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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.14.24 - Special Study Session NotesSTUDY SESSION NOTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO (Hybrid - Virtual Meeting) OCTOBER 14, 2024 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 explained the virtual/hybrid meeting format, how citizens will have the opportunity to be heard, and the procedures and policies to be followed. 1. Call to Order Mayor Starker called the Special Study Session to order at 7:40 p.m. 2. Attendance Council Members present: Jenny Snell, Rachel Hultin, Janeece Hoppe, Amanda Weaver, Korey Stites, Dan Larson, Leah Dozeman and Scott Ohm. Absent None. Also present: City Manager Patrick Goff, Deputy City Manager Allison Scheck, Assistant City Manager Marianne Schilling, Director of Public Works Maria D’Andrea, and Senior Deputy City Clerk Margy Greer. 3. Public’s Right to Speak None. 4. Sale of Excess City Property at 38th Avenue and Johnson Street City Manager Patrick Goff introduced this item to City Council. Issue The City has been approached by Kyle and Erin Ballew for a proposed retail development, DOP’s Sweet Spot, at the southwest corner of 38th Avenue and Johnson Street. The 0.5- acre parcel is owned by the City of Wheat Ridge and was rezoned to Planned Commercial Development in 2008. Permitted uses on the subject property include any land use allowed in the City’s Restricted Commercial zone district. This proposed retail use would be a permitted use. Section 16.5 of the City Charter states that “The City shall not sell or dispose of municipally owned buildings or real property for a public purpose, without first obtaining the approval, by ordinance, of three-fourths of the entire council. Unanimous approval of the entire city council, by ordinance, shall be necessary for sale or disposition of designated park land. Presentation – Kyle and Erin Ballew – spoke about their plans for a neighborhood gathering place and a small building with walk-up service only for sno-ball ice treats. They spoke about creating a place for outdoor family activities as well. Council Comments Council Member Weaver – spoke in favor of the sale of the property for the intended use. She stated this excess property had a lot of history and selling it would create a nice buffer as well. Council Member Ohm – stated his concern about parking area and whether it would be an impervious surface or not. Kyle Ballew stated his plan is to have some artificial turf, plants, not a lot of grass area that need irrigation water. Council Member Hultin - stated she supported the concept and was enthusiastic about the vision. Council Member Hoppe – stated it was a great way to activate that space. She asked if it would require a unanimous vote to sell the property. Goff stated that an evaluation of the property would need to be completed. Depending on whether it is considered parkland or not, would determine whether it required a super majority vote by Council or a unanimous vote by Council. It will need to be determined whether to remove the parcel from the parkland inventory first or not. Council Member Snell – stated the vision of this use for the community is great and she supports the small business owners. Council Member Dozeman – stated it was a great concept. She stated it was a much better use of the property than prior proposals. She stated it will do wonders for activating the area. She said it would be an amazing asset for the community. Mayor Pro Tem Stites – stated as a former Everitt student, he would have loved to be able to cross the street for those treats. He asked for consensus to move forward. Council Member Larson asked for clarification regarding the property now being land planned for commercial development or would if it would need to go to Planning before coming back to Councill. City Attorney Dahl stated that it would take a first and second reading of an ordinance to amend the plan and then acceptance of the sell agreement. There would be several steps to go through before being able to sell the property. Mayor Starker asked if the store would be open year-round. The Ballews stated that they would close for 3-4 months in the winter. They would probably close mid-October and open again in March. There was consensus from Council to move forward with the proposal. 5. Staff Report(s) City Manager Patrick Goff – stated that the sentencing in the Officer Allen Fischer case occurred last week. Judge sentenced the convicted in the case to a maximum sense of 32 years. The City is pleased that the Fischer family has received a bit of closure and justice was served. He also stated that Colorado Plus is back open for business. He stated the hard copies of Council’s budget should have been received. Director of Public Works Maria D’Andrea stated she’s working on a schedule for Wednesday for those interested in riding on the paver on Wadsworth 6. Elected Officials’ Report(s) Council Members reported on various events they were involved with around the community. 7. Adjournment With no further business to come before Council, Mayor Starker adjourned the Study Session at 8:05 p.m. _________________________________ Margy Greer, Senior Deputy City Clerk _________________________________ Korey Stites, Mayor Pro Tem