HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Valley Planning Commission 2018-09-18RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Planning Commission
September 18, 2018
Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall
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Commission: Chair Bob Leavitt, Vice-Chair Sharry White, Commissioners Nick Smith,
Russ Schneider, Robert Foster, Frank Theis, Steve Murphree
Attending: Chair Leavitt, Commissioners, White, Foster, Murphree. Smith and Theis
Also Attending: Director Randy Hunt, Town Attorney Greg White, Senior Planner Jeff
Woeber, Town Board Liaison Ron Norris, County Staff Liaison Michael
Whitley, Recording Secretary Karin Swanlund
Absent: Commissioner Schneider
Chair Leavitt called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. There were approximately 5 people in
attendance.
1. OPEN MEETING
Planning Commission/Staff Introductions
Chair Levitt introduced new Commissioner Nick Smith, replacing Betty Hull. He thanked
Commissioner Hull for her years of service and reminded the commission of the
circumstances regarding her dismissal, that being use of personal email instead of town
email.
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was moved and seconded (Foster/Leavitt) to approve the agenda as presented and
the motion passed 6-0.
3. CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of August 21, 2018 Planning Commission meeting minutes.
It was moved and seconded (White/Foster) to approve the consent agenda as
presented and the motion passed 5-0 with Smith abstaining.
4. ESTES PARK TROLLEYS S-2 SPECIAL REVIEW
The applicant requested approval of an S2 Special Review for the use,
“Sightseeing/Tour Vehicle Facility” in the A, Accommodations Zoning District.
Senior Planner Woeber stated that the Special Review was contingent upon approval of
the related Code Amendment which recommended for approval by the Planning
Commission on August 21. He then reviewed the staff report. Staff found that this use
has been established at this location, 1340 Big Thompson Avenue, for approximately one
year, operating on their second and final temporary use permit. Impacts have been
minimal and public comment has been low. Staff recommends that Planning Commission
forward a recommendation of approval of the Special Review Use for a Sightseeing/Tour
Vehicle Facility in an A, Accommodations Zoning District with the following conditions:
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Planning Commission
September 18, 2018
Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall
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1. The approved use shall generally be consistent with the materials submitted by the
applicant, and shall specifically include the applicant’s proposed use of the facility
only as a sales office and point of dispatch for tours, and the limitation on the
number of vehicles in the fleet.
2. Within 30 days of Special Review approval, applicant shall submit a Landscaping
Plan to the Community Development Department, providing an effective screening
with trees and shrubs from adjacent roads. The Landscaping Plan shall be
reviewed and approve by staff, and the landscaping shall be established by the
applicant within 60 days after staff approval of the Landscaping Plan.
3. Any outdoor lighting installed shall comply with all applicable standards and
requirements within the Estes Valley Development Code Section 7.9 Exterior
Lighting.
Staff/Commission Comments:
Comments included: limited landscaping area, sight-line for turning at that intersection,
Statement Of Intent states desire for more public visibility; however, landscaping does the
opposite. There are two entrances to the property, both will be continued to be used.
Code Amendment will be going to the Town Board on October 9 and the County
Commissioners on October 15.
Owner/Applicant Discussion:
Owners Nick Cassatt, Brandon McGowan explained the reasons for the Special Review
request. Most of their business is conducted by phone, not at the physical office. Low
customer impact on site, with no long term customer parking taking place. Right hand
turns onto Big Thompson, and left hand turns off Lakefront are planned. Office will likely
be closed October-May but business will remain open year round for wedding charters.
Landscaping will be figured out once CDOT has responded. The only signage will be on
the building. Current lighting on the property is inside the building and a motion sensor
light for the parking lot, proposing a soffit light under existing awning. If business grows,
they would probably look for an auxiliary lot as they are planning on long term occupancy
at this location.
Public Comment:
Bob Berman, 1442 Raven Circle #C, stated concerns with that a bus barn without the
barn is not a nice greeting on one of the major roads entering our town, a nonexistent
landscaping plan due to there being nowhere to put landscaping. Numerous businesses
in town park vehicles in less obtrusive places, why give this company an advantage. He
strongly urged a no vote.
Millicent Cozzie, 450 Lakefront St, finds this tenant to be very quiet and tactful compared
to previous tenants, noting that landscaping would block visibility on Lakefront Street.
Commission Comments:
o Concerns with right of way, line of sight and awaiting response from CDOT have
complicated the landscaping plan
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Planning Commission
September 18, 2018
Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall
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o Property has been a problem for years being commercial use on accommodations
zone. Could be more appropriate to plat it out as a separate lot. Hunt stated that
although he agrees, there is no instrument or requirement for doing this and can’t
be compelled by our regulations right now
o A full time tenant is more desirable than a Temporary Use tenant
o Trolley Company will be limited to what is being approved in this Special Review
o Sightseeing/Tours at this location fits in with the number of motels
o Having something on the property is better than having it sit empty
o Don’t let the perfect be an enemy of the good
It was moved and seconded (Murphree/Foster) to approve the Special Review Use
for a Sightseeing/Tour Vehicle Facility with findings and conditions recommended
by Staff. The motion passed 6-0.
5. REPORTS: Director Hunt
o Explanation of Current Projects sheet in packets and on line for reference
o Building department to assign property address prior to building permit applications
o Special Board of Adjustment Meeting directly following the October 16 Planning
Commission meeting
o Neighborhood/Community Meeting Code Amendment going to Town Board on
October 9
o Updated Code Amendment for Parks and Recreation uses in Residential
Properties update adding a Special Review requirement planned for October PC
meeting
o Code Amendment for a public review of Development Plans with a threshold of 10
or more parking spaces to be updated to 3 or more parking spaces.
o Readoption of the 1999 official zoning map, removing crosshatched open space
designations
o Chair Leavitt requested archiving meeting packets on the website
o Commissioners thanked Director Hunt for his perseverance
o Director Hunt will be out of the office for the month of November
There being no further business, Chair Leavitt adjourned the meeting at 2:46 p.m.
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Bob Leavitt, Chair
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Karin Swanlund, Recording Secretary