HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Estes Park Planning Commission 2021-02-16PLANNING COMMISSION – TOWN OF ESTES PARK
TO BE HELD VIRTUALLY
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
1:30 p.m.
Estes Park, CO 80517
The Estes Park Board Planning Commission will participate in the meeting remotely due to the
Declaration of Emergency signed by Town Administrator Machalek on March 19, 2020, related to
COVID-19 and provided for with the adoption of Ordinance 04-20 on March 18, 2020. Procedures for
quasi-judicial virtual public hearings are established through Emergency Rule 06-20 signed by Town
Administrator Machalek on May 8, 2020, and outlined below.
Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/93771272278
Or Join by Telephone:
1.Dial US: +1 833-548-0276 (toll free)
2.Enter Webinar ID: 937 7127 2278 followed by #
The meeting will also be live-streamed on the Town’s Youtube Channel and recorded and
posted to YouTube and www.estes.org/videos within 48 hours.
Public Comment
When the moderator opens up the public comment period for an agenda item, attendees
wishing to speak shall:
1. Click the “Raise Hand” button, if joining online on the Zoom client, or
2. Press *9 and follow the prompts if joining by telephone.
3. If you are watching live on YouTube, please call the number listed above, and mute your
computer audio for the duration of your remarks.
Once you are announced, please state your name and address for the record.
To participate online via Zoom, you must:
•Have an internet-enabled smartphone, laptop or computer.
•Using earphones with a microphone will significantly improve your audio experience.
The Town of Estes Park will make reasonable accommodations for access to Town services, programs, and activities and
special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 577-4777. TDD available.
Prepared February 11, 2021 000001
NOTE: The Planning Commission reserves the right to consider other appropriate items not available at the time the agenda
was prepared.
AGENDA
PLANNING COMMISSION – TOWN OF ESTES PARK
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
1:30 p.m.
1.AGENDA APPROVAL.
2.PUBLIC COMMENT. (Please state your name and address).
3.CONSENT AGENDA:
1.Planning Commission Minutes dated January 19, 2021
2.Planning Commission Study Session Minutes dated January 19, 2021
4.ACTION ITEMS:
1.CODE AMENDMENT: Wireless Telecom Facilities
Continued from January 19, 2021.
Request to withdraw without prejudice Senior Planner Woeber
5.DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1.DOWNTOWN BUILDING HEIGHT
2.REPORTS
6.ADJOURN
Prepared 02/11/2021
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Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, January 19, 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 19 day of
January 2021.
Committee: Chair Matt Comstock, Vice Chair Matthew Heiser,
Commissioners Joe Elkins, Howard Hanson.
Attending: Chair Comstock, Vice Chair Heiser, Commissioners Elkins,
Hanson, Director Randy Hunt, Senior Planner Jeff Woeber,
Planner II Alex Bergeron, Recording Secretary Karin
Swanlund, Town Attorney Dan Kramer, Town Board Liaison
Barbara MacAlpine
Absent: Commissioner Elkins left the meeting at 1:55 pm
Chair Comstock called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm. The new Planning Technician,
Charlie Rugaber, introduced himself.
AGENDA APPROVAL
It was moved and seconded (Heiser/Hanson) to approve the agenda as amended
with corrections to Action Item 4, Adoption of Wireless Communication Facilities.
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.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Vice-Chair Heiser nominated Chair Comstock to continue his role as Chair, and
Commissioner Hanson nominated Vice-Chair Heiser to continue his role as Vice-Chair.
The nominations passed 4-0.
AMENDED PLAT: Mountain Meadow Subdivision,
Planner II Bergeron reviewed the staff report. The property consists of two vacant,
adjacent lots. Both lots are zoned A-1 (Accommodations/Low-Intensity) and are wholly
located in the Mountain Meadow Subdivision, as amended in 2017 and first platted in
2016. The lots are both owned by the same party. The property owner requested to
have the lots consolidated into one lot of 0.71 acres in size for private residential
development.
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Estes Park Planning Commission – JANUARY 19, 2021 – Page 2
DISCUSSION:
David Bangs, Trail Ridge Consulting Engineers, confirmed that Trailblazer Broadband
was notified and had no comment. The initial plat for Mountain Meadow subdivision
was done in 2016, and the steep slope net area calculation was subtracted out at that
time.
PUBLIC COMMENT: none
It was moved and seconded (Elkins/Hanson) to recommend that the Town Board
APPROVE the 1st Amended Plat of Lots 4A and 5A of the Amended Plat of
Mountain Meadow Subdivision, in accordance with the findings as presented.
The motion passed 4-0.
AMENDED PLAT: West Subdivision
Senior Planner Woeber reviewed the staff report. The applicant requested approval of an
amended plat to reconfigure three existing lots into two lots, proposed to be 0.67 and 0.54 acre
in size. The property is zoned E (Estate). The lots were originally platted as the Little Prospect
Mountain Addition to the Town of Estes Park in July 1937. Over the years, these were
reconfigured slightly, resulting in the subject properties, comprised of portions of Lot 3, Lot 4,
and Lot 5. Lots immediately to the west of the subject properties were reconfigured through
approval and recordation of the D. West Minor Subdivision in 2018 (Recorded in the records of
the Larimer County Clerk and Recorder on 8/10/2018 at Reception No. 20180049103). A small
portion of Lot 5 remained at that time; a 0.13-acre piece labeled "Lot 5B," which is now
proposed to be combined with the existing Portion of Lot 4, to create Lot 4A. The common
internal lot line between the Portion of Lot 3 and Portion of Lot 4 is adjusted to the south to bring
a setback encroachment into compliance with the required minimum 10-foot side yard setback
in the E (Estate) Zone District. The result is that Lot 5B is eliminated, and Lot 3A and Lot 4A are
reconfigured to both comply with the minimum required standards for the E (Estate) Zone
District. Lot 3A is currently developed with a single-family residence and accessory structure-
Lot 4A is undeveloped.
DISCUSSION:
Commissioner Heiser asked about prescriptive easements for private sewers when
replating lots. David Bangs answered that Sanitation could not nail down the main line's
exact location but did locate a handful of cleanouts, so there is a general idea of where
it is. Also, since this is a shared private line, not a public service line, no easement
dedication was done. The solution was a note about prescriptive rights as the line
exists. Heiser also requested standard, consistent and clear language for future
easement dedications stating who is receiving the easement and for what purpose. As
to why no sidewalk was required, Engineer Jennifer Waters noted no other sidewalks
exist along Stanley Circle Drive, and this was an already existing lot. Director Hunt
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Estes Park Planning Commission – JANUARY 19, 2021 – Page 3
agreed that discretionary decisions could cause problems. One solution to this is
proportional impact fees for projects.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Richard Mulhern, town resident, thanked the applicant for doing
her due diligence in combining the lots.
It was moved and seconded (Hanson/Heiser) to recommend that the Town Board of
Trustees approve the Amended Plat of a Portion of Lots 3, 4 and 5 of Little Prospect
Mountain Addition to the Town of Estes Park, as described in the staff report, with the
findings recommended by staff. The motion passed 3-0.
CODE AMENDMENT: Wireless Telecom Facilities
This item was continued to the February 16, 2021, meeting
It was moved and seconded (Heiser/Hanson) to continue the Code Amendment to
the February 18, 2021 meeting. The motion passed 3-0.
OTHER:
• Downtown Building Height Code Amendment: With preliminary Code language,
this will be a discussion item on the Planning Commission Meeting Agenda on
February 16 to allow further discussion and public comment. An "open house"
evening meeting, if enough interest is generated, is possible.
• Comprehensive Plan Rewrite: A February Study Session is planned to discuss
the DOLA Grant, the Request for Proposal (RFP), the first steps of forming a
steering committee, compiling a stakeholders list and the role of the Planning
Commission.
• Forthcoming Code Amendments: Solar System Setbacks, Impervious Lot
Coverage: thresholds and definitions.
• Planning Commissioner opening to replace Commissioner Murphree.
There being no further business, Chair Comstock adjourned the meeting at 3:10 pm.
Matt Comstock, Chair
Karin Swanlund, Recording Secretary
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Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado January 19, 2021
Minutes of a Study Session meeting of the PLANNING COMMISSION of Estes Park, Larimer
County, Colorado. Meeting held virtually on Google Meet.
Commission: Chair Matt Comstock, Vice-Chair Matthew Heiser, Commissioners Joe
Elkins, Howard Hanson
Attending: Comstock, Elkins, Heiser, Hanson
Also Attending: Director Hunt, Senior Planner Woeber, Planner II Bergeron, Trustee
MacAlpine, Recording Secretary Swanlund, Public Works employees
Muhonen, Hook, Waters and Solesbee.
Absent: None
Vice-Chair Heiser called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. This study session was held virtually via
ZOOM and was streamed and recorded on the Town of Estes Park YouTube channel.
This Study Session came about after the Code Amendment for Downtown Height, introduced in July
of 2020, was referred for public comment and the rewriting of the Comprehensive Plan received
funding.
Public Works Director Greg Muhonen gave a brief presentation of the Downtown Estes Loop's current
status describing the traffic flow, parking, sidewalk, landscaping and crosswalk plans. He noted that
there would be a need for about 28 easements. The project's fundamental purpose is to improve
traffic flow through the crowded downtown area, decreasing travel delays.
Public Works Engineer Jennifer Waters described four issues of the Downtown Floodplain:
• Permits are required for any "development" in the floodplain.
• There are currently 198 National Flood Insurance policies in Estes Park
• Downtown buildings will be required to meet performance standards when substantial
improvements or substantial damage criteria are met.
• Colorado Hazard Mapping Program boundaries for the floodplain are soon to be submitted.
This release will trigger the Flood Insurance Rate Map adoption process.
•
Ms. Waters explained that a determining factor of 50% of the structure's market value (land is
excluded) triggers the FEMA modeling regulations, but this is discretionary on a case by case basis.
Engineering Manager David Hook confirmed that there are subjective and nonsubjective triggers on
these regulations. There is a process laid out for a variance, but they are tough to obtain. The Town
Board can approve a variance.
Director Hunt explained that Downtown Building Height is being discussed due to these floodplain
regulations. A stormwater utility would be a great place to draw funds for subsidizing these
expenses. A transparent fee structure is a relevant request.
Commissioners ardently noted that it would be extremely expensive to take steps to expand a
business with these constraints. It was stated that this becomes discriminatory of small businesses,
which are inherently locally owned. Most three-story additions will trigger this requirement, making it
not feasible for the small business owner.
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Planning Commission Study Session January 19, 2021 – Page 2
Parking and Transit Manager Vanessa Solesbee reviewed the parking management plan history and
upcoming paid parking program implementation. Regarding implemented changes to building height,
the effect on downtown parking would seem to be minimal. There is currently adequate capacity, but
people want to park next to their destination. Different modes of transportation and walking
thresholds are areas for public conversation. Looking at the activity of the development, how
businesses compliment the areas around it, and visitor turnover are significant factors in calculating
downtown parking accommodations. There are no changes to existing loading zone times along
Elkhorn Avenue. Director Hunt mentioned the Institute for Traffic Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation
Manual for looking up data and information. There is a copy of this in the Community Development
office.
Vice-Chair Heiser adjourned the study session at 1:00 p.m.
Karin Swanlund, Recording Secretary
_____________________________________
Matt Comstock, Chair
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Memo
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
To: Estes Park Planning Commission
From: Jeffrey Woeber, Senior Planner
Date: February 16, 2021
RE: Withdrawal Request: Amendment to the Estes Park Development Code (EPDC), by
adopting new Wireless Communication Facilities (WCFs) Regulations.
Staff Request:
Staff has determined fairly significant revisions are needed to the proposed new regulations. With that,
staff requests the Estes Park Planning Commission withdraw the code amendment without prejudice.
Sample Motion:
I move to withdraw, without prejudice, the Code Amendment to the Estes Park Development Code,
which proposed adopting new Wireless Communication Facilities (WCFs) Regulations.
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2/2/2021 CURRENT PROJECTS
Submittal
Date Application Type Project Name Location
Recomm
ending/
Decision
Making
Bodies
Next
Proposed
Meeting
Date
Ex-Parte
Prohibited Staff
8/3/2020 Code Amendment Downtown Building Height discussion only PC 16-Feb RH
10/2/2020 Special Review Cell Tower 1575 S St Vrain TB 23-Feb JW
11/11/2020 Code Amendment Wireless Telecom Facilities continued PC 16-Feb JW
11/18/2020 Amended Plat West Property 153 Weston Lane TB 23-Feb yes JW
11/18/2020 Amended Plat Mountain Meadow 1st 2754 Ypsilon Circle TB 23-Feb yes AB
12/2/2020 Development Plan Stanley Hotel Film Center 333 E Wonderview TRC tbd yes RH
12/23/2020 Supplemental Condo Map Solitude Cabins 1885 Sketch Box Ln TB 23-Feb AB
1/4/2021 Code Amendment Solar Setbacks PC 16-Mar AB
1/13/2021 Setback Variance Fall River Estates TBD Fall River Court BOA 2-Mar AB
1/15/2021 Code Amendment Impervious Lot Coverage PC 16-Mar JW
2/1/2021 Annexation High Pines Subdivision 1,11 Riverside Dr PC tbd yes JW
key: PC-Planning Commission TB-Town Board BOA-Board of Adjustment TRC-Technical Review Committee
staff: JW-Jeff Woeber RH-Randy Hunt AB-Alex Bergeron AA-Ayres Associates (consultants)
*Scheduled Neighborhood Meetings:Meeting Location Date