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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1965-01-13 PZC MINUTESI I I CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION January 13, 1965 Special Meeting Page 821 The special meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 8:00 P.M. by Chairman Carlson. Members present: Touchton; Rice; Fullerton; Carlson Members absent: Whitcomb, Parkinson Romans, Ex-officio Also present: Planning Assistant Jim Harrison; City Manager Dial; Mr. Jack Eachon; Mr. J. K. Smith; Mr. J. Miles; Mr. Bob Welles; Mr. John Jameson; and Mrs. D. Medsker. Mr. Carlson stated that Mrs. Romans was attending a meeting of the Englewood Merchants' Association, and would not be able to attend the entire meeting of the Planning Commission. He asked Mr. Harrison to present the slides of the City that have been taken as a prelude to the discussion of Urban Renewal by Mr. Smith and Mr. Miles. Mr. Carlson emphasized that the Commission was only exploring various methods of financing improvements within the City and were not ready to make a decision or a recommendation on financing as yet. Mr. Harrison's presentation covered several areas of the City; i.e., along Broadway,in the Core Business District, in Northwest Englewood; contrasts of uses and structures were shown. The unattractive rear-entrances to some of the business establishments on Broadway were con- trasted to those that have recently been remodeled, cleaned-up and made attractive. Areas of blight and deterioration were depicted, and contrasted to an area, possibly within the same block, where a very attractive -structure exists. The auto-wrecking yards in Northwest Englewood were shown; some slides taken several years ago before the Auto Wrecking-Junk Yard Ordinance was passed were also shown. Some of these uses show signs of compliance with the Ordinance, in that they have fenced with opaque fencing and attempted to make the area more attractive. New industrial developments in Northwest Englewood were shown. Mr. Smith commented that the pictures shown by Mr. Harrison gave a visual idea of areas of the community. He pointed out that Inter-County Regional Planning Commissibn was not in- volved with Urban Renewal other than through the development of a Housing Code, which, if enforced, could help eliminate some of the blight depicted. Mr. Smith cited a speech made in Trinidad in 1960; he pointed ~t that failure to enforce Housing and Building Codes often brings about Urban blight and deterioration. Mr. Smith stated that an entire com- munity would benefit from the removal of poor land use conditions, or blight. Mr. Smith pointed out that Federal aid is available to a community if they desire it. Three steps for community improvement were cited: redevelopment; rehabilitation; and conservation. Mr. Smith emphasized that if a redevelopment program were undertaken, housing for persons that would be displaced by the program would have to be made available. He pointed out he felt many problems would be taken care of if the Codes and Ordinances existing in a City were enforced properly. Mr. Miles stated that Urban Renewal was the third idea that has been developed for the pre- vention of slums. The first was the "City Beautiful", which offered civic centers, etc., but which was supported by a small graip of people. The second was "Zoning", which was con- sidered the ideal approach to regulation of the City's growth; this, also, has not proven entirely satisfactory. The third, Urban Renewal, is the first to explore the cause of slum development and work toward the elimination of the cause and the result. Mr. Miles pointed out that the Urban Renewal program has been criticized for stifling free enterprise, and restriction of the use of land as people see fit; it has also created some problems for lower income citizens. Mr. Miles stated the property considered for redevelopment would need to be acquired, cleared, and sold on the open market~ He pointed out that the amount received from the sale of the property would not equal the investment in acquiring and clearing the property for the redevelopment, and this is where Urban Renewal would subsidize the project. Mr. Rice explained that the Commission was studying the problem existing in the Central Business District. The traffic flow ~s in need of improvement, and ' additional off-street parking facilities are needed. In an attempt to find a solution to the problem, the various ways of financing such off-street parking facilities are now under study. Mr. Fullerton concurred with Mr. Rice, and added that the land available for off-street parking areas is scarce now, and will become more so. Mr. Miles stated he felt one of the most logical steps to the solution of this problem would be through a "community renewal program"; the problem areas would need to be identified, and a priority list established. He stated that considerable study should be done on this phase, to determine if public funds are really needed, or whether it can be done on a private fund basis. Mr. Miles commented there were spots of blight in the Core Area, but he did not feel there were enough to warrant an Urban Renewal program. He recommended that the Codes and Ordinances be better enforced, and that this would aid in the clearing-up of many of the blighted areas. Mrs. Romans entered the meeting. Further discussion followed. Mr. Smith commented that if the various Codes were not backed by the legislative body of the city, they served no purpose, and cautioned against the lowering of any standards set forth in the Codes to accommodate a builder or speculator. Mr. Eachon asked Mr. Miles and Mr. Smith if they had had any experience with, or were aware of, inflated prices put on property in need of Urban Renewal? He cited the Downtown Improvement District which was created two years ago and was subsequently repealed. He asked if they knew how other communities handled such a situation. Mr. Smith indicated he felt one factor was the over-zoning of commercial and industrial land within a community and the assessments on property. He felt this would be difficult to change. Mr. Harrison cited the industrial districts within the city in which there are many non- conforming housing units. These are not allowed a complete redevelopment as housing;-he asked how Urban Renewal would work in such an area. Mr. Smith stated the land could be cleared and redeveloped as industrial. Page 822 Further discussion ensued. Mr. Fullerton asked if there was a limitation on the size of area to be considered for an Urban Renewal program? Mr. Miles replied there was not; that in some instances entire communities have been included in the program. Mr. Miles further elaborated on credits a community would receive in an Urban Renewal program; i.e., schools, curb, gutter, water and sewer lines are all determined as credits. Mr. Dial asked if the ICRPC served as a clearing agency for federal aid requests? Mr. Smith replied they did not at the present time; all requests would go directly to HHFA. Mr. Carlson thanked Mr. Smith and Mr. Miles for their presentation. Mrs. Romans reminded members of the meeting to be held in Denver on Friday, January 15, 1965, on a community renewal program; also of the Boulder Conference in February, and of the next regular Planning Commission meeting on January 20, 1965. It was moved, seconded and carried to adjourn the meeting. Respectfully submitted, Gertrude G. Welty Recording Secretary * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I. CALL TO ORDER. CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION January 20, 1965 Regular Meeting The regular meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 8:00 P.M. by Chairman Carlson. Members present: Whitcomb, Touchton, Parkinson, Fullerton, Carlson Romans, Ex-officio Members absent: Rice Also present: Planning Assistant Wayne Monson II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Mr. Carlson stated there were two sets of Minutes to be considered for approval by the Com- mission; those of January 6, 1965, and January 13, 1965. The Minutes were briefly reviewed. Fullerton moved: Touchton seconded: The Minutes of January 6, 1965, and January 13, 1965, be approved as written. The motion carried unanimously. III. YALE-TEJON SUBDIVISION CASE #22-64D Mrs. Romans reported on a meeting with Mr. Byrne , Mr. Waggoner, Mr. Dial, Mr. Monson, and herself concerning the proposed Yale-Tejon Subdivision. The meeting had been called in order that the recommendations made by the City Engineer in his memo of December 24, 1964, could be discussed with the subdivider. One of the recommendations made by the Engineer had been that a 60' rather than a 30' dedication on West Bates Avenue be given in order that the street would better align with West Bates Avenue within the Englewood Industrial Park Subdivision on the east side of South Tejon. Mr. Byrne indicated at that meeting, as he had at previous meetings with the Planning Commission, that a 30' dedication on West Bates Avenue is all they feel they can give at the present time. If, in the future, they need the additional roadway width, and there is no indication of cooperation on the part of th~ property owners to the south, they will dedicate the additional 30'. The matter o f the additional right-of-way at the Tej o n-Bates intersection was discussed at this meeting; it was determined that it would be a matter of negotiation between the developers and the City , but would not necessarily need to be shown on the subdivision plat. IV. PROPOSED BALTIC SUBDIVISION CASE #1-65 Mrs. Romans stated that a meeting had been held by the City Manager in the Planning Office to discuss the advisability of a resubdivision of Blocks 15 and 16 of Evans Park Estates Sub- division in order that utility service might be provided to the properties under a more feasible plan than is now being used. Property owners in Block 16 have dedicated a 60' right- of-way to the City for the opening of West Baltic Avenue between South Zuni Street and South Vallejo S~reet and interest has been shown in a similar dedication by a majority of the owners in Block 15, between South Vallejo Street and South Tejon Street. Utility poles which are owned by Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph and used by Public Service Company are now situated within the area dedicated or proposed to be dedicated for West Baltic Avenue. In addition to these poles, Public Service Company owns poles which are located on various properties without proper easement and in no orderly pattern. Inasmuch as it will be necessary to relocate these poles , it would seem to be to the best interest of everyone concerned to resubdivide these two blocks and relocate t he utility lines in properly dedicated alleyways. I I I