Planning Commission Minutes 2015 08 13

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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes August 13, 2015 Page 3 of 22 there are established walkways for people to access their garden plots. It is located next to residential neighborhoods which is a positive so people can access without vehicles. It is located next to senior housing should those residents wish to use garden plots. The design does promote internal efficiency and will have a minimal impact on surrounding neighbors. Floodplain Development Permit is Required On Wednesday, August 19, 2015, the Board of Adjustments will look at this project as a floodplain development permit. Staff Recommendations: Staff recommends approval of Resolution 24, Series 2015, with the following condition: 1. A floodplain development permit is granted by the City's Board of Adjustment. Commission Questions of Staff. - Moline asks at what point is the trigger met for a garden becoming a SRU in a residential district? McCartney says it is the use itself. This garden is considered an agricultural use. An agricultural use in a residential area requires a SRU. Development standards can be applied such as hours and time. They can have three special events such as sale of items. Rice asks what the neighbors think about this garden? We have received a number of email submittals and will hear from the public tonight. Are there residential properties contiguous to the garden? Have these properties weighed in? McCartney says there are properties contiguous on the west and south. We did not map where we received comments, but Staff did receive some in opposition and some in favor. Rice asks in reviewing citizen comments, was there concern about traffic being drawn into this area? What does a community garden engender in terms of the number of cars? McCartney says there is a member from LSAB who might be able to give some insight. Staff did not do a traffic study. Moline says because of his job with Boulder County Parks and Open Space, I have spent some time over at Harney Lastoka, the jointly owned property between Louisville and Lafayette. There is a community garden there with a parking lot of about 20 parking spaces. I have not seen more than five cars at one time. Rice asks how many garden plots are at Harney Lastoka? Moline says there are 43 garden plots. During certain times of the year such as planting season, there is more activity. In the last couple of weeks, there has been less activity. Rice asks about pedestrians crossing in this area which, according to an email, is considered a problem. The email writer is concerned this community garden will compound the problem. Has Staff looked into this? McCartney says Staff just received that comment and has not formally discussed it with Public Works. Staff will look into it. Russ says I am familiar with this corner as I lived there for five years. Coyote Run comes down from Harper Lake and interacts at Griffith Street in an odd design. There are no clear cross- walks to alert motorists to a potential crossing. There are children attending Louisville Middle School walking down Coyote Run and down Griffith. I think some improved striping on the road would raise motorist awareness. The solution could be to put an actual painted crosswalk in the intersection to raise awareness that there are pedestrians present. I would like to hear what the community has to say.