HomeMy WebLinkAbout325 CHERRY STREET - MODIFICATION OF STANDARDS - 29-03 - DECISION - MINUTES/NOTESPlanning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 4, 2003
Page 24
Member Craig seconded the motion.
Member Colton stated that it may be difficult for future projects to work because
this project will be stretching the parking to a maximum. It should not be a
precedent for future projects. Though it will create more parking spaces, it will
also create more demand.
Member Schmidt stated that the new diagonal parking will more than double the
parking on Meldrum Street. This more than satisfies the needs for this project
plus the project is so close to transit areas that walking and biking will be
encouraged. Future projects will need to be evaluated on a case -by -case basis.
Vice -Chairman Gavaldon stated that he would not be supporting the motion
because he did not believe the project was in the best interest of the public good.
He also stated that Meldrum Street could be changed to diagonal parking without
this project. Mr. Gavaldon added that there was still no answer to the question
about where customers and artisans will park. Cherry Street is not behaving like
it was designed to with City trucks and trailers traveling on it.
The motion was approved 4-1 with Gavaldon being the dissenting vote and
Member Carpenter abstaining due to a conflict of interest.
There was no other business.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 p.m.
Approved by the Board January 15, 2004.
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 4, 2003
Page 23
Planner Jones stated that on the last page of the recommendation, there were
two conditions to the recommendation of approval. Condition "B" is that the future
project qualifies as affordable housing as determined by the Advance Planning
staff. The modification would die if the project did not come in with a plan that
satisfies the conditions.
Vice -Chairman Gavaldon asked what happens if they do not meet the criteria.
Director Gloss replied that the applicant would either have to come back with a
compliant plan or another modification.
Vice -Chairman Gavaldon asked how the project would look if the modification
were denied.
Mr. Willis replied that the existing woodshop use could continue or the building
could become all commercial and no housing, as commercial uses would have
maximum parking requirements rather than minimum.
Vice -Chairman Gavaldon asked if the project could be redesigned to include
some off-street parking.
Mr. Willis replied that they could not because the foundation is already in place
and mixed -use building standards include a zero lot line requirement on the
backyard and side yards and a fifteen foot maximum setback on the front yard.
This site has 11 feet on the front, 16 inches in the back, 2.5 feet on the east side,
and 5 feet on the west side. There is no space large enough for a parking space
anywhere on the lot.
Vice -Chairman Gavaldon asked about how the building works as a limited use
workshop.
Planner Jones replied that the difference between a non -conforming use and a
permitted limited use is that a non -conforming use must have a building permit
issued within 6 months of the date of calamity. A building containing a permitted
limited use, when damaged by a natural occurrence, can be rebuilt, provided that
to the extent reasonable feasible, such reconstruction complies with the
standards in Articles 3 and 4.
Member Schmidt moved for approval of the 325 Cherry Street, Modification
of Standards, File #29-03, with the conditions listed on page 7 of the staff
report citing reasons b, d, and f in the staff report.
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 4, 2003
Page 22
Mr. Stanford replied that Meldrum could be converted to diagonal with or without
the project if the City chose to do so. There are currently no plans for the City to
look at that.
Vice -Chairman Gavaldon asked if the residents on Meldrum could petition and
work with City staff to make the street diagonal parking independent of the
project.
Mr. Stanford replied that they could. City traffic staff does not have a problem
with changing the parking as the rest of Meldrum up to this point is diagonal
parking and operating fine.
Vice -Chairman Gavaldon asked if there were plans for Cherry Street to go to
diagonal parking.
Mr. Stanford replied there is probably not a plan for that as the bicycle and
pedestrian traffic is so high.
Member Colton asked how future similar projects would be evaluated and how it
is determined when a "saturation" point is reached with parking. How is an under -
parked condition evaluated?
Mr. Stanford replied that it comes down to a need and the best problem -solving
solutions that can be employed.
Member Colton asked who made the decision that this would be an acceptable
plan.
Planner Jones stated that the project was routed to Transportation Planning and
group discussions were held with Transportation Planning, Engineering, and
Advance Planning. The project satisfies three community needs identified in City
Plan and that was a requirement of staff recommending approval for the
modification. The project must also not be detrimental to the public good, a
somewhat subjective measure. Staff determined it was not detrimental to the
public good.
Member Meyer also expressed concern about the parking issue; however, she
stated that as this is an infill project and the lot will not allow them to do anything
else, an exception to the rule may need to be made.
Vice -Chairman Gavaldon asked why affordable housing was being used as a
criteria.
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 4, 2003
Page 21
Public Input
Stephanie Daigneault, 312 N. Meldrum, gave her testimony to the Board. She
stated concern over the number of actual cars being parked in the area given the
number of bedrooms, customers, and employees. Ms. Daigenault stated that she
believed the City was already considering making diagonal parking on the street
to alleviate existing parking problems; therefore, how is converting to diagonal
parking going to address existing as well as future problems with this
development. She asked if the number of cars the occupants can have will be
limited. Ms. Daigneault also expressed concern about the little amount of
landscaping between the building and the streets.
Manual Martinez, 310 Cherry Street, gave his testimony to the Board. He stated
concern over the parking in the area. He confirmed that the project is allowing 14
parking spaces for the 9 one -bedroom units.
Planner Jones replied that the Land Use Code requires 14 spaces.
Mr. Martinez asked about the commercial use parking.
Charlie Meserlian, 700 North College, gave his testimony to the Board. He stated
that he thought this was a dynamic use of the property and accommodating the
parking would be a positive thing in order to make the project work.
Public Input Closed
Member Schmidt stated that she believed converting the parking to diagonal
would create about 3 spaces in front of each house. She added that the handicap
access parking space should be moved off Cherry Street for safety reasons.
Vice -Chairman Gavaldon asked what the average speed on Cherry Street is,
though it is posed at 25 mph. He also asked what the traffic count is.
Ward Stanford, Traffic Operations, replied that the studies show the average
speed to be 28-32 mph. The traffic count is within the collector street range and
that the street is rated at higher than collector street volume. The street was an
arterial level street in original design. A past public official allowed the street to be
classified to a public street without any plan to mitigate traffic.
Vice -Chairman Gavaldon clarified that it is a collector street behaving like a minor
arterial. He added that he was concerned about the on -street parking. He asked
if the City could still employ the diagonal parking outside this development.
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 4, 2003
Page 20
Member ter stated her enthusiasm for the jet�fand stated that she was
excited to have the orZas part of the c nity.
Vice -Chairman d the cow d raised parties for working
together.
was approved 6-0.
Project: 325 Cherry Street, Modification of Standards
Project Description: Request for a modification of standard of
Section 3.2.2(K)(1)(a) of the Land Use Code to
waive the requirement that off-street parking
spaces be provided for up to 9 one bedroom
residential dwelling units on the site. The
applicant intends to submit and application to
redevelop the existing light industrial building
for mixed -use occupancy with commercial
artist and studio spaces and residential units.
Staff Recommendation: Approval
Hearing Testimony, Written Comments and Other Evidence:
City Planner Troy Jones gave the staff presentation, recommending approval.
Mickey Willis, Paradigm Realty and Development, gave the applicant's
presentation. He stated that this modification was necessary for redevelopment
of a troubled downtown infill site. The project includes adding the sidewalk,
developing landscaping, removing curb cuts, and making the site more
conforming to the existing character of the neighborhood. The site owner will no
longer be operating at this location after redevelopment. Mr. Willis stated that he
has support from the traffic safety engineers that this is an under -parked area.
The project will add about 40 additional diagonal parking spaces.
Mr. Willis stated that models such as "pinched parking" and "park once" will help
to create greater demand for mass transportation and alternative transportation.
Planning and Zoning Board Minutes
September 4, 2003
Page 2
parcels that have been purchased with Open Space money. The POL zone
was a carry-over from years ago.
Member Craig requested that a draft of the minutes be provided at the
Friday worksession prior to presenting City Council with the
recommendation.
Director Gloss replied that could be done.
The motion was approved 6-0.
Project: 607 Cowan Street — Project Development Plan,
#35-99A Z
Proj61s pescription: Request for a 16 unit multi -family comp x
located at the southwest corner of C an
Street and Myrtle Street. The mult' amity
buildings will be arranged into f r 4-unit
buildings, two stories in heig . Off street
parking will be provided i oth surface parking
stalls and in attached garage units. The
currently located si a family home will be
razed. The prop is zoned NCM —
fyeighborhoo onservation Medium Density
Staff Recommendation:
Director Gloss gave the staff'presentation, recommendigg approval. Director
Gloss stated Vamount
ng elevations on the south will fae similar in size to that
of a single-fae elevations on the west and east ill be larger in
mass. Parkinded at the back of the lots abutting tt e alley. There is
also a substaof on -street parking. Contextually, there'lkre single-
family houses to the east, apartments to the south, north, and west. A
neighbo)od meeting was conducted on May 20, 2002 with 4 neighbors in
attendance. The main issues were related to building compatibility and on`street
parking influences. Water pressure issues and alley and street improvements.
were also questioned at the meeting. Director Gloss pointed out an error on page,,
01
Council Liaison: Karen Weitkunat
Chairperson: Mikal Torgerson
Vice Chair: Jerry Gavaldon
Staff Liaison: Cameron Gloss
Phone: (W) 416-7435
Phone: (H) 484-2034
Chairperson Torgerson called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
Roll Call: Schmidt, Colton, Meyer, Carpenter, Craig, and Gavaldon.
Staff Present: Gloss, Eckman, Stanford, Jones, Olt, Deines.
Director of Current Planning Cameron Gloss reviewed the Consent and
Discussion Agendas:
Consent Agenda:
1. Minutes of the April 10, 2003 Planning and Zoning Board
Hearing. (Continued)
2. #23-03 City of Fort Collins Vehicle Storage and Operations Service
Maintenance Facility Rezoning
Discussion Agenda:
3. #35-99A 607 Cowan Street Project Development Plan
4. #56-98R Rigden Farm, 81h Filing, The Shops at Rigden (King Soopers)
Project Development Plan
5. #56-98U Rigden Farm, 101h Filing, Pioneer Charter School Site Plan
Advisory Review
6. #29-03 325 Cherry Street Modification of Standards
Planning Director Gloss stated that the August 21, 2003 meeting minutes
would be completed in the next week in preparation for a City Council
Report regarding the Vine Drive and 1-25 Rezoning.
Member Schmidt moved for approval of Consent Item 2. Member Craig
seconded the motion.
Member Colton stated that he had been concerned about the City of Fort
Collins Vehicle Storage and Operations Service Maintenance Facility
Rezoning given that the site had originally been zoned Public Open Lands.
Doug Moore, with the City Natural Resources Department, informed
Member Colton prior to the hearing, that the property had not been
purchased with Open Space money as the City does not rezone POL