARSON
and believes more modern zoning is needed at this intersection to create an
investment.
It was moved by Commissioner DITULLIO and seconded by Commissioner
SCHELKE to recommend APPROVAL of Case No. WZ-22-08, a request for
approval of a zone change from Commercial-One(C-1) to Mixed -Use
Commercial (MU-C) for property located at 7525 W. 44thAvenue for the
following reasons:
1. The proposed zone change will promote the public health, safety, or
welfare of the community and does not result in an adverse effect on
the surrounding area.
2. Utility infrastructure adequately services the property.
3. The proposed zone change is consistent with the goals and objectives of
the City's Comprehensive Plan and consistent with the character of
Wadsworth Boulevard.
4. The zone change will provide additional opportunity for reinvestment
in the area.
5. The criteria) used to evaluate a zone change supports the request.
Motion carried 5-0.
B. Case No. WZ-22-01: an application filed by Chick-Fil-A for approval of a
Specific Development Plan (SDP) on a property zoned Planned Commercial
Development (PCD) and located at 3700 Youngfield Street.
Mr. Cutler gave a short presentation regarding the Specific Development Plan and
the application. He entered into the record the contents of the case file, packet
materials, the zoning ordinance, and the contents of the digital presentation. He
stated the public notice and posting requirements have been met, therefore the
Planning Commission has jurisdiction to hear this case.
In response to a question from Commissioner DITULLIO, Mr. Cutler explained
that any SDP in a Planned Development is required to be heard at Planning
Commission if it is a new building and City Council will not be hearing this case.
Commissioner LARSON said the idea of the canopy intrigued him and asked the
applicant why it is being built.
Steve Schwartz, applicant
105 Progress, Irvine CA
Heather Harris, architect
1755 Wittington Place
Planning Commission Minutes - 4 —
November 3, 2022
Mr. Schwartz explained that to meet the build -to requirements on Youngfield
Street and the direction of the car pick up the canopy has to be a part of the
building. He explained this will be a landmark building for Chick-Fil-A.
In response to a question from Commissioner LARSON and STERN, Mr.
Schwartz and Ms. Harris mentioned the west wall will be a stucco wall with
windows in it.
Commissioner ANTOL inquired if there should be modern agrarian theme to
buildings in this area.
Mr. Cutler mentioned that the modern agrarian theme is unique to Clear Creek
Crossing and Applewood Village Shopping Center follows the City's standard in
the Architectural and Site Design Manual.
Public Comment
No one wished to speak.
It was moved by Commissioner SCHELKE and seconded by Commissioner
LARSON to APPROVE Case No. WZ-22-01, a request for approval of a
Specific Development Plan for a drive-thru restaurant on property located at
3700 Youngfield Street and zoned Planned Commercial Development (PCD),
for the following reasons:
1. The specific development plan is consistent with the purpose of a
planned development, as stated in Section 26-301 of the Code of Laws.
2. The specific development plan is consistent with the intent and purpose
of the outline development plan.
3. The proposed uses are consistent with those approved by the outline
development plan.
4. All responding agencies have indicated they can serve the property
with improvements installed at the developer's expense.
5. The specific development plan is in substantial compliance with the
applicable standards set forth in the outline development plan and with
the City's adopted design manuals.
Motion approved 5-0.
C. Case No. ZOA-22-05: An ordinance amending article IV of Chapter 26 of the
Wheat Ridge Code of Laws, concerning requirements for final subdivision plats,
and in connection therewith, addressing race and religion -based covenants on title.
Ms. Mikulak gave a brief presentation regarding the requirements for final
subdivision pats and addressing race and religion -based covenants on title.
Planning Commission Minutes - 5 —
November 3, 2022
Commissioner DITULLIO inquired how current residential properties with racial
covenants will be able to remove them.
Ms. Mikulak explained that every property owner in a subdivision would have to
be in agreement to have the item removed from the covenant.
In response to a question from Commissioner LARSON, Ms. Mikulak clarified that
anytime language in Chapter 26 is changed then Planning Commission makes a
recommendation to City Council.
Commissioner STERN commented that the point of the covenant is to restrict the
rights of the property owners.
Commissioner LARSON asked what the difference between a covenant and an
easement is.
Ms. Mikulak explained that an easement has to have a beneficiary (a grantor and a
grantee) and it is a right to use property; a covenant is an agreed upon set of rules
that are privately decided upon and privately enforced.
Commissioner SCHELKE asked if it matters if the property has had multiple
property owners.
Ms. Mikulak clarified that there are some covenants that are set to expire, but if
not, the covenant is there in perpetuity until the group of property owners decides
otherwise. This ordinance does not remove the item it only states it is illegal.
Public Comment
No one wished to speak.
It was moved by Commissioner DITULLIO and seconded by Commissioner
STERN to recommend approval of the proposed ordinance amending Article
IV of Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws, concerning requirements
for final subdivision plats and in connection therewith, addressing race and
religion -based covenants on title.
Motion carried 5-0.
8. OLD BUSINESS
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. Upcoming Dates
Planning Commission Minutes - 6 —
November 3, 2022
Ms. Mikulak mentioned there will be on PC meeting on Nov. 17 and reminded the
commissioners about the Boards & Commissions dinner on Nov. 30.
B. Project and Development Updates
Ms. Mikulak informed the Commission that within Clear Creek Crossing Dutch
Bros. received their CO and will be opening soon, Lifetime Fitness and Outlook II
apartments are starting construction. She also mentioned that Gold's Marketplace
has had a couple new tenants move in and Mestizo's Brewing is set to open soon.
Ms. Mikulak also gave some updates on Let's Talk and the 40 Avenue Open
House.
10. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioner DITULLIO and seconded by Commissioner
CHELI� to adjourn the ae at 7:51 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
Melissa Antol, Chair Tammy O n, Recording Secretary
Planning Commission Minutes - 7 —
November 3, 2022