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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES CompPAC 2022-05-26Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, May 26, 2022 Minutes of a meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee of the Town of Estes Park. Meeting held in the BOARD ROOM in said Town of Estes Park on May 26, 2022. Committee: Chair Matthew Heiser, Vice-Chair Bob Leavitt, Members David Bangs, Charles Cooper, Eric Blackhurst, John Schnipkoweit, Frank Theis, Karen Thompson, Rose Truman, David Wolf, David Shirk, Matt Comstock Also Attending: Community Development Director Jessica Garner, Trustee Barbara MacAlpine, Recording Secretary Karin Swanlund, Housing Authority Director Naomi Hawf, Incoming Director Scott Moulton Absent: Bangs, Shirk, Schnipkoweit, Theis, Comstock Chair Heiser called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from April 28, 2022 The motion passed with a visual thumbs-up vote. PUBLIC COMMENT. None DISCUSSION: (for full comments, view the meeting recording at engageestes.org) Naomi Hawf, Director of the Estes Park Housing Authority, presented an extensive PowerPoint on the Housing Authority and its goals. There is a five-member board and seven staff. Funding, the Housing Authority’s biggest challenge, comes from rental income, HOA fees and the Town of Estes Park. All properties are tax exempt; therefore, no property taxes are paid. Comments: Balancing the cost to the community with incentivizing housing projects is challenging. Incorporating the Housing Needs Assessment into the Comprehensive Plan will impact today and the future. New development isn’t the only tool; redevelopment, preserving what is here, and other options should be considered. Seasonal workforce housing needs to be addressed, especially regarding safety. The Housing Authority Board believes that it is the private sector’s responsibility to solve this issue. Directory Garner noted the recent kick-off of a Housing Needs Assessment and a Housing Strategic Plan. Bringing density to our neighborhoods will help the housing crisis in a manner that is not too invasive. Providing choices and flexibility in the Development Code is of utmost importance. The consequences of not looking to the future would be detrimental. Discussion on what should be included in the CompPlan and themes required by DOLA was had, including Economic Development, Health/Welfare and Recreation. OTHER: The community engagement event drew around 100 participants. Considerable amounts of information were gathered and will be consolidated for review. The online survey and mapping exercise is now closed. Primary goals will be discussed at the June 9 or 23 meeting. Early August is the goal to have a complete draft for review. This draft will include visionary statements, essential policy reviews, plans, and recommendations. Another community meeting facilitated by CompPAC – May 26 – Page 2 Restorative Justice is planned for later this summer. There will be a joint meeting with the Planning Commission and the Town Board during the study session on July 12 to discuss growth management. Volunteer parking passes will be given to members for future meetings, but we will be looking for other venues to meet for the summer months. Member Wolf offered the Fire Department meeting room as an option. There being no further business, Chair Heiser adjourned the meeting at 11:05 a.m. Karin Swanlund, Recording Secretary