Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Valley Planning Commission 2017-03-21RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Valley Planning Commission March 21,2017 Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall Commission: Attending: Chair Michael Moon, Vice-Chair Russ Schneider, Commissioners Betty Hull, Doug Klink, Steve Murphree, Sharry White, Bob Leavitt Chair Moon, Commissioners Schneider, Hull, Klink, Murphree, White, and Leavitt Also Attending: Absent: Community Development Director Randy Hunt, Planner Carrie McCool, Town Board Liaison Ron Norris, Larimer County Liaison Michael Whitley, and Recording Secretary Karen Thompson Planner Audem Gonzales Chair Moon called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. He explained the purposed of the Planning Commission. There were approximately ten people in attendance. 1. PUBLIC COMMENT Pat Newsom/town resident would appreciate a working sound system in the study session meeting rooms. She commented on the cap of vacation home registrations and the discussion that occurred during the study session. She did not agree with extending the deadline of March 31, 2017. She was concerned about increasing the height limit in the RM-Multi-Family Residential zone district. She was concerned about establishing corridor plans as part of the Comprehensive Plan. 2. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of minutes, February 21, 2017 Planning Commission meeting. It was moved and seconded (White/Schneider) to approve the consent agenda as presented and the motion passed 7-0. 3. DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2016-08, DOLLAR GENERAL, LOT 31, AMENDED PLAT OF LOTS 32-35, AND PORTIONS OF LOTS 1, 31 & 37, WHITE MEADOW VIEW PLACE, LESS 2000032927; 455 STANLEY AVENUE Planner McCool reviewed the staff report, as Planner Gonzales was ill. The applicant, Vaquero Estes Park Partners, LLC desires to construct a retail store at the corner of Highway 7 (S. St. Vrain Avenue) and Stanley Avenue. Dollar General would occupy the building. The building is proposed to be approximately 9,100 square feet with a 30-space parking lot. The access point for the building will be on Stanley Avenue. Building materials will comply with the Estes Valley Development Code. Planner McCool reviewed the criteria for the development plan and minor modification. This information can be read in detail in the staff report. The application was routed to all affected agencies, including the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and notices were mailed to adjacent property owners. A legal notice was published in the local newspaper. CDOT preferred access from Stanley Avenue. One public comment was received in regards to building materials. Planner McCool stated there was a request for a minor modification regarding grading and the loading area. The Estes Valley Development Code (EVDC) provides staff with the authority to approve certain minor modifications, this being one of them, which was approved by staff. Staff Findings 1. The development plan complies with the goals and policies set forth in the Comprehensive Plan (e.g. Community Design policies). 2. The Planning Commission is the Decision-Making Body for the Development Plan. 3. Adequate public facilities are currently available to serve the proposed project. 4. This request has been submitted to all applicable reviewing agency staff for consideration and comment. No significant issues or concerns were received. 5. The Development Plan complies with applicable standards set forth in the EVDC. 1 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Valley Planning Commission March 21,2017 Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall Public Comment Devan Pharis/applicant was available for questions. The composition of the proposed retaining wall would be a natural-colored, decorative, split-faced look. The building materials for the building will be similar in design, but a slightly darker color. There will be landscaping in front of the retaining wall to camouflage the view of the wall. A revised photometric plan was submitted, and it complies with the EVDC. Rex Poggenpohl/county resident and Estes Valley Board of Adjustment member urged the Commission to consider amending the EVDC to allow a larger driveway opening for commercial properties, and to encourage the governing bodies to keep child-safety in mind. Staff and Commission Discussion There was brief discussion about a pedestrian-activated signal. Condition of Approval 1. Provide cost estimates and full design details for the sidewalk. Financial security shall be provided for the sidewalk before any building/grading permit is issued for the property. It was moved and seconded (Klink/Hull) to approve the Dollar General Development Plan according to findings of fact and conclusions of law, with findings and conditions recommended by staff and the motion passed 7-0. Commissioner White requested staff pursue the pedestrian-activated signal with CDOT. Commissioner Murphree recused himself for the next application review. 4. VIEW (S> 242 PRELIMINARY CONDOMINIUM MAP Planner McCool reviewed the staff report for Planner Gonzales. The proposed project Is for ten condominium units on the property located on Virginia Drive. A Development Plan and Amended Plat are also part of this project, and will be reviewed at staff-level. The application was routed to all affected agencies, and notices were mailed to adjacent property owners. One public comment was received regarding building height. Staff and Commission Commissioner Leavitt asked for an explanation between market rate and attainable units. Director Hunt provided the explanation. Staff Findings 1. This proposal complies with applicable sections of the Estes Valley Development Code, as well as the Development Plan. 2. This request has been submitted to all applicable reviewing agency staff for consideration and comment. 3. This is a Planning Commission recommendation to the Town Board. Public Comment Chuck Bailey/applicant spoke about how the proposed development came about. The ability to build ten units on the site is a direct result of the recent EVDC amendment regarding density. The project proposes two four-plexes and one duplex. Four units will be designated "attainable" and will be deed restricted for twenty years. The lot is long and narrow, and presents design challenges. Adequate parking was important to the developers. Dan Timbrell/town resident was opposed to the height of the proposed project. His views of the Divide will be obstructed if the project is built as proposed. He was concerned about the loss of property value. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Valley Planning Commission March 21, 2017 Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall Bonnie Hautamaki/town resident asked several questions about the development regarding parking, traffic, and the number of units allowed if no attainable housing was proposed. Conditions of Approval 1. View@242 Development Plan approval shall occur within 60 days of the preliminary condo map Planning Commission public hearing date. 2. Amended Plat approval shall occur within 60 days of preliminary condo map Planning Commission public hearing date. It was moved and seconded (Schneider/White) to recommend approval of the Preliminary Condominium Map to the Estes Park Town Board according to findings of fact and conclusions of law, with findings and conditions recommended by staff and the motion passed 6-0 with Commissioner Murphree abstaining. 5. REPORTS A. Director Hunt reported there is a Comprehensive Plan Update in process, thanks to a committee that has been working on it. A Resolution between the Town Board and County Commission provides for a 12-18 month review period including extensive public involvement. B. Director Hunt reported an amendment to the EVDC regarding vacation homes was continued to the March 28th Town Board meeting. The March 31st deadline date is proposed to be removed, allowing individuais to continue to register their home as a vacation home as long as the cap has not been reached. The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners approved the code amendment on March 20th. C. Director Hunt reported an amendment to the EVDC regarding accessory kitchens was continued by the Town Board to the March 28th meeting. If the Town Board does not vote to approve the removal of accessory kitchens. Director Hunt wouid at least like to see the removai of the affidavit requirement, and removai of the section regarding the interior entrance, as it would be unenforceable. He would like to add a statement regarding outdoor kitchens, whereas they would not be considered an accessory kitchen as long as it was exposed to the outside on at least two sides. There was brief discussion about the procedure of taking code amendments to the decision-making boards. The generai consensus from the Planning Commission was to have the revised draft amendment go back to the Planning Commission for a final recommendation before moving on to the Town Board and County Commission. D. Director Hunt reported the Community Development Annual Report will be completed prior to the April meeting. E. Planner I Robin Becker will begin work with the Town on March 27, 2017. There is still one vacancy on the Planning side of the department. There being no further business. Chair Moon adjourned the meeting at 2:36 p.m. Michael Moon, Chair Karen Thompson,CRecdrding Secretary