HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Valley Planning Commission Study Session 1999-04-14BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Planning Commission - Study Session
April 14,1999
Commission:Chair Wendell Amos, Commissioners William Baird, Joyce Kitchen,
Cheiie Pettyjohn, Edward Pohl, Al Sager and Dominick Taddonio
Attending: Commissioners Amos, Baird, Kitchen, Pohl, Sager and Taddonio
Absent: Commissioner Pettyjohn
TAC Members: Larry Gamble, Helen Hondius, Roger Thorp and Bill Van Horn
Attending: Gamble and Hondius
Absent: Members Thorp and Van Horn
Also Attending
Town:
County:
Resources:
Trustee Liaison Baudek, Town Attorney White, Director Stamey, and
Recording Secretary Wheatley
Commissioner Jim Disney, Chief Planner Russell Legg
Dan Speedlin, Rick Spowart
Chair Amos called the Study Session to order at 11:10 a.m.
Chair Amos introduced Dan Speedlin and requested his comments on landscaping in
Chapter 7. In regards to the replacement requirement for trees, he commented that the
larger the tree, the slower the growth during its recovery period. He suggested doing an
evaluation on a tree that’s being removed to detemnine its value, which would include the
type and condition of the tree as well as the height. It might be more appropriate then to
replace with like value, i.e. three smaller trees for one large tree removed. He noted that
the value determination could be made from the book Valuation of Trees, Shrubs, and
Other Plants, prepared by the International Society of Arboriculture.
Other comments: Conifers are hardier than the deciduous, and they tend to screen more
of the view. He agreed that the plastic sheeting requirement should be removed. Native
seedlings take two years to become established.
It was agreed that the developer should be given the option of following the current
replacement guideline, or having an appraisal done and replacing the removed vegetation
with equivalent value.
Chair Amos introduced Rick Spowart of the Colorado DOW and requested his comments
regarding the Wildlife Habitat Protection requirements of Chapter 7. He noted that he had
mapped the critical wildlife areas in the Estes Valley, but essentially the entire valley is an
important wildlife habitat. Mitigation requirements might be setbacks, limited percentage
of area to be developed, cluster developments, fertilization of vegetation and small as
possible construction footprints. It is preferable to keep developments out of the meadows
and leave as open space for the wildlife. As far as threatened or endangered species,
there is only the Peregrine Falcon and the Greenback Cutthroat Trout; however, the Big
Horn Sheep is very sensitive. The herd up Fall River Road has suffered in the last few
years from loss of habitat and disease.
Staff commented that there are proposed setbacks from rivers and wetlands, wildlife
habitat and fencing limitations, and exterior lighting limitations.
BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Valley Planning Commission - April 14,1999 Study Session Page 2
Each mitigation plan should be site specific. The Level 1/Level 2 regulation is too
laborious. Real problem is how to address the cumulative effect.
The example of Tract 69, Fall River Estates reflects a good technique of howto preserve
sheep habitat by using a cluster development next to the road and creating a large
consen/ation easement of the rest. Still have some problems where sheep must cross the
road to get to the river.
Russ Legg commented that the County code did away with the Level 1/Level 2 and tried
to simplify the code. They have proposed five steps in buffering in their System for
Conservation Planning (SCOPE). This avoids involving the DOW in the building permit
process.
The important wildlife areas in the valley are calving/lambing/fawning areas, raptor next
site (i.e., Crocker Ranch), riparian areas, open feeding areas and wetlands. The wetlands
still need to be mapped.
Staff will revise the wildlife section, based on the proposed County regulation and today’s
input.
EVDC REVIEW
CHAPTER 7
Page 55
Line 34 - Change “match color” to “unobtrusive.”
Manufactured home is different from a mobile home and can be placed on any lot as
long as it meets the Town’s building code requirements.
Page 61
Revise the table to indicate an equal number of female toilets and male toilets.
Page 63
Line 15 - Change “4 square inches” to “4 inches square.”
Line 22 - Adjust the towed vehicle width to the maximum allowed on the highway.
CHAPTER 8
Chapter 8 consists of the current Town and County sign codes with no revisions.
CHAPTER 9
PUD-R is accomplished by using clustering, so reference to PUD-R was deleted.
Page 2
Line 9 — change “Board of Trustees or board of County Commissioners” to “Decision-
Making Body.”
CHAPTER 10
Pages
Line 29 - Change “should” to “shall.”
Line 45 - Plans for Remainder Parcels - remainder parcels must still meet minimum lot
requirements.
Line 46 - Change “must” to “shall.”
BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Page 3Estes Valley Planning Commission - April 14,1999 Study Session
Page 4
Line 1 - Change “must” to “shall.”
Add Item 7. ”Reserved Strips Prohibited. All rights-of-way shall be platted to the property line.”
Pages
Line 12-14 - Light & Power determines street lighting. Arterial streets currently do not
have pedestrian/bike transportation requirements, but they are proposed in the new
code.
Line 37 - Correct typo “or” to “of.”
Pages
Line 18 - Place period after “condominium)” and delete rest of the sentence.
Page 9
Line 46 - change EVPC to Town.
Page 10
Line 21 - Change time for completion to 2 years.
Chapter 12 will be reviewed by the County and Town Attorneys and will be rewritten to
be as effective as possible within the legal limitations.
Chapter 13, Definitions, will be reviewed individually and comments noted.
CHAPTER 11
Discussion was held on affordable housing. The code provides for one component to
assist with the provision of below market housing. The code is only one part of several
methods, including tax breaks and subsidies, that need to be addressed overall, for
affordable housing to be accomplished.
Line 4 - Change to read “help accomplish high-priority planning goals.”
Page 3
Omit note in middle of page.
Page 7
Line 18 - Delete Item 3.
Delete Section F, but rewrite F.1.
Next meeting is scheduled for May 5, 1999, 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Discussion will include
the Zoning Map and the public process.
Chair Amos adjourned the Study Session at 1:20 p.m.
Meribeth Wheatley, Recording Sectary