HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Park Planning Commission 2021-05-18Town of Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado,May 18,2021
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 18 day of May
2021.
Committee:Chair Matt Comstock,Vice-Chair Matthew Heiser,
Commissioners Joe Elkins,Howard Hanson,Janene
Centurione.
Attending:Chair Comstock,Vice-Chair Heiser,Commissioner
Centurione,Commissioner Hanson,Director Randy Hunt,
-Town Clerk Williamson,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
Chair Comstock called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.Also attending were Matt Ashby
and Mike Scholl-Ayres Associates consultants.
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:
Town Clerk Williamson reviewed the proposed amendments to Section 5.1.B and 5.1.U,
of the Development Code,explaining that it will move current regulatory language for
anything not land use-based,including Vacation Homes,from the Development Code to
the Municipal Code.The amendments would also clean up obsolete language and
identify the Town Clerk’s office as the office in charge of all regulations and licensing.
The Code amendments will also address enforcement guidelines and provide proposed
changes to the timeline for vacation home and bed &breakfast properties to complete
the life safety survey before issuing a registration to operate.The Town Board reviewed
these changes at their April 27,2021 study session,and staff received support for the
proposed changes.Staff recommended approval to the amendments as presented.
DISCUSSION
In response to Chair Comstock’s process questions,Director Hunt stated that the
Planning Staff does not have any concerns about this Code Amendment and Attorney
Kramer said that formal findings were not necessary in this case.Answering a question
about time frames for getting a building inspection,Clerk Williimason explained that “the
clock starts”once the permit is issued.The process of applying and getting the Life
Safety Inspection can occur anytime once the license has been applied for.
It was moved and seconded (Heiser/Hanson)to recommend approval of the text
amendment to the Estes Park Development Code as presented in Exhibit A &
Exhibit B to the Estes Park Town Board of Trustees.The motion passed 4-0.
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DOWNTOWN BUILDING HEIGHT:
Ayres Associates Mike Scholl and Matt Ashby reviewed the Code amendment under
consideration to allow a greater building height in the CD (Downtown Commercial)Zone
District.The purpose is to allow for a more significant opportunity for mixed-use
development and opportunities to add much-needed housing units.Specifically,building
height within the CD Zone District would be amended from 30 feet to allow buildings up
to 42 feet in height.
The consultants recommended this height as a use by right based on discussions and
feedback from developers.They indicated that 42 feet was a reasonable height for a
three-story building that would provide flexibility in construction,design,and
marketability.The previous discussion by the Planning Commission indicated an
interest in a 394oot height limit;however,developers believed allowing the additional
three feet would be needed to accommodate infrastructure.
DISCUSSION:
Director Hunt pointed out that an inventory of current downtown building heights could
be done if there was enough interest.Suggested design guidelines were reviewed at
length.Director Hunt noted that discretionary views are not allowed at the Planning
Commission review level and call for careful consideration when writing code.The
Commission agreed that a 42’limit and measuring by feet rather than stories was the
preferred path forward,with limited guidelines.It was suggested to give financial
incentives for flood and fire mitigation.Hanson encouraged the collection of data.
REPORTS:
Director Hunt discussed the Comp Plan’s progression and the committee appointed with
11 voting and two non-voting members.Joint meetings with this Commission and the
County advisory group will be scheduled.Also,communication at a Town Board Study
Session was mentioned.
The Technical Review Committee approved the Stanley Hotel Film Center preliminary
development plan on May 11.The final development plan should be approved later
this summer.
A decision on in-person meetings and reopening facilities is pending and is currently
being discussed at the management level.
There being no further business,Chair
Karin Swanlund,Recording Secretary
3:45 p.m.
Matt
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