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Home My WebLink AboutPACKET Estes Park Planning Commission 2025-03-18 This meeting will be streamed live and available on the Town YouTube page at www.estes.org/videos ADVANCED PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comment Form: Members of the public may provide written comments on a specific agenda item by completing the Public Comment form found at https://dms.estes.org/forms/EPPCPublicComment. The form must be submitted by 10:00 a.m. on the day of the meeting. All comments will be provided to the Commission for consideration during the agenda item and added to the final packet. __________________________________________________________________________ AGENDA PLANNING COMMISSION – TOWN OF ESTES PARK Town Hall Board Room Tuesday, March 18, 2025 1:30 p.m. INTRODUCTIONS AGENDA APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA 1. Planning Commission Minutes dated February 18, 2025 PUBLIC COMMENT DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Housing Authority Scott Moulton, Director 2. Joint meeting following adjournment 3. Other: Recruitment, upcoming potential projects ADJOURN The Town of Estes Park will make reasonable accommodations for access to Town services, programs, and activities and special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 577-4777. TDD available. March 10, 2025 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, February 18, 2025 Minutes of a Regular meeting of the ESTES PARK PLANNING COMMISSION of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting was held in said Town of Estes Park on February 18, 2025. Commission: Chair Charles Cooper, Vice Chair David Arterburn, Dick Mulhern, Chris Pawson, Jeff Robbins Attending: Commissioners Cooper, Pawson, Mulhern, Robbins, Community Development Director Steve Careccia, Planner Kara Washam, Town Attorney Dan Kramer, Recording Secretary Karin Swanlund, Town Board Liaison Frank Lancaster. Public Works Development Review Engineer Jennifer Waters Absent: Arterburn Chair Cooper called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. INTRODUCTIONS AGENDA APPROVAL It was moved and seconded (Robbins/Mulhern) to approve the agenda. The motion passed 4-0. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL It was moved and seconded (Robbins/Pawson) to approve the consent agenda. The motion passed 4-0. PUBLIC COMMENT: One comment was received earlier in the day. Planner Washam will address this in her staff report. Chair Cooper announced that Kinley Homes built his house 8 years ago but did not see a reason to recuse himself. ACTION ITEM Rezone 1895 Fall River Road Planner II Washam The Applicant, Kinley Built, LLC, requests to rezone the subject parcel from CO (Commercial Outlying) to A (Accommodations). The proposed development project includes demolishing the existing office structure and constructing a new three-story hotel building with a mechanical area in the basement. The hotel will consist of 26 accommodation units and two staff housing units. A conceptual site plan and building elevations are included with this rezoning application. Vehicular access is provided from Fall River Road. The existing access to the property will be realigned with the property to the south, as requested by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The three criteria for rezoning have been met. •Changes in condition: The 2022 Comprehensive Plan updated the property’s designation from Commercial to Mixed Use, indicating accommodations as suitable for the area, •Compatibility with the Comprehensive Plan: The proposed development aligns with policies encouraging medium-to high-density accommodations that enhance the local economy while preserving the environment, •Adequate services. Service providers confirmed the ability to supply necessary infrastructure and services without adverse effects. Staff requested approval of the Rezone request. DISCUSSION: Chair Cooper confirmed that the property location is within town limits; the annexation date was not known. Wildlife habitats should not be further impacted as the property already exists. Accommodation (A) zoning was recommended over A1 because the room dra f t Planning Commission – February 18, 2025 – Page 2 request was more than eight. Pawson asked for clarification on the change in condition and how wildlife will be protected. Director Careccia explained that all plans are looked at when researching staff reports. The Comprehensive Plan and other master plans (such as those related to open space, transportation, and utilities) are essential—they serve as guiding documents. When we adopt a new plan, especially one developed with extensive public input (like the Comprehensive Plan, as mentioned by Commissioner Mulhern), we refer to that Plan as our guide. If a new plan suggests different guidance for a particular area, we consider that a change of condition. We then look at how to implement that plan best. If rezoning is part of that, we’ll review it to see if it’s supportable. If so, we will support it. It was moved and seconded (Mulhern/Robbins) to recommend approval of the Rezone request to the Town Board with conditions, according to findings recommended by Staff. The motion passed 4-0. ACTION ITEM Development Plan 1895 Fall River Road Planner II Washam The Applicant proposes a development project that includes demolishing the existing office structure and constructing a new three-story hotel building with a mechanical area in the basement. The hotel will consist of 26 accommodation units and two staff housing units. The hotel will include a meeting room, spa, lobby, and other customer support spaces. Exterior building materials will be traditional to the area, consisting of stone and wood-look fiber-cement siding in darker, earth-tone colors. The roof will be made of standing seam metal and flat roofs concealed by parapets. All exterior lighting will be shielded and deflected downward per EPDC §7.9. The area of disturbance is limited to the southern region, avoiding the steep slope to the north. Retaining walls will be incorporated into the design of the hotel. Existing access to the site is from Fall River Road and will be realigned with the access drive at the parcel to the south side of the road. Thirty-eight (38) off-street parking spaces are required, pursuant to EPDC § 7.11. Thirty-four (34) spaces are provided, with the Applicant requesting approval of a Minor Modification for a ten percent (10% reduction) in required off-street parking. In addition, the Applicant requests approval of a Minor Modification to the required twenty-five feet (25’) landscape buffer along the frontage, citing significant topographical constraints. The Applicant requests a 6.14’ encroachment. Staff requested approval of the Development Plan and Minor Modifications. DISCUSSION: Concerns were raised regarding the impact on wildlife and the specifics of habitat corridor management. The application complies with wildlife mitigation measures, including fencing and landscaping. Public Works Development Review Engineer Jennifer Waters addressed stormwater management issues. There is a plan to utilize a grassy swale for water quality treatment before discharge into a culvert and eventually into Fall River. Public Works confirmed that CDOT did not recommend a crosswalk due to safety concerns related to road curvature. Kyle Pollock from Galloway Engineering further explained the stormwater runoff and impervious coverage stating that there is negligible change from current conditions. It was moved and seconded (Robbins/Mulhern) to approve the Development Plan and Minor Modifications, with conditions, according to findings recommended by Staff. The motion passed 4-0. DISCUSSION: Director Careccia reviewed the Development Code update process, emphasizing the importance of public engagement. The Planning Commission will play a significant role in offering feedback on various drafts throughout the project. dra f t Planning Commission – February 18, 2025 – Page 3 Trustee Liaison Lancaster invited the Commissioners to a joint meeting between the Planning Commission and Town Board to discuss the changes in conditions for rezoning. Another topic will hopefully be workforce housing. This meeting aims to enhance communication and facilitate better collaboration and decision-making. It has been tentatively scheduled for March 18, following the regular PC meeting. Mulhern requested information on the “super majority” vote at the Town Board meeting. Commissioners expressed appreciation for the thorough presentations and discussions. There being no further business, Chair Cooper adjourned the meeting at 2:50 p.m. _________________________________ Chuck Cooper, Chair Karin Swanlund, Recording Secretary dra f t