HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Valley Planning Commission 2017-01-17RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Planning Commission
January 17, 2017
Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall
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Commission: Chair Michael Moon, Vice‐Chair Russ Schneider, Commissioners Betty Hull, Doug
Klink, Steve Murphree, Sharry White, one vacant position
Attending: Chair Moon, Commissioners Schneider, Hull, Klink, Murphree, and White
Also Attending: Community Development Director Randy Hunt, Planner Audem Gonzales,
Planner Carrie McCool, and Recording Secretary Karen Thompson
Absent: Town Board Liaison Ron Norris, County Liaison Michael Whitley
Chair Moon called the meeting to order at 1:3 p.m. There were six people in attendance.
1. PUBLIC COMMENT
Paul Brown and Tim Hull, local residents, presented information regarding tiny houses. Mr.
Brown stated he would like to have a discussion with the Planning Commissioners and staff at a
future study session.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of minutes, December 20, 2016 Planning Commission meeting.
It was moved and seconded (Schneider/Murphree) to approve the consent item as
presented and the motion passed 5‐0 with one vacancy, and Commissioner White
abstaining.
B. Request to continue Development Plan 2016‐08, Dollar General, to the February Planning
Commission meeting.
It was moved and seconded (Klink/White) to approve the consent item as presented and
the motion passed 6‐0 with one vacancy.
3. REZONING REQUEST, LOT 35, GRAND ESTATES SUBDIVISION, 507 Grand Estates Drive
Planner McCool was the lead planner on this project. The applicant, Equinox Community
Investment, LLC (c/o Steve Lane) requests to rezone the parcel from CO–Commercial Outlying to
RM–Multi‐Family Residential. The applicant’s goal is to develop workforce housing at this
location. Planner McCool stated the requirement of a development plan was waived at this time
due to the small size and limited complexity associated with potential multi‐family development.
The Estes Valley Development Code (EVDC) allows a maximum of eight (8) dwelling units on the
site, or up to 16 units if classified as “attainable” housing. The development plan waiver applies
only to the rezoning; a development plan would still be required at the time the site layout is
determined. Planner McCool stated a legal notice was published in the local newspaper, and the
application was routed to affected agencies. Adjacent property owners were notified. Two
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Planning Commission
January 17, 2017
Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall
2
comments were received, one was supportive of the rezoning, and the other requested any multi‐
family development be limited to eight units. Affected agencies had no significant comments at
this time, but reserved the right to comment once a development plan was submitted. Staff
supports recommending this rezoning request to the Town Board.
Staff and Commission Discussion
None.
Public Comment
Steve Lane/applicant stated he has owned the property for nine years and has explored several
opportunities for commercial use. The use for multi‐family residential use is very viable.
Jim Docter/town resident agreed that multi‐family use is an excellent use for the property. He
suggested limiting the number of units to eight.
It was moved and seconded (White/Hull) to recommend approval of the rezoning request to the
Estes Park Town Board with the findings of fact and conclusions of law, as recommended by
staff and the motion passed 6‐0 with one vacancy.
4. REPORTS
A. Director Hunt reported on a vacation home code amendment that will be forthcoming.
B. Director Hunt provide an update on the Downtown Plan. The Steering Committee has looked
at draft sign code revisions. The Town will be looking at the sign code from Laramie Wyoming
as a possible draft for Estes Park. This could be a topic of discussion for the February Study
session.
C. Director Hunt provided a Floodplain Mapping update, stating the public meeting regarding the
hydrology study will take place late February or early March.
D. Commissioner White requested more discussion on tiny homes. There was a brief discussion
on this topic, with a comment being made regarding buy‐in from the Town Trustees before
moving forward with any proposed code amendment.
E. Commissioner Hull gave a brief report regarding her research on the Estes Valley
Comprehensive Plan.
F. Chair Moon will communicate with County Commissioner Donnelly regarding the vacant
Planning Commission position.
G. Director Hunt provided an update on the process for reviewing vacation homes with
occupancies of nine or more.
H. Commissioner Schneider thanked Commissioner Hull for her service to the Planning
Commission as Chair.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Planning Commission
January 17, 2017
Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall
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There being no further business, Chair Moon adjourned the meeting at 2:38 p.m.
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Michael Moon, Chair
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Karen Thompson, Recording Secretary