HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2011-01-11
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, January 11, 2011
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
Rooms 202 & 203 in said Town of Estes Park on the 11th day of
January, 2011.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Levine, Trustees
Blackhurst, Elrod, Ericson, Koenig and Miller
Also Attending: Town Administrator Halburnt, Deputy Town Administrator
Richardson, Town Attorney White, Director Zurn, Finance
Officer McFarland, Town Clerk Williamson
Absent: None
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
TREE BOARD UPDATE.
Scott Roederer/Tree Board member stated the overgrazing by elk has severely
degraded the riparian habitat within the Matthew-Resser bird sanctuary along the Lake
Estes Trail. The area has become unsightly and has resulted in the loss of a variety of
trees reducing essential cover for migratory birds and other wildlife. The Tree Board
was charged to study, investigate, develop and administer a plan for the care,
preservation, planning, replanting and removal of trees and shrubs in public areas of the
Town. Therefore, the Tree Board has recommended $6,000 for fencing to protect the
riparian area within the sanctuary to help the willows and other plants within the area
recover from the overgrazing. In addition, the Tree Board would like to apply for a grant
to create a wildlife walk/arboretum within the area. The Tree Board considers this area
to be the worst tree area in the valley.
Rick Spowart/CDOW stated the area has been popular with elk for forage and calving
due to the irrigation of the golf course and abundant areas to hide calves. He has been
investigating the protection of the area that is home to over 280 species of birds during
migration; however, has not found funding for the project. He stated a buck-and-rail
fence would need to be six feet high to keep the elk out. The project would be valuable
to the area and the other animal species in the area.
The Town Board questioned if the elk would destroy the adjacent wooded area if the
fence was constructed; is the area considered a mapped wildlife area, would the fence
be allowed per the Development Code; and in previous wildlife discussions the CDOW
did not want to be involved in the decision making process or make recommendations
related to wildlife.
Mr. Spowart stated the adjacent area consists of mostly pines that are more durable;
however, the area would likely be used by the elk. Attorney White stated the
Development Code does not apply to federally owned land. Mr. Roederer stated this
area is the most important bird area within the entire valley and the Development Code
calls to protect a diversity of wildlife.
Trustee Miller voiced support for the project. Trustee Koenig would recommend an
open-ended fence be placed on the opposite side of the trail to reduce interaction of elk
and pedestrians along that section of the trail. Trustee Blackhurst commented on the
need to determine the financial input by the other agencies before moving forward, and
stated the project should not move forward if it cannot be fully funded. Trustee Elrod
questioned what projects would not be completed by the Tree Board if this project is
Town Board Study Session – January 11, 2011 – Page 2
funded.
Funding for the entire project has not been determined. The Estes Valley Recreation
and Park District (EVRPD) has approved $4,000 in funding with the anticipation of up to
$10,000 in matching funds from the Bureau of Reclamation. The labor would be
provided by Eagle Rock students. The Tree Board would like to move forward with the
project and complete it in sections if funding is not available to complete the entire
project this year. Mr. Spowart intends on seeking State funds for the project as well.
Mr. Roederer stated this project would be funded by 2010 funds rolled over to 2011 and
would not impact 2011 projects. Mike Richardson/Tree Board member and EVPRD
District member stated the Recreation District would own and maintain the fence once
completed.
Town Administrator Halburnt stated no Town Board action was necessary at the regular
meeting since the money was already budgeted.
REGIONAL TOURISM PROJECT PROPOSAL.
Frank Theis and Todd Jirsa presented a potential Regional Tourism Act (RTA) project
on the Elkhorn Lodge property that would consist of three elements: restoration and
expansion of the historic Elkhorn Lodge, a new 50-acre European-style winter
recreation area and a cultural arts district. Mr. Theis stated the RTA was passed in
2009 to provide financial support to large-scale, regional, tourist-oriented projects in
Colorado through State sales tax funds allocated over the life of a project using tax-
increment financing. Applications must be submitted by a local government by March
21, 2011 for a large scale Regional Tourism Project that is of an extraordinary and
unique nature that is anticipated to result in a substantial increase in out-of-state
Tourism and that generates a significant portion of the sales tax revenue by
transactions with nonresidents of the zone.
Mr. Jirsa reviewed the winter recreation area, stating the focus would be on creating a
year-round winter playground with a focus on affordability and education. The area
would include 15 winter (skiing, tubing, alpine cart) and 10 summer activities (zip line,
mountain biking, downhill skateboarding, hiking trails, horseback riding). There would
be one quad chairlift and several surface lifts to serve over 12,000 feet of groomed trails
with a 400-foot vertical drop and a terrain park. The ski facility works in this location
because it is sheltered, north-facing slope, and the Town of Estes Park has water rights
to take water from Fall River to make snow. He stated new technology has been
developed for snow making machines that are significantly quieter. The system would
allow the area to open within 48 hours of cold weather (minimum 27 degrees and
optimal of 17 degrees). It would take approximately 2,000 gallons per minute to run the
snow machine; however, a storage facility would be constructed on site.
The area would create 350 parking spaces and may include a parking structure to add
to the transportation system as a hub on the west side The project would increase the
number of visitors in the winter and spring, improve the riverwalk and streetscape
connections to the Elkhorn Lodge area, stimulate redevelopment of commercial and
lodging facilities in the adjacent areas, and improve traffic flow from Moraine to Fall
River with the use of the Wonderview bypass instead of the construction of a “western
bypass”.
The project would enhance the economy through increased sales tax, thereby creating
a balanced year-round economy. There would also be an increase in approximately
250 new jobs and the equivalent of 300 construction jobs over a two or three year
period. This would help to maintain young working families in Estes Park. An indirect
benefit would be the increase in the quality of life through an increase in services and
goods locally. The additional sales tax would help to maintain current property taxes.
Board questions and comments are summarized: what are the costs associated with the
Town Board Study Session – January 11, 2011 – Page 3
application and potential economic analysis; does the Town have details on the type of
visitors that come to Estes Park, i.e. the number of out-of-state versus in-state; before
the application were to be considered the Town should establish if water rights exist and
if they can be used to make snow; and EPURA could have developed through a
public/private partnership that the Town cannot inter into.
Mr. Theis stated the LMD has statics showing that a third of visitors come from out-of-
state, third from within Colorado and third from the Front Range. An economic analysis
would need to be completed and submitted with the application with a cost of $30,000 to
$40,000. If the project is accepted by the State, the applicant would have to pay for an
independent economic analysis; however, the applicant could make that decision after
accessing the competition. If the project was developed, the Town would have to
develop a Regional Tourism Authority to collect and remit funds to the State, similar to
EPURA; however, the authority would not have the ability to condemn property. The
property would be owned by a non-profit corporation that would plat the property into
the three lots. He envisions the Town purchasing the cultural arts lot.
Attorney White stated the Town has direct water flow rights for Fall River; however, an
augmentation plan would need to be developed in order to make snow. He would
review the issue and numbers and report to the Board on whether or not the Fall River
water rights could be used. He commented the Town could not enter into a
private/public partnership; therefore, the Town would be the applicant and if the project
was approved a private entity would have to develop and operate the facility.
Mr. Theis stated the next step would be to collect public input on the project at a special
meeting. The Board discussed the issue and recommended Mr. Theis and Mr. Jirsa
facilitate a public forum meeting.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk