Golden Planning Commission Regular Meeting – July 15, 2026

The Golden Planning Commission held a regular meeting on July 15, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. The primary agenda item was a major adjustment request (PC 26-28) for a side driveway at 1735 Ford Street, located in the East Street Historic District. The commission also approved prior meeting minutes, heard public comment, and received a staff update on website improvements and upcoming code amendments.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the Agenda: Unanimously approved.
• Approval of the Minutes from July 1, 2026: Unanimously approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Phil Kriz (property owner, 1735 Ford Street) expressed opposition to removing concrete that currently provides a wide turning radius into the alley. He stated that his neighbors prefer to keep the existing easement, noting that the alley narrows to 9 feet 9 inches on the north side and that large vehicles often need to back up. He requested the commission allow the wider access to remain, but acknowledged the city’s requirement for a 10-foot separation.
• Craig Champlin (neighbor at 1711 Ford Street) expressed enthusiastic support for the project. He described the alley as constrained by buildings, gas lines, and gutters, and noted that Xcel Energy uses the wide driveway area to access power poles. He also cited the smooth pavement on the driveway as beneficial for his mobility (he has a limp).
• Written comments: A letter from Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford (1735 Ford Street) supported the proposed change to maintain side-street access. Additionally, six other letters of support were submitted (referenced but not read aloud).

Discussion Items

PC 26-28: 1735 Ford Street – Major Adjustment for Side Driveway on a Village House Form Type

• Staff presentation (Lauren): The property is zoned as a Village House form type, which requires alley access and prohibits curb cuts on the primary or side street. The existing garage (built 1945) is accessed from 18th Street, a non-conforming condition. The applicant proposes demolishing the existing garage and building a new detached garage with a 16-foot-wide driveway from 18th Street (reduced from the current ~23-foot width). The new driveway would be set 10 feet from the alley. Staff noted that the alley is only 10-feet wide and constrained by a wall on the adjacent property, making alley access difficult. The city engineer reviewed the proposal and found that the new driveway location is an improvement over the current one, with slow speeds on 18th Street and no significant traffic impacts. The engineer requested that a fence extending into the right-of-way be relocated onto the property line to allow future sidewalk construction.
• Applicant presentation (Aaron Elston, TKP Architects): The garage orientation for alley access would require two variances (height and setback) due to the retaining wall and narrow alley. The proposed side driveway maintains neighborhood character, as many corner lots have similar side access. The garage is designed to allow a future studio apartment. The applicant also noted that Xcel Energy uses the wide driveway area for line inspections.
• Commission discussion:
  • Several commissioners noted that side driveways are common in the neighborhood and that the proposal is contextual. Others argued that the code intent is to minimize curb cuts for pedestrian safety, especially given the proximity to the South Table Mountain trail.
  • There was debate about whether the two enhanced compatibility criteria (maintaining character and not compromising the intent of the form standards) were met. Commissioner Brennan dissented, stating that new developments should correct non-conforming conditions and that allowing the driveway would not enhance neighborhood character.
  • Commissioner Webb raised concerns about mature vegetation and tree protection (deferred to future form zone site plan).
  • Commissioner St. Angelo and others favored approval, citing the benefit of retaining access for Xcel Energy’s bucket trucks.
  • The commission discussed the possibility of not removing the concrete that provides a wide turning radius, but staff clarified that the driveway setback is an engineering standard, not part of this adjustment.
  • The commission agreed to defer the fence relocation condition to the future form zone site plan review.

Other Matters & Staff Update

• Staff presented a revamped website for development applications, including clearer navigation, individual application pages, and a new application portal (OpenGov). Commissioners were invited to review and provide feedback.
• An update was given on a historic preservation focus group seeking applicants (non-board/commission members) to review zoning and authority issues.
• Preview of August meetings: study sessions on commercial area sliding scale code amendments, Hill House form type fixes, and other code clarifications. Staff will bring actual redlined code for discussion.
• Council updates: Expansion of the Urban Renewal Authority for the Church of the Nazarene property was approved the prior night, and the Metropolitan District for the Junction property was also approved.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to approve PC 26-28: Commissioner Hilliard moved to approve the major adjustment, finding that the criteria in Section 18.29.07.001 (4)(B)(1) were satisfied. The motion passed 7-1 (Commissioner Ruther opposed; Commissioner Caldwell did not vote).
• The commission did not make a formal recommendation regarding the separation between the driveway and the alley (the concrete removal), deferring to the city engineer. Commissioner Rutter opposed reducing the separation, citing safety standards.
• The commission verbally supported relocating the fence onto the property line to enable future pedestrian connections, agreeing with the city engineer’s request. This will be addressed during the form zone site plan review.
• The commission acknowledged the need to potentially revisit the alley-access regulation for corner lots, given multiple recent adjustment requests, but took no formal action.