HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2022-12-13RECORD OFPROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado December 13, 2022
Minutes of o Study Session meeting of the TOWN BOARD of the Town of
Estes P8rh, L8h[Der Countv, C0|OD3dO. Meeting held at TOYVO Hall in the
Board Room in said Town of Estes Park on the 13m day of December,
2022.
Board:
Attending:
Also Attending:
Mayor Ku*nig, Mayor Pro Tern VVebermekac Trustees
Mayor Knonig, Mayor Pro Tern VVebermeiec Trustees
Town Administrator MachalekAssistant Town Administrator
Damwebar, Town Attorney Kramer. and Deputy Town Clerk
Beers
Absent: Trustee Patrick [Nartohink
Mayor Koenig called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
VISITOR USE MANAGEMENT ATROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK (RNNP).
Superintendent Sidles provided an update on visitor use managoment, a review of the
2022Tlmed Entry Permit System (7EPS), the proposed 2023 TEPS. and long-range
plan ideas and timeline for RMNP. From 2010'2019 RMNP implemented restrictions at
Boar Lake and Wild Basin Road and active management of the Alpine Visitor Center
parking to address increased use. Reviewed in the presentation were: congestion
concerns impacting search/rescue efforts; the managed access pilot program which
was implemented in2O2O'2O22due toCOV|Dimpacto� trail counts cdBeaver Meadows
and Fall River Road entrances, and TEPS effectiveness in spreading out use
throughout the day. R&1NP experienced their highest recorded visitation in 2021 with 44
million visitors. The Park worked with ecnyation.govto survey individuals who received
o permit which naau|hsd in approximately 77.6% of visitors indicating the TEPS provided
the same or better visitor experience. The survey also resulted in a strong support for
use limits to protect the visitor expohonce, wilderness ohanacter, solitude and for
resource protection. She stated the lessons learned from 2021'2022 were public
knowledge/acceptance improved; use was spread throughout the day; lower than
typical visitation occurred ae/|y in the season and increased visitation occurred in
September and October; increased need for moen/ntinnu for the day prior, the day of
and late afternoon time slots, and atrend was identified invisitors checking in during
their mo*madon. leaving and returning between the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p,m. The
proposed TEPS changes in 2023 included: shortening the "Rest ofPark" reservation
period; increase reservation options for "night before" bookings; extending the season
from May 26th through October 22«u- and revise the re-entry policy for the Bear Lake
corridor to address visitors checking in during their reservation only to return during
peak hours. RK4NP would collect public input on the Long -Range Visitor Use
Management Plan and potential strategies including: timed entry — two reservation
system at the Bear Lake Corridor and "Rest ofPark''; defined timed entry reservations
for each entry station with shuttle -only access tothe upper portion of Bear Lake Rood
during a specific time; daily reservations; and metering and temporary delays at
entrances when key parking lots each capacity. Staff anticipates the final long-range
plan to be completed in early 2O24with implementation taking place during the2O24
season. RK8NP would hold a virtual public meeting on December 151h. for public
comment.
Board comments have been summarized: What are the merits or needs of a long-range
plan; whether RMNP had qualitative data on human impact on natural habitat and how
they are factoring impacts into the planning and maintenance in 2023; it was
recommended RMNP create u {)&Afor the public to help relay information on the timed
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session — December 13, 2022 — Page 2
entry period and how to access the Park without a permit; whether a local punch card or
other options have been considered for locals who access the Park; creating winter
season specific visitation information for the public; whether the Park has any plans to
open any new trails and how they discover individuals enter during timed entry,
immediately exit, and return during peak hours.
2022 PAID PARKING RESULTS & RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2023.
Manager Solesbee provided a report on the 2022 paid parking program results and
presented options for the 2023 summer guest season. 2022 Parking program goals
included: support business districts by making parking available and by encouraging
economic development; maintain adequate turnover of controlled parking spaces;
encourage an adequate amount of parking availability for a variety of parking users, and
reduce congestion in travel lanes caused by drivers seeking available parking. 2022
program highlights included: operational improvements, occupancy and turnover data,
the parking permit program, customer education and outreach and key program
takeaways. She stated the highlight of the operational improvements were building
relationships with the community and engaged presence throughout the season to build
trust in the community. She reviewed community and customer input for 2022
opportunities and comments were positive overall. Staff anticipate construction
disruption to parking options in 2023 due to the Downtown Estes Loop (DEL) and
Cleave Street Improvement projects. Staff presented the Board with three options to
consider for 2023: Option 1 - no change and maintain the 2022 parking program
through the 2023 season and continue to improve operations; Option 2 - an incremental
program expansion with no rate or season change, a new paid parking area on Davis
Street with 41 spaces, limitations to the employee convenience permit in the Virginia
and East Riverside lot on weekends; or Option 3 - an incremental program expansion
with demand -based pricing in the busiest paid parking areas (Virginia, East Riverside,
Bond Park and Town Hall) on peak demand days. Staff stated all three options would
maintain the following considerations: the majority of all public parking would remain at
no charge and without time limitations and all spaces used by persons with disabilities
would also remain at no charge and without time limitations; vehicles displaying
Americans with Disabilities (ADA) placards or Disabled Veterans (DV) license plates
would continue to be exempt from parking fees in Town -owned parking spaces;
motorcycles parked in marked designated spaces would continue to be exempt from
parking fees; Town Hall, the Estes Valley Library and the Post Office would continue to
have dedicated spaces without charge for patrons, and a resident 60 minute parking
pass would continue to be offered in 2023. A special task force was assembled
including members of the Town, Chamber, Estes Valley Library District and members of
the downtown business community to make spending recommendations for revenues
received through the paid parking program for Board consideration. Staff requested
Board direction to bring parking recommendations for consideration on January 24,
2023. Board consensus was to bring forward Option 1.
PLANNING DIVISION REVIEW DEPOSIT FEES.
Director Garner stated in 2016 Community Development adopted two separate fee
schedules: a standard review schedule and review deposit fee schedule for more
complex projects. Review deposit fees allowed staff to track time on individual projects,
provide detailed monthly invoices to each applicant and refund any amount provided
over fees which were collected in advance and not utilized for the project. Since
adoption of the two separate fee schedules staff had 133 pre -applications and 170
projects with deposit review fees. Staff refunded a total of 9 projects since 2018. She
stated no formal process was followed consistently by staff and proposed removing the
two fee schedules, initiating a flat fee for all projects, temporarily revising the review
deposit fee schedule by 50% and hiring a consultant to conduct a fee study in 2023.
She stated the price should be fair and consistent, and requested Board direction. The
Board requested a timeline and cost for the fee study, and did not support an interim
solution which would reduce the review deposit fees by 50%. The Board directed staff to
identify consultants and timeframes for a complete study for Board consideration at a
future meeting.
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session — December 13, 2022 — Page 3
CLEAVE STREET IMPROVEMENTS DRAFT DESIGN.
Engineer Bailey stated Cleave Street has historically been used as a service corridor
and the current area does not support pedestrians which the design would address. He
reviewed mitigation strategies including short-term and long-term alternatives. Matt
Zerkowski, design consultant with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., reviewed the
project history, public process, incorporation of the Downtown Plan into the design and
goals. He highlighted key improvements including: aesthetics of a shared street; the
benefits of a curb -less environment designed to naturally reduce speeds; furnishings
consistent with other areas of town; vehicle access improvements and parking removal;
loading and unloading zones for business deliveries; and trash service consolidation
and dedicated sites being considered by business owners in the area. He reviewed
drainage and utilities improvements including a valley gutter to create positive drainage
and a heated pavement element considered to help mitigate current problem conditions.
Undergrounding of overhead electric and sewer improvement projects would be
coordinated throughout the program.
Board comments have been summarized: Concerns were stated regarding minimal
business access on Cleave Street, the design incorporating pedestrian access which
could be utilized more effectively with space limitations and the location of electric
transformers indicated in the rendering; whether traffic flow would continue to be two-
way; the importance of incorporating adequate signage due to the drastic changes to
the use on the street and developing a dynamic plan which can adapt to future
community needs; which parking lots would be impacted by the changes; anticipated
concerns regarding the flow of traffic from Big Horn; how parking revenue could be used
to address parking needs in the area including constructing a second level of parking at
the Big Horn and Davis lot; and staff were encouraged to consider business needs for
employee parking.
TRUSTEE & ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS & QUESTIONS.
None.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
None.
There being no further business, Mayor Koenig adjourned the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
Bu
ictoria Beers, Deputy Town Clerk