HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Planning Commission 1986-03-18BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
/ Planning Commission
March 18, 1986
Commission:
Attending:
Also Attending:
Absent:
Chairman Al Sager, Commissioners Duane
Blair, Mark Brown, Mike Dickinson,
George Hix, Steve Komito, Richard Wood
AH
Town Attorney White, Town Engineer
Widraer, Town Planner Stamey, Jennifer
Stocker, Secretary O'Connor
Town Administrator Hill
1. Minutes of the Planning Commission meeting held February 18,
1986 were submitted and approved.
2. COUNTY REFERRALS:
2. a. Sign Variance Request, Ricker Building, 2050 Big
Thompson Avenue: The applicant, Michael A. Ricker, is
requesting a sign variance from the Larimer County Board of
Adjustment to allow three (3) wall signs, totaling 188
square feet. An existing freestanding sign, approximately
80 square feet, is also located on the premises, thus the
total signage for this business would be 268 square feet.
Correspondence was received from the following:
John A. Pedas,
Larimer County Planner................February 25, 1986
Michael A. Ricker...............................February 05, 1986
Planner Stamey reported that in a telephone conversation
with Carol Ball, Ms. Ball stated her opposition to the sign
variance. The Estes Park Sign Code would allow a total of
150 square feet of signage: one (1) freestanding sign and
one (1) wall sign per facade; the wall sign could not exceed
15% of the wall area. The Town's Sign Code would also not
allow the commercial flags and pennants as depicted on the
drawing. Chairman Sager stated effort has been made by the
Town to regulate signs in a reasonable and justifiable
manner; effort should be made to carry these regulations
into areas closely surrounding Town Limits. Chairman Sager
added, the Sign Code Ordinance is reasonable; Larimer County
should give careful consideration to the Town of Estes Park
Sign Code. Commissioner Wood moved that due to the proximi
ty to^ the Town Limits and possible future annexation, the
Planning Commission recommend to the Larimer County Board of
Adjustment to deny the sign variance request and suggests
the applicant propose a signage system that would be in
conformance to the Town of Estes Park Sign Code Regulations.
Commissioner Komito seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
3. GENERAL BUSINESS:
3.a. Street Vending Programs - Discussion: Planner Stamey
provided a report updating street vending information. The
Town Is current zoning regulation for the C-D District
requires that "activities shall be wholly contained within
buildings", thus prohibiting street vending. The report
identified issues associated with street vendors and pre
sented examples of what has been done in other downtown
areas. The "issues" indicated were: appropriate regu
lation, enforcement, appearance, number of permitted ven
dors, licensing/permit procedures, fees, type of merchandise
sold, competition with permanent retailers, cleanup.
BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Planning Commission - March 18, 1986 - Page two
sidewalk clutter, nuisance potential, perception by downtown
users, design of vending cart or stall, and contribution to
downtown atmosphere. Two articles concerning street vending
were presented; "Regulating Street Vendors" (PAS Memo, June
1984), and "Creating a Downtown Marketplace" (excerpted from
the APA Publication - Managing Downtown Public Spaces). A
summary of examples of street vending ordinances were
obtained from Boulder, 16th Street Mall/Denver, Grand
Junction and the Tabor Center/Denver. The summary listed
permit management, number of vendors, maximum size of a
cart, consent, liability insurance, cleanup, approval
process, operation, permit fees and products. The Estes
Park Urban Renewal Authority/Development Committee has
reviewed street vending and has made the following con
clusions; sidewalks are too narrow for vending, park areas
(Bond, Tregent, etc.) could be suitable, performers who do
not compete with existing merchants would add to excitement
of the downtown area, only a flower vendor would be accept
able, with existing flower shops given the first priority
for a vending cart. Town Attorney White stated areas such
as the 16th Street Mall were most likely governed by a "Mall
Authority" and not the City of Denver. The Town is regulat
ed under a "police power limit" which enables the Town to
guard public health, safety and welfare. The Town cannot
discriminate against different types of products sold. The
Urban Renewal Authority, however, is able to enter into
public/private agreements and could regulate street vendors
with more discretion. Commissioner Hix inquired if the
downtown merchants had expressed an opinion regarding street
vending. Town Engineer Widmer stated staff had received
inquiries from interested vendors themselves. Discussion
followed concerning revising existing zoning to allow URA to
administer street vending, the legal expense involved in
directing Town Attorney White to research this matter and
offer a legal opinion, limited interest shown by the URA
Development Committee, and the positive aspect street
vending could offer which could in turn improve the communi
ty. Upon considering the street vending issue, unanimous
consensus expressed by the Planning Commission was that the
Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority would be a more appropri
ate entity to pursue a street vending program.
3.C. Residential Zoning Workshop held March 13, 1986 -
Discussion; Over 40 persons attended the zoning workshop
held March 13, 1986. The general approach and concepts
presented were favorably accepted. Primary concerns ex
pressed revolved around the proposed minimum lot area in the
proposed E-Estate District and potential for higher density
and smaller lots. In a staff work session held on March
14th with Phil Herr, procedures to address the aforemen
tioned concerns were discussed. The basic minimum lot area
requirements will probably be adjusted upwards. With a few
language additions, the current P.U.D. Section could be
eliminated and still provide for development flexibility.
The proposed incentives in the Ordinance incorporate many of
the development characteristics that are encouraged in the
P.U.D. Regulations. The need has also arisen for the Town
to develop recreational vehicle campground regulations; the
next draft will contain such regulations. It is anticipated
a draft, addressing concerns expressed at the workshop, will
be available by the end of March. Another Planning
Commission Study Session will probably be in order. In an
effort to keep the public informed. Planner Stamey intends
to prepare a proposed zoning map illustrating the zoning
districts. Planner Stamey will also be available to meet
with various organizations to discuss the proposed
Residential Zoning Regulations.
BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Planning Coitunission - March 18, 1986 - Page three
3.C. Proposed "Newsrack Ordinance" - Discussion; Due to a
complaint filed against the Town by the Boulder Daily Camera
whereby the Town denied a "sidewalk encroachment permit" to
allow seven newspaper dispensers; and, whereas the Public
Works Committee recommended staff prepare a revision of the
existing Ordinance for placement of newsracks located at
specific locations, Ms. Jennifer Stocker, Associate/Hammond,
Clark and White, presented a proposed "Newsrack Ordinance."
In this first draft attempt, Ms. Stocker outlined the
following sections of the proposed Ordinance: declaration,
definitions, registration, location of newsracks, standards
for newsrack installation and maintenance, violations,
appeals, abandonment, severability and repealer. The
proposed Ordinance will only apply to the downtown
Streetscape area. The Planning Commission recommends
amending the follov/ing sections to read: 3. Registration B.
(1) "...provided by the Town prior to placement of the
newsrack."; 8. Abandonment "__remains empty for a period of
fifteen (15) continuous days, ...". A revised copy of the
Ordinance should be available for further consideration by
the Planning Commission at their next regularly scheduled
meeting April 15th.
4.REPORTS:
No further action was taken concerning the Planning Commis
sion By-Laws pending review by Town Attorney White.
Chairman Sager expressed his appreciation to Commissioner
Wood for his six years of service to the Estes Park Planning
Commission.
Chairman Sager cited the "Awards of Excellence" recently
presented to the Trail Gazette and offered his compliments
to the Editor for an admirable job.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Vickie O'Connor, Secretary