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Home My WebLink About2014-12-02 PZC MINUTES• • • CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER City Council Conference Room December 2, 2014 The regular meeting of the City Plannin g and Zoning Commission was ca ll ed to order at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Conference Room of th e Englewood Civic Center, Chair Fish presiding . The agenda order was modified to accommodate those members arriv in g after the holiday dinner. Present: Absent: Brick, Fish , King, Kinton , Knoth (arrived 7:10), Roth , Townl ey, Madrid Bleile (Excused), Freemire (Excused) Staff: ., Alan White, Director, Community D eve lopment Chris Neubecker, Senior Planner John Voboril , Long Range Planner II Nancy Reid , Assistant City Attorney II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES November 18, 2014 King moved; Kinton seconded: TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 18, 2014 , MINUTES Chair Fish asked if there were any modifi catio ns or corrections. Th e re were none. AYES: NAYS: ABSTA IN: ABSENT: Fish , Bri c k, King , Kinton , Roth N one Townley Bleile, Freemire , Knoth (departed 8:00) Motion carr ied . Ill. Findings of Fact Case #2014-06 Minimum Lot Widths in MU-R-3-B and MU-R-3-C Zone Districts Roth moved; King seconded: TO APPROVE THE FINDINGS OF FACT FOR CASE #2014-06 M INI MUM LOT WIDTHS IN MU-R-3-B AND MU-R-3-C ZONE DISTRICTS AND FORWARD TO CITY COUNC IL WITH A FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION . AYES: Fish , Brick, King , Kinton, Roth Pa ge 1 of 4 • • • NAYS: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: None Townley Bleile, Freemire, Knoth Motion carried. IV. Study Session 2014-07 Work Priorities for 2015 ~ Chris Neubecker, Senior Planner, reviewed the projects completed in 2014 and the status of projects that are currently in progress. The Comprehensive Plan update, Next Steps Study and the Walk and Wheel Master Plan are the major projects of the Community Development department for 2015. Discussion !111 Knoth -Suggested that the Commissioners have an expert address the Commission regarding density and the impact of ADUs on the community resources. Information su c h as the impact on surrounding property values , parking and traffic would be helpful , so t h at the Commission is knowledgeable about these issues before going to a public hearin g. King -The Comprehensive Plan should address some of the questions about how to move forward and integrate higher density in Englewood. Drive through setbacks would be a lower priority. !111 Director White explained that there is an exemption in the code for businesses with drive through facilities for setbacks. Eliminating the exemption would decrease the distance between the sidewalk and buildings and the walkability along the street in front of the building would be improved. If a development was created under a PUD, the property owner would have the ability to change the setback requirement. By eliminating the exemption in the code, staff would have greater capacity for negotiation when reviewin g a PUD proposal. Staff will research the original intent of the exemption for drive through setb ac k exemptions prior to bringing the topic to the Commission for review. Discussion ensued regarding the changes that are being made in other jurisdictions and how Englewood will adjust regulations to meet market demand. lll1 Director White suggested that the Commissioners think about the regulation requirin g ground floor commercial in new multi-family developments. Some developers have expressed difficulty meeting the requirement. Mr. Roth commented that perhaps rezonin g some business areas to accommodate more flexible uses may help development. l?ll Page 2 of 4 • • • Discussion included the current office space vacancies and how to incentivize businesses to locate in Englewood . The Commissioners were encouraged to think about ways the Ct¥1l can entice businesses to th e area to take advantage of the transportation links. Director White added that comments collected at the public meeting for the Comprehensive Plan were in favor of more housing located along the light rail corridor . It] Mr. Neubecker stated that it has been expressed by developers that the parking regulations in Englewood are not conducive to development. The requirem ents for the smaller properties are difficult to meet, in particular for restaurants. One remedy may be to change the requirements for specific uses to encourage businesses. It] Mr. Neubecker explained what design standards could be addressed through th e UDC. More requirements that address materials, location of buildings, transparency would ensure a cohesive appearance in the commercial areas. Director White comme nted that there are currently some standards in place for buildings 20,000 square fee t and over but vi little for smaller buildings. Mr. Brick commented on the effect of design standards on crime prev ent ion and safety. He expressed interest in receiving training on the topic and Ms. Townley concurred statin g that they should be implemented in moderation. llll Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are smaller, detached structures located in residential districts. Mr. Brick and Mr. Madrid suggested a "tes t" area, perhaps in a residential zone adjacent to Broadway. Mr. Voboril added there are currently 150 ADUs in Englewood that are either grandfathered in or are an allowed exception to the code. It was agre ed that more information is necessary to proceed with code amendments. llll Discussion included ways to decrease the number of auto sales lots on Broadway, measures have been taken in the past to make it more d ifficu It to meet the req uirements for sales lots. Director White added that the Limited Use terminology c urrently in the code is confusing and while these regulations do not restrict the type of use, th ey do impose additional requirements on development. Mr. Neubecker pointed out that car sales lots do not generate significant income for the City because sales tax is paid to the jurisdiction of residence. llll The Commission discussed how to encourage creative industri es. Mr. Roth commented that there are existing live/work properties in B-2 whether they are permitted or not. Mr. Brick suggested that the Commission hold a study session with a guest to examine how the Planning Commission can work toward removing roadblocks to these types of developments. fl] Director White announced that the Building Division is now a part of the Community Development department. l?l1 Pa ge 3 of 4 • • Incentives for green development may include concessions to developers. Mr. King commented that eventually all bui lding will be subject to "g reen " codes. Discu ss ion followed regarding how building code changes may affect zonin g codes in the f uture. ~ A vote was taken to prioritize the potential work topics: • Accessory Dwelling Units -7 • Setback exemptions for bus i nesses with drive thru access -4 • Ground Floor Commercial -4 • Parking Re gulations -3 • Multi-Family residential incentives -2 • Office building incentives -1 • Design standards -1 • Creative economy -1 • Limited use -1 Mr. Roth commented on possibly rezoning the area south of H ampd en that is currently zoned 1-1. In order to re gulate the uses in that area, he suggested that the Commission consider rezoning to a mixed use business district. v. PUBLIC FORUM There were no members of the public pre se nt at the meetin g . VI. ATIORNEY'S CHOICE Assistant City Attorney Reid did not have any comments. VII. STAFF'S CHOICE ~ Director White stated that he will schedule the school superintendent's visit ear ly 2015. Th e school board meets on Tuesday nights and the Commission will be m eeti ng on two Wednesdays in January and February. Director White will follow up w ith scheduling. VIII. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE ll] Mr. Kinton asked abo ut the progress of the Comprehensive Pl an project; Directo r White responded that th e nex t public meeting rega rdin g th e Comprehensive Pl an wi ll b e February 11 th . Th e re will be a joint meetin g of City Council and th e Planning and Zonin g Commission on January 26th . Mr. Roth remind ed the Commissioners that his l as t m ee tin g will be Janu ary 2 1 st due to the fact that he is term limited having served th e m ax imum of 3 terms. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. ~&L \ /si)ulie Bailey Q:cording Secretary Pag e 4 of 4