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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAMBRIDGE HOUSE APARTMENTS - MODIFICATION OF STANDARD - 6-03B - DECISION - MINUTES/NOTESPlanning and Zoning Board Minutes October 16, 2003 Page 28 Vice -Chairperson Gavaldon asked about the entrances on to Shields Street. Mr. Brookshire replied that both entrances onto Shields from the property will be disconnected. The widths of the Plum Street entrances are adequate as they are now. Vice -Chairperson Gavaldon asked if there would only be one entrance now. Mr. Brookshire replied that there are two. Member Schmidt moved for approval of Alternative A for the Cambridge House Apartments, Modification of Standards, File #6-03B citing the findings of fact and conclusions in the staff report. Vice -Chairperson Gavaldon seconded the motion. Member Schmidt stated that the parking lot closest to Shields Street is usually relatively vacant. If cars are truly parking in the neighborhood, the neighbors should start having cars towed and force the apartment residents to buy permits. Vice -Chairperson Gavaldon stated that he would support the motion. The motion was approved 5-1 with Chairperson Torgerson voting in the negative. Other Business Director Gloss stated that at the next worksession, the Board would be discussing the new Project Development Plan checklist. There was no other business. The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 p.m. Approved by the Board February 19, 2004. Planning and Zoning Board Minutes October 16, 2003 Page 27 Chairperson Torgerson stated that he felt very strongly that the mixed -use component needs to be in that area. Thought it may be difficult to get to by car, there would be a great deal of pedestrian and bike traffic going by. He asked if the three -bedroom units could be reduced to two -bedroom units, thus meeting the parking space requirements. Chris Wray with Cambridge House Apartments replied that the building will require a lot of rent to make the project economical. Planner Jones stated that it would require a modification to reduce the number of bedrooms. Chairperson Torgerson stated that he wondered why the modification was being requested at all in an area that has already been shown to have a parking problem. He stated that the demographics of the apartment complex residents could certainly change and more parking spaces would be required in the future. Mr. Brookshire stated that this project meets some of the goals of City Plan in that it uses land space in a more efficient manner. Chairperson Torgerson stated that he agreed. Member Schmidt asked if bike racks were planned for the new building. Mr. Brookshire replied that there are pedestrian connections along the north and south of the building. There is room for bicycle parking along the south and front of the building. Vice -Chairperson Gavaldon asked about the distribution of parking with respect to standard versus compact cars. He asked what the total parking space count would have been if they had only used standard spaces. Mr. Brookshire guessed that the project would loose about 6-8 spaces if they were all standard size. Vice -Chairperson Gavaldon asked how it would work if there were more standard -size cars than spaces. Mr. Brookshire replied that he followed Land Use Code requirements. Planner Jones stated that long-term parking allows for more compact spaces because of the lower turn -over. Planning and Zoning Board Minutes October 16, 2003 Page 26 Alternative B would have a parking deck on the ground floor rather than the non- residential component. That would need a reduction to 174 spaces. Don Brookshire, Eastpoint Studio, gave the applicant's presentation. He gave a slide show illustrating the proposed project with both Alternatives. Public Input There was no public input. Public Input Closed Vice -Chairperson Gavaldon asked if Planner Jones had gotten a chance to go over a survey with the applicant. Planner Jones replied that the applicant would reply. Vice -Chairperson Gavaldon stated that there seemed to be some inconsistency with the number of cars each surveyed person had and the number of cars the survey showed. He also stated that the parking lot has been fairly full the last couple days. Planner Jones stated that the survey was filled out by residents; it was up to them to accurately indicate the number of cars they have. He stated that the survey was meant to confirm the information on the number of permits issued. Mr. Brookshire stated that though there may be some degree of inaccuracy in the survey, the results are roughly the same as the number of permits issued. Member Schmidt stated that there are usually vacant parking spaces on the site. She stated concern about the fact that people may not be purchasing the permits and parking for free on side streets. She stated concern about the parking for the commercial uses on the site being difficult to get to. It seems more convenient to park at neighboring properties and walk to the site. Mr. Brookshire replied that it is safer for the access to be onto Plum Street than Shields Street. The Shields Street accesses do not get used as much. Planner Jones stated that the mixed -use component was required with the first parking space reduction approval. That is why the Alternatives are presented as they are tonight. Planning and Zoning Board Minutes October 16, 2003 Page 25 rector Gloss replied that the October 30, 2003 meeting is largely dgcKated to ity Plan Update Transportation Master Plan. If the item did go on that lends, would go on the November 20, 2003 agenda. Mr. Hattman state t as he would not be in town O ober 30, he would prefer the item to be continue the November 20 me g. Member Meyer and Vice-Chairpers G aldon withdrew the motion to approve the project. Vice -Chairperson Gavaldo moved to continueFaadigm Properties, Overall Development Dp4n, File #29-01 A to the Nove er 20, 2003 Planning and Zoning Board aring. Member CFdiq seconded the motion. was approved 6-0. Project: Cambridge House Apartments — Modification of Standards, #6-03B Project Description: Request for a modification to Section 3.2.2(K)(1)(a) of the Land Use Code to reduce the number of required off-street parking spaces. The site is located at 1113 W. Plum Street and is zoned Community Commercial. Staff Recommendation: Approval Hearinq Testimony, Written Comments and Other Evidence: City Planner Troy Jones gave the staff presentation, recommending approval. He summarized the two prior modification requests — the first to reduce the number of required off-street parking spaces from 213 to 175 which was approved, and the second to reduce the number required from 175 to 160 which was denied. This request is for one of two alternatives — Alternative A has a mixed -use component to the building that is along Shields Street; Alternative B would be exclusively a residential building. With Alternative A, the applicant is requesting 170 spaces, including the 1,900 square foot non-residential component. Council Liaison: Karen Weitkunat Staff Liaison: Cameron Gloss Chairperson: Mikal Torgerson Vice Chair: Jerry Gavaldon Phone: (W) 416-7435 Phone:(H) 484-2034 Chairperson Torgerson called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. Roll Call: Schmidt, Craig, Carpenter, Gavaldon, Meyer, and Torgerson. Member Colton was absent. Staff Present: Gloss, Eckman, Shepard, Olt, Jones, Wamhoff, Virata, Stringer, Harridan, Bracke, and Dodge. Director of Current Planning Cameron Gloss reviewed the Consent and Discussion Agendas: Consent Agenda: 1. Minutes of the January 17, 2002 and April 10, 2003 Planning and Zoning Board Hearings. (CONTINUED) 2. #43-941 Carriage Auto Service Shop at Horsetooth East Business Park, Project Development Plan. 3. #47-95B Longview Marketplace, Project Development Plan (PULLED TO DISCUSSION BY MEMBER OF AUDIENCE). Discussion Agenda: 4. #5-94 H/I The Summit Fort Collins Shopping Center, Overall Development Plan and Phase One Project Development Plan. Recommendation Item: The Planning and Zoning Board provides a recommendation to City Council on the following item: 5. Recommendation to City Council for Adoption of the Downtown Strategic Plan. The Planning and Zoning Board is the final authority on the following items: 6. #29-01 A Paradigm Properties, Overall Development Plan. 7. #6-03B Cambridge House Apartments, Modification of Standards. A member of the audience asked to pull Item #3, Longview Marketplace, to the discussion agenda. Member Carpenter moved for approval of Consent Item 2. Vice - Chairperson Gavaldon seconded the motion. The motion was approved 6- 0.