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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-01-19 PZC MINUTES• • • CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION January 19, 1999 I. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7 :04 p .m . in Conference Room A of Englewood City Hall, Chainnan Douglas presiding . Members present: Rininger, Tobin, Weber, Welker, Douglas Members absent: Dummer, Hayduk, Lathram (all gave previous notice of absence) Also present: Senior Planner Harold J. Stitt Secretary 's Note : One vacancy II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 5, 1999 Chainnan Douglas stated that the Minutes of January 5, 1999 were to be considered for approval. Tobin moved : Rininger seconded: The Minutes of January 5 , 1999 be approved as written . AYES : NAYS : ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Tobin , Weber, Welker, Rininger, Douglas None None Dummer, Hayduk, Lathram The motion carried . III. STUDY SESSION Capital Improvement Program Mr. Stitt stated that during the discussion of the Capital Improvement Program in 1998 , members of the Commission expressed frustration that they were expected to "rubber stamp" a list of projects submitted from the various depart- ments , and were receiving the document too late in the budget process to provide the Commission an opportunity to include projects they felt should be included for funding consideration. Staff committed at that time to schedule discussions of the capital improvement program process in advance of the budget process , thus providing Commis- sion members an opportunity to review and understand the process, and brainstorm on projects that they feel are important to the community and should be included for City Manager/City Council consideration . Mr. Stitt cited inclusions in the staff report of §58 of the Englewood Cit)' Charter, which sets forth Duties of the Planning Commission. Mr. Stitt also referenced the definition of a capital improvement, that being 1) long life (service life of over one year); 2) infrequent and relatively expensive (costing over $5 ,000); and 3) does not occur annually . Mr. Stitt had also included as an addendum to the Staff Report, Article X from the Home Rule Charter which addresses Finance Administration , and the budgetary process. Attachment 2 to the Staff Report is a list of the Goals and Courses of Action from the 1979 Comprehensive Plan . Mr. Stitt advised that any funding request which does not meet the parameters of the CIP definition cited above is an "operating" item, not a capital improvement item . Mr. Stitt stated that the Comprehensive Plan can become a really functional document if CIP requests can be tied into and support the goals and courses of action set forth in the Plan. In other words, if a project is requested that does not further and support the goals of the Comprehensive Plan, what basis is there for support of the proposed project? Mr. Stitt advised that the Commission has the right, and responsibility, to propose a list of projects that this • body feels are important to the community, but it is also good to look at projects other departments in the City are requesting be funded. Mr. Weber asked if there were a project, such as straightening or extension of a street, that may be part of the CIP program , or included as part of a redevelopment project, but is not cited for "immediate" funding ; is it possible the Commission could recommend advancement of this project. Mr. Stitt stated that the street cited by Mr. Weber - Girard Avenue -is "on the table". He isn't sure whether it is part of the CIP program, but suggested that this project is probably included in the second phase of the Englewood Town Center redevelopment. Mr. Stitt stated that the Commission 's list may duplicate projects that other departments are requesting, but do not let this duplication deter them from brainstonning projects for the CIP. Mr. Weber stated that he would like to see the Girard A venue project come on line earlier than Phase 2 of the ETC redevelopment. Mr. Stitt suggested there may be financial reasons the street project cannot be moved up on the calendar; he then discussed the funding for capital improvement projects, noting that the "pot of money" is limited. City Council may move projects forward or push them back, depending on funds available. Mr. Douglas asked how much money is available for the Capital Improvement Program. Mr. Stitt stated that he did not have those figures at hand . Mr. Weber asked how Council detennines the order of the projects . Mr. Stitt referenced the CIP document which the Commission receives for review; Council must go through this document, review the supporting infonnation on projected costs, revenues -if any -to be realized , determine the merit of the proposed project, and determine if and when it can be funded. Department Heads are in attendance at the Council work sessions to discuss the proposed projects, provide background information and assist the City Manager and City Council in reaching their decision. Mr. Stitt acknowledged that this is a very difficult responsibility, but reiterated that the Planning Commission has to look at the requests on whether a project will support the goals of the Comprehensive Plan , or addresses a "course of • action " as outlined in the Plan . Mr. Stitt discussed the timing of the budget process. The Commission needs to have their list of projects for inclu- sion in the CIP detennined in time for staff to get the infonnation input on the computer prior to compilation of the CIP projects, and development of the CIP document the Commission receives each year for review . Mr. Stitt stated that as soon as the City Budget Officer develops the Budget Calendar, copies will be transmitted to the Commission, and agendas will be set to provide time for CIP brainstorming sessions. Mr. Stitt also discussed the origin of funds used for capital improvements . These funds come from the Public Im- provement Fund ; use taxes are one source of revenue for this Fund . Mr. Douglas asked how specific the Commission needs to be in compiling the list of projects. Discussion ensued. Mr. Stitt suggested that the Commission may decide there is a need for small "pocket parks"; the recommendation of the Commission could be to include "x" amount of funds to purchase vacant sites for "pocket parks", but not specify sites . In fact , year one recommendation could be to fund a study to detennine whether there is a need for pocket parks ; year two recommendation could be to provide the "x" amount of funds for purchase, and year three recom- mendation could be to provide "x" amount of funds for development of "x" number of pocket parks . Mr. Stitt also pointed out that if there is a project, such as providing handicapped sidewalk ramps at all intersections, for which the City is responsible, the Council may decide to devote all CIP funds to the completion of that project in one budget year rather than complete the project over a period of time. Ms . Tobin expressed concern regarding the construction through Cushing Park, and asked whether there will be re- placement of lost park land in this neighborhood . Mr. Stitt stated that there is some land on the west side of South Inca Street, extended, that will probably be developed for park-open space purposes. Ms . Tobin suggested that one project that should be addressed very quickly is turn signals at the Broadway/Kenyon A venue intersection . Ms . Tobin cited the Flood Middle School on the east side of South Broadway, and noted that when the children are dismissed from classes , vehicular traffic is stymied because motorists fear hitting a child . Left 2 • • • • turning movements are particularly difficult to accomplish at this intersection. She noted that there are left-tum ar- rows further to the north on Broadway at U .S . 285, but the Broadway/K.enyon intersection needs attention. Mr. Stitt stated that he will raise this issue with the traffic division of Public Works. He noted that it is possible this portion of South Broadway is still part of the State Highway system, and therefore, the City cannot place the left-tum ar- rows. Mr. Stitt did state that there are warrants and standards that have to be met prior to installation of turning movement arrows . Mr. Stitt stated that one of the goals of the Department for 1999 is to have an updated transportation plan for the City of Englewood completed . Mr. Welker pointed out with the improvements in the Englewood Town Center, and the Light Rail line , there will be great impact on traffic movement throughout the City of Englewood . Mr. Douglas asked about the South Broadway Action Plan, and whether there is anything the Commission can do to support enactment of this Plan. Mr. Stitt stated that there is activity occurring in the "midway" sector of the Plan , from Tufts to Mansfield; this activity includes undergrounding of utility lines, facade improvements, streetscape improvements, new street furniture , etc. Mr. Welker stated he would like to see a presentation on what is occurring with this program . Mr. Douglas agreed that he would also like to have a presentation on this activity . IV. PUBLIC FORUM No one was present to address the Commission . V. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Mr. Stitt did not raise any issues for discussion . VI. ATTORNEY'S CHOICE No one from the City Attorney's Office was present. VII. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE Mr. Welker asked what is on the agenda for the next meeting . Mr. Stitt stated that there are no cases before the Commission at this time. The possibility of asking Business Development Coordinator Scibelli to make a presenta- tion on the South Broadway Action Plan activities was mentioned; staff will determine if Mr. Scibelli will be avail- able for that evening. Mr. Douglas asked about ownership of parking lots on the north side of Floyd A venue. Mr. Stitt stated that the park ing lot just north of Wells Fargo Bank is owned by the Bank; the small lot on the northwest comer of Floyd and Cherokee is a public lot; Mr . Stitt suggested that this lot may be owned by the City of Englewood. Mr. Douglas asked if this would be used as part of the roadway work on Floyd Avenue. Discussion ensued . Mr. Welker asked what is being constructed on the southeast comer of Belleview and Broadway. Mr. Stitt stated that this is a McDonald's Restaurant. Mr. Weber asked about construction on the old Norwest Bank site on South Sherman Street. Mr. Stitt stated that as he recalls, this is a medically -related clinic . There being nothing further to come before the Commission, the meeting was declared adjourned . f:\dept\nbd\group\boards\plancomm\minutes 99\pcm 0 l -99b.doc 3