HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2016-06-28
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado June 28, 2016
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 the
Board Room in said Town of Estes Park on the 28th day of June, 2016.
Board: Mayor Jirsa, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustees Holcomb,
Martchink, Nelson, Norris and Walker
Attending: All
Also Attending: Town Administrator Lancaster, Assistant Town Administrator
Machalek, Town Attorney White, and Town Clerk Williamson
Absent: None
Mayor Jirsa called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
VACATION HOME TASK FORCE UPDATE.
Terry Gilbert/Larimer County Planning Director and Vacation Home Task Force staff
liaison provided an overview of the formation of the Task Force to address vacation
homes of 9 or more occupancy. The Task Force was charged with providing the
County Commissioners and the Town Board with recommendations that would be
enforceable. He stated the Task Force has held a number of meetings and has found it
difficult to come to a unified consensus on issues. The Task Force has moved to a
simple majority and would forward recommendations with an outline of how many
members did not agree with an issue and any related concerns. The County
Commissioners were briefed on the concept and have agreed with the change in
philosophy moving forward. Board discussion ensued on the Task Force moving
forward with a simple majority rather than a unified consensus. Trustee Nelson stated
concern with providing the Task Force with direction as the group is not a Town Task
Force.
The building officials for both the County and Town would attend the next meeting to
discuss building code issues as it relates to specific recommendations, i.e. sprinkler
needs. Local amendments may be need to address changes to the building codes for
vacation homes.
Director Gilbert reviewed the Vacation Home Task Force status as of June 22, 2016:
established a process for occupancy count of 2 per bedroom plus 2; minimum age limit
for counting occupancy has not been determined; same land use standards established
for vacation homes of 8 and under should be used with additional requirements
recommended for larger homes; use existing traffic limits; use existing speed limits
within the area; no limit would be set on the number of vacation homes within a
neighborhood; establish the number of bedrooms based on a review of the Assessor’s
records and the Building Department records; land use, building, health, fire, etc.
inspections to be utilized; grandfathering of existing vacation homes of 9 or more to be
established by the County Commissioners and the Town Board so long as they are
licensed within 30 days of the final adopted regulations and would not apply to the
inspections; and would be allowed in the same zoning districts as the 8 and under with
the exception of a 1 acre minimum and 25 foot setbacks. Items needing further
discussion include who gets cited for violations, parking limitations, renter notification
requirements, noise, local contact requirements for manager/owner, recommendation
on fines, proof of insurance, rental agreements to protect liability of neighbors, and how
to address neighborhood character.
Town Board Study Session – June 28, 2016 – Page 2
BROADBAND TAKE RATE STUDY.
Jill Mosteller, Ph.D. was hired by the Town of Estes Park to provide the Town with a
Take Rate study for broadband service operated by the Town of Estes Park Utility. She
provided an overview of the study results including response rate, residential survey
results, business survey results, competitive landscape and insights into future potential
offers. The survey participant response rate included 214 residents with 58% primary
and 42% secondary, and 266 businesses participated with a variety of business type,
size and revenue streams. The household size in the sample closely reflected the actual
household composition, as well as median household income for primary residents.
The survey found 58% of households currently bundle their internet service. Residential
participants place positive value on the Town being the provider, internet speeds of
50Mbps/15 Mbps for download and upload speeds, price point below $70/month and
installations fees may provide positive value depending upon what is included.
Business participants also positively value the Town as a provider, internet speeds at or
above 250 Mbps/125 Mbps for download and upload speeds, and a price point below
$150/month. She recommended the Town test the viability of two offers for the
residential rate to maximize the take rate; however, the Town should be cognizant not to
price the service too low. In doing so the Town may have more customers than it can
provide high quality service too.
Administrator Lancaster stated no decision has been made on if the Town would run the
utility. There would be further discussion needed on how the utility would be built and
rolled out. The engineering and construction costs are needed to refining pricing of the
service.
TRUSTEE & ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS & QUESTIONS.
Trustee Norris stated he compiled his notes from the CML conference and had staff
forward to all Trustees for review.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
Administrator Lancaster asked if the Board would like to have CDOT provide an update
on the Hwy 34 closure at an upcoming study session. The Board consensus was to
have CDOT provide regular email updates rather than a study session. He stated a
meeting of the key agencies and businesses has been set up for July 14th to discuss the
impact of the closure.
Mayor Jirsa stated he received a letter requesting appointment to the Northern Colorado
Regional Tourism Authority. The item would be set for the July 12, 2016 Town Board
meeting.
There being no further business, Mayor Jirsa adjourned the meeting at 6:31 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk