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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Valley Board of Adjustment 2017-03-07RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Valley Board of Adjustment March 7, 2017, 2017 9:00 a.m. Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall Board: Chair Wayne Newsom, Vice-Chair John Lynch, Pete Smith, Jeff Moreau, Rex Poggenpohl Attending: Members Newsom, Lynch, Smith, Moreau, and Poggenpohl Also Attending: Community Development Director Randy Hunt, Planner Audem Gonzales, Planner Carrie McCool, Recording Secretary Thompson Absent: None Chair Newsom called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. There were three people in attendance. He introduced the Board members and staff. The following minutes reflect the order of the agenda and not necessarily the chronological sequence. 1. PUBLIC COMMENT 2. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of minutes dated February 7, 2017. It was moved and seconded (Smith/Poggenpohl) to approve the minutes as presented and the motion passed 5-0. 3. LOT 2, ELM ROAD 2ND ADDITION; 640 ELM ROAD; ESTES VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT TRAINING AREA The applicant, Estes Valley Fire Protection District, requests a variance from EstesValley Development Code Section 4.4, Table 4-5 which limits building height to 30 feet. The request is to allow a 15-foot height variance to construct a proposed fire-training tower. The subject property is located in the I-1–Industrial zone district. The application is proposing replacing the existing tower with a new 45-foot tall training tower. The building is considered a closed tower, and will not be located in a ridgeline protection area. A legal notice was published in the local newspaper and adjacent property owners were notified by mail. No comments were received from the public nor the reviewing agencies. Staff Findings Please refer to the staff report for staff findings. Public Comment David Wolf/EVFPD Chief stated the existing tower will be removed prior to construction of the new tower, and the new tower will be in approximately the same location. There will be significant savings for training the Estes Valley firefighters. The Fire District hopes to offer training to neighboring communities. He explained how the building will be used. Condition of Approval 1. The building shall be constructed using earth-tone exterior colors. It was moved and seconded (Lynch/Moreau) to approve the requested variance according to findings of fact and conclusions of law, with findings and conditions recommended by staff and the motion passed unanimously. 4. LOT 31A, AMENDED PLAT OF LOTS 32-35, AND PORTIONS OF LOTS 1, 31, & 37, WHITE MEADOW VIEW PLACE, LESS 200032927; 455 STANLEY AVENUE; DOLLAR GENERAL Planner Gonzales reviewed the staff report. This meeting was continued from the February Board of Adjustment meeting to allow the applicant, Vaquero Estes Park Partners, additional time to review optional building sites on the property. Planner Gonzales stated the building was redesigned and the driveway width on Stanley Avenue has been reduced. Because of the redesign, only one variance is now needed, and the RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Valley Board of Adjustment 2 March 7, 2017 other Code deviations on the site can be addressed through the Planning Commission Minor Modification process with the Development Plan. The Development Plan will be reviewed March 21, 2017. The variance request is to allow the driveway entrance on Stanley Avenue to be approximately 42 feet wide at the street line in lieu of the 30-foot requirement for non-residential uses. Planner Gonzales stated a legal notice was published in the local newspaper and adjacent property owners were notified by mail. Staff received one public comment prior to the February meeting regarding orientation of the entrance and type of building materials used. No additional public comments were received, and there were no major comments or concerns from affected agencies. Staff Findings Please refer to the staff report for the staff findings. Public Comment Devan Pharis/applicant stated service vehicles will access the building from the east side. Rick Houser/town resident was opposed to the Stanley Avenue entrance due to the close proximity of residential properties across the street on Stanley Avenue Staff and Commission Discussion Planner Gonzales stated CDOT’s comment recommended and preferred access to the store from Stanley Avenue. Planner Gonzales stated staff recommended approval of the variance request, with no conditions of approval. It was moved and seconded (Moreau/Smith) to approve the requested variance according to findings of fact and conclusions of law, with findings recommended by staff and the motion passed unanimously. 7. REPORTS A. Director Hunt reported Planner I Robin Becker will start work March 27, 2017. She is moving to Estes Park from Des Moines, Iowa. B. Director Hunt agreed there could be an amendment to the EVDC regarding driveway width, with the goal being to rationalize the driveway width standard. C. Director Hunt reported the Planning Commission is discussing the possibility of amending the section of the code that limits height to 30 feet. Discussion will occur at the March 21st Planning Commission Study Session. The current proposal would affect only the RM-Multi-Family Residential zone district, and may increase the height limit from 30 to 45 feet. This proposal was initiated by staff due to several development proposals in the RM district being brought to staff, and the height limitation deterred the developers from proceeding with the projects. Director Hunt stated a similar discussion should occur for the CD–Commercial Downtown zone district, but is being delayed due to the current Downtown Plan process. He stated dialogue is important, but if it carries on for too long it can become detrimental to the community. D. Director Hunt reported public meetings will be occurring regarding the Downtown Plan, with the goal to have a design by the end of 2017. There being no other business before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m. ___________________________________ Wayne Newsom, Chair __________________________________ Karen Thompson, Recording Secretary