Planning commission backs developer plan that severs street connection in Uplands B2; staff had urged denial

The Westminster Planning Commission on Oct. 28 unanimously recommended that City Council approve the remanded Official Development Plan (ODP) for Uplands Filing 2, Block 2 (Uplands B2) using the applicant—s Option 2, also called Plan B, after the developer revised access, sightline and parking notes in response to a City Council remand.

The recommendation came after staff advised commissioners that, despite the applicant—s revisions, the ODP as submitted did not meet the review criteria in Section 11-5-15 of the Westminster Municipal Code and staff—s packet analysis supported denial. "Staff recommends that you hold a public hearing and recommend that City Council deny the ODP," said Jacob Casa, principal planner with the city—s planning division.

Plan B removes the proposed alley connection to West 80 Second Avenue, replaces the connection with a larger hammerhead turnaround sized for the city—s largest fire apparatus, relocates one lot (Lot 25) to front Osceola Way, and restricts Lot 13 to a single-story ranch with a walkout basement to reduce impacts on the Lowell Boulevard view corridor. The applicant says the plan preserves the project—s 26 lots and adds on-street and off-street guest parking adjacent to a pocket park.

Why it matters: City Council remanded the ODP to Planning Commission after an Aug. 11 hearing that identified five specific issues for additional review: (1) possible second access on Bradburn Drive; (2) gate maintenance and whether the gate…