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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Valley Planning Commission 2012-06-19RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Regular Meeting of the Estes Valley Planning Commission June 19, 2012 - 1:30 p.m. Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall Commission: Attending: Chair Doug Klink, Commissioners John Tucker, Betty Hull, Rex Poggenpohl, Joe Wise, Kathy Bowers, Tom Gresslin. Chair Klink, Commissioners Tucker, Hull, Poggenpohl, Wise, Bowers, and Gresslin Also Attending: Director Chilcott, Planner Shirk, Town Attorney White, and Recording Secretary Thompson Absent:Town Board Liaison Elrod The following minutes reflect the order of the agenda and not necessarily the chronological sequence. Chair Klink called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. There were three people in attendance. 1. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 2. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of minutes. May 15, 2012 Planning Commission Meeting. It was moved and seconded (Hull/Tucker) to approve the minutes as presented and the motion passed unanimously. B. Amended Plat of Lot 7, Division 5, and a Portion of Division 2, High Drive Heights, TBD Larkspur Road. It was moved and seconded (Poggenpohl/Hull) to remove the Amended Plat application from the consent agenda to allow public comment and Commission discussion and the motion passed unanimously. 3. AMENDED PLAT OF LOT 7, DIVISION 5, AND A PORTION OF DIVISION 2, HIGH DRIVE HEIGHTS Planner Shirk reviewed the staff report. The lots in question are in the unincorporated Estes Valley at the corner of High Drive and Larkspur Road. The larger of the two lots was recorded in 1925, with the smaller lot (Division 2) created a short time later. This proposed amended plat would not create any new lots or building sites. Planner Shirk reported the northern lot is conforming (1/2 acre), while the southern lot is a legal nonconforming lot. The purpose of the amended plat is to adjust the lots so they are equal in size, and provide a larger building area in proposed Lot 2 by increasing the building area from 30- feet wide to 60-feet wide. Planner Shirk stated there was discussion during the study session concerning the lot size. There are currently 85 lots in the High Drive Heights subdivision, and the mean lot size is 0.5 acre. If approved, both lots would be above the median lot size of 0.42 acre. Both lots are currently undeveloped. There is an existing driveway access point off of High Drive. Planner Shirk stated the lot line adjustment would make it easier to build a structure on proposed Lot 2 without having to apply for a variance. An existing sewer easement would be vacated and rededicated in the appropriate location. If approved. Lot 1 would become a flagpole lot, with access along the northwest side of the lots. Lot 2 would also use this access point with a recorded access easement. The Estes Valley Development cpde (EVDC) allows driveways to be built three feet from property lines. There would be a width adjustment to ensure the driveway is at least ten feet away from the property line. This request was the result of neighbor concerns directly north of the proposed driveway. Staff RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Valley Planning Commission 2 June 19, 2012 has requested the area on the northwest corner of proposed Lot 2 be designated as non- buildable to keep the large trees on the property. Planner Shirk stated the application was routed to affected agencies and adjacent property owners. The Light & Power Department stated the existing overhead power line easement was adequate as is. The Larimer County Engineering Department requested the existing access for Lot 2 on High Drive be removed. Planner Shirk stated this would be accounted for the in the joint maintenance agreement. The Utilities Department requested the property be included in the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District and sub-district prior to being served with town water. Planner Shirk explained the review process for a minor subdivision. A portion of the review process requires approval of a minor subdivision not be materially detrimental to the public welfare, injurious to other property in the neighborhood, or in conflict with the purposes and objectives of the Code. To lessen the impact of the minor subdivision, staff requested the heavily treed area on proposed Lot 2 be shown as non-buildable, and the access point off of High Drive be removed. If approved, a structure on proposed Lot 2 could be built further away from High Drive. Planner Shirk clarified that the existing Division 2 was a buildable lot, and that changing the lot lines would not change the potential density or use of the property. Staff recommended approval of the amended plat with the findings and conditions recommended by staff. Public comment There was no representative in attendance for the applicant. Karl Lepperman/adjacent property owner stated the description of the application was vague. He opposed the amended plat. He disagreed with the calculation of the lot sizes. He was concerned about the amount and type of structures that could be built on the two nroperties, as well as possible short-term rentals on the new lots having neptive impacts on the neighboring lots. Mr Lepperman stated the area did not have a home owners association, which heightened his concern. Town Attorney White stated the flag pole portion of proposed Lot 1 should not be included in the calculation of minimum lot area. Director Chilcott suggested continuing the application to the next regularly scheduled meeting to review the technical question concerning the lot size. It was moved and seconded to (Hull/ Poggenpohl) to continue the Amended Plat of Lot 7, Division 5, and a portion of Division 2, High Drive Heights subdivision to the next regularly scheduled meeting; and, if required, to obtain written approval from the applicant to continue. The motion passed unanimously. 4 REPORTSDirector Chilcott reported a pre-application meeting with the owners of Riverview Pines to redevelop the property with lower density. Director Chilcott reported the Pine Knoll Minor Subdivision and The Pines Condominiums Preliminary and Final Condominium Maps would be heard by the Planning Commissio and Town Board in August. Director Chilcott reported the Estes Park Medical Center would be submitting an application to add a permanent MRI facility. Director Chilcott reported a new stall barn is being proposed at the Stanley Park Fairgrounds, to be bSilt this fall. In order to begin construction this fall, the rev,ew Proc?ss timeline would be very tight. The existing stall barns are in extremely poor condition. The determination stni ne^dlto be made as to whether the stall barns would have mult,- RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Valley Planning Commission June 19, 2012 purpose uses. Commissioner Tucker asked for any information to be passed on to the Planning Commission as soon as possible. Planner Shirk reported on two upcoming variance requests: 1) 2121 Eagle Cliff Road for a deck expansion: and 2) 1700 Big Thompson Avenue for allowance of an off-premise sign at the Estes Park Resort (formerly Lakeshore Lodge). There are several difficult factors involved with this application. Both applications will be heard July 3, 2012, by the Estes Valley Board of Adjustment. Planner Shirk reported two amended condominium maps would be heard by the Town Board on June 26, 2012: 1) Streamside Condominiums: and 2) Tranquil Vail Condominiums. Planner Shirk reported Eagles Crest Resort Supplemental Condominium Map #1 was approved by the County Commissioners May 21,2012. Director Chilcott reported ongoing discussions with the property owners of 900 W. Elkhorn Avenue concerning the use of the property. A development application is anticipated in the coming weeks, and she expects public comment to be extensive. She reminded the Commissioners of the quasi-judicial rules that apply to the Commissioners, and no discussion about this property should occur outside of a Planning Commission meeting. Director Chilcott reported that development activity has increased. Several stalled projects have restarted. The Community Development Department has received numerous inquiries about new businesses, redevelopment, etc. These ^scussions W,J1 show an increase in applications and reviews by the Planning Cornmissioii. She reporte building permits for single-family dwellings are double those from this time last year. rhair Kiink reoorted that prior to any discussions about modifying the Estes yalley Comprehensive °Ran, a defined purpose and goal should be in place. Also, the elected officials need to be aware of and in agreement with any proposed discussions. Director Chilcott reported the July meeting will include a presentation by Trustee Erickson on the Transportation study. Chair Kiink reported the July study sessiorr would inf hd^ r®«®« ofaSieonC7aThton1he Plan’s Action Plan. Director Chilcott w,ll email “t;^n cP;^ments on Pnr“mrs. inheSS?on?divrat items in the action pian wii, be updated. Chair Kiink called a seven-minute recess. concernJng'Qua^-Judidal/Le^siative^l^arhig^^^nflii^onnterest, the Open Meetings Law and Public Records. There being no further business, Chair Kiink adjourned the noting at 3:32 p.m. CfoLfg KlinkyChar Karen Thompson, Recojdmg Secretary