HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Planning Commission 1980-06-17BRADFORD PUBLISHING COM DENVER RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Planning Commission
June 17, 1980
Commission:
Attending:
Also Attending:
Chairman A1 Sager, Members Duane Blair, Robert E.,
Burgess, Byron L. Graves, George J. Hix, Margaret
Houston, James H. Swickard
All
Mayor Tregent, Town Administrator Hill, Town Engineer/
Planner Widmer, Secretary Van Horn, Larimer County
Planning Director Pedas
The minutes of the May 20, 1980 Planning Commission meeting were sub
mitted and approved.
REZONING - PORTIONS OF LOT 37, WHITE MEADOW VIEW PLACE & LOT 6, MANFORD ADD. :
Chairman Sager conducted a public hearing on the proposed rezoning of
portions of Lot 37, White Meadow View Place and Lot 6, Manford Addition
from the existing C-2 Restricted Commercial to C-1 Commercial. Bill
Van Horn, representing the petitioners, spoke in favor of the rezoning.
Adjacent property owner John Ownby also spoke in favor of the request.
Adjacent property owner Jim Knox asked questions regarding uses in
certain zoning districts and stated that he would be opposed to the
rezoning if it would surround his R-2 property with C-1 Commercial
zoning but would not be opposed if his R-2 property were also zoned
C-1. A letter dated June 4, 1980 from the Town Engineer/Planner was
read whereupon Chairman Sager declared the hearing closed. Member
James H. Swickard moved the rezoning request be favorably recommended
to the Board of Trustees. Member Hix seconded the motion and it passed
by the following votes: Those voting "Yes" Members James H. Swickard,
Duane Blair, Byron L. Graves, George J. Hix, A1 Sager. Those voting
"No" Members Margaret Houston and Robert E. Burgess.
SPECIAL REVIEW REQUEST #25 -BARLEEN -BUS TOURING & TIME EXTENSIONS:
A public hearing was conducted on Special Review Request #25 submitted
by James and Lloyd Barleen to conduct a bus touring business and to
extend the landscaping and paving completion dates as proposed in
Special Review Request #19 for Lot 3, DeVille Subdivision. Jim Barleen
spoke in favor of the requests and no persons appeared speaking in
opposition. A letter dated June 3, 1980 from the Town Engineer/Planner
was read and Chairman Sager declared the hearing closed. _ Member Byron
L. Graves moved the request to conduct a bus touring business from
Lot 3, DeVille Subdivision be granted. Member Blair seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously. Member Byron L. Graves then moved
the completion date for the paving proposed in Special Review Request
#19 be extended to October 15, 1980 and the landscaping completion date
be extended to July 1, 1981. Member Burgess seconded the motion and
it passed unanimously.
SIGN SPECIAL EXCEPTION - 363 EAST ELKHORN AVENUE:
A public hearing was conducted on an application submitted by Elkhorn
East Partnership for a sign exception to allow two free standing signs
at 363 East Elkhorn Avenue. The second sign would be a directory of
the tenants of the Elkhorn East building. John Ownby spoke in favor
of the request. No persons appeared speaking in opposition and no
correspondence was received regarding the sign exception. A legal
opinion was received from the Town Attorney stating that the Planning
Commission does not have the authority to grant such an exception
according to the present Municipal Code. Member Robert E. Burgess moved
consideration of the petition be continued and that the Municipal Code
be amended to allow the Planning Commission to grant a sign exception
for additional free standing signs and that the amendment be set for
public hearing at the July 15, 1980 Planning Commission meeting. Member
Graves seconded the motion and it passed by the following votes: Those
BRADFORD PUBLISHING COM DENVER RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Planning Commission - June 17, 1980 - Page Two (2)
voting "Yes" Members Duane Blair, Robert E. Burgess, James H. Swickard,
Byron L. Graves, Margaret Houston, A1 Sager, Those voting "No" none.
Member George Hix abstained from voting with permission from the
Commission.
CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT STUDY - RESOLUTION OE RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Planning Commission reviewed a Resolution of recommendations re
garding the Central Business District study and suggested two changes.
Member Margaret Houston moved the following Resolution with the two
changes incorporated be adopted by the Planning Commission and recom
mended for adoption to the Board of Trustees:
Ris0LUII0N
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF ESTES PARK, COLORADO:
That the following items from the Estes Park Downtown Study dated October
1979 are hereby recommended to the Board of Trustees of the Town of Estes Park:
PLAN PROPOSALS
Goal: To promote the Central Business District as the focus and activity center.
Actions: Promote the development of a convention/conference center.
Develop an aggressive promotion to stimulate year-round visitor activities
Encourage the location of entertainment.
Central Business District.
restaurant facilities in the
Goal: To enhance and preserve the image and character of the Town.
Actions: Develop the entryways to the downtown through landscaping, lighting, and
proper signing.
Protect significant views, including approaches to the Town and outward
to the mountains.
Protect the natural features and amenities of Estes Park, including the
hillsides and waterways. Pedestrian access to the Big Thompson River and
Fall River should be developed.
Goal: To create a safe and convenient parking system.
Actions: Reconstruct the intersection at Moraine Avenue and U.S. 36 south of the
Central Business District.
Expand the existing parking area near the Visitor's Center to allow for
parking of recreational vehicles during the peak tourist periods.
Reconsider the off-street parking ordinance.
Develop a new graphics and signage system for traffic direction and control,
Direction to parking areas must be clearly indicated.
Eliminate approximately 50% of the parkingon Elkhorn Avenue from Virginia
Drive/East Riverside Drive to the Fall River bridge.
In coordination with Rocky Mountain National Park and San Juan Tours,
develop a "transportation center" and Parking structure within the down
town area. .
Develop a coordinated public transportation system consisting of three
elements;
1. A local shuttle system providing access from the motel areas
and recreational vehicle parking areas to the Central Business
District and a transfer point,
2. A bus system connecting the Central Business District and
center parking area with Rocky Mountain National Park.
3. The existing regional transit system serving Estes Park from
other Front Range cities, especially from Denver.
Goal: To promote increased opportunities for pedestrian activities.
Actions: Provide landscaping and pedestrian walkways along the Big Thompson River
and along Fall River.
BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO., DENVER RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Planning Commission - June 17, 1980 - Page Three (3)
Widen a portion of the sidewalks along Elkhorn Avenue and provide land
scaping, benches, and other pedestrian amenities.
Develop a pedestrian circulation system throughout the downtown area to
minimize pedestrian-vehicle conflicts.
ZONING ORDINANCE RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Adopt an off-street parking ordinance.
2. It is recommended that a special downtown or Central Business District commercial
zoning district be created to meet the special objectives of that district. Key
features of the zoning district may include:
a) Uses should be permitted that promote pedestrian activities and comparison
shopping.
b) Uses such as gas stations and motels should be located in highway commercial
areas and not in the downtown.
c) The district regulations should provide special review procedures for
certain uses that could detract from the character of the area, if not
controlled properly such as drive-in restaurants.
d) Parking requirements for the Central Business District would be tied to the
square footage of the buildings or uses. In reviewing the types of uses
that would be permitted in .the downtown area, it is possible to use a
common parking standard of spaces per square feet throughout the zoning
district. One space for every 250 square feet of floor area is recommended.
A space is 200 sq.ft. Aisles and entry points raise the gross area of a
space to 350 sq.ft, for planning purposes of lots or structures.
e) The zoning regulations should encourage through incentives and regulations
the provision of open spaces, landscaping, sidewalk cafes, and the effective
use of the Big Thompson River and Fall River as a visual amenity.
f) Ample setbacks from the river should be established to allow for effective
pedestrian access and use.
g) Allow for mixtures of residential and commercial uses to promote a con
tinuous and active atmosphere.
h) Encourage higher density residential uses in close proximity to the downtown
area.
i) Maintain the existing scale and heights of buildings to be compatible with
the character of the area.
INSTITUTIONAL AND FINANCIAL PROGRAMS
1. It is recommended that a Downtown Development Authority be established.
2. It is recomnended that an Improvement District be established.
3. It is recommended that a Special Improvement District be established.
4. The following revenue sources are recommended:
a) Sales tax increase
b) General fund - "Over the past few years, the Town has budgeted a considerable
amount of funds for parking lot purchases and improvements. These funds
could be used as the Town's portion of the proposed improvements."
5. It is recommended that the following revenue sources be used to finance the
following improvements:
a) Parking structure - revenue bonds.
b) Implementation of acquisition, street construction and traffic control
of the Moraine Avenue & U.S. 36 intersection - sales tax.
c) Sidewalk modification and beautification on Elkhorn Avenue - special
assessment bond.
BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO., DENVER RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Planning Commission - June 17, 1980 - Page Four (4)
SEQUENCE OF ACTIONS
The following sequence of actions is recommended:
1. Increase the sales tax.
2. Design and improve the intersection at Moraine Avenue and U.S. 36.
3. Select site and acquire land, if necessary, for parking structure.
4. Establish downtown development authority.
5. Enact off-street parking regulations.
6. Develop the necessary citizens organizations to help create detailed plans for
redevelopment of Elkhorn Avenue and for downtown improvements. Prepare detailed
plans for Elkhorn Avenue improvements and for landscape improvements.
7. Establish an improvement district for Elkhorn Avenue improvements.
8. Utilize property east of town for recreational vehicle parking.
Member Hlx seconded the motion and it passed by the following votes:
Those voting "Yes" Members Duane Blair, Robert E. Burgess, Byron L.
Graves, George J. Hix, Margaret Houston, A1 Sager, James H. Swickard.
Those voting "No" none.
LARIMER COUNTY REFERRALS:
ADRIAN VARIANCE REQUEST - Bill Van Horn appeared on behalf of Dwight
Adrian in his request for a variance to allow a single family dwelling
in an A-Accommodations zone and to allow a zero side yard setback on
Lots 1 and 2, Block 6, Ferguson's Subdivision. The residence is pro
posed to span the common boundary line of Lots 1 8s 2. Member James H.
Swickard moved a favorable recommendation be forwarded to the Larimer
County Board of Adjustment to allow a single family dwelling to be
constructed in the A-Accommodations zoning district and to allow a
zero side yard setback enabling the residence to span the common lot
line of Lots 1 8s 2, Block 6, Ferguson's Subdivision. Member Hix seconded
the motion and it passed unanimously.
SAUVAN VARIANCE REQUEST - A request was received from Dr. and Mrs.
Robert L. Sauvan to allow side yard and front yard setback variances
for an addition to the residence located on Lot 3, Division 5, High
Drive Heights. The new addition would extend an additional five feet
into the front yard setback and would be within twelve feet of the
west boundary line. Member Margaret Houston moved the setback variances
be favorably recommended to the Larimer County Board of Adjustment.
Member Graves seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
ESTES PARK BROADCASTING CO., INC. REZONING REQUEST - A petition was
submitted by Estes Park Broadcasting Co., Inc. for a conditional re
zoning of a 20 acre tract of land located in the S^ of Section 17-5-72
between Devils Gulch and Dry Gulch Roads from E-Estate to B-Business.
A conditional rezoning is being requested to allow a radio transmitter,
unlighted 167' tower, and studio to be located on this tract of land.
Bill Van Horn, representing the petitioners, explained why this particu
lar site was chosen and explained that a conditional rezoning, if granted,
would only allow this use,and any change or additional commercial use
would require Planning Commission and County Commissioners' approval.
Lucille Younglund spoke in favor and a letter in favor of the request
was received from George Gardner dated June 16, 1980. The following
persons appeared speaking in opposition to the rezoning:
Bob Chamberlin, President of North End Property Owners Association
Jim Bissell, Adjacent property owner
Leland Pumphrey, Property owner in Fox Ridge Estates
E. M. Bramwell
Gene Neuswanger
George Lussow, President of Lone Pine Acres Property Owners Assoc.
William Rider
BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO., DENVER RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Planning Commission - June 17, 1980 - Page Five (5)
A letter in opposition from William M, McCreery was also read. Bill
Van Horn, Gene Neuswanger, Leland Pumphrey and Jim Seybold spoke in
rebuttal. Member Duane Blair moved the Planning Commission recommend
denial of the conditional rezoning to the Larimer County Planning
Commission. Member Swickard seconded the motion and it passed by the
following votes; Those voting "Yes" Members Duane Blair, Byron L.
Graves, Margaret Houston, A1 Sager, James H. Swickard. Those voting
"No" Members Robert E. Burgess and George J. Hix.
1981 BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS:
Chairman Sager reminded members of the Planning Commission that the
Board of Trustees will soon be reviewing the 1981 budget and that the
Commission should be considering what its budget needs will be for
1981. Realigning the intersection of East Riverside Drive and Virginia
Drive and attending planning workshops were suggested as possible budget
items. The Planning Commission decided to review further possible
budget requests.
DOHRN - TIME EXTENSION REQUEST FOR SPECIAL REVIEW REQUEST #22:
C. R. Dohrn appeared requesting that the Planning Commission grant an
extension of time on the completion dates proposed in Special Review
Request #22. He explained that there will not be any other changes
to the original site plan. Member Robert E. Burgess moved that the
Special Review procedure be waived and that Mr. Dohrn be granted an
extension of time to complete the improvements until October 1, 1981
provided that he submit a letter stating that the improvements will
be completed by this date and that such is noted on the building permit.
Member Graves seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
OAA
Joan(van Horn, Secretary
J