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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-28-22 Special Study Session Agenda PacketSPECIAL STUDY SESSION AGENDA CITY COUNCIL CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO 7500 W. 29th Ave. Wheat Ridge CO November 28, 2022 To commence at the conclusion of the Regular City Council Meeting This meeting will be conducted as a virtual meeting, and in person, at 7500 West 29th Avenue, Municipal Building, if allowed to meet on that date per COVID-19 restrictions. Some members of the City Council or City staff will be physically present at the Municipal building for this meeting. The public may participate in these ways: 1. Attend the meeting in person at City Hall. Use the appropriate roster to sign up to speak upon arrival 2. Provide comment in advance at www.wheatridgespeaks.org (comment by noon on November 28, 2022). 3. Virtually attend and participate in the meeting through a device or phone: • Click here to join and provide public comment Or call +1-669-900-6833 with Access Code: 832 6799 2110 Passcode: 394457 4. Join the meeting live or later at www.wheatridgespeaks.org, Channel 8, or YouTube Live at https://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us/view Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to participate in all public meetings sponsored by the City of Wheat Ridge. Contact the Public Information Officer at 303-235-2877 or wrpio@ci.wheatridge.co.us with as much notice as possible if you are interested in participating in a meeting and need inclusion assistance. Public Comment on Agenda Items 1. Wheat Ridge Elementary School Closures 2. Staff Report(s) 3. Elected Officials’ Report(s) ADJOURNMENT Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council THROUGH: Patrick Goff, City Manager FROM: Lauren Mikulak, Interim Community Development Director DATE: November 18, 2022 (for November 28 special study session) SUBJECT: Wheat Ridge Elementary School Closures ISSUE: On Thursday, November 10, 2022, the Jefferson County Public Schools board voted unanimously to close 16 elementary schools. This affects Wheat Ridge in several ways: three schools slated for closure have articulation areas within Wheat Ridge, two of the school properties that are closing are within City limits, and the consolidation could change the travel patterns for many families. At this time there are likely more questions than answers, but the purpose of this memo is to outline what is known, and the purpose of the November 28 study session is to begin to understand potential next steps. PRIOR ACTION: The list of school closures was announced by Jeffco Public Schools on August 25, 2022. A City Council study session was held on October 3, 2022, to discuss what was known and to prepare a letter from Councilmembers to school leaders. At the regular meeting on November 14, 2022, Councilmembers requested a future study session to discuss impacts of the school board’s closure decision. BACKGROUND: Overview The map below (Figure 1) shows the City boundary and the elementary school articulation areas that include Wheat Ridge. An articulation area determines a student’s neighborhood school where they are guaranteed a seat. Jeffco uses open choice enrollment allowing students from within and outside the district to apply for a seat at any (or multiple) elementary schools. Choice enrollment occurs annually from December to January. The map illustrates the impacts of the closure decision: • Kullerstrand will close and consolidate with Prospect Valley. • Wilmore-Davis will close and consolidate with Stevens. • New Classical Academy at Vivian will close and consolidate with Stober. 2 Figure 1. Shows the Jeffco elementary school articulation areas within Wheat Ridge. The colored boundaries are those which are sending or receiving based on the school board’s closure decision. Zoning Vivian is located outside of City boundaries at 25th and Miller. Kullerstrand and Wilmore-Davis are both located within the City limits on properties owned by the school district. Both properties are zoned predominantly residentially—Kullerstrand is zoned Residential-One (R-1) with a portion of the field zoned agriculturally, and Wilmore-Davis is zoned Residential-Two (R-2). A property profile of each campus, including zoning, aerial, and property size is enclosed as Exhibits 1 and 2. Public schools are an extension of the Colorado Board of Education, and as an extension of the state public schools are permitted in all zone districts and are not subject to local zoning. While the school district must consult a jurisdiction on the siting of new schools, the City is not in a regulatory position when it comes to public schools. Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) Section 22-32-124 states that local jurisdictions “cannot limit the authority of a board of education to finally determine the location of the public schools of the school district and construct necessary buildings and structures.” In practice, this means that Jeffco Public Schools notifies the City of proposed development and expansions but does not submit a development application to the City. The City reviews off-site impacts (such as traffic studies), but the site and architectural plans are not reviewed and approved by the City. Likewise buildings are inspected by the State and do not obtain City building permits. The repurposing of a school property for any use other than a public school, however, is subject to local zoning and other regulations. Permitted uses are dictated by the use charts in Section 26-204 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws. The residential use chart is attached as Exhibit 5. For ½ mile 3 residential development, R-1 allows for single-unit dwellings and R-2 allows for single- and two-unit dwellings. Multi-unit construction is not permitted in R-1 or R-2. Among non-residential uses, options are limited. Permitted uses include governmental facilities, parks, and urban agriculture. A small portion of the Kullerstrand site is zoned A-2 which is equally or more limiting. Given the constraints of the City’s residential zone districts, reuse of a school property would very likely require either a zone change request or an amendment to the zoning code. Joint Use Agreements between the City and the School District The City was awarded $110,000 through Great Outdoors Colorado's Schoolyard Initiative for the Kullerstrand playground replacement in early 2020. Schools can only receive these funds if they partner with an eligible local government, such as a city, county or parks and recreation district. Wheat Ridge City Council Resolution 20-2020 provided support to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Jefferson County School District and a grant agreement with Great Outdoors Colorado, specific to this project. Within these agreements, it is made clear that the school district is responsible to operate, manage, and maintain the playground for its useful life, identified as 20 years in the application. Additionally, the agreements state that the School District shall provide and maintain access to the playground and the property, regardless of the property's ownership, and they must allow reasonable public access. In addition to the Kullerstrand playground, the Parks and Recreation Department has worked closely with Wilmore-Davis and Kullerstrand over the years through Intergovernmental Agreements to secure athletic space for youth sports programming. Losing space at Wilmore- Davis would have an impact on our programming (approximately 30 kids participating in 40 soccer practices per year), but losing space at Kullerstrand would be detrimental to our programs, likely requiring the City to purchase/lease additional field space. The Kullerstrand fields are heavily utilized 26 weeks out of the year by the City's youth soccer program, as well as the Colorado Avalanche competitive soccer program (scheduled through the Parks & Recreation Department). Finally, it is worth noting that the City's environmental interpreter works closely with both Wilmore-Davis and Kullerstrand to provide programming, including educational opportunities specific to Happiness Gardens, which is adjacent to the Wilmore-Davis property. She has taught 14 unique programs at Willmore-Davis, serving ~700 students during the 2021-2022 school year, and ~600 so far in the 2022-2023 school year (54.5 hours spent on Willmore-Davis outreach in 2022). Addtionally, she has taught 8 unique programs at Kullerstrand, serving 80 students so far in to 2022-2023 school year (22 hours spent on Kullerstrand outreach in 2022). These programs are offered through relationships developed over time (not formal agreements), so it will take time to build this level of programming at Stevens Elementary and Prospect Valley. School District Plans Jeffco has not shared specific plans regarding how they may sell, lease, hold, or repurpose the school properties which are slated to close. The school consolidation has occurred under the name of Regional Opportunities for Thriving Schools, and the project’s online FAQ includes this question and answer: 4 What are you going to do with the facility once a school closes? 14 properties will cease to operate as schools at the end of the 2022-23 school year. Campbell will be converted to an ECE center and Bergen Meadow will cease operations at the end of the 2023-24 school year. Jeffco may sell, lease, or continue to use buildings for various purposes including, but not limited to: • New location for existing district schools or programs (e.g., Fletcher Miller, Option Schools, Alternative Education Campuses, preschool) • Family resource centers • Newly developed workforce housing • City managed rec centers • Program space for nonprofits or childcare providers The District will take time to understand what will best serve the interests of the District and communities as a whole, which includes an analysis of systemic needs and feedback from stakeholders. Decisions about building use will be made after conducting a process that includes public consideration of the district’s options. The school district has not yet described the process by which property decisions will be made. City leadership will work with the school district to understand the timing of their property decisions, and whether they will be seeking short-term reuse ideas or making longer term decisions. The City will be undertaking a comprehensive plan update in late 2023. A longer-term vision for the properties could be discussed as part of the comp plan update if the timing makes sense. Transportation Impacts With the consolidation, the travel patterns could change for many students and households. This may mean a modal shift—some households may choose to drive when they used to walk. It could also result in households seeking new routes for driving, biking or walking. In considering those who walk to school, most Safe Routes to School professionals consider a half-mile to be a reasonable distance for a kindergartener and a mile for older elementary students. Whether that distance is actually “walkable” or not can depend on the presence, comfort, and safety of a sidewalk or route. City staff has begun to assess the closure impacts on travel routes and City infrastructure. NEXT STEPS: With the closure decision occurring just earlier this month, it is very likely that there are more questions than answers at this time. The purpose of the November 28 discussion is to familiarize Council with the existing conditions, provide a forum for discussion, and begin to understand potential next steps. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Exhibit 1 - Kullerstrand Property Profile 2. Exhibit 2 - Wilmore-Davis Property Profile 3. Exhibit 3 - R-1 Development Standards 4. Exhibit 4 - R-2 Development Standards 5. Exhibit 5 - Residential Use Chart 5 EXHIBIT 1 – Kullerstrand Elementary School – Property Profile Address: 12225 W. 38th Avenue Zoning: Residential-One (R-1) and Agricultural-Two (A-2) Site Size: 466,876 sf / 10.718 ac (per Assessor) Year Built: 1961 / 1980 (per Assessor) 6 EXHIBIT 2 – Wilmore-Davis Elementary School – Property Profile Address: 7975 W. 41st Avenue Zoning: Residential-Two (R-2) Site Size: 314,939 sf / 7.23 ac (per Assessor) Year Built: 1955 / 1980 (per Assessor) City of Wheat Ridge Municipal Building 7500 W. 29th Ave. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-8001 P: 303.235.2846 F: 303.235.2857 Sec. 26-205. Residential-One District (R-1). A.Intent and purpose: This district is established to provide high quality, safe, quiet and stable low-density residential neighborhoods, and to prohibit activities of any nature which are incompatible with the low-density residential character. B.Development standards: Maximum Height Maximum Building Coverage Minimum Lot Area Minimum Lot Width Minimum Front Yard Setback (a) Minimum Side Yard Setback (b) Minimum Rear Yard Setback (b) Principal Buildings Single detached dwelling 35' 25% 12,500 sf 100' 30' (c) 15' 15' Group home 35' 25% 12,500 sf 100' 30' (c) 15' 15' Churches, schools, government and quasi- government buildings, golf courses, small day care center, and nursing, elderly and congregate care homes 35' 25% 1 acre 200' 30' (c) 15' (e ) 20' Accessory Buildings (d) Major 15' 1,000 sf N/A N/A 30' (c) 15' 15' Minor 10' 200 sf N/A N/A 30' (c) 5' 5' Accessory dwelling unit, detached 25’ Floor area limited to 50% of principal, or 1,000 sf, whichever is less N/A N/A 30' (c) 15’ 15’ All Other Uses 35' 25% 12,500 sf 100' 30' (c) 5' (e) 15' Notes: (a)Front setback reductions may be allowed in accordance with Section 26-611. (b)Any side or rear yard which abuts a public street shall have a minimum setback of thirty (30) feet for all structures, with the following exception: For corner lots that are sixty (60) feet or narrower in width, this requirement shall be reduced by half. (c)Front setbacks for structures on lots or portions of lots which abut cul-de-sacs may be reduced to ten (10) feet for those portions of lots which abut a cul-de-sac bulb. (See Figure 26-123.3 at the end of section 26-123) (d)See Section 26-625 for additional regulations pertaining to accessory buildings. (e)Fifteen-foot setback for the first story and five (5) feet for each additional story. (f)Bulk plane regulations shall apply in accordance with section 26-642. (Ord. No. 2001-1215, § 1, 2-26-01; Ord. No. 1313, § 1, 10-27-03; Ord. No. 1448, § 2, 8-24-09; Ord. No. 1575, § 1, 7-13-15; Ord. No. 1675, § 1, 10-28-19; Ord. No. 1744, §§ 6, 25(Exh. 1), 7-11-22) EXHIBIT 3 City of Wheat Ridge Municipal Building 7500 W. 29th Ave. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-8001 P: 303.235.2846 F: 303.235.2857 Sec. 26-209. Residential-Two District (R-2). A.Intent and purpose: This district is established to provide high quality, safe, quiet and stable low to moderate-density residential neighborhoods, and to prohibit activities of any nature which are incompatible with the residential character. B.Development standards: Maximum Height Maximum Building Coverage Minimum Lot Area Minimum Lot Width (a) Minimum Front Yard Setback (b) Minimum Side Yard Setback (c) Minimum Rear Yard Setback (c) Principal Buildings Single detached dwelling 35' 40% 9,000 sf 75' 25’ (d) 5' (e) 10' Duplex dwelling 35' 40% 12,500 sf 100' 25’ (d) 5' per story (e) 10' Group home 35' 40% 9,000 sf 75' 25’ (d) 5' per story (e) 10' Churches, schools, government and quasi- government buildings, golf courses, small day care center, and nursing, elderly and congregate care homes 35' 40% 1 acre 200' 25’ (d) 15' (g ) 20' Accessory Buildings (f) Major 15' 1,000 sf per unit N/A N/A 25’ (d) 5' 5' if <= 10’ in height; 10' if > 10’ in height Minor 10' 400 sf N/A N/A 25’ (d) 5' 5' Accessory dwelling unit, detached 25’ (h) Floor area limited to 50% of principal, or 1,000 sf, whichever is less N/A N/A 25’ (d) 5’ 5' if ≤ 10' in height; 10' if > 10' in height All Other Uses 35' 40% 9,000 sf 75' 25’ (d) 5' (e) 10' Notes: (a)Corner lots shall have a minimum lot width of eighty (80) feet for both street frontages. (b)Front setback reductions may be allowed in accordance with Section 26-611. (c)Any side or rear yard which abuts a public street shall have a minimum setback of twenty five (25) feet for all structures, with the following exception: For corner lots that are sixty (60) feet or narrower in width, this requirement shall be reduced by half. (d)Front setbacks for structures on lots or portions of lots which abut cul-de-sacs may be reduced to ten (10) feet for those portions of lots which abut a cul-de-sac bulb. (See Figure 26-123.3 at the end of section 26-123) (e)A total of fifteen (15) feet side yard setback for every individual lot with a minimum of five (5) feet on one (1) side. (f)See Section 26-625 for additional regulations pertaining to accessory buildings. (g)Fifteen-foot setback for the first story and five (5) feet for each additional story. EXHIBIT 4 (h) Bulk plane regulations shall apply in accordance with section 26-642. (Ord. No. 2001-1215, § 1, 2-26-01; Ord. No. 1313, § 5, 10-27-03; Ord. No. 1448, § 2, 8-24-09; Ord. No. 1575, § 5, 7-13-15; Ord. No. 1744 , §§ 10, 25(Exh. 1), 7-11-22) City of Wheat Ridge Municipal Building 7500 W. 29th Ave. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-8001 P: 303.235.2846 F: 303.235.2857 Sec. 26-204. Zone district use schedule. A.The following schedule of permitted and special uses allowed within the various zone districts is hereby adopted and declared to be a part of this Code and may be amended in the same manner as any other part of this Code. In each zoning district, any uses not expressly permitted (P) or allowed as a special use (S), or as an accessory use (S) shall be deemed to be excluded. The director of community development shall render the final administrative decision concerning the scope, application and meaning of the terms in this section. B.The director of community development has authority to determine that a use not specifically listed as permitted, allowed as a special use or an accessory use should be so permitted or allowed on the basis of its being similar to a listed use, compatible in character and impact with other uses in the zone district, consistent with the intent of the district, and which would not be objectionable to nearby property by reason of odor, dust, fumes, gas, noise, radiation, heat, glare, vibration, traffic generation, parking needs, outdoor storage or use, or is not hazardous to the health and safety of surrounding areas through danger of fire or explosion. The director's decision may be appealed to the board of adjustment. C.Upon application or on its own initiative, the city council may by ordinance add to the uses listed for a zone district, conforming to the conditions set forth in the following special findings: 1.Such use is appropriate to the general physical and environmental character of the district to which it is proposed to be added, and 2.Such use does not create any more hazard to or alteration of the natural environment than the minimum amount normally resulting from the other uses permitted in the district to which it is added, and 3.Such use does not create any more offensive noise, vibration, dust, heat, smoke, odor, glare, or other objectionable influences or more traffic hazards than the minimum amount normally resulting from the other uses permitted in the district to which it is proposed to be added, and 4.Such use is compatible with the uses existing and permitted in the district to which it is proposed to be added at the time of adoption. Table of Uses--Residential Uses Notes R-1 R-1A R-1B R-1C R-2 R-2A R-3 R-3A Single-unit dwelling P P P P P P P P Two-unit dwelling P P P P Three-unit dwelling P P P Four-unit dwelling P P P Multi-unit dwelling P P Bed and breakfast See § 26-608 S S S S S S S S Church, parish house S S S S S S S S Day care home, large S S S S S S P P Electric transmission substation S S S S S S S S EXHIBIT 5 Uses Notes R-1 R-1A R-1B R-1C R-2 R-2A R-3 R-3A Farmers’ Markets Not permitted as an accessory use on properties where the primary use is a single- or two-unit home. Submittal to Community Development Department required. See § 26-635 P P P P P P P P Foster care home P P P P P P P P Governmental and quasi- governmental buildings, fire stations and public utility buildings No outside storage P P P P P P P P Governmental and quasi- governmental buildings, fire stations and public utility buildings Outside storage S S S S S S S S Parking of automobiles of clients, patients or patrons of adjacent commercial or nonresidential uses Shall be allowed only on lots containing nonresidential or quasi- public uses, subject to § 26-501C.4 P P P P P P P P Parking of automobiles of clients, patients or patrons of adjacent commercial uses Shall be allowed on lots adjacent to business only if the business owner also owns the adjacent lot S S S S S S S S Parks Includes: noncommercial playgrounds or other public recreation uses P P P P P P P P Produce Stands See § 26-636. Where located on a lot with a residential dwelling unit, must meet home occupation regulations per § 26-613. P P P P P P P P Public or private golf courses, country clubs or clubs operated for the benefit of members only and not for gain Restaurants, lounges and bars permitted as accessory to a public or private golf course S S S S S S S S Residential group homes for 8 or fewer persons, plus staff See § 26-612 P P P P P P P P Uses Notes R-1 R-1A R-1B R-1C R-2 R-2A R-3 R-3A Residential group homes for 9 to 14 or persons, plus staff See § 26-612 S S S S S S S S Residential group homes for 15 or more persons, plus staff Schools for industrial or business training, including vocational trade or professional schools, and colleges and universities Conducted entirely within an enclosed building S S S S S S S S Schools; public (kindergarten through twelfth grade) Must complete site plan review process per § 26-111 INCLUDES: those uses commonly accepted as necessary thereto when located on the same premises P P P P P P P P Schools; private (kindergarten through twelfth grade) INCLUDES: Those uses commonly accepted as necessary thereto when located on the same premises S S S S S S S S Schools; colleges and universities with outdoor campus INCLUDES: Those uses commonly accepted as necessary thereto when located on the same premises S S S S S S S S Short-term rental See § 26-645 P P P P P P P P Urban Gardens See § 26-637 P P P P P P P P Wind powered electric generators Not in excess of 35 feet S S S S S S S S Accessory Uses For Residential Districts Notes Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) See § 26-646, allowed as an accessory use to a single detached dwelling Bee keeping See § 26-603 and 607 Ancillary uses operating within a church's primary structure e.g.: Day care centers, scout meetings Home occupations, including Produce Stands See § 26-613 and § 26-636 for Produce Stands Accessory buildings See § 26-123; 605 (excludes keeping of swine); 606. Accessory buildings shall not be located on a vacant lot devoid of any primary or main building, except for Urban Garden uses, which may or may not have a primary or main building. Farmers’ Markets Not permitted as an accessory use on properties where the primary use is a single- or two-unit home. See § 26-635 Household pets, limited to no more than 3 dogs and 4 cats Plus their unweaned offspring Large and small animals See §§ 26-605 and 26-606 Private swimming pools and tennis courts and other recreational facilities See § 26-603 Public and private communications towers, television or radio antennas For satellite earth receiving stations, see § 26-616 and § 26- 617 Public utility lines and poles, irrigation channels, storm drainage and water supply facilities Rooming and/or boarding of not more than 2 persons On a contract basis for not less than 7 days Short-term rental See § 26-645 Urban Gardens See § 26-637 Water towers or aboveground reservoirs Not in excess of 35 feet Key: P = Permitted Principal Uses S = Special Uses (Ord. No. 2001-1215, § 1, 2-26-01; Ord. No. 1273, § 2, 1-13-03; Ord. No. 1274, § 2, 1-13-03; Ord. No. 1288, §§ 1, 2, 5-12-03; Ord. No. 1301, §§ 2--4, 7-28-03; Ord. No. 1302, §§ 4--6, 7-28-03; Ord. No. 1313, § 10, 10-27-03; Ord. No. 1322, § 1, 5-10-04; Ord. No. 1348, § 1, 7-11-05; Ord. No. 1370, § 1, 8-28-06; Ord. No. 1375, §§ 1, 2, 10-24-06; Ord. No. 1387, § 2, 6-11-07; Ord. No. 1413, §§ 2, 3, 6-9-08; Ord. No. 1491, 5-23-11; Ord. No. 1552, 7-14-14; Ord. No. 1684, 2-10-20; Ord. No. 1696, 8-24-20; Ord. No. 1709, 2-22-21; Ord. No. 1723, 10-25-21; Ord. No. 1744 , §§ 4, 5, 25(Exh. 1), 7-11-22) Updated: 11/2022