HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Valley Planning Commission 2020-01-21RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Planning Commission
January 21,2020
Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall
Commission: Chair Bob Leavitt, Vice-Chair Sharry White, Commissioners Steve
Murphree, Frank Theis, Nick Smith, Dave Converse, Matt Comstock
Attending: Chair Leavitt, Vice-Chair White, Commissioners Murphree, Theis,
Converse, Smith, Comstock
Also Attending: Director Randy Hunt, Senior Planner Jeff Woeber, Recording
Secretary Karin Swanlund, Town Board Liasion Eric Blackhurst,
Town Attorney Dan Kramer
Absent: None
OPEN MEETING
Chair Leavitt called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. There were three people in
attendance. Chair Leavitt introduced new Town Appointed Commissioner Matt Comstock.
APPROVAL OF AGEND A
It was moved and seconded (Smith/White) to amend the agenda to add the
election of Officers for 2020 and the motion passed 7-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ruth and Jim Kelley, town citizens, spoke on the construction happening at the
Stanley Hotel, backing up to their property on Findley Court. An email from John
Cullen was read and provided the commission with handouts highlighting
deviations from what was written in the email and the Master Development Plan.
Response from Community Director Hunt (summarized):
• Parking lots are categorized as a Grading Permit and considered an accessory to
the property.
• This lot is associated with the entire campus, not just the film center.
• There is a piece of the Master Plan that specifies a 10-foot buffer between
parking lot development between Lot 1 and Lot 3.
• There is no Development Plan or Codes required for the Stanley Historic District.
Lot 4 falls under a different set of regulations.
• There are no requirements for the Hotel to notify neighbors.
The Technical Review Committee (TRC) is comprised of town staff and members
appointed at the request of the owner of the hotel. Speaking candidly, Hunt
stated he has never seen an agreement like this in his time as a Planner.
It was agreed to request a meeting with John Cullen and the neighbors, as well
as asking that situation be addressed by the Town Administrator and the Town
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Planning Commission
January 21,2020
Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall
Board at a Study Session. Attorney Kramer stated that it would require a
considerable amount of review but noted that change to development
agreements are possible. It was reiterated that the Planning Commission has no
jurisdiction over the Stanley Historic District.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Study Session Minutes dated November 19, 2019
2. Meeting Minutes dated November 19, 2019
It was moved and seconded (Theis/Converse) to approve the consent agenda
as presented and the motion passed 6-0 with Smith abstaining.
ACTION ITEMS
1. CODE AMENDMENT: AMENDED PLAT REVIEW PROCESS
It was mutually decided to withdrawal by staff the Code Amendment until
further notice.
2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
Commissioner Converse moved to retain the Chair and Vice-Chair for the
remaining two months of the current Planning Commission with
Commissioner Smith seconding the movement. The vote passed 7-0.
REPORTS
An update was given from the November meeting that the Fire District was notified and
responded to the Taharaa Development Plan.
Open houses/informational sessions on the future of the Estes Valley Land Use are being
planned for dates in February. Staff from both Town and County will attend these
meetings. March 31 is the date the IGA expires.
With the departure of Linda Hardin, the Planning Division is currently down two positions,
with interviews for the Planning Technician taking place within the next few weeks.
ADJOURN
There being no further business Chair Leavitt adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
_________________________________
Bob Leavitt, Chair
_________________________________
Karin Swanlund, Recording Secretary