HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2013-08-27
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, August 27, 2013
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
Rooms 202/203 in said Town of Estes Park on the 27th day of August,
2013.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Blackhurst, Trustees Elrod,
Ericson, Koenig, Norris and Phipps
Attending: All
Also Attending: Assistant Town Administrator Richardson, Town Attorney
White and Town Clerk Williamson
Absent: Town Administrator Lancaster
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS.
Trustee Phipps requested staff add liquor enforcement/policy to an upcoming meeting
and the revised committee appointment policy. The Board discussed the liquor policy
and requested community involvement prior to Board discussion or setting new policy;
i.e. what kind of enforcement does the public expect or consider good policy. Once the
Board has heard from the public they would discuss the input at a study session to
provide staff with direction on drafting a policy.
Trustee Ericson stated concern with staff sending out a news release concerning sales
tax without input from the Board.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEEDS AND POSSIBLE CODE AMENDMENTS.
Estes Park Housing Authority (EPHA) Director Rita Kurelja reviewed the need for
proposed Development Code changes to address the affordable housing needs in
Estes Park. The Authority would recommend a change to the definition of “Attainable”
to include income limits in both rental (currently 60%) and homeownership (currently
80%) to 125% of the Larimer County Area Median Income or below adjusted for
household size. A review of the cost of housing from 1981 to 2012 demonstrated an
increase of 380% while household income only increased by 243% over the same
period of time. In addition, banks are requiring 10% as a down payment for a mortgage,
which is difficult for many households. The problems include rising home prices has
created and will continue to create an affordability gap; lack of housing options that are
affordable to moderate income households; increase in the number of vacation homes
has created a lack of long term rentals; between 2000 and 2010 there has been an 11%
decrease in the number of owner occupied housing units; and retention of young
families providing diversity in the community, an employee base, vibrant school system
and increased sales tax revenue. A review of Town staff illustrated of the 19 sworn
officers, 12 live in communities down valley or 63%. Director Kurelja stated employees
commuting more than an hour a day to work are more likely to leave their employment
after a year of less, spend more on transportation costs, and spend $4,000 to $7,500
annually on commuting costs. Interviews of a number of staff living outside Estes Park
were conducted and reoccurring themes were heard including the cost of housing
prevents them from living in Estes Park, less time with family due to commuting, lack of
connection with the community, the need to rely on spouse to pick up the slack, and
dangerous driving conditions in the canyon. She stated the largest single obstacle was
affordable housing and not the lack of activities in the community, nor the quality of the
school system. It is estimated that $1.4 million in salaries leaves the valley annually.
The recommended code change would not fix the whole problem but it begins to
Town Board Study Session – August 27, 2013 – Page 2
address it. Specific code amendments have not been discussed with staff; however, if
there is support to move forward the discussions would begin.
Discussion was heard by the Board and has been summarized: additional statistics
from other similarly situated communities would be needed; employees from all the
other large employers and districts should be addressed; a reasonable standard for
commuters and turnover should be established; an understanding of response time
needed by the different departments, i.e. 20 minutes versus 1 hour; concern with raising
the income level to 125% would negatively impact the lower level income households;
there is a need to identify programs that have worked in other communities, how they
would translate to Estes Park and what are the goals; there is a need for the Town and
the County to be aligned on the topic and agree to have the Estes Valley Planning
Commission review the issues; and the County Commissioners need to understand the
uniqueness of housing issues in the Estes Valley.
Director Kurelja stated the Authority has a number of programs and grant funding to
address the lower income households. The Authority does not have the same
resources for those at the higher income level (125%) and would be using other sources
such as private funds. The code changes would incentivize the developer to build
affordable housing. She stated other communities allow accessory dwelling units
(ADUs), inclusionary zoning and affordable housing incentives. The ADUs are deed
restricted for employee housing and are not allowed as vacation homes.
After further discussion, the Board requested Director Kurelja provide the County
Commissioners with the same presentation, review the housing issues, and gain their
approval to have the Estes Valley Planning Commission review and work on code
amendments for affordable housing in the Estes Valley.
ESTES VALLEY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MODERNIZATION UPDATE.
Director Chilcott updated the Board on the status of the modernization of the
Comprehensive Plan to clearly articulate the valley’s vision and policies. The objectives
of the update are to use clear and concise language, incorporate pictures to illustrate
key issues and policies and to use current standard data/information throughout the
document. The updates are not changing policy within the plan. The revised plan has
been updated graphically and laid out in a professional user friendly manner.
Information has been presented graphically whenever possible to convey information to
the reader, updated maps, and updated action plan with the current status of projects.
The Estes Valley Planning Commission has been reviewing and commenting on the
draft updates monthly, and updates are provided to the Community Development
Community Services Committee monthly. The continued goal is to have the updates
completed by the end of 2013; however, staff has completed 30% of the work to date.
The Board thanked staff for their efforts and stated the progress on the updates is on
target and the improvements to the readability of the document are appreciated.
STAFF SUPPORT TO THE BOARD.
The Town Clerk’s office is charged with providing administrative support to the Board,
therefore, all requests for support should be addressed to the staff in the Town Clerk’s
office. Town Clerk Williamson reminded the Board to use the Townclerk@estes.org
when communicating with staff to ensure their requests are addressed in a timely
fashion.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk