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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Valley Planning Commission 2013-07-16RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Valley Planning Commission July 16, 2013 Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall Commission: Attending: Also Attending: Absent: Chair Betty Hull, Commissioners Doug Klink, Joe Wise, Kathy Bowers, Nancy Hills, Steve Murphree, one vacancy Chair Hull, Commissioners Wise, Murphree, and Hills Director Chilcott, Senior Planner Shirk, Code Compliance Officer/Planner Kleisler, Town Board Liaison Elrod, and Recording Secretary Thompson Commissioners Bowers and Klink The following minutes reflect the order of the agenda and not necessarily the chronological sequence. Chair Hull called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. There were approximately 34 people in attendance. Chair Hull explained the purpose of the Estes Valley Planning Commission and stated public comment is invaluable. Each Commissioner introduced him/herself. 1. PUBLIC COMMENT None 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of minutes, June 18, 2013 Planning Commission meeting. B. Lake Pines Amended Plat, 625 Community Drive It was moved and seconded (Hills/Murphree) to approve the consent agenda and the motion passed unanimously (4-0) with two absent and one vacancy. 3. ZONING AMENDMENT AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2013-02; TRACT 2, HILLERY PARRACK EXEMPTION PLAT, 1753 Wildfire Road Commissioner Wise recused himself from the review of this project and left the dais. Director Chilcott reviewed the staff report. The applicant has requested to remove the existing restrictions on the CH-Commercial Heavy zoning, which were put in place with the Nytes Rezoning in 2005. At that time the property was rezoned from E-Estate to CH-Commercial Heavy, with restrictions. The current request is not to rezone, but to remove the restrictions placed on the property in 2005. The applicant has also submitted an associated development plan. Director Chilcott stated staff has continued the application due to the complexity of various issues with proposed use, the intensity of the use, neighborhood compatibility, etc. Staff will conduct more research and will have a recommendation at the August Planning Commission meeting. No action was taken by the Commission; however, public comment was accepted. Public Comment Corinne Dyer/Town resident distributed copies of her comments (dated July 16, 2013), which were posted on the Town website following the meeting. Her comments related directly to the existing restrictions on the property. The restrictions were placed on the property because the full range of uses allowed under the CH-Commercial Heavy zoning classification would not be appropriate at that location. She stated the intent of the County Commissioner's decision was to allow limited use of the property while promoting growth of the community as a whole. One of the restrictions placed stated no outside storage of business or construction materials would be allowed on the property. She was disappointed no enforcement of the restrictions had taken place, and was opposed to the removal of the restrictions. Gayle Tiejtens/Town resident was concerned about possible fire issues. She was opposed to the waiver to allow delay of installation of the water main extension and fire hydrant, as well as the waiver to extend the amount of time to abandon the water well. She was concerned about the high fire danger with lumber and lumber mill debris stored on site. She was aware that limiting III! Ill RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Valley Planning Commission 2 July 16, 2013 Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall the height of the pole barns would eliminate the need for an automatic sprinkler system. She thought this may be in conflict with the Estes Valley Fire Protection Districts requirements. Bob Umscheid/Town resident was opposed to expanded development in a residential area. Director Chilcott and Town Attorney White answered questions concerning the Development Code and the Comprehensive Plan. Dionna Patterson/Town resident was opposed to the development. She was concerned about traffic, pollution, and potential for fire. She encouraged the Commission to consider the neighbors on all sides of the property. She was opposed to the waivers delaying installation of the infrastructure. Public Comment Closed. Chair Hull stated the review of this proposal would be heard by the Planning Commission on Tuesday, August 20, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. 4. PRELIMINARY SUBDIVISION PLAT & DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2013-03, MOUNTAIN RIVER TOWNHOMES, 650 Moraine Avenue Planner Shirk stated the property owner requested continuance of this project to the August, 2013 meeting. The application proposes redevelopment of the Telemark property on Moraine Avenue, with the intent to construct 34 residential/accommodations units. The street design would extend Park River West from the east side of the proposed project, loop around through the development, and join Moraine at the intersection with Cedar Ridge Circle. Fifteen units would be located along the river, and the remainder of the units would be north of the road through the development. Staff still has research to conduct concerning limits of disturbance, wildlife habitat, right-of-way dedication, etc. Planner Shirk stated although the review will be continued to August, public comment would be accepted at the meeting. Gordon Ulrickson/Town resident and Secretary/Treasurer of Mountain Haven Condominiums, directly west of the proposed development. They have been working with the developer and the construction company, specifically to discuss relocation of the existing sewer line. There are still some questions about the new road into the Mountain Haven property. They want to know where the west property line and easement are located. Mr. Ulrickson was opposed to the removal of the large trees on the west side of the proposed development. Gail Shroyer/Town resident was concerned about impact on wildlife. She was concerned about the density of townhomes along the river, and shared Mr. Ulrickson's opinion about removing the large trees, or possible damage to those trees due to trenching. Brian Maders/Town resident was concerned about the close proximity of the proposed road to his property, and also the increased traffic creating light pollution. He agreed with the concerns about the large trees. Stewart Squires/President of Park River West Condominiums Home Owners Association stated the association met with the developer to discuss concerns and present questions. They were impressed with the proposed development and thought it would complement Park River West and be supportive of property values in the area. They support the waiver request for the public trail easement that would adjoin the existing trail. Mr. Squires stated the developers have agreed that no construction traffic would go through Park River West, construction crew parking and materials storage would be confined to the west side of the property, and the road between Mountain River Townhomes and Park River West would remain closed until sales offices for the development are established on the property. They requested the Town enforce the code concerning dust control and code be enforced concerning dust control and mud on vehicles being RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Valley Planning Commission 3 July 16, 2013 Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall removed prior to leaving the property. After reviewing the Traffic Impact Study, his group did not think the study was of sufficient scope to address the impact to Park River West with a second entrance to the project. Mr. Squires suggested there would be a substantial increase in thru traffic from residents and non-residents alike. Impact on traffic at Park River West was not addressed in the study. The association objected to an entrance into Mountain River Townhomes from Park River West. If the road is built, they requested speed control ramps at least on the portion of road through Park River West, and signage at the entrance to Park River West to deter non-essential through traffic. They objected to access aprons running north/south along the fence line, and the entrance into the new development property. They requested a waiver be granted to allow removal of those required aprons. Vinton Arnett/Town resident was concerned about increased traffic. He asked the Commission to consider a turn lane into the proposed development. He was also concerned about the impact on wildlife, due to the close proximity of a conservation easement directly across Moraine Avenue from the property. Fletcher Shields/Town resident was also concerned about the impact on wildlife and increased traffic, especially during construction. Pat Blume/Town resident read the letter to the editor published July 12, 2013 in the local newspaper. Concerns included increased traffic congestion on Moraine and the impact on wildlife. She disagreed with the traffic impact study concerning the numbers of vehicles and potential noise. Chair Hull closed public comment. She stated the application would be reviewed at the August Planning Commission meeting. 5. REPORTS A. Comprehensive Plan - Director Chilcott 1. Director Chilcott stated staff continues to work on the modernization of the Comprehensive Plan. She showed several slides of the draft version. Planner Kleisler has reviewed the data tables in the land use section, simplifying the data for more clarity. Mr. Kleisler stated additional land uses would be added, e.g. religious and school uses. The Town's GIS consultant would be improving the maps to include some physical features in the area. Director Chilcott stated time has been spent on the Action Plan section of the plan and updating charts created by the Planning Commission approximately one year ago. Estimated costs have been changed from actual dollars to symbols conveying approximate project costs. References to EPURA will be removed. Planner Shirk worked on the Mobility and Circulation section, stating the current plan (1996) used data from the 1980s. Several projects in the 1996 plan would be removed, having been completed. Planner Shirk stated it was interesting to see ideas in the 1996 plan for a parking lot at the fairgrounds and a possible parking structure at the visitor center. B. County Commission Reviews - Senior Planner Shirk 1. The Woodland Heights Fire Resolution was approved on June 17, 2013. 2. Staff has been meeting on a monthly basis with the County Commissioners to keep them updated on the planning and development activities in the Estes Valley. C. Code Compliance — Code Compliance Officer Kleisler 1. An accommodations business has added some exterior lighting, drawing complaints about glare from adjacent property owners. The property owners are in the process of making adjustments to come into compliance with the EVDC. 2. There is an area in the Estes Valley with recreational vehicles (RVs) connected to water and sewer and being used as dwellings. These RVs are not in a zone district allowing such use. He has been working with those residents and property owners to remedy the situation. Social services has been contacted to help the residents find an alternative place to live. 3. The greatly improved Code Compliance database will help address issues in a more timely and efficient manner. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Valley Planning Commission July 16, 2013 Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall D. Planning Commission Vacancies - Director Chilcott 1. The interviews for the Town representative for Planning Commission were taking place in the very near future. 2. The closing date for the County representative for Planning Commission is next week. 3. Commissioner Hills was reappointed for an additional term, expiring June 30, 2017. E. Introduction 1. Director Chilcott introduced Larimer County Community Development Director Terry Gilbert. He was interested in observing development in the Estes Valley, and looked forward to offering his assistance to staff and the Planning Commission, if needed. He stated the Town of Estes Park and Larimer County have been discussing the possibility of a partnership with a new land use software program, and details are being worked out. There being no further business, Vice-Chair Hull adjourned the meeting at 2:42 p.m. Betty Hull, ^ir Karen Thompson, Recoraing Secretary