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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-09-16 PZC MINUTESI • • • I. CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION September 16, 1986 CALL TO ORDER. The regular meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairman Carson. Members present: Carson, Maunakea, Gourdin, Mesa, Beier, Allen , Barbre, Magnuson. Romans, Ex-officio Members absent: Mulhern Also present: EDDA Executive Director Penny Dietrich II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. September 3, 1986 Chairman Carson stated that the Minutes of September 3, 1986 were to be con- sidered for approval. Magnuson moved: Maunakea seconded : The Minutes of September 3, 1986 be approved as written . AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Carson, Gourdin, Magnuson, Maunakea, Mesa, Allen, Barbre None Mulhern Beier The motion car r ied . I I I. GIRARD PLACE, LTD. Subdivision Plat CASE #24-86 Chairman Carson asked for a motion to open the Public Hearing on the Girard Place, Ltd. Subdivision Plat. A 11 en moved: Barbre seconded: The Public Hearing on Case #24-86 be opened. AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Gourdin , None Mulhern None Magnuson, Maunakea, Mesa, Allen, Barbre, Beier, Carson The motion carried. Mr. Carson asked that the applicant present the request . William Richard Hinson, Assistant Director of the Englewood Urban Renewal Au- thority, was sworn in. Mr. Hinson stated that the subdivision plat is for an area bounded on the north by West Floyd Avenue, on the west by South Elati -1 - Street, on the east by South Cherokee Street, and on the south by West Girard Avenue. This block is commonly known as the "Old King Sooper's Block." This site is under contract to sell to Girard Place, Ltd., which company proposes to develop the block with multi-family dwelling units, a multi-screen theatre, and an athletic center. The purpose of the subdivision is to dedicate right- of-way for South Elati Street, South Cherokee Street, and West Girard Avenue prior to the sale of the site to Girard Place, Ltd. These rights-of-way have been used as public streets, but have not been formally dedicated. The Tech - nical Review Committee has reviewed the proposed subdivision plat, and has required an additional two foot easement on the east and west sides of Block 1 to accommodate the installation of traffic regulatory signs. This requirement has been incorporated into the Plat. Mr. Barbre noted that the two foot easement is not reflected along West Girard Avenue on the plat . Mr . Hinson stated that there has been discussion on re- alignment of Girard Avenue, and the exact location and width of that street has not been determined. He stated that the dedication of this right-of-way or a reservation will be accomplished prior to sale of the proper t y by the Urban Renewal Authority. Mr. Carson asked if there were further questions from the Commission, or from members of the audience . Mr. Gene Yow, 3284 South Delaware Street, was sworn in, and asked what was to be done to the median in Floyd Avenue at South Delaware Street . Mrs. Romans stated that the median in Floyd Avenue is not part of the Subdivision Plat, and therefore, would not be subject to discussion at the Public Hearing. The discussion pertains to the property owned by the Englewood Urban Renewal Au- thority. Mrs. Romans told Mr. Yow that she has heard no discussion of any change to the Floyd median at South Delaware Street and that she would let him know if she did so. Mr. Carson asked if there was anyone else in the audience who wished to ad- dress the Commission either in favor of or in opposition to the proposed Sub- division Plat. No one addressed the Commission. Magnuson moved: Maunakea seconded: The Public Hearing on Case #24-86 be closed. Mr. Mulhern entered the meeting and took his seat with the Commission. AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Magnuson, None None Mulhern The motion carried. Maunakea, Mesa, Allen, Barbre, Beier, Carson, Gourdin Mr. Carson asked the pleasure of the Commission on the proposed Subdivision Plat. Discussion ensued. Barbre moved: Maunakea seconded: The Planning Commission approve the Subdivision Plat for Girard Place, Ltd., and refer said plat to the City Council for their favorable consideration. -2 - \ • • • • • • AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Maunakea, Magnuson None None None The motion carried. Mesa, Mulhern, Allen, Barbre, Beier, Carson, Gourdin, Mr. Magnuson noted that there were several people in the audience, and asked whether they were all in attendance because of the Subdivision Plat that was considered by the Commission. One gentleman in the audience, who had arrived late, asked whether Girard Avenue by the Ludwig Flower Shop was to be straightened, and suggested that it should be. Mrs. Romans stated that the subdivision plat does not address the alignment of Girard Avenue . IV. ENGLEWOOD DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Laventhol & Horwath Study Ms. Penny Dietrich, Executive Director of the Englewood Downtown Development Authority, addressed the Commission, and gave members copies of the Summary and Recommendations of the Laventhol & Horwath study which was commissioned by EDDA. This study was for the area east of South Broadway, and is divided into short term, medium term, and long term recommendations for the redevelopment of this area. Ms. Dietrich reviewed the recommendations for the area as set forth in the summary. Mr. Carson stated that he disagreed with the recommendations contained in the study, and stated that he felt a hardware store was needed on the old Safeway site rather than office/medical development. Mr. Carson stated that in his opinion, the study was a waste of money, and that a lot of the information contained in the Laventhol & Horwath study was in the City's Comprehensive Plan, and that the citizens of Englewood should not have to pay for this study. Mr. Carson stated that with additional office/medical use developed on the old Safeway Site, it will encourage further encroachment of the Swedish Medical Center into the downtown area. Mr. Carson also stated that the study has exceeded the boundaries of the EDDA District by including the Swedish Medical Center, and that this should not have been done. Mr. Mesa suggested that the Commission must realize that a lot of the support services or medical uses which may be developed on the old Safeway site are private businesses, even though they may work closely with the Medical Center. Mr. Carson pointed out that some time ago, the Medical Center had wanted to encroach further into the area north of Girard, and that the City Council had indicated they would not approve such encroachment. Mr. Magnuson asked why elderly housing could not be built on the old Safeway site. Ms. Dietrich stated that she did not feel the thrust of the study and of planning is to develop additional housing in the downtown area. Ms. Dietrich stated that Mr. Carson is correct that the EDDA boundary does not include the Medical Center; however, the Medical Center and the support facilities do attract people to the area, and should be considered in the overall planning for the area . Mr. Carson stated that he feels the study should have stopped at the EDDA dis- trict boundaries, and that he disagrees with the entire study. -3 - Ms. Dietrich stated that additional retail on the old Safeway site was not suggested because it was felt that the redevelopment of this area should be compatible with and complementary to the downtown redevelopment taking place west of Broadway, and that additional retail developed east of Broadway could dilute the retail impact of the area west of Broadway. Mr. Carson noted that the EDDA spent money several years ago to develop the parking lot east of Broadway at Hampden, and that he is of the opinion that the entire corridor between Girard and Hampden should be developed for retail use. The City has enough office buildings now. Mr. Magnuson asked if there had been any offers for the purchase of the former Safeway site that Ms. Dietrich was aware of. Ms. Dietrich stated that she was aware of interest in the site. Mr. Mesa stated that he feels many of the Commission members are in agreement with some of the recommendations contained within the report, and cited the recommendations regarding additional restaurants. Mr. Mesa asked how much input EDDA and the Commission would have in encouraging a developer or businessman to locate in this area. Ms. Dietrich stated that she has been in touch with a restaurant broker about locating in the area. She stated that from her position, she can only encourage the developer or businessman to lo- cate in this area, but cautioned that one must take into consideration the overall market for any particular type of business. Mr. Allen stated that he owned property in the subject area. Mr. Allen stated that the market will determine the ultimate development of any area. He did question the recommendation for additional elderly housing in the immediate area, pointing out that there are two subsidized buildings in the 3300 and 3400 blocks of South Lincoln and South Sherman Streets, and that the Swedish Corona Cooperative is being constructed just to the east of the subject area. He suggested that a concentration of elderly housing in this area would "re- tard" other forms of development in the area. Mrs. Romans stated that the staff has worked for some time with a group of elderly people who have a strong feeling that the middle income elderly person is denied housing alternatives; housing is available for the low-income elder- ly, and the Swedish Cooperative is available for the more affluent elderly, but the needs of the middle-income elderly person are not being met. Mrs. Romans stated that considerable interest in housing for this mid-income level has been expressed by both elderly citizens and by developers. Mr. Beier agreed that there is no provision for medium priced units for elderly persons. The vacancy rate in Englewood and the metro area was discussed. Mr. Allen asked Ms. Dietrich if the redevelopment of the area east of Broadway would use Urban Renewal. Ms. Dietrich stated that this is not considered. Mr. Carson asked what the Commission was expected to do with the Laventhol & Horwath study. Ms. Romans suggested that the Commission read the report, and compare the recommendations contained within the report to the Comprehensive Plan, and if there are modifications that should be made to the Plan that the Commission consider doing so. Mr. Carson reiterated his desire to see the entire area east of Broadway in this corridor developed with retail use. He asked if EDDA was not thinking of -4 - • • • • • • moving into the newly developed area. Ms. Dietrich stated that EDDA had made an offer on the lease price . Discussion ensued on consideration of the Comprehensive Plan. Mrs. Romans stated that at a major review had been proposed for the Plan every five years. Further discussion ensued. Magnuson moved: Maunakea seconded: The Planning Commission schedule a study session on the City Comprehensive Plan and the Laventhol & Hor- wath study done for EDDA. The date and time of the study session will be left to the discretion of the staff. Mr. Allen asked how much influence the Planning Commission could and should exert on the development in this area. Mr. Carson stated that he does not have a copy of the City Charter, and asked that he be provided a copy. Mr. Magnuson stated that the Planning Commission should be the body to decide "where we go with the planning and development" of an area; it is a respon- sibility of the Planning Commission. Mr. Mulhern stated that the developers will make the "market" for any area, but that the Commission can encourage the marketability of an area. Further discussion ensued . Mr. Carson discussed the recommendation for additional restaurants in the area east of Broadway; he noted that we have two restaurants going into the new redevelopment area, and asked why more restaurants were needed. Mrs. Romans stated that there is need for more than two restaurants, and that people need to be offered a variety of nice eating establishments. Mrs. Romans discussed the "search committee" which was suggested several years ago; this committee would be charged with the responsibility of contacting developers and businessmen to encourage their relocation to the City of Engle- wood. Mr. Carson asked if anyone on the Planning Commission could do this; he would like to volunteer to do so. Ms. Dietrich stated that if the search com- mittee is formed, she would hope that the Planning Commission would be represented. Mr. Gourdin discussed the recommendation regarding the transition of single- family homes to multi-family development in the area north of Swedish Medical Center. He expressed his displeasure with the continued flights for life ser- vice to Swedish Medical Center and the noise from the helicopters. He did not feel the people of Englewood should be subjected to such a high level of noise, which has been found to be adverse to the health of individuals. He stated that the Medical Center will not reduce the number of flights, or cause their pilots to follow the major transportation routes or elevations that have been recommended. He stated that he would find it very difficult to support this recommendation in light of the Medical Center's refusal to comply with the helicopter guidelines . Further discussion on the revision of the Comprehensive Plan ensued. Mrs. Romans pointed out that the last revision took well over one year, and each -5 - commission member chaired an ad hoc committee that considered one facet of the Plan. The vote on the motion for the study session was called: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Mesa, Mulhern, Barbre, Beier, Carson, Gourdin, Magnuson, Maunakea Allen None None The motion carried. Mr. Maunakea stated that he had heard suggestions that the old Safeway build- ing be used as a civic center or civic arena. v. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 1987 -1991 CASE #25-86 Mrs. Romans stated that the Planning Commission is required to submit to the City Manager a list of Capital Improvement Projects for the ensuing five year period. Mrs. Romans stated that for the last two or three years, there has been very limited funding for Capital Improvement Projects, and the available funding has been concentrated on the Downtown Improvement Program. There is very limited funding available again this year, but the Commission is required to make some recommendation to the City Manager. Mrs. Romans stated that the statement submitted last year to the City Manager was included as an attach- ment to the Staff Report, as is a copy of the Public Improvement Fund for Capital Improvement Projects. Mrs. Romans stated that additional requests have come in from the Parks and Recreation Department for the expansion of Centennial and Cushing Parks, and for Phase III expansion at the Golf Course. The Police Department has also requested that the parking lot improvements on the north side of the police station be retained in the five-year program. Discussion ensued. Allen moved: Gourdin seconded: The Planning Commission recommend the following items to the City Manager for the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Mulhern, Mesa None None None 1. Implementation of a City-sponsored Trash Coll ection Program. 2a. Belleview Park Nature Center. 2b. The Englewood Golf Course Clubhouse. 2c. Police Department Parking Lot Improvements. 2d. South Clay Street Drainage. 2e. West Oxford Avenue Parkway. 2f. Centennial Park Expansion. 2g. Cushing Park Expansion. 2h. Phase III Expansion of the Golf Course. Allen, Barbre, Beier, Carson, Gourdin, Magnuson, Maunakea, -6 - \ • • • • • • The motion carried . VI. PUBLIC FORUM. Chairman Carson noted that there was no aud 1 enc:o I 11 ;11.1.r~nda n ce. VII. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE. Ms. Romans stated that the City Council considered t he Stat e Highway Work Pr o- gram at their meeting of September 15; they determ ined that improvements to Santa Fe Drive should be the number one priority in t heir recommendat i on to the County Commissioners in an effort to discourage f urth er siphonin g off of funds for C-470. The Council determined that U.S. 285 i mpr ovements sh ould be priority #2, and Mrs. Romans stated that the City Counc il ha s asked that a study be done by the State Highway Department on U.S. 285 from Santa Fe Drive east to I-25 citing specific recommendations to rai se t he level of services to meet the needs of the jurisdictions abutting this hi ghway . Improvements t o Belleview Avenue were priority #3. Mr. Mesa questioned the possibility of purchasing property in the vicinity of Dartmouth and South Santa Fe for additional park pu rp oses. Discussio n ensued. Further discussion on the improvements to South San ta Fe Drive ensued. Mrs. Romans stated that some of the members of the Ci t y Council and t he City Manager reviewed the minutes of the Planning Commission whe r ein it wa s reco rd - ed that two Commission members abstained from voting on t he issue of a pro- posed Grease Monkey business, and that concern was expres sed on the re ason s cited for this abstention . Mrs. Romans handed members of t he Co mmis sio n co p- ies of a memorandum she had received from City Atto r ne y Olsen regarding the abstention of members from voting. Discussion ensu ed . Mr. Gourdin s t ated that he did have reason to abstain because he does own s t ock in th e Gre ase Monkey. Mrs. Romans presented preliminary Findings of Fact for Ca se #24 -86, t he Girard Place, Ltd. Subdivision Plat. She suggested that members of t he Commission might wish to review these preliminary Findings of Fact, and make whatever changes they wish in order that they may be adopted at th is mee t ing and fo r- warded to City Council for their next meeting. Discussion ensued. A 11 en moved : Magnuson seconded: The Planning Commission adopt the Fi ndi ng s of Fact i n Ca s e #24-86 and refer them to City Cou nc i l . AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: ABSTAIN : A 11 en , Barbre, Mulhern None None None The motion carried. Beier, Carson, Gourdin, Mag nus on, Mau nake a , Me s a , Mrs. Romans stated that she will transmit Mr. Gourd in's concern regarding the fireplace installations at The Marks to the Buildin g & Safety Divisi on, and will check on the Minutes of September 17, 1985 to determine what Chas ewood did commit t o. Mrs. Romans stated that she wi l l also alert the Building & -7 - Safety Division that the units being constructed with frontage on Belleview in the Metzel development are to have sound proofing. Mrs. Romans asked that members of the Commission discuss any concerns they have with her personally rather than going to other members of the staff. She will then delegate the matter to someone on the staff, or look into the matter herself . VIII. COMMISSION'S CHOICE. Mr. Magnuson asked if Mr. Allen had talked to any representative from Denver or Aurora about their municipal trash project . Mr. Allen stated that he receives reports through the staff. Discussion ensued. Mr. Beier stated that he had recently been in Edmondton, Alberta, and dis- cussed the shopping center in that city. He noted that the regional airport is located approximately 20 miles out of town , with bus transportation to and from the airport. The meeting was declared adjourned at 8:25 P.M. k~L ~ G€rt rude G. Welty 7 Record ing Secretary -8 - • • •