2 - Planning Board - Draft Minutes - 4/21/2011
CITY OF BOULDER
PLANNING BOARD ACTION MINUTES
April 21, 2011
1777 Broadway, Council Chambers
A permanent set of these minutes and a tape recording (maintained for a period of seven years)
are retained in Central Records (telephone: 303-441-3043). Minutes and streaming audio are also
available on the web at: http:/hv«Tw.bouldercolorado.gov/
PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:
Aaron Brockett
Bill Holicky
Tim Plass
Danica Powell
Andrew Shoemaker, Vice-Chair
Mary Young
PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
Willa Johnson, Chair
STAFF PRESENT:
David Gehr, Assistant City Attorney
Susan Richstone, Comprehensive Planning Manager
Charles Ferro, Land Use Review Manager
Elaine McLaughlin, Senior Planner
Joanna Domagalska, Administrative Specialist II
Juliet Bonnell, Administrative Specialist Il
1. CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Chair, A. Shoemaker, declared a quorum at 6:04 p.m. and the following business
was conducted.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
4. DISCUSSION OF DISPOSITIONS, PLANNING BOARD CALL-UPS
A. Floodplain Development Permit, LUR2011-00012, Bicycle Racks in Flood
Conveyance Zone - Revised
B. Staff Level Site Review, LUR2011-00004, Approval of a 19 unit, multi-family
residential apartment building at 910 28th Street
C. Amendment To An Approved Site Plan, LUR2011-00015, Amend the approval for
the Cobblestone Court PUD to allow lots 19 and 20 to be sold separately without
removing the existing structure on Lot 20 at1391 55th St.
D. Call Up Item: 1558 Cress Court, Site Review, LUR2011-00007: Approval of Site
Review application for a covered porch addition and the resulting height modification
of six inches on an existing residence, due to a change in the low point used for
calculation of building height on the property.
The board did not call up these items.
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5. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
A. Revised Concept Plan Review for a Transit Oriented Development within Boulder
Junction. The concept plan includes a below grade bus rapid transit facility, a five level
parking structure wrapped by permanently affordable residential units, a 101-room
hotel, and repurposing the historic depot.
Applicant / Owner: Scott Pedersen/Regional Transportation District (RTD) and
City of Boulder
Staff Presentation
E.McLaughlin presented the item to the board.
E. McLaughlin, City of Boulder, R. Rutsch, City of Boulder, S. Pedersen, RTD, and Phil
Saroy, RTD answered the board's clarifying questions.
Public Hearing
1. Jan Morzel, 2075 Upland, Boulder, expressed concern about the underground bus design
(cave) and that it would not facilitate "rapid" transit or a good bus/train connection.
2. Elizabeth Allen, spoke in opposition of the underground bus design and expressed concern
about lack of community opportunity for involvement/input in the design. She had issues
with the residences being located close to the railroad and the fact that the hotel would
block resident's views. She felt that the underground bus design was not particularly safe.
Board Discussion
Underground Bus Design
The board had no objection to the underground bus design, but there were varying levels of
enthusiasm for it. The board agreed that effort needs to be made to ensure that the space is
pleasant, transparent, safe, light, functional and attractive with public art and trees/plants.
Public space
The board felt that the design of the public space was very good, but suggested continuing to
improve it even more. Specifically the board recommended minimizing vehicular space and
maximizing pedestrian focus and space. The board understands and supports the current need to
accommodate vehicular traffic, but suggests designing the space with an eye toward making it
more pedestrian-friendly.
A. Brockett shared his thoughts on making future resident experiences positive and the
affordable housing issue.
Bridge
The board wants a bridge as soon as possible.
Refinements to Site Plan Near the Depot
The board wants to honor the historic depot. The board felt that the grade should match the
building and the building should not stand out incongruously, it should blend nicely with its
surroundings. The context of the train tracks and the grade should be considered in the site plan.
The board suggested designing the plaza in a way that it can relate to the depot to make the depot
a centerpiece. The board also noted that parking on the east side should be reduced slightly.
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DDAB review
The board is comfortable with the DDAB review. The board commented on simplicity,
materials, engaging the pedestrian and the "filigree concept. Pedestrian circulation- the focus
should be more on micro-pedestrian issues.
On a motion by T. Plass, seconded by B. Holicky, (6-0, W. Johnson absent) the Planning Board
approved the motion to refer the issues of RTD Site be heard by DDAB on the guidelines set
foreword under TVAP.
Arts Master Plan
The board liked the idea of incorporating public art into this space.
7. MATTERS FROM THE PLANNING BOARD, PLANNING DIRECTOR, AND CITY
ATTORNEY
A. Diagonal Plaza - D. Driskell provided the board with an update on Diagonal Plaza. ULI
presented three options: 1. pursue redevelopment 2. take an incremental approach 3. see
what the market does and pursue redevelopment later. ULI recommended taking an
incremental approach. Recommendations were taken to the Urban Renewal Board.
Several developers have expressed interest in the site. Staff is recommending to City
Council that we move forward with the blight study.
B. CU Master Plan - S. Richstone provided the board with an update on the CU Master
Plan. Sustainability is being focused on as is intensifying development on the east
campus. CU is working closely with transportation on connecting areas of the campus.
The plan is also pursuing more housing on campus. S. Richstone emphasized the need to
work collaboratively on implementation over the next several years. City and CU staff
will meet in the next couple weeks to talk about timing. This project will impact the
city's work plan over the next few years.
A. Shoemaker felt that faculty housing was not adequately addressed in the plan. From a
jobs/housing standpoint this is a big issue that needs to be addressed. Skateboarding as a
mode of transportation- skateboarding is not allowed on a city street, but can be used on
sidewalks in residential (not commercial) areas. He encouraged supporting skateboarding
more as an alternative mode of transportation on campus.
Planning Board discussed the PB Retreat Agenda
8. DEBRIEF/AGENDA CHECK
9. ADJOURNMENT
The Planning Board adjourned the meeting at 8:33 p.m.
APPROVED BY
Board Chair
DATE
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