Planning and Zoning Commission

Planning and Zoning Commission CITY OF CENTENNIAL PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING January 22, 2014, 7:00 PM *COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 13133 E. ARAPAHOE ROAD* MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Pro Tem Powell called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Those present were: Commissioner and Chairman Pro Tem Russ Powell Commissioner Johnathan Sims Commissioner Michael Sutherland Commissioner Andrea Suhaka Commissioner Richard Baird Commissioner Lynn Goering Commissioner Frank Halcromb Commissioner Don Gregg Those absent were: Chairman Martin Hill Jr. (Chairman Hill arrived at 7:13 p.m., see note below) Also present were: Marcus McAskin, Deputy City Attorney Andrew Firestine, Deputy Director of Community Development Amy Johnson, Planner I Lisa Gajowski, Recording Secretary Lily Boettcher, Youth Commissioner a. Alternate Selection for Voting Purposes Commissioner Halcromb was appointed a voting member in the absence of Chairman Hill. b. Election of Officers for 2014 Commissioner Suhaka nominated Chair Pro Tem Powell to serve as Chairman. Commissioner Sutherland seconded the motion. With all present (7) voting AYE, and none (0) voting NAY, the motion was approved. Commissioner Goering nominated Commissioner Suhaka to serve as Chair Pro Tem. Commissioner Sutherland seconded the motion. With all present (7) voting AYE, and none (0) voting NAY, the motion was approved. Commissioner Hill arrived at 7:13 p.m. and Chairman Powell noted for the record that Commissioner Hill will be voting on the McDonald’s Final Development Plan Amendment. The appointment of Commissioner Halcromb as a voting member was withdrawn for LU-13-00201.  Minutes – Planning and Zoning Commission January 22, 2014 Page 2 III. CONSENT AGENDA The Consent Agenda can be adopted by a simple motion. The Consent Agenda will be read aloud prior to a vote on the motion. Any Consent Agenda item may be removed from the Consent Agenda at the request of a Planning and Zoning Commissioner for individual consideration. a. Consideration of Resolutions b. Consideration of Other Items c. Approval of Minutes i. January 8, 2014 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes Commissioner Suhaka moved approval of the Consent Agenda as presented. Commissioner Sims seconded the motion. With all present (7) voting AYE, and none (0) voting NAY, the motion was approved. IV. LAND USE APPLICATIONS/PUBLIC HEARINGS a. McDonald's FDP Amendment LU-13-00201 Amy Johnson, Planner I, presented. Applicant Robert Palmer presented. Chairman Powell opened the public hearing. Robert Harmouh, 6066 S. Alton Way, Greenwood Village and owner of the Arapahoe Shoppes located at 10639 E. Briarwood Ave. spoke in opposition of the proposed final development plan amendment. Chairman Powell closed the public hearing. Commissioner Hill moved to recommend to City Council approval of case number LU-13-00201, McDonald’s Final Development Plan 4th Amendment, based on a finding that the application satisfies all applicable criteria set forth in section §11.1.4901 of the 2001 Land Development Code, as summarized in the staff report. Commissioner Sutherland seconded the motion. With Chairman Powell and Commissioners Baird, Goering, Hill, Sims, Suhaka and Sutherland voting AYE and none voting NAY the motion was APPROVED by a vote of 7 AYE and 0 NAY. V. OTHER BUSINESS Deputy Director of Community Development Andy Firestine provided an update on three items for the Commission. Mr. Firestine let the Commission know that the Race Street Apartments Site Plan was unanimously approved by City Council. Minutes – Planning and Zoning Commission January 22, 2014 Page 3 Mr. Firestine stated that Heather Vidlock, Principal Planner, has provided the Commissioners updates on the amphitheater stage cover and improvements to Centennial Center Park. He explained that there are two items coming before the Commission on February 12th and 26th. The February 12th agenda will have a variance for the amphitheater stage cover, which is 35 feet in height, from the 20 foot height restriction in the OSR zone district. The February 26th will have the site plan ratification for the amphitheater stage cover and other park improvements. Mr. Firestine noted that the Commissioners may see some work being done in the park and clarified that any work being done is not part of the site plan review process. Mr. Firestine also pointed out that there is a compressed timeline with a goal of the work being completed by Memorial Day. Chairman Powell asked if it would make sense to amend the OSR height in the 2011 LDC. Mr. Firestine said that this has been identified as a needed amendment to the code and noted that the Trails and Goodson Recreation Centers are both 35 feet tall and are zoned OSR. Any text amendment would be in line with those existing facilities. The Commissioners suggested that staff bring them the text amendment rather than the variance. Deputy City Attorney Marcus McAskin explained that the text amendment requires the Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing and recommendation, two readings before City Council and a delayed effective date (30 days following publication following second reading), which may negatively impact the proposed start date of the improvements which will be shown in the site plan. Approval of a variance will allow construction to begin and will assist the City with meeting its goal of having the planned park improvements completed by Memorial Day. The Commissioners expressed understanding of the timeline constraints and asked if it was possible for staff to prepare the proposed text amendment for public hearing on the same date as the variance request. Mr. Firestine responded that staff will have a proposed text amendment prepared for the same hearing as the variance request. Finally, Mr. Firestine explained that staff has heard the concerns expressed about the 15 foot setbacks in the Activity Center (AC) zone district and has received direction from City Council to initiate a code amendment process to recalibrate that setback. The Community Development Department would like to work with the Commission to develop alternative setbacks in the AC zone district. Staff has not fully developed the critical path for moving forward, but the initial thought is to look at other developments within the Denver metro area to get a sense of how other communities have addressed this issue and created the active pedestrian area that is desired by the AC zone district regulations. Mr. Firestine asked that any Commissioners who have the time and would like to be part of this process email Lisa Gajowski. Additionally, if there are any developments they would like to tour to also email that information to Ms. Gajowski and staff will compile a list. VI. LONG RANGE AGENDA a. Long Range Agenda VII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m. THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING WILL BE HELD 02/12/2014, 7:00 PM Minutes – Planning and Zoning Commission January 22, 2014 Page 4 _______________________________________ Russ Powell, Chairman _______________________________________ Lisa J. Gajowski, Recording Secretary