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MINUTES
LAKEWOOD CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION MEETING
7:00 p.m., June 1, 2009
Minutes are not a verbatim transcription, but rather an attempt to capture the intent of the speaker by the City Clerk.
ITEM 1 – CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Murphy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Lakewood Civic Center, 480 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood, Colorado.
ITEM 2 – ROLL CALL
Those present were: Mayor Bob Murphy, Presiding
Diana Allen
Doug Anderson
Cindy Baroway
Karen Kellen
Sue King
Debbie Koop
Adam Paul
Ed Peterson
Vicki Stack
Absent: Tom Quinn
Staff in attendance: Mike Rock, City Manager
Tim Cox, City Attorney
Full and timely notice of this Study Session had been given and a quorum was present.
ITEM 3 – PRESENTATION – SIDEWALK PROGRAM INFORMATIONAL UPDATE
Anne Heine, City Engineer, gave a brief informational update on the Sidewalk and Bike Path Program. With Council guidance, evaluation factors were adopted in 1997 to help determine which locations would take first priority. Evaluation factors included, but were not limited to, the proximity to schools, recreation centers, parks, bus stops, street classifications, pedestrian use, available rights-of-way, and ease of construction, utility conflicts and topography challenges (steep slopes). She stated that the Capital Improvement and Preservation Program (CIPP) included funds for the sidewalks and bike paths program construction. However, that funding was stopped in 2003 due to budget cuts. There is a one time amount in CIPP of $2.1 million for 2009-2010. There are no other ongoing funds in CIPP for sidewalks and bike paths. She noted that with project costs of $40 million and funding amount budget of only $2.1 million, 13 locations were identified for 2009-2010 amounting to $1.7 million. They are hoping to have additional construction in 2011 and 2012, and are deferring some $400,000 for light rail station connections.
After a brief discussion some Council members commented on the need for additional funds for sidewalks and bike baths, and suggested considering this for future budgets.
ITEM 4 – PRESENTATION – UPDATE ON NAIOP - ROONEY VALLEY
Becky Clark, Lakewood’s Coordinator for Joint Project Review Committee-Rooney Valley, gave highlights of the presentation from the 2009 Rocky Mountain Real Estate Challenge sponsored by the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP). She explained that the challenge matches teams from the University of Denver and the University of Colorado on how they would handle a high profile development/redevelopment project in the Denver Metro area. The teams were given the same real estate project and were provided with essential info and/or assumptions about the project.
As the presentation continued, Mayor Murphy reminded everyone that this a theoretical situation and a contest between graduate students at the University of Denver and the University of Colorado.
Ms. Clark continued by describing the demographics and specific amenities from each group.
Mike Rock, City Manager, commented that both teams did a great job with their presentations.
ITEM 5 – PRESENTATION – LAKEWOOD! ZONING IMPROVEMENT
Paul Rice, Principal Planner, and Shelia Lynch, Associate Planner, provided information to the Council regarding the Lakewood Zoning Improvement Process. No action was required from Council.
Mr. Rice said they are revisiting the Zoning Ordinance document in an effort to be in alignment with the new Comprehensive Plan, to simplify the code and process, and to be flexible/adapt to change. This is to be done by making sure goals and objectives respect the past, provide for and keep the conditions in the present, and make sure the codes will adapt to changes that will come up in the future.
Ms. Lynch spoke more about the process and how the public can get involved. She said the process is broken down into four phases -- Research and Analysis; Public Outreach and Input; Drafting and Reviewing Ordinances; and the Adoption Process. Plans are to meet two times a month for the next 18 months. Input will be solicited through community events, workshops, surveys, Lakewood’s website, kiosks in the Civic Center, KLTV programs, and “Looking at Lakewood”. She noted a quarterly community event is scheduled for August 11, 2009 that deals with Land Use, Economy and Transportation. Another community event regarding Sustainable Lakewood is scheduled for October 27, 2009.
ITEM 6 – PRESENTATION – AMERICAN REINVESTMENT & RECOVERY ACT UPDATE
Jay Hutchison, Director, Community Planning and Development, gave an informational update on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. He noted that the goals of the act are to stimulate the economy, create and/or save jobs, to display transparency in government, and accountability. He mentioned that the uses of the funds are restricted, some funds are competitive or allocated, and the timelines/schedules for submission of applications vary. There’s a Direct Allocation to Lakewood for $450,000. Programs applicable to Lakewood included Community Oriented Policing Services (Police Department); Justice Assistance Grant (Police and Municipal Courts); Energy Efficient and Conservation Block Grant; and $1.3 million for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Other areas/programs applicable to Lakewood include Alternative Fueled Vehicles Pilot Grant Program; Home Weatherization; National Endowment for the Arts, and Head Start. He will continue to update Council as time progresses.
ITEM 7 – PRESENTATION – CODE AMENDMENTS FOR NON-CONFORMING USE
Tim Gelston, Development Review Manager, gave an update on code amendment non-conformance created by public projects. As a result of recent activities along 13th Avenue Corridor and 6th Avenue and Wadsworth, there were concerns by property owners affected by public projects, thus prompting a review of a section of the ordinance on non-conformance created by the acquisition of public property. Staff discovered that the scope of the ordinance is too narrow – it deals with property acquisition – not with movement of improvements in an existing right-of-way. Also, the existing ordinance creates a two-tiered situation causing property owners to go before the Board of Adjustment and the process can be cumbersome. So, goals were developed to help property owners in this regard. These goals are to provide certainty; to avoid additional time and expense; to allow for future changes-anticipating future rezoning. The proposed amendment would eliminate “non-conformance” status and public hearings and remove the arbitrary 20% threshold that exists with the current ordinance. It would also allow for the reconstruction/development of 60% or less of the value that’s affected, ensure substantial redevelopment (>60%) complies with the then current zoning requirements and ensure that new rezoning requirements are met if property is rezoned.
He mentioned that the next step would be to forward this to the Planning Commission and then to City Council for first reading the June 22, 2009 with the second reading on July 13, 2009.
Some discussion ensued. It was the consensus of Council to move this item forward.
ITEM 8 – OPEN DISCUSSION
None.
ITEM 9 – REPORTS
Mayor Murphy and City Council Members reported their attendance at previous meetings and events and announced upcoming neighborhood meetings and events.
ITEM 10 – ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council; Mayor Murphy adjourned the meeting at 9:21 p.m.
Submitted by,
Sharon Blackstock, City Clerk
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