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PLANNING COMMISSION
Minutes of Meeting
March 6, 2025
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
Cody Hedges
Krista Holub
Michael Moore
Patrick Quinn
Syrma Quinones
Susan Wood
Jana Easley, Planning Manager
Ella Stueve, Senior Neighborhood Planner
Tammy Odean, Recording Secretary
APPROVE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
It was moved by consensus to approve the order of the agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES — February 20, 2025
It was moved by Commissioner QUINN and seconded by Commissioner MOORE to
approve the minutes of February 20, 2025, as written. Motion carried 4-0-3 with
Commissioners DISNEY, HEDGES and QUINONES abstaining.
PUBLIC FORUM (This is the time for any person to speak on any subject not appearing
on the Public Hearing agenda.)
No one wished to speak at this time.
Planning Commission Minutes
March 6, 2025
- 1 —
7. PUBLIC HEARING
No cases to be heard.
8. OLD BUSINESS
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. City Plan Phase 4 Update
Ms. Stueve gave a brief presentation on the first three phases of the City Plan and
introduced Eric Ameigh and Matt Ingalls, the consultants from czb.
Eric Ameigh, czb
1314 Main Street, Suite 203
Louisville, CO 80027
Mr. Ameigh gave a brief presentation about phase 4 of the City Plan and explained
staying places tools and going places tools.
Ms. Stueve clarified for Commissioner DISNEY that the maps on pages 17 and 18
illustrate different solutions to issues around the city.
Commissioner HEDGES was glad that staff spoke with students at the high school
on their opinions of the City Plan because of the safety over mobility pardine.
Also, he wanted to make sure Parking and traffic also included pedestrian and
bikes.
Ms. Stueve confirmed the City Plan will be inclusive.
Commissioner GRAEVE inquired about the concept of a dedicated bus lane in the
city and thinks it will change how people interact with transit, and it will be a game
changer if it is an option. He added that there has been a rise in electric powered
bikes, and if it increases then mobility will change without automobiles.
Commissioner GRAEVE also inquired about what hardships the high schoolers
currently face.
Ms. Stueve mentioned the biggest hardship mentioned was the safety of the
students who walk to school and not having a lot of locations teenagers can hang
out within walking distance. She added that hopefully the City Plan will help plan
for what's known and unknown in the future and can respond to changing needs.
In response to a comment from Commissioner QUINN, Ms. Stueve agreed that
there are other places that need special attention, other than what is showing up on
the Gateways and Gatherings Location Map along with safety improvements.
Planning Commission Minutes - 2 —
March 6, 2025
Commissioner HEDGES commented that he likes the representations of having
other buildingibusinesses in-between Safeway and Wadsworth Blvd and asked
what other strategies could be used around Ward Station to better encourage
commercial development in the area.
Ms. Stueve mentioned that this is a hard question and does not think the city is
quite there yet. It is not captured in the implementation matrix yet and there will
have to be an incentives piece and use tools we have not used yet. Mr. Ameigh
added that continued pursuit of residential intensity at the Ward Station site will be
important to supporting commercial uses.
Commissioner GRAEVE asked to what extent does the City Plan contemplate
when and how the city can accommodate new parks.
Ms. Stueve explained that Wheat Ridge has the benefit of a pro -active Parks
Department, and they are currently working on their master plan called Pathway,
and at some point, staff will figure out what of their master plan needs to be
elevated into the City Plan.
Matt Ingalls, czb Consultant
31 Centre Street
Bath, ME 04530-2560
Mr. Ameigh and Mr. Ingalls mentioned that some public spaces and open space
will be brought into the City Plan even though they are not dedicated at parks.
Adding that it is important to figure out mobility to park, public spaces and open
spaces as well.
In response to a question from Commissioner DISNEY about West 29 h Avenue
being redeveloped to match the map on page 24, Ms. Stueve explained that if it
were to be redeveloped this would be the plan to work toward; she added this is a
vision exercise and tools for the future.
Commissioner QUINONES asked who maintains sidewalks along Wadsworth
Blvd. Ms. Easley mentioned she is not sure whether it is CDOT or the city but will
find out.
Commissioner HOLUB asked where the tools will be applied to regulatory code
with different contexts, such as bulk plane.
Ms. Stueve explained it will be the appropriate regulations for that context and
when the code changes in the future then developments will respond to it, but
nothing has changed currently.
Ms. Stueve then gave a brief presentation about implementation of the City Plan.
Planning Commission Minutes - 3 —
March 6, 2025
Commissioner QUINN asked if the codes mostly will be changed in the multi -use
districts.
Ms. Stueve confirmed this to be true and how they react to residential zone
districts.
In response to a question from Commissioner QUINN regarding the west part of
38th Avenue, Ms. Stueve confirmed that on the bigger implementation matrix it is
listed in the City Plan because it is its own project.
Commissioner HOLUB asked how the proactive infrastructure management will
work.
Ms. Stueve explained this will fall in the priorities section and next steps.
Commissioner HEDGES asked how the interaction between Planning Commission
and City Council works to implement the programs in the City Plan.
Ms. Easley explained that Planning Commission reviews private development and
the key piece is how the public/private interface works. Land use applications
undergo months of review by staff. She added that Planning Commission does not
review public infrastructure but makes sure the private piece is meshing with the
public piece.
Ms. Stueve mentioned that What's Up Wheat Ridge survey is open through March
21; the draft plan will be available for public review in late spring/early summer,
with additional study sessions and formal adoption over the summer.
B. Welcome New Commissioners
Ms. Easley welcomed Cody Hedges and Susan Wood as new Planning
Commissioners.
Commissioner HEDGES introduced himself and said he is a transportation planner
for passenger rail and works for CDOT and has lived in District 1 for 5 years.
C. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Commissioner QUINN was voted in as Chair and Commissioner DISNEY was
voted in as Vice Chair.
D. Upcoming Dates
No upcoming dates, Commissioners will receive an email about the next scheduled
meeting.
Planning Commission Minutes - 4 —
March 6, 2025
E. Project and Development Updates
Nothing to report at this time.
F. Commissioner Updates
Commissioner GRAEVE mentioned that there was an article in the Denver Post
regarding the up-and-coming Clear Creek Crossing restaurants.
Commissioner DISNEY mentioned that the Cultural Commission is having a
fundraiser for the Cultural Commissions Grant Program on Friday, March 7 and
will be selling art that was once displayed at the old Lutheran Hospital.
10. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved Commissioner QUINN and seconded by Commissioner MOORE to
adjourn the eeting at 8:02 p.m. Motion carried 7-0.
Patrick Quinn, Chair Tammy Odea ecording Secretary
Planning Commission Minutes - 5 —
March 6, 2025