HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 05/03/2022 PUBLIC HEARING
May 3, 2022
Present: Jeanne McQueeney Chairman
Kathy Chandler-Henry Commissioner
Matt Scherr Commissioner
Jeff Shroll County Manager
Matt Peterson Assistant County Attorney
Kathy Scriver Deputy Clerk to the Board
This being a scheduled Public Hearing,the following items were presented to the Board of County
Commissioners for their consideration:
Constituent Input
Chairman McQueeney opened constituent input.
Joanne Rock of Eagle spoke. She shared some information from a book she had been reading titled Our
National Forest by Greg Peters. Because forests equaled water, it was an important topic. She touched on forest
protection and watersheds.
Chairman McQueeney closed constituent input.
Commissioner Updates
Commissioner Chandler-Henry reminded everyone that today was Election Day for special districts.
Commissioner Scherr stated that this weeked marked the beginning of graduation season. Colorado
Mountain College graduates would graduate on Friday. He congratulated all the graduates.
Chairman McQueeney gave a shout out to a couple of events and the coordinators of those events. Last
week there was a solar garden built in one day thanks to the work of a lot of volunteers. She thanked John Gitchell
for coordinating the event and Holy Cross for pulling it together. The solar array was built in memory of Adam
Palmer and would help to offset the cost of energy bills for people at low and moderate incomes. She also thanked
everyone for their time volunteering on the Highway Cleanup last weekend.
County Manager Updates
Jeff Shroll stated that Cottonwood Pass would open tomorrow,May 4th. He encouraged everyone to use
caution. He also spoke about the services provided by Colorado Mountain College and the upcoming graduations.
Consent Agenda
1. Contract between Eagle County Government and State of Colorado Office of Public Health Practice,Planning
and Local Partnerships
Heath Harmon,Public Health&Environment
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2. Contract between Eagle County Government and the Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment
regarding Immunizations and Disease Prevention
Rebecca Larson,Public Health&Environment
3. Resolution 2022-030 Approving Investment and Banking Policy
Teak Simonton, Treasurer's Office
4. Revocable License Agreement with Town of Eagle for EV Charging Stations
John Gitchell, Resiliency& Sustainable Communities
Commissioner Chandler-Henry moved to approve the Consent Agenda for May 3,2022 as presented.
Commissioner Scherr seconded the motion. The vote was declared unanimous.
Business Item(s)
1.Agreement for Professional Services between Eagle County Colorado and Populous, Inc. for Consulting
Services on a Strategic Master Plan for the Eagle County Fairgrounds
Ron Siebert,Facilities Management
Executive Summary: County desires to engage a consultant to prepare a strategic master plan for the Eagle
County Fairgrounds, including planning and design services,public engagement,an implementation and phasing
plan and cost estimates for development of a multi-use event campus.
Jan Miller,Eagle County Facilities Manager, stated that the agreement with Populous was for Fairgrounds
master planning and design services. Populous was a firm out of Oklahoma. They specialized in multi-venu
planning services. The project timeline was scheduled to kick off later today with a worksession and would
conclude in September with a presentation. Included in the agreement were seven on site visits and public and
community engagement. The amount for services was $179,000.00.
Commissioner Scherr moved to approve the Agreement for Professional Services between Eagle County,
Colorado and Populous, Inc. for consulting services on a Strategic Master Plan for the Eagle County Fairgrounds.
Commissioner Chandler-Henry seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous.
2. Resolution 2022-031 Concerning Appointment of Jacqueline Allen-Benson as Eagle County's Assistant
Veterans Service Officer
Kathleen Lyons,Human Services
Executive Summary: Over 2,000 Veterans call Eagle County home. Our Veterans Service Officer and Assistant
Veterans Service Officer's role is to help link Eagle County's Veterans and their families to critical medical and
financial support services. In 2020,Eagle County Veterans received nearly$7.4M in compensation,pension,
education and other benefits. These dollars not only help support our vulnerable Veteran population,but also our
entire community's economy.
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Jacqueline Allen-Benson served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam era. She was stationed at
Quantico,Virginia in Research and Development at a top secret facility. Jacki states that all the state of the art
research she worked with is now obsolete. For instance she took the first messages from Telstar, a series of
communications satellites whose successful launching,beginning in 1962,inaugurated a new age in electronic
communications.
Jacki joined our Veterans Service Office program in January 2022 and has completed her accreditation through the
VA Office of General Counsel. Jacki's primary role as Assistant Veterans Service officer is to help Veterans
through the complex Veterans Affairs benefit claim process. By appointing Jacqueline Allen-Benson as our
Assistant Veterans Service Officer,we can continue to meet the needs of Eagle County's growing Veteran
population.
Colorado Revised Statute § 28-5-801 mandates that the board of county commissioners of each county in the state
establish a Veterans Service Office and appoint a veterans service officer for such county, and any assistant as may
be deemed necessary. Colorado Revised Statute § 28-5-802 mandates a two-year term for any Veterans Service
Officer or Assistant.
Ms. Lyons introduced Jacqueline Allen-Benson. The service officer program assisted veterans in the
community access eligible benefits.
Ms. Allen-Benson thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve fellow veterans.
Pat Hammon thanked the commissioners for their support and it was wonderful to have Ms. Allen-Benson
on board.
Commissioner Chandler-Henry moved to approve the Resolution Concerning the Appointment of
Jacqueline Allen-Benson as Eagle County's Assistant Veterans Service Officer.
Commissioner Scherr seconded the motion. The vote was declared unanimous.
3. Resolution 2022-032 Concerning Appointments to the Eagle County Regional Transportation Authority
Dayana Herr, ECO Transit
Executive Summary: To appoint the Regular and alternate members of the Eagle County Regional Transportation
Authority(ECRTA)Advisory Board for the Town of Gypsum and Town of Vail.
The Town of Vail requests that the Commissioners appoint Barry Davis as a regular member and Pete Seibert as
Alternate member for the term expiring February 28, 2024.
The Town of Gypsum requests that the Commissioners appoint Jeremy Rietman as a regular member and Jim
Hanock as Alternate member for the term expiring February 28, 2024.
Ms. Herr requested approval of the appointments for the members.
Commissioner Scherr moved to approve the Resolution Concerning Appointments to the Eagle County
Regional Transportation Authority.
Commissioner Chandler-Henry seconded the motion. The vote was declared unanimous.
4. Resolution 22-033 Proclaiming May 2022 as Wildfire Preparedness Month
Katie Jenkins,Wildfire Mitigation
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Executive Summary: Eagle County and the Towns of Gypsum,Minturn, Eagle,Red Cliff,Avon and Vail,have
determined that they share the common goals of wildfire risk reduction,wildfire preparedness and public
education; and that collaboration in these areas will lead to unified and fire-adapted communities throughout
Eagle County and surrounding areas. Wildfire Preparedness Month is focused on encouraging residents to learn
about wildfire safety and take steps to reduce wildfire risk in and around their homes.
Ms. Jenkins spoke about the national celebration of creating awareness regarding wildfire preparedness.
The towns as well as the county would be working together to create more awareness in the community. The
county offered free private home assessments for people wanting to protect their homes from wildfire.
Commissioner Chandler-Henry moved to approve the Resolution Proclaiming May 2022 as Wildfire
Preparedness Month.
Commissioner Scherr seconded the motion. The vote was declared unanimous.
Site Tour - Edwards
1. Site Tour: SMA-9185-2021 Minor Type A Subdivision,JLT Valley LLC
Katie Kent, Community Development
Executive Summary: Site visit for a Minor Type A Subdivision for a 1.16 acre property located at 33885 Highway
6,parcel number 2105-054-00-013,just north of U.S. Highway 6 in the Edwards Area.
Work Session - Eagle County Room
1. Fairgrounds Master Planning kick off
Jan Miller,Facilities
Executive Summary: This work session is the kick off session for the master plan project for the Fairgrounds. The
goal for this time is to meet the consultant, Populous, Inc., review the project schedule,discuss the project, the
projected milestones and gather BoCC feedback.
Planning File - Eagle County Room
1. SMA-9185-2021 Minor Type A Subdivision, JLT Valley LLC
Katie Kent, Community Development
Executive Summary: The applicant requests approval of a Minor Type A Subdivision for a 1.16 acre property
located at 33885 Highway 6,parcel number 2105-054-00-013,just north of the U.S. Highway 6 in the Edwards
Area.
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Scot Hunn,Hunn Policy&Planning LLC,represented the applicant and introduced the applicant,Ross
Blankenship of Edwards, Colorado.
Mr.Blankenship stated that his desire was to provide a sustainable business on the property.
Matt Peterson,Assistant County Attorney provided some background information. The application before
the board was to create a plat on one unplatted lot so development could occur. Only the standards of the Minor
A Subdivision should be considered at this time.
Mr. Hunn stated that he had been working with Mr. Blankenship for over a year and a half. They had
been working diligently with the county CDOT and the Eagle River Water& Sanitation District. The applicant
had an access permit with CDOT. The property was zoned for mixed use development. He believed the proposal
was consistent with the land use regulations and the Edwards Community Plan and was compatible with the
existing uses.
Katie Kent, Senior Planner for Eagle County,presented the request. The applicant wished to plat the
existing 1.16 acres parcel which was created by deed in 1988 but did not follow the subdivision requirements.
The future uses on the site would be required to comply with the Commercial General (CG)District and
associated standards. The proposed Minor Type A Subdivision was in conformance with the 2016 Edwards Area
Community Plan and 2005 Eagle County Comprehensive Plan. She reviewed the seven standards and indicated
that the proposal conformed with the standards. Referral comments had been received by various referral
agencies. Most had no concerns with the proposal. Staff's review of the application found the application met
the standard for approval.
Commissioner Chandler-Henry noted that the Edwards Metro District presented a list of concerns.
Ms.Kent stated that staff received 15 comments from members of the public. Those comments had been
forwarded to the board.
Chairman McQueeney stated that the comments received were not directed to the matter at hand,which
was the request of a Minor Type A Subdivision. The property was zoned commercial and it was remaining
commercial.
Mr. Peterson stated that the use of the property would be considered at a later date. If the uses were to
change,the applicant would re-submit an application.
Chairman McQueeney opened public comment.
Joanne Kerwin of Edwards spoke. She believed the community plan and land use regulations were
complicated. She reached out to the county last August and expressei,concern with the current use of the
property. She referred to the standards and believed the request did not-meet all the standards. The development
was not compatible with surrounding uses. She believed the stakes were high and the business did not.meet the
standards. She asked that the board deny the file as it was inconsistent with the Land Use regulations.
Teri Lester of Edwards spoke about the current zoning and believed it complied with the Edwards Area
Community commercial use. She expressed concern for the proposed use. She believed it was an ideal location
for affordable housing. She asked the board of county commissioners to deny the application.
Chairman closed public comment.
Mr. Hunn responded to the public comment and spoke about the mixed use development standards.
Under the county's current land use regulations,housing was a special use permit and another layer of review the
applicant would have had to go through with another set of standards to be met. From a policy perspective,he
understood the push for affordable housing,but this was not the parcel for that mixed use. The applicant was well
aware of the traffic concerns and was prepared to improve the access to the property with turn lanes. The future
landscape plans would buffer the buildings from the Eagle River Preserve.
Mr. Blankenship reminded folks that there was no oil on the property and all the tires would be donated to
local playgrounds. He understood the concerns with respect to the environment.
Commissioner Chandler-Henry asked Ms. Kent to explain the difference between future land use map
designation and zoning designation.
Ms.Kent stated that this parcel was zoned commercial general(CG). Housing was recommended,but
not required. She believed that commercial general was a fit for the area.
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Mr. Peterson stated that in this instance the affordable housing guidelines were applicable to PUD
developments, zone changes, special use permits, subdivisions, or similar new developments. There were
different types of subdivisions in the land use regulations. The application before the board was a Minor Type A
Subdivision. This application did not trigger the affordable housing guidelines.
Commissioner Chandler-Henry concurred with the staff recommendation.
Commissioner Scherr believed that the application was consistent with the comprehensive plan and met
the standards.
Chairman McQueeney believed that the commissioners had to stick to the standards and that the property
was suitable for development.
Commissioner Scherr moved to approve File No. SMA-9185-2021, incorporating staff's findings, as the
application meets the standards for approval of a Minor Type A Subdivision.
Commissioner Chandler-Henry seconded the motion. The vote was declared unanimous.
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There being no further busid s• ` ard, the meeting was adjourned until May 10,2022.
\PRADO Attest• a r 0 ,(
Clerk to the Board Chairman
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