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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-06-07 PZC MINUTES• CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION June 7, 1977 I. CALL TO ORDER. The regular meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 P. M. by Chairman Pierson. Members present: Pierson, Parker, Owens, Lathrop, Wade, Ed Smith, Don Smith D. Romans, Assistant Director Members absent: Williams, Tanguma Also present: Planning Associate House, Intern Brian Ross II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Chairman Pierson stated that Minutes of May 3, 1977, were to be considered for approval. Owens moved: E. Smith seconded: The Minutes of May 3, 1977, be approved as written. AYES: Parker, Owens, Lathrop, Wade, Ed Smith, Don Smith, Pierson NAYS: None ABSENT: Williams, Tanguma The motion carried. III. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Review Committees Mrs. Pierson stated that she felt this is a good time for the chairmen of the review committees to give a summary of their progress to date, and to point out any problems they might be experiencing. Mrs. Pierson stated that she is chairman of the Commercial Activi~ies Review Committee, which committee has had five meetings to date. This committee has lost some members along the way, but it now seems to be a fairly stable group with 10 or 12 persons who are active in attendance at the meetings. Mrs. Pierson stated that it is evident that there is a lot of "overlap" with the other committees, and there must be a close liaison with all of the committees. Don Smith asked why the commercial activities committee is reviewing the 3300 and 3400 blocks of South Broadway? Mrs . Pierson stated that the Commercial Activities Committee is not studying that section of South Broadway; they are concen- -2- trating on the strip zoning in the City. One of the questions that has arisen on the committee is the advisability of ex- tending the commercial zoning to the centerlines of South Acoma Street and South Lincoln Streets. Mrs. Romans pointed out that Mrs. Pierson's Committee, the Commercial Activities Committee, is concerned with the area zoned B-2, while Don Smith's Committee, the Downtown Review Committee, is concerned with the area that is zoned B-1. Mrs. Pierson stated that her committee proposes to review the commercial area according to geographic breakdowns; they will have detailed land use maps of the specific areas to aid in their review and discussions. They hope to be able to determine the specific problems for each specific area, and will invite the businessmen whose businesses are located in these areas to a meeting for discussion of the problems and possible solutions. Mrs. Pierson asked other members their opinions on staff attendance and participation in the meetings of these review committees? Mrs. Wade stated that when the staff is in attendance at her committee meetings, the group proceeds with their discussions, and the staff remains in the background to answer specific questions, etc. She stated that she does feel a member of the staff is needed at these meetings. Also, the staff should be aware of what is going on in these meetings and the direction the members seem to be headed in their discussions. Mr. Owens agreed that staff attendance at the meetings is necessary. He noted that he, for one, is not too familiar with the matter of Public Facilities, and that he needed a staff liaison in atten- dance. Ed Smith noted that if he "had no staff, I wouldn't have anyone to talk to", noting that attendance at his meetings has been poor. Don Smith stated that he felt the staff atten- dance has been very beneficial; the staff members have not participated in the meeting unless asked to do so. Mr. Lathrop stated that the staff members attending his meetings have been very unobtrusive, and have not tried to take over the meetings at all. They do present information when asked to do so, but for the most part the staff seems to listen and observe the progress of the meetings. Mr. Tanguma entered and took his place with the Commission. Mr. Lathrop noted that Mr. Bill Clayton, Jr., had resigned from the Transportation Committee, and that he is in need of more members. Mrs. Pierson introduced Mr. Brian Ross, Planning Intern, and asked Mrs. Romans to explain Mr. Ross duties. Mrs. Romans stated that Mr. Ross is working on his M. A. in Urban Planning. He was working in Senator Hart's office, and is in now in Englewood through the WICHE Intern Program. Mr. Ross will be • -3- working exclusively with the Comprehensive Plan Review Com- mittees, and among other things, will be preparing press notices, publishing calendars of meetings, contacting members to remind them of meeting dates and times. Another intern who will begin emplo yme nt on June 14th, will also be working with the Review Comm itte es . This person will be getting data for the committees . Mr. Lathrop extended an invitation to Mr. Ross to attend the next Transportation Committee meeting. He noted that his com- mittee needs all of the members and input they can get. He stated they have made no great accomplishment to date, and that they have had a problem trying to determine where to start. Mr. Lathrop noted that the transportation patterns will affect every part of the City, and the transportation plan will be a very important facet of the Comprehensive Plan. Mrs. Pierson asked if the Transportation Committee had con- sidered whether or not the bus service was adequate? Mr. Lathrop stated that the Committee has not gotten into that question yet; they hope to, and may determine that routes need to be changed, that more service is needed, or there may be too much service. Mrs. Wade suggested tpat Mr. Lathrop might ask someone from R.T.D. to speak to his group. Mr. Lathrop agreed they will need to have someone from R.T.D.; also someone from the State Highway Department, and possibly the railroad. He noted that the coal trains running on the railroads are causing traffic problems, and they are only running 10 trains per day at this time. Discussion on the matter of the railroads ensued. It was suggested that at such time as R.T.D. representatives speak to the Transportation Committee, Mr. Lathrop should ask about the possibility of a free bus between downtown and the Cinderella City area. Mr. Tanguma suggested that bicycle trails must also be considered as a part of the transportation pattern for the community. Ed Smith stated that there was little to report from his com- mittee, inasmuch as there were only two people in attendance at the last meeting. Mr. Smith stated that some of his members have good ideas, but they do need to have more interest in the Industrial Review Committee activities. He stated that he planned to make a concentrated effort to get the members to attend the meetings. Mr. Smith discussed his philosophy on the role of the chairman of these review committees. Mrs. Wade stated that she would agree the chairman should not lead the entire meeting, but that the members should be en- couraged to present their ideas and discuss them. She noted that she has had difficulty in getting people to attend the -4- Parks and Recreation Review Committee; at the last meeting, three people attended besides herself and the staff. Several ideas were brought up at the pre vious meetings, and Mrs. Wade s t ated that she hoped to discuss these ideas and others at the next meeting on June 16th. Packy Romans is to attend the meeting on June 16th also, and s h e hopes to get Councilman Sovern to attend a subsequent meeting to talk about drainage and the park/drainageway developments . She stated that she also could use more people on the comm i ttee. Ed Smith asked what the attendance was at the last meeting of each of the other committees? Don Smith stated that the Down- town Committee had 16; the Parks Committee started out with a membership of seven and is down to the three members attending the last meeting. Mrs. Pierson stated that eight members attended the last meeting of the Commercial Committee; Mr. Lathrop stated he had two members at the last Transportation Committee meeting. Mr. Tanguma stated there were 14 members present at the meeting on the 23rd of the Residential Committee, and Mr. Owens reported an attendance of nine at his last meeting of the Public Facilities Committee. Mr. Lathrop suggested that possibly members might be polled to determine if they are on the committee they really want to be on. Don Smith stated that his Downtown Review Committee meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, at 7:00 P. M. He stated that they have gotten basic agreement on several matters, such as "what is the downtown district, and where is it?" They have discussed whether or not the B-1 zoning should be ex- panded or whether some blocks should be down zoned. The matters of off-street parking and transportation patterns has also been brought up. The boundaries of "downtown" as agreed upon by the Committee are roughly from Floyd to U.S. 285, bounded by the Sherman/Grant alley on the east, west to encompass Cinderella City. Mr. Smith stated that he felt the general concensus of the committee seems to be that there is sufficient B-1 zoning, and that possibly one or two areas that have not developed might be down-zoned --such as for apartments, etc. Mr. Smith noted that there are some areas which show improve- ment of the existing residential stock, and the committee is of the opinion that residential zoning might be more conducive to further development than the business zoning. Discussion ensued. Ed Smith cautioned against down-zoning land on the east side of Broadway; he stated that he felt property in this area would be the best investment for the small investor, an d that sooner or later, some development or redevelopment will occur along South Broadway and will expand the commercial interest to the east. -5- Mr. Don Smith stated that the matter of parking will be con- sidered at the meeting of June 8th; he noted that City Council has asked the DRCOG to conduct a market analysis of the area bounded by Acoma/Bannock and Floyd/Girard which is presently used for parking. Mr. Smith stated that the committee has discussed the lack of activity on the fringe of Cinderella City, such as in the King Soopers complex area. Ed Smith commented that he felt the proposal by the Chamber of Commerce of a two or three story underground parking facility with a park on the top level was a good proposal and would focus interest in the downtown area. Discussion ensued. Mr. Lathrop stated that he felt steps should be taken to solicit new businesses for the downtown area. Mrs. Pierson stated this was a good point, and asked how businesses could be convinced to locate in the downtown part of Englewood. Don Smith noted that there is not one major drug store in the downtown/Cinderella City area. He stated that he felt a major drug store located in the downtown area would be an important step in the right direction, and pointed out that the residents of the Simon Center will need some place reasonably close for their medications, etc. Mr. Tanguma asked what the Chamber of Commerce is doing to attract new development to the downtown area? Don Smith stated that City Council had donated funds to the Chamber that were specifically designated for the advertising of "Englewood". Mrs. Wade asked if the buildings along Broadway were structurally sound for a new business to move into, or would they necessitate considerable renovation? Mr. Smith noted that most of the buildings could not accommodate two story uses, such as a co~ mercial use on the first floor, with offices on the second floor. Mr. Lathrop stated that he felt there should be more parking around such buildings as the former Penney building; this would make it more attractive to such businesses as Skaggs Drugs, etc. Don Smith discussed the possibility of someone affiliated with the City government assuming the responsibility of contacting and talking to businessmen in an effort to convince them to locate in downtown Englewood. He stated that he felt this could be very beneficial, but questioned that the City was ready for this type of activity. A recess of the Commission was called at 8:30 P. M. The meeting reconvened at 8:40 P. M. Mr. Tanguma reported on the activities of the Residential Preservation and Housing Development Committee. He stated that there are approximately 18 active members on his committee and that the Residential Committee has been on a tour of the City. Mr. Tanguma stated that he has asked the members of the Com- -6- mittee to come up with ideas on residential preservation and redevelopment for discussion. Questions that have been brought up are "Where do you think Englewood is going? Where would you like Englewood to go? What kind of community do you want Englewood to become?" Mr. Owens stated that the Public Facilities Committee has had two meetings. The Committee has discussed the C.I.P., six- quarter budget with Director of Finance James, and has toured the Library and talked to Director of Libraries Lute on the needs of this facility. The Committee has invited Public Works Director Kells Waggoner to meet with them on June 16th and a tou ~ of the different public facilities is planned for June 18th. He stated that he plans to invite representatives from the different City departments to meet with the committee. Mr. Owens stated that he feels he has had a very good response from members on his committee, and a good attendance. Mr. Lathrop asked that the staff arrange to have a representa- tive of the State Highway Department and RoT.D. attend one of the meetings of the Transportation Committeeo IV. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE. Mrs. Romans stated that Mr. Wanush is attending a meeting of the Arapahoe County Planning Commission this evening. Mrs. Romans stated that it has been suggested the Industrial Zone District regulations --I-1 and I-2 --might be amended to preclude the issuance of a building permit for a use such as the auto shredder. Brief discussion ensued. Ed Smith moved: Tanguma seconded: That staff be directed to draft an amendment to the I-1 and I-2 Industrial Zone Districts to preclude the issuance of any building permits for a use such as an auto shredder. AYES: Owens, Lathrop, Wade, Tanguma, Eo Smith, D. Smith; Pierson, Parker NAYS: None ABSENT: Williams The motion carried. Mrs. Romans noted that South Santa Fe Drive and U. S. 285 and the Santa Fe/U.S. 285 intersection have been discussed periodically. She suggested that possibly the Transportation and Downtown Re- view Committees might want to consider these highways and this intersection as they relate to the activities of those committees. Mrs. Romans reported on a meeting attended by Mr. Wanush, representatives of the Kent Village Association, Larwin Multi- Housing Corporation, Mr. Regan and his attorney, and Mr. Criswell. -7- Basic agreement was reached between Kent Village Association and Larwin as follows: That the restrictive covenants placed on the property by Mr. Carey would be rescinded; that the General Development Plan approved in 1972 would be rescinded; that the Subdivision Waiver approved in 1972 would be rescinded; that the conditions proposed to be imposed on the subdivision plat filed by Mr. Regan should be rescinded, these conditions pertaining to the height of structures and the requirement of a Planned Development on all development. In return, Larwin and all future property owners of the Larwin site would agree to comply with all present and future comprehensive zoning ordinances and subdivision regulations; Larwin will prepare restrictive covenants on the development of the site which will run to the Kent Village Association ; buildings in Phases IV, V, VI, and VII are not to exceed 23 feet or two stories in height; the number of units in Phase VI cannot exceed the average number of units contained in Phases IV, V, and Vil; structures to be built in Phases II and III are to be relocated to the north and no building exceeding 23 feet shall be built south of the northern right-of-way line of East Girard Avenue extended; on the eastern boundary abutting Kent Village, no buildings may be constructed closer than those shown on the present General Development Plan, and the area may not be used for parking; the use of all phases except Phase VIII and IX ·will be restricted to residential use, landscaping, etc.; Phases VIII and IX will be restricted to residential or pro- fessional office building use as defined by the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, the definition of a professional office is to be incorporated into the covenants which will run to the Kent Village Association. If Larwin will agree to all of the above restrictions, then the Kent Village Association will agree to the subdivision as proposed by Mr. Regan. Mr. Criswell and Mr. Van Ness, attorney for Larwin, will draw up the covenants. Mr. Criswell has pointed out that these agreements are only between the Kent Village Association and Larwin; this does not include the property owners in the Hampden Hills Homeowner's Association, people in Cherry Hills Village, or property owners who live on South Lafayette Street. Discussion ensued. Don Smith stated that he did not feel this would change anything pertaining to the site. Mrs. Romans stated that she understood City Council would be asked to delay consideration of the Subdivision Plat until the agreement could be formally worked out. Mrs. Wade asked what portions of the site were still under Larwin ownership? Ms. Romans stated that Phases II, III, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX are owned by Larwin; Mr. Regan has an option to purchase Phases VII I and IX. Further discussion of the proposed agreement ensued. Mrs. Romans noted that both the applicant and the opponents have appealed the decision of the Planning .Commission in their approval of the Subdivision Plat for Hampd~n Professional Park and the restrictions to be placed on that plat. -8- V. COMMISSION'S CHOICE. Chairman Pierson stated that there will be a special meeting of the Planning Commission on June 14th, at 7:00 P. M. in the Community Room to consider the Capital Improvement Program. The next regular meeting will be June 21st in the City Council Chambers, at which meeting there will be two public hearings. Ms. Romans stated that the Commission could anticipate a referral from City Council on the proposed amendment of the Auto Wrecking Yard Ordinance. It was suggested that this matter be included for discussion at the study session of July 6th. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 P. M. (Ge"rtru&e G. Welty/ Jiecording Secr~tary