HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Park Planning Commission 2024-07-16 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, July 16, 2024
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the ESTES PARK PLANNING COMMISSION of the
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in said Town of Estes Park
on July 16, 2024.
Commission: Chair Matt Comstock, Vice Chair Charles Cooper, Chris
Pawson, David Arterburn, Dick Mulhern
Attending: Commissioners Cooper, Pawson, Arterburn, Mulhern,
Community Development Director Steve Careccia, Senior
Planner Paul Hornbeck, Recording Secretary Karin
Swanlund, Town Attorney Dan Kramer
Absent: Comstock
Vice Chair Cooper called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. There were 12 people in
attendance.
AGENDA APPROVAL
It was moved and seconded (Pawson/Mulhern) to approve the agenda. The motion
passed 4-0.
INTRODUCTIONS
New Commissioners David Arterburn and Dick Mulhern were introduced.
PUBLIC COMMENT: none
CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL
It was moved and seconded (Pawson/Cooper) to approve the consent agenda. The
motion passed 3-0, with Mulhern abstaining.
ACTION ITEMS
Preliminary Subdivision Plat 242 Virginia Drive Senior Planner Hornbeck
The proposed subdivision, in Residential Multifamily zoning, would create six residential
townhome lots. Per EPDC § 3.8, a Development Plan is required for the townhome
buildings and is subject to staff review. At the same time, the subdivision is subject to
Town Board review, with a recommendation from the Planning Commission. Staff
recommended approval of the Preliminary Subdivision Plat.
DISCUSSION:
There was considerable discussion regarding stormwater drainage.
Emergency access is an existing easement.
Parking requires a minimum of 12 spaces; the plan has 18. However, only 17 are seen
on the Site Plan.
Chuck Bailey, applicant, purchased the property in 2016 and demolished the existing
structure. This is a unique lot, close to town, and fills a gap in this type of housing.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Chris Lozing, Chair for Estes Highlands Homeowners, expressed concerns from
neighbors to the east about drainage, building height and traffic. A lot of drainage flows
down Virginia Drive.
Dan Timbrell, 131 Willowstone Dr, has drainage concerns due to the slope of lots one
and two, which will be draining to the north. Elk and deer use this lot often.
Robert Bales, 140 Willowstone Dr, also expressed concerns about wildlife habitat and
drainage.
DISCUSSION:
Planning Commission – July 16, 2024 – Page 2
Chuck Bailey responded that Public Works has reviewed this plan and made their
comments. There were three buildings on this site previously. An underground storm
drain will divert a large part of the drainage. The curb and gutter will also help the runoff.
The buildings at Willowstone are 30 feet high.
It was moved and seconded (Mulhern/Arterburn) to forward a recommendation of
approval to the Town Board of the Preliminary Subdivision Plat, according to
findings and conditions recommended by Staff. The motion passed 4-0.
REPORTS:
Director Careccia reported that Chair Comstock has resigned from his position, and
elections for Chair and Vice Chair will take place at the next meeting.
The Colorado APA conference will be held in Loveland in October, and any Commissioner
is invited to attend.
There being no further business, Vice Chair Cooper adjourned the meeting at 2:30 p.m.
_____________________________
Chair Pro-Tem Arterburn
Karin Swanlund, Recording Secretary