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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComp Plan Amendments 9/27/76-9/14/92M E M O R A N D U M TO: City Council FROM:, Glen Gidley, Director of Planning and Development RE: Comprehensive Development Plan DATE: December 10, 1993 Please find attached a Xerox copy of the City's Comprehensive Development Plan. Unfortunately, our supplies of printed and bound copies are exhausted and we are waiting to see if you approve the Comp Plan update project before reprinting copies. The Comp Plan was adopted in 1976 and has been formally amended 29 times. The last 18 amendments have not been incorporated into the document as we wanted to exhaust the stock on hand, as well as propose a comprehensive update. WHAT IS A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN? A Comprehensive Plan is a formally- adopted public document that serves as a guide to decisions about the physical development of the community. It should be "comprehensive ", "general" and " long range ". It is the foundation for more specific short and intermediate range decision making such as rezonings, subdivision and capital improvement programming. Colorado Revised Statutes 31 -23 -206 requires cities to formulate and adopt comprehensive plans and to update them when necessary. WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO UPDATE THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN> There are several reasons: o The base data is derived from the 1970 U.S. Census and surveys and studies conducted around 1975. It is good historic information but useless for today's needs and future forecasting. o We have available newer data from the 1990 census, plus state and local reports and surveys that should be incorporated into a comprehensive and comparable format. o Changes have occurred in the local economy, state and federal laws and policies, public attitudes and opinions. Those changes should be evaluated and documented. o Specific actions of the City through its land use and zoning decisions, capital improvements programs and land acquisition and development decisions are not accurately reflected by the Comp Plan. The existing Comp Plan does not even include our current city hall location! (See page VIII -1) o Economic developers, other agencies and the general public expect and demand updated, reliable information in a comprehensive format. Generally, comprehensive plans, while being long term in vision and horizon, must be periodically updated in a comprehensive manner. The "process" is more important than the "product ". The "plan" is not just the words, drawings and maps contained in a document, it is a process that allows a community to step back and reevaluate its direction, and if necessary, redirect its' future. Most communities establish a 20 to 25 -year horizon for their comprehensive plans, accommodate minor revisions on an annual basis and comprehensively update and reevaluate the direction and vision every ten years. It will soon be 19 years since Wheat Ridge originally adopted its Comprehensive Plan and although numerous amendments have been made annually, there has not been a comprehensive update or reevaluation of the direction and vision established in 1976. Over the past five years, Planning Commission has adopted several resolutions urging City Council to pursue this project and provide funds to accomplish it. The 1994 proposed budget includes a recommendation to fund the comprehensive plan update. GEG:slw attachment <pc>ggmemoll /22 COMP PLAN AMENDMENTS CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS /AMENDMENTS 1. Total Plan Adopted by Council September 27, 1976 2. Future Land Use Map amended at 4295 Kipling Street August 29, 1977 3. Street Intersection Cross - Sections for 49th and Kipling and 32nd and Youngfield were amended February 27, 1978 4. Section I - Established Character April 9, 1979 Adopted by Council March 21, 1983 5. Section IX - Master Plans for Area Development A. Wadsworth Town Center - Master Plan Adopted by Council January 25, 1982 6. Section IX - Master Plans for Area Development B. Kipling Activity Center - Master Plan Adopted by Council March 21, 1983 7. Future Land Use Map Amended in Vicinity of I -70 and Kipling March 21, 1983 8. Future Land Use Map Amended in Vicinity of West 32nd Avenue and Union July 25, 1983 9. Future Land Use Map Amended in Vicinity of West 38th Avenue and Jay September 12, 1983 10. Future Land Use Map - Major Street Plan Amended in Vicinity of Ward Road and West 50th Avenue September 12, 1983 11. Future Land Use 'Map Amended in Vicinity September 26, 1983 12. WPA -85 -2: Section IX. Master Plans for Area Development, C. Fruitdale Valley Master Plan adopted by Council and Future Land Use Map amended August 9, 1985 13. WPA -85 -1 & 3: Section V. Transportation Plan - Major Streets Plan map amended June 24, 1985 14. WPA -85 -4: Section IV. Land Use, definition of Multiple Use Category amended July 8, 1985 15. WPA -85 -5: Future Land Use Map amended in vicinity of Kipling Street and West 38th Avenue July 8, 1985 City Council Actions /Amendments Page 2 16. WPA -85 -6: Future Land Use Map amended in vicinity of Kipling Street and West 38th Avenue August 11, 1986 17. WPA -86 -2: Section IV. Land Use, definition of Multiple Use Category amended Unknown 18. WPA -87 -1: Section IX. Master Plans for Area Development, C. Fruitdale Valley Master Plan amended regarding local street connections in vicinity of West 44th Avenue /Youngfield /Ward Road February 23, 1987 <pc>compplanactions AMENDMENTS TO COMP PLAN NOT IN BOOK 19. WPA -87 -2: Section V. Transportation Plan amended by approval of a Local 'Exempt Street concept 20. WPA -87 -3: Section IX. Master Plans for Area Development, A. Wadsworth Town Center Master Plan, amended by expansion and modification of General Design Concept 21. WPA -88 -1: Section V. Transportation Plan, Local Exempt Streets Map amended by addition of Lamar Street between West 26th and West 29th Avenues 22. WPA -88 -2: Section V. Transportation Plan, Local Exempt Streets Map amended by addition of Everett Drive between West 35th Avenue and Estes Street 23. WPA -88 -3: Section V. Transportation Plan, Local exempt Streets Map amended by addition of West 36th Avenue between Independence and Johnson Streets 24. WPA -88 -4 & 5: Section V. Transportation Plan, amended by reclassification of Wadsworth Boulevard as a Major Regional Arterial street 25. WPA -88 -6: Section IX. Master Plans for Area Development. B. Kipling Activity Center Master Plan amended by exclusion of Urban Renewal Plan references 26. WPA -90 -1: Section V. Transportation Plan, Major Streets Map and Future Land Use Map amended by deletion of West 50th Avenue ( Kipling Street to Ward Road) and provision for local street connections 27. WPA -90 -2: Future Land Use Map amended in vicinity of Harlan Street and West 46th Avenue December 14, 1987 October 12, 1987 July 25, 1988 May 9, 1988 April 10, 1989 August 22, 1988 December 12, 1988 April 13, 1990 December 10, 1990 Amendments to Comp Plan Not in Book 28. WPA -91 -1: Section VIII. Parks and Recreation Plan (published separately) amended 29. WPA -92 -1: Section IX. Master Plans for Area Development, Wadsworth Town Center Master Plan amended by eliminating residences along Upham Street from inclusion in the Plan area Page 2 June 24, 1991 September 14, 1992 <pc>amendmentsl9 -29 Case No. WPA -87 -2: Amended the Comprehensive Plan to include a Local Exempt street classification. The following streets, or street sections were approved as being "local exempt ": Xenon between 42nd and 44th Avenue; 42nd Avenue south of Vivian; Tabor Street between Clear Creek and West 44th Avenue; West 46th Avenue, West 46th Place, West 47th Avenue, West 47th Place between Oak and Miller; Oak Street between .West 46th Avenue and West 48th Avenue; Garland Street south of West 44th Avenue; Garrison south of West 44th Avenue; Everett Drive running between Everett and West 41st Avenue; Estes Street between 38th Avenue and West 41st Avenue; Field Drive looping off of Everett Street; Garrison Street between 32nd and 35th Avenue; Garland Street between West 32nd Avenue and West 35th Avenue; Flower Street between West 32nd Avenue and North Henry Lee Lake; Field Street between West 32nd Avenue and North Henry Lee Lake; within the Paramount Heights Subdivision - Skyline Drive, West 31st Avenue, West 30th Avenue, West 29th Avenue, West 27th Avenue; Paramount Parkway, Skyline Drive, Hillside Drive, Morningside Drive, Twilight Drive, Rangeview Drive and Circle Drive. Case No. WPA -87 -2 Page V -20 - STREET CLASSIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS Local Exempt Streets Local Exempt Streets are a special class of local streets. They carry very low volumes of traffic and normally are appropriate for low density neighborhoods. Local exempt streets serve low density residential neighborhoods and provide access from a destination within the neighborhood to the higher level streets. It is the intent of the City, for those designated areas, that the semi -rural character of the neighborhood be maintained by providing for street reconstruction to the street's historic (existing) condition. Page V -21 - STREET DESIGN STANDARDS Right of Way Width - Existing conditions to remain Traffic Lanes - 2 lanes with a minimum of 12' of width per lane Speed Limit - 25 miles per hours (M.P.H.) Access Conditions - Intersections are at grade with direct access to abutting property. Traffic Characteristics - Access to abutting property is by drive way approaches. Occasional parking may be allowed if there is adequate width, otherwise parking is panned. Planning Characteristics - Same as local streets Case No. WPA -87 -2 9 C% r 0 D r X o "0 o m 0 0 Amended the Wheat Ridge residential properties renewal area. Case No. WPA -87 -3: Town Center Master Plan to include along Upham Street as part of the urban Case No. WPA -87 -3 Wheat Ridge Town Center Master Plan OCTOBER 12, 1987 A. WHEAT RIDGE TOWN CENTER - Master Plan amended 10/12/87 1. Description and Purpose The area generally bound by, and including the right - of -ways thereof, Wadsworth Blvd., West 44th Avenue, West 38th Avenue, and Upham Street are included within the Wheat Ridge Town Center Master Plan area. An Urban Renewal Plan for a portion of this area has been approved and adopted by City Council which describes the area, sets forth purpose, and identifies project activities and financing proposals. Expansion of the Urban Renewal Area to coincide fully with the Master Plan area is anticipated. In order to strengthen the ability to implement the Wheat Ridge Town Center Urban Renewal Plan, this Master Plan is made a part of the Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Development Plan so the major goals, objectives and urban design concepts are officially recognized through the master planning process.of the City. The area covered by this Plan is found to have eminent public interest and therefor should be developed and used in accordance with the adopted Master Plan, and in furtherance of the stated goals and objectives of the Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Development Plan. The goals of the Development Plan being used in this Master Plan are: "SECTION II. GOALS & OBJECTIVES FOR THE CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE. II. LAND USE. GOALS: GENERAL A. To recognize land as a valuable and limited resource, which should be used in the best interest of all citizens. (Page II -1) F. To provide for a moderate growth rate which will allow the City to provide an adequate level of services. (Page II -2) OBJECTIVES: 1. By enacting performance standards for all development and redevelopment to ensure Positive impact upon the environment, the society and the economy. (Page 11-2) 2. By making extensive use of the PUD zoning concept to encourage innovation, design excellence and conservation of land. (Page II -2) $. By beautifying the City, using methods such as development of parkways, burying utility lines, enforcement of sign and building codes, and requiring more landscaping on new projects. (Page II -2) GOALS: Commercial and Industrial C. To provide for additional commercial, office and service uses provided that they are conveniently located, attractively developed and meet the demonstrated needs of the City. (Page II -4) OBJECTIVES: 1. By encouraging the development of community activity centers encompassing a broad range of land uses, each complementing the other. These centers must be pedestrian oriented and be unified architecturally. (Page II -4) 2 • By promoting concepts such as shared parking or parking structures within commercial areas or activity centers so as to encourage pedestrian activity, thereby reducing use of the automobile. (Page II -4) 4. By providing the amount of land required for the community activity centers, by redevelopment of existing commercial areas, if necessary. (Page II -4) GOALS: Open Space (Page II -4) A. To provide cultural and recreational opportunities for all citizens. B. To provide psychological visual relief from the effects of urbanization. OBJECTIVES: 2. By encouraging the use of plazas, landscaped areas, parkways, open space and buffer areas within new developments and redevelopments. (Page II -4) 2 III. TRANSPORTATION GOALS: (Page II -6) A. To participate in the development, of a well - balanced regional transportation system to move people and goods in a safe, expeditious and economic manner. C. To ensure public safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. G. To promote the development of community activity centers which will decrease the use of the automobile. H. To increase the attractiveness of the City's streets. (Page II -6) OBJECTIVES: (Page II -7) 5. By controlling access from businesses along major streets - by decreasing the number of curb cuts. 7. By providing more sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, bikeways and pedestrian bridges. 8. By improving and adding where necessary, traffic controls and synchronized signs. 10. By promoting and providing incentives for shared parking and parking structures to decrease the amount of land devoted to the automobile, and encourage pedestrian activity. 11. By provision of additional landscaping along major streets, which will improve the street visually, and also buffer adjoining uses from the effects of traffic. 12. By encouraging screening of parking areas by use of grade separation, landscaping or walls. (Page II -7) IV. ECONOMIC BASE (PAGE II -9) GOALS: A. To encourage a strong diversified economic base, which will enable the City to provide quality services at a reasonable tax rate. 3 B. To utilize the limited developable commercial land in a responsible manner. C. To provide a full range of retail shopping with special emphasis upon increasing furniture, clothing and dry goods sales. D. To provide a pleasant shopping environment which will make shopping in comfort, safety and convenience possible. E. To provide incentive for the development of community activity centers the best method of achieving the above goals. These centers will provide a unified shopping environment, and contain diverse but compatible uses. Pedestrian activity be emphasized and hopefully the design elements will include shared parking or parking structures, extensive landscaping, plazas, malls, and a unified sign program. The result should be an atmosphere conducive to browsing and comparison shopping, higher sales volume, and increase feasibility of mass transit. OBJECTIVES: (PAGE II -9) 2. By providing incentives for business to relocate to the activity centers and by channeling appropriate new development to the activity centers. (Page 1I -9). 3. By including within the zoning ordinance, bonuses in lot coverage for such elements as excellent design of commercial areas. (Page II -10) VI PARKS AND OPEN SPACE GOALS: (PAGE II -11) B. To provide an aesthetic asset to the community and to provide visual and psychological relief from the effects of urbanizations. C. To provide open space that functions as part of the structural framework of the City. D. To provide diverse cultural facilities and activities. (Page II -il) G. To include historic preservation efforts within the park program. (Page II -12) 4 OBJECTIVES: 2. By acquiring parks and open space as a part of land development proposals. (Page II -12) 9. By encouraging the inclusion of plazas, malls, buffers and landscaping in proposed development. (Page II -13)" In addition to the goals and objectives stated in the Comprehensive Development Plan, the following section illuminates the need for a Master Plan to further define and delineate each of the various commercial activity centers. "SECTION IV. LAND USE PLAN FOR THE CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE. The Land Use Plan (Page IV -18) Concepts The Land Use Plan concept calls for the development of three planned commercial centers for the City . Each center will provide a variety of the needed goods and services with easy access from the neighborhood in which it is located. Instead of providing a collection of activities with no direct interactions, and separated by parking lots and other barriers, these centers will be designed to give a sense of wholeness. Each center will accommodate a diversification or blend of activities. Each activity would be a compliment and therefore a contribution to all other activities. These centers could be approached easily by automobiles along the major arterials. However, within these centers, circulation would be restricted to pedestrian scale with well - landscaped malls and sidewalks. Activities in each center would include retail trade, offices, service establishments, restaurants, recreational and amusement establishments, and public transportation stations.... The proposed planned commercial centers are to be located: 1. Along Wadsworth Boulevard between approximately West 38th Avenue and West 45th Avenue. This center would serve the community generally described as south of Clear Creek and east of Dover Street. (Page IV- 18) .... Although this is a sound concept, one disadvantage is that it requires a lot of cooperation from developers, businessmen and the City for success. The Land Use Plan is based upon this concept, it is quite important that all parties involved begin in the near future to open dialogue and plan strategies that best suit the desires and needs of all concerned. (Page II -20)" 2. General Goals and Objectives of Wheat Ridq Master Plan e Town Center GOAL: Improve or eliminate conditions of blight. OBJECTIVES: * Upgrade the physical conditions of deteriorated structures, parking areas, interior circulation routes, and general grounds appearance. *Improve vehicular and pedestrian circulation connection, and access opportunities throughout the Town Center. *Provide a more efficient use of land and functional design. *Promote attractive design in new development and redevelopment which unifies the entire Town Center. GOAL: Improve safety for vehicular and pedestrian circulation and access. OBJECTIVES: * Provide for defined interior circulation routes as differentiated from parking lot circulation. *Provide for designated pedestrian walks and crossings. *Reduce conflict between vehicles entering and exiting the Town Center and other vehicles traveling on bordering streets. *Provide for improved mass transit service and facilities. *Upgrade parking lot and exterior building lighting to increase night time safety and crime prevention. GOAL: Stabilize and improve the business environment while providing for a sound and increasing tax base. OBJECTIVES: *Encourage increased patronage of existing businesses, and construction and patronage of new businesses through improvements in circulation, access, attractiveness and identity. *Promote a balanced mix of commercial uses, however preserve the ground floor of all structures for retail sales and service uses to create a strong retail center. 3. Urban Design Goals for the Wheat Ridge Town Center. a. Turn two underdeveloped commercial nodes into a unique 45 acre unified shopping center with a greatly increased sales tax base. b. Create a TOWN CENTER for Wheat Ridge. C. Concepts. (1) Name of the total project: THE WHEAT RIDGE TOWN CENTER. (2) Strengthen tree city designation with tree planting on edge. (3) Create a heritage park as the central focal point of the promenade. (4) Strong use of color in the plantings to last the full growing seasons. (5) Create a safer more attractive parking lot and circulation area for shoppers as they drive and walk. (6) Create strong visual and sound barriers, through use of substantial landscaping, berms, fences or walls and grade separation, in order to provide maximum protection to residential uses which abut new commercial development. 4. Implementation Program. The Plan calls for a combination of financing methods including tax increment financing for the Urban Renewal Project, tax increment bond financing and industrial revenue bond financing for the private development projects. To augment the financial implementation program, it will be necessary to regulate land use and design in order to achieve all the stated goals and objectives of this Master Plan. The use of Planned Development zoning or site plans and overlay zoning will be required where needed to protect the public interest. 7 5. Conceptual Plan. Figure 1 shows the total Project area and illustrates the urban design concepts in a generalized fashion. This Figure shall serve as a general guide for future rezonings, site development plan review, and building permit review. The Director of Planning and Development shall review all future development proposals and building permits to assure compliance with the conceptual plan as shown in Figure 1 and as further specified herein. Recognizing that Figure 1 is a design concept and lacks detail and specificity, it does provide guidance for future approval decision on general vehicular circulation and access, and on building layout and location. 6. Use Areas. Figure 1 details use categories for various areas within the Project area. This shall serve as a guide for future rezonings, site plan reviews, and building Permit reviews. Prior to any development within the area covered by this plan, the developer shall submit a site plan which details site design and layout, and proposed uses. Such site plan and uses shall be reviewed at public hearings held before Planning Commission and City Council, for consistency with the Master Plan, goals and objectives, conceptual plan and general intent. The public hearings shall be advertised and posted for public hearing in advance and shall be decided upon by Council motion. M E5 m m 0 G) O z m m ..i CO I m r D Z 0 O Z n m mu I f C D r r D Z CL • O d D m b N o 1 0 O_ O Z co r to ' N • - M M M � � �� ■ now 1 1 • 1 1 1 ,1 !1 1 �! 1 1, �! 1 1 i 1 1 1 r 1 1 1 1 i Ir r�a:CJ�I*I / ri V 1 Ir '1 fill la' 1• I A �Y III III Il r]n .� III 'II 1- � N �7 1' ' II II' I ;. ®p III ar g2b91 uP Y i9 ! P III 111 111 III 1�I If IM I.. 1,I .r. I s i ll, f _ �� • - M M M � � �� ■ now 1 1 • 1 1 1 ,1 !1 1 �! 1 1, �! 1 1 i 1 1 1 r 1 1 1 1 i Ir r�a:CJ�I*I / ri V • '1 fill la' 1• I A �Y III III Il r]n .� III 'II � III III • 1' ' II II' D,� n. I• �� IU 11111 p �1D4 nlll 1 �' II t O a _n�ey l e_eE_ , ._e it • - M M M � � �� ■ now 1 1 • 1 1 1 ,1 !1 1 �! 1 1, �! 1 1 i 1 1 1 r 1 1 1 1 i Case No. WPA -88 -1: Amended the Transportation Plan by including Lamar Street between West 26th and West 29th Avenues as a local exempt street. Case No. WPA -88 -1 r 0 n D r x CO D m m C0 F D �l 0 0 0 0 Case No. WPA -88 -2: Amended the Transportation plan by including Everett Drive between West 35th Avenue and Estes Street as a local exempt street. Case No. WPA-88-2 O m X m W m m A c/) I W, IN -Alt '7 Case No. WPA -88 -3: Amended the Transportation plan by including West 36th Avenue between Independence and Johnson Streets as a local exempt street. Case No. WPA -88 -3 P � . m D r 0 C) D r X '0 m m CD 0 C a 0 Case Nos. WPA -88 -4 & WPA -88 -5: Amended the Transportation Plan to adopt a Major Regional Arterial classification and to designate Wadsworth Boulevard as such. Case No. WPA -88 -4 & III. STREET CLASSIFICATION AND STANDARDS Major Regional Arterial Streets The Major Regional Arterial System interconnects highways and communities. It provides for high traffic volumes through minimizing left turns, side access and frequent crossings. Bus routes should be provided to serve the surrounding land uses and to furnish intra - community continuity. Major regional arterial streets should not penetrate identifiable neighborhoods. The design for these roadways shall recognize local constraints and be consistent with local goals. It is foreseen that construction will take place incrementally over many years as development opportunities arise. STREET DESIGN STANDARDS Major Regional Arterial Streets: (see figure 14 for typical cross - section) Right of way width - 130 feet Traffic lanes - 4 to 8 Traffic capacity - 1200 vehicles /lane /hour Speed limit - 40 to 55 mph Access conditions (a) Signalized at -grade intersections should not be permitted at intervals less than one -half mile. (b) In currently undeveloped areas, access to abutting property may be provided by use of frontage roads. (c) In currently developed areas where right of way is restricted, access may be provided by a limited number of shared right -in /right -out access points. (d) Minor street intersections should be limited to non - signalized right -in /right -out design. Traffic Characteristics: (a) Major street intersections may be signal controlled if coordination is provided to maintain the integrity of major regional arterial traffic flow. (b) Parking is prohibited. Planning Characteristics (a) Major regional arterials should not bisect neighborhoods but should act as boundaries between them. (b) Sidewalks should be set back from the street wherever possible. (c) Center island dividers should be provided to separate directional traffic and minimize left turn movements. (d) Abutting properties should not face on the roadway unless separated from it by a frontage road. A turn lane is recommended for an arterial or a major regional arterial and collector streets. It offers a'smooth flow of traffic to the traveled lanes. It will eliminate the traffic accident potential of stop and go traffic because of turning vehicles. Without erratic movements, there will be less air and noise pollution. Design Standards for Street intersections Figure 14a exemplifies design standards for collector transition, intersection of local - arterial, intersection of collector arterial,.and intersection of collector -major regional arterial. Each of these intersection design standards requires a minimum distance of 300 feet. Maximum transition distance will be determined by traffic volume. .. G 0 a 0 c cr ' M 7 — O O e a T s 1O = =i ,^ t = n� � y♦ � c me o rr Nm = •° m = Uf t o ^ m c ON V - !I n r1 9Z-A Cipling St. Garrison St. Wadsworth Blvd. a a S Sheridan Blvd. Harlan St. N u u P p N m O D Z U) ! Z W 0 ui LLJ x F U) La a J a a J Q W O t n When the Kipling Activity Center Master Plan was adopted, it was intended to be a companion document to the Urban Renewal Plan. This amendment eliminated the KAC Urban Renewal District and language in reference to the plan. Case No. WPA -88 -6 B. KIPLING ACTIVITY CENTER - Master Plan 1. Description and Purpose The area generally bound by West 51st Avenue on the north, Garrison Street on the east, Clear Creek on the south, and Miller Street on the west, has been designated by the Wheat Ridge City Council as Commercial Activity Center. An Urban Ren - iPR Ai q Rl nn— fnn —thi It is the intent of this Master Plan and ef the adopted U r b an Rene we ! to create two thriving commercial centers. One would be oriented to the intersection of Kipling and Interstate 70 and would fill the needs of the interstate family traveler, mountain -bound tourist, business person, conventioneers, and other interstate - oriented businesses. The other commercial center would be oriented to the intersection of Kipling and West 44th Avenue and would serve the retail, service, and office needs of both local and pass- through traffic. Each such center should be integrated and unified to the extent that access to and circulation between individual developments is both convenient and safe. Although the Comprehensive Plan - Future Land Use Map currently illustrates the Kipling Activity Center land use designation only south of I -70, this plan recognizes the interface and integration of the land north of I -70 and thus the Commercial Activity Center land use category has been extended north of I -70. The area covered by this Plan is found to have eminent public interest and therefore should be developed and used in accordance with the adopted Master Plan, and in furtherance of the stated goals and objectives of the Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Development Plan. The goals used in this Master Plan ar "SECTION II. GOALS & OBJECTIVES FOR THE CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE. II. LAND USE. GOALS: GENERAL 1 A. To recognize land as a va resource, which should be interest of all citizens. F. To provide for a moderate allow the City to provide services. (Page I1 -2) OBJECTIVES: luable and limited used in the best (Page II -1) growth rate which will an adequate level of 1. By enacting performance standards for all development and redevelopment to ensure positive impact upon the environment, the society and the economy. (Page II -2) 2. By making extensive use of the PUD zoning concept to encourage innovation, design excellence and conservation of land. (Page II -2) By beautifying the City, using methods such as development of parkways, burying utility lines, enforcement of sign and building codes, and requiring more landscaping on new projects. (Page II -2) GOALS: Commercial and Industrial C. To provide for additional commercial, office and service uses provided that they are conveniently located, attractively developed and meet the demonstrated needs of the City. (Page I1 -4) OBJECTIVES: 1. By encouraging the development of community activity centers encompassing a broad range of land uses, each complementing the other. These centers must be pedestrian oriented and be unified architecturally. (Page II -4) 2. By promoting concepts such as shared parking or parking structures within commercial areas or activity centers so as to encourage pedestrian activity, thereby reducing use of the automobile. (Page II -4) 4. By providing the amount of land required for the community activity centers, by redevelopment of existing commercial areas, if necessary. (Page II -4) GOALS: Open Space 2 OBJECTIVES: 2. By encouraging the use of plazas; landscaped areas, parkways, open space and buffer areas within new developments and redevelopments. (Page II -4) III. TRANSPORTATION GOALS: (Page II -6) A. To participate in the development of a well - balanced regional transportation system to move people and goods in a safe, expeditious and economic manner. C. To ensure public safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. G. To promote the development of community activity centers which will decrease the use of the automobile. H. To increase the attractiveness of the City's streets. (Page 1I -6) OBJECTIVES: (Page II -7) 5. By controlling access from businesses along major streets by decreasing the number of curb cuts. 7. By providing more sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, bikeways and pedestrian bridges. 8. By improving and adding, where necessary, traffic controls and synchronized signs. 10. By promoting and providing incentives for shared parking and parking structures to decrease the amount of land devoted to the automobile, and encourage pedestrian activity. 11. By provision of additional landscaping along major streets, which will improve the street visually, and also buffer adjoining uses from the effects of traffic. 12. By encouraging screening of parking areas by use of grade separation, landscaping or walls. (Page 1I -7) "IV. ECONOMIC BASE (Page II -9) GOALS: 3 A. To encourage a strong diversified economic base, which will enable the City to provide quality services at a reasonable tax rate. B. To utilize the limited developable commercial land in a responsible manner. C. To provide a full range of retail shopping with special emphasis upon increasing furniture, clothing and dry good sales. D. To provide a pleasant shopping environment which will make shopping in comfort, safety and convenience possible. E. To provide incentive for the development of community activity centers the best method of achieving the above goals. These centers will provide a unified shopping environment and contain diverse but compatible uses. Pedestrian activity will be emphasized and, hopefully, the design elements will include shared parking or parking structures, extensive landscaping, plazas, malls, and a unified sign program. The result should be an atmosphere conducive to browsing and comparison shopping, higher sales volume, and increased feasibility of mass transit. OBJECTIVES: 2. By providing incentives for business to relocate to the activity centers and by channeling appropriate new development to the activity centers. (Page II -9) 3. By including within the zoning ordinance, bonuses in lot coverage for such elements as excellent design of commercial areas. (Page II -10)" In addition to the goals and objectives stated in the Comprehensive Development Plan, the following section illuminates the need for a Master Plan to further define and e +19VIftet-e-d elineate each of the various commercial activity centers. "SECTION IV. LAND USE PLAN FOR THE CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE. The Land Use Plan (Page IV -18) Concepts The Land Use Plan concept calls for the development of three planned commercial centers for the City. Each center will provide a variety of the needed goods and services with easy access from the 4 neighborhood in which it is located. Instead of providing a collection of activities with no direct interactions, separated by parking lots and other barriers, these centers will be designed to give a sense of wholeness. Each center will accommodate a diversification or blend of activities. Each activity would be a complement and therefore a contribution to all other activities. These centers could be approached easily by automobiles along the major arterials. However, within these centers, circulation would be restricted to pedestrian scale with well - landscaped malls and sidewalks. Activities in each center would include retail trade, offices, service establishments, restaurants, recreational and amusement establishments, and public transportation stations. Medium and high density residences could be integrated into the center or appropriately located on the fringes of these activity centers. The proposed planned commercial centers are to be located: In the vicinity of Kipling Street between Clear Creek and Highway I -70. This center would serve roughly the northern portion of the City. There is still quite a lot of vacant land here for all types of development. (Page IV -18) . . . . . Although this is a sound concept, one disadvantage is that it requires a lot of cooperation from developers, businessmen and the City for success. The Land Use Plan is based upon this concept. It is quite important that all parties involved begin in the near future to open dialogue and plan . strategies that best suit the desires and needs of all concerned. (Page II -20)" 2. General Goals and Objectives of Kipling Activity Center Master Plan A. GOAL: Improve or eliminate conditions of bit underutilization and /or haphazard land use patterns. OBJECTIVES: (1) Upgrade the physical conditions of deteriorated structures, parking areas, interior circulation routes, and general grounds appearance. 5 (2) Improve vehicular and pedestrian circulation connection, and access opportunities throughout the Center. (3) Provide a more efficient use of land and functional design. (4) Promote attractive design in new development and redevelopment which unifies the entire Center. B. GOAL: Establish a unified commercial activity center from the northern boundary of the City, approximately 51st Avenue extended, to Clear Creek on the south, which focuses on two Development Centers: The Kipling /I -70 Interchange and the Kipling and 44th Avenue Intersection. OBJECTIVES: (1) Encourage increased patronage of existing businesses and construction and patronage of new businesses through improvements in circulation, access, attractiveness and identity. (2) Unify, rehabilitate, strengthen, and develop the I -70 and Kipling Development Center to gain maximum retail sales tax generation and optimize other tax revenue sources from the Development Center. The customers to be encouraged because they support and stimulate each other are: (a) interstate family traveler, (b) mountain -bound tourist, business person, conventioneers, and other interstate - oriented businesses. The needs of the interstate trucking business, which focuses on the semi - tractor trailer, is provided for at the I -70 and Ward Road interchange with the truck stop. This objective of the i -70 and Kipling Development Center will be diminished if truck stop activities are allowed within either the I -70 and Kipling Development Center or the Kipling and 44th Avenue Development Center. (3) Unify, rehabilitate, strengthen, and develop the Kipling and 44th Avenue Development Center to gain maximum retail sales tax generation and optimize other tax revenue sources from the Development Center. The businesses to be encouraged should be oriented to serve the interstate activities listed above in #(1), the Kipling arterial /state highway north - south through traffic and the City wide and neighborhood traffic that uses the east -west collector street system. Retail sales businesses should be the first priority, followed by service and office uses. (4) North and east of I -70 and Kipling there are areas of office and business park uses, which should be integrated with the overall center. Retail uses related to those sales, wholesale, assembly and storage uses should be encouraged in addition to retail uses such as restaurants which serve the business community and surround- ing areas. C. GOAL: Improve safety for vehicular and pedestrian circulation and access. OBJECTIVES: (1) Provide for defined interior circulation routes as differentiated from parking lot circulation. (2) Provide for designated pedestrian walks and crossings. (3) Reduce conflict between vehicles entering and exiting the public street system by requiring accel -decel lanes where necessary with new development or redevelopment. (4) Provide for improved mass transit service and facilities. (5) Minimize the negative impacts created by semi - trucks and trailers by discouraging their use of this Center, and /or by properly providing for them, where they occur, through proper design of parking areas and circulation routes. 3. Design and Capital Improvement Concepts for the Kipling Activity Center In order to achieve the above stated goals, land use control and capital improvement planning will be essential elements contained within this Master Plan. Figure 3 illustrates proposed land use areas. This shall serve as a guide for future rezonings, site plan reviews, and building permit reviews. Figure 4 fI illustrates the vehicular traffic circulation routes and control facilities- -both existing and proposed - -which serve, or are necessary to serve, these centers. This shall serve as a guide to future public and private capital facility planning. 4. Implementation Program The __.... _. ..,..., ....- .l..n ealls for a aw.nuzzia c+ti vrx - v of Project, fer lahe Urban Renewal Re E4:naneing far the private development prejeets. It will be necessary to regulate land use and design in order to achieve all the stated goals and objectives of this Master Plan. The use ..here ....,,ded to preteet the _..L interest. All future rezonings in the area shall be either Planned Commercial Developments or straight zoning with conditional site plan approval. Figure 3 details use categories for various areas within the Project Area. Those use categories are described as follows: Business Park A mix of retail, office, service, commercial, and /or light industrial uses. Retail /Highway Business Retail commercial uses primarily oriented to the interstate or highway traffic. Office /Retail A mix of retail, service, and /or office uses. Public: Pennington Elementary School. Multi - Family Camelot Club and Ptarmigan multi - family developments. Church: United Methodist Church. Retail: Primarily retail uses.. Office Primarily office uses.. Shopping Center A planned development with major emphasis on retail sales uses. Both Figures 3 and 4 shall serve as guides for future rezonings, site plan reviews, and building permit reviews. Prior te any development Along with any request for F1 rezoning or a special use permit within the area covered by this plan, the developer shall submit a site plan which details site design and layout, and proposed uses. Such site plan and uses shall be reviewed and approved by City Council after a public hearing. The public hearing shall be advertised and posted for public hearing fifteen (15) days in advance and shall be decided upon by motion. 0 Case No. WPA -90 -1: Amended the Major Street Plan and General Land Use Plan to delete the arterial street corridor shown between Kipling and Ward Road at West 50th Avenue (generally). It shows local street connections for West 50th Avenue between Oak and Robb Street and West 49th Avenue between Tabor Street and Robb Street. West 50th Place was upgraded to a collector status between West 50th Place and West 52nd Avenue. Case No. WPA -90 -1 COLLECTOR STREET LF�7•_1 JM .n s Amended the Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map in the vicinity of West 46th Avenue and Harlan Street. The basis for the amendment was Case No. WZ -90 -4 which was a request to rezone property at 6075 West 46th Avenue from R -2 to R -C. This case was denied by both Planning Commission and City Council. Pursuant to Section 2 -60(f) of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws, when a rezoning which is in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan is denied, "amendment of the Comp Plan shall be considered." This amendment was approved which redistributed the low density residential and neighborhood commercial designations to more accurately show existing land use and reflect the sentiment by the neighborhood that commercial land use is not desirable for properties farther west than the existing commercial properties. CASE NO. I 11 A -9 --- 2 -_ -` Neighborhood Commercial Low Density Residential Case No. WPA -91 -1: Amended the Comp Plan by adoption of the City's current Parks and Recreation Master Plan (published separately). Case No. WPA -92 -1: Amended the Wheat Ridge Town Center Master Plan to eliminate the residentially -zoned properties along Upham Street. Building locations were eliminated from the map and have been replaced by development blocks served by major and minor vehicular circulation routes. The northeast area has been revised from retail commercial to multiple use so that a wider range of options, including mixed uses, residential, and /or government uses could be considered. This is an area that could accommodate the proposed recreation center, as well as respond to senior housing needs. Case No. WPA -92 -1 A. WHEAT RIDGE TOWN CENTER - Master Plan Description and Purpose II. The area generally bound by, and including the right - of -ways thereof, Wadsworth Blvd., West 44th Avenue, West 38th Avenue, and Upham Street are included within the Wheat Ridge Town Center Master Plan area. An Urban Renewal Plan for a portion of this area has been approved and adopted by City Council which describes the area, set forth purpose, and identifies project activities and financing proposals. In order to strengthen the ability to implement the Wheat Ridge Town Center Urban Renewal Plan, this Master Plan is made a part of the Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Development Plan so the major goals, objectives and urban design concepts are officially recognized through the master planning process of the City. The area covered by this Plan is found to have eminent public interest and therefore should be developed and used in accordance with the adopted Master Plan, and in furtherance of the stated goals and objectives of the Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Development Plan. The goals of the Development Plan being used in this Master Plan are: "SECTION II. GOALS & OBJECTIVES FOR THE CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE. LAND USE. GOALS: GENERAL A. To recognize land as a valuable and limited resource, which should be used in the best interest of all citizens. (Page II -1) F. To provide for a moderate growth rate which will allow the City to provide an adequate level of services. (Page II -2) OBJECTIVES: By enacting performance standards for all development and redevelopment to ensure positive impact upon the environment, the society and the economy. (Page II -2) 2. By making extensive use of the PUD zoning concept to encourage innovation, design excellence and conservation of land. (Page II -2) 8. By beautifying development of enforcement of requiring more (Page II -2) GOALS: Commerci the City, using methods such as parkways, burying utility lines, sign and building codes, and landscaping on new projects. 31 and Industrial C. To provide for additional commercial, office and services uses provided that they are conveniently located, attractively developed and meet the demonstrated needs of the City. (Page II -4) OBJECTIVES: 1. By encouraging the development of community activity centers encompassing a broad range of land uses, each complementing the other. These centers must be pedestrian oriented and be unified architecturally. (Page II -4) 2. By promoting concepts such as shared parking or parking structures within commercial areas or activity centers so as to encourage pedestrian activity, thereby reducing use of the automobile. (Page II -4) 4. By providing the amount of land required for the community activity centers, by redevelopment of existing commercial areas, if necessary. (Page II -4) GOALS: Open Space (Page ii -4) A. To provide cultural and recreational opportunities for all citizens. B. To provide psychological visual relief from the effects of urbanization. OBJECTIVES: 2. By encouraging the use of.plazas, landscaped areas, parkways, open space and buffer areas within new developments and redevelopments. (Page II -4) III. TRANSPORTATION GOALS: (Page II -6) 2 A. To participate in the development of a well - balanced regional transportation system to move people and goods in a safe, expeditious and economic manner. C. To ensure public safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. G. To promote the development of community activity centers which will decrease the use of the automobile. H. To increase the attractiveness of the City's streets. (Page II -6) OBJECTIVES: (Page II -7) 5. By controlling access from businesses along major streets - by decreasing the number of curb cuts. 7. By providing more sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, bikeways and pedestrian bridges. 8. By improving and adding where necessary, traffic controls and synchronized signs. 10. By promoting and providing incentives for shared parking and parking structures to decrease the amount of land devoted to the automobile, and encourage pedestrian activity. 11. By provision of additional landscaping along major streets, which will improve the street visually, and also buffer adjoining uses from the effects of traffic. 12. By encouraging screening of parking areas by use of grade separation, landscaping or walls. (Page II -7) IV. ECONOMIC BASE (Page II -9) GOALS: A. To encourage a strong diversified economic base, which will enable the City to provide quality services at a reasonable tax rate. B. To utilize the limited developable commercial land in a responsible manner. C. To provide a full range of retail shopping with special emphasis upon increasing furniture, clothing and dry goods sales. 3 D. To provide a pleasant shopping environment which will make shopping in comfort, safety and convenience possible. E. To provide incentive for the development of community activity centers the best method of achieving the above goals. These centers will provide a unified shopping environment, and contain diverse but compatible uses. Pedestrian activity will be emphasized and hopefully the design elements will include shared parking or parking structures, extensive landscaping, plazas, malls, and a unified sign program. The result should be an atmosphere conducive to browsing and comparison shopping, higher sales volume, and increase feasibility of mass transit. OBJECTIVES: (Page II -9) 2. By providing incentives for business to relocated to the activity centers and by channeling appropriate new development to the activity centers. (Page II -9) 3. By including within the zoning ordinance; bonuses in lot coverage for such elements as excellent design of commercial areas. (Page II -10) VI. PARKS AND OPEN SPACE GOALS: (PAGE II -11) B. To provide an aesthetic asset to the community and to provide visual and psychological relief from the effects of urbanizations. C. To provide open space that functions as part of the structural framework of the City. D. To provide diverse cultural facilities and activities. (Page II -11) G. To include historic preservation efforts within the park program. (Page II -12) OBJECTIVES: 2. By acquiring parks and open space as a part of land development proposals. (Page II -12) 9. By encouraging the inclusion of plazas, malls, buffers and landscaping in proposed development. (Page II -13)" VA In addition to the goals and objectives stated in the Comprehensive Development Plan, the following section illuminates the need for a Master Plan to further define.and delineate each of the various commercial activity centers. "SECTION IV. LAND USE PLAN FOR THE CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE. The Lane Use Plan (Page IV -18) Concepts: The Land Use Plan'concept calls for the development of three planned commercial centers for the City. Each center will provide a variety of the needed goods and services with easy access from the neighborhood in which it is.located. Instead of providing a collection of activities with no direct interactions, and separated by parking lots and other barriers, these centers will be designed to give a sense of wholeness. Each center will accommodate a diversification or blend of activities. Each activity would be a compliment and therefore a contribution to all other activities. These centers could be approached easily by automobiles along the major arterials. However, within these centers, circulation would be restricted to pedestrian scale with well - landscaped malls and sidewalks. Activities in each center would include retail trade, offices, service establishments, restaurants, recreational and amusement establishments, and public transportation stations..... The proposed planned commercial centers are to be located: 1. Along Wadsworth Boulevard between approximately West 38th Avenue and West 45th Avenue. This center would serve the community generally described as south of Clear Creek and east of Dover Street. (Page IV- 18) ... Although this is a sound concept, one disadvantage is that it requires a lot of cooperation from developers, businessmen and the City for success. The Land Use Plan is based upon this concept, it is quite important that all parties involved begin in the near future to open dialogue and plan strategies that best suit the desires and needs of all concerned. (Page II -20)" 2. General Goals an Objectives of Wheat Ridge Town Center Master Plan GOAL: Improve or eliminate conditions of blight. OBJECTIVES: *Upgrade the physical conditions of 5 deteriorated structures, parking areas, interior circulation routes, and general grounds appearance. *Improve vehicular and pedestrian circulation connection, and access opportunities throughout the Town Center. *Provide a more efficient use of land and functional design. *Promote attractive design in new development and redevelopment which unifies the entire Town Center. GOAL: Improve safety for vehicular and pedestrian circulation and access. OBJECTIVES: *Provide for defined interior circulation routes as differentiated from parking lot circulation. *Provide for designated pedestrian walks and crossings. *Reduce conflict between vehicles entering and existing Town Center and other vehicles traveling on bordering streets. *Provide for improved mass transit service and facilities. *Upgrade parking lot and exterior building lighting to increase night time safety and crime prevention. GOAL: Stabilize and improve the business environment while providing for a sound and increasing tax base. OBJECTIVES: *Encourage increased patronage of existing businesses, and construction and patronage of new businesses through improvements in circulation, access, attractiveness and identity. *Promote a balanced mix of commercial uses, however, preserve encourage the use of the ground floor of elrl structures located within the "retail commercial" category shown on Figure 1, for retail sales and service uses to create a strong retail center.. 3. Urban Design Goals for theme Whea Ridge Town Center a. Turn two underdeveloped commercial nodes into a L unique 45 acre unified shopping center with a greatly increased sales tax base. b. Create a TOWN CENTER for Wheat Ridge. C. Concepts. (1) Name of the total project: THE WHEAT RIDGE TOWN CENTER. (2) Strengthen tree city designation with tree planting on edge. (3) Create a heritage park as the central focal point of the promenade. (4) Strong use of color in the plantings to last the full growing seasons. (5) Create a safer more attractive parking lot and circulation area for shoppers as they drive and walk. (6) Create strong visual and sound barriers, through use of substantial landscaping, berms, fences or walls and grade separation, in order to provide maximum protection to residential uses which abut new commercial development. 4. Implementation Program. The plan calls for a combination of financing methods including tax increment financing for the Urban Renewal Project, tax increment bond financing and industrial revenue bond financing for the private development projects. To augment the financial implementation program, it will be necessary to regulate land use and design in order to achieve all the stated goals and objectives of this Master Plan. The use of Planned Development zoning or site plans and overlay zoning will be required where needed to protect the public Interest. 5. Conceptual Plan, Figure 1 shows the total Project area and illustrates the urban design concepts in a generalized fashion. This Figure shall serve as a general guide for future rezonings, site development plan review, and building permit review. The Director of Planning and Development shall review all future development proposals and building permits to assure compliance with the conceptual plan as shown in Figure 1 is a design concept and lacks detail and specificity, it 7 does provide guidance for future approval decision on general vehicular circulation and access, an an and major landscaping areas. Specific building locations and designs are not indicated in order to provide maximum flexibility regarding specific proposals. All structures are expected to be constructed of brick or similar quality long - lasting materials, and be designed for long -term architectural appreciation versus short -term fadish design. 6. Use Areas. Figure 1 details use categories for various areas within the Project area. This shall serve as a guide fur future rezonings, site plan reviews, and building permit reviews. Prior to any development within the area covered by this plan, the developer shall submit a site plan which details site design and layout, and proposed uses. Such site plan and uses shall be reviewed at public hearings held before Planning Commission and City Council, for consistency with the Master Plan, goals and objectives, conceptual plan and general intent. The public hearings shall be advertised and posted for public hearing in advance and shall be decided upon by Council motion. <pc>wrtwnctr N WHEAT RIDGE TOWN CENTER MASTER PLAN J OFFICE/PINANGAL RETAIL COMMERCIAL _ H.Lni15E (Car wVR..&mfiaVPubW ^..'.^ MAJOR LANDSCAPE BUFFER OR CORRIDOR /PARK OWN MAJOR CENTER VEHICULAR ROUTE/ACCESS .... MINOR CENTER VEICUL.AR ROUTE/ACCESS •x• TRAFFIC SIGNAL IEx{rfiq) ii. TRAFFIC SIGNAL. (Prop ..4 _\ N%I I� i v We.] T] I i v 0 K4 rr West 44th Avenue • *"