HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Study Session 2016-02-09
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, February 9, 2016
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TOWN BOARD STUDY SESSION of
the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held at the
Town Hall in Rooms 202/203 in said Town of Estes Park on the 9th day of
February, 2016.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustees Ericson,
Holcomb, Nelson, Norris and Phipps
Attending: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Koenig, Trustees Ericson,
Holcomb, Nelson, Norris and Phipps
Also Attending: Town Administrator Lancaster, Assistant Town Administrator
Machalek, Attorney White, Deputy Town Clerk Deats
Absent: None
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
DISCUSS NOISE ORDINANCE.
Chief Kufeld reported that a noise ordinance has been a part of the Municipal Code for a
number of years, however, there has been a limited degree of success in enforcing the
current law for reasons that include but are not limited to:
1. The noise ordinance is complex and difficult to enforce
2. The noise levels contained in the ordinance are unrealistic
3. By the time an officer can respond to a noise complaint, often times the noise has
ended, and
4. No one is willing to file a formal noise complaint.
The current ordinance requires noise measurements to be taken at specific locations on
properties which are at times difficult to identify. The use of a sound level meter is also
required. Chief Kufeld noted that tickets are sometimes written for disturbing the peace
as no metering is required and the wording is less complex.
Mayor Pro Tem Koenig spoke to the current decibel levels included in the ordinance and
said they are unrealistically low. She noted that a normal conversation taking place
between two people would exceed the levels currently contained in the ordinance. She
also noted that there are different measurements for different types of sound, and that
sounds in commercial areas should be considered and defined separately from those in
residential areas, which adds further complications.
Chief Kufeld proposed simplifying the ordinance, removing antiquated references,
providing for measurement procedures that are not too restrictive and make sense, and
increasing the defined noise levels to a realistic standard. Staff will bring forward a draft
noise ordinance to the Board.
Mayor Pinkham recessed the meeting at 5:20 p.m. for a dinner break and resumed the
meeting at 5:40 p.m.
UPDATE ON 2015 I-CODE ADOPTION & LOCAL AMENDMENTS, INCLUDING
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE.
Chief Building Official Birchfield presented the Board with significant changes that are
being proposed for inclusion along with the adoption of the 2015 I-Code. He stated that
the codes are updated every three years in order to stay abreast of new information, new
technology and products, revised standards, and clarifications to the codes. Local
amendments are proposed to address particular circumstances or concerns specific to
the Town of Estes Park. The Town’s Building Division is currently operating under the
2009 I-Code. The proposed local amendments have been vetted through the Estes Park
Board of Appeals and through numerous public outreach meetings. CBO Birchfield
reviewed significant changes and proposed local amendments with the Board which
include, but are not limited to the following topics:
Town Board Study Session – February 9, 2016 – Page 2
Compliance and regulation of Vacation Rental Homes by the International
Residential Code and the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code;
Adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code as amended;
Adoption of the International Existing Building Code as amended;
Preparation of submittal documents for a building permit by a registered
professional engineer or licensed architect due to local wind and snow design
loads, as all structural details require engineering;
Schedule of permit fees;
Automatic Sprinkler Systems in CD zone district for new construction,
redevelopment, etc;
Roof coverings in wildfire hazard areas;
Increase in structural design live loads;
Increase to design snow loads;
Change to design wind loads;
Change to design rain loads;
Plumbing facility requirements in carry-out food and/or drink establishments with
seating for 15 or less and occupancy loads not to exceed 49; and
Wildfire hazard mitigation.
The Board requested staff provide a wildfire hazard map of the areas of Town that would
be affected by this amendment for their review as they consider the proposed stricter
regulations related to roofing materials, and sprinkler system requirements.
Staff will proceed with preparing for the code adoption process.
TRUSTEE & ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS & QUESTIONS.
Trustee Nelson asked when additional follow-up on the Broadband issue would be
available. Town Administrator Lancaster said all the information will probably not
come together until late summer or early fall.
Karen Cumbo was introduced as the Interim Director for the Community
Development Department.
FUTURE STUDY SESSION AGENDA ITEMS.
Town Administrator Lancaster requested the addition of the following study session
agenda items:
February 23, 2016 – Update on Vacation Home Task Force – Terry Gilbert
June 14, 2016 – Hydrology Study and Implications
Trustee Phipps noted that an update on the vacation home task force will be heard at the
Estes Valley Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, February 16, 2016.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:48 p.m.
Cynthia Deats, Deputy Town Clerk