HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2024-06-25RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado June 25, 2024
Minutes of a Study Session meeting of the TOWN BOARD of the Town of
Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held at Town Hall in the
Board Room in said Town of Estes Park on the 25th day of June, 2024.
Board: Mayor Hall, Trustees Brown, Cenac, Hazelton, Igel,
Lancaster, and Younglund
Attending: Mayor Hall, Trustees Brown, Cenac, Hazelton, Igel,
Lancaster, and Younglund
Also Attending: Town Administrator Machalek, Deputy Town Administrator
Damweber, Town Attorney Kramer, and Recording
Secretary Richards
Absent: None
Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m.
UPDATE ON NEW LOCATION FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Project Manager Pastor presented updates and requested direction on the land
acquisition for the Police Department relocation. Cost, criteria and rankings of five
privately owned locations identified in 2023 were considered previously. Staff had
discussed the possibility of a multijurisdictional emergency response facility adjacent to
Dannels Fire Station with the Police Department, Estes Valley Fire Protection District,
and local medical services on property owned by the Bureau of Reclamation (BoR).
Advantages to this location included: no cost for land acquisition or permitting;
centralized location to other Town and entity facilities; and shared training facility for
emergency response teams. Staff held initial discussions with BoR to acquire
permission to utilize BoR land through a Special Use Permit, establish timelines, and
identify constraints and expectations. Staff recommended moving forward with the
pursual of this option. Board discussion was heard and has been summarized: support
in continuing discussions with BoR; concern for lack of timeline; and questioned if
additional options were being considered. The Board stated support for the no cost land
acquisition option, however, they requested more information on the considerations of
utilizing BoR land versus privately owned options.
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT CODE CHANGE.
Staff requested Board direction on pursuing amendments to the Estes Park
Development Code regarding Planned Unit Developments (PUD), a land use tool that
can provide flexibility from standard zone district requirements. Senior Planner
Hombeck presented an overview of the current situation and proposed changes, citing
challenges accommodating recent development proposals and inconsistencies between
the Development Code and Estes Forward Comprehensive Plan. He stated the full
Development Code would undergo updates throughout 2024-2026, with the most recent
major update occurring in 2000. Amendments to the PUD would provide an interim
solution to address the disconnect between the Development Code and the
Comprehensive Plan, increase the number of eligible properties, provide opportunity for
innovative designs, ability to address workforce housing, and provide the Board the
authority to consider increased density. Conversely, the Town could see an increase in
PUD applications which require additional staff time to review and may appear unfair
and arbitrary due to the discretionary approval process. Board discussion was heard
and has been summarized: associated cost; flexibility in Community Development; what
additional zoning districts would be included; concerns raised on the scope of the
project prior to the Development Code rewrite; encouraged staff to pursue amendments
compatible with the rewrite of the Development Code; and support for not inhibiting
business development. Staff stated only commercial districts are under consideration
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session - June 25, 2024 - Page 2
and PUD amendments would potentially be adopted into updated Development Code.
Board consensus was to move forward with draft code amendments as outlined by staff.
NEXT STEPS FOR THE TOWN-OWNED PARCEL AT ELM ROAD AND MORAINE
AVENUE. At the February 27, 2024 Study Session, staff presented options for the town-
owned parcel at Elm Road and Moraine Avenue including: take no action, sale of
property to fund a strategic goal, lease the property, or issue a Request for Expressions
of Interest (RFEI) with the Board indicating interest in the latter. Deputy Town
Administrator Damweber presented an oven/iew of the RFEI in which applicants
provided their proposed use, community benefit, and portion of land sought and on what
terms. Staff requested Board direction on procedure for moving forward with five active
applicants. Board discussion ensued and has been summarized: Cost impact to take no
action; environmental assessment status; move forward with current proposal pool or
design a new appeal for community-based responses; importance of incumbent's
community fit; potential for mixed use structure; need for traffic study; hearing feedback
from neighboring citizens; and if sold, designate proceeds for specific project. Board
indicated interest in commercial over residential use due to location and lot size and
indicated staff to pursue interest in interim lease to neighboring Hogback Distillery for
parking; requesting presentations from two remaining commercial use applicants; and
produce cost estimates of infrastructure improvements completed by the Town to guide
future of property and increase value.
TRUSTEE & ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS & QUESTIONS.
The Sister Cities Board would travel to Monteverde, Costa Rica in July to meet with
staff, citizens, and tour facilities. Trustee Younglund would be attending as liaison and
requested that staff and Board provide questions in advance of trip.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
The Board requested an oven/iew of the current wildlife safety protocols to determine if
more action may be necessary by the Town to increase public safety and prevent
reputational damage. The Board discussed options including outreach by the Division of
Wildlife, the Police Auxiliary, the Watershed Coalition, options for increasing awareness
and interactive educational tools.
Trustee Lancaster requested staff investigate the potential use of animal traps
erroneously placed by citizens on town-owned land adjacent to Carriage Hills
subdivision which would be prohibited.
There being no further business, Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 6:43 p.m.
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Rachel Richards, Recording Secretary