HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Study Session EP Planning Commission 2021-07-20Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado July 20, 2021
Minutes of a Study Session meeting of the PLANNING COMMISSION of Estes Park, Larimer
County, Colorado. Meeting held virtually on Zoom.
Commission: Chair Matt Comstock, Vice-Chair Matthew Heiser, Commissioners Joe
Elkins, Howard Hanson, Janene Centurione
Attending: Centurione, Elkins, Heiser, Hanson
Also Attending: Director Randy Hunt, Senior Planner Jeff Woeber, Planner II Alex
Bergeron, Town Board Liaison Barbara MacAlpine, Chief Building Official
Gary Rusu, Engineer Jennifer Waters, Recording Secretary Karin
Swanlund
Absent: Chair Comstock
Acting Chair Heiser called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. This study session was held virtually via
ZOOM and was streamed and recorded on the Town of Estes Park YouTube channel.
Heiser spoke on the joint study session held between the Planning Commission and Town Board on
July 8, 2021. The main topic centered around code changes and support for continuing them while
the Comprehensive Plan is being updated. Trustee MacAlpine commented that the meeting was
valuable and available to view on the town website. Director Hunt noted that a semi-annual meeting
would be beneficial.
Director Hunt introduced Mike Scholl, Ayres Associates consultant for the code amendment on
Downtown Building Height. Mike reviewed the final draft for the code amendment via a PowerPoint
presentation, with the main content focusing on clear guidelines for projects above 30 feet in height.
The proposed timeline would be a Planning Commission vote in August and Town Board in
September. Engineer Jennifer Waters described what will be required for building in the floodplain
and insurance premiums related to those regulations noting that floodplain performance standards
are for safety, not to restrict building. Commissioner Elkins expressed concerns with corner lot
articulation. Commissioners Hanson and Centurione requested that the short-term rental wording not
exclude accommodations. Town Attorney Kramer will review the language on the final Code
Amendment. Hanson also asked for the Lidar data on current downtown building height be reviewed
prior to a vote. Heiser requested bringing this code amendment to a vote at the August 17 meeting.
Chief Building Official Gary Rusu spoke on building inspections in the downtown corridor and the
possibility of a building collapse. Concerns in Estes Park are the age of buildings, structural issues,
and fire hazards. Adopting the 2021 Building Code, which includes the Property Maintenance Code,
would allow vacant buildings to be inspected prior to occupation. Life safety is the primary role of the
building department.
Director Hunt reviewed the CompPac meetings that have taken place to date. Different department
heads have been attending guest speakers, and Hunt encouraged the Planning Commission to watch
these meetings, either live or recorded. He also reminded the Commission about scheduling one-on-
one interviews with Logan Simpson and reviewing the 1996 Comprehensive Plan.
Stemming from the Joint Study Session, Hunt also spoke on prioritizing housing options, suggesting a
Planning Commission Study Session July 20, 2021 – Page 2
“floating” multi-family zone district due to the lack of developable land and large lot zones resulting in
“sprawl development.” Commissioner Elkins described a concept called transferrable development
rights and asked if that would be possible in Estes Park. Attorney Kramer said he wouldn’t rule it out,
but it may be a solution to a different type of problem requiring a significant undertaking. Centurione
suggested looking up past housing studies and comparing data. Heiser encouraged all thoughts and
ideas related to the housing crisis to be voiced.
Planner II Bergeron introduced a possible new code amendment relating to Accessory Dwelling Units
(ADUs). The time is right for ADUs as a use-by-right in certain zoning districts. Allowing long-term
rentals via ADU’s will considerably help the housing situation.
Upcoming: Study Session and regular meeting on August 17. A joint meeting with PC, EVPAC and
CompPac on August 26.
Acting Chair Heiser adjourned the Study Session at 4:20 p.m.
Karin Swanlund, Recording Secretary