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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-10-02 PZC MINUTESCITY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION October 2, 1990 I. CALL TO ORDER. D R A F T The regular meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission was called to Order at 7:00 P. M. in Conference Room A of Englewood City Hall, Chairman Tom Gerlick presiding. Members present: Members absent: Also present: Schultz, Shoop, Tobin, Covens, Cronk, Daviet, Dummer, Ger- lick, Glynn None D. A. Romans, Planning Administrator II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. September 18, 1990 Chairman Gerlick stated that the Minutes of September 18, 1990 were to be con- sidered for approval. Tobin moved: Shoop seconded: The Minutes of September 18, 1990 be approved as written. AYES: NAYS: Shoop, Tobin, Covens, Cronk, Daviet, Dummer, Gerlick, Glynn, Schultz None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None The motion carried. III. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVIEW Parks & Recreation Section Mrs. Romans distributed copies of the Parks & Recreation section from the 1979 Comprehensive Plan to members of the Commission. She stated that the revised section of the Plan, which was included in the Commissioner's packets, has very minor changes from the 1979 Edition. The Parks & Recreation Commission and its staff have reviewed the 1979 Plan and prepared the revised section for the Planning Commission's consideration. Mrs. Romans then cited paragraphs of the Parks & Recreation section which have been modified and updated by the Parks & Recreation Commission. Modifications include deletion of references to the need for acquisition of additional land for Cushing Park, need for ren- ovations at Centennial Park, etc. The expansion and improvement of hiking/ biking trails, and the need to tie into other trails is emphasized. Mrs. Ro- mans stated that the bicycle path along Little Dry Creek could be taken on- street from the present termination point up to Eastman Avenue, then tie into the trail system at Dartmouth and Santa Fe to the Platte. -1 - Mrs. Romans then discussed a possible hiking/biking trail along Big Dry Creek, and pointed out the desirability of getting the municipalities of Greenwood Village and Littleton to cooperate in the development of this trail system. The concept of "pocket parks" which was proposed in the 1979 Plan was retained in the revised section. Mrs. Romans explained that this concept entails the possible vacation of some "avenue" right-of-way for development as small land- scaped areas. Mrs. Romans stated that this concept has not been pursued, but is of the opinion that there is merit to the idea, and that it should be ex- plored. Members of the Commission agreed that this concept could have merit in specific areas. Mr. Schultz offered the use of the street in front of his residence, commenting that motorists wishing to avoid the long light at Yale Avenue and South Logan Street speed down Amherst Avenue, and seldom obey the stop signs. The revised section of the Plan eliminates reference to a need for additional tennis courts and a pool in the northeast Englewood area. Quiet areas were discussed . Ms. Tobin asked how a "quiet" area could be guaranteed in a park. Mrs. Romans stated that this would be an area of the park where there is no playground equipment, but is landscaped and has benches for those who wish to sit and read or muse. Ms. Tobin pointed out that the location of the quiet area would have to be carefully monitored because of the crime element that might be attracted to "quiet" areas. Mrs. Romans agreed that there would have to be good security. Development of the Fairground property for park purposes was discussed. Mrs. Romans pointed out that the City of Englewood has been meeting with South Sub- urban concerning the development of this area. The possibility of tying Belleview Park and Progress Park in with the Fairgrounds development was dis- cussed, and it was noted that this would make a very nice "regional" park/ recreation development if this could be done. Mr. Dummer pointed out that if the regional park could be a reality, there is a possibility for some good winter sports activities such as sledding. There are a limited number of locations for youngsters to go sledding in the area. Improvements to Belleview Park were considered, particularly to the Children's Farm. The fee schedule charged was questioned; do the fees charged cover the cost of feed and maintenance of the farm. Also, what does the reference to the USDA mean in connection with the Farm. Mrs. Romans stated that staff would investigate both of these issues. Expansion/improvement to the Rec re at ion Center and the Malley Senior Center were discussed. Ms. Daviet stated that an open area and outdoor soccer fields would be a welcome addition at the Rec re at ion Center. It was the consensus that there should be more detail on the proposed improvements to both facilities. Ms. Tobin asked if it would be feasible to enclose the swimming pool at Sinclair Middle School. Ms. Daviet pointed out that there are some swimmers who prefer an outdoor pool. Mrs. Romans stated that all improvements to the pool would have to be done in cooperation with the School District. -2 - • Ms. Tobin stated that in light of the budgetary problems the City is ex- periencing, she has difficulty promoting the idea of purchasing additional property and doing further development. Mrs . Romans pointed out that the Com- prehensive Plan is an outline of the community's ''needs", things that it would be desirable to have in the future. This does not commit to an immediate pur- chase or development, and cited the fact that the Recreation Center had been included in the Comprehensive Plan and on the Capital Improvement Program for ma ny years before it finally became a reality. The Comprehensive Plan is a goal to work toward. Ms . Tobin discussed her dismay that Denny Miller fields are fenced off, and that small children cannot get into the park to play. A skateboard park was then discussed. Mr. Schultz stated that the liability on skateboard parks is incredibly expensive . A suggestion was made that rather than an actual park being constructed and maintained by the City, with the high insurance costs, that a flat surfaced area be provided, and if parents want to build the portable ramps and supervise their children, this would be acceptable. Ms. Tobin stated that the town of Parker and the YMCA went together to develop that skateboard facility, and that the insurance was available under the YMCA. Ms. Tobin discussed the need for handicapped access to parks and buildings. Ms. Tobin pointed out that Craig Rehabilitation Hospital is located on South Cla r kson, and that wheelchair-bound patients need to have access to the parks and recreational facilities, as well as all public buildings. Mrs. Romans agreed that this is an excellent point, and suggested possibly including, as a goa l , the desirability of a handicapped-accessible park with a basketball court for players confined to wheelchairs, and possibly a place to conduct handicapped Olympic competitions. Mr. Schultz discussed the need for better security and patrolling under the bridges along Little Dry Creek, and stated that there had recently been a large confrontation, with approximately 150 youngsters involved, by the Broad- way underpass. He stated that he had recently walked this area, and was ap- pa 11 ed at the broken glass, broken lights, and other vandalism that has oc- curred. Mr. Schultz stated that the school officials were informed that this area was "ha r d to see from a patrol car". Seve r al members of the Commission commented on the "low priority" patrolling parks and bike trails seems to have. Mrs. Romans questioned that it is a "low priority", but rather a matter of personnel to cover the streets and parks, and suggested that this might be a matter to discuss with the City Council on October 15. Ms. Daviet stated that in her opinion, a lot of the vandalism is the anger the youngsters feel as a result of the "against kids" sentiments that are preva- lent. She stated that, in her opinion, the way adults are choosing to com- municate with the youngsters is a lot of the problem, and adults need to ex- plain more to the child why something is or is not allowed than just "you can't do it." Ms. Daviet brought up a safety problem at Cushing Park, noting that in the winter time when the pond is covered with snow and a thin layer of ice, it is not particularly noticeable as a body of water, and she has seen youngsters on bikes ride right on to the lake. She expressed concern that this could lead -3 - to a tragic accident for some child, or possibly an elderly person that is not familiar with the park and is unaware of the lake. She suggested that a fenc- ing of some type be installed around the lake during the winter months. Mr. Dummer suggested that snow fencing could be installed around the lake during winter months . Mr. Shoop noted that Miller Field and the High School Detention Pond and facilities are not mentioned in the revised Parks & Recreation Section. Discussion ensued. Mrs. Romans stated that she would make note of the need to address handicapped recreation/access, Miller Field, the Detention Pond, and the need for toilet facilities at Miller Field for further discussion and in- clusion in the Plan. IV. BROADWAY CORRIDOR PARKING Mrs. Romans distributed copies of the Broadway Revitalization Study, which was completed by students at the University of Colorado at Denver . One recurring problem which this study failed to address was the problem of parking for Broadway business customers/employees. Complaints are received from residents living on Lincoln and/or Acoma that employees and/or customers park on the residential streets and the resident is denied use of the parking area in front of their home for their personal use or the use of their guests. Mrs. Romans reviewed past efforts to address this problem, beginning with the im- position of a "P-Parking" zone designation, which zone designation allowed the property to be used Q!!J._y for parking purposes. This was determined to be im- proper, and the R-4, Residential -Professional District was developed which would allow parking lots on 100 foot frontage. However, the R-4 Zone District was then amended to require a mini mum 200 foot frontage for parking 1 ots, which rendered the zone district basically impractical for the purpose it was drafted to address. Mrs. Romans stated that some limited use had been made of the R-4 District prior to the amendment. The former Schamp automobile dealership had purchased some properties on South Acoma Street, cleared and landscaped them, and devel- oped them for parking lots. The Acoma Street residents voiced no objection to the parking lots developed by Schamp. South of Kenyon Avenue, the R-2 and R-2-C Districts are imposed along Lincoln and Acoma Street. The R-2-C Zone District is a medium density district, which will allow no density greater than a duplex. The R-2 Zone District will allow up to a four-plex. Mrs. Romans suggested that there are a couple of ways the Commission may want to proceed. One would be to amend the R-4 District to allow parking lots to be developed with a minimum of 75 feet of frontage. Access to the parking lots could be limited to the alleys so that there would be no intrusion into the residential street. Landscaping would be required, and the parking area would have to be hard surfaced. The R-4 District does have the traditional 25 foot front setback; perhaps this setback requirement could be reduced to 15 feet for the parking lots. A second suggestion would be to amend the R-2 Zone District to allow a parking lot on a minimum frontage of 75 feet as a Condi- tional Use. This would mean that the Commission would have to specifically approve each parking lot development in this Zone District, and the neighbors would have an opportunity to have input prior to the development of the park- ing lot. -4 - ' Mr. Schultz asked if there had been any consideration given to eventually con- tinuing the one-way couplet through Englewood that exists in Denver on South Broadway/Lincoln. Mrs. Romans stated that this has not been considered be- cause Lincoln would not be feasible at the U.S. 285 or Flood Middle School areas. There was consideration of using Bannock/Sherman as a one-way couplet through Englewood. Discussion ensued. Ms. Daviet excused herself from the meeting at 8:30 P. M. Mrs. Romans stated that she had met with the Governmental Affairs Committee of the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce on September 11, at which time she had presented her written synopsis of the parking problem. One suggestion which was made by members of the GAC, is that parking for Broadway businesses be a 11 owed on the rear 25 feet of residential properties fronting on South Acoma or South Lincoln. Another suggestion was to make this same provision available in the industrial sectors, also. It was pointed out that this could provide people with a place to store RV's that cannot store them on their residential property. Mrs. Romans stated that in her opinion, these sugges- tions need further consideration. Mrs. Romans stated that if the changes are made in the R-2 Zone District, the restrictions would apply in the northwest Englewood section, as well as along East Hampden Avenue. Mrs. Romans stated that it is her opinion the Commission should proceed with amendments to the R-4 and R-2 Zone Districts, and the Commission may want to consider whether to include the R-2-C Zone District, also. Mrs. Romans point- ed out that there are very few vacant sites in the R-2-C District. By enact- ing the amendments as she has outlined, the City would make it ''possible" for the businesses fronting on Broadway to provide off-street parking on proper- ties that they purchase across the alley. Mrs. Romans emphasized that 75 feet frontage would be the minimum she would recommend for parking lots. Mr. Schultz asked if the Condition al Use route in the R-2 Zone were to be adopted, would the Commission have the option of a periodic review of the use and the impact it has on the neighborhood. Mrs. Romans stated that standards would have to be written for the development of the parking lots, and yearly review by the Commission could be one of the restrictions imposed. Mr. Schultz asked if there had been any complaints about the Kaiser Permanente development and parking on Acoma. Mrs. Romans stated that no complaints have been received; she emphasized that staff worked quite closely with Kaiser of- ficials and with the neighbors at the time of the development. Mr . Gerlick asked that this matter, in addition to the Parks & Recreation sec- tion of the Comprehensive Plan, be scheduled for additional discussion in November. V. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE. Mrs. Romans reminded Commission members of the meeting with City Council at 6:00 P.M . on October 15. Mr. Covens stated that he would be out of town on that date, and would miss the meeting. Mrs. Romans also reminded Commission members of the 21st annual Holiday Parade on November 3, 1990. Members were invited to be sponsors if they so desired, and if any of the organizations for which the members worked wanted to par- ticipate in the Parade, they were also welcome to do so. -5 - VI. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE. There was nothing brought up for discussion under Commissioner's Choice. The meeting was declared adjourned at 8:45 P. M. Gertrude G. Welty Recording Secretar; -6 -