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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Valley Board of Adjustment 2017-04-11 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Valley Board of Adjustment – Special Meeting April 11, 2017 9:00 a.m. Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall Board: Chair Wayne Newsom, Vice-Chair John Lynch, Pete Smith, Jeff Moreau, Rex Poggenpohl Attending: Members Newsom, Lynch, Moreau, and Poggenpohl Also Attending: Community Development Director Randy Hunt, Planner Audem Gonzales, Planner Carrie McCool, Recording Secretary Thompson Absent: Member Smith Chair Newsom called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. There were three people in attendance. He introduced the Board members and staff. The following minutes reflect the order of the agenda and not necessarily the chronological sequence. Director Hunt introduced Planner I Robin Becker. Ms. Becker recently moved to Estes Park from Iowa. She also spent time as a planner in New Zealand. 1. PUBLIC COMMENT 2. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of minutes dated March 7, 2017. Member Lynch asked for a correction on the preferred access to the proposed Dollar General Store from Stanley Avenue instead of Highway 7. It was moved and seconded (Moreau/Lynch) to approve the minutes as corrected and the motion passed 4-0 with one absent. 3. PORTION OF LOT 121, AL FRESCO PLACE; 425 CHAPIN LANE; URQUHART REIDENCE Planner McCool reviewed the staff report. The property owner, Joseph Urquhart, requests a variance from Estes Valley Development Code Section 4.3, Table 4-2 which requires a 25-foot setback for buildings/structures in the E-1–Estate zone district. The requested variance is 12.5 feet. Planner McCool stated the southern property boundary abuts Highway 34 bypass. Existing dwelling is built within the current setbacks. Planner McCool stated the application was routed to all affected agencies. A legal notice was published in the local newspaper and notices were mailed to adjacent property owners. Planner McCool stated the applicant would like to add living space and an accessory kitchen above the proposed garage to accommodate and care for aging parents that have moved in with the owners. She stated there have been some recent amendments to the Estes Valley Development Code regarding accessory kitchens. The proposed revisions, RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Valley Board of Adjustment 2 April 11, 2017 which remove certain unenforceable and/or irrelevant provisions, were approved by the Town Board, and will be heard by the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners on April 24, 2017. Staff Findings Please refer to the staff report for staff findings. Staff and Member Discussion There was brief discussion about the roofline, Highway 34 right-of-way, existing fence line, and several existing structures that are outside the current setback. Member Moreau stated the right-of-way is more than enough for a future expansion of the Highway 34 bypass. Public Comment Joe Urquhart/property owner stated the lower level is a small storage and crawl space. The existing home is somewhat screened by some trees. He is planning to add additional trees to create more buffer. Staff and Member Discussion Director Hunt clarified with the members that Board of Adjustment decisions are on a case-by-case determination, and the decisions made by the Board are not legally bound to set precedents. Member Moreau stated any time there is an opportunity to afford relief to employees in the Estes Valley in regards to affordable housing, every effort should be made to do so. Condition of Approval 1. Prior to building permit issuance, a Street Frontage Buffer Plan that is consistent with Section 7.5 – Landscaping and buffer requirements of the EVDC shall be approved by Community Development Department staff. It was moved and seconded (Moreau/Lynch) to approve the requested variance according to findings of fact and conclusions of law, with findings and conditions recommended by staff and the motion passed 3-1 with Member Newsom voting against. 4. REPORTS A. Director Hunt reported the Planning Commission will be discussing building height in the RM-Multi-Family Residential zone district on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. The meeting will be held in Room 202, with discussion on this item beginning about noon. If needed, the Board of Adjustment may want to have a study session regarding building height. Board members are welcome to provide comments regarding the proposal. Director Hunt stated the initial proposal was a height limit of 45 feet, but this has since been lowered to 40 feet, which, in nearly all cases would be a three-story building. Although this current amendment is confined to the RM zone district, there could be a future need to review the height limit in the CD zone district to allow for redevelopment. The RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Valley Board of Adjustment 3 April 11, 2017 Downtown Plan and the Steering Committee will be sharing their thoughts regarding this. B. Director Hunt reported public meetings will be occurring regarding the Downtown Plan, with the goal to have a design by the end of 2017. There being no other business before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:48 a.m. ___________________________________ Wayne Newsom, Chair __________________________________ Karen Thompson, Recording Secretary