During Tuesday night’s Town Board meeting, developer Frank Theis received approval for the preliminary subdivision plan for the Coyote Run Subdivision off Peak View Drive.
Senior Planner Paul Hornbeck presented the plan for the land, including dividing the lot into 12 lots for single-family residential properties. Eight lots would be deed-restricted as affordable housing, 80% or less of the area median income.
Several community members spoke in opposition to the proposal. Concerns ranged from the stormwater drainage plan and its effect on properties below the proposed subdivision to preserving the character of Estes Park and its wildlife and ecosystem.
Town Engineer Trevor Witwwer addressed the drainage concerns by highlighting that the water detention base in the proposal would allow for the control of the water release rate, making it less than what it currently is.
Mayor Pro Tem Marie Cenac, a veterinarian, said she did not think the development would have a negative impact on wildlife. Mayor Hall also said he did not think this property would be “an indicator of the future of Estes.”
Trustee Mark Igel expressed concern over the development’s effect on the neighborhood and said he could not, in good conscience, support the project. He was the only Trustee to vote against the motion, which ultimately passed.
The Board also discussed revising its naming criteria – Policy 208 – for town parks, open spaces, and facilities, to allow for renaming the space at the northeast corner of Moraine Ave. and Riverside Dr. to “Monteverde Park.”
The request came from the Estes Park Sister Cities Association. Monteverde, Costa Rica, is a sister city to Estes Park. A seven-member delegation from Monteverde will visit Estes Park from Sept. 29 to Oct. 8.
“I would recommend finding another way to symbolize our connection with Montaverde,” said Trustee Igel. “It doesn’t seem broken to me, so I wouldn’t fix it.”
Trustee Cindy Younglund, liaison to the Estes Park Sister Cities Association, said it is common for sister cities to have parks named after one another, and advocated for expanding the naming criteria.
“Right now, the only place that anybody can find anything about Monteverde is in the corner of the museum of Estes Park,” said Trustee Youngland.
The Board reached a consensus on modifying the policy to allow for the park’s naming and recognition of its sister city.
The Board also unanimously approved an ordinance updating its Platte River Power Authority contract. The updates addressed modernizing language, updating qualifications of Board members and PRPA responsibilities, and extending the contract through 2075.
The utility provides electricity to Estes Park by acting as a wholesale power supplier to the Town’s local electric utility, Estes Park Power and Communications, which then delivers the electricity to customers within the town. Estes Park is one of four owner communities that receive wholesale electricity, generation, and transmission services from PRPA. The other communities are Fort Collins, Longmont, and Loveland.
Additionally, the Board found that the Riverside Drive Townhomes Annexation complies with Colorado laws, and the annexation review process can now begin. The Board must hold an eligibility resolution on Oct. 28 and notify the community before the property is annexed into the Town of Estes Park.