HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.05.24 - Study Session NotesSTUDY SESSION NOTES
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
Hybrid - Virtual Meeting
August 5, 2024
1. Call to Order
Mayor Starker called the Special Study Session to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. Attendance
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. A quorum of members of
Council were present in Council Chambers for this session.
The Mayor also explained the virtual/hybrid meeting format, how citizens will have the
opportunity to be heard, and the procedures and policies to be followed.
Council Members present: Jenny Snell, Rachel Hultin, Janeece Hoppe, Amanda
Weaver, Korey Stites, Dan Larson, Leah Dozeman, and Scott Ohm (via Zoom).
Also present: City Manager, Patrick Goff, Director of Community Development Lauren
Mikulak; Director of Public Works Maria D’Andrea; Director of Economic Development
Steve Art, City Attorney Gerald Dahl, Senior Deputy City Clerk Margy Greer, and other
staff and interested residents.
3. Public’s Right to Speak
In person
Bob Brazell, resident of Wheat Ridge, spoke about the high density in the proposed
Lutheran Legacy Campus. He stated that the City is proposing buffer zones around
everything except his neighborhood on north side of hospital. He spoke about the
height of the buildings. He is concerned about the lack of adequate parking around the
property and it will ruin their neighborhood. He spoke about the relationship the
neighborhood had with Lutheran, wherein they could call Security at the hospital and
security would not allow Lutheran’s employees to park in their neighborhood.
Wheat Ridge Speaks:
Item No. 1 ‐ MEMO ‐ Lutheran Campus Ballot Measure
Posted by Chuck Moozakis, Resident
I appreciate the 30-foot height restrictions (instead of the 35-foot restriction) to any new
houses built adjacent to Allison Court, but the elevation gain between the street and the
property to the west of the existing houses will still give the appearance of much taller
dwellings. I'm hoping there will be some effort to plant new trees/landscaping as a buffer.
This will be an even greater issue with the five-story buildings proposed in the center of
the campus, here the elevation gain between Allison Court and the Rocky Mountain Ditch
is far more pronounced..... One other quick comment: It just seems that the request for a
height waiver is based on an implied threat: If the waiver isn't approved, then no open
space. There are no other alternatives?
There were no public comments via Zoom.
4. Lutheran Legacy Campus – Draft Ballot Measure
City Manager Patrick Goff read the Issue Statement into the Record.
The Lutheran Legacy Campus (LLC) Master Plan was adopted in 2021, and
implementation of the plan’s vision requires that the City Charter be amended to modify
the building height limitations in the interior of the campus. Such amendment requires a
ballot measure, and Magellan Strategies has recently obtained input from Wheat Ridge
residents to measure support for or against a proposed ballot measure. A first round of
polling occurred in early May, and a second round of polling was conducted from July
17 to July 28, 2024. The purpose of the August 5th study session is:
• To review and discuss the results of the July polling; and
• To review, amend, or approve the proposed ballot question.
Ryan Winger from Megellan Strategies presented the second round of polling by Wheat
Ridge residents. He gave a PowerPoint presentation including demographics, results of
questions regarding Lutheran Hospital moving, the Lutheran Legacy Campus Master
Plan, charter changes on the ballot, how the plan came about, current zone, proposed
change in zoning, and likely approval of a charter change. Respondents showed
positive results with better support for lower heights than higher. Height differences
were not a part of the first survey.
After Mr. Winger answered questions from City Council, they approved having staff
move forward with putting the proposed ballot language on the ballot in November.
5. Wheat Ridge Prosperity Plan Update
Issue
The Economic Development Division of the City Manager’s office is actively in the
process of creating an updated Economic Development Strategic Plan. This strategic
plan is being branded as the Wheat Ridge Prosperity Plan (the Plan) and is being
developed as a stand-alone document to be used by the City Manager’s Economic
Development Division (as well as key partners). The City has contracted with
Progressive Urban Management Associates (P.U.M.A.) to develop the Plan, who will
provide an update on findings to-date and discuss the Plan’s emerging goal and
objectives framework. A final Plan is anticipated to be delivered in September 2024.
Director of Economic Development Steve Art spoke to the prosperity plan and
introduced Brad Segal, Andrea Baglonne , and Arleen Tanwaki who joined via Zoom.
Mr. Segal stated there were four goals for Economic Prosperity: 1) The corridors, nodes
and redevelopment; 2.)jobs, innovation, light manufacturing; 3) attainability and quality
of life; and 4) business support ecosystem. He reviewed the strategies and tactics for
each of these goals.
They gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the process and proposed goals for
prosperity in Wheat Ridge. The process included the community and business outreach
done, the market analysis completed, the key takeaways, goal framework, emerging
objectives and strategies for implementation. He thanked the Strategic Advisory Team
for volunteering their time and expertise in helping the plan move forward. Andrea
Buglione reviewed the above items in some depth with City Council.
Segal and Buglione spoke in detail about the comprehensive analysis, market research,
north/south and east/west corridors and nodes, urban renewal projects, economic
drivers, demographics, regional market trends, sales tax reviews, building permits, real
estate comparisons, possible combining of the various economic groups in Wheat
Ridge, development opportunities and more.
Mr. Segal stated that Wheat Ridge has district competitive advantages such as location,
quality of life, amenities, historic characters, underpinning a strong market outlook and
future opportunities.
Arleen Taniwaki spoke to the sales tax, generated by corridor businesses and how Wheat
Ridge is showing a strong sales tax income compared to surrounding cities.
After Council discussion, Council gave staff direction to being implementing the plan.
6. Overview of Roundabouts Effectiveness and Application
Patrick Goff introduced Public Works Director Maria D’Andrea, who gave a PowerPoint
presentation and stated the Issue for Council.
Issue
Roundabouts are increasingly being used as an effective traffic management solution at
intersections. They are designed to improve traffic flow and safety by reducing the
number of conflict points and the potential for high-speed collisions. This report provides
a comprehensive overview of roundabouts, including their benefits, operational
guidelines, and best practices for their use.
D’Andrea spoke to the advantages of Roundabouts including improving safety – both for
drivers and pedestrians/bicyclists; enhancing traffic flow and reducing congestion;
environmental impacts such as reducing pollution and fuel use; and they are cost-
effective since it saves operation and maintenance costs.
She also spoke to the challenges of Roundabouts such as accommodating large
vehicles; vehicle capacity constraints; increased ROW requirements; increased delay to
vehicles on higher volume streets and accommodating visually impaired pedestrians.
Maria D’Andrea spoke about the differences between Roundabouts and Traffic Circles
and showed photographs of each.
She stated that they are currently working with Edgewater on a Roundabout at 26th
Avenue and Harlan Street, with Edgewater taking the lead on the project. She stated
another area they are evaluating is at 38th Ave and Parfet St.
Council members stated their excitement about Roundabouts due to the safety, speed-
reduction, and pedestrians/bicycle accessibility. They also shared ideas on types of
traffic control and intersections where they may be helpful.
7. Staff Report(s)
No report.
8. Elected Officials’ Report(s)
Mayor and Council Members gave reports on the Carnation Festival, Happyness
Gardens, Localworks’ block party materials, the move of Lutheran Hospital, and more.
9. Adjournment
Mayor Starker adjourned the meeting at 8:34 p.m.
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Margy Greer, Senior Deputy City Clerk
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Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem