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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-06-14 PZC MINUTES\ • CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION June 14, 1977 I. Call to Order. The Special Meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:10 P. M. by Chairman Pierson. Members present: Lathrop; Wade; Pierson; Parker; Owens Wanush, Ex-officio Members absent: Williams, Tanguma, Ed Smith, Don Smith Also Present: Assistant Director Romans; Associate Planner Steve House; Planning Intern Brian Ross; Acting Utilities Director Bradshaw. II. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 1978 -1982 CASE #8-77 Mrs. Pierson stated that the purpose of the meeting is to consider the Five-year Capital Improvement Program 1978 -1982, and to assign priority to the requests submitted by the various City Departments. Mrs. Pierson asked the staff to explain the Capital Improvement Program, and the procedure followed in the review of this document • Mrs. Romans stated that members of the Commission were sent a copy of the approved 1977-1981 Capital Improvement Program in addition to the proposed 1978-1982 C. I. P. prior to the meeting. Mrs. Romans noted that there were five new requests submitted this year that had not been submitted previously, these requests being lawn sprinklers for the Federal and Tejon Fire Stations, and radio corrections which were submitted by the Fire Depart- ment. The staff has been notified that the radio corrections request is being placed in the communications operating budget and will not be considered by the Commission as part of the Capital Improvement Program. The Public Works Department sub- mitted two new requests, these requests being correction of the turn radius at West Girard Avenue and South Cherokee Street on the southeast corner of the intersection, and a 100-year flood plain outline of minor drainageways throughout the City. The Utilities Departme.nt submitted a new request for new pipe connections at Clarkson and U.S. 285 and at Clarkson and Belleview Avenue. Mr. Wanush noted that City Council is still reviewing whether or not metering should be instituted on a broad basis in the City, and until City Council reaches a decision on this matter, it will be difficult to make a specific recommendation on the Utility Department projects. There could be a monetary differ- ence of $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 depending on the decision of • -2- City Council. Mr. Wanush noted that projects submitted by the Utilities Department are not financed from the General Fund, but from bonds backed by the revenues of the Utilities Department. If additional income were needed to finance these projects, there would be an increase in the water and sewer rates rather than an increase in taxes. Mrs. Romans discussed three alternatives under consideration in regard to the question of metering. The first alternative is a status quo; the second alternative is to convert to meters as a property is sold at the seller's expense; the third alter- native is that the City would purchase and install meters over a given period of time. ; Mr. Bradshaw discussed the need for rehabilitation of the Allen Filter Plant, and noted that the Bear Creek Filter Plant is very expensive to operate --there are no settling beds, and it requires more chemicals, etc. to p.1rify the water. If the Allen Filter Plant is rehabilitated, the Bear Creek Plant would be used in emergency or back-up situations. Mr. Wanush pointed out that the i City is now using 12,000,000 gpd more in treated water than would be used if the City had meters installed. There could be a big difference in the capital expenditures required to rehabilitate a plant if the determination regarding meters is made. Mr. Bradshaw stated that without meters, the projection is for a 43,000,000 gpd capacity; if metering system is instituted, the projection would be 31,500,000 gpd. Mr. Bradshaw referred to a study that was done by the former Utilities Director, Charles Carroll, which does show that metering reduces the water usage; in the City of Boulder, a 25% reduction in water usage was experienced by the installation of metering. Mr. Bradshaw pointed out that the Allen Filter Plant is 25 years old, and in dire need of rehabilitation. The City Council in- stituted a program to increase water pressure in specific areas of the City; all the pumps at the Plant are operating now at one time, and there are inquiries about Englewood servicing areas outside the City limits with water. Mr. Bradshaw noted that when water is sold outside the City limits, the charge is 50% more than it is within the City. Mr. Bradshaw stated that the City "has lots of water, but must have the facilities to get it treated." Discussion ensued. Mr. Owens asked about the capacity now for raw water. Mr. Bradshaw stated that even with population projections, Englewood will have sufficient raw water until the year 2010. Further discussion ensued. Mr. Bradshaw was thanked for his attendance and discussion with the Commission. Miss Harriet Lute, the Director of Libraries, and members of the Library Board entered during the final minutes of the dis- cussion of the Utilities Department projects. The request sub- mitted by the Library for the expansion of Library facilities was now considered. • -3- Miss Lute introduced members o f the Libr a ry Board who were in attendance, and explained the proposed expansion of the Library area. Miss Lute noted that additional meeting facilities are needed in the Library; last year, there were 174 meetings for adults and 155 meetings for children in the Library Conference Room. This room was designed primarily for the use of Library- related functions, and is not sufficient to meet the demands which are being placed upon it. The meet ing room which has been proposed in the plans for remodeling, will be on the northeast corner of the building, and will have an outside entrance, toilet facilities and a small kitchenette. Miss Lute noted that this will not only be for the use of the Library, but for use by the entire City; however, they are requesting this construction as part of the Library expansion program. There would be a ramp to enable access by the handi- capped to this meeting room. To the south of the proposed meeting room is the Library expansion, an area encompassing approximately 4,600 to 4,800 square feet. The front desk would be moved closer to the door of the Library and the in- terior of the Library would be rearranged, thus giving more space to house, display, and use the materials in stock and those that are to be acquired. Miss Lute presented comparison studies done over the past 10 years on circulation and service to Englewood residents vs. Arapahoe County residents and other non-residents. Comparison studies on reciprocal borrowing were also presented, as was a comparison study on the stock in 1977 vs. the stock in 1966, all contained within the same square footage. Mrs. Pierson asked what the cost was for the garage itself? Miss Lute stated that she did not have the actual figures, but would estimate $20,000. Miss Lute discussed the reciprocal borrowing instituted in 1969; libraries are reimbursed on the net transactions. In the late 1960's and early 1970's, a great deal of the circula- tion was done with Arapahoe County; now the Arapahoe Regional Library has developed and has taken over several of the book- mobile stops that Englewood was formerly making. Miss Lute stated that there are 16,000 Library card holders in the City of Englewood, which is a high percentage, considering Englewood's total population of 36,000+. Mr. Parker asked if he recalled correctly that Miss Lute had indicated the parking of the bookmobile outside caused a loss of books? Miss Lute stated that there is great damage to books that is caused by the bookmobile being parked in the open. The extreme temperature changes are hard on the bindings and it costs $1.85 per book for rebinding. Mrs. Pierson asked if the proposed garage was to be heated? Miss Lute stated that it would not be heated to the extent that the building is heated. • -4- Mr. Owens asked if there had been many i n cidents of vandalism on the bookmobile because of its being p arked outside? Miss Lute stated they have had to replace the rear view mirrors numerous times ; she could not recall that the bookmobile was ever broken into. Mrs. Wade asked if the meeting room and expansion would mean additional construction, or is it part of the existing building? Miss Lute stated that it is part of the existing building; tre meeting room would occupy an area approximately 50 ft. deep across the front of the existing space, there would be walls removed and/or relocated, and the library expansion would be into existing space. Brief discussion ensued. The Commission thanked Miss Lute and members of the Library Board for their attendance. Mr. Owens noted that the Public Facilities Review Committee had toured the Library at their last meeting, and the proposed garage was discussed at that time. He stated that he feels this garage is needed ; the books and bookmobile will stay in better condition for a longer period of time if the vehicle is housed. Mrs. Pierson stated that she felt the request for Library ex- pansion and a garage are two different items, and should not be considered as "one" request. The garage is 10% of the total cost of the project, and she did not feel that solid substantia- tion was given for the construction of the garage. She continued that the expansion and construction of the garage should be considered as two items, and should be given different priorities. Discussion ensued. Mrs. Romans noted that the allocation in the 1977-1981 Capital Improvement Budget apparently did not in- clude the construction of a garage. The location of the pro- posed garage was discussed. Mr. OWens pointed out that the west location was probably as convenient as any for the purposes of loading and unloading the bookmobile. Further discussion ensued. Mr. Parker stated that if the garage is not funded, the bookmobile service should be eliminated or the loading dock should be relocated; this constitutes a health hazard now where the bookmobile is allowed to run while it is being loaded. The fumes from the bookmobile go into the ventilation system of City Hall, which can be dangerous to the health of employees. Funding for the Librazyexpansion ensued. Mr. Wanush stated that there are $200,000 available now for the expansion; the request ·is for $231, 000 but part of this would be for the con- struction of the garage. Mr. Lathrop stated that he could understand the change in temperature damaging the book bindings. If there was a garage to house the bookmobile, a more even temperature could be main- tained which would decrease the amount of book damage. Dis- -5- cussion ensued. Mrs. Pierson asked if books are left on the bookmobile overnight? Mrso Romans stated that books are. Further brief discussion ensuedo The Commission then reviewed and discussed the requests of the Parks and Recreation Department, Fire Department, Police Department and Public Works Department. It was determined that rather than listing priorities by specific projects, that they would be placed in priority groupings. Owens moved: Wade seconded: Priority #1: Priority #2: Priority #3: Priority #4: The following priorities be assigned to the project requests, and so recommended to the City Managero River Redevelopment Land Purchase -Malley Recreation Center Library Expansion Fire Training Facility Community Building -Land Acquisition Little Dry Creek Improvements Sinclair Bathhouse City Survey Fire Apparatus Replacement Right-of-way Acquisition Paving/Sidewalk Districts Miscellaneous Land Acquisition Street Overlay Program Cushing Park Expansion Centennial Park Shore Development Drainage Basins -High School and Central Right Turn Lane Improvement -Cherokee/Girard One-Hundred Year Flood Plain Outlines City Hall Remodeling Broadway Beautification Miller Building Improvements Fire Station #3 Broadway Widening and Beautification: Yale -Floyd. Bookmobile Garage Pistol Range McLellan Reservoir Development Indoor Ice Rink Mountain Park Miller Field Lights Indoor Rifle Range High School Ballfield Lights Lehow Avenue Bridge Floyd/Broadway Realignment Union Avenue Connector Community Building -Structure • -6- Utilities Department Projects -no priority given: Inflatable Weir Allen Filter Plant: Expansion and Rehab Rehab of South Broadway 12" Mains Annual Replacement of Water Mains Pipe Connections Modify Piping at Overhe ad Reservoirs Replace Mains in Low Pressure Areas Construct North City Storage Overhead Storage Pump Station Allen Filter Plant Pump Increase Replace/Rehab Inadequate Mains McLellan Pump Station Relocation AYES: Wade, Pierson, Parker, Owens, Lathrop NAYS: None ABSENT: Williams, Tanguma, Ed Smith, Don Smith The motion carried. III. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE. Mr. Wanush reported on his attendance at the Arapahoe County Planning Commission meeting of June 7th. There is a meeting on June 28th, at which time Englewood, Littleton, and Sheridan are to present their recommendations on a comprehensive plan for the South Platte River Valley. The meeting is at 7:30 P. M. and Mr. Wanush invited interested members of the Englewood Planning Commission to attend. Mr. Wanush discussed problems of attendance that three of the Review Committees have been experiencing; these committees being Transportation, chaired by Marten Lathrop; Industrial, chaired by Ed Smith; and Parks and Recreation, chaired by Mae Wade. Mr. Wanush suggested that these committees might want to combine with other committees, or postpone meetings until the other committees are farther along and ready to make recommendations. Mrs. Wade stated that in regard to the Parks and Recreation Review Committee, it was the feeling of the participants that if additional members do not show an interest in the process, they should go ahead and follow suggestions made by the Parks Department and the Parks and Recreation Commission; she noted that some of her members are members of the Parks and Recrea- tion Commission at the present time, and it was their deter- mination upon discussion that rather than prolong the meetings with very little participation, to use the recommendations of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mrs. Wade stated that Parks and Recreation Director Romans will be at the meeting of the Review Committee on June 16th to discuss the Park and Recreation Program. .. -7- Mr. La~hrop stated that he felt it would be better for the Transportation Committee to postpone further meetings until the other committees are farther along in their review process. Mr. Lathrop noted that whatever the other committees come up with will affect the transportation plan, and the transportation plan must be designed to give service to the City of Englewood. Mr. Owens stated that he felt it might be advisable for the Transportation Committee to postpone further review at this time. He reported that it would be some time before the Public Facilities and Storm Drainage Review Committee reached a point of making recommendations; he stated they are "still trying to find out what is available" in the line of public facilities, etc. Mrs. Pierson suggested that perhaps some of the more active members on the other committees would be interested in working on the Transportation Committee after the recommenda- tions on their initial committee are made. Discussion ensued. Mr. Wanush suggested that Mr. Lathrop contact the members on this committee to discuss the possibility of postponing further review until the other committees have had more time to come up with their recommendations. Mr. Wanush reported that the Hampden Professional Park Sub- division Plat was again postponed by City Council until July 11th. There are continuing negotiations between Larwin repre- sentatives, Kent Village Association, Mr. Regan's people and other interested persons. The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 P.M.