HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-26-23 - City Council Meeting MinutesCity Council Meeting Minutes
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
7500 WEST 29TH AVENUE, MUNICIPAL BUILDING
June 26, 2023
Note: This meeting was conducted both as a virtual meeting and hybrid, where some
members of the Council or City staff were physically present at the Municipal building,
and some members of the public attended in person as well. Eight members of Council
were present in Council Chambers for this session. Before calling the meeting to order,
Mayor Pro-Tem Stites stated the rules and procedures necessitated by this meeting
format.
Mayor Pro-Tem Stites called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS
Judy Hutchinson Scott Ohm Rachel Hultin Janeece Hoppe
Amanda Weaver Korey Stites Leah Dozeman
Absent: Mayor Starker represented the City at a CML strategic planning session this
evening; Mayor Pro-Tem Stites presided. CM Valerie Nosler Beck was absent due to
illness.
Also, present: City Manager Patrick Goff; City Attorney Gerald Dahl; Director of Parks
and Recreation, Karen O’Donnell; other staff, guests and interested citizens.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
There were none tonight.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Without objection or correction, the agenda stood as announced.
PROCLAMATIONS AND CEREMONIES
Park and Recreation Month
Mayor Pro-Tem Stites proclaimed the month of July, 2023 as Parks and Recreation
month, to acknowledge and recognize park and recreation programming and education
activities, such as out-of-school time programming, youth sports and environmental
education, are critical to childhood development, and encourage physical activities by
providing space for popular sports, hiking trails, swimming pools and many other
activities designed to promote active lifestyles.
Parks and Recreation Director Karen O’Donnell accepted the Proclamation on behalf of
her team, 11 of whom were present for the proclamation. Ms. O’Donnell mentioned a
few of the many, many projects and challenges, which she deemphasized so she could
recognize her staff members, recognizing them for their performance, teamwork and
accomplishments. The Department has persevered through a series of challenges
including the pandemic and a lack of lifeguards, to mention only two of them.
PUBLIC’S RIGHT TO SPEAK
Lori Rosenthal, CEO of Jeffco Housing Authority, 11941 W. 48th, Ave. - Came to thank
Council for their support and recent actions in support of affordable housing generally
and financial partnership support recently appropriated by Council.
Amy Case, Chief Real Estate Officer, Jeffco Housing Authority; 11941 W. 48th, Ave.
came to support the proposed changes to multi-unit parking regulations included in
tonight’s agenda.
Note about Wheat Ridge Speaks:
Members of the Public may visit the Wheat Ridge Speaks website and enter written
comments of up to 1,000 words on any Council agenda item. The deadline for citizens
to submit comments is 12:00 Noon Mountain Time on the day of a Council session so
that Council members, other elected officials and City Staff have time to review the
comments before the meeting on Monday evening.
The City Clerk’s Office transcribes those Wheat Ridge Speaks comments into these
minutes, placing each comment along with the record for that agenda item, including
items that address a public hearing (verbatim, if the comments do not contain lascivious
language or unlawful hate speech)
The following comments appeared in WR Speaks for this session of Council.
Item No. 4 - ORD - amend WR Code for affordable housing
Mark De La Torre
Jun 26, 2023 ∙ 10:41am
I strongly support this ordinance. I'm not going to list the countless organizations and communities
that have identified this strategy as an effective tool for delivering affordable housing - we've
already acknowledged the importance of it in our own adopted Affordable Housing Strategy and
Action Plan. Parking requirements are one of the larger barriers affordable housing developers face
- any small step to lighten that burden to realize units is a good thing. Any fear of parking pressure
in adjacent neighborhoods is overexaggerated in my opinion. It's the same 'reductio ad absurdum'
fear that never materializes. If we continue to retain land-use control at the local level, as we
pitched so strongly for in the last legislative cycle, we need to take demonstrable steps to effect
change. This is a common-sense step in the right direction.
Address:
4345 Brentwood St.
Wheat Ridge, 80033
Amy Case
∙ Jun 23, 2023 ∙ 1:22pm
“The Jefferson County Housing Authority d/b/a Foothills Regional Housing, is an active affordable
rental housing developer operating within the City of Wheat Ridge. We are interested in continuing
to create this type of critically needed housing stock in the face of escalating land and construction
costs. We submit this comment to express our full support of Case No. ZOA-23-06 regarding
parking requirements for deed-restricted affordable housing. By reducing the amount of parking
required, we can build more units for less. For example, our most recent development, The Ives,
has 50 units on a roughly 37,700 square foot lot and is required to provide 38 spaces (assuming a
25% administrative reduction). With the proposed bill, The Ives would only need 25 parking spaces
(.5 spaces/unit), allowing us to increase the building footprint by 3,500 square feet. This additional
space would translate into roughly 18 additional units. This bill would allow affordable housing
providers to do more with less, and build more affordable communities where they are needed
most.”
Address:
11941 W 48th Ave
Wheat Ridge, 80033
1. CONSENT AGENDA
CM Weaver introduced the consent agenda.
a. Motion to award a contract for the Recreation Center parking lot repair project to
Sunland Asphalt and Construction, LLC of Littleton, Colorado, and approve
subsequent payments in the amount of $485,900.72 with a contingency amount
of $48,500.00, for a total not-to-exceed the amount of $534,400.72
Issue
The Wheat Ridge Recreation Center opened in February 2000. Significant repairs to the
parking lot are currently required. Due to the poor soils underlying the parking lot, staff
completed an analysis and determined that a major rehabilitation, consisting of a mill and
overlay treatment, would be more cost-effective than complete reconstruction of the
parking lot.
One bid was received for this work in response to an Invitation to Bid. The bid was in line
with the Engineer’s Estimate for the work. Therefore, staff recommends awarding a
contract to the lowest responsive bidder, Sunland Asphalt and Construction, LLC of
Littleton, Colorado in the amount of $485,900.72 plus a staff-managed contingency of
$48,500.00 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $534,400.72.
b. Resolution No. 33-2023 - a resolution approving an agreement with Denver
Urban Gardens, Inc. associated with the Happiness Gardens Food Forest
Issue
City staff worked with Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) to create a Food Forest at
Happiness Gardens, which was dedicated on May 5, 2023. The agreement details the
ongoing relationship between the City and DUG related to the Food Forest, and the
responsibilities of each entity.
c. Motion to award a contract in the amount of $384,662.99 to GameTime Inc., for
the purchase and installation of playground equipment at Anderson Park to be
funded by the reimbursement from the Metropolitan Football Stadium District
Issue
The City of Wheat Ridge received $523,551 from the sale of the Denver Broncos
Football Club. The funds must be used for “youth activity programs” within the Wheat
Ridge community. Staff presented a variety of options to youth community members
and requested feedback regarding their preferences. This request is for approval of a
contract with GameTime in the amount of $384,662.99 for a playground to be installed
at Anderson Park
Motion by CM Weaver to approve Consent Agenda Items a.), b.), and c.), seconded by
CM Hoppe, motion carried 7-0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING
2. Resolution 37-2023 – A Resolution approving the assignment to the Jefferson
County Housing Authority, D/B/A Foothills Regional Housing of $1,970,630 of the
City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado’s 2023 Private Activity Bond volume CAP
allocation from the State ceiling for Private Activity Bonds; and authorizing the
execution and delivery of an assignment and other documents in connection
therewith
CM Ohm introduced Resolution 37-2023
Issue
The City of Wheat Ridge has received an allocation of $1,970,630 for the purpose of
issuing Private Activity Bonds (PABs) in 2023 under the state ceiling imposed by the
Tax Reform Act of 1987. Staff recommends assigning the City’s allocation to Foothills
Regional Housing which has agreed to issue PABs for The Ives affordable housing
project at the corner of 44th and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Mayor Pro-Tem Stites opened the public hearing.
Staff Presentation
City Manager Patrick Goff gave a brief presentation which included the prior actio0ns
and background where PABs are tax exempt bonds designed to offer low-cost financing
to private sector borrowers for projects that create jobs and expand the tax bases of
local communities. PABs may be used to finance a broad array of community
development projects including housing, manufacturing, higher education,
infrastructure, and environmental projects. The bonding authority which allows the
issuance of PABs is Volume Cap, created under the federal Tax Reform Act of 1986.
The federal government allocates a maximum amount of Volume Cap use to each state
annually, based on population.
Afterwards he stood by to answer any questions.
Public Comment
No citizens appeared in chambers to address this issue. There were none who wanted
to speak through the Zoom format.
Council Questions and comments
CM made several comments in support of the motion and recalled recent efforts by
Council and staff to ensure this funding meets residents’ needs and desires.
Motion by CM Ohm to approve Resolution 37-2023 – a resolution approving the
assignment to the Jefferson County Housing Authority, d/b/a Foothills Regional Housing
of $1,970,630 of the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado’s 2023 Private Activity Bond
Volume Cap Allocation from the State Ceiling for Private Activity Bonds; and authorizing
the execution and delivery of an Assignment and other documents in connection
therewith, seconded by CM Hoppe, motion carried 7-0.
3. Council Bill No. 14-2023 – An Ordinance amending Article XI of Chapter 26 of the
Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning requirements for mixed-use zone
districts.
CM Dozeman introduced Council Bill 14-2023
Issue
The proposed ordinance makes necessary updates to Article XI of Chapter 26 of the
Code of Laws specifically to update and clarify development requirements for mixed use
zone districts. The ordinance seeks to modernize portions of the mixed-use code, to
provide better clarity and organization for easier administration, and to establish
standards that were not included in the original regulations.
Mayor Pro-Tem Stites opened the public hearing.
City Clerk Kirkpatrick assigned Ordinance No. 1766.
Staff Presentation
Senior Planner, Scott Cutler presented to council where the City’s mixed-use zoning
requirements are found in Article XI of Chapter 26 and were adopted in 2010. A lot has
changed in Wheat Ridge since 2010 when the code was written, and there are many
lessons learned about how the current mixed-use code is functioning. It is typical for
cities to periodically update municipal codes as it relates to best practices, to add
definitions and terms, and to clarify code language, particularly if they have not been
reviewed or updated in several years
The following code sections should be updated:
• Adds to the code accessory building requirements
• Adds cross-reference to the City Charter regarding height, density, and
exempted areas
• Makes minor updates to vertical screening requirements
• Updates building material requirements in Section 26-1106
• Clarifies existing height bonuses for structured parking
• Updates bicycle parking requirements
• Updates open space requirements in Section 26-1110
• Updates permitted uses and adds definitions in Section 26-1111
After the presentation, he stood by to answer questions.
Public Comment
No citizens appeared in chambers to address this issue. There were none who wanted
to speak through the Zoom format.
Council Questions and comments
CM had studied this proposed ordinance and had few questions.
CM Hultin renewed her request for ensuring electric bicycle and vehicle charging
stations in these multi-use developments. Staff responded to her comments.
Motion by CM Dozeman to approve Council Bill No. 14-2023, an ordinance amending
Article XI of Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning requirements for
mixed use zone districts, on second reading and that it takes effect fifteen (15) days
after final publication, seconded by CM Ohm, motion carried 8-0
4. Council Bill No. 15-2023 – An Ordinance amending Articles V and XI of Chapter
26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws, concerning parking requirements for deed-
restricted affordable housing, and making conforming amendments therewith
CM Hultin introduced Council Bill No. 15-2023
Issue
The proposed ordinance reduces minimum parking requirements for deed-restricted
affordable dwelling units in multi-unit residential zones and in mixed-use zones,
including transit-oriented development (TOD) areas.
Mayor Pro-Tem Stites opened the public hearing.
City Clerk Kirkpatrick assigned Ordinance No. 1767.
Staff Presentation
Senior Planner, Scott Cutler again presented to council the prior actions and
background. The adopted Affordable Housing Strategy describes housing-supportive
code amendments and identifies reducing minimum parking requirements as a potential
action item, which would help address the cost of developing affordable housing in
Wheat Ridge. Parking is expensive costing several thousand dollars per space in a
traditional parking lot and tens of thousands of dollars per space in a garage. Although
City-imposed parking requirements are only a small portion of the total development
costs of a housing unit, any City contribution to eliminating extra costs can help shrink
financing gaps for affordable housing developers.
The proposed ordinance reduces minimum parking requirements for deed-restricted
affordable dwelling units. The reduced parking requirements do not affect requirements
for market-rate housing—even if rents are below average—nor workforce housing,
which is a market-rate product with rents and/or unit sizes below average.
The ordinance takes a three-tiered approach to reducing parking requirements for deed-
restricted affordable dwelling units and is based on research of peer communities and
national models. At the April 17 study session, staff had proposed reductions to both the
minimum and maximum requirements. Based on further study and feedback from the
Planning Commission, the ordinance reflects a lower minimum requirement but retains
the same maximum requirement providing affordable housing developers with flexibility.
Afterwards he stood by to answer any questions.
Public Comment
CEO of the Jeffco Housing Authority spoke in favor of this proposed Ordinance and the
benefits it will create for our residents.
Kim Calomino, 4070 Dover St. came to support the proposed Ordinance as a resident
and advocate for the new requirements for parking in conjunction with affordable
housing.
Kelly Blynn, District II resident, called in to support the passage of the Ordinance. She
also thinks Council and staff should address the question of parking in all zoning
classes. The vast majority of WR residents do not live in the housing zone addressed
by this ordinance but going forward Council should look at parking in all zones.
Montana Stevenson – 3655 Harlan St. called to remind all those other issues about
affordable housing, other agencies’ roles in planning and executing this kind of
ordinance. She thinks for several reasons she enumerated ways that we can do better
going forward as we develop more policy.
Council Questions and comments
CM Hoppe commented on the research and study Council has done on this issue, the
input from several sources used in addition, and prior study sessions to reach this point
with this proposed Ordinance.
CM Weaver expressed her support and thanked those who came to speak on this item.
CM Hultin referenced the data sources that drove this change in the Code. She
recalled statistics on how many homes in Colorado have how many cars and how she
interpreted that data to inform her support for this motion.
CM Dozeman also referenced questions she had asked in Study Session, and how her
concerns have been addressed by staff additional research. She supports it.
MPT Stites also expressed his support for the motion.
Motion by CM Hultin to approve Council Bill 15-2023 – an ordinance amending Articles
V and XI of Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws, concerning parking
requirements for deed-restricted affordable housing, and making conforming
amendments therewith, on second reading and that it takes effect fifteen (15) days after
final publication, seconded by CM Hoppe, motion carried 7-0.
5. Council Bill 16-2023 – An Ordinance amending Articles I and II of Chapter 26 of
the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws, concerning definitions and regulations for
Childcare facilities, and making conforming amendments therewith
CM Hoppe introduced Council Bill 16-2023
Issue
The proposed ordinance allows day care centers in Neighborhood Commercial (NC)
and Restricted Commercial (RC) zone districts, updates the code to align with State
regulations, provides cross-references in the zone district use chart for home-based day
care which are allowed as home occupations, and permits day care centers at
institutional properties in residential and agricultural zone districts. The ordinance is
intended to reduce barriers to opening new childcare facilities in Wheat Ridge.
Mayor Pro-Tem Stites opened the public hearing.
City Clerk Kirkpatrick assigned Ordinance No. 1768.
Staff Presentation
Senior Planner, Scott Cutler gave a detailed presentation which included the
background where staff and Council recognize the major lack of childcare facilities in
the state and region. Planning Division staff often receive requests from operators
seeking to open childcare facilities in zones where they are currently prohibited, despite
being compatible with existing land use patterns. The City’s current regulations and
prohibitions on childcare in many zone districts can be perceived as overly burdensome.
This ordinance seeks to expand opportunities for new childcare facilities to open in
Wheat Ridge by allowing facilities in additional zone districts or on properties set up for
institutional uses
City Code differentiates between a “day care home” where the operator lives on site and
a “day care center” which is more commercial in nature. These terms are defined in
Section 26-123 of the zoning code, and they appear in the permitted use charts for
residential, commercial, and mixed-use zones Sections 26-204 and 26-1111.
Ms. Easley state that the proposed ordinance makes three specific changes to expand
where childcare centers may be allowed and also corrects two specific discrepancies
that currently exist between state and local regulations.
Afterwards he stood by to answer any questions.
Public Comment
There were none tonight.
Council Questions and comments
CM Weaver asked how adult daycare is impacted or addressed by this ordinance. Mr.
Cutler replied that this proposal does not address adult daycare. CM Weaver asked
that staff consider this issue and report any recommendations to Council. Mr. Dahl also
opined on several details of law and public policy; his most important comment was to
the effect that adult daycare is a different area of law and public policy that is not
addressed here.
Motion by CM Hoppe to approve Council Bill 16-2023 – an ordinance amending Articles
I and II of Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws, concerning definitions and
regulations for childcare facilities, and making conforming amendments therewith, on
second reading and that it takes effect fifteen (15) days after final publication, seconded
by CM Hutchinson, motion carried 7-0.
DECISIONS, RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS
There were none tonight
CITY MANAGER’S MATTERS
Mr. Goff reported that the second public opinion survey on tax levies for this fall’s ballot
went out today.
Our public art projects continue successfully and to great praise.
CITY ATTORNEY’S MATTERS
Nothing tonight
ELECTED OFFICIALS’ MATTERS
CM Hutchinson recently attended another restaurant opening. She also attended a tour
of the new hospital at Clear Creek Crossing today and expressed her strongly positive
impressions of the facility (as an RN).
CM Hultin reminded us that this Thursday, June 29th is Ride Your Bike to Work Day.
She also reminded everyone that all RTD transit modes are fare-free for both July and
August, an expansion to two months this year. She challenged all of us to ride at least
one RTD trip in July and one in August
CM Ohm was a mystery reader for three books at the Jeffco Library recently. He
complimented and recognized staff and Council for their hard work tonight and for the
many months of work that lead to tonight’s actions.
CM Dozeman lauded the Ridge Fest event last Saturday, commenting specifically on
the contests like the corn hole tournament. Starting this week, the Farmers Market is
open again. Yoga on the Green starts again this weekend too.
CM Weaver announced that the goat herd returns to the meadows this weekend, so
come meet the goats. The goats are also consuming the grass along the stream that
runs through the meadows.
CM Hoppe also commented on the hospital tour today. She opined that her tour
demonstrated many, many reasons why a new hospital is actually essential (and less
costly that a renovation of the current facility.
MPT Stites also enjoyed the hospital tour today. He also commented that many District
III residents continue to ask more questions about the future of the legacy campus. He
thanked Guy Nahmiach for his supportive efforts for art and culture in WR. He also
opined that one should definitely buy breakfast burritos at any of the several WR
establishments that serve superior ones – and whatever else they can find in WR – then
buy it in WR.
Mayor Pro-Tem Stites also reminded everyone that fireworks are illegal in the City of
Wheat Ridge. Anything that explodes or leaves the ground is not permitted.
ADJOURN TO SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
The meeting adjourned at 7:47 pm.
APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL ON July 24, 2023
_________________________________
Steve Kirkpatrick, City Clerk
_________________________________
Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem
The preceding Minutes were prepared according to §47 of Robert’s Rules of Order, i.e.,
they contain a record of what was done at the meeting, not what was said by the
members.