Westminster opens public hearing on North Huron preliminary development plan amendment; planning commission recommended approval 7-0

The Westminster City Council opened a public hearing Thursday on an amendment to the North Huron Preliminary Development Plan, which staff said would align allowed uses on the site with the city—s 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

John McConnell, planning manager, told the council that the public hearing was properly noticed and that mailed notices were sent to 357 property owners and two homeowners associations within 1,000 feet of the subject property. "Staff finds that the PDP amendment generally meets these criteria," McConnell said, and "staff recommends that the city council hold a public hearing and approve the preliminary development plan amendment." The property is at the southeast corner of West 140th Avenue and Huron Street, just south of St. Anthony's Hospital.

The Planning Commission voted unanimously, 7-0, to recommend approval of the PDP amendment to the council, with a condition noted in the commission record. Craig Karn, director of design with THK Associates, said the amendment primarily updates permitted uses to reflect the comprehensive plan and to promote employment, including uses that would support the nearby hospital and medical industry. "The changes, again, very simple changes. Hope most of it to bring it into alignment with the comprehensive plan and opportunities in the current marketplace to bring new development in," Karn said.

Fred Cook, a member of the project—s ownership group, said approval of the amendment would allow the ownership to move forward with future development steps, including roads and landscape work. "Our amendment will allow us now to move forward with both putting in roads, landscape improvements," Cook said, adding the work is intended to advance development directly south of the hospital.

Councilor Ireland asked about the potential for hotels on the site and their water demand. "The only concern I have is with hotels because they take a lot of water," Ireland said. McConnell replied that water-use concerns have been part of the review process and that specifics would be addressed if and when a hotel proposal comes forward. Ireland concluded, "Okay. And work with Seth on that."

No members of the public signed up to speak during the hearing. City staff and the applicant said no construction is authorized by this amendment itself; future site-specific ODPs (Official Development Plans) would be required before construction. Karn said the ownership expects to pursue final ODP-level approvals for landscape work on portions of Orchard Parkway and the McKay Channel, and hopes to begin landscape improvements later this year.

The council did not take a final vote on the PDP amendment during the public hearing; the record reflects staff and Planning Commission recommendations and the public-notice record. Further council action is required before the amendment becomes effective.