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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Park Board of Adjustment 2024-08-06Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, August 6, 2024 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the ESTES PARK BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. The meeting was held in the Town of Estes Park on August 6, 2024. Board: Chair Jeff Moreau, Vice-Chair Wayne Newsom, Board Member Joe Holtzman Attending: Chair Moreau, Vice-Chair Newsom, Member Holtzman, Senior Planner Hornbeck, Director Steve Careccia, Floodplain Administrator Jennifer Waters, Recording Secretary Karin Swanlund Absent: none Chair Moreau called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. There were 12 people in attendance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was moved and seconded (Moreau/Holtzman) to approve the agenda. The motion passed 3-0. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA It was moved and seconded (Moreau/Holtzman) to approve the Consent Agenda. The motion passed 2-0, with Newsom abstaining. PUBLIC COMMENT: none ACTION ITEMS: 1. Variance to Lot Coverage Continental Peaks Circle Senior Planner Hornbeck Staff requested this item be withdrawn. It was moved and seconded (Moreau/Holtzman) to withdraw the variance request. The motion passed 3-0. 2. Variance Request 2842 Fall River Rd Senior Planner Hornbeck The Board of Adjustment first considered a variance for the property on July 2, 2024. The Board voted to continue the request to a future meeting date. Based on feedback from the Board at the July meeting, the applicant has revised the application to define the annual high-water mark of the river in accordance with EPDC requirements. This Memo and Project Analysis reflect the revised application and request for an encroachment of 6.8 feet rather than the previous request of five feet into the 50-foot river setback. Staff recommended denying the request, stating that the applicant could decrease the deck size or locate the house north of the private drive. The lot is undeveloped, so the applicant is not constrained by existing development or structures. Redesigning the home and/or deck is a viable alternative at this time. Public Works submitted a letter stating they are okay with the new plans as they pertain to the high water mark. DISCUSSION: Angela Walter, applicant, reiterated concerns about changing the submitted building plans, including deck and house square footage and the inability to build to the north. Lonnie Sheldon, Van Horn Engineering, explained that the elevated deck setback is to the deck, not to the posts, which is what counts. A detailed look into the high water mark using the vegetation line in the river was done to get a definitive line. Flooding concerns were reviewed using a cross-section of the river. The deck is eight feet above the FEMA 100-year water surface elevation. Chair Moreau stated that he would like concrete deck piers 18 inches above the BFE on the 100-yearfloodplain, which Sheldon agreed to. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Board of Adjustment, August 6, 2024 - Page 2 PUBLIC COMMENT: none It was moved and seconded (Moreau/Newsom) to approve the variance request with the agreement that the deck piers be concrete and installed above the flood level. The motion passed 3-0. 3. Variance to Grading and Site Disturbance Standards 2365 Big Thompson Ave Senior Planner Hornbeck The Board of Adjustment first considered variances for the property on June 4, 2024. The Board voted to continue the request to a future meeting date. Based on feedback from the Board at the June meeting, the applicant has revised the application to lower the maximum retaining wall height to 12' rather than the previously requested height of 23'. The change was made possible by collaborating with the Fire District to reduce the size of the emergency vehicle turnaround to allow for two shorter retaining walls with a terrace between them. This Memo and Project Analysis reflect the revised application and request for 12' retaining walls. The existing accommodations use on the subject parcel, Olympus Lodge, is proposed to be demolished and replaced with a new hotel. The property is located in unincorporated Larimer County, and the applicant has submitted a petition to annex the property into the Town of Estes Park, a Development Plan for the proposed hotel, and the subject variance requests. The Annexation and Development Plan remain under review, and no formal action is scheduled. Staff recommended approval of the variance requests with conditions. DISCUSSION: Jodi Newton, Master Works, LLC, on behalf of the applicant, 2Combs Enterprises. Significant modifications have been made to upgrade the hotel's architecture. Employee housing has also been added to the plans. The northwest and west walls will be terraced and undulated. The walls will be covered with high-grade stone materials. Rail fence with wire mesh will be included in the Development Plan. PUBLIC COMMENT: Glen Brett, 2370 Bellvue Dr, would like to know more about the parking lot's lighting and architecturally enhanced fence. Chair Moreau stated that those questions should be addressed to the Planning Commission when the Development Plan is heard. It was moved and seconded (Moreau/Holtzman) to approve the variance requests to allow the original, natural grade to be lowered by up to 25 feet rather than the maximum of 10 feet, to allow retaining wall heights up to 12 feet rather than the maximum of 6 feet, and to allow retaining wall terrace less than 5 feet in width with findings as outlined in the staff report and subject to the following conditions and no bare concrete wil! be exposed in the retaining walls and that it shall be made or veneered with natural-looking materials: 1. An architecturally enhanced fence or railing shall be provided on top of all retaining walls where determined necessary for public safety, subject to review and approval by the Planning Commission; 2. All rooftop mechanical equipment shall be fully screened from the view of surrounding properties and private or public roadways. Screening methods shall be consistent with the style, materials, and colors of the primary building. Such screening details shall be depicted on the Development Plan and subject to review and approval by the Planning Commission; and RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Board of Adjustment, August 6, 2024 - Page 3 3. All retaining walls visible from adjoining properties or from private or public roadways shall be faced with wood, stone, or other earth-colored materials that blend with the surrounding natural landscape and provide an architectu rally enhanced design. Such materials and design shall be depicted on the Development Plan and subject to review and approval by the Planning Commission. The motion passed 3-0. REPORTS: None With no further business, Chair Moreau adjourned the meeting at 3:45 p.m. Jeff^or^u/Chair \, Karin Swanlund, Recording Secretary