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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-09-17 PZC MINUTES. "" • • • CI TY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION September 17, 1991 I. CALL TO ORDER. The regular meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission was ca ll ed to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairman J. C. Schultz in Conference Room A of t he En- glewood City Hall. Members present: Tobin, Shoop, Schultz, Gerlick, Dummer, Draper Wanush , Ex-officio Members absent: Daviet, Covens, Glynn Also prese nt: Esterly, Director of Public Works II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 20, 1991 Chairman Schultz stated that the Minutes of August 20, 1991 were t o be con - sidered for approval. Mr. Glynn entered the meeting and took his seat with members of the Commission. Draper moved: Gerlick seconded: The Minutes of August 20, 1991 be approved as writt en. AYES: NAYS: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Tobin, Gerlick, None Schultz Covens, Dav i et Glynn, Shoop, Draper, Dummer The motion carried. III. FINDINGS OF FACT Auto Repair 4000 South Broadway CASE #5 -91 Mr. Schultz stated that the Findings of Fact for Case #5-91 were to be con - sidered for approval. Tobin moved: Draper seconded: The Findings of Fact for Case #5-91 be approved as wri t t en. AYES: - NAYS: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Draper, Dummer, Gerlick, Glynn, Shoop, Tobin None Schultz Covens, Daviet The motion carried . -1 - IV. BROADWAY CORRIDOR PARKING Mr. Wanush summarized previous discussions of the parking problem along the South Broadway corridor, and cited several options that have been considered in an attempt to resolve the situation. Mr. Wanush stated that staff recom- mends amending the R-2-C Zone District to permit the residential property owners to lease the rear 22 +/-feet of their property to a Broadway business to provide parking for that business. Mr. Wanush suggested some provisions that should be included in the revision of the District regulations, such as a six foot fence on both sides of the parking area to reduce the impact on neighboring residential properties, and the parking area must be hard sur- faced. Mr. Wanush stated that it appears five spaces can be accommodated on a 50 foot lot, whether the parking is designed for angle spaces or head-in spaces. The angled parking will be easier to access and exit. Ms. Tobin suggested that trash haulers be notified of the proposal; this could impact their routes, particularly if alleys are designated one-way. Mr. Wanush agreed, and stated that on those properties who do lease to the busi- ness, provision will have to be made for an area for their trash pick-up. Mr. Wanush stated that he had spoken to the Assessor's Office regarding the impact leasing property for parking might have on a residential property as- sessment. He was verbally informed that if the basic use of the ownership is for resident i a 1 purposes, the 1 easing of the rear portion for parking wi 11 have no impact on the assessed value. Mr. Wanush stated that he does not have this in writing. ... • The size of parking spaces was discussed. Mr. Wanush stated that 300 sq. ft. per space, which includes maneuvering space, is the figure used for a full • sized vehicle. There are smaller spaces for compact vehicles. The paving of alleys was discussed. Mr. Wanush stated that paving of an alley would be a separate matter from requiring the rear parking area to be paved. Public Works Director Esterly suggested that it might be unwise to put a lot of traffic in an unpaved a 11 ey, and that a 11 eys are paved when petitions requesting the paving are submitted by adjacent property owners; the cost is then borne by the property owners. Mr. Shoop asked who would be responsible for paving the leased parking area. Mr. Wanush stated that this would have to be by agreement between the lessee and the lessor. Ms. Daviet entered the meeting at 7:15 and took her seat with the members of the Commission. Mr. Wanush stated that there were some property owners on South Acoma Street who attended one of the meetings held in July; these property owners indicated a willingness to meet with the Broadway businesses in an attempt to work out a solution to the on-street parking. The property owners had stated that they did not mind if there was some on-street parking, but they did want to be able to park on-street themselves, and/or have space available for guests to park on-street. The business owner indicated that he was willing to work with the residential property owners to resolve the problem. Signage limiting the on-street parking to residents only was discussed. -2 -• t. • • • Mr. Shoop asked if the use of the leased area would be at the discretion of the lessor: employee parking, customer parking, or storage. Mr. Wanush stated that storage would not be accept ab 1 e; the purpose of the amendment would be to allow customer or employee parking . Mr. Wanush stated that one of the previous discussions had also centered on marked parking spaces on-street vs. unmarked on-street parking; he asked Mr. Esterly to present the information he has compiled on this issue. Mr. Esterly stated that if parking spaces are marked on-street they must be strictly "legal" spaces --distances from intersections, driveways, fire hy- drants, etc. must be strictly adhered to. Sample blocks were chosen and vehi- cles presently parking on these blocks were counted; if these blocks were to be marked with designated parking spaces, the number of vehicles parking on- street would decrease by anywhere from two spaces on up. Mr. Wanush stated that staff would draft a proposed amendment to the R-2-C District regulations encompassing the standards that have been discussed; the Planning Commission will be required to have a Public Hearing as will the City Counci 1. Mr. Gerlick suggested that the area to be leased for parking be increased to 25 feet at the rear of the residential lots rather than the 22 feet. Discus- sion ensued. Mr. Wanush noted that bumper stops will probably have to be re- quired so that vehicles do not damage a fence that the property owner may have separating their rear yard from the leased parking area. V. VARIOUS TRAFFIC CONCERNS Discussion ensued on memorandums from Mr. Esterly on various traffic matters which had been raised by the Commission at their previous meeting with Mr. Esterly in August. The concerns addressed were the intersection of South Cherokee Street and West Girard Avenue, and the signal timing at West Dart- mouth Avenue and South Elati Street. Members of the Commission discussed other concerns they have, part i cul arl y timing on signals to allow pedestrians (elderly and very young) sufficient time to cross streets such as Broadway. Mr. Esterly emphasized the need to activate the walk signals, which changes the timing to allow more pedestrian time. Mr. Draper commented that he had observed persons crossing Broadway for approximately one hour; of those who crossed the street (estimated at 70) only 15 +/-activated the walk signal. Other means to give add it i ona 1 pedestrian time were suggested. Mr. Esterly pointed out that technology is available to accomplish some of the sugges- tions; he cautioned, however, that if people rely on a particular system at an intersection , and if that system fails to function properly at any one time, it could cause an accident and/or injury. Mr. Esterly also pointed out that additipnal time given to crossing movements for pedestrian subtracts from the time allotted to the movement of vehicular traffic. Mr. Esterly stated that some of the signals on South Broadway now have an audio signal to alert people that they may cross the street. Additional signage on poles to alert people to activate the walk signal was suggested. Ms. Tobin suggested that a small flashing yellow light just above -3 - the walk signal button might be installed; this might catch the eye of pedestrians and remind them to activate the signal. Mr. Draper discussed his concerns on the signal timing at Broadway and Dart- mouth Avenue, and the need for a left-turn arrow to facilitate turning move- ments from Dartmouth onto Broadway. Mr. Esterly pointed out that changing the timing on any one signal on Broadway would affect the timing of Broadway sig- nals throughout Englewood and in Littleton, because the two cities have their signals synchronized. Other traffic problems along Dartmouth were discussed, such as access to and from the 7-Eleven Store. Ms. Daviet suggested that the drive to the store be made one-way in from Dartmouth Avenue, prohibiting egress onto Dartmouth. Discussion ensued. It was noted that there are signs posted at Arby's and the Original Hamburger Stand which prohibit left-turning movements when egressing the parking lots. Mr. Esterly pointed out that the enforcement of such pro- hibitions is very difficult. Mr. Schultz stated that a couple of years ago members of the Commission met with the Traffic personnel, and viewed the workings of the computer at the Traffic office. He suggested that another such meeting might be arranged for the Commission. Ms. Tobin and Mr. Glynn both expressed interest in viewing the traffic computer. Mr. Esterly stated that he would arrange a date with Mr. Wanush, and that there is a meeting room at the Miller Building where the Commissjon could hold a meeting either before or after meeting with the Traf- fic personnel to view the computer. Mr. Schultz expressed his appreciation to Mr . Esterly for his information and discussion with the Commission. VI. PUBLIC FORUM. There was no one present to address the Commission. VII. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE. Mr. Wanush stated that City Council has tentatively scheduled their regular yearly meeting with the Commission on November 4. Commission members were asked to keep their calendars free on that evening for the meeting with Council. • • Mr. Wanush stated that the City has received a proposal for an indoor "paint- ball" field. Mile-Hi Wargame Supply at 5050 South Federal Boulevard has an opportunity to open such an indoor field in the same complex in which they are located. Mr. Wanush stated that this location is the Centennial Acres Shop- ping Center, which is zoned B-2, Business. Amusement/entertainment facilities are a Conditional Use in the B-1 Zone District, and the B-2 District permits any use permitted in the B-1 District. Conditional Uses in the B-2 District are a4tomotive or adult entertainment oriented. Mr . Wanush suggested that the Commission could address this request in one of two ways: consider the use as a Conditional Use and go through a Public Hearing; or consider it a "similar lawful use, which in the opinion of the Commission, is not objectionable to nearby property by reason of noise, odor, dust, smoke, fumes, gas, heat, glare, radiation or vibration, or is not hazardous to the health and property of the surrounding area through danger of fire or explosion." Discussion • ensued. -4 - • • • Tobin moved: Draper seconded: AYES: NAYS: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Davi et, None None Covens The Planning Commission approve the proposed "Indoor Paint- ball Field" to be located in the Centennial Acres Shopping Center under the provisions of §16-4-12 C 15, "similar law- ful use". Draper, Dummer, Glynn, Gerlick, Shoop, Tobin, Schultz · The motion carried. Mr. Wanush updated the Commission on the derelict vehicle ordinance. Mr. Wanush stated that staff has proposed to Council that upon written verifica- tion from the property owner that a vehicle is being actively worked on, a six month extension shall be given and the $100 fee shall not be imposed; at the expiration of the six month extension the fee will be imposed. No otherexten- sions for that vehicle will be granted. Another recommendation was that the towing service be expanded and the City will offer to tow a vehicle anywhere in the metro area without assuming title to the vehicle. The Council accepted these recommendations, and asked that staff draft an ordinance containing these amendments. Mr. Wanush stated that Councilman Clayton asked that a pro- vision also be included that if a vehicle is fully covered, and if all tires are inflated that it be considered a "legal" vehicle. Mr. Wanush apprised Cammi ss ion members of a conference to be he 1 d in Estes Park October 9 -11, which conference will be sponsored by the Colorado Chap- ter of the APA. Mr. Wanush stated that there is funding for the attendance of two members. Members who are interested are asked to call the Secretary so that reservations may be made. VIII. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE Mr. Glynn asked what has been heard about Breckenridge Brewery. Mr. Wanush stated that the last he heard, they were unable to obtain financing and will not proceed on the Brewery. Mr. Gerlick stated that he understood they were pursuing a site in Denver. There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 P.M. Recording Secretary -5 -