HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Park Planning Commission 2023-01-17 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, January 17, 2023
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 17 day of
January 2023.
Committee: Chair Matt Comstock, Vice-Chair Matthew Heiser,
Commissioners Joe Elkins, Howard Hanson, Chris Pawson.
Attending: Chair Comstock, Vice-Chair Heiser, Commissioner Elkins,
Commissioner Hanson, Commissioner Pawson, Director
Jessica Garner, Senior Planner Jeff Woeber, Planner I Kara
Washam, Recording Secretary Karin Swanlund, Attorney
Dan Kramer, Town Board Liaison Barbara MacAlpine
Absent: Elkins
Chair Comstock called the meeting to order at 1:33 p.m. There were 12 people from
the public in attendance.
Chris Pawson, the new Commissioner, was introduced. The Town Board of Trustees
appointed him in December. New Planner I, Kara Washam, was also introduced.
AGENDA APPROVAL
It was moved and seconded (Hanson/Heiser) to approve the agenda. The motion
passed 4-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT none
CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL
It was moved and seconded (Hanson/Heiser) to approve the consent agenda. The
motion passed 3-0, with Pawson abstaining.
ACTION ITEMS
Stanley Home Museum Amendment to S2 Special Review
Senior Planner Woeber reviewed the staff report. The original Special Review for the
Cultural Institution (Stanley Home Museum and Education Center) was approved by the Town
Board on August 28, 2018. Woeber described the amendments proposed to five of the
thirteen previous Conditions of Approval. The original conditions will remain unchanged.
Condition No. 1: The applicant proposes allowing two tour groups of up to 12 people (the
maximum currently allowed) to be on the property at the same time, but with more overlap than
what is currently allowed. Currently, only “brief and incidental overlap” is permitted. The
applicant notes 99% of tours have six or fewer people.
Condition No. 2: Currently, Sunday hours are 12:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. The applicant proposes
amending the Sunday hours to 9:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Mondays are closed under current
Condition #2 unless it is a holiday. The applicant proposes expanding this to Mondays, which
are a holiday or if a Special Event is scheduled.
Condition No. 3: Special Events are a key component of the Stanley Home operation.
Currently, there is a limit of two Special Events per month. The applicant proposes expanding
this to four per month, with eight allowed during December. Outdoor Special Events are also
proposed, up to one per month with a limit of four during a calendar year.
Condition No. 10: Currently, tour attendees must use a shuttle to visit the Stanley Home from
May 1 to October 31. The applicant proposes allowing attendees to park on-site year-round.
There are eleven existing parking spaces, with five additional spaces proposed. Shuttle service
would continue to be used for Special Events.
Planning Commission – January 17, 2023 – Page 2
Condition No. 11: The eleven existing parking spaces are designated for employee parking, in
addition to one ADA Handicap space, from May 1 to October 31. The applicant proposes
allowing these and the five proposed spaces to be used by tour attendees year-round.
DISCUSSION:
David Batey, Chair of the Historic Stanley Home Foundation, was available for questions.
Regarding the Conservation Easement requirement, there was a requirement to initiate this, but
it was determined it was not feasible. Vice-Chair Heiser suggested removing this item from the
conditions. The increased number of tours and parking was reviewed and deemed appropriate.
Tour times will not overlap. Outdoor special events are still required to conclude by 8:00 p.m.
Public Comment: none
It was moved and seconded (Heiser/Hanson) to forward a recommendation of
approval to the Town Board of Trustees of the Special Review Amendment with the
findings and condition of approval recommended by Staff, suggesting that Staff look at
all conditions of approval which are still relevant. The motion passed 4-0.
REPORTS:
The Comprehensive Plan is complete and accepted by all bodies. Hard copies are
available if wanted.
There being no further business, Chair Comstock adjourned the meeting at 2:07 p.m.
_______________________________
Chair Comstock
Karin Swanlund, Recording Secretary