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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-13-241. R 3. 4. City of Wheat ,ge PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting June 13, 2024 CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair DISNEY at 6:30 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 Daniel Graeve Krista Holub Will Kerns Michael Moore Patrick Quinn Syrma Quinones Jonathan Schelke Jana Easley, Planning Manager Alayna Olivas-Loera, Planner II Tammy Odean, Recording Secretary APPROVE ORDER OF THE AGENDA It was moved by Commissioner QUINN and seconded by Commissioner KERNS to approve the agenda as amended. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — May 2, 2024 and May 16, 2024 It was moved by Commissioner QUINN and seconded by Commissioner GRAEVE to approve the minutes of May 2, 2024, as written. Motion carried 7-0-1 with Commissioner QUINONES abstaining. It was moved by Commissioner SCHELKE and seconded by Commissioner KERNS to approve the minutes of May 16, 2024, as written. Motion carried 7-0-1 with Commissioner HOLUB abstaining. Planning Commission Minutes June 13, 2024 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-24-06: an application filed by Confluent Development, LLC for approval of a zone change from Industrial -Employment (I-E) to Mixed Use - Commercial TOD (MU-C TOD) on a property located at 11910 W. 52nd Ave., in order to develop the site with residential and/or commercial uses. 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. Public Comment Chair DISNEY opened the Public Comment. Geoff Burg, resident 5195 Swadley Street Mr. Burg is opposed to the zone change without knowing the details of the future development. He added that the neighbors would like to see some commercial in the development. Connie Burg, resident 5195 Swadley Street Ms. Burg is also opposed to the zone change and emphasized she would rather have a warehouse on this property other than residential because she is concerned about the height and setbacks requirement. She mentioned she is also concerned about more traffic in the neighborhood. Ms. Burg would like to see something special at this location, not townhomes or apartments. Terry Foulke, resident 5274 Taft Court Mr. Foulke mentioned he agreed with the Burg's comments and is concerned with lack of parking and traffic if more residential is developed. He also would like to see restaurants and commercial developed on this property. Charile Hood, Metro District Board Member for Hance Station and resident 11843 W 51' Avenue Planning Commission Minutes - 2 — June 13, 2024 Mr. Hood mentioned he is in favor of the zone change and is hoping for an ambitious development. He agreed that RV Storage is a poor land use for valuable real estate and said this is a prime location for access to the mountains and to downtown. Mr. Hood added that the Mixed Use -Commercial zone change could add some good retail to the property. Carol Foulke, resident 5274 Taft Court Ms. Foulke mentioned she walks to the rail station often and is concerned with the trains being empty and does not think more residential developments need to be put in the area. She added that a large residential building is out of character for this area. Ms. Foulke agrees a rezone is important but would like to see commercial and greenspace on this property. Chair DISNEY closed the Public Comment. Commissioner KERNS agreed with being creative with the property and requiring some greenspace and added that 52°d Avenue is not a main street and can be hard to have only commercial without some residential rooftops. He also mentioned that there is a housing shortage and affordable housing is needed and very important. Ms. Olivas-Loera confirmed that if the zone change is approved then open space will be a requirement. Commissioner GRAEVE inquired if there has been any commercial development along the TOD area in the past years. Ms. Olivas-Loera confirmed there has not been. In response to a couple questions from Commissioner HOLUB, Ms. Olivas-Loera confirmed that if the property were to be residential only, then the building could only be 6 stories in height and a zone change to Mixed -Use TOD would be the only non-commercial option that staff would support. Commissioner QUINN asked if there are any affordable housing and parking requirements within the TOD development; to which Ms. Olivas-Loera commented no, there is not an affordable housing requirement, but there are parking requirements. In response to a question from Commissioner SCHELKE, Ms. Olivas-Loera confirmed that there is no proposal yet for this site if the zone change is approved, but mentioned the new heights would apply. Planning Commission Minutes - 3 June 13, 2024 Commissioner DISNEY asked for confirmation that a zone change is being requested for this property without plans being finalized. Celeste Tanner, applicant, Chief Development Officer 6985 West 261h Avenue Ms. Tanner confirmed that there is no solid plan yet and they are just in the first process which is the zone change followed by the site development process, and they would be excited to work with the public. She added that Confluent Development is Denver based and has developed in Wheat Ridge in the past. She also added that she is an 11-year resident in the City of Wheat Ridge and is excited about a vibrant development in her community and understands what is important to the residents that are currently there. Commissioner GRAEVE asked if there is a public process for the Site Plan Development. Ms. Olivas-Loera confirmed that all land use cases are public record and although for a Site Plan there is no public process, they can reach out to staff for the plans that are being reviewed. Ms. Tanner added that she is always available to answer questions as well. Commissioner QUINONES inquired how many units would be allowed if this site became residential only. Ms. Tanner clarified that if residential only then it would be subject to the 6-story height limit but they have not looked into any one direction for this site yet. Ms. Olivas-Loera added that this property is exempt from the density limitations. There were a few parking questions about how state law may affect minimum parking, but staff could not confirm when that state law would go into effect. Chair DISNEY closed the public hearing. It was moved by Commissioner MOORE and seconded by Commissioner QUINN to APPROVE Case No. WZ-24-06, a request for approval of a zone change from Industrial -Employment (I-E) to Mixed Use -Commercial TOD (MU-C TOD) for property located at 11910 W. 52nd 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 adopted plans and policies. 4. The zone change will provide additional opportunity for reinvestment in the area. Planning Commission Minutes - 4 June 13, 2024 5. The zone change will further enable the goals for the TOD area to be met. 6. The criteria used to evaluate a zone change supports the request. Commissioner GRAEVE is familiar with the area and understands there has been development change and added there is state law about density around TOD areas. He sympathized with the neighborhood and is shocked there is no commercial in the area and agrees there should be some included but it cannot be a condition. He reminded the community that Wheat Ridge has not seen apartment development for 40 years, but now housing is needed. Commissioner QUINN reminded the community that there is a process and steps to development and the start is with a zone change, then figuring out the site plan and agrees, more commercial/retail needs to be included. Commissioner DISNEY reminded the community that planning is a process and staff must communicate with utilities to see if the area can be served. She added planning and zoning can be tricky and that is why there is a process in place. She also reminded all that there is a housing shortage and the apartment buildings that have been developed are now full. Commissioner DISNEY also mentioned there are a lot of commercial spaces that are sitting vacant currently. Motion approved 7-1 with commissioner QUINONES denying. 8. OLD BUSINESS 9. NEW BUSINESS A. Upcoming Dates Ms. Easley let the commissioners know that there will not be a Planning Commission meeting on July 4 and the next meeting will be held on July 18, which will include two code amendments and an update on the City Plan. She added that August meeting dates are to be determined. B. Project and Development Updates Ms. Easley thanked the commissioners and the community for attending the most recent City Plan open house which saw 140 people attend. Ms. Easley also gave an update on the Lutheran Legacy Master Plan and the City initiative to rezone and how it will be good to get the zoning code in place before the property sells to a developer. She added in the fall they may see a ballot question in the fall to allow taller heights in the middle of the Lutheran Legacy Campus. C. Commissioner Updates Planning Commission Minutes - 5 _ June 13, 2024 Commissioner SCHELKE mentioned that Gastown was denied their liquor license and added the owners were urged to do some community outreach if they want to reapply. Commissioner GRAEVE encouraged the community to attend Ridgefest and if they feel up to it to volunteer at the event. Commissioner QUINN mentioned he attended the All -American City Event and Wheat Ridge was awarded the All -American Lifetime Achievement Award. He also reminded all to vote in the primaries. 10. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner QUINN and seconded by Commissioner KERNS to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m. Motion carried 8-0. Tammy Odea , ecording Secretary Planning Commission Minutes - 6 — June 13, 2024