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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-01-05 PZC MINUTES\ CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONJNG COMMISSION JANUARY 5, 1993 I. CALL TO ORDER. The regular meeting of the City Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 P. M. by Chairman Jan Schultz. Members Present: Shoop, Tobin, Covens, Draper, Dummer, Gerlick, Glynn, Schultz Merkel, Ex-officio Members Absent: Leonard Also Present: Planning Administrator Harold Stitt Assistant City Manager Jacque Wedding-Scott City Attorney DeWitt Public Works Director Esterly II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. December 22, 1992 Chairman Schultz stated that the Minutes of December 22, 1992 were to be considered for ap- proval. Draper moved: Tobin seconded: The Minutes of December 22, 1992, be approved as written. AYES: NAYS : ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Shoop, Tobin, Covens , Draper, Gerlick, Glynn , Schultz None Leonard None The motion carried. III. SWEDISH MEDICAL CENTER Findings of Fact CASE #13-92 Chairman Schultz stated that the Findings of Fact for Amendment IV to the Swedish Medical Center Planned Development were to be considered for approval. Mr. Covens pointed out that his name had been omitted in the initial listing of attendance, and that he was, in fact, present for the Public Hearing. Covens moved: Draper seconded: The Findings of Fact for Case #13-92, Swedish Medical Center Planned Development Amendment IV, be approved as corrected. AYES: Tobin, Covens, Draper, Dummer, Gerlick, Glynn, Shoop, Schultz NAYS: None ABSENT: Leonard ABSTAIN: None 1 The motion carried. IV. SANTA FE DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS Mr. Merkel introduced Mr. Esterly, Director of Public Works, and Ms. Jacque Wedding- Scott, Assistant City Manager. Ms. Scott began employment with the City of Englewood on January 4, 1993, and has previously been employed with the City of Sheridan and an active participant in the Tri-Cities group discussions of improvements to Santa Fe Drive. Mr. Merkel stated that Ms. Scott will also be working with the Community Development Depart- ment on "community-based" projects, such as the revision of the Comprehensive Plan, and as- sisting on Economic Development efforts. Ms. Scott summarized her professional background, noting that she had worked 2.5 years with Sheridan in Economic Development and as an assistant to the City Manager; had worked as Finance Director in Golden for one year, and as an Assistant Finance Director for Wheatridge for 7.5 years. Ms. Scott stated that she looks forward to the challenges presented to her in Englewood. Mr. Merkel recalled that a little over a month ago, the Commission was asked to review the EDA W plan for aesthetic treatments along the Santa Fe Drive Corridor through Englewood , Sheridan, and Littleton, and at that meeting there were several questions posed by members to which he did not have the answers. Public Works Director Esterly, Ms. Scott, and Mr. Stitt have all been active participants in the Tri-Cities Group, as have been Planning Commission members Covens and Shoop; this meeting will focus on the background of the Santa Fe Drive Corridor improvements. Mr. Esterly discussed the improvements which have been proposed along the Santa Fe Drive corridor from Yale south to Belleview. The issues discussed included such ma tters as grade separations, new bridges, right-of-way acquisition and widening along portions of the route, provision of a HOV lane, installation and maintenance of landscaping, median treatment, and speed limitations, as well as financing and scheduling the start of construction. Mr. Esterly stated that the widening of the route is occurring on the east side of the corridor , and that frontage roads will be developed on the west side of the corridor to serve the businesses along Santa Fe. The access from the frontage roads will be right-in/right-out except at key intersec- tions such as Dartmouth, U.S. 285, Oxford Avenue, Union Avenue, and Belleview Avenue, where turning movements are anticipated. Mr. Esterly indicated, on the large display map, access improvements which are completed or under construction, and those which are scheduled. Mr. Esterly discussed the delay in con- struction starts; several factors enter into this delay, among them surveying and right-of-way acquisition, and the financing for acquisition and construction. The alignment and elevation of bridges were discussed. Construction of the Navajo alignment to tie into Windermere and Oxford was also discussed, as well as the installation of storm sewer lines along Oxford and along U. S. 285 in Sheridan. The installation of the storm sewer lines may ultimately assist in resolving some drainage problems in Englewood, also. Congestion on Quincy A venue during the time of construction on West Oxford was consid- ered. The construction of the Navajo Street segment between Windermere and Oxford should assist in carrying the traffic that makes use of the Oxford/Santa Fe intersection now. Mr. Es- terly pointed out that when the Oxford intersection construction is completed, the Quincy in- tersection with Santa Fe will be closed. The Union Avenue intersection at South Santa Fe will be signalized, but will not cross the railroad tracks; it will provide access to the businesses on West Union Avenue. Mr. Esterly then discussed the construction costs of the Navajo connec- 2 J tion: Urban Drainage will be contributing $100,000 to the construction of the bridge over Big Dry Creek on Windermere, and the City of Englewood will contribute $500,000. Ms. Tobin inquired whether the traffic on Windermere warranted the expenditure of funds in this magni- tude. Mr. Esterly pointed out that Windermere does and will carry truck traffic to serve the industrial area. Mr. Merkel stated that if provision is not made for that truck traffic they will be using residential streets. Efforts to retain the existing bus inesses along Santa Fe were discussed. The frontage roads and roads that are being developed west of Santa Fe were indicated on the map. Ms. Scott stated that Tri-Cities has been trying to work with the corridor businesses to attempt to retain the current level of activity. There is a group of businessmen that have been i nvolved in the Tri-Cities meetings; however, the level of involvement has decreased recently. Mr. Covens commented that the aesthetic improvements will remove "clutter" from the corri- dor; there will be custom signage, landscaping, etc., all of which should make for a better business atmosphere. Mr. Esterly stated that the cities of Englewood , Sheridan , and Littleton financed the EDA W study, which has been presented to the Colorado Department of Trans- portation (CDOT) for its consideration. Mr. Schultz inquired why the Navajo alignment was chosen for the link between Windermere and Oxford. Mr. Esterly stated that the Navajo intersection with Oxford provides sufficient distance from the Oxford/Santa Fe intersection, and the City owns a lot of the right-of-way along this alignment, even though some of the businesses use that right-of-way in conjunction with their operation. Discussion on the precise alignment of Navajo ensued. Mr. Schultz recapped some of the questions he had regarding the corridor improvements at the time the EDAW study was considered: how much influence does the Tri-Cities Group have, what will the finished "product" look like, continuity in speed limits and barriers , etc. Mr. Esterly stated that agreement has been reached with the State regarding landscaping for medians and roadsides; the City will assume maintenance for those areas that are within En- glewood , and has discussed working something out on maintenance with Sheridan; Littleton has also agreed to assume the maintenance through their jurisdiction. Mr. Esterly indicated the median issue can be negotiated. The sound wall at Dartmouth and Santa Fe (on the west side) was discussed; Mr. Esterly commented that pictures of before and after indicate that the current sound wall is a definite improvement. Mr. Schultz asked whether we have given sufficient information to the State for them to incor- porate some of our ideas and plans into the U.S. 285 interchange. Mr. Esterly stated that COOT asked Tri-Cities to bring them a "plan", which has been done; there is a meeting scheduled with District Engineer Vidal in the near future. The proposed speed limit along the corridor is 45 MPH, but it will be designed to accommodate 55 MPH. There will have to be openings in the Jersey barriers at intersections. The speed limit dictates proximity of land- scaping to traffic lanes, medians, barriers, etc. Mr. Covens commented that he did not want to see the traffic going through the Englewood sector over 50 MPH. He is concerned that if a higher speed limit is allowed, the businessmen along the corridor will suffer. Mr. Stitt noted that 40 MPH is considered "low speed", and 50 MPH is considered "high speed"; the posted limit is 45 MPH. Further discussion ensued. Ms. Scott pointed out that discussions on landscaping indicated the hope was that a well-land- scaped thoroughfare might tend to slow the traffic. Survival of businesses was discussed. Mr. Merkel commented that there is a lot of land avail- able for redevelopment, and that there are probably some of the existing businesses th a t will 3 change, and should change to a better use, with the changes in access with the new design. Mr. Stitt pointed out that there are a number of land use issues that haven It really been ad-e dressed yet, and further pointed out that the area along Santa Fe between U.S. 285 and Big Dry Creek isn't really a "business" corridor, but is better suited to industrial development. Traffic flow was discussed. Mr. Esterly stated there will be fewer signalized intersections, which should assist the flow of traffic; however, the bottleneck at Dartmouth will probably continue until construction is completed. Mr. Schultz inquired whether the 45 MPH was a re- alistic speed limit given the number of "interruptions" along the corridor. Mr. Esterly stated that it is. Other traffic concerns were discussed, such as U.S. 285 between Broadway and University, the off-ramps to Broadway from U.S. 285, Evans traveling west from Broadway. Mr. Covens inquired about the bicycle trails from the regional park along Big Dry Creek. Mr. Esterly stated that the bicycle trail will be funded within the next three years from the Belle- view/Progress Park areas to the Platte River. The trail will make use of existing box culverts for Big Dry Creek at Santa Fe. The possibility of a connecting bicycle trail at Dartmouth and Cushing Park was also mentioned. Mr. Shoop inquired whether truck traffic will be able to use Tufts A venue, or whether a bar- rier to separate the commercial/residential areas is still under discussion. Mr. Esterly stated that the design of turning radii can encourage or discourage truck traffic; the residential streets can be posted for no truck traffic also, and trucks using those streets must have a specific des- tination in the neighborhood. Improvement of the bridge at Broadway/U.S. 285 was further discussed. Mr. Esterly stated that the City has contracted with CRSS to conduct a study similar to that done along U.S. 285 between Broadway and Santa Fe. The earliest possible date for improvements is estimated to be three years. Mr. Schultz inquired about medians in U.S. 285 between University and South Broadway. Mr. Esterly indicated that CDOT has said if they have the funding, they will build and plant the medians, but the City of Englewood would maintain them. Mr. Esterly discussed efforts to get funding for beautification projects during the budget sessions of the last two years. In response to a question asked by Mr. Covens, Ms. Scott stated that the businessmen partici- pants on Tri-Cities have taken the stance that "you have been doing a good job representing us", and haven't really taken a very active role in the discussions. Staff members on Tri-Cities do not want the businessmen to ever feel that something is "crammed down their throats", and are hoping to rejuvenate their interest in the project so they will take an "ownership interest" in it. Attempts have been made to keep the businessmen up-to-date all along; over 400 surveys were mailed out, and 12 responses were received; a newsletter was also mailed, but the bud- gets of all participating jurisdictions are limited, and this is an expensive undertaking. Ms. Scott stated that the Oxford intersection will still serve as the main entrance into Sheridan, and that the City of Sheridan has contracted with BAH to do an image enhancement study for them; the City is also working with CDOT on U.S. 285. The issue of the railroad spur along Oxford which crosses Santa Fe was also briefly discussed : The bridge on Oxford by the golf course needs to be widened and rebuilt. Mr. Covens inquired about development north of the golf course. Mr. Esterly stated that he understood Mr. Black of the Englewood Recreation Department had engaged a firm to do a study, but doesn't know the status of the report. 4 e Mr. Schultz expressed the appreciation of the Commission to Mr. Esterly for his attendance and discussion. Mr. Esterly encouraged members of the Commission to contact him by tele- phone or to come into the office to discuss any issues that might be of concern to them. V. PUBLIC FORUM. No one was present. VI. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE. Mr. Merkel stated that he, Mr. Stitt and Ms. Scott had met with Planning personnel from Longmont earlier on this date. There are still one or two other communities they want to meet with, and he anticipates a written analysis for the Commission in February. VII. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE. Ms. Tobin thanked staff for the study session. The meeting was declared adjourned. 5