HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-17-231.
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�I City of
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PLANNING COMMISSION
Minutes of Meeting
August 17, 2023
CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair DITULLIO at 6:33 p.m. This meeting was held
in person and virtually, using Zoom video -teleconferencing technology.
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS
Commission Members Present:
Commission Members Absent
Staff Members Present:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Kristine Disney
Jerry DiTullio
Will Kerns
Daniel Larson
Janet Leo
Patrick Quinn
Julianne Stern
Jonathan Schelke
Jana Easley, Planning Manager
Scott Cutler, Senior Planner
Alayna Olivas-Loera, Planner II
Tammy Odean, Recording Secretary
APPROVE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
It was moved by consensus to approve the order of the agenda as written.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES — July 20, 2023
It was moved by Commissioner Quinn and seconded by Commissioner LEO to
approve the minutes of July 20, 2023, as written. Motion carried 6-0-1 with
Commissioner DISNEY abstaining.
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
Planning Commission Minutes
August 17, 2023
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A. Case No. WZ-23-06: an application filed by the City of Wheat Ridge for approval
of a zone change from Commercial -One (C-1) to mixed use -Commercial (MU-C)
for the property located at 7575 West 44th Avenue.
Chair DITULLIO opened the public hearing.
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 inquired if the City still owns the property in question
and if there are any development plans.
Ms. Olivas-Loera confirmed that the City does currently own the land. City
Council approved a land transfer to Foothills Regional Housing on August 14, Ms.
Easley added the closing for the transfer of land will happen at a later date. Ms.
Olivas reminded the commission that staff has not seen any development plans yet
and that will be a part of next steps, but the intent is to expand the Ives
Development.
Commissioner LARSON expressed concern about the neighboring business and its
flammable materials close being close to residential living and hope it gets
addressed.
There was some discussion about parking on the site due to concerns of parking
reduction for affordable housing from Commissioner DITULLIO.
Public Comment
Eric Heinecke
4495 Vance Street
Mr. Heineke asked if there have been any adverse effect studies done yet.
Ms. Olivas-Loera confirmed there have not and that required studies will be
reviewed as part of the site plan review.
Chair DITULLIO closed public comment.
Chair DITULLIO closed the public hearing.
It was moved by Commissioner DISNEY and seconded by Commissioner
LEO to recommend APPROVAL of Case No. WZ-23-06, a request for
Planning Commission Minutes - 2 —
August 17, 2023
approval of a zone change from Commercial -One (C-1) to Mixed Use -
Commercial (MU-C) for property located at 7575 W. 4411 Avenue 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. The criteria used to evaluate a zone change supports the
request.
Motion carried 6-1 with Commissioner DITULLIO voting against.
B. Case No. ZOA-23-08: An ordinance amending Chapter 2 and Chapter 26 of the
Wheat Ridge Code of Laws, concerning the City's subdivision review
requirements.
Chair DITULLIO opened the public hearing.
Mr. Cutler gave a short presentation regarding the ordinance.
In response to questions from Commissioners DISNEY and QUINN, Mr. Cutler
explained that Type I would encompass any subdivision that is not requesting a
variance or right-of-way vacation and is no longer correlated to the number of lots
in a subdivision. He added that the proposal is to make the review process for Type
I subdivisions administrative (approval by Community Development Director) if
the minimum standards are met. He also confirmed there will be public noticing if
the property being subdivided is larger than 2 acres.
Commissioner LARSON asked for an example of a waiver of variance.
Mr. Cutler explained that one type of variance for a subdivision would be lot width
or the maximum length of a cul-de-sac. He added that the review criteria for
variances are very strict and not always approvable.
Commissioner LARSON had some concerns about communication to the public
and whether subdivision notices would be sent as letters or postcards. He wanted to
ensure the community is aware it is not junk mail.
In response to a question from Commissioner DITULLIO, Mr. Cutler confirmed
that setback variances are not included in the subdivision requirements.
Planning Commission Minutes - 3 —
August 17, 2023
Public Comment
No one wished to speak at this time.
Chair DIULLIO closed the public hearing.
It was moved by Commissioner QUINN and seconded by Commissioner
KERNS to recommend APPROVAL of the proposed ordinance amending
Chapter 2 and Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws, concerning the
City's subdivision and development review requirements.
Motion carried 7-0.
C. Case No. ZOA-23-09: An ordinance amending section 11-561, 11-566 and 26-
114 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws, concerning the City Hotel Licensing
Program, in response to the City Council's mandatory period review of the
program.
Chair DITULLIO opened the public hearing.
Ms. Easley gave a short presentation regarding the ordinance.
Commissioner LARSON inquired if there are any hotels that are not in C-1, C-2,
and Industrial zone districts with a Special Use Permit (SUP).
Ms. Easley confirmed there is one hotel with a SUP in in the C-1 zone district. Mr.
Cutler added that the Hampton Inn at Clear Creek Crossing is in a mixed use
district, is under construction, and will allow extended stay.
Chair DITULLIO closed the public hearing.
It was moved by Commissioner LARSON and seconded by Commissioner
DISNEY to recommend APPROVAL of a code amendment modifying
Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws concerning special use permits
for hotels.
Motion carried 7-0
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Upcoming Dates
Ms. Easley reminded the Commission about the Boards and Commissions BBQ on
Aug 30 at 5:30pm. She also mentioned the Let's Talk N I-70 and Crown Hill
surveys are open until Sept. 8, and that there is an open house on Aug. 31 from
Planning Commission Minutes - 4 —
August 17, 2023
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4:30-6:30pm. Ms. Odean added there will be no Planning Commission Meeting on
September 7, but one possible on September 21.
B. Comprehensive Plan Update
Ms. Easley gave a brief explanation about the Comprehensive Plan Update. She
mentioned staff is currently working on the RFP which will go out around the end
of August. The effort will include a continuation of the Let's Talk neighborhood
outreach which will give staff a good base to start with. She added there will be
multiple elements to the Comprehensive Plan and document creation will take
approximately 15 months, starting Spring of 2024, and adoption being late in the
summer of 2025. Ms. Easley let the Commissioners know there will be at least two
study sessions for them throughout the process and there will be more details to
follow.
Commissioner LARSON inquired about the project map.
Mr. Cutler explained the objective is to get a public facing map onto the website
which will give project updates when a property is clicked on.
C. Project and Development Updates
In response to a question from Commissioner LARSON, Mr. Cutler confirmed the
44th Avenue Subarea Plan has been approved and currently there is nothing new to
report.
Ms. Easley mentioned that the City and CDOT are about a year out on completion
of the Wadsworth construction. She also mentioned that the Youngfield
beautification from 301h Avenue to 401h Avenue is in the preliminary design phase.
Finally, she let the Commission know that the building permit for Hampton Inn at
Clear Creek Crossing has been issued, the new hospital is about a year away from
opening, and the Parallel Apartments have received their CO.
OLD BUSINESS
Ms. Easley noted that Commissioner DITULLIO mentioned he would like to see some of
the study sessions be joint with City Council.
10. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Commissioner QUINN and seconded by Commissioner STERN to
adjourn the meeting at 7:52 p.m.
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Je y PiTullio, Chair
Planning Commission Minutes
August 17, 2023
Motion carried 6-0.
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Tammy , Recording Secretary
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