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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. _________________________________ Margy Greer, Senior Deputy City Clerk _________________________________ Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem