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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-02-17 PZC MINUTES• • • I. CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 17, 1988 CALL TO ORDER. The regular meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairman Hanson in the George Perrin Conference Room in the Englewood Public Library. Members present: Russell, Such, Draper, Barbre, Hanson, Fish, Schultz, Carson Romans, Ex-officio Members absent: None Also present: Bob Marx, Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce Roger Mutz, Regional Transportation District J. Bear Baker, Regional Transportation District (Mr. Baker was not present at the time the meeting was called to order, but entered later during the course of the meeting.) II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. February 2, 1988 Chairman Hanson stated that the Minutes of February 2, 1988 were to be con- sidered for approval. Carson moved: Draper seconded: The Minutes of February 2, 1988 be approved as written. AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Such, None None None Draper, Barbre, Hanson, Schultz, Fish, Russell, Carson The motion carried. III. LANDSCAPING ORDINANCE Section 16-4-18 CASE #15-87 Mr. Hanson stated that a Public Hearing on proposed amendments to the Land- scaping Ordinance section of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance is scheduled for this evening, and stated that he has received a copy of the public notice which was published in the Englewood Sentinel on February 3, 1988. Mr. Hanson asked if the staff had a presentation. Carson moved: Barbre seconded: The Public Hearing on Case #15-87 be opened. AYES: NAYS : Schultz, Barbre, Hanson, Fish, Draper, Russell, Carson, Such None -1 - ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None The motion carried. Mrs. Romans was sworn in, and stated that at the previous meeting of February 2, members of the Commission were given a work copy citing the Landscaping provisions as they presently exist in the Englewood Municipal Code, citing amendments which were recommended to Council by the Commission in May of 1987, citing amendments which were suggested by the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce, and citing a resolution to the sections which had been questioned by the Chamber, which resolution was determined by the Commission in October, 1987. This has been refined to one document which is before the Commission for Public Hearing, and the issues to be heard by the Commission are those which were determined in October. Mrs. Romans submitted for the record a let- ter from Mr. Kenneth R. Hope, Representative of the City Liaison and Governmental Affairs Committee of the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce, expressing the satisfaction and pleasure of the Chamber with the resolution of their concerns on the Landscaping Ordinance. Mrs. Romans stated that there has been no contact from the general public regarding the proposed amendments since the public notice was published. Mr . Hanson asked if there were any questions of Mrs. Romans from the Commis- sion. No questions were posed to Mrs. Romans. Mr. Hanson asked if anyone in the audience wished to address the Commission. Mr . Bob Marx was sworn in, and testified that he maintains offices at 3701 South Broadway, and is a representative of the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce. He expressed the appreciation of the Chamber for the cooperation they have received from the Planning Commission, and particularly from Mrs. Romans, regarding the concerns that were expressed by the Chamber on the pro- posed amendments. Mr. Marx stated that he felt, with these amendments, the City now has a good, total ordinance . The Chamber is pleased to be included in the drafting and consideration of laws that affect the City. Mr. Hanson asked if there were any further questions, or anyone else who wished to address the Commission . There were no other persons who wished to do so. Carson moved: Such seconded: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Barbre, None None None The Public Hearing be closed. Hanson, Schultz, Fish, Russell, Such, Draper, Carson The motion carried . Mr. Fish asked for clarification of the $1 x 10% of lot area; is this square footage, or acreage. Mrs. Romans stated that lot area usually is cited in square footage, but it would pertain to acreage , as well . It would be 10% of the size, or area, of the lot . -2 - \ • • • I • • • Carson moved: Such seconded: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT : ABSTAIN: Hanson, None None None The City Planning and Zoning Commission approve the amend - ments to the Landscaping Ordinance, and refer the document to the City Council with a recommendation for favorable consideration . Draper, Fish, Russell, Such, Schultz, Carson, Barbre The motion carried. IV. REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT. Mrs. Romans introduced Mr. Roger Mutz from the Regional Transportation District. Mr. Mutz stated that House Bill #1249 was passed last year. In response to this Bill , RTD set out to develop a regional rapid transit system. Mr. Mutz presented a slide show of various types of rapid transit systems, such as the light rail transit, high occupancy vehicle lanes, automated guideway transit, guided bus, etc. The slide show also addressed issues such as routes, cost estimates , sources of funding, construction timetables, and technologies to be used. At the close of the slide show, Mr. Mutz asked for questions from the Commission. Mrs . Russell stated that she was familiar with the rapid transit system in Chicago, which goes through high density residential areas and is readily ac- cessible by a large ridership. The Denver metro area is so spread out, how will potential riders get from their places of residence to the rapid transit stations. Mr. Mutz suggested park 'n ride lots will be used; large 2,000 vehicle lots in the outlying suburban areas, and the closer in areas can use the bus system. Mrs . Russell suggested that RTD might consider the use of smaller park 'n ride lots . Mr. Mutz stated that they will also look at joint use facilities, such as shopping center parking areas. Mr. Mutz stated that the parking needs along the transit corridors have yet to be determined, and availability of area for park 'n rides along the corridors has also to be determined. Mr. Fish stated that it appeared the transit system is a "spoke system"; how does the bus system work with this proposed design. Mr. Mutz stated that it makes for an efficient system; the buses would serve a collection/distribution purpose to the rapid transit stations from the normal bus stops. Mr. Carson asked who made the determination on the Santa Fe corridor. He ex - pressed his opinion that development of this corridor for rapid transit would not be of any benefit to the City of Englewood. Mr. Carson stated that the Englewood City Council has turned down park 'n ride proposals at Cinderella City for the last 10 years that he is aware of . Mr . Mutz stated that in determining the corridors , the policy group looks at location, ridership, and other facets, and the Santa Fe corridor was recommended by the Santa Fe Corri- dor Policy Group. Mr. Carson questioned Mr. Mutz's statement, and stated that Englewood Councilman Joe Bilo is a member of the policy group and is opposed to the Santa Fe Corridor. Mr. Carson stated that he doesn't want to see Cin- derella City used for Park 'n Ride, but wants to locate such a use in near -3 - proximity to bring people into the area. Mrs. Romans pointed out that when discussion of a Park 'n Ride location near Cinderella City has been considered, it was in the area north of the shopping center, not in the existing customer parking areas. Mr. Fish stated that a Park 'n Ride in close proximity to the shopping center could encourage shoppers. General discussion on the various types of rapid transit ensued. Mr. Schultz asked how weather might affect an automated guideway transit if such were to be developed in the Denver area. Mr. Mutz pointed out that this system is used successfully in West Germany, and the weather is very similar to that of Colorado. Mr. Schultz discussed his trip to Vancouver, B. C. during Expo '86 and the public transportation system used there. He stated that a ticket for $1.25 would allow a rider to use any form of the transportation system, and that one could get to almost any point quite easily, quickly, and safely. The system was very convenient to the customer, and the ridership was high. Mr. Schultz stated that he would like to see a system designed for the Denver metro area which would allow riders access within walking distance, and would eliminate the need for private automobiles to be used to get to a Park 'n Ride. Mr. Mutz discussed the problems of designing such a system with the lower residential densities that much of the Denver metro area has; this may change with an influx of population, however, or a change in population centers. \ • Mr. Fish stated that Washington, D.C. also has a good rapid transit system. • Mrs. Romans agreed, and stated that she found the system in Washington, D.C. to be clean, quick and convenient. Mr. Schultz asked why the plan appears to make use of several systems before a final overall system is imposed . Mr. Mutz stated that part of this is a reflection of the various population centers and needs to be served, and part is determined by the financing required. Financing and the acquisition of right-of-way were discussed. The ridership on the RTD buses was also discussed. Mr. Carson and Mr. Draper both stated that they had seen many buses traveling South Broadway that had very few passengers, and that they had never seen a bus that was full. Mr. Baker stated that the routes that extend to downtown Denver fill up at Alame- da, and that very often buses that are traveling south on Broadway from down- town Denver have unloaded the great portion of the ridership at some point in Denver. Mr. Fish asked the status of the project, and what "moves" the project forward from this point. Mr. Mutz stated that HB #1027 which is before the legisla- ture now will address the matter of funding and financing which can be used to implement the plan which has been developed in response to HB #1249 which was approved last year . Mr. Mutz stated that right-of-way will have to be ac- quired, and design of the actual system will begin. Mr. Baker discussed "alternative analysis", and noted that only one can be done at any one time in a given community because of a Federal funding restriction. Mr. Baker stated that once a corridor is determined, such as the -4 -• -' • • • Santa Fe corridor, one must "get in line for the funds", and that it could take about 18 months before construction could begin . Mr. Carson asked Mr. Baker why the Santa Fe Corridor was chosen. Mr. Baker stated that this corridor has great potential for ridership, is a very cost efficient corridor, and a great deal of the right-of-way is already acquired. Discussion of a transit corridor on C-470 was discussed, as was the Transit Construction Authority's plan for the I-25 corridor. Mr. Hanson thanked Mr. Mutz and Mr. Baker for their attendance and the presen- tation to the Commission. V. PUBLIC FORUM. No one was present to address the Commission under Public Forum. VI. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE. Mrs. Romans presented members of the Commission with copies of the Goals adop- ted by the Commission for 1985/1986. Mrs. Romans identified several of the goals which have been accomplished. She suggested that the members of the Commission review these goals, and be prepared to make additions to the list and discuss goals for 1988 -1989 at the next meeting. Mrs. Russell excused herself from the meeting. Mrs. Romans stated that one vacancy remains on the Commission, and that the City Council will be interviewing to fill this vacancy on February 29. The City Council approved the vacation of the right-of-way in the 3500 block of South Jason Street on first reading at the meeting on February 16th. Mrs. Romans asked that if any members of the Commission have questions about any matter before it, to please call her rather than other members of the staff. Mrs. Romans pointed out that she is the ex-officio member of the Com-1 mission appointed by the City Manager, and that in order to carry out that responsibility effectively, she prefers to be the staff contact. In response to a query from Mr. Hanson, Mrs. Romans stated that there are no cases on the agenda for the Commission on March 8. Mr. Hanson suggested that discussion of the goals for the ensuing year be scheduled for that meeting. VII. COMMISSIONER'S CHOICE. Mr. Carson stated that he wanted staff to bring back to the Commission for reconsideration the provisions of the B-2 Zone District pertaining to auto sales lots. He expressed his dislike "telling used car dealers they have to set cars back 10 feet from the property line", and to landscape that area. He pointed out that other uses along South Broadway have weeds and trees over- hanging the sidewalk making it difficult or impossible to walk along a portion of the sidewalk. Mrs. Romans pointed out that there is a suit before the Court at the present time, and that before this issue is considered further by the Commission she -5 - would suggest that it be cleared with the City Attorney to determine any pos- sible ramifications on the suit. Mr. Carson stated that he did not feel this issue needed to be cleared with the City Attorney, and that the City Charter indicates the Commission can have items brought back for further consider- ation. Discussion ensued. Mr. Hanson suggested that this might be one of the goals to be listed for dis- cussion at the next meeting. Carson moved: The staff bring the B-2 provisions pertaining to used Car dealerships back to the Commission for further consideration. There was no second to the motion. Discussion ensued. Mr. Hanson asked if there was anything else to be brought before the Commission. Mr. Carson stated that he wanted a second to his motion. Mr. Barbre stated that he is of the opinion this should be cleared through the City Attorney's office. Mr. Draper stated that he wanted to read the ordinance through and familiarize himself with the details before it's brought back to the Commis- sion. Again, no member of the Commission seconded Mr. Carson's motion. Mr. Hanson stated that he felt the reconsideration of the B-2 District should be included on the "laundry list" of items the Commission will consider this next year, and that items will be prioritized following a general discussion at the next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 P. M. Gertrude G. Welty Recording Secretary -6 - • • •