Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-10-05 PZC MINUTESPage 1366 (13) (14) Respectfully submitted, Amending Chapter 22.4-9, R-4 Residential-Professional District, §k, Minimum Private Off-street Parking,. §§(1) to read: (1) (a) Single-family dwelling ... 2 spaces (b) Two-family dwelling: (i) Efficiency Unit •.. 1 space /unit (ii) One or two bedroom unit ... 1-1/2 spaces /unit (iii) Three or more bedroom unit .•• 2 spaces/unit Amending Chapter 22.8, Definitions, by adding thereto under the definition of "Dwelling" a new §§(6) Dwelling, Efficiency Unit - A dwelling unit consisting of one room and including a bathroom, kitchen, hallway, closets and dining alcove directly off of the principal room, providing such dining alcove does not exceed 125 square feet in area ~ By Order of the City Planning and Zoning Commission. Gertrude G. Welty Recording Secretary * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I. CALL TO ORDER. CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION October 5, 1971 The regular meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Chairman Carlson. Members present: Senti; Vobejda; Lentsch; Carlson; Barton; Patrick; Henning Supinger, Ex-officio Members absent: Weist; Mosbarger Also present: Assistant Director of Planning D. A. Romans; Messrs. Peterson; Braun; Thomas; Waggoner. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Mr. Carlson stated that the Minutes of September 21, 1971, were to be considered for approval. Lentsch moved: Vobejda seconded: The Minutes of September 21, 1971, be approved as written. Discussion followed. The vote was called; the motion carried. Mr. Weist entered the meeting and took his seat with the Commission. Mr. Mosbarger entered the meeting and took his seat with the Commission. III. OFF-STREET PARKING SURVEY Apartment Interviews CASE #23-71 Mr. Supinger stated that the staff of the Planning Department had conducted a survey of the parking situation on a sampling of apartment houses. Mr. Supinger stated that the results of this survey do not give support to the proposal to raise the off-street parking require- ments. The survey revealed that generally people were satisfied with the parking provided, and were not interested in additional open space if it meant the loss of their parking area. The average cars per unit, according to the survey, is 1.25. Mr. Supinger stated that this would indicate that there is no need to increase the parking requirements. Mr. Supinger stated that the staff does recommend, however, that the Commission consider setting standards for maneuvering space in parking lots, and requiring the provision of spaces for guest parking. Mr. Carlson asked if the tenants were using the parking that is being provided, or if they are parking on the street? He also asked how tenants could be persuaded to use the off-street parking that is provided? Mr. Supinger stated that he felt the new parking requirements, ap- proved in August, 1971, would help in getting extra cars off the street. Mr. Patrick asked if the questionnaires were sent to tenants and managers of apartment houses, and to the residents of single-family .homes next to the apartment units? Mr. Supinger stated that the survey was conducted by interview, rather than mailing the questionnaires out, and that residents of single-family homes were not included in the interview. Discussion followed. Mr. Lentsch stated that he felt from the results of the survey that the staff was saying the parking restrictions didn't need to be increased from 1:1 to the 1-1/2:1 for efficiency units, etc. that was approved in August by the City Council. Mr. Lentsch asked, if the survey showed an average of 1.25 cars per unit, where the ,25 car was parked? Mr. Supinger stated that it is parked on-street, and pointed out that the parking that was being provided even under the 1:1 ratio averaged out to 1.02:1. Mr. I I I I I I Page 1367 Supinger stated that he felt the new parking requirements approved in August are valid, but he stated that he didn't think there was justification for requiring 2:1 across the board. Mr. Weist asked how the 3 % "sample" was chosen, what determined those apartments and in- dividuals who would be interviewed? Mr. Supinger stated that they were picked at random. Mr. Weist asked if the staff felt that a 3 % sampling was valid? Mr. Supinger stated that he felt it was pretty valid, but did state that he would have liked to have more than a 3 % sampling. Mr. Weist asked why the "streets are clogged" with cars if, as the ·survey in- dicates, there seems to be adequate parking off-street? Mr. Supinger stated that he felt the survey indicated that there were more cars per unit than the parking spaces being pro- vided. But, he stated, he still felt that the 1-1/2:1 ratio that was approved for efficiency units, increasing with the number of bedrooms per unit, that was approved in August was valid, and that the 2:1 ratio across the board was not justified. Mr. Weist asked if there had been complaints about the convenience of the parking lots as to location, etc. Mr. Supinger stated that there had been some complaints, but that more complaints had been received on the lack of adequate maneuvering space. Mr. Carlson asked members of the audience if they would like to speak on the matter? Mr. Reece Braun 3173 S. Ogden Street -stated he was an architect by profession, and that he has designed apartment houses. He stated that he has .done work in Englewood, and throughout the state of Colorado. Mr. Braun stated he would be most interested in comments of the residents of single-family homes next to the apartment houses on the matter of parking. Mr. Braun stated that he has done projects recently in Jefferson County, Lakewood, and Federal Heights, and the developers are providing 1-1/2:1 for one bedroom units; 2:1 for two bedroom units, and 2-1 /2:1 for three bedroom units. He noted that these standards are not set forth in the zoning codes as requirements, but are "requirements" of the de- velopers of the units he has designed. Mr. Braun noted that ef- ficiency units can have two cars per unit easily, and stated that the trend for required parking for these units is 1-1/2:1. Mr. Braun discussed "poorly located" parking, and noted that all tenants want to "park right in front of their door". He stated that if the tenant didn't like the location of their particular parking space, they are inclined to park on the street rather than in their space. Mr. Braun noted that the City can control on-street parking, and has the power to restrict any and all parking on the streets. He stated that he would like to see the City consider requiring parking on the ratio that the developers of Lakewood, Jefferson County and Federal Heights seem to be providing in their developments; he stated that he felt this would stop the encroachment of apartment develop- ments upon the single-family residential areas. Mr. Braun stated that the individual home owner has a moral right to .park his vehicle on the street in front of his home. He stated that he felt if a de- veloper for an apartment complex needed additional land to meet the parking requirements and other amenities required of him, then the developer should get the additional land, and if he does not do so, then the development should not be permitted. Mr. Carlson asked Mr. Braun if it would be economically feasible for a developer to provide the 2:1 parking ratio? Mr. Braun stated that it will be possible to meet these requirements and have the development be economically feasible. He pointed out that a lot would depend upon the quality of the development, the size of the development, etc. Mr. Braun pointed out that there must be additional "give and take" on the part of the City, and cited, for example, that the setback requirements which were feasible ten or twenty years ago are not necessarily practical today. He stated that each development should be reviewed individually to get the best for the City as a whole. Mr. Virgil Thomas -stated that it seemed to him that the City needed to work toward control of density; he noted that the more people that are crowded into a small area the more problems exist. Mr. Thomas stated that he didn't feel the 2:1 ratio would work a hardship on the builders and developers, and he felt that the quality of construction would be up-graded. Mr . Thomas further stated that he felt there should be more open space between the apartment buildings than is being required; he stated that this could be planted and landscaped, and he felt that such a step would improve the quality of the environment. Mr. Braun pointed -out that the "regulations are not retro-active", and stated that "what we. have existing today we are stuck with until they are torn down and replaced." He stated that he and Mr. Thomas are trying to get across the point that what is required and built according to those requirements today, "We are stuck with tomorrow." He stated that he was asking "for a better tomorrow." Mr. Peterson Chamber of Commerce -stated that the members of the Chamber of Commerce are concerned about the quality of construction in the City. He .stated that if the quality was improved, he felt the developer could be assured of a better occupancy rate in the future. Mr. Peterson pointed out that there is now no vacancy rate in Englewood, and the developers can demand what they want to. Mr. Peterson stated he would like to see the 2:1 ratio "across the board", and stated that he felt "it will average out." Mr. Peterson stated that he felt the City might be encouraging developers to build a greater number of efficiency units by requiring only 1:1 parking for this particular type unit. Mr. Peterson stated that he felt the residents of single-family units in a multi-family zoned district should be interviewed on the parking situation. Mr. Peterson stated that he was asked to speak for Chamber of Commerce President Allen, and stated that Mr. Allen is a contractor and has built several apartment buildings; plenty of parking is provided, and Mr. Allen has felt that the additional expense this has caused will be returned. Page 1368 Mr. Thomas commented that responsible builders should realize that the best interest of the community is also their best interest. Mr. Weist stated that he felt there was an attitude in Englewood that "we have enough apart- ments". He asked if, in the control of population density, it was felt that additional parking requirements, more space between buildings, etc. was the appropriate way to approach it? Mr. Supinger stated that if the City wanted to control the population density, he felt that parking requirements was not the correct way to do · so. Mr. Supinger pointed out that there is a great deal of land zoned for apartment use that is not so developed. Mr. Lentsch asked· if the City shou1d set a goal of the number of apartments that is felt to be feasible? Mr. Supinger stated that he felt it should be the concern .of every community to have "goals". Mr. Peterson stated he wasn't thinking particularly of limiting the population density, but that he was concerned about the quality of construction. He stated that he "isn't eager to see three-story apartments all over town." Discussion followed. Mrs. Henning stated that she was concerned, and pointed out that we are considering a "problem of cars", which wouldn't be totally solved with more parking spaces. She pointed out that she felt an improved mass transportation system would be of great aid in the solution of this problem. Mrs. Henning noted that she felt the parking ratios for efficiency units should be raised to 1-1/2:1, but not to 2:1. Mr. Carlson asked what ratio was felt appropriate for guest parking? He suggested perhaps 1:4? Mr. Supinger stated that he felt this might be too high, and suggested possibly 1:10. Discussion followed. Mrs. Romans discussed a situation of an apartment owner who was allowed to build an apartment house (27 units) and provide four less parking spaces than was required at that time. The developer later attempted to provide additional parking on the rear of lots he owned across the alley from the apartment house, but was denied by the Board of Adjustment and Appeals after opposition from .neighbors.· Mrs. Romans stated there was need for "loading space" and spaces for the service vehicles which necessarily frequent apartment units. It was .also pointed out by Mrs. Romans ·that there is usually a charge for an off-street parking space, and some tenants will park on-street rather than pay the fee. Discussion followed. Lentsch moved: Weist seconded: The Planning Department staff be directed to draft an amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance requiring off-street parking spaces to be provided for guest parking on a rBtio of 1:5 (one space for each five units)·, and raising the requirement for an efficiency unit to 1-1/2:1. This proposed amendment is to be submitted to the Planning ·Commission for further study and the setting of a public hearing date. 'I Discussion followed. Mr. Berardini noted that whatever the minimum standards are that may be established by a .City, they become the maximum standards for the developer. Further discussion followed. The vote was called; the motion carried with Mr. Senti voting nay. IV. STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT 1972 -73 Work Program CASE #24-71 Mr. Supinger stated that an addendum to the staff report had been prepared and given numbers. Set forth in the addendum are staff recommendations for projects to be included in the re- quest to the State Highway Department for the 1972 -73 Work Program. Mr. Waggoner discussed the various categories and how they are funded. He noted that the TOPICS program is to be gradually phased out. Discussion followed. Mr. Supinger noted that the Planning Department staff could not recommend that the over-passes, at U. S. 285 and Logan or Sherman and U.S. 285 and Elati Street, be included in the request. Mr. Lentsch asked who drafted the requests to .the Highway Department, and asked why the re- quests couldn't be submitted to the Planning Commission far enough in advance that they would have sufficient time for adequate consideration of the requests? Mr. Supinger stated that the requests were drafted by the Planning Department and Public Works Department. He pointed out that the notification from Arapahoe County had been received by the City on October 4, 1971, and that notification from the State had been received in the Planning Department on September 27th. Mr. Weist asked if any of the items could be considered "controversial?" Mr. Supinger stated that he felt the request that Clarkson from Yale to Littleton Boulevard be placed on the Federal Urban System could very well be controversial. Mr. Supinger stated that there would be a meeting at the Greenwood Village City Hall on October 13th, at which time the matter of Clarkson Street and other matters would be discussed. He stated .that this would be a meeting with Planning Commissioners of the jurisdictions concerned, and hoped that members of the Commission would make an effort to attend. The matter of establishing priorities was discussed. Mr. Waggoner stated that Dartmouth Avenue and South Santa Fe Drive was a very bad intersection and that something must be done to improve it. Mr. Waggoner also pointed oµt that the proposed widening of Broadway is of great importance to the downtown merchants. He also discussed the drainage problem at South Federal Boulevard and West Union Avenue. Patrick moved: Lentsch seconded: The Planning Commission recommend to the City Manager the following be submitted to the State Highway Department for inclusion in the 1972 - 73 Work Program: Federal Aid Urban System: Add to System: I I I I I I Page 1369 a. Clarkson from Yale to Littleton Boulevard. b. Quincy from Yosemite to Wadsworth. c. Yale from University to Federal. d. Windermere and Santa Fe Lane from Ridge Road to Kenyon. e. Kenyon from Santa Fe Drive to Broadway. f. Union Avenue from Federal Boulevard to Windermere. g. Tufts from Windermere to Broadway, Urban System --Construction Projects: 1. Broadway from Yale to U.S. 285 to be widened to same width as Broadway south of Quincy, providing left-turn pockets. 2. Clarkson from U.S. 285 to Littleton Boulevard. Construction Projects: 1. Improve West Dartmouth Avenue at its intersection with South Santa Fe Drive by widening both the east and west approaches to accommodate two lanes in each direction, with a left-turn pocket. It is recommended that the west approach be 300 feet long and that the east approach be 250 feet long. There is a 60 foot right-of-way on Dartmouth and it is proposed that 56 feet of this right-of-way be utilized for the traffic lanes and left-turn pocket --the left-turn pocket would be 10' wide and the two inner lanes 11' wide, and the two outside lanes 12' wide. 2. South Santa Fe Drive widened and improved to a six-lane major arterial. 3. Improvements to the Santa Fe Drive and West Union Avenue intersection, extending Union across Santa Fe to Windermere and then tieing into West Tufts Avenue. 4. Broadway from U.S. 285 to Quincy to be widened to the same width as Broadway south of Quincy with a painted median providing left-turn pockets. 5. Widen Belleview from Clarkson to Santa Fe with left-turn pockets at those intersections where a study shows they are warranted. 6. Improve the off-lane from U. S. 285 westbound onto East Hampden Avenue at approximately South Lafayette Street. 7. Install storm sewer at Federal and Union. 8. Storm inlets on the north side of Belleview from Elati to Big Dry Creek. TOPICS: 1. Signalization of the Santa Fe/Union intersection. 2. Replace the existing controller and signal heads for more efficient operation at South Downing and East Dartmouth. 3. Add another group to the master traffic control system which will take counts every 15 minutes and adjust the master controller to accommodate the heavy flow of traffic. Mr. Weist asked why the over-passes would be deleted? Mr. Waggoner stated that he would . like to speak in favor of inclusion of the over-passes. He noted that there is considerable pedestrian traffic crossing U.S. 285, that the highway is a very wide street, and that when pedestrians use the push-buttons to cross the highway, it backs traffic up for several blocks. If pedestrians don't use the push-buttons, they cannot cross the highway in the time allotted the cross-street movement. He stated that if the over-passes were installed, all ground- level crossings would be eliminated; he felt this action would force the pedestrian to use the overpass, and improve traffic movement along U.S. 285. Mr. Carlson asked Mr. Waggoner if school children crossing at Logan and Sherman streets were causing a problem? Mr. Waggoner indicated that the children crossing ·at these points were of concern, and stated that at one time an under-pass had been considered, but in light of problems that could result from that, the over-passes seemed to be the best solution to the situation. Brief discussion followed. The vote was called; the motion carried, Mr. Weist and Mr. Barton voting nay. V. FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT CASE #25-71 Mr. Supinger stated that the date for Public Hearing on this amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance had been moved from October 19th to November 9th. He suggested that the proposed amendment could be discussed at the meeting of October 19th. VI. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Mr. Supinger discussed the meeting with representatives of Greenwood Village, Littleton, Cherry Hills Village, Arapahoe County and Englewood, which has been scheduled for October 13, at Greenwood Village City Hall, 5788 South Ulster Street. He pointed out that this meeting will be devoted to discussion of projects submitted to the State Highway Depart- ment for inclusion in the 1972-1973 Work Program. Mr. Supinger urged members to attend this meeting, if possible. Mr. Berardini gave the results of the annexation election held October 5th in an area west of Santa Fe Drive which both Englewood and the City of Sheridan had tried to annex. The results were: For annexation --3; Against Annexation --23; For annexation to Englewood --6; For annexation to Sheridan --3. Page 1370 VII. COMMISSION'S CHOICE. Mr. Carlson discussed a letter he had received from the League of Women Voters regarding the establishment of bicycle trails in the City of Englewood. Mr. Carlson stated that the City of Littleton has established such trails, and the City of Denver has the matter under con- sideration at the present time. Mr. Supinger stated that City Manager Dial asked him to make a recommendation on the proper approach to this matter. Mr. Supinger stated that he had received a letter from the City of Denver on the establishment of bicycle trails, and that he had suggested in reply that the cities should work together on the establishment o f the bicycle trails, and asked that a meeting be called for this purpose. Mr. Carlson asked that Planning Director Supinger answer the letter from the LWV and suggest that the staff is working on the matter. Mr. Lentsch reported on the Conference for Planning Officials held in Boulder September 30 and ctober 1. He stated that he would like to have Mr. Joe Simmons, who was a speaker at the Conference, meet with the City Planning Commission and City Council. Mr. Lentsch stated that he felt Mr. Simmons' presentation was excellent, and he felt a roundtable discussion would be very worthwhile. Mrs. Henning stated that she was very impressed with Mr. Simmons' presentation also. Mr. Senti stated that he felt the entire conference was "excellent." Mr.Patrick stated that he was very interested in discussion on Boulder's attempt to limit population density; he noted that it seemed to be the concensus that such an attempt would not stand up in court. There was discussion on the procedure of submission of the Planning Commission minutes and recommendations to City Council. Lentsch moved. Mosbarger seconded: The meeting be adjourned. The motion carried; the meeting adjourned at 10:30 P.M . Gertrude G. Welty Recording Secretary * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I. CALL TO ORDER. CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION October 19, 1971 The regular meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 8:03 P.M. by Chairman Carlson. Members present: Senti ; Vobejda; Carlson; Lentsch; Barton; Patrick ; Supinger, Ex-officio Members absent: Weist; Henning; Mosbarger Also present: City Attorney Berardini --- ----- -- ---- - - --- - - --- --- - II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Mr. Carlson stated that the Minutes of October 5, 1971, were to be considered for approval. Lentsch moved: Patrick seconded: The Minutes of October 5, 1971, be approved as written. Discussion followed. The vote was called; the motion carried. Mrs. Henning entered the meeting and took her seat with the Commission. Mr. Weist entered the meeting and took his seat with the Commission. III. AMENDMENT TO COMPREHENSIVE ZONING ORDINANCE . Case #25-71A Flood Plain District Mr. Supinger referred the Commission to the copy o f the Flood Plain Regulations which they had received at the last meeting. He reminded them that the Public Hearing on the .proposed Zone District will be on November 9, 1971. Mrs. Romans was asked to outline the proposed Ordinance for the Commission. Because there are several new members of the Commission woo may not be familiar with the National Flood Insurance Program, which Program has occasioned the necessity for the City's action on the Flood Plain District, Mrs. Romans first reviewed the Flood Insurance Program. •I I I I