HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board 2022-10-25Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, October 25, 2022
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Estes
Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the Town Hall in said Town
of Estes Park on the 25th day of October, 2022.
Present:
Also Present:
Mayor Wendy Koenig
Scott Webermeier, Mayor Pro Tem
Trustees Marie Cenac
Kirby Hazelton
Barbara MacAlpine
Patrick Martchink
Cindy Younglund
Travis Machalek, Town Administrator
Jason Damweber, Assistant Town Administrator
Dan Kramer, Town Attorney
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk
Absent: None
Mayor Koenig called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and all desiring to do so, recited
the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA APPROVAL.
It was moved and seconded (Webermeier/Younglund) to approve the Agenda, and it
passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS.
Marcia Rothchild/Town citizen stated concern with an ongoing issue with a neighboring
property, the building division, and the variance process that allows individuals to build
outside of the codes and then request a variance after the fact. She informed the Board
she would be sharing her experience with the Town processes with a new reality show
being produced.
TRUSTEE COMMENTS.
Trustee comments have been summarized: A joint meeting was held by the Estes Park
Planning Commission and the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee to discuss the
draft plan, the approval process, and the timeline for approval by Commission, Town
Board and County Commissioners; Colorado Association of Ski Town (CAST) meet to
discuss managed recreation areas and reservation systems, climate action, Mountain
Towns 2030 empowers member communities to achieve zero carbon emissions by
2030 with the creation of an action plan, noted Crested Butte has moved all electric with
no natural gas, Glenwood Springs Water Resiliency Infrastructure Plan to address the
impacts fire has on the community water supply and noted the Town may want to
consider such a plan, affordable housing through hotel conversions into apartments,
and short term rental regulations such as buffers, limiting the concentration within an
area, and revoking properties that do not collect and remit lodging tax; noted open
positions on the Family Advisory Board; the Arts District continues to develop an Arts
Master Plan through community gatherings to obtain input on how to proceed, share
ideas and bring the community together; Police Auxiliary coordinated the refurbishing
and recycling of bikes through Community Cycles of Boulder, continue the school patrol,
begun collections for Blue Santa, and volunteered 5,000 hours through the middle of
October; Economic Development Corporation (EDC) meet to discuss 5-year strategic
plan and bylaw revisions; held the first in person Trustee Talk since COVID-19 with
topics centering around noise, environmental sustainability, and architectural design;
EDC Base program should be attended by any business looking to take it to the next
level or starting a new business.
Board ofTrustees — October 25.2U22—Page 2
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Town Administrator Macho|ek presented his report for Policy 3.3 and stated full
compliance. He presented a request to schedule the Housing Needs Assessment
review at the Town Board Study Session meeting on November 22, 2022 and the Board
agreed.
1. CONSENT AGENDA:
1. Bills.
2. Town Board Minutes dated October 11, 2022, Town Board Study Session
Minutes dated October 11. 2022 and Budget Study Session Minutes dated
September 28.2O22and October 8.2022.
K was moved and seconded (NartohinkyYounglund) to approve the Consent
Agenda, and it passed unanimously.
PLANNING COMMISSION ITEMS: Items reviewed byPlanning Commission orstaff
for Town Board Final Action.
1. ACTION ITEMS:
A. ORDINANCE 17-22 REZONING 21J8 ACRES FOR THE FISH HATCHERY
WORKFORCE HOUSING PROJECT. Mayor Koenig opened the public hearing.
P|annerVVoeber presented an application to rezone u portion. 21.8 aunae of the
68 aoren, of Town owned property known as Fish Hatchery from A-1 to RM. The
rezoning would allow the Town to continue to work with American West Housing
So|udons, u non-profit affordable housing development firm, to develop a multi-
family rental complex for workforce housing. The current zoning does not allow
for the multi -family use. The R[N zoning allows for the development and the
necessary density bonus and incentives for workforce houaing, including an
oUownnno to increase the building height from 30 to 38 feet, and to double the
density from eight(8) units per acres up to 16 units per acres. The Town would
continue to own the land and enter into a long-term ground lease with the firm. If
approved, the historic Fall RiverHydmp|mnt. and the residence directly adjacent
to it, would remain on the property and in use. The remaining Town -owned
buildings may be demolished or reused as part of the new development. /\
development plan was waived aaprovided bythe Development Code toallow for
the consideration of the rezoning first. The Estes Park Planning Commission
recommended approval ofthe rezoning ottheir September 2U.2O22meeting.
Savanah Benedick-Welch/Norris Design provided an overview of the request with
partners from the developers present, including Keith Meyers/American West
Housing Solutions and Mark Weaver/Accent Commercial. The rezoning of o
portion of the property from A+1 to RK4would allow additional dwelling units from
four (4) per acre to eight (8) per acre and allow lower intensity commercial uses
on the property. She stated if approved the next steps would include additional
site assessments of the site, a subdivision pmoeae, stakeholder intemimwe, a
design oharmtte, and a community open house prior to the development review
process.
Those speaking in favor of the rezoning included Ubaldo Uhbes/Town citizen.
yNeho Rodriguez/Town citizen. Luis Castillo/Town citizen, Carlos Rojas/Town
citizen, A|e/andm GuenaqueDown citizen, Olga Gaitan/Tmwn citizen, Elizabeth
HurtadoDovvn citizen, Martha Mnnge/Town citizen, Rut NliUen7mwn citizen,
Manuel Vonzon/Tovmcitizen, Ivan Rodriguez/Town citizen, Ehnka Santana/Town
citizen, RiokTay|onTown citizen, and A|baAoedo/Town citizen. Those speaking
commented on the need for additional affordable housing; rents continue to hue
and individuals are working to just pay the rent; stated they want to live here and
mime their children in Estes but need assistance; living in a cloud offear they
may be asked to move by the landlord without little to no notice; o number of
Board of Trustees — October 25, 2022 — Page 3
individuals have had to move multiple times within a couple of years; stated
appreciation and support for the proposal; stressed the need to support
workforce housing in the community; there are fewer places to live making it
difficult for the workforce to remain in Estes Park; and the Latino community
would like assistance with purchasing homes as well.
Karen Sherman/Town citizen stated concern with the size of the project, the
request by the Town to rezone and develop the land, and requested
transparency with the project as it moves forward. She further stated the
proposal does not provide affordable housing for the workforce. She requested
the studies done on the impact to the river and the traffic studies be completed in
the summer to outline the true impact. She stated concern regarding the safety
of her and others that live in the Fall River corridor as it relates to issues such as
evacuating the entire corridor during a fire.
Sandy Truman/Town citizen stated support for workforce housing; however, he
stated the information provided in a development plan would be needed to make
a decision on the rezoning proposal. He stated concern with the cost of the
proposed units.
John Messiner/Town citizen thanked the Latinos for coming out to speak on the
proposal and to advocate for housing. He stated concern with the location of the
project as J-1 workers generally walk to and from work.
Michael Parenteau/Town citizen echoed the support and concerns mentioned by
others. He stated concern with the density of the project and emergency
concerns.
Board discussion was heard and has been summarized: the project would be
connected by the Fall River trail system once the last section has been
completed in the next 18 months, providing a safe connection to downtown;
stated this proposal only changes the rezoning and future meetings would be
held to discuss the subdivision and development plan; and stated concern with
traffic and evacuation of the area.
Mayor Koenig closed the public hearing. It was moved and seconded
(Webermeier/Younglund) to approve Ordinance 17-22, and it passed
unanimously.
Mayor Koenig called a recess at 8:42 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 8:54 p.m.
ACTION ITEMS:
1. PUBLIC HEARING — 2023 BUDGET. Mayor Koeing opened the public hearing.
Director Hudson presented the 2023 budget for the Town, including the intended
uses of the Highway User Trust Fund (HUFT), revenues received from the State of
Colorado. The budget has been prepared with a conservative approach taking into
account the possibility of a recession. Sales tax revenues have been estimated at
6.1% with an overall budget of $87.1 million. The General Fund would maintain a
26.5% fund balance reserve. The estimated HUFT funds of $277,000 would be used
for construction, improvement, repair, maintenance and administration of the Town
street systems and other public roads and highways. A second public hearing will
be held at the November 8, 2022 meeting. It was moved and seconded
(Webermeier/Martchink) to continue the public hearing for the 2023 budget to
the November 8, 2022 Board meeting, and it passed unanimously.
2. RESOLUTION 86-22 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS #5 TO THE
2022 BUDGET. Director Hudson presented a supplement to the 2022 budget to add
$600,000 to address increases related to the US Hwy 36/Community Drive
roundabout, Cleave Street design, appropriating the ARPA funding for Trailblazer
buildout, and additional funding for the trolley barn. The appropriations also address
the reallocation of the captial reserve to the Community Reinvestment Fund which
Board of Trustees — October 25, 2022 — Page 4
would be utilized for all capital projects moving forward with the Town's full de-
Brucing by the voters in April 2022. It was moved and seconded
(Younglund/Hazelton) to approve Resolution 86-22, and it passed unanimously.
REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS: (Outside Entities).
1. FINE ARTS GUILD TOWN LAND REQUEST. Assistant Town Administrator
Damweber stated the Fine Arts Guild has requested a long-term lease on a Town
owned parcel located on the northwest corner of Elm Road and Moraine Avenue for
the express purpose of building and maintaining a performing arts complex.
Lars Sage and Tim Phillips provided an overview of the proposal that would provide
the organization and others with a performance space. The Encore Arts facility
would be developed on the two (2) acres owned by the Town with 60 parking
spaces, 150 seat theater for local productions with raked seating, a stage house 30
to 40 feet tall camouflaged by a climbing rock, a cabaret style theater with 80 to 100
seats, lobby, support area, scene shop, commercial uses such as a cafe or a
restaurant, and a second floor above some of the buildings for arts, weddings, etc.
The proposed theater would be a smaller and simpler theater in comparison to the
past theaters presented to the community.
Discussion was heard and summarized: questioned if the Guild has considered
housing on the second floor; questioned the impact of the downtown loop project if it
extends down Moraine; stated concern with the needed parking for all activities
planned on the property; questioned the funding for a facility of this nature; how the
facility would integrate with the Arts Master Plan being prepared by the Arts District;
has a survey been conducted to understand the support within the entire community
and not just the art community; concerned with the funds needed to operate the
facility; and stated concern with the increased volume of traffic on the roadway and
the intersection of Elm and Moraine.
The Guild representatives stated housing has not been considered. The number of
parking spots has been discussed with Planning and should accommodate 180
theater spectators. The Guild would work with the Arts District to coordinate the uses
on the property. Funding would require $7 - $8 million and would be raised through
community outreach and grant writing. The proposal presented requests five (5)
years to raise the funds and an additional 18-month extension if the Guild has 80%
of the needed funds at year five (5). A trust fund would be established to fund the
operations.
It was moved and seconded (Younglund/Hazelton) to extend the meeting past
10:00 p.m., and it passed unanimously.
Additional Board comments were heard and summarized: the Town has been
approached a number of times regarding a performing arts theater and each have
run into infrastructure challenges; concerned with future development plan issues
such as impervious coverage, the need for detention ponds, setbacks, etc.; concern
with locking up the property for 6.5 years; and the proposal may be better suited at
the Stanley Park property.
After further discussion, the consensus of the Board was to have the Fine Arts Guild
prepare a proposal for a theater at the Stanley Park.
Whereupon Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting at 10:24 p.m.
endy 4Sloeriig, May,
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk
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