The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES Estes Park Planning Commission 2021-10-19Town of Estes Park,Larimer County,Colorado,October 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 October 2021. Committee:Chair Matt Comstock,Vice-Chair Matthew Heiser, Commissioners Joe Elkins,Howard Hanson,Janene Centu none. Attending:Chair Comstock,Vice-Chair Heiser,Commissioner Elkins, Commissioner Hanson,Director Jessica Garner,Senior Planner Jeff Woeber,Planner II Alex Bergeron,Recording Secretary Karin Swan lund,Attorney Dan Kramer,Town Board Liaison Barbara MacAlpine Absent:Centurione Chair Comstock called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.Also attending were Logan Graves 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. Due to technical issues,the public was not let into the meeting until 1:45 p.m.Attorney Kramer noted that public comment is not typically allowed on discussion items.Two members of the public were allowed to speak later in the meeting,both expressing their frustration of not being able to join at the start. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL It was moved and seconded (Hanson/Elkins)to approve the consent agenda.The motion passed 4-0. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1.Planner II Bergeron continued discussion on the proposed code amendment regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’S).Code language revisions since the last meeting consist of eliminating the off-street parking requirement and prohibition of home occupation provisions.Enforcement of minimum lot size for the zoning district sets clear language on what properties ADUs will be allowed. Variances for “uses”are not allowed.Bergeron reviewed questions brought up by the public,including that 30-day rentals are universally accepted as “long-term rentals”in local codes and don’t require property management;ADU’s are very different from Vacation Homes;street parking will be allowed where it is already permitted and not permitted where it currently isn’t.It was agreed to bring this Code Amendment to the November 16 Planning Commission meeting for public hearing. Public Comment:Rick Ralph,395 Park View Lane,commented on the lack of restrictions.Note:most comments were inaudible.It was requested Mr.Ralph submit an email outlining his concerns. 2.Mike Scholl,Ayres Associates,spoke on strategies to increase attainable housing supply.Staff identified a new density bonus zone district as one viable solution,RM-2.This zone district would increase general housing production and incentivize attainable housing development.Two tiers of bonuses would be enabled:Tier 1 (base entitlement)would allow up to 16 units per acre;Tier 2 would allow up to 32 units per acre (4x the current RM/Residential-multifamily zone).Questions for discussion were proposed,including where would RM-2 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Planning Commission —October 19,2021 —Page 2 apply,what standards would apply and the targeted population.Considerable debate on these questions was had.Director Garner stated that proposals would be thoroughly researched and evaluated using existing criteria.Attorney Kramer pointed out that rezoning standards are in the Development Code,and it is the job of the Planning Commission to determine if the plan is in line with the Comprehensive Plan.A video presentation created by Ayres of 32 units/acre developments will be shared with the Commission.This amendment will be revisited at the December 21 Planning Commission Meeting,and an online public forum will be scheduled before that time. 3.Director Garner reviewed the RE-i Zoning District,explaining that it is a residential zoning district that requires a 10-acre minimum lot size.There are only three parcels zoned RE-i,one owned by the Town of Estes Park,the other two owned by Rocky Mountain National Park.Rezoning these parcels to RE would be the first step,followed by eliminating the RE-i zone district from the Estes Park Development Code and the Estes Park Municipal Code.There will be a virtual community/neighborhood meeting on November 1 to discuss this. The public hearing is scheduled to take place at the November 1 6 Planning Commission meeting. REPORTS: Director Garner reviewed the progress of the Comprehensive Plan.Virtual visioning workshops will be held on November 3 and November 17. Public Comment:Rex Poggehpohl,town citizen,suggested the following:RM-2 zoning should be aligned along the traffic corridors,not in other residential areas;24 units/acre instead of 32;all RM districts should have heavy buffers between zoning districts;minimum lot size should be used as well as minimum and maximum parking requirements. There being no further business,Chair Comstock arm Swanlund,Recording Secretary