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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Valley Planning Commission Study Session 1999-09-08BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Valley Planning Commission - Study Session September 8,1999 Commission:Chair Wendell Amos, Commissioners William Baird, Joyce Kitchen, Cherie Pettyjohn, Edward Pohl, Al Sager and Dominick Taddonio Attending: Commissioners Amos, Baird, Kitchen, Pettyjohn, Pohl, Sager and Taddonio Absent:None TAC Members: Larry Gamble, Helen Hondius, Roger Thorp and Bill Van Horn Attending: Members Gamble and Hondius Absent: Members Van Horn and Thorp Also Attending Town: County: Absent: Trustee John Baudek, Director Stamey, Town Attorney White and Recording Secretary Wheatley Chief Planner Russell Legg Commissioner Disney, Senior Planner Joseph Chair Amos called the Study Session to order at 3:00 p.m. Minutes of the July 15,1999 study session were accepted as presented. Director Stamey reviewed the updated schedule and noted the two dates for the Public Information “Open House” Sessions. Individuals may come in during these sessions and speak with Town and County Staff regarding their particular property. Planning Commissioners may attend but are not required. It would be beneficial to Planning Commissioners to attend the Joint Town Board/County Commissioners Public Hearings. Director Stamey also reviewed the Notice of Public Hearing, the Display Ad and the Citizen’s SDIC Letter. A bookmark printed with the public hearing schedule will also be provided. Chair Amos suggested that a similar Citizen’s Letter be published after the Code is adopted to inform the public of the duties and responsibilities of the Planning Commission. Commissioner Taddonio requested that we follow the County’s lead and not schedule any meetings during the holiday season. In discussing the implementation of the Code, Town Attorney White noted that there was a 30-day waiting period required after Board approval. The Code will probably be effective no sooner than January 1,2000. Town Attorney White reviewed the Bylaws for the Estes Valley Planning Commission. To avoid challenges on procedure rather than on the decision, the Bylaws have been written as concise as possible. The formal vote on the Bylaws will be at the next meeting of the EVPC. BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Valley Planning Commission - July 15,1999 Study Session Page 2 Procedures: Chief Planner Legg reviewed how the County conducted their public hearings. They determined it was better to correct misunderstandings or misinformation as soon as possible. During the County hearings, they allowed 4 or 5 individuals to speak and then pause for discussion by the Commissioners for clarification. The public expects and deserves feedback. The Commissioners, however, did not discuss changes to be made to the Code during the hearings. Misstatements made by the public should be corrected immediately. Zoning versus Code language needs to be determined. There may be some staff recommendations due to the Information Open House Sessions. At the County, staff was instructed not to respond to individual letters, but to advise that all the letters would reach the Planning Commission. Town Attorney White advised Commissioners not to make comments to individuals prior to the hearings, just listen to their comments. During the hearings, individual comments should be regarding the Code. They should address the Commission and not the crowd or individual staff members. All public letters will be verbally acknowledged. Chief Planner Legg advised that the staff presentation should be kept brief. Town Attorney White noted the Commission’s responsibilities as: 1) holding the Public Hearing, 2) reviewing and making any changes, and 3) fon/vard the document to Town Board and County Commissioners with their recommendation. The Planning Commission’s Public Hearing is scheduled for October 11,1999,1-4 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. Additional dates for continuance are “as needed” only. Commission Discussion: Commissioner Cherie Pettyjohn commented on a recent Kiplinger Newsletter regarding water rights and some of the problems other communities are facing with limited water resources. Town Attorney White assured the Commission that the Town was well situated with water supply and a major rate change was not anticipated. Town Liaison John Baudek noted that most of the regulations under the EVDC do not affect single family homes. Larry Gamble, TAC, was interested in the Fall River study area meeting. Staff will contact some residents who were not able to attend the meeting to get their input. Helen Hondius, TAC, recommended the book Devils Bargain by Hal Rothman which reviews the history of tourism in the West. Commissioner Taddonio advised his views haven’t changed. Commissioner Sager expressed his opinion that the Planning Commission should have a swearing-in ceremony to help recognize the seriousness of their appointment for Commissioners as well as the public. He also noted the need for a better understanding of “conflict of interest” and requested the Town Attorney to review the rules for the Planning Commission. Town Attorney White advised that any conflict of interest issues may be discussed with him directly. If a Commissioner benefits financially from a vote, there is a conflict of interest. Commissioners should not participate either in the discussion or the vote. If a Commissioner has spoken with someone regarding an issue prior to the meeting, the Commissioner should declare that prior to the discussion. Commissioner Kitchen noted her concerns with the Fall River and Giant Tract study areas. BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Estes Valley Planning Commission - July 15,1999 Study Session Page 3 Town Attorney White expressed his appreciation to the Planning Commission for all their hard work in preparing the EVDC draft. The next meeting date for Planning Commission is scheduled for October4,1999,3 to 5 p.m. to discuss the follow-up on the Fall River and Giant Track and to vote on the Bylaws. Commissioner Pohl commented he would like more formal bylaws and will discuss with Staff the additions he would like to see. He also encourages individuals to attend the public hearing to make comments rather than to him or other Commissioners individually. Commissioner Baird expressed his thanks to the Staff. He has some concerns regarding preserving the environment and the high density of development. He would like the Code to be stricter on slope, riparian areas, and wetlands protection. Chair Amos also thanked the Staff and the Technical Advisory Committee, Town Liaison Baudek and County Commissioner Disney. Commissioner Sager recognized the press and appreciated their attendance at the meetings. Chair Amos adjourned the Study Session at 4:45 p.m. The next scheduied meeting of the Estes Vaiiey Pianning Commission wiii be October 4,1999,3 p.m. in the Board Room of the Municipai Buiiding. Meribeth Wheatley, Recotimng Secretary