HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Valley Planning Commission 2014-05-01RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Planning Commission 1
May 1, 2014
Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall
Commission: Chair Betty Hull, Commissioners Doug Klink, Charley Dickey, Kathy Bowers,
Nancy Hills, Steve Murphree, Wendye Sykes
Attending: Vice‐Chair Bowers, Commissioners Klink, Dickey, Murphree, and Sykes
Also Attending: Senior Planner Shirk, and Recording Secretary Thompson
Absent: Chair Hull, Commissioner Hills, Town Board Liaison Phipps
The following minutes reflect the order of the agenda and not necessarily the chronological sequence.
Vice‐Chair Bowers called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. There were approximately 5 people in
attendance. Each Commissioner was introduced. Vice‐Chair Bowers explained the process for
accepting public comment at today’s meeting.
1. PUBLIC COMMENT
Larry Larson, president of Olympus Heights Homeowners Association stated he wanted to get on
record with concerns about a road in their subdivision that was washed out during the flood. He
hoped the Planning Commission could assist with getting it rebuilt. Property owners at the
bottom of the hill, Don and Gary Coleman, have been willing to work with the Association. One
option is to work with a construction company that is considering leasing the property from the
Coleman’s, and would be willing to rebuild the road.
2. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of minutes, March 18, 2014 Planning Commission meeting.
B. Approval of minutes, April 15, 2014 Planning Commission meeting.
C. Request to continue the following proposed amendments to the Estes Valley Development
Code to May 20, 2014
1. Micro‐breweries, ‐wineries, and ‐distilleries
2. Assemblies
3. Median Income for Attainable Housing
It was moved and seconded (Klink/Dickey) to approve the consent agenda as presented and the
motion passed unanimously with two absent.
3. O’REILLY AUTO PARTS DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2014‐01; Lot 1, DeVille Subdivision
Planner Shirk reviewed the staff report. The application is for the demolition of an existing
building located at 540 S. St. Vrain Avenue, and redevelopment of the site with a new
commercial retail building proposed to house O’Reilly Auto Parts. O’Reilly Auto Parts is the
owner of the property. The site is the location of the former Mountaineer Restaurant. The
new building would be approximately 7,000 square feet, and include more than twenty (20)
parking spaces. The number of parking spaces is what triggered the Planning Commission
review. Less than 20 spaces qualifies for a staff‐level review. Planner Shirk added the applicant
has also applied for several variances from the Development Code, which will be heard by the
Board of Adjustment on May 6, 2014.
Planner Shirk stated the property is zoned CO–Commercial Outlying, suitable for this type of
development. The application was routed to all affected agencies and adjacent property
owners. Existing service lines (water, gas/electric/sewer) would be used. Estes Park Sanitation
District has requested the sewer line be inspected with a camera to determine the current line
conditions. He stated the Fire Marshall will determine the details for sprinkling the building
during the building permit stage, which is typical with commercial development. Sidewalk is
planned along Graves Avenue, connecting to S. St. Vrain on the west and ending
approximately 500 feet from Community Drive on the eastern end. The sidewalk design
complies with the ADA standards. Planner Shirk stated the trash enclosure plan will be revised
slightly to comply with turn radii required for delivery and fire trucks. The revision will
relocate the enclosure closer to the middle of the eastern boundary. It will be animal‐
resistant and screened.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Planning Commission 2
May 1, 2014
Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall
Planner Shirk briefly explained the variance requests, and stated staff was recommending
approval of the requests. The requests are: 1) to allow an eight (8) foot setback along the
north property line; 2) to allow a 190 foot separation between the main arterial (Hwy 7) and
the driveway in lieu of the 250 feet required; and 3) to allow the front door to front Graves
Avenue, in lieu of the requirement for structures fronting the main arterial to have their front
door on the arterial side.
Planner Shirk explained the current drainage swale was installed by the Colorado Department
of Transportation (CDOT) approximately twenty years ago, with no formal easement in place
for maintenance. The Town has never maintained the swale, which may have contributed to
stormwater problems northeast of the site. The applicant is willing to grant a stormwater
easement to the Town, as is the property owner of the gas station to the north. Following
recording of the easements, the Town will assume maintenance responsibilities. Additionally,
the applicant has proposed a stormwater detention pond on the northwest corner of the lot,
emptying into the stormwater drainage.
Planner Shirk stated the proposed plan complies with the design guidelines in the Estes Valley
Comprehensive Plan. Public comment was received from one adjacent property owner
concerned about the drainage. Planner Shirk stated once the easement is documented and
the swale improved, drainage should also improve.
FINDINGS
1. The development plan, if revised per recommended conditions, will comply with
applicable standards set forth in the EVDC, as outlined in the staff report and
Development Code Analysis dated March 7, 2014. This finding excludes requested
variances.
2. Variances regarding driveway separation, north property line setback, and orientation of
front door are scheduled for the May 6 Board of Adjustment hearing.
3. The development plan complies with the Comprehensive Plan (e.g. Community Design
policies).
4. The Planning Commission is the Decision‐Making Body for the Development Plan.
Planner Shirk stated staff recommended approval of the development plan, with conditions of
approval listed below.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Alex Hoime/applicant representative stated the paved area will drain towards the detention
pond, then drain north into the drainage swale. The lack of maintenance has created a slight rise
in the swale, which will be taken care of once the Town becomes responsible for maintenance.
The detention pond will be designed to withstand the 100‐year flood. Planner Shirk clarified there
is no current stormwater management plan for the property. Mr. Hoime stated a permit for
development was filed with CDOT, who determined the increased traffic would not be
detrimental to Highway 7.
CONDITIONS
1. Approval of requested variances for north property line setback, driveway separation, and
front door orientation, including conditions that may be imposed by the Board of
Adjustment.
2. Recordation of drainage easement(s) flanking the north property line. These easements
shall be subject to review, approval and acceptance by the Public Works Department, and
shall be graphically delineated on the development plan.
3. Compliance with the following affected agency comments:
a. Public Words dated March 21, 2014
b. Community Development dated April 14, 2014
c. Water Department dated March 21, 2014
d. Estes Valley Fire Protection District dated March 20, 2014
e. Estes Park Sanitation District dated March 3, 2014
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Planning Commission 3
May 1, 2014
Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall
It was moved and seconded (Klink/Sykes) to recommend approval of the O’Reilly Auto Parts
Development Plan 2014‐01 with the findings and conditions recommended by staff and the
motion passed unanimously with two absent.
4. REPORTS
1. Estes Valley Planning Commission – May 20, 2014
a. Planner Shirk stated an amended plat to vacate and modify building envelopes will be
on the May agenda. The property is located in Sixth Green Estates Subdivision.
b. Planner Shirk reported a development plan for a portion of the Comfort Inn motel will
be reviewed, as well as an amended plat to combine two lots. The applicant desires to
remove three buildings and replace them with one, add conference space and an
indoor pool.
2. Larimer County Commission – April 21, 2014
a. Planner Shirk reported the County Commissioners approved amendments to the Estes
Valley Development Code concerning concurrent review and the lapse of approvals.
3. Estes Valley Board of Adjustment – May 6, 2014
a. Planner Shirk reported there would be four items on the May agenda:
1. Estes Park Transit Facility and Parking Structure for height & setback
2. Stanley Hotel Height request for a temporary Ferris Wheel in excess of 30 feet high
3. O’Reilly Auto Parts variance requests as mentioned earlier
4. Expansion of an accessory dwelling unit on Clara Drive.
4. Wildfire Development Plan
a. Planner Shirk reported the Wildfire Development Plan was withdrawn by Staff due to
inactivity by the applicant.
5. Comprehensive Plan Modernization
a. Planner Shirk reported the Mobility & Circulation portion would be reviewed at the
May 20th meeting.
6. Flood Recovery
a. Planner Shirk reported staff is working diligently to remove the immediate threat of
spring runoff, by improving the carrying capacity of the Estes Valley rivers and streams.
Work should begin soon.
b. The Town applied for a grant to aid in the restoration of the Fish Creek corridor.
Seeding will be important to keep weeds at bay. Without vegetation, erosion will
continue.
c. The Master Planning process for Fall River and Fish Creek should be completed within
the next few months.
d. Spring runoff and flood recovery work has been overwhelming for staff. They are
putting in many hours working hard for the Estes Valley property owners, and are
looking forward to getting back to normal.
7. Commissioner Dickey reminded the Commission of a Brewery Tour scheduled for May 16th
from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Let Town Administrator Frank Lancaster know if you’re
interested in attending.
There being no further business, Vice‐Chair Bowers adjourned the meeting at 2:20 p.m.
___________________________________
Kathy Bowers, Vice‐Chair
___________________________________
Karen Thompson, Recording Secretary