To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Bryan Weimer, Director, Public Works and Development
Prepared By:
prepared
Kat Hammer, Senior Planner, Public Works and Development
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presenter
Presenter: Kat Hammer, Senior Planner, Public Works and Development
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Subject:
title
Aesthetic Landscape General Development Plan (Case No. GDP21-001)
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The applicant is seeking approval of a General Development Plan (GDP) to demolish an existing storage structure and construct a larger storage structure to store tools and equipment and upgrade the fencing at 2450 S. Syracuse Way, located south of Iliff Avenue and north of E. Harvard Avenue. The property is currently being used as a landscape recycling facility and a single-family residence.
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Background and Discussion:
The property is currently zoned MU-PUD. A Preliminary Development Plan was approved in 1981 for Suburban Community training and service center, Case No. Z80-056, but was not constructed. An application was initiated for a Preliminary Development Plan for Colorado Hardscapes in 2000, Case No. Z00-039, but was closed due to inactivity and was not approved by the Board of County Commissioners. This application, GDP21-001, proposes a landscaping recycling center, warehouse, office space, storage (indoor and outdoor), single-family residence, caretaker residence, and automobile and truck parking land uses as permitted by right.
Aesthetic Landscape is a registered Recycling Facility with the City and County of Denver and has been operating at this site and providing employment since 2013. Since occupying the property, the residence has been upgraded and the landscape improved. The employees and fleet park on the eastern portion of the site, while branches and green waste are hauled to the rear of the site for mulching. Aesthetic Landscape has office space in the basement of the existing residence that serves customers and 2-3 employees. The hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
As the name implies, the GDP establishes broad zoning parameters like allowed uses, maximum and minimum limits for dimensional controls like building height and setbacks, allowed density, and possible design guidelines or standards. If this GDP is approved, the Planning Commission must approve a subsequent SDP (Specific Development Plan) and a detailed ASP (Administrative Site Plan) must be reviewed and approved before construction can proceed.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the proposed GDP by a vote of 6-0 at the December 19, 2023, meeting. One member of the public spoke in favor of the project and requested the proposed 10-foot wood side and rear fencing be changed to 6-foot chain link fencing, which exists today. The applicant has updated the GDP plan set to show a 6-foot wrought iron fence in the front yard and a 6-foot chain link fence along the side and rear yards.
Fiscal Impact: No fiscal impacts are anticipated at this time.
Alternatives: The Board of County Commissioners has alternatives that include the following:
1. Approve the proposed General Development Plan with Conditions of Approval as recommended by staff or with changes.
2. Continue to a date certain for more information.
3. Deny the General Development Plan.
Alignment with Strategic Plan:
☐Be fiscally sustainable
☒Provide essential and mandated service
☒Be community focused
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of this General Development Plan application. Findings and other information supporting the staff recommendation for approval can be found in the accompanying staff report.
Concurrence: The Public Works and Development Planning and Engineering Services Divisions have reviewed the application. The Arapahoe County Public Works Department is recommending approval of this case based on the review of the application and findings provided in the accompanying staff report. After a public hearing with testimony in favor to the rezoning, the Planning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend approval.
Suggestion Motion(s): Attached.
Resolution: Attached.