HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Joint Study Session 2019-07-29RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado July 29,2019
Minutes of a Joint Study Session meeting of the ESTES PARK TOWN
BOARD AND LARIMER COUNTY COMMISSION of the Town of Estes
Park,Larimer County,Colorado.Meeting held at Town Hall in the Board
Room in said Town of Estes Park on the 29111 day of July 2019.
Board:Mayor Jirsa,Mayor Pro Tern Walker,Trustees Bangs,
Cenac,Martchink,Norris,and Zornes
County Commission:Chair Donnelly,Commissioners Johnson and Kefalas
Also Attending:Assistant Town Administrator Machalek,County Manager
Hoffman,Attorney Kramer,Community Development
Director Hunt,County Planning Director Ellis and Town Clerk
Williamson
Absent:Town Administrator Lancaster
Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.by Mayor Jirsa.Introductions were conducted
for both elected bodies and Town and County staff.Comrnissioner Donnelly reviewed
the current state of development in the Estes valley and stated the Intergovernmental
Agreement (IGA)forming the joint land use planning area between the Town and
County would expire in February 2020.The joint planning area was a new process
when it was proposed and approved and still a unique planning rnethod in Colorado.
Director Hunt reiterated the Town and County have been discussing since February
2019 the upcoming expiration of the ISA.He provided an overview of the cooperative
planning effort in the Estes valley which began in the early 1990s.The current joint
Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the County in 1996 and the Town in 1997.On
February 1,2000 the first ISA with a 20-year term was approved along with a new
Estes Valley Development Code and zoning plan.The IGA also includes a joint Estes
Valley Planning Comrnission,Estes Valley Board of Adjustment,policies on annexation,
decision-making authority with respective elected representatives,and the Town staff in
Community Development to review and rnanage the land use code throughout the
planning area on behalf of the County.
Director Ellis presented other joint planning examples,including those Larirner County
has with Fort Collins,Loveland,Berthoud and Windsor,Steamboat Springs and Routt
County,and Lyons and Boulder County.All joint planning examples have similar
cooperative planning area agreements and/or growth management areas.
The meeting’s facilitated discussion would consist of small group discussions with a
facilitator and note taker to discuss the three to five year vision of land use and planning
in the Estes valley;what might be accomplished long-term with the continued land use
planning agreement;when the Town updates the Comprehensive Plan is it important to
plan for land uses in the Estes valley;and general input on land use planning
agreement or how Larirner County should transition to provide development review
services starting next year
Mayor Jirsa called a break in the meeting to begin the facilitated discussions in Rooms
201/202/203 at 6:03 p.m.Mayor Jirsa reconvened the meeting a 6:57 p.m.
Facilitators provided a review of common concerns heard at each facilitated group.
Comments have been summarized:support for cooperative planning with a
comprehensive approach;determine what items are not working and fix them;explore
and understand why the elected officials are supporting the dissolution of the current
IGA;address current issues before beginning the comprehensive planning effort;desire
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Joint Town Board County Commission Study Session —July 29,2019—Page 2
for a long-range Comprehensive Plan for the entire valley and follow it and don’t get
diverted by current issues;plan that preserves wildlife and the views;a plan which
encourages a diverse demographic population —housing,economy,etc.;plan to
balance tourism and commercial business with the needs of the residents;supported
the relationship if there was an independent Planning Commission for the county
residents which reports directly to the County Commissioners;restructure the
Development Code after the adoption of a new Comprehensive Plan;Town services
expanded to the Larimer County residents;protection of the existing rural area and rural
Larimer County;annexation should remain voluntary;for workforce housing while
complimenting open space;intergovernmental cooperation needs to be strengthened to
balance the needs of the community as it relates to land use;balance between
aesthetics,beauty and livability with the consideration of revenue and sales tax;
residential and commercial interests are kept separate;protect the community character
with infill development and height of development,i.e.two stories versus three;
consistent and predictable application of the rules;a need for a consistent voice with
regard to those who can vote and those who cannot because valley and town residents
receive the same services;and both the Town and County should be involved in the
development of the new Comprehensive Plan.
Director Ellis stated the questionnaire would be available through August 12,2019,
results on the questionnaire to be reported shortly thereafter;move forward late
September with options for the public and elected officials to review;and in November
the Town and County would hold a joint hearing to review a proposed ISA.
Commissioner Kefalas stated the individuals attending the current meeting represent
only one demographic,no representation from the younger members of the community
and the business community.He would like to be more intentional in gaining their
viewpoints.
There being no further business,Mayor Jirsa adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
J5ie Williamson,Town Clerk