HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 12-11-2007 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, December 11, 2007
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TOWN BOARD STUDY SESSION of
the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held in the
Municipal Building in said Town of Estes Park on the 11th day of December,
2007.
Committee: Mayor Baudek, Trustees Blackhurst, Eisenlauer, Homeier,
Levine, Newsom and Pinkham
Attending: Mayor Baudek, Trustees Blackhurst, Eisenlauer, Homeier,
Levine, and Newsom
Also Attending: Administrator Repola, Deputy Town Administrator Halburnt,
Town Attorney White, Attorney Windholz, Lee Sammons,
Bob Eck, Dir. Smith, and Deputy Clerk Deats
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Pinkham
Mayor Baudek called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
TOWN BOARD GOAL – EXTENSION OF URBAN RENEWAL.
One of the goals of the current Town Board is to proceed with the mechanics necessary
to continue the Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority (EPURA). EPURA was created in
1982 to assist in rebuilding areas of downtown that were damaged during the Lawn
Lake flood. Over the past 23 years, the urban renewal authority has implemented
projects that focus on community and infrastructure improvements with an investment of
approximately $18 million, which over the same period of time, has resulted in an
increase in sales tax revenue more than double EPURA’s investment.
PROCESS OF EXTENDING URBAN RENEWAL.
Attorney Windholz stated that the primary reason for the existence of an urban renewal
authority is, through the efforts of the authority, to eliminate and/or prevent the spread of
blight; and outlined the procedures necessary for the amendment of the current urban
renewal plan. The process includes, but is not limited to, the following elements: a
blight study to identify the existence and location of blight; notification of public hearing
to all property owners within the proposed urban renewal area boundaries; publication
of legal notices in the local newspaper; submission of the proposed urban renewal plan
to the Estes Valley Planning Commission to determine its compliance with the Town’s
comprehensive plan; an analysis of the impact of the plan on the county as it relates to
services and costs; the presentation of evidence of blight at a public hearing; a
determination by the Town Board of the existence of blight; and a resolution stating
such.
In addition, the Town Board will be charged with making decisions related to urban
renewal area boundaries, the inclusion of the ability to use eminent domain, and funding
vehicles, in preparation for the adoption of amendments to the existing urban renewal
plan.
PROGRESS TOWARDS EXTENSION OF URBAN RENEWAL.
A blight study was commissioned in January 2007 and completed by Terrance Ware
Associates in July. The findings of the study suggest are the basis for determining new
boundaries for the urban renewal area. Upon review of the study, the EPURA
Commissioners have identified a number of projects for future consideration. Lee
Sammons, Sammons/Dutton, presented a listing of these proposed projects, along with
the estimated cost and estimated tax increment for each. Some of the projects are
Town Board Study Session – December 11, 2007 – Page 2
public in nature, others require a public/private partnership, while others, such as a
proposed façade improvement program, are designed to help business owners enhance
their properties. The list of projects presented is illustrative and any EPURA project
would be authorized and funds would be appropriated at the time the project was
approved.
URBAN RENEWAL PROJECT – RIVERWALK EXTENSION.
The EPURA Commissioners have identified the extension of the Riverwalk through the
Park Theater Mall as a final project under the current urban renewal plan. Discussions
with the owner of the mall are underway to provide for this connection and complete the
Riverwalk throughout the downtown area. In addition, the proposed multi-use
development of the Elkhorn Lodge property may result in the consideration of an
extension of the Riverwalk to the west as a possible first project under an amended
urban renewal plan.
TOWN BOARD DECISIONS.
Attorney Windholz reiterated that the Trustees will approve the amendment and
continuation of EPURA; define how the amended urban renewal plan will be structured;
approve the boundaries of the urban renewal area; and determine how EPURA will be
funded in the future. Currently, EPURA is funded primarily by a property tax increment.
In addition, EPURA receives $200,000 in sales tax revenue through an
Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Town of Estes Park. If property tax
increment is utilized in the future, funds will not be immediately available. Until a new
tax base is determined, financial assistance from the Town may be necessary.
Mayor Baudek and the Trustees thanked Attorney Windholz, Mr. Sammons, Mr. Eck,
and Dir. Smith for their comprehensive reports.
There being no further business, Mayor Baudek adjourned the meeting at 6:20 p.m.
Cynthia Deats, Deputy Town Clerk