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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-10-01 PZC MINUTES, • • • I. CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION October 1, 2002 CALL TO ORDER The study session of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Development Conference Room of the Englewood Civic Center, Chairman Waggoner presiding. PRESENT: ABSENT: STAFF: Diekmeier, Krieger, Roth, Schum, Welker, Willis , Waggoner Lathrarn, Mueller (both members gave previous notice of absence) Senior Planner Harold Stitt Planner I John Voboril II. GENERAL PLAN STUDY SESSION Senior Planner Stitt and Planner I Voboril reviewed the proposed General Plan. Mr. Stitt com- mented that Commission members have seen a large portion of the document at previous times. He cited the renaming of existing sections , and development of new sections in the proposed General Plan, including "Current Conditions and Indicators '', "Visions and Goals -Common Themes ", "Regional Cooperation ", "Business and Employment", "Environmental Quality", and "Cultural Arts ". Mr. Diekmeier entered the meeting and took his seat with the Commission. Mr. Stitt stated that staff has worked closely with members of the Cultural Arts Commission and members of the Keep Englewood Beautiful Commission to develop goals and objectives for the Environmental Quality and Cultural Arts sections of the proposed Plan. Members of the Com- mission served as leaders of ad hoc committees that reviewed issues such as housing, business and employment, parks and open space. Mr. Stitt noted that the History and Development of Englewood, and the Current Conditions and Indicators sections provide basic background information and an indication of where the City is now. Mr. Welker entered the meeting and took his seat with the Commission. Mr. Stitt continued with the review of proposed General Plan , and asked that Commission mem- bers comment or question sections as the review proceeds. Comments and questions voiced by the Commission include: • Subtopics under the Section headings are not in the same order -be consistent in sub- topic order . • Recreational activities have been eliminated from the "Parks and Open Space" section; they should be included and the section identified as "Parks and Recreation ". H:\GROUP\BOARDS\PLANCOMM\Minutes\Minutes 2002\PCM l 0-01-02.doc 1 ; • • • • Open Space is also an important factor and must not be excluded from the "Parks and Open Space" section. • Page numbers in the Table of Contents are out of sync with actual Section page numbers. • The "elevation" of the City was questioned -at what location in the City was this "eleva- tion" established. • Annual precipitation and Annual snowfall should be "average" annual precipitation and "average" annual snowfall. • Section 3: most conclusions are "factual"; however, conclusions on Page 17 sound like propaganda -be more straightforward on all conclusions. • Discrepancy on citation of previous Plans -1969 and 1979 are referenced in one loca- tion, and plans from the 1950's and early 1960's referenced in another section. This needs clarification. • Page 10, second paragraph -rewording of second sentence. • Need for land-type analysis -what percentage is zoned for residential, industrial, busi- ness -comparative analysis with other communities . • Comparison of work force size versus number of residents . • Average household size -source of statistical information. Does DRCOG have metro area statistics? • Only two cities are cited as comparisons for park and open space -why only two, and on what basis were only two cities selected. • Why reference the current drought conditions -will this be important in 20 years? Re- word statement if it is retained. • Where are charts referenced on Page 29? • No mention of the shuttle bus program that has been considered. • Expand Paragraph 4 on Page 28. Pedestrian bridges could offer possible additional de- velopment sites, increase access to light rail station, and serve as a connection between business zones. • Indicate what acronyms mean -what is "PAH"? • Address impact of contractual agreements for water/sewer service with entities outside of Englewood. • • • • • • • • • What is population the water/sewer system is designed to serve . Should purchase of more agricultural land for use by the Waste Water Treatment Plant be addressed. Should the 23 Brownfield sites that are mentioned be identified on a map? Identify the "corridor" referenced in the Plan. Section 4: Address the likelihood of change along the Hampden A venue corridor, south side of Hampden west of Broadway; between Hampden and U.S. 285 east of Broadway. Is the CityCenter residential development actually filled as stated on page 38? Where does the Plan address tying Broadway retail area to CityCenter? A strong state- ment is needed to tie the two activity centers together. What about Phase II of the CityCenter development -should it be addressed in the Plan . Should steps to attract specific businesses, such as restaurants, be enumerated . Is it factual that "most of the City's existing residential areas are stable, well-maintained neighborhoods with a strong sense of ownership and community pride?" Many areas show neglect; can this be attributed to a high number of rental properties . H:\GROUP\BOARDS\PLANCOMM\Minutes\Minutes 2002\PCM 10-01 -02.doc 2 • • • • Emphasis on retention of strong single-family residential neighborhoods should be in- cluded. • Emphasize the maintenance of the "small-town feeling" that appeals to the residents. • Address steps to attract the first-time homebuyer-smaller homes, lower price range than many neighborhoods in metro area. • Demographic contrast of elderly population versus younger families should be included in the Housing section. • Means to attract young families to Englewood s~ould be identified. • Information on median income, age of housing stock, size of homes (room number), me- dian age of population, longevity of home ownership all need to be addressed. • Include information from School District on fluctuation of student population -when does student population increase and when does it decrease -what does this fluctuation indicate . • Continuity in writing themes and goals from section to section. • "Range of Urban Centers development" -question whether all statements of the DRCOG Metro Vision 2020 plan are applicable to Englewood . • People like Englewood as it is -"don 't want to see garages sticking out in front of homes " all over the City . • What is a "transition zone"? • Where is the "heart and soul " of Englewood ? Is it at Broadway and Hampden? Mr. Stitt stated that the last phase of the General Plan development is meeting with residents in the various neighborhoods of the City . Mr. Stitt emphasized that the document before the Com- mission is the framework of the General Plan , and text will be added following community input. Ms . Krieger asked if small area plans would be written for each neighborhood. Mr. Stitt stated that this course of action would probably not be pursued. He amplified his previous statement of meeting with neighborhoods stating that this would include not only residential neighborhoods , but also business neighborhoods to discuss goals and objectives, and to determine how the com- munity envisions itself in 20 years. Development of a "sense " of Englewood was briefly discussed. Mr. Welker noted that it is be- coming much easier to determine when you have entered Englewood from Denver -Englewood has placed planted medians in Broadway, and landscaping has been planted along both sides of Broadway. Mr. Schum noted that Englewood is also attempting to improve appearance of build- ings along Broadway -new signage, paint, etc. Mr. Schum excused himself from the meeting. Review of the General Plan continued. Additional comments from Commission members in- clude : • The Parks and Open Space section needs to include "recreation" amenities: enumerate facilities available for seniors, youth, and general recreation facilities . • The hiking/biking trail system should be noted. H:\GROUP\BOARDS\PLANCOMM\Minuces\Minuces 2002\PCM l 0-01-02 .doc 3 • • • • Is there a need to address the educational system -enrollment figures, number of schools, condition of buildings? This could be included in the "Current Conditions section". • Concern regarding Objective 3-7 of Goal 3 in the Cultural Arts section -it might be ad- visable to encourage "artistic elements" in personal landscapes be done by professionals. Mr. Stitt thanked members for their input. He stated that staff would incorporate the Commis- sioner's comments in the revised document. The General Plan is scheduled to be reviewed at City Council study session on October ib, and is scheduled for Public hearing before the Plan- ning Commission on October 22°d. Ms. Krieger discussed the importance of the General Plan, and the fact that so few residents know of its existence. She suggested that all Parent-Teacher groups should have the document; the service clubs should have copies, as well as churches and neighborhood organizations. The General Plan needs to be highly publicized -it needs to be out where people have the opportu- nity to read it. Mr. Stitt stated that the Plan will be placed on the City 's Web page, and a "brochure" or con- densed version of this document will be prepared for distribution. Mr. Welker asked whether there is a listing of documents and plans that the City has available on the Web page . Mr. Stitt advised the Commission that the City is in the process of redesigning the Web page . Mr. Waggoner asked how the Transportation Plan would be incorporated in the General Plan. Mr. Voboril stated that maps depicting the street plan would be incorporated. Mr. Willis asked about the Eddie Bauer warehouse sale at the former Phar-Mor site. Mr. Stitt stated that Eddie Bauer has located here for 30 days for the warehouse sale. Mr. Willis asked about progress on the old City Hall site on South Elati Street. Mr. Stitt stated that we are ready to re-advertise for RFQ's on the site. Mr. Willis asked about Bank One -he stated that the Bank use is "gone". Mr. Stitt advised that the Banking operation has been compressed into the northeast comer of the first floor; a restau- rant operation has been proposed for the remainder of the first floor. Brief discussion ensued. The meeting was declared adjourned. I ~:/CLJt ;/~ 7f1 tl~ Gertrude G. Welty, Recording Secfftary H:\GROUPIBOARDS\PLANCOMM\Minutes\Minutes 2002\PCM l 0-01-02.doc 4