2026-08-12 - City Planning Commission

Summary

Built from the official minutes (Legistar status Final).

Present: 8 (Chair Hensler, Robbins, Clements, Willoughby, Case, Engel, Cecil, Egbert); Gigiano absent, then joined online during the La Kitchen item. Egbert was welcomed as a new commissioner.
Minutes of the July 2, 2026 work session (motion Cecil, second Clements) and the July 8, 2026 meeting (motion Cecil, second Willoughby) each approved 7-0-1-1: Gigiano absent, Egbert abstaining.
Consent Calendar (motion Willoughby, second Robbins) approved 8-0-1 except item 5.B: the Sugarbowl Grove to Sugarbowl Point street name change (SUBD-26-0049, northwest of South Chelton Road and Delta Drive, Council District 4).
501 N Wahsatch Avenue density adjustment approved 8-0-1.
La Kitchen parking variance at 2001 West Colorado Avenue approved 8-1 with a condition (Engel no).
Woodmen Valley Chapel coffee shop use variance recommended to City Council 8-1 (Cecil no).
No presentations or executive session.

Chair Hensler welcomed Egbert and reminded drivers to be careful in school zones.
Kevin Walker, Planning Director, said City Council scheduled the Project Taurus Data Center hearing for September 17 at the Pikes Peak Center (this date was later changed, see that page), praised the Commission and staff for conduct and transparency at past major hearings, noted that items including ANEX COS were temporarily removed from Council's calendar, and previewed state-required updates to the comprehensive plan's growth and water elements.

Called off consent at the request of resident Robert duPignac. Staff (Ethan Shafer) found all criteria met; applicant representative Bill Guman cited a nine-year vacancy and six parking spaces; three residents spoke with parking, density and neglect concerns. Motion by Cecil, seconded by Willoughby, approved 8-0-1 (Gigiano absent). Cecil questioned whether the 13.3 figure was a typo; the motion states 13.34 units per acre.

One parking space instead of seven for a cafe in a converted 1901 house. William Gray presented; applicants Ben Guzman and Angela Wood; Robert Bronte opposed. Motion by Willoughby, seconded by Clements, with the condition that outdoor seating not exceed 20 percent of indoor seating. Passed 8-1 (Engel no).

A coffee shop as a second principal use in the R-5 zone at 16 E. Platte Avenue (about 1,600 square feet, 0.91 acre site). Ethan Shafer introduced and Ryan Tefertiller was the listed presenter; no public comments. Malin (spelled Malin in these minutes), CFO of Woodmen Valley Chapel, Jonathan Whitaker of YOW Architects and Grace Harris of Hold Fast Coffee Co. spoke for the applicant. Cecil questioned the use variance path and the criteria; Walker called it a close decision. Motion by Willoughby, seconded by Clements, to recommend approval to City Council. Passed 8-1 (Cecil no). Council approved it 9-0 on September 8.