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CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR TRANSPORTATION TERMINAL
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Summary and Background Information:
Old Dominion is requesting approval of an amendment to their existing Conditional Use Permit for a transportation terminal to allow for an expansion of their current operations onto adjacent recently acquired property.
The primary subject property has been used as a transportation terminal since the 1980s. Over time, the zoning requirements changed, and the use became non-conforming. In 2014, Old Dominion received approval of this Conditional Use Permit for the existing transportation terminal, making it a legal and conforming use in the I-1 zone district. At the present time, Old Dominion proposes an expansion to the existing use, including a new 46,200 square foot cross dock addition with 88 doors and the relocation of the shop and fueling station within the site. The applicant has acquired several surrounding properties, which are proposed to be consolidated into a single lot in concurrent case #S-638-15. One of these properties is also proposed to be rezoned from I-2 to I-1 in case #Z-925-15 to match the I-1 zoning of the rest of the site. This amendment to the CUP is needed to include the new properties in the scope of the previously-approved use.
The proposed expansion will increase operational efficiency, promote better circulation within the site, and provide additional employee parking to accommodate the long-term needs of the company. Many new jobs are anticipated, including a balanced offering of careers between the truck drivers, dock workers, maintenance employees, and administration and clerical staff. New landscaping is being provided to beautify the site, bringing it into compliance with the current requirements as well as softening the operation’s visual appearance from public streets, and setting a good precedence as a dedicated member of the community.
This project is also replacing an older transportation terminal (the former Estes Trucking site) with a new dock building and a more modern operation, eliminating the dilapidated building on that site and its associated dock doors and truck traffic. Two non-conforming residential uses will also be redeveloped, making the overall area more consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Therefore, there is no expected adverse impact to adjacent properties, the character of the neighborhood, traffic conditions, parking, or public improvements. Approval of this amendment to the existing Conditional Use Permit will allow for the redevelopment of several underutilized industrial sites to take place and accommodate the expansion of an existing global company in Commerce City.
Please see attached Planning Commission minutes for detailed background and discussioN.
Staff Responsible (Department Head): Chris Cramer, Community Development Director
Staff Member Presenting: Caitlin Hasenbalg-Long
Financial Impact: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
Planning Commission Recommendation:
On June 16, 2015, the Planning Commission held a public hearing, took testimony, and voted (5 - 0) to forward the requested Amendment to the existing Conditional Use Permit to City Council with a recommendation for approval, subject to the findings of fact and the following conditions:
A. Landscaping shown as part of Phase 1 on the approved landscape plan for CU-106-14 shall be installed prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the IT room addition.
B. A landscape escrow shall be paid for landscaping shown as part of Phase 2 for CU-106-14 prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the IT room addition.
C. The landscaping shown as part of Phase 2 on the landscape plan submitted in conjunction with CU-106-14 shall be installed within 18 months of the date of approval of CU-106-14-15, unless this condition is waived by the Community Development Director because the construction of the proposed terminal expansion submitted in conjunction with CU-106-14-15 is substantially underway. In that event, the landscaping shown on the landscape plan submitted in conjunction with CU-106-14-15 shall be installed prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the expanded terminal.
D. A site investigation plan addressing flammable gas, the nature and extent of solid waste, and contaminated soils and groundwater shall be completed and submitted to Tri-County Health Department and the Solid Waste Section of the Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) for review and approval prior to the issuance of any building permits for the proposed expansion.
E. A traffic study for the subject property shall be approved by the Public Works Department prior to issuance of any building permits for the proposed expansion.
F. A drainage report for the subject property shall be approved by the Public Works Department prior to issuance of any building permits for the proposed expansion.
Since the date of the Planning Commission hearing, Conditions A and B have been satisfied by the applicant. Therefore, staff recommends that these first two conditions be removed.
Alternative:
One option would be for City Council to approve the request as submitted by the applicant; a second option would be to approve the request subject to the conditions recommended by Planning Commission; a third option would be for City Council to deny the request.