Planning commission unanimously recommends approval of Summit Point at Briar Heights amendments

The Westminster Planning Commission unanimously voted Nov. 18 to recommend City Council approve amendments to the preliminary development plan (PDP) and official development plan (ODP) for Summit Point at Briar Heights Subdivision Filing No. 2, a proposed infill extension of the Summit Ridge townhome community.

Planner Rev Batesl told the commission that the public hearing had been properly noticed — notices mailed to 1,146 property owners and tenants and three homeowners associations within 1,000 feet, on-site signs posted and the hearing date posted on the city website — and that staff finds the PDP and ODP amendments generally meet the approval criteria in the Westminster Municipal Code (§11-5-14 and §11-5-15). "Staff recommendation is to hold a public hearing and recommend that City Council approve the preliminary development plan and official development plan amendment," Rev Batesl said.

Applicant Kurt Mogie of PCS Group said the proposal is an infill extension on what he described in the presentation as "on just 5 and 4 acres," proposing 50 townhome units across 11 buildings with unit sizes of about 1,300 to 1,800 square feet, two- to three-bedroom layouts, alley-loaded garages and preserved open-space elements including an existing detention pond and the Allen Ditch trail corridor. He said the plan provides a total of 129 parking spaces, including 29 guest spaces, which exceeds city requirements. Mogie also described two exceptions requested as part of the application: a higher retaining wall where the site meets the Allen Ditch and slightly reduced interior garage dimensions (proposed 19-by-18 feet vs. the city standard of 22-by-20 feet).

Commissioners asked technical questions about internal circulation and existing emergency-access connections; staff and the applicant confirmed that certain local streets remain connected only for emergency access and that the lots will be slab-on-grade so there will be no basements. No members of the public signed up to speak; staff noted that emailed comments were entered into the record.

Commissioner Kinnear moved that the Planning Commission recommend City Council approve the fifth-amended preliminary development plan and the tenth-amended official development plan for Summit Point at Briar Heights Subdivision Filing 2, citing conformance with the approval criteria; Commissioner Tomachek seconded. After brief remarks in support from Vice Chair Carpenter, the commission conducted a roll call and recorded seven affirmative votes; the motion passed unanimously (one commissioner had been excused earlier). The commission’s recommendation forwards the application to City Council for final action.