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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-08-22 PZC MINUTES• • • I. CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION AUGUST 22, 1989 CALL TO ORDER. The regular meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order by Chairman Fred Volkema at 7:00 P.M. in Conference Room A of the Engle- wood City Ha 11 . Members present: Fish, Gerlick, Hogue, Schultz, Tobin, Volkema, Becker, Carson Wanush, Ex-officio Members absent: None Also present: D. A. Romans , Assistant Director of Community Development II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. August 8, 1989 Chairman Vol kema stated that the Minutes of August 8, 1989 were to be con- . sidered for approval . He asked if there were corrections or amendments. Mrs. Tobin asked that her statement on Page 8, Paragraph 4, be changed to read that " ... time is money in business, ... " Carson moved: Fish seconded: The Minutes of August 8, 1989 be approved as amended on Page 8, Paragraph 4. AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Gerl i ck, None None Hogue Schultz , Tobin, Volkema, Becker, Carson, Fish The mo t ion carried. III. FINDINGS OF FACT Sports Center 3978 South Broadway CASE #8-89 Chairman Volkema stated that the Findings of Fact on the Sports Center, 3978 South Broadway, were to be considered for approval. Fish moved: Schultz seconded: The Findings of Fact for Case #8-89 be approved as written . AYES: NAYS: Schultz, Tobin, Volkema, Becker, Carson, Fish, Gerlick None -1 - ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Hogue The motion carried. FINDINGS OF FACT Master Tech Automotive 324 West Hampden Avenue CASE #9-89 Chairman Volkema stated that the Findings of Fact for Master Tech Automotive, 324 West Hampden Avenue, were to be considered for approval. Carson moved: Becker seconded: The Findings of Fact for Case #9-89 be approved as written. AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Schultz, Tobin, Volkema, Becker, Carson, Gerlick None None Fish, Hogue The motion carried. IV. PLANNING COMMISSION GOALS 1990 Work Program Mr. Wanush opened discussion of the Work Program for 1990. Mr. Wanush re- viewed the joint Planning Commission/City Council meeting, and stated that ,,. • three issues which seemed to generate the most concern and discussion were • those of housing, waste management, and neighborhood traffic . A Housing Task Force was formed several months ago, has been meeting regularly, and seems to have fairly clear objectives. The City Council did express interest in having representation on the Housing Task Force. Two other sub-committees or task forces need to be formed to consider the issues of waste management and neigh- borhood traffic. Council also indicated a desire to have representation on those committees. Other topics which also need to be considered are the Broadway corridor, the parking problems along the Broadway corridor that infringe into the residen- tial neighborhoods, and the impact on those residential neighborhoods; the i ndust ri a 1 areas need to be surveyed and ana 1 yzed in an effort to determine · the type of industrial development that has occurred, the amount of land that is vacant and available for deve 1 opment, and the amount of vacant developed space that is available for use now. Mr. Wanush suggested that there may be other top i cs which members of the Commission feel should be considered. Mr. Schultz suggested a need to split into the sub-committee or task force groups in order that the discussions can be focused on the issue of that par- ticular group. Discussion ensued. Ms. Becker st~ted that she envisioned the total Commission defining the issues, goals and objectives prior to naming sub-committees. He stated that he wanted to find out who on the Commission is interested in serving on the various committees. Council will also name mem- bers to serve on · the committees, and there may be representation from the citizenry at-large. -2 - • • • • Mr. Wanush stated that, in his op1n1on, it is a responsibility of the Commis- sion to determine what the issues are that should be addressed, and to deter- mine how to proceed in addressing the issues. The Commission should also give direction to staff so that staff may gather the proper support information the Commission needs in their deliberations. Discussion ensued. Mr. Schultz stated that he would advocate the formation of the special committees, which would meet to consider a specific issue, with periodic reports back to the Commission as a whole, and a finished document or report submitted to the Com- mission at such time as the committee feels they have determined a proper course of action. Members of the Commission discussed the need to revise the Comprehensive Plan, and the manner in which the recommendations of the subcommittees for housing, waste management, and neighborhood traffic fit into the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Fish expressed concern that the Commission would concentrate on the three delineated issues to the exclusion of other facets of the Comprehensive Plan which also need to be considered. Mrs. Becker stated that she felt there are five issues that the Commission needs to address, those being the overall revision of the Comprehensive Plan; housing, waste management, neighborhood traffic, and economic development, all of which she sees as sections of the Comprehensive Plan. Mrs. Becker stated that she does not see consideration of these areas as excluding consideration of other facets of the Plan, and that in her opinion the Commission will necessarily have to concentrate on one or two sections of the Plan at a time to make progress in the revision. Mrs. Becker acknowledged that all sections of the Plan are interrelated . · Discussions on the composition of a Comprehensive Pl an ensued. Mr. Vo lkema stated that he is of the opinion that the housing, waste management and traf- fic issues are only three sections of an overall document. Mr. Wanush stated that possibly the "goal" is to review, revise, and update the Comprehensive Plan; keep the sections that are in the 1979 edition, and add new sections pertaining to waste management and economic development. An objective for the work program in 1990 would be to address specific sections of the overall Plan. Discussion followed. The designation of an additional Planning Commission member to serve on the Housing Task Force was discussed. Mr. Volkema stated that Mr. Hogue had indi-· cated an interest in serving on this committee. Carson moved: Fish seconded: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Tobin, None None None Bruce Hogue be designated as a member of the Housing Task Force. Volkema, Becker, Carson, Fish, Gerlick, Schultz, Hogue The motion carried. ) -3 - Mr. Wanush pointed out that an Economic Development Coalition has been formed, and is soliciting members interested in serving. Initial members are rep- resentatives from the City Council, Englewood Urban Renewal Authority, Engle- wood Downtown Deve 1 opment Authority, Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce, and the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce. He stated that he is explor- ing the possibility of hiring a staff person to work exclusively on economic development issues. Mr. Wanush stated that this committee will issue reports that would be of intere st to the Commission, but will not be a Commission sub- committee. The recommendations of the Coalition could become a part of the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Wanush suggested a need to clarify the term "traffic". Does this address only "neighborhood" traffic, or is it a wider issue and address "transporta- tion" in general. Mrs. Becker discussed her interpretation of traffic vs. transportation, and felt that the issue pertains more to local traffic into and through neighborhoods rather than through the City. Discussion followed. Mr. Volkema asked for volunteers to serve on the committees to consider traf- fic and waste management. Mr. Fish and Mr. Carson volunteered to serve on the Traffic Task Force; Mrs. Becker and Mr. Schultz volunteered to serve on the Waste Management Task Force. Mrs. Tobin and Mr. Hogue will serve on the Hous - ing Task Force. Becker moved: Carson seconded: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Volkema, None None None The Planning Commission ratify the designation of Mr. Fish and Mr. Carson to serve on the Traffic Task Force, and the designation of Mrs. Becker and Mr. Schultz to serve on the Waste Management Task Force. Becker, Carson, Fish, Gerlick, Hogue, Schultz, Tobin The motion carried. Mr. Wanush stated that a communication would be sent to City Council that the Commission has designated members to serve on the two task forces, and ask that members of Council be named to these committees. After the Council rep- resentatives are designated, determination can be made on how to proceed. Further discussion ensued regarding the Broadway Corridor. Mr. Wanush stated that he has contacted the Planning Class at UCD, and they are considering studying either the issue of the Broadway Corridor, or the industrial areas of Englewood as a class project. Other issues that the Commission felt need to be considered include the zoning along Kenyon Avenue and Trolley Square. The possible addition of a staff person to concentrate on economic development issues was further discussed. The annexation of several areas in the vicinity of West Tufts Avenue and South .r • • Santa Fe Drive was discussed. This issue has been referred to the Engineering • Division to have the plats and legal descriptions drawn. -4 - • • • V. PUBLIC FORUM. There was no one present to address the Commission under Public Forum . VJ. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE. Mr. Vo 1 kema referred to a memorandum from Mrs. Romans concerning 2120 West Evans Avenue, an automotive use that was approved by the Commission as a Con- ditional Use several years ago with restrictions. Mrs. Romans stated that Code Enforcement Officer Drebenstedt made an unscheduled inspection of the premises, and found no violations in the operation or condition of the prem- ises. Mr. Forington, the proprietor, has stated that on occasion clients do drop their vehicles off after hours, and leave their keys in the key-drop; these vehicles are parked in the front of the establishment overnight, but he really has no control over this activity. No vehicles they are working on are left out overnight. Vehicles cannot be stored in the back of their business because in order to light it sufficiently to prevent vandalism, the lighting would interfere with the residential uses across the alley. It is the opinion of the staff based on the unscheduled inspection, that this business is in compliance with the restrictions imposed at time of approval. Mrs. Romans stated that the staff has investigated the placement of video ma- chines at 7-11 at Mansfield and South Broadway. The store is licensed for two video machines, but three are actually in place. This has been reported to the City Clerk's Office. Mrs. Romans stated that any "amusement" business is a Conditional Use in the B-1 and B-2 Zone Districts. Under the Municipal Code an establishment which has 15 or more video games is an "arcade"; and an es- tablishment which has less than 15 is called an "amusement center". The · Finance Department has determined that an es tab 1 i shment such as 7-11, with only two or three video games, is not an amusement center or an arcade, and that in fact the video games are an accessory to the principal use as the store. Mrs. Romans stated that if the members of the Commission fee 1 the Finance Department interpretation presents a problem, it will be addressed. Mr. Volkema asked if there were any questions on 2120 West Evans Avenue. Mrs. Becker stated that Mr. Forington agreed that vehicles would not be parked in front of the establishment overnight, nor would vehicles be worked on in front of the establishment. She stated that when one drives by, and there are vehi- cles parked in front of the business with hoods raised it certainly appears that these vehicles are being worked on. Mrs. Becker stated that if a vehicle . is parked in the front of the building, and is covered with an opaque cover- ing, it appears that the vehicle is being stored. If these actions are deemed to be acceptable, then perhaps the restrictions on the conditional use should be removed . Mrs. Becker suggested that if restrictions are imposed at the time a conditional use is approved, those restrictions should be met or should not be imposed. Mr. Volkema stated that it would appear from the staff inves- tigation that the business at 2120 is in compliance. If any staff investiga- tion would show that the conditions imposed were not being met, then the issue would have to be addressed. Mr. Volkema agreed that people do drop their vehicles off for repair work after regular business hours. Discussion ensued. Mr. Gerlick asked if this was creating a problem in the subject neighborhood, have there been any comp 1 a i nts from residents or other businessmen in the neighborhood. If it appears no problems are being created, and only an oc- casional vehicle is dropped off after hours, why be concerned. Mr. Schultz pointed out that Mrs. Romans's memo indicated that "storage" must be 72 hours; -5 - he suggested that a clarification of the terminology may make a difference in people's concern. Mr. Volkema asked if members of the Commission had any concern about the 7-11 video machines, and how they were licensed/approved. No one expressed further concern. The staff was thanked for investigating this matter. Mr. Wanush stated that there is a Planning Conference to be held September 21 and 22 at Copper Mountain. Mr. Wanush suggested that there might be funds available for the attendance of two members. Mrs. Becker stated that these conferences have always been very good in the past. Mrs. Becker and Mr. Car- son both expressed interest in attending. Mr. Wanush suggested that members call either Mrs. Romans or him if they wish to have reservations made. Mr. Wanush stated that due to the Labor Day Holiday on September 4, the next Planning Commission meeting would normally be on September 6. There is a meeting of the Englewood Urban Renewal Authority scheduled for that same eve- ning, and inasmuch as there are no cases scheduled for the Commission, he asked that the Commission meeting of September 6th be canceled. This would make the next regular meeting of the Commission on September 19th. The mem- bers agreed to the cancellation of the September 6th meeting. VII. COMMISSIONER 'S CHOICE. Mr. Volkema asked for a report on the Housing Task Force. ,.. ' • Mrs. Tobin reported that the Task Force met on August 14, at which meeting Mr. Vocate, a local developer, made a presentation to the committee. The next meeting of the committee will be at 6:00 p .m. on August 28, in the Community • Room of City Hall. The committee has discussed the following issues: main- tenance and improvement of existing housing stock, increasing home ownership, and maintenance of suitable and affordable housing for the elderly. Mr . Volkema asked for a report on the Code Review Committee. Mr. Carson reported that the committee has not met, and he had nothing further to report. The proposed new Title 15 of the EMC wi 11 be referred to City Council in the near future. Mr. Fi sh inquired about the house at South Downing Street and East Floyd Avenue. Mr s. Romans stated that the City has cleaned the premises once, and are preparing to have it done a second time. Discussion ensued. Mr. Schultz di r ected the attention of the Commission to an article on solid waste in the latest CML Magazine . Mrs. Becker gave members of the Commission copies of articles from the Mechanical Eng i neer, which articles address recycling, reuse of plastics, and other facets of waste management. Mrs. Becker expressed concern that perhaps the Commission had exceeded their authority on 3978 South Broadway in setting the hours of operation for the Sports Center . It was pointed out that Mr. Carter had suggested these hours -6 - • .... • • • voluntarily after discussion with school and church officials. Several mem- bers indicated that they felt Mr. Carter's voluntary limit of hours of opera- tion was an element taken into account in their favorable consideration of the request. Mr. Volkema asked about the Fair Housing Amendment. Discussion ensued. Mr. Wanush stated that the Swedish Medical Center Planned Development amend- ment was approved by City Council at their meeting of August 21. Mr. Schultz stated that he wanted to thank Mr. Volkema for the excellent job he has done as Chairman of the Commission, and stated that his leadership of the Commission will be missed. Mr. Volkema stated that he regretted the necessity of his resignation, and stated that he had enjoyed his time on the Commission. The Commission members agreed that they would take action on the designation of a chairman at the meeting on September 19. There was nothing further to come before the Commission, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 P.M. YuzLAL::!ldf-G~rtrude G. Welty Recording Secretary -7 -