HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Valley Planning Commission Study Session 2018-12-18Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado December 18, 2018
Minutes of a Study Session meeting of the PLANNING COMMISSION of the Estes
Valley, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held Rooms 202/203 of Town Hall.
Commission: Chair Leavitt, Vice Chair White, Commissioners Schneider, Foster,
Murphree, Smith, Theis
Attending: Leavitt, Foster, Theis, Murphree, Smith, White, Schneider
Also Attending: Town Attorney White, Acting Director Machalek, Senior Planner Woeber,
Planner I Becker, Town Board Liaison Norris, Code Compliance Officer
Hardin and Recording Secretary Swanlund
Absent: none
Chair Leavitt called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. He mentioned that this is Russ Schneider’s
last meeting as his term is up and he thanked him for his service. There are no applications for a new
commissioner as of this point in time. A press release may be needed to get the word out.
There were 4 people in attendance. This study session was streamed and recorded on the Town of
Estes Park YouTube channel.
EVPC By-Laws update
Planner Becker reviewed the By-Laws that will be requested in January, stating the main reason for
change is to hold meetings later in the day so more people can attend. The IGA is the controlling
document of the By-Laws.
Suggestions/comments regarding the changes:
1) Include Track Changes in the final draft, send to PC at any time before next meeting
2) Flexible beginning and ending times written into the changes
3) Explanation of how a tie vote works and what it means, especially with a quorum of 4
4) Term limits stated in IGA, not By-Laws
5) Post the IGA close to the By-Laws on-line for reference purposes
6) Have a final draft by the January 15 PC meeting
7) New start time beginning with the May 2019 meeting
8) Using the phrase Land Use instead of Planning for public comment procedures
9) Conflict of interest with other members or immediate relatives, or does it even belong
10) Reference the cite all of the State statutes being used
1450 Big Thompson Development Plan
Planner Woeber discussed the plan, which proposes to build 2 small “managers quarters” with
garage and storage. In May of 2014 the PC approved a development plan but that plan never moved
forward, therefore expiring after 3 years. This will act as a development plan for the entire hotel site,
which are uses by right. Approval is needed from the PC for coverage over 50% minor modification
on an impervious surface. Drainage was seen to be adequate per public works, which is not stated in
the staff report. A statement from public works regarding drainage was requested as the PC is being
Planning Commission Study Session December 18, 2018 – Page 2
asked to make an exception to the coverage and could look negligent if drainage were to become a
problem in the future.
Lunch break 12:00-12:20
Vacation Homes:
CCO Hardin reviewed the rough draft of changes for Vacation Homes that were discussed at the last
study session. With proper code changes, these can be implemented at any point. The clerk’s office
would like to see priority given to the code change regarding how long a home can sit in without being
used as a vacation home. It was pointed out that a subsection of the PC, not the entire PC, brought
this up for discussion and nothing has been voted on yet.
Specific points of discussion:
1) make it very clear that no transfers or permits between properties are allowed
2) minimum of 15 days of rentals per year to keep licenses active, effective 2020
3) signage: what is allowed or not allowed
4) reference where to find the wildlife ordinances (town and county muni code)
5) put deadlines in Ordinance, not Code
6) reference home occupation guidelines in the Bed and Breakfast code
Final draft in January, public hearing in February.
EVCPAC Update:
Norris noted that there is increasing public interest in the Comp Plan. Progress with the EVCPAC is
on hold until the IGA questions have been figured out. Both public boards may need to get together
to discuss this. It was suggested to keep track of public citizens who are interested.
Discussion on the League of W omen Voters meeting on land use, held on December 12. Set up face
to face meetings with concerned citizens and Com Dev staff.
Send link of EVCPAC documents to PC and have a study session for discussion on comments and
questions.
Theis commented on the lack of environmental concerns in the new draft of the Comp Plan.
IGA Discussion:
Do we modify, continue or separate from county?
Joint session intended, not scheduled-waiting for new Commissioner to be sworn in, shooting for a
date in January 2019.
Reversing joint planning would be regressive and the PC should be defending the IGA.
Future Study Session Items
EVPC By-Laws
IGA
Parks and Recreation Code Amendment
Consistency with Comp Plan Code Amendment
There being no further business, Chair Leavitt adjourned the meeting at 1:15 p.m.
Planning Commission Study Session December 18, 2018 – Page 3
_____________________________________
Bob Leavitt, Chair
Karin Swanlund, Recording Secretary