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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-05-02 PZC MINUTES• • • I. CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MAY 2, 1989 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 the Englewood City Hall, Chairman Fred Volkema presiding. Members Present: Draper, Fish, Gerlick, Schultz, Volkema, Carson Wanush, Ex-officio Members Absent: Barber, with previous notice. Members Late: Becker, with previous notice Tobin, with previous notice Also present: Dorothy Romans, Assistant Director of Community Development Susan Hirsch, Senior Planner II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Apri 1 18, 1989 Chairman Volkema stated that the Minutes of April 18, 1989 were to be con- sidered for approval. Draper moved: Schultz seconded: The Minutes of April 18, 1989 be approved as written. AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Fish, Gerlick, Schultz, None Barber, Becker, Tobin None Volkema, Carson, Draper The motion carried. Ms. Hirsch entered the meeting. III. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN ENGLEWOOD Mr. Wanush led discussion on an Economic Development Program for Englewood, and pointed out two issues that need to be determined regarding such a program: (1) How is the program to be developed, and who should be involved in the Planning.? (2) What is the nature of economic development in Englewood, and what should be the content of the plan? -1 - Mr. Wanush cited information that had been included in the packets to the Com- mission members regarding Economic Development, including a GUIDE FOR AREA OVERALL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, from the U.S. Department of Commerce in • May, 1987; a memorandum written to Acting City Manager Vargas in October, 1988 from Mr. Wanush; a memorandum written to the Englewood City Council from EURA Executive Director Hinson in November, 1988; and information from the Downtown Task Force dated May, 1987. The growth of family size was discussed. Mr. Schultz discussed his service on a task force for the Englewood School District, and stated that statistics showed a definite decline in school enrollments for 15 years; then the enroll- ment seemed to level off for two or three years, and this past year indicated a 3% increase in elementary school enrollment. The importance of an Economic Development Program for the City was discussed, and Mr. Wanush stated that he is of the opinion that it is necessary that the "policy makers" be involved. He envisions a diversity of viewpoints and while the Planning Commission needs to have input, the membership of the Economic Development committee should not constitute any one "group". Mr. Wanush stated that some matters that would be considered in the Economic Development Program do come within the purview of the Commission, and cited density, land use, transportation, etc. Mr. Fish suggested that "economic development" is a "buzz" word of the '80's and '90's, but that in his opinion economic development is the way a city should be run --providing information and statistics to businessmen looking to relocate, eliminating red tape wherever possible, and encouraging a good, healthy, climate for business, industrial and residential growth. The provision of tax subsidies for new businesses was discussed. Mr. Fish pointed out that this can create problems also, in that established business- men feel they are not treated fairly when "breaks" are given to the new businesses. Mr. Schultz stated that when he ran for a seat on the City Council, he got the impression from people he spoke to that "we were not in control of what was going on. The people of Englewood were not asked what they needed or wanted", and he is of the opinion that the citizenry needs to determine what is needed and wanted. Mr. Schultz spoke to the need to encourage new businesses that will enhance and complement existing businesses. Mr. Schultz suggested that there is a need to determine why citizens shop at other shopping malls and not Cinderella City --what attracts them to South Glenn Mall, or the Southwest Plaza Mall, for instance. Mr. Fish suggested that it is important that the "rules of the City" be delin- eated for anyone wanting to develop a business or any property. He stated that he is constructing a garage on his residential property, and that the procedures he has had to follow are "horrendous". He urged that "blockades" not be erected to deter new businesses and development. Structuring of the Economic Development Program was discussed further. Mr. Wanush pointed out that however the structuring evolves, the Department of Community Development will be heavily involved, and will be reporting to the Commission on the programs and action. -2 - • • • • • .. , Mr. Carson discussed the possibility of rezoning a portion of the industrial area south of U. S. 285 to prevent construction of additional "warehouses". Mrs. Romans suggested there may be a need for a new zone district to be developed . Mr. Volkema stated that he is of the opinion that the Planning Commission should have a lot of input on the Economic Development program, but cautioned against getting "nit picky". He asked if the staff could draft a proposal for further discussion . Mr . Wanush stated that he is writing something for the City Manager on Economic Development . Further brief discussion ensued. IV. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Mr. Wanush asked how members of the Cammi ss ion env1s10n the Comprehensive Plan. Do they want to see more detail; what do they think a Comprehensive Pl an is? Mr. Fish stated that in reviewing the 1979 Comprehensive Plan, he does not see a "Plan". In his opinion, this document is a statement of where we are, but does not set forth what the City is to work toward. Mr. Fish stated that he feels the medical area is one of the strongest points Englewood has, and this should receive stronger emphasis in the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Volkema agreed, and noted that the area between Hampden Avenue and U.S. 285 could be redeveloped because many of the homes in that area are in poor condition. Mr. Wanush stated it appears that the Commission is looking for an "action plan"; he pointed out that the City has legislative and infrastructure responsibili- ties, but that the full implementation of a plan depends upon private decisions . Mr. Volkema stated that the designation of Swedish Medical Center as the regional trauma center is a great asset to the City, and that we could en- courage businesses that are medically oriented. Mr. Volkema stated that from comments he has heard, it seems that SMC personnel have gained the perception that the "City doesn't care for them". Mr. Schultz stated that he has heard from several sources that the City was anti-business. He stated that he feels there is a need to "advertise ourselves", pointing out that the City is close in to Denver, and offers lots of services; there is a need to provide an atti- tude that would be attractive to businesses. Mr . Wanush asked how specific and focused the Comprehensive Plan should be . He agreed that there is a need for a statement of direction. Mrs . Becker entered the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Mr. Wanush stated that during the 1970's, the concern was that Swedish Medical Center would expand to the north of East Girard Avenue; their present plans indicate that Swedish has reoriented their medical campus at least in part of the suggestions of the City. Mr. Wanush asked for clarification on the direction the Commission wants to follow in revising the Plan. Mr. Fish stated that he would like to see a more cone i se document --if a document is too wordy, people do not read it. He also wants to see a "plan" . -3 - ('W V. CODE REVIEW COMMITTEE UPDATE Mr. Carson reported on the progress of the Code Review Committee. He stated • that during the meetings he has attended, it does not appear that there will be that many changes made in the codes and ordinances. Mr. Wanush stated that there will be some consolidation of restrictions into one ordinance, rather than having restrictions cited in two ordinances. Mr. Wanush also discussed the reorganization of the Department of Community Deve 1 opment, in which the res pons i bil it i es for Code Enforcement wi 11 now be assigned to the Planning Division rather than Building and Safety. There will be two full-time Code Enforcement Officers, and during the summer months, the Fire Prevention Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer will assist on a part time basis. Mr. Schultz suggested that flex-time might be considered during the summer months, also; this could provide an officer on duty on weekends or after 5 P.M. He discussed a problem he had experienced with a pack of dogs running in his neighborhood, and the fact that there were no Code Enforcement person- nel to respond to the problem until 12 hours after he had called in the com- plaint. Mrs. Romans pointed out that Code Enforcement Officers do not handle problems with animals; that is the responsibility of the Animal Control Divi- sion. Discussion ensued. VI. HOUSING TASK FORCE Mr. Draper stated that members of the Housing Task Force were taken on a tour of the City recently to view the housing stock in the City. He stated that • members of the Task Force were very favorably impressed with the new houses constructed by the Alternative High School students in northwest Englewood, and with the modular housing units that the Englewood Housing Authority is developing and selling, as well as the units that are being rehabilitated by the Housing Authority for rental and/or sale. Mr. Draper acknowledged that there are areas of housing where additional help and/or rehabilitation is needed, and there are areas of very nice housing. Mrs. Tobin entered the meeting at 7:50 p.m. during Mr. Draper's discussion. Mr. Draper stated that he has sold his home on South Washington Street and will be moving from the City in the near future. He stated that he is to be married this summer, and his wife -to-be has a home in Littleton, and children in the Littleton School system. Mr. Draper stated that he will be submitting a written resignation to the City Council effective June 1, 1989. Mr. Draper stated that he had found the time he has served on the Commission to be educa- tional and enjoyable , and that he is a native of Englewood and hopes to move back to the City some time in the future. Members of the Commission congratulated Mr . Draper on his forthcoming mar- riage, and expressed regret at his resignation from the Commission and from the Housing Task Force. Mr. Draper stated that he would suggest that Ms. Tobin assume the Chairmanship of the Housing Task Force. Mr. Volkema asked if any members of the Commission were interested in serving on the Task Force, to let him know. -4 - • • • • - Ms. Tobin stated that the Housing Task Force members seem to be very interest- ed, and a very homogeneous group, and she felt that any member of the Commis- sion would enjoy serving with the Task Force . VII. PUBLIC FORUM. No one was present to address the Commission under Public Forum. VIII. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE. Mr. Wanush stated that there is nothing on the agenda for the regularly scheduled meeting of May 16. It was agreed to cancel the meeting on that date, and the next meeting of the Commission will be on June 6, 1989. IX. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE. Mr. Volkema encouraged members of the Commission to attend the City Council meeting on May 15, 1989, at which time the Swedish Medical Center Planned Development application will be heard and considered by the City Council. Mrs. Tobin stated that she had been asked to inquire how one would go about getting information on a sign for The Plaza at Little Dry Creek; the indi - vidual wanted to publicize information about the Rendezvous and other events on The Plaza. Mr . Wanush suggested that Trammell Crow could be called. Mrs. Romans stated that Mr. Mishell from Trammell Crow would be the proper person to contact initially. Mr. Gerlick expressed his concern regarding the Sound Warehouse sign that has been erected on the Englewood Marketplace site in front of the Ponderosa. Mrs. Becker discussed an article in the Rocky Mountain News, regarding "cove- nant cops" in suburbs . The article pertains to covenants that are part of a development, and that are "enforced" by private people who live in that par- ticular area. Mr. Wanush pointed out that the City of Houston has no zoning per se; that the area developments have covenants restricting the use, etc. Mrs. Romans stated that there are some developments in Englewood that have covenants placed on them, and that those covenants are enforced by the people residing in that particular development. Mrs. Becker stated that she has finished her Tuesday evening class in Greeley. Mr. Fish discussed a municipality in California wherein private citizens who have computers can hook up with the City government and obtain and send infor - mation to and from City Council by means of their computers. Discussion ensued. There being nothing further to come before the Commission, the meeting was declared adjourned at 8:15 P.M. G~~,L4-- Recording Secretary -5 -