HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2002-02-11Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, February 11, 2002
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TOWN BOARD STUDY SESSION of
the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the
Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 11th day of February,
2002.
Town Board: Mayor Baudek, Trustees Barker, Doylen, Gillette, Habecker,
Jeffrey-Clark, Newsom
Attending: Mayor Baudek, Trustees Barker, Doylen, Gillette, Habecker,
Jeffrey-Clark
Absent: Trustee Newsom
Also Attending: Town Administrator Widmer, Assistant Town Administrator Repola,
Director Joseph, Planners Shirk and Chilcott, Building Official
Birchfield, and Deputy Town Clerk van Deutekom
Mayor Baudek called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
ESTES VALLEY DEVELOPMENT CODE – DISCUSSION.
A. Floor Area Ratio (FAR). Director Joseph presented proposed revisions to the Floor
Area and Impervious Coverage Ratios. The upward adjustments will permit more
effective utilization of the limited area zoned for commercial purposes without
compromising the basic goal of protecting the character of the Estes Valley.
Examples of accommodations, multi-family, commercial developments were
reviewed and discussed.
It is evident that certain developments appear denser than they actually are and
building aesthetics play an important role in construction appearance. Discussion
regarding the degree of importance placed on Floor Area Ratio vs. Impervious
Coverage ensued. Trustee Habecker explained current restrictions (i.e., setbacks,
impervious coverage, steep slope reductions, ridge line protections, grading and
site disturbance standards, landscaping requirements, district boundaries, street
front landscaping requirements, wetlands, etc.) and questioned the necessity of
FAR requirements, suggesting that FAR restrictions be eliminated from the Code.
Director Joseph noted that regulations are designed to prevent poor development
and previous Codes did not include FAR requirements for multi-family. FAR is a
more meaningful number than units per acre or density formulas alone.
Consensus was reached to instruct staff to begin the process to consider
amending the EVDC to eiminate FAR requirements from the Code and allow
staff leeway in determining Impervious Coverage ratios.
B. Block II EVDC Code Changes – Discussion. Director Joseph presented
amendments to Code that address and correct errors and omissions that have
surfaced after work with the Code. Other revisions clarify and modify existing Code
provisions to produce standards that are more workable. The following sections
were reviewed:
Family Home Day Care (§13.3 Definitions of Words, Terms, and Phrases)
Appendix D: Road Design and Construction Standards (II.C Private
Streets and Driveways)
Enforcement Procedures (§12.7 Enforcement Procedures)
Town Board Study Session – February 11, 2002 - Page 2
Private Open Area Set-Aside and Minimum Lot Size (§4.3C
Density/Dimensional Standards; §4.3D Additional Zoning District
Standards)
Stream and River Corridor Setbacks (§4.3C Density/Dimensional
Standards; §4.4C Density and Dimensional Standards; §7.6 Wetlands and
Stream Corridor Protection – B., D., E.; §13.3 Definitions of Words, Terms
and Phrases)
Minimum Lot Sizes for Attainable Housing Development and Development
of Steep Slopes (§4.3C Density/Dimensional Standards; §4.4C
Density/Dimensional Standards)
Condominium Process (§10.5H Condominiums, Townhouses, and Other
Forms of Airspace Ownership)
Barns and Stables Maximum Size (§5.2 Accessory Uses)
Attainable Housing (§11.4 Attainable Housing Density Bonus; §13.3
Definitions of Words, Terms and Phrases)
Bed and Breakfast (§13.2C Use Classification/Specific Use Definitions
and Examples)
LOCAL PURCHASING POLICY – DISCUSSION.
The Town of Estes Park has had a “Local Purchasing Policy” in effect since 1990. Staff
researched purchasing preference policies by contacting Breckenridge, Durango, Ft.
Collins, Loveland, Steamboat Springs, and the Colorado Municipal League. Pros and
cons of purchasing policies were discussed. Research indicates that most
municipalities do not use local-preference purchasing policies. The Town has three
options in determining its stance on local-preference policies for purchases:
1. Maintain the current practice of providing a 2% local vendor preference.
2. Adjust the current preference up or down from 2%.
3. Eliminate the current 2% local-preference policy.
Discussion was held regarding circumventing the system, use of professional services,
and benefits of purchasing locally. Consensus was reached to maintain the current
practice of providing a 2% local vendor preference. Staff was directed to adjust the
$25,000 limit according to CPI limits.
INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODES – REVIEW BACKGROUND AND SCHEDULE.
Building Official Birchfield presented the following strategy for adoption of the
International Code:
I. Coordinate with Northern Colorado Building Officials to facilitate a regional and
unified process for the adoption of the International Codes.
II. Coordinate with Larimer County Building Dept. to facilitate a process that
provides consistency within Estes Valley.
III. Coordinate with local designers, builders, and contractors through a
comprehensive outreach program of workshops, handouts, and checklists.
IV. Coordinate with Town staff and Town Board.
It was recommended to follow the same timeline and adoption of amendments as the
County to maintain consistency. A proactive approach will be taken to educate
designers/builders and other professionals during the process. Discussion was held
Town Board Study Session – February 11, 2002 - Page 3
regarding the make-up of a Board of Appeals, new fee schedule, workshop attendance,
benefits of the International Code, ISO impacts, and creation of a Fire Code Review
Committee. Consensus was reached to proceed with the proposed strategy.
There being no further business, Mayor Baudek adjourned the meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Rebecca van Deutekom, CMC, Deputy Town Clerk