HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Park Planning Commission 2021-02-16
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, February 16, 2021
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the ESTES PARK PLANNING
COMMISSION of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado.
Meeting held VIRTUALLY in said Town of Estes Park on the 16 day of
February 2021.
Committee: Chair Matt Comstock, Vice-Chair Matthew Heiser,
Commissioners Joe Elkins, Howard Hanson.
Attending: Chair Comstock, Vice Chair Heiser, Commissioner Elkins,
Commissioner Hanson, Director Randy Hunt, Senior Planner
Jeff Woeber, Planner II Alex Bergeron, Planning Technician
Charlie Rugaber, Recording Secretary Karin Swanlund, Town
Attorney Dan Kramer, Town Board Liaison Barbara
MacAlpine
Absent: Commissioner Elkins left the meeting at 2:06 p.m.
Chair Comstock called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
AGENDA APPROVAL
It was moved and seconded (Heiser/Hanson) to approve the agenda. The motion
passed 4-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT.
None
CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL
It was moved and seconded (Hanson/Heiser) to approve the consent agenda. The
motion passed 4-0.
CODE AMENDMENT: Wireless Telecom Facilities
This item was continued from the January 19, 2021 meeting
Senior Planner Woeber requested that this Code Amendment be withdrawn without
prejudice. There are two different use categories for cell towers: Micro-cell and
Towers. The majority of requirements in the Estes Park Development Code refer to the
Larimer County Land Use Codes. Those Codes went through a complete rewrite a few
years ago so the EPDC no longer matches. A special counsel has written a new
chapter on Wireless Facilities for the Town of Estes Park, which will make its way to the
Planning Commission in the near future. (April or May)
Estes Park Planning Commission – FEBRUARY 16, 2021 – Page 2
It was moved and seconded (Heiser/Elkins) to Withdraw Without Prejudice this
Code Amendment to a date uncertain. The motion passed 4-0.
OTHER:
• Director Hunt discussed Downtown Building Height and reasons for postponing
the Code Amendment's advancement for the time being. There have been
several public comments received, all of which have been against the proposed
Amendment. Also affecting the decision are impacts of the Loop project,
floodplain issues and downtown parking. He asked for the Commission's input.
Commissioner responses: (summarized)
Commissioner Elkins: we need to take this on, and it needs to be addressed
sooner rather than later.
Vice-Chair Heiser: there will be no engagement if it is not actively being pursued.
Preference is to continue working on it and advancing the needs of the
community. Where does the Town Board stand on this? Data collection is
always changing. Does not see the benefit in postponement and wants to see it
move forward.
Chair Comstock: it is on the Planning Commission to address the Downtown
Plan/building height. Will the new Comp Plan lift the recommendations from the
existing Downtown Plan? Not opposed to getting more information if it helps
make a better decision. Doesn't want this to drag out.
Commissioner Hanson: more discussion and information is needed. No reason
to take it off the table. In favor of getting critical data if that is missing. Would like
a parcel by parcel high-definition map showing exactly what properties would be
included. Is topographic customization possible?
Heiser suggested that an overlay of the Downtown zoning district with a
topographical map would give a good idea of height difference, specifically the
difference between the residential and commercial zones.
Hunt noted that for a 48-foot height proposal, a Special Review with criteria for
design characteristics would be needed.
Trustee MacAlpine noted that the Town Board has not had any discussion on
this.
Estes Park Planning Commission – FEBRUARY 16, 2021 – Page 3
It was decided to keep this on the agenda as a discussion item, with code
language available to review in March.
• Attorney Kramer clarified that if three or more Planning Commission members
were appointed to a group, a quorum would not pose a problem.
• The Town Board will be interviewing a Planning Commission applicant in March
There being no further business, Chair Comstock adjourned the meeting at 2:30 p.m.
Matt Comstock, Chair
Karin Swanlund, Recording Secretary