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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-10-20 PZC MINUTES• • CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION OCTOBER 20, 1981 I. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice-Chairman Thad Carson. Members Present: Allen, Draper, Barbre, Tanguma, Becker, McBrayer, Senti, Carson Powers, Ex-officio Members Absent: Pierson Also Present: Romans, Assistant Director -Planning King, Senior Planner II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice-Chairman Carson stated that the minutes of October 6, 1981, were to be considered for approval. Tanguma moved: Barbre seconded: The minutes of the October 6, 1981 meeting be approved as written. AYES: Allen, Barbre, Tanguma, Becker, McBrayer, Senti, Carson NAYS: None ABSTAIN: Draper ABSENT: Pierson The motion carried. III. PROPOSED DOWNTOWN PLAN Vice-Chairman Carson said a Public Hearing was to be held to consi- der an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan in regard to the Downtown Section. Mr. Tanguma moved, Mr. Allen seconded to open the Public Hearing on the amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. AYES: Allen, Barbre, Tanguma, Becker, McBrayer, Senti, Carson NAYS: None ABSENT: Pierson The motion carried. J • • -2- Susan Powers, Director of Coilllllunity Development, gave a brief intro- duction to the plan the Coilllllission would be considering. She noted this was a very preliminary plan and did not show specific locations for buildings in the Downtown area. Ms. Powers pointed out that a building permit would not be issued on the basis of the Planning Coilllllission's decision tonight following the Hearing. Ms. Powers briefly reviewed the policy changes in the Comprehensive Plan that were previously given to the Coilllllission. II She noted the proposed Downtown Redevelopment would include the Broadway/Acoma coilllllercial district and link it with the Cinderella City Complex. The redevelopment would include both public and private improvements. Ms. Powers indicated the Planning Coilllllission would make a recoilllllen- dation to City Council and the Council would make the final approval. Mike Haviland, EDDA Director, went through a slide presentation show- ing various conditions existing in the downtown area and the changes that would occur with the redevelopment of downtown Englewood. West Girard Avenue would be closed off to motor vehicle traffic and be- come a pedestrian walk through providing a link between Broadway and Cinderella City. The area would be serviced by four (4) major entrance points; Broadway and Highway 285, Elati and Highway 285, Hampden and Broadway and Broadway and Floyd. He noted the proposed development would make major changes in the Little Dry Creek area. The plan is to have pedestrian-oriented businesses in the center with the outer layers in high density residential and parking on the very outer edge of the plan. The public improvements associated with the Downtown redevelopment, principally in connection with Little Dry Creek, would cost between 17 and 24 million dollars and would extend over an eight (8) year period. The cost of the project would be paid for through different types of financing. He noted the City would be paying for only the public improvements on the project, the remainder of the project would be taken care of by the developers. Ms. Powers informed the Cormnission that ope of the financing plans that the City is looking into is tax increment financing, which may be the most visible way to finance the public improvements. With this method, the cost of the development would pay for the cost of the public improvements. Ms. Powers went through several diagrams showing the tax increment financing process. This process would involve freezing the assessed values in the area and the taxes that are paid from those businesses. The tax base would continue to be frozen until completion of the development. The tax increment is the difference between the assessed value in 1980 and the time period· when the development is completed and on the tax rolls. Ms. Powers illustrated the dif- ference in the amount of taxes generated in the area when the devel- opment would be completed. Ms. Powers illustrated a dollar amount that could be generated by the development. These taxes would help for the public improvements. • • -3 - Don Ensign, with the planning consulting firm of Design Workshop, noted he had been working on the development plan for over a year and expressed his feeling that this project does have the potential to be successful. He indicated the market is there and urged the Commission to proceed with the redevelopment process. He stated there is a developer waiting to start a development and that could possibly be one of the keys to the success of this project. Ms. Powers noted the scope of the development is several office towers, a hotel/convention center and several residential towers. At present the staff is not soliciting developers for the project. She noted at this time they do not have any specific proposals for the downtown area but hope to have a preliminary plan available in January. The Planning Commission will not be approving any type of use for a specific property in the downtown area. Bud Brady, Brady Corporation, noted he does have a commitment from Sheraton Hotels to construct a hotel complex in the area and pre- liminary plans are underway to locate a 14-story office building at Cherokee and Girard. Mr. Brady stated that in his opinion, the success of the redevelop- ment would be having residential units in the downtown area. Discussion ensued with the Commission and the audience considering the existing Broadway businesses. Concern was voiced regarding the renovation of the existing buildings. Ms. Powers indicated these businesses would probably be given some type of financial aid to renovate their buildings, and stated that these businesses are a vital part of Englewood and the downtown area. Becker moved: Barbre seconded: To recommend to the City Council that the 1979 Commercial Plan be amended to include the Policies for the Downtown Development Plan as adopted by the Englewood Downtown Development Authority on October 14, 1981 and refer such recommendation to City Council. AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: Allen, Draper, Barbre, Tanguma, Becker, McBrayer, Senti, Carson None Pierson The motion carried. Vice-Chairman Carson declared a recess at 8:30 p.m. The Commission reconvened at 8:45 p.m. Upon a call of the roll, the following mem- bers were present: Allen, Draper, Tangum~, Becker, McBrayer, Senti, Carson ABSENT: Barbre, Pierson • -4- IV. NAVAJO INDUSTRIAL PARK SUBDIVISION PLAT CASE NO. 11-81 Dorothy Romans, Assistant Director -Planning, gave the staff report. Mrs. Romans introduced Don Hermansen, who is the realtor representing Mr. Popish, the applicant. The proposal is to divide the parcel into ten (10) building sites, with right-of-way fro South Navajo Street dividing the parcel. At this time, South Navajo Street will not be paved by the developer, but will be placed in a paving district by the City of Englewood. At such time as the right-of-way for South Navajo Street is obtained between West Stanford Avenue and West Quincy Avenue all of South Navajo Street would be paved. Mr. Hermansen noted he has done some feasibility planning for the project, but the financial climate is limiting the go ahead for full planning of the project. He indicated the project is a user-type occupant versus the investor who would rent the property out. The main type of business would be warehouse/office uses and possibly some light industry. Mr. Hermansen informed the Corrnnission that the utilities would be put in at a later date and this was the major reason for not paving at this time. Mrs. Romans noted South Navajo Street was being dedicated at the City's request as it is needed for circulation in the area. It is designated in the Master Street Plan as a collector street. Mr. Hermansen expressed his concern to protect the surrounding residential area. The project would include landscaping and screen- ing between the industrial and residential areas. Charles F. Skinner, 4500 South Windermere, stated his property is located west of the proposed subdivision. He voiced his concern regarding the drainage from the property. He noted the storm sewer ends at South Windermere Street and West Tufts Avenue and cannot collect the water that flows from West Tu~ts Avenue, subsequently the water accumulates on the southwest corner of his property. In addition, Mr. Skinner noted his property does not have a 30-foot easement on the south side of West Stanford Avenue, which would prevent South Navajo Street from going through. Jerry Ray, 4501 South Lipan Court, stated that some type of re- strictions should be placed on this subdivision plat. Three (3) years ago the area was rezoned to I-1, Light Industrial, with seven (7) conditions (landscaping, screening, etc.). Mr. Ray requested the Corrnnission to place these same restrictions on this subdivision , such as the landscaping requirements and screening between the zones. Glenn Helfer, 4501 South Lipan Court, urged the Planning Corrnnis- sion to adopt some restrictions on this preliminary plat and not wait until the final plat to adopt restrictions regarding the landscaping and screening requirements. • • -5- Irene Jungck, 4606 South Mariposa Drive, stated West Tufts Avenue is not wide enough to carry the additional traffic that may be generated by this project. Additionally, Mrs. Jungck noted there is a drainage problem existing along West Tufts Avenue. She ques- tioned why there has not been any enforcement of the screening requirements on other industrial development in the area. Mrs. Jungck also commented that water is not available to the property along West Tufts Avenue. Mrs. Romans noted there is water and sewer available on both West Tufts Avenue and West Stanford Avenue. She did not see a problem with obtaining utilities for this property. Mrs. Romans indicated the comments made tonight would be considered when the final plat is being prepared for submission to the Commission for final appro- val. Elmer Jungck, 4606 South Mariposa Drive, indicated that at the time the area was rezoned, it was required that there be an eight (8) foot fence along the irrigation ditch and provide screening between the two (2) zones. Speaking in rebuttal, Mr. Hermansen requested the Commission to render a decision tonight on the preliminary plat. He noted a great deal of expense has gone into this project and any further delay would compound the expense for Mr. Popish. He indicated his opinion that the basic requirements for a subdi- vision are represented in the plat which has been submitted. He again requested the Commission to render a decision at this time. Becker moved: Allen seconded: To approve the preliminary plat in Case No. 11-81, with the following conditions: 1. The measurement along the west side of Block 1 must be corrected. 2. An eight (8) foot easement mu&t be provided for Mountain Bell at a designated location. 3. Street improvements must be made following the instal- lation of utilities. 4. Plans for the drainage of the site must be approved by engineering. 5. The conditions imposed at the time the Garrett property was zoned I-1, Light Industrial, must be shown on the Plat. 6. Landscaping with a sprinkling system must be provided on the Plat. • • AYES: Allen, Tanguma, Becker, McBrayer, Senti, Carson NAYS: Draper ABSENT: Barbre, Pierson The motion carried. V. PUBLIC FORUM No member of the audience indicated a desire to address the Commis- sion. VI. DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Mrs. Romans informed the Commission that the City may be receiving an appeal for an extension of time from The Adult Center on South Broadway and noted that this will have to go before the Planning Commission. VII. COMMISSION'S CHOICE Mrs. Becker asked whether Swedish Hospital has fulfilled their committment to screen the parking lot and provide landscaping on the lot at Pennsylvania and Girard. Mrs. Romans stated Swedish had put in landscaping in the spring of this year and it would be a while before we may notice any change. She noted she would mention the Commission's concern to Cliff Johnson . The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m .