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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-17-25PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes of Meeting April 17, 2025 CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Quinn at 6:31 p.m. This meeting was held in person and virtually, using Zoom video -teleconferencing technology. 1. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS Commission Members Present: Kristine Disney Daniel Graeve Cody Hedges Michael Moore Patrick Quinn Susan Wood Commission Members Absent: Krista Holub Syrma Quinones Staff Members Present: Jana Easley, Planning Manager Scott Cutler, Senior Planner Tammy Odean, Recording Secretary 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVE ORDER OF THE AGENDA It was moved by consensus to approve the order of the agenda. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - March 6, 2025 It was moved by Commissioner DISNEY and seconded by Commissioner GRAEVE to approve the minutes of February 2, 2025, as written. Motion carried 6-0-1 with Commissioner WOOD abstaining. 5. 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. 6. PUBLIC HEARING Planning Commission Minutes -1 - April 17, 2025 A. Case No. ZOA-25-1: An ordinance amending Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws to allow, as a conditional use, freestanding emergency departments in the Mixed Use -Commercial (MU-C) zone district. Ms. Easley gave a short presentation regarding the ordinance. She entered into the record the case file and packet material. Commissioner HEDGES inquired how adding ambulatory services to this location helps promote mixed use -commercial purposes. Ms. Easley explained that mixed use -commercial zone districts are usually along arterial roadways where there is higher traffic, and she reminded the commission that there were ambulance services just west of this location until recently when Lutheran Hospital moved. She added that the goal is to achieve a balance in the area even though it is a more auto oriented corridor; the Wadsworth Boulevard project will add pedestrian walkability. Commissioner WOOD asked at what point in time will traffic studies be done if freestanding emergency departments are allowed. Ms. Easley mentioned a traffic impact study would be required. She also shared a map showing an entrance to the north end of the site and to the west, both of which will stay the same when the Wadsworth project is complete. Commissioner DISNEY asked if the existing businesses on the site will remain. Ms. Easley said this would become a medical campus and so existing businesses would go away. Commissioner DISNEY asked for confirmation about ambulatory service and asked if it is necessary. Ms. Easley confirmed that there will be ambulances used in more serious cases to get patients to a hospital. Casey Guber, CEO and President Rose Medical Center 2875 N Glencoe, Denver Mr. Guber gave a brief presentation and mentioned that freestanding emergency departments are a great safety net for a community because they can treat the life -threatening needs such as a heart attack, stroke, broken bones, etc., and will be open 24/7, 365 days a year. He mentioned the freestanding emergency department will fill the needs of the community, and the ambulatory service is paid for by the freestanding Planning Commission Minutes - 2 — April 17, 2025 emergency department. Mr. Guber added most of the ambulances do not run their sirens to and from the facility. In response to a question for Commissioner GRAEVE, Mr. Casey mentioned the emergency department will be 11,000 square feet containing 11 bays: including one for trauma, one for psychiatric needs, and one female oriented bay. He added there will be full-scale imaging and only a 5-minute wait to see a doctor. Commissioner GRAEVE asked about signage and transparency of fees. Mr. Guber explained there will be multiple signs around the freestanding emergency department that will be discussed with the city and fees will be posted on the website so there are no surprises. Commissioner MOORE inquired if there will be any pediatric care. Mr. Guber said they will be partnering with Rocky Mountain Pediatrics. In response to a question from Commissioner QUINN, Ms. Easley mentioned the requirements for a freestanding emergency department in a Mixed Use -Commercial zone district are a minimum of 5 acres and must have other medical services to create a medical campus. Commissioner Quinn asked why this location for a freestanding emergency department and why not repurposing the old Lutheran campus. Ms. Easley explained that that this will be a conditional use within a mixed use -commercial zone district and this site is better suited to have a mix of residential and commercial surrounding it. Mr. Casey added they had looked at other sites, but wanted to be by two arterial roads and not near neighborhoods. Commissioner HEDGES asked for the build -to requirements to be explained. Mr. Cutler explained that the build -to requirements is having the buildings close to the sidewalk for pedestrian connections into the site and -the parking is hidden behind the building. It was moved by Commissioner MOORE and seconded by Commissioner DISNEY to recommend approval of the proposed ordinance amending Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws regarding freestanding emergency departments. Commissioner WOOD appreciated the conversation and had no concerns. Planning Commission Minutes - 3 — April 17, 2025 Commissioner GRAEVE also appreciated the conversation and understands the appeal for a freestanding emergency department on this site that currently not very appealing. Commissioner HEDGES appreciates the work that has been put into this plan but still not sure if this is the vision of the Wadsworth Boulevard area. Commissioner DISNEY realizes this will be nice for the community and has no concerns about traffic. Motion carried 5-1 with Commissioner HEDGES voting against. B. Case No. ZOA-25-2: An ordinance amending Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws regarding residential occupancy limits. Mr. Cutler gave a brief presentation regarding the ordinance for occupancy limits. Public Comment No one wished to speak at this time. Commissioner WOOD appreciated the thoroughness of complying with state law and consistent with the City Charter and wondered if there are any changes beyond state law. Mr. Cuter could not think of anything, but it could default to building code if there is anything further. Commissioner GRAEVE asked if there has been an instance when someone has been found in violation. Mr. Cutler mentioned that recently Code Enforcement had recently cited someone under the unrelated individuals not realizing the Charter had been amended. He added it is best practice to codify everything so that all regulations match. Commissioners HEDGES and GRAEVE think this a positive movement and like the staff report. Commissioner WOOD mentioned there is a shortage of housing and hopes this will fill the void. It was moved by Commissioner DISNEY and seconded by Commissioner MOORE to recommend approval of the proposed ordinance amending Planning Commission Minutes - 4 — April 17, 2025 Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws regarding residential occupancy limits and making conforming amendments therewith. Motion carried 6-0. C. Case No. ZOA-25-3: An ordinance amending Section 26-646 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws regarding Accessory Dwelling Units and making conforming amendments therewith. Mr. Cutler gave a short presentation regarding the resolution. Public Comment No one wished to speak at this time. In response to a question from Commissioner HEDGES, Mr. Cutler confirmed there will be no minimum size to ADUs and the only minimum would be the building code requirements. Commissioner GRAEVE asked for clarification on the minimum size. Mr. Cutler explained that the minimum is a right and someone could elect to go smaller but will also be limited by the house size. Commissioner GRAEVE asked if tiny homes are permitted. Mr. Cutler confirmed that tiny homes are allowed but they must be on permanent foundations. Commissioner GRAEVE asked for clarification on why owner occupancy was a requirement in 2022. Mr. Cutler mentioned that owner occupancy was important to City Council in 2022 to ensure the ADU ordinance would be successful at that time. Commissioner WOOD inquired how many ADUs have been built since 2022. Mr. Cutler said he does not have an exact number, but mentioned ADUs are not proliferating, and it could be due to the water and sanitation tap fees. Commissioner QUINN asked how many people can be on the lot if there is an ADU. Mr. Cutler said that will be based on Building Code (number and size of bedrooms). Planning Commission Minutes - 5 — April 17, 2025 Commissioner QUINN asked how group homes relate to ADUs. Mr. Cutler confirmed that group homes are usually limited to 8 unrelated people and are regulated separately in terms of occupancy. He added a group home setting can have an ADU. It was moved by Commissioner HEDGES and seconded by Commissioner MOORE to recommend approval of the proposed ordinance amending Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws regarding Accessory Dwelling Units and making conforming amendments therewith. Motion carried 6-0. 7. OLD BUSINESS 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Upcoming Dates Ms. Easley mentioned there will not be a meeting on May 1, but most likely there will be a meeting on May 15. B. Project and Development Updates Ms. Easley mentioned that the Clear Creek Crossing Hampton Inn is close to getting their CO and Primrose Daycare is under construction. She also shared the city map to show the Commissioners what projects are under review, under construction, etc.. Commissioner DISNEY asked about the proposed daycare near 381h and Allison Street and Judy Townhomes. Mr. Cutler said the daycare is under review and the Judy Townhomes developer went bankrupt but there is some renewed interest. C. Commissioner Updates Commissioner WOOD mentioned she is excited to be a part of the Planning Commission and has been a planner for 30 years - half of that in transportation - and has lived in Wheat Ridge for 32 years. Planning Commission Minutes - 6 - April 17, 2025 Commissioner GRAEVE asked about the plan for bike lane on 35th Avenue between Pierce and Sheridan. He also inquired about the construction at Panorama Park. Mr. Cutler thinks the construction is resurfacing of tennis courts and parking lot. Commissioner MOORE mentioned he had the opportunity to meet the owner of Gastown, and added he is a very nice gentleman, and they are hoping to open on Memorial Day weekend. Commissioner HEDGES appreciate local government and what is being done in the city. Commissioner QUINN mentioned that he attended a town hall meeting and had great conversation with Kory Stites. 10. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Commissioner GRAEVE and seconded by Commissioner HEDGES to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 p.m. Motion approved 6-0. Patrick Quinn, Chair Tammy Odean, Recording Secretary Planning Commission Minutes - 7 - April 17, 2025