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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Community Development & Community Services Committee 2013-04-25RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, April 25, 2013 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT / COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in Town Hall in said Town of Estes Park on the 25th day of April, 2013. Committee: Attending: Also Attending: Absent: Chair Ericson, Trustees Elrod and Norris Chair Ericson, Trustees Elrod and Norris Town Administrator Lancaster, Assistant Town Administrator Richardson, Director Chilcott, Director Winslow, and Deputy Town Clerk Deats None Chair Ericson called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT. None. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. HARMONY FOUNDATION FEE WAIVER REQUEST. The Harmony Foundation has requested the waiver of development application fees in excess of $4000 associated with the review of a plat, development plan, and annexation that wiii faciiitate redeveiopment and future expansion of the Harmony facilities located at 1600 Fish Hatchery Road. The Town’s intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Larimer County requires that the Town consider annexation of property when being developed. Harmony is located outside of the current Town boundaries, with annexation pending. The Town’s current Community Development Fee Waiver Poiicy outlines criteria to be used when considering waiving fees assessed by the Community Development Department for in-house fees. Since the fee waiver request exceeds $3000 the Town Board is the decision-making body and staff recommends the item be considered by the fuli Board at the May 28, 2013, Town Board meeting. Trustee Eirod initiated discussion reiated to how the Harmony Foundation fits within estabiished guidelines for a fee waiver. He noted that the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, but expressed concern related to how the organization meets ali criteria of the policy. He questioned whether Harmony is providing a critical service to an underserved and needy segment of the community, more specificaliy Estes Park residents, and asked Dot Dorman, CEO of the Harmony Foundation, to ciarify these points as weil as provide information related to the charitable aspects of the organization. Ms. Dorman said Harmony’s iong-range plan is to increase the number of beds to 120, add a medical center, dining haii, and lecture hall, and reported that a capital campaign to raise funds is underway. She said that one in 10 aduits in the general population suffer from substance abuse and noted that the Estes Park community is not exempt from this statistic. She said 50% of Harmony’s clientele are Larimer County residents and noted that Harmony currently provides the only beds for detox in Larimer County and the only residential treatment option, as well. Ms. Dorman reported that 12 to 15 scholarships were awarded to patients last year totaling approximately $200,000, with preference given to Estes Park residents. Trustee Elrod stated it is his opinion that the fee waiver policy is geared towards more philanthropic organizations than Harmony noting that there is a cost to the Town and to the community related to development plan reviews and building permits. Trustee Norris said that some clarification of the fee waiver policy may be necessary in the future but said he supports the fee waiver, stating that dollars spent by the families and friends of Harmony patients more than offset the requested fee waiver. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development / Community Services - April 25, 2013 - Page 2 Assistant Town Administrator Richardson said that at this time, the detox facility at Harmony cannot be utiiized by the Police Department and said that the ciosest faciiity availabie is in Lafayette or Greeiey. He said entering into an agreement with Harmony for detox services could be beneficial to the Town. The Committee asked that staff provide an overview of the benefits of the project, inciuding information that had been presented to the Planning Commission, when the item comes before the Town Board. Director Chilcott added that the fee waiver request does not have to be all or nothing; that a partiai fee waiver couid be considered. The Committee recommends the Harmony Foundation Fee Waiver Request be included as an action item on the Town Board Agenda for May 28, 2013. REPORTS. Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings. • Community Development Monthiv Report - Highlights of the monthly report included: an increase to building permit valuations; staffs continued work on drafting a modernized Comprehensive Plan with completion expected by the end of the year; increased development activity; and inclusion of Fire District, Estes Park Sanitation District, and Upper Thompson Sanitation District personnel on the development review team. In addition staff is working on drafting code amendments related to micro-distillery/micro-brewery operations, and attainable housing incentives. Dir. Chiicott noted that discussion about incentives occurred at the most recent Estes Valley Planning Commission (EVPC) meeting and Trustee Elrod requested that the EVPC minutes on this topic be provided to the Town Board for review. Dir. Chilcott added that a functional GIS map now exists and a demonstration to view it and other maps, will be scheduled for the Committee. Code Compliance will continue to focus on outreach, and life safety issues, as well as noxious weeds during the spring season. She noted that, year to date. Community Development Department revenues are ahead of budget with expenses under budget. COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT. REPORTS. Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings. • Museum Quarterly Report - Dir. Fortini reported that a positive response was received related to a new staff-lead workshop format which provides a creative outlet for staff as well as face-time with the community. 175 people attended the Friends of the Museum’s first program of 2013, a preview of the “Ski Hidden Valley” film which is now in production. A number of additional events will be offered by the Friends throughout the year. Also, research is being done to find unique products, such as archival tools, that can be made available to the community at the Museum Shop. Revenues generated by the Friends and through the Shop are returned to the Museum. Curator of Collections Bryon Hoerner continues to become familiar with the Museum’s collection and renovations to the permanent gallery are in process with the Park Theatre display nearing completion. Dir. Fortini said it is time to explore options for the Hydroplant and the best use of the property and said a new display of items on loan from the Stanley Museum is being prepared for the opening of the Hydroplant at the end of May. • Visitor Services Quarterly Report - Visitation at the Visitor Center was down in March and mirrored lower visitation numbers recorded in Rocky Mountain National Park. The numbers of telephone calls received at the Center continue to decline as people utilize online services. The new VisitEstesPark website is scheduled to be launched on June 4th and will be used as a tool by the Ambassadors and staff to provide service to visitors. The Committee said that the Ambassadors and staff must be prepared to answer questions related to Colorado Amendment 64 in regard to the recreational use of marijuana. Town Administrator Lancaster said that since any staff member could be asked questions on this topic, discussion and training will be scheduled so that staff can RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Community Development / Community Services - April 25, 2013 - Page 3 relay consistent, accurate information. • May Special Events Report - May kicks off with the Duck Race sponsored by the Rotary Club, and the Town-sponsored Surprise Sidewalk Sale, with one new event being added to the May schedule. During the month of May, staff focuses on preparing for the Wool Market which is one of the largest shows of its type in the United States. Both the Scandinavian Festival and the Midsummer Festival that were previously held in Bond Park have cancelled for 2013. However, the dance portion of the Scandinavian Festival has been salvaged and will take place at Performance Park. With projects at the fairgrounds getting underway, staff 3h weekly basis with the construction management team, and has sbow managers to discuss plans for construction as it relates to each rnnHnnf The onl,ne Permitting process has been successful and staff Shpr rnonfhndhneW ut,lize thG system' Dir- Winslow Welcomed and evente office WaS h'red t0 ""the Secreta,y 11 position at the fairgrounds ~A Procyclinq Challenge - The routes for the USA Pro Challenge have been announced with racers riding through Estes Park on August 24th Dir Winslow and a0SnrrnalmeetinKgS are he,d °n 9 weekly basis a" the e4ventD;ppi;^,anct: and ancillary events are being planned to coincide with the race Hp nntPH that-"the ^ace Wl**.be provided by the Colorars^irPatrol law enforcement agencies; and said that staff is notifying and workino with business®8 along the route that may be impacted on roce^ He roported S braSvelNBc” raC6 f°r P-Poses anPd th^race administration reports. RePOrtS Purp0ses and made a Part °f 'h® proceedings. J^ii^iS^TyrStSo'rf?ro^ We" attended aad assisted with the sessions Two m p^mer County and Town staffand the onle su^eTSn te taTr T'0"'"9 SeSSions are schadate<f report will be presented at th^. Tr. Da ^^y^-cstes.orq. The visioning May 23, 20V3, h® T°Wn Board Study Session scheduled for There being no further business, Chair Ericson adjourned the meeting at 9:39 a.m. Cyntnia ueats. Deputy Town Clerk APPROVED MAY 1 4 2013 TOWN OF ESTES PARK BOARD OF TRUSTFFS