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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-04-02 PZC MINUTES• -~ • CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING CO MM ISSION April 2, 1991 I. CALL TO ORDER. The regular meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order by Chairman J. C. Schultz at 7:00 P. M. in Conference Room A of the En- glewood City Hall. Members present: Gerlick, Glynn, Schultz, Shoop, Tobin, Covens, Draper, Dum- mer, Daviet (entered the meeting just after attendance was taken.) Members absent: Also present: Wanush, Ex-Officio None D. A. Romans, Planning Administrator H. J. Stitt, Neighborhood Services Administrator Dana C. Glazier, Waste Management/KAB Coordinator Brian J. Brown, Recycling Coordinator JI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 19, 1991 Chairman Schultz stated that the Minutes of March 19, 1991 were to be con- sidered for approval. Draper moved: Tobin seconded: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Glynn, None None None The Minutes of March 19, 1991 be approved as written. Schultz, Shoop, Tobin, Covens, Daviet, Draper, Dummer, Gerlick The motion carried. Ill. RECYCLING/WASTE MANAGEMENT/KAB UPDATE Mr . Wanush introduced Brian Brown, Recycling Coordinator. Mr. Brown is set- ting up the pilot program for recycling in Englewood, and when the grant funds are received from the State, he will also oversee the recycling program for the City of Littleton . The SMART Grant was awarded to the cities of Englewood and Littleton, and Mr. Brown's time will be split between the two programs. Mr. Brown has been employed by the City of Englewood since January. Mr. Wanush also introduced Dana C. Glazier, the Waste Management/KAB Coordina- tor. Mr. Glazier was hired February 1. Mr. Glazier will be working with the newly appointed Keep America Beautiful Commission, and the first meeting of this Commission is scheduled for April 9. -1 - , . Mr. Brown stated that the contract for the SMART Grant is still at the State. Mr. Brown discussed the recycling programs as proposed for Englewood vs. that proposed for Littleton. There will be four categories that will be compared • to determine workability and effectiveness at the conclusion of the six-month pilot period. These four categories are: 1) Fee System; 2) Recycling Method; 3) Container Type; and 4) Collection Frequency. Mr. Brown discussed the ways in which the proposed programs for the two cities differ. Englewood will of- fer curbside recycling pickup; recyclables will be co-mingled in one six to eight gallon bucket; the participating homeowner will pay for trash bags, and the City will pay the usual fee to the trash company; pickups will be weekly. The haulers will pick up glass, plastic, newspaper, aluminum cans, and steel (tin) cans for recycling purposes. The pilot program will target the north- east section of Englewood. Both cities will emphasize educational programs for the general citizenry to reduce the waste stream, to promote composting yard waste, and promotion of goods and packaging that are reusable. The En- glewood program is based on voluntary participation, and will begin sometime in June. Mr. Glynn asked whether recycling would be profitable for the hauler. Mr. Brown stated that recycling is not profitable by itself now, but it may become so as markets for recycled materials develop . Mr. Brown discussed the consideration to provide curbside pickup for recycla- ble materials rather than alley pickup. The recycling buckets will be readily visible to haulers and general public alike, which will serve as a means to publicize the program, and it is hoped the visible location of the recycling buckets will deter scavenging of recyclable materials. Mr. Brown stated that in Englewood, each participating household will be issued one bucket free of • charge; additional buckets may be obtained for a nominal fee. If a household collects more than one bucket of recyclable material per week, they may place the excess in bags beside the bucket for pickup by the hauler. Mr. Dummer stated it appears the participating homeowner will have to go back to the trash hauler used prior to the pilot program after the program ends in December. Mr. Brown stated that this is correct. Following the end of the pilot program, there will be an evaluation of the program determining its strengths and weaknesses. Mr. Wanush stated that the examination of the recy- cling portion of the pilot program will be information that will be considered in the overall issue of trash hauling, and anticipated that the City will make a determination on this sometime early next year. Mr. Schultz commented that the trash collection centers are filling up, and the total amount of the trash stream needs to be reduced. He noted that if the pilot program doesn't work here, Englewood may adopt a program that has proven successful in another city. Mr. Draper asked what the cost would be for the average homeowner. Mr. Brown estimated that the average household will use between 1.2 and 1.8 bags per week; this would be approximately $2 per week, or $8/month vs. the typical hauling charge of $12+ per month. Mr. Brown reiterated that the first recy- cling bucket issued to a household is free of charge. Mr. Gerl i ck asked what the response has been to the proposed program. Mr. Brown stated that the overa 11 response is very positive . There have been a • number of people who want to volunteer for the program; some people, however, feel that the program is confusing. -2 - ' • • • Mr. Covens asked if regional meetings were still planned before and during the program. Mr. Brown replied in the affirmative . Ms. Daviet wondered if the pilot program being in only one sector of the City would be confusing to residents of other sectors of the City that may want to participate but cannot, and if it could not prove to be counter productive. Discussion on the restriction of the pilot program to only one sector of the City ensued. Mr. Dummer asked if the bags to be used in the program were biodegradable. Mr. Brown stated that they are not. Mr . Dummer stated that "Pl ast i can" does manufacture a bag that is biodegradable, and has a patent on it. Mr. Brown stated that at this point of the program, he is concerned with the strength of the bags. Discussion ensued. Mr. Covens inquired about household hazardous waste, the recycling efforts of the City itself, and composting. Mr. Brown discussed composting and alterna- tives to composting, such as mowing "high" and letting the grass clippings lie as a self-mulch on the lawn. Mr. Brown stated that he was not involved with the in-house City recycling/purchasing of recycled materials program. House- hold hazardous waste will be handled by Tri-County Health, and will be a City- wide service. Mr. Dummer asked whether plastic containers of such things as liquid drain cleansers could be recycled. Mr. Brown stated that most of the plastic recy- cling is for those items with a number 1, 2, or 4 imprinted on the bottom; usually milk jugs and pop containers. Mr. Draper asked about the recycling of cardboard. Mr. Brown stated that Waste Management at 2400 West Union Avenue will accept cardboard for recycling. Mr . Schultz asked if there were additional questions of Mr. Brown. Hearing no further questions regarding the recycling program, Mr. Schultz asked Mr. Glazier to discuss the Waste Management/KAB Program. Mr. Glazier discussed the history of the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) program, which was founded in 1953, and focused their efforts on litter prevention. The KAB SYSTEM was launched in 1976. The KAB System is a grass-roots level effort to promote reduction of litter, recycling and the beaut ifi cation and preservation of our environment . Englewood is very committed to dealing with environmental issues, and has made application to become a KAB community. Mr. Glazier discussed criteria which has to be complied with in order to gain cer- tification. Mr. Glazier stated that a photometric index, or an assessment of the litter problem, has been completed . A KAB Commission has been established by ordinance, and members were formally appointed by City Council on April 1; a Coordinator (himself) has been hired. Mr . Glazier stated that the photo- metric index assessment reading is 1.85; he has been informed that the lower the number the less problem with litter there is. Mr. Glazier stated that there is a litter problem around loading docks, vacant lots, alleys, and dumpsters. There is some litter found along streets and rights-of-way. Mr. Glazier stated that the KAB Commission is a 15-member body, and will focus on education of the public on the need to decrease the amount of litter gener- ated, on the reuse and recycling of materials, and on composting of yard was- tes. Beautification through tree planting programs will also be part of the KAB Commission efforts. The Commission will work with schools, neighborhood -3 - ' groups, c1v1c clubs, etc. to educate the public of the need to be environmen- tally aware and to generate more neighborhood involvement in community activi- ties. Mr. Glazier stated that the educational efforts through the schools • will be two-fold: One program will be directed at students in grades 1 through 6; a second program will be directed at students in grades 7 through 12. On April 12, the KAB headquarters wi 11 be sending a representative to train the Commission, and on April 13, the certification of the City of Englewood as a KAB Community will be announced. Mr. Covens asked who was coordinating the 10,000 trees program. Mr. Glazier stated that this is being coordinated through the Parks Division. The trees will be planted along the bicycle paths and the Platte River, not on the Golf Course. Mr. Wanush discussed the development of the month of April as the environmen- tal month for Englewood, and that this came about through City employee inter- est and coordination of the ideas advanced at meetings. Mr. Wanush stated that he wants to pursue this means of participation in community activities by the City work force. Mr. Schultz expressed the appreciation of the Commission to Mr. Glazier and Mr. Brown for their attendance and presentation. Mr. Covens also commended Mr. Glazier, Mr. Brown and Mr. Stitt for their informative articles in the latest edition of the Englewood Citizen. IV. PUBLIC FORUM There was no one present to address the Commission. V. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Mr. Wanush stated that he had nothing to discuss. Mrs. Romans stated that she had nothing to bring before the Commission. VI. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE Mr. Covens inquired about the Public Hearing on the zoning of the enclaves which are the subject of consideration for annexation. Mr. Wanush stated that City Council elected to hold a Public Hearing on May 6, and staff felt it would be unwise to proceed with a zoning hearing until the determination had finally been made on annexation of these sites. Mr. Schultz stated that Mrs. Romans will be retiring from the City effective the end of April, and that she will be on vacation from April 8th through the end of the month. Mr. Schultz stated that the Commission would like to honor Mrs. Romans at this time, and stated that her work and devotion to the City has been deep 1 y appreciated, and her kn owl edge of the City is an i nva 1uab1 e asset. Mr. Schultz stated that her assistance to him and to other members of the Commission is most appreciated, and that she will be greatly missed as an active participant in the Planning program of the City of Englewood. Other • Commission members joined Mr. Schultz in expressing their appreciation to Mrs. • Romans for her years of service and that her contributions to the program of the City as a whole have been outstanding . -4 - Mr. Schultz presented Mrs. Romans with a dozen red roses from the Commission, along with a card signed by all members. Cake and coffee were served follow- • ing the adjournment of the meeting. c.t.~y~ Recording Secretary • • -5 -