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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-20 PZC MINUTES• • • CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING STUDY SESSION FOR THE ENGLEWOOD COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE ROOM MAY 20, 2015 I. CALL TO ORDER The special meeting of the City Pl anning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 6 :00 p.m. in the Community Development Conference Room of the Englewood Civic Center, Vice Chair King presiding. Present: Absent: Staff: Other: [/l) Brick, Freemire, King , Kinton, Townley, Pittino s Bleile, Knoth, Madrid, Fish (All Excused) Michael Flaherty, Interim Community Development Director Chris Neubecker, Senior Planner Harold Stitt, Senior Planner John Voboril , Planner II Kristina Kachur, Logan Simpson De sign 11. STUDY SESSION Romans Park Neighborhood The Joshua School has acquired th e University Homes Pl anned Unit Development and may possibly want to expand their campus and se rvic es in the future. The development of Kent Place has created some commerc ial activity but is slightly hindered by difficult access to the site. The majority of the surrounding ne ighborhood is comprised of well- kept single family homes. Connections to Broadway are primarily Hampden and Dartmouth. Pedestrian and bicycle friendly access are a goal for this area . Romans Park area has the l argest homes and lots in Englewood. The Commission debated a number of past proposals for higher density projects and resulting public opposition. There is a large volume of traffic on University that may potentially patronize retail development north of Hampden. Cushing Park The Englewood School district w ill need to adapt to demographic changes in the Cushing Park area; Bishop Elementary is in need of replacement due to the condition of the facility. The size of the site presents a cha ll enge for rebuilding or rehabilitating the building. There will be a necessity for a school in the area at some point in the future. Bishop Elementary serves the northwest portion of Englewood which has a high poverty rate. • • • ltlJ The area is largely transitional in nature and has a d iverse mixture of zoning and uses. The potential exists to create a destination in the area that could be accessed by foot and by bicycle. The General Iron Works property may be developed in the near future and should include a variety of housing options and perhaps some retail. The Baker Park neighborhood would be a location to consider for an elementary school. The original school , Scenicview, was the alternative high school and is not used any longer. The school district is considering a vocational school for the property. l?] Infrastructure improvements are needed at the parks in Englewood as they serve to attract young families. Neighborhoods that are not candidates for further development or retail are good candidates for park improvements. l?ll Downtown/Englewood Station Area A balance is needed between the needs and desires of younger residents and elderly residents in this area. The lack of connections between downtown and the light rail station is an impediment to growth . Both walking and driving are challenging on Englewood Parkway . The retail that exists is not easily seen from Hampden and there is lost opportunity given the volume of daily traffic on Hampden. Discussion regarding the shopping centers on Englewood Parkway continued and it was agreed that it is an area of unrealized potential. Mr. Flaherty added that he recently met with the owners of the shopping centers and the owners realize that updates are needed. l?] Increased density in the area may help the retail to thrive. The residential developm e nt at Alexan is approximately 40 dwelling units per acre. Limitations on density were primarily due to parking requirements and agreements made with Walmart. Walmart also required a view corridor from Hampden. The Alexan apartments maintain a 95 % occupancy rate . l?] Big Dry Creek is contained beneath the parking lots and the Hobby Lobby store. The area is a floodplain project and it wou Id be a cha I lenge to day I ight the creek. It was suggested that at some point in the future the creek should be used as an asset for the area. l?] The quality and quantity of office space was discussed. Englewood has B or low B office space at this time . When City Center was developed, it was hoped that the parking for RTD Light Rail would generate pedestrian traffic that would benefit the retailers. Crossing Hampden is very difficult and the types of businesses on the north and south are very different. ~ Discussion of the redevelopment of Civic Center included alternative public uses, entertainment or higher education. The Next Steps Study that is currently in process includes an economic feasibility analysis that recommends re-visioning the entire area and • • • creating a downtown development authority to faci I itate the changes necessary to activate the area. Ideas for redevelopment of City Center also included a small convention center, shared work spaces or a use that would create a destination . ~ Discussion continued on how to attract visitors and residents to the area . The Bel Mar development has become a desirable place to gather by offering a variety of recreational activities and attractions. ~ Current City properties were discussed for alternative or different uses. The current Police/Fire building on S. Elati Street is in need of rep l acement, possibly by rebuilding on what is currently Miller Field and combining the properties with vacation of Elati Street. The industrial area surrounding the Sports Authority campus includes warehousing and light industrial. The street network south of Hampden is inconsistent and may possibly need to be studied. Travel from south to north (up to Hampden) can be difficult. ~ South of Hampden and east of Elati to Broadway is a relatively stable area with a mix of apartments and single family homes. Market forces will determine if the apartments in the area will be improved or enlarged . Better access to retail on Broadway is desirable. ~ The 3300 -3500 south blocks of Broadway is an area undergoing considerable change at this time. Restaurants are changing locations and opening up space for new restaurants. The Broadway/Acoma Lofts project w ill soon be under way. Access for crossing Broadway was discussed . Nighttime uses would serve to activate the area. Businesses such as Punch Bowl Social and One Up would e nli ven the area by providing entertainment in the evenings. t?l1 Di scussion regarding the vacant properties a lon g Broadway continued. With the new apartments at Alta Cherry Hills and Broadway/Acoma Lofts , the potential for successful development increases. Tax In crement Financing may be an option to spur development of the Simply the Best property. Because the Lincoln Street parking lot is adjacent to the property, there may be additional options for the property. ttl1 Floyd Avenue could potentially be changed to increase the usability of the street. Streetscaping and real ignment of lanes would allow for more flexible usage as well as relocating the bike trail north of the wall behind Walmart. Considerable bus traffic along Floyd also makes use of the st reet difficult at times. ~ Smaller format stores from national retailers may be a good fit in the area between the Englewood Station and Broadway. Shared workspaces are also an option. Discussion continued about changes in retail trends and how online shopping affects retail. ~ South Broadway Heights/Maddox/Duncan Park • • • The neighborhoods are similar in that they are relatively stable single family residential homes. Busier arterial type streets would be appropriate for duplexes or increased density, however the price of the property in that area is cost prohibitive for a scrape. The section of Broadway on the southern edge of the city is not particularly attractive at this time. Discussion regarding what could possibly replace the car sales lots and motels continued. Until redevelopment occurs, there is not a lot that can be done to improve the area. Streetscaping would improve the appearance . There is currently a lack of restaurants and neighborhood-serving retail. Maddox Elementary School is a candidate for replacement or extensive renovation. l?ll Oxford Avenue presents an opportunity to add amenities and improvements with the development of the Martin Plastics property on the southeast corner of Oxford and Navajo. The Cherrelyn Elementary School will most likely be closed , possible uses of the property were discussed. The site would be a good candidate for multi-family or senior housing. There could potentially be 28 building sites for single family homes on the property. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m .