Planning and Zoning Commission - Packets

The Buena Vista Planning & Zoning Commission September 18th, 2024, at 7:00 PM Commission Members and Staff will meet at the Community Center. The public is encouraged to join the meeting virtually via Zoom. The public can join the meeting using the Zoom information below. To participate in Public Comment and/or Public Hearings you may connect to the video conference. Conferencing Access Information: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6167636701?pwd=dDR3bldCRzRVMjhEaGV5SHZYZmxpdz09 Meeting ID: 616 763 6701 Passcode: y55sbm Listen via phone at: 1-720-707-2699 Meeting ID: 616 763 6701 Passcode: 554022 AGENDA REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION I. Call to Order II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Roll Call IV. Agenda Adoption V. Approval of Minutes – September 4th, 2024 VI. Public Comment VII. New Business 1. Joint Session - Water Advisory Board VIII. Staff/Commission Interaction IX. Adjournment  Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Buena Vista Planning and Zoning Commission September 4th, 2024 CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00PM., on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024, at the Community Center by Chair Preston Larimer. Staff Present: Planning Director Joel Benson and Planner I Caroline Mahoney PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Larimer led in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Mahoney proceeded with the roll call and Larimer declared a quorum. Attendee Name Title Status Preston Larimer Chair Present Tony LaGreca Vice Chair Present Craig Brown Commissioner Present Blake Bennetts Commissioner Present Thomas Brown Commissioner Present Tina Bennetts Alternate Present (non-voting) Michael Westheimer Alternate Present (non-voting) AGENDA ADOPTION Larimer called for approval of the agenda. Commissioner Thomas Brown motioned to adopt the agenda as presented and was seconded by Commissioner Craig Brown. Motion #1 passed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Craig Brown motioned to approve meeting minutes from August 7th, 2024, as presented. Commissioner Blake Bennetts seconded. Motion #2 passed. PUBLIC COMMENT Public comment was opened at 7:03 PM. With no comments, public comment was closed at 7:04PM. NEW BUSINESS A Public Hearing was opened at 7:05 PM for The Grove Major Site Plan review. Benson introduced the topic providing a brief overview of required Code processes and criteria for a major site plan review, citing that Staff have reviewed the application materials and provided an initial round of feedback to the applicant. Benson cited unique requirements for School District applications such as time constraints related to funding sources and State review of building permit plans. Larimer then invited the Applicant to begin their presentations. Lisa Yates, Superintendent of the Buena Vista School District, gave a presentation introducing the project and funding background, highlighting the abbreviated timeline needed to ensure grant funding is in place in time to allow for the project to proceed as scheduled. Yates introduced the project team for Watershed, Inc. as Rick Bieterman, John O’Brien, and Katy Welter. Welter gave a presentation to the Commission about the critical need for childcare in the community, including a statistical analysis of education needs in northern Chaffee County. Welter then provided details of the existing School District structures, lots, and services, followed by the proposal to repurpose an existing historic structure into a dedicated early childhood education campus. O’Brien presented the proposed structural and construction details including classroom sizes and capacities, project materials, structural changes, playgrounds, landscaping, drainage, water usage, access, HVAC, and utilities. Welter provided an overview of the increased School District capacity provided by the proposed expansion. With the Applicant presentations concluded, Benson gave a presentation summarizing Code review processes and criteria from Ch. 16 Article. 6.5.1.E, an overview of the proposal, Staff findings, and considerations for the Commission. Staff have provided an initial round of input to the Applicant and the Site Plan is currently in the Referral process. The Proposal was referred to Chaffee County Fire, Buena Vista Public Works, Lumen, Atmos, SDCEA, and the Buena Vista Sanitation District with comments due by September 10, 2024. All comments shall be provided back to the applicant for revisions with a new submittal expected to have all referral comments addressed. Due to the timing of potential public funding deadlines and State building permit review processes, a Commission decision prior to Staff and Agency approval is necessary. Benson provided a proposed list of conditions of approval to allow comments to be addressed after Commission recommendation, but before final approval by the Town Administrator: Conditions of Approval, summarized: 1. All comments from Town shall be addressed; 2. All comments from all referral agencies shall be addressed; 3. All required cash-in-lieu Fees shall be paid prior to approval per Fee Schedule as a proportion of a Single Family Equivalent; and 4. Public Works may request a Public Improvements Agreement to ensure a 2-year warranty period on all public improvements, landscaping, etc. If requested, such a PIA shall be signed and recorded prior to start of any construction. Benson closed his presentation by reiterating the Commission’s role in this application to approve, deny, continue the public hearing, or approve with conditions. The Commissioners then asked clarifying questions of the applicants. At 7:42 pm Larimer opened the public comment portion of the public hearing. Nancy Locke of 314 Cedar St. provided public comment. With no further comments, public comment for the public hearing was closed at 7:43 pm. At 7:44 pm the Commission began deliberations. Commissioner Tony LaGreca requested a re-reading of the conditions of approval, which Benson provided. After deliberations, Blake Bennetts suggested an amendment to Condition #2 above to include comments from the State of Colorado in the list of agency approvals. At 7:40 pm, Larimer called for a motion. LaGreca moved to approve Planning & Zoning Resolution 1 of Series 2024 as presented with the addition of “The State of Colorado” to the list of referral agencies. Bennetts Seconded. Larimer called for a roll call vote: LaGreca: Aye Thomas Brown: Aye Larimer: Aye Craig Brown: Aye Bennetts: Aye Motion #3 passed unanimously. At 7:51 pm Larimer closed the public hearing. At 7:52 pm a second public hearing was opened regarding an ordinance amending UDC Section 16.04.5 related to MU-MS building design guidelines. Benson opened the discussion by recusing himself from the creation of the code and participation in any discussions with the Commission. John O’Brien of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) provided a presentation to the Commission. O’Brien introduced the ordinance, including proposed language and goals designed to allow new infill development that will complement, not compete with, historic architecture on E. Main St. and the MU-MS Zone District. O’Brien detailed the HPC’s rigorous research methodologies and relevant historical context which guided the proposed ordinance. Revised parameters for building mass and scale, architectural style, and building materials were detailed. O’Brien provided supporting examples of current buildings in MU-MS, how they relate to national historic district standards, negative ramifications of failing to protect historic districts, and how vital preservation of a historic downtown is to continued economic prosperity in small towns with tourism economies. O’Brien noted that a 50 ft tall building is currently allowable in MU-MS under existing Code. After clarifying questions, a discussion between the Commissioners and O’Brien took place regarding the proposed changes. Larimer and O’Brien covered the pros and cons of the changes against current design standards, historic preservation, exceptions to measurements, height requirements, development needs, and expectations for future development. O’Brien mentioned he expects the 1-story buildings on south side of E. Main St. to be developed over time, causing a ripple effect on the rest of E. Main St. that could reduce economic prosperity. Craig Brown noted that a larger building mass and form has potential to create significant winter hazards such as ice and snow loading as well as reduced safety in public rights of way which reduce pedestrian circulation and thus commerce. LaGreca and Blake Bennetts requested clarification around which facades this ordinance applies to. Larimer mentioned the possibility of requiring a primary entrance on the road of addressing for the main occupant of a property. Thomas Brown highlighted the importance of view corridors, parking, accessibility and a living historic Main St. to tourism economies. At 8:36 pm Staff provided a summary of the proposed Code change, its applications, impacts, and criteria for evaluation. At 8:45 pm Larimer opened the public comment portion of the public hearing. Jo Reese of 16115 CR 306 provided public comment in support of the ordinance, citing returns to be made from potential real estate investments with positive economic impacts. Melanie Roth of 22705 CR 292B provided public comment in support of the ordinance and the need for action. Meg Sierant of 115 N Colorado Ave provided public comment in support of the ordinance stating new construction should not compete with historic buildings. Sierant requested view corridor regulations be expanded to 1 or 2 blocks in the MU-2 Zone District adjacent to the MU-MS district. Katy Welter of 18840 provided public comment in support of the ordinance. Katy owns property on E. Main St. and recused herself from the HPC presentations, electing to provide public comment instead, supporting creative approaches to development of historic areas. Suzanne K Kelly of 25887 CR 319 provided public comment supporting the ordinance to maintain the feel of town, stating the 35 ft max building height is the best solution to this problem. Nancy Locke of 314 Cedar St. provided public comment supporting the ordinance to prevent the loss of historic downtown. Locke supports the 35 ft maximum building height. At 9:05 pm with no further input, the public comment portion of the hearing was closed. At 9:06 pm the Commission began deliberations. LaGreca thanked the HPC for their hard work and asked that the Commission recognize the weight of their efforts. Commissioner Tina Bennetts requested clarification of the reasoning for the 15 ft minimum 3rd floor setback. O’Brien stated the HPC debated that measurement thoroughly and concluded a 15ft setback provides a balance of usable indoor and outdoor space while maintaining view corridors. Commissioners Michael J. Westheimer and Craig Brown agreed with the 15 ft setback, stating it is enough to create actual usable spaces. Commissioner Blake Bennetts requested clarification of the front and side facades, recommending the street facing portion of the building be reviewed within this new proposed ordinance. Bennetts stressed the importance of concise language in ordinances and Code requirements. At 9:15 pm LaGreca motioned to recommend to the Board of Trustees approve the ordinance amending UDC Section 16.04.5 related to MU-MS building design guidelines with the requests that clarifying language concerning primary building materials be defined as the street-facing façade. Larimer seconded the motion and called for a roll call vote: LaGreca: Aye Thomas Brown: Aye Larimer: Aye Craig Brown: Aye Bennetts: Aye Motion #4 passed unanimously. STAFF / COMMISSION INTERACTION After a 5-minute recess, LaGreca and Thomas Brown provided an update from the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee meetings, noting great attendance, diversity of membership, and positive interaction among members. Benson provided development updates regarding the Temporary Workforce Camping Ordinance and Barnwood Rezone applications. Upcoming meeting topics were discussed. At the end of October, an update to the 3-mile Plan will be considered, and there is potential to cancel the October 2nd meeting to allow for a more full agenda later on. Bennetts motioned to cancel the October 2nd meeting. LaGreca seconded the motion. Motion #5 passed unanimously. LaGreca, Benson, and Westheimer discussed Commissioner attendance at Board of Trustee meetings and Tina Bennetts noted some upcoming changes to attendance starting in January, with a continued interest in service on the Commission. _____________________________________________________________________________________ ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Bennetts motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:34 pm. LaGreca seconded. Motion #6 was unanimously approved. Respectfully submitted: ___________________________________ Preston Larimer, Chair ___________________________________ Caroline Mahoney, Planner I DATE: September 18th, 2024 TO: Planning and Zoning Commission and Water Advisory Board FROM: Joel Benson, Planning Director REQUEST: Joint Session The Water Advisory Board will be joining the regularly scheduled Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on September 18, 2024. There are two planned topics. First, we will hear an update on the Water Conservation Plan effort. Second, we will have a presentation about a concept for when and under what conditions the Town Trustees would consider accepting water augmentation certificates for proposed developments. To avoid confusion, there are no materials prepared for review prior to the meeting. There are no decisions sought, only feedback and discussion among the Commission and Board members.