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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1959-03-05 PZC MINUTESPage 362 Planning Office City Planning Conference The Planning Director reported that the National Planning Conference of the American Society of Planning Officials is scheduled for May 10 -14 in Minneapolis. The Planning budget does not provide funds to send the Planning Director to this conference and therefore the Planning Director does not intent to be present. Mr. Braun stated that he had requested an estimate of costs from the Planning Director to send all members of the Planning Commission by automobile to the conference. The estimate of cost indicates that a round trip travel cost for each of two cars at $85.00 and total expenses per person of $160.00 each for a total of $1,290.00 if all Planning Commissioners and the Planning Director could make the trip. The Planning Director stated that it was his opinion that although the conference would be excellent background and technical training for all Planning Commission members, it would seem odd that the City could suddenly allocate $1,290.00 for such conference when only $5,000.00 was felt justified for the entire first year of the Master Plan work. A poll of the members indicated the Planning Director and all except Mr. Kelley and Mr. Jones said they would be able to attend if the money were forth~oming. Mr. Jones and Mr. Kelley said they may be able to attend, but would have to confirm their decision later. There being no further business to come before the City Planning and Zoning Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 P. M. Jewell M. Banfield Recording Secretary Approved J. M. Lacy ~~~~~~~~--'~~~~ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CITY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING March 5, 1959 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jones at 8:10 P. M. Members Present: Braun, Hill, Jones, Kelley, Romans, Schmitt, and Lacy, Ex-Officio Members Absent: None Walter M. Boggs 4301 S. Bannock Subdivision West Side of South Half 4600 Block South Galapago Hearing No. 8-59 The Planning Director presented a preliminary design for a four-lot subdivision in the sub- ject area. He stated that the drawing had been submitted to the Utilities Department and Public Works Department and had been approved by both. He stated that Mr. Boggs, real estate agent who was submitting the preliminary design, had asked that the frontage of the four lots be apportioned at 78' for three lots and 81.3' for the corner lot instead of as shown on the presented drawing. Hill moved: Schmitt seconded: That the preliminary design of the subdivision be appr01ed if all sub- division regulations are observed. Ayes: Braun, Hill, Jones, Kelley, Romans, Schmitt Nays: None Absent: None Planning Office City Amendments to Zoning and Traffic Ordinances Hearing No. 35-58 August 20, 1958 November 6, 1958 November 20, 1958 December 18, 1958 The Planning Director stated that the City Attorney, Building Inspector, City Manager, and Police Chief had studied a tentative amendment to abate traffic visibility hazards at inter- sections. He said the amendment is now being redrafted for additional study by the City Attorney before being presented to the City Council. Planning Office City Amendment to Uniform System of Subdivision Regulations Hearing No. 44-58A (Also See Hearing No. 40-58, Nov. 20, 1958). December 18, 1958 The Planning Director stated that the tentative amendment as referred to the City Manager and City Attorney by the Planning ~nd Zoning Commission had been modified slightly by the City Manager and approved in substance by the City Attorney. A redraft of the proposal will be available for Planning Commission reconsideration at the next meeting. I I I I I I Planning Commission Planning Director General Zoning Amendments Page 363 Hearing No. 3-59C (Also Joint Meetings of January 14, 1959 and February 25, 1959) (Also see Hearing No. 35-58-B Nov. 20) January 22, 1959 February 5, 1959 February 19, 1959 A memorandum concerning "Further Consideration of Certain Zoning Ordinance Amendments" dated March 2, 1959, was considered in detail. All sections were approved with minor changes with the exception of provisions relating to gas oline and oil service stations, automobile sales and automobile repair. The Planning ~irector and Mr. Jones took the position that automobile repair is a traditional and necessary accessory use to a new car sales operation and that new car sales need locations in retail commercial areas for display purposes. Mr. Schmitt said he felt that allowing the "big operator" who also sells new cars to c onduct a repair operation in downtown areas while prohibiting automobile repair shops as such was a discrimination against the smaller repair operators. He suggested that possibly the repair operation in a downtown commercial zone could be further ,c o n trolled and and regulated by specifications for doing repair work only indoors and with c~rtain other requirements to control noise, odor, etc. Mr. Jones stated that an automobile repair shop as such is not a compatible commercial use in a retail commercial district because of the noise, and actual working on cars out of doors that seems to be the mode of operation for most automobile repair shops in Englewood. Mr. Braun said that he felt noise and odor from an automobile repair shop were equally as obnoxious whether they came from a large shop as an accessory use to new car sales or whether from a small repair shop. He also questioned the possibility of automobile repair shops offering one new car for sale in order to use a loophole in the form of purporting to offer new car sales as a primary use. Mr. Kelley stated that he agreed with the City Attorney's stand that if automobile repairing is to be prohibited in a certain zone, it must be prohibited entirely and not only when conducted as a principal use. The Planning Director stated that recent conference with the City Attorney revealed that he feels very strongly that allowing automobile repair as an accessory use and not as a permitted use would be clearly legal discrimination. Mr. Hill stated that perhaps an additional commercial zone was needed in which new car sales and repair and automobile repair as such could be located and such new zone would be an intermediate commercial zone between the present C-1 and C-2. Mr. Jones and the Planning Director stated that any attempt to regulate use on the basis of the "big operator" versus the "little guy" is not in the realm of planning. The matter of compatible commercial uses and land planning is of utmost importance as a guide for the investment of private dollars which will ultimately provide sound returns for the investor and the community. In light of the varied opinions and legal questionability of the proposed amendment, it was agreed that the zoning ordinance provision for automobile sales and repair should b e left alone as it now stands. Discussion on the definition of gasoline and oil service stations revealed that tentative limitations on automobile repair as an accessory use to service stations were not realistic. It was further agreed that limiting the size of service bays likewise tended to place an arbitrary limitation on the size of the business. Therefore, these provisions were removed from the tentative amendment as were provisions restricting sale of vehicles from service station premises. Mr. Braun commented that present off-street parking provisions place b anks in the same category with offices instead of retail operations. He felt this was not proper and should be changed. The Planning Director suggested that a piecemeal change of off-street parking requirements is not wise and may possibly be illegal. He also stated that the necessary study and re- search to effect a proper change would be impossible with present staff and current critical work on the master plan as a preliminary to the first capital improvements required by charter in July of 1959. Mr. Jones stated that he felt that banks as a business have led in providing proper business and customer parking, and that current planning problems are much more pressing than a re- designation of parking spaces for banks. He said that until the concept of off-street parking h as ' been stabilized or ruled out b y the Colorado Supreme Court, theCity might be wasting its time in doing any changing of the off-street parking requirements. Planning Commission Planning Director Institute for Planning Officials Two Day Conference at Colorado University March 6th and 7th Hearing No. 7-59A The Planning Director stated that funds were available at the rate of $3.00 per vehicle per round trip for those attending the conference and that all conference meals and registration would be paid for. ($2.00 for each of two luncheons and $3.00 for the Friday n:ight dinner. The following members indicated they would attend both days of the conference: H. Reece Braun, Dorothy Romans, Lee Jones, and Joe Lacy. Sam Hill said he intended to be present for the Friday afternoon session and Bob Kelley said he would be present for the Saturday morning session only. Sam Hill and Lee Jones indicated they would take care of their own expenses except for the registration fee be- cause of an indefinite personal schedule. Page 364 Planning Off ice City ASPO Planning Conference Mr. Braun reported that Council had informally considered sending all Planning and Zoning Commission members to the National ASPO Conference in Minneapolis. He reported that al- though the sending of all Commission members was denied by an informal poll of five to four, it was the feeling that perhaps a few members might be able to attend if so recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Planning Director presented a memorandum previ·ously sent to the City Manager and transmitted by the Manager to the Council as follows: "To: From: Mr. L. R. Rudd Mr. Joe M. Lacy February 27, 1959 NATIONAL PLANNING CONFERENCE We have not received the schedule for the State Planning Institute which most of the Planning Commissioners will attend at budgeted expense. A copy of this program is attached. It appears that the movement to send Planning Commissioners to the National Conference at Minneapolis in May may still be alive and would cost as much additional "planning" money as $1,290.00. I feel it is important that I make a recommendation in this matter in light of the bare Master Plan budget account for 1959 even though none of the National Conference money would come from the present budgeted planning funds. The program for the State Conference which includes all pertinent information which small municipal Planning Commission members could practically digest is an excellent agenda. Not only does it present the local angle but also brings National authorities to the conference which is small enough that all Commission members will have an opportunity to talk personally with these National leaders. Money for this conference is budgeted and is to be used to keep our Planning Commissioners up-to-date in planning. To contemplate sending the same Commissioners to a National Conference and use $1,290.00 of unbudgeted money for this phase of planning when we so critically need at least $1,290.00 more toward the Master Plan seems completely unjustified. Perhaps this memorandum may serve as the 'administrator's view' as the whole subject reaches Council in an official way. Respectfu]]y, /S / JOE M. LACY Planning and Traffic Director" In further discussion it was felt that it would be valuable ror a few commissioners to attend the conference if their personal business permitted. The Planning Director asked the Council members of the Commission if they felt that additional funds for technical aid might be forth- coming if n ee .'ed for Master Plan work if requested by the Planning Commission. Mr. Braun and Mr. Hill indicated that they felt Council would approve such a specific request for funds if strongly recommended by the Planning Commission. Mr. Braun stated that he would be able to attend the five-day conference plus four days travel time if funds were appropriated. The Planning Director stated that the Master Plan work was too indefinite at this time to make a firm committment, but that it is possible that he too could attend over the nine-day period. None of the other Planning Commissioners indicated that they would be able to attend the conference. Kelley moved: Hill seconded: That the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend to City Council that they consider requesting Mr. Braun and Mr. Lacy to attend the ASPO Conference and suggest that the City defer the expenses. Ayes : Braun, Hill, Jones, Kelley, Romans, Schmitt Nays: None Absent: None Planning Office City School District Re-organization Hearing No. 9-59 The Planning Director reported that technical research and mapping is under way to provide data on assessed value, existing school districts, projected land use and projected assessed land evaluations in the four school districts now under consideration for re-organization in the northwest corner of Arapahoe County. The Planning Director said such data would be made available as soon as possible. Planning Off ice City Liaison Between Planning and Zoning Commission And Board of Adjustment and Appeals The Planning Director reported that the Board of Adjustment and Appeals has not been able to make a decision on the location of curb, gutter, and sidewalk in the 3600 block on South Sherman for the 1959 paving District. This decision has been delayed because theBoard of Adjustment and Appeals has not received an indication from the Planning a Ld Zoning Com- mission setting forth planning considerations in connection with the request for locating sidewalks along the existing curbs. I I I I I I Page 365 The Planning Director presente d the following letter summarizing all known planning pro- jections which may bear on the requested Board of Adjustment and Appeals decision: "TO: March 6, 1959 FROM: BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AND APPEALS PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Gentlemen: At your request we have compiled all known planning considerations which would bear upon the placement of sidewalks on either side of the 3600 block of South Sherman Street. These considerations are the result of current research and projected trends which are not definite enough to be seriously considered in any decisions on subjects such as the one before you. I. TRAFFIC (1) The Little Dry Creek Shopping Center is the beginning of commercial in the southeast quadrant of Englewood's downtown commercial area. ments are already being planned. development Other develop- (2) The traffic generated by Little Dry Creek Shopping Center and its surfaced park- ing lot providing a connector from the Highway No. 70 curb cut and South Sherman Street north of Little Dry Creek will cause a need for a signal installation at East Ham pden Avenue and South Sherman Street during 1959. (3) The above two items will in turn provide heavy justification for the construction of a bridge across Little Dry Creek at South Sherman Street which will undoubtedly be scheduled in the 1960 Capital Improvements budget. (4) Once the bridge is installed, Sherman Street will then become a through street from East Quincy Avenue to E a st Floyd Avenue in order to accommodate commercial traffic from south-east Englewood and Arapahoe County. (5) In the early stages of the Master Street Plan, Kenyon Avenue is slated to become the southern boundary of the outer belt of theEnglewood downtown commercial area. This means that the present trend of heavy traffic flowing on and off of Kenyon Avenue as a collector for South Logan Street and South Broadway traffic t o be routed on and off of Highway No. 70 will be heavily increased. (6) This trend will mean that . South Sherman Street from Kenyon Avenue into downtown Englewood will carry substantially heavier traffi~ than the rest of South Sh~man Street from Kenyon Avenue to East Quincy Avenue. (7) This increased traffic .will critically need additional traveled wid t h of street in the 3600 block. Our projections indicate that the removal of on-street park- ing in this one block would satisfy this additional width need for as long as five years. Probably in 1966 the street would have to be widened to the 44' width. II. PEDESTRIANS. (1) The present Master Street Plan of the City adopted in 1951 specifies separate 4' sidewalks on arterial streets in order to provide additional safety for pedestrians walking along side an arterial street which carries large volumes of f ast movin g traffic. (2) At present, few school children walk in the 3600 bl ock o f South Sherman Street be- cause there is no protected pedestrian crossing ove r Highw a y No. 70 ~ Most children who live in the northeast part of Englewood cros s either on Broadway or South Logan Street. (3) When the anticipated Sherman Street bridge and signals at Sherman Street and Highway No. 70 are installed, many more children will cross at this more direct point to reach Flood Junior High School thereby increasing school pedestrian traffic in the subject area. (4) Another pedestrian trend which is at present non-existent will also develop with the new protected crossing. This use will be by householders who will wish to walk to the Little Dry Creek Shopping Center for normal household shopping from the apartment units located in the 3600 block of South Sherman Street and sur- rounding area. III. COSTS. (1) Since the existing curb and gutter was installed under City permit, current policies require that the City must pay the entire cost of removing such curb and gutter and installing similar facilities at a wider street width, regardless of when it is done or whether it is under a paving district or not. (2) This policy applies likewise to sidewalks if they now exist. If they are installed against the curb in 1959, the City will have to pay the bill for their inevitable removal and re-installation at the wider width. (3) The street can feasibly be paved at the present width and widened at a future date at City cost without disturbing the 1959 paving in any way. These considerations are submitted to you as all of the factors that can be definitely foreseen at this time in relation to the 3600 block on South Sherman Street. FOR THE CITY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Respectfully, re L /S/ JOE M. LACY Planning and Tra f fic Director" Braun moved: Romans seconded :. That the letter should be transmitted immediately to the Board of Adjustrrent and Appeals as the requested Planning Commission communication on the subject. Ayes: Braun, Hill, Jones , Kelley , Romans, Schmitt Nays: None Absent: None Page 366 There being no further business to come before the City Planning and Zoning Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 11:40 P. M. Jewell M. Banfield Recording Secretary Approved: /S / J. M. Lacy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- MEMORANDUM TO THE ENGLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL REGARDING ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION OF THE CITY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Date: Subject: Recommendation: March 5, 1959 ASPO Planning Conference That the Planning and Zoning Commission recommend to City Council that they consider requesting Mr. Braun and Mr. Lacy to attend the ASPO Conference and suggest the City defer the expenses. Respectfully su b mitted, By order of the City Planning and Zoning Commission Jewell M. Banfield Recording Secretary * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CITY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 19, 1959 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jones at 8:15 P. M. Members Present: Braun, Hill, Jones, Kelley, Romans, Schmitt, and Lacy, Ex-officio Members Absent: None Planning Off ice City Master Plan No. 5 Hearing No. 10-59 Downtown One-Way Street Plan The Planning Director presented a three-year program for installing one-way streets in the downtown Englewood area. He explained the relationship of the Englewood Commercial area to highway development and residential development in Englewood's master plan area. The program calls for increasing the capacity for inflowing eastbound traffic off of Highway 70 by four times. This would be accomplished in July of 1959 by making West Hampden Avenue between South Bannock and South Acoma Streets one way east, 3400 block of South Acoma one way north and 3400 block of South Bannock one way south. The installation of signals at West Girard Avenue and South Acoma and South Bannock Streets would also be required. In 1960 Hampden Avenue would be extended one way east from South Acoma acrossSouth Broadway to South Lincoln. At the same time Girard Avenue would be made one way west from South Lincoln Street to South Bannock Street. Angle parking on Broadway would have to be eliminated to provide left turn circulation off of Broadway at Hampden Avenue and Girard Avenue in this stage. The 1960 phase also includes tentative purchase of vacant land in the north half of the 3400 block b etween South Lincoln and South Sherman Streets for development as free off-street parking. The preliminary plan calls for City purchase of the land with development of a free parking garage to be financed by a special improvement parking district paid for by a mill levy on benefiting commercial property. Other capital improvements needed in 1960 include a Sherman Street bridge over Little Dry Creek and widening of existing bridges over Little Dry Creek at South Bannock Street and West Hampden Avenue. A bridge on Dartmouth Avenue over the South Platte River and grade separation at Santa Fe Drive are also possibilities for 1960 and de f iftite requirements for 1961. The 1961 stage includes extension of West Hampden one way east to South Sherman Street and West Girard one way west to South Sherman Street. The complete one-waying of South Bannock from Dartmouth to Girard southbound and South Acoma Street from Dartmouth to Girard northbound would al s o be necessary when the Dartmouth bridge and overpass are completed. In the discussion that followed, Mr. Hill suggested a temporary measure of eliminating part of the angle parking on South Broadway to allow left turns east and west at Girard Avenue. The Planning Director explained that such a movement would eliminate angle parking for one- third of the block north and south from Gfrard on Broadway and still would cause left turn bottlenecks during peak hours as traffic backed up beyond the one-third block left turn pockets. He suggested that implementing part of the 1960 phase of the one-way street system in 1959 to extend Hampden and Girard one way east and west, respectively, to Lincoln would allow the left turns desired by commercial interests in the Englewood area. The Planning Director explained that large overhead reflectorized signs are planned at Mansfield Avenue and South Broadway and Eastman Avenue and South Broadway suggesting to mo t ori ts to turn west prior to Kenyon or east at Floyd if they had business west of I I I