HomeMy WebLinkAboutR05-121 temporary moratorium on zone change applications
Commissioner / moved adoption
of the followi g Resolution:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO
RESOLUTION NO. 2005-
AUTHORIZING THE ADOPTION OF A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON ALL
ZONE CHANGE APPLICATIONS THAT WOULD RESULT IN MORE
RESIDENT AL DWELLING UNITS PER ACRE THAN THE PRESENT
GOVERNING ZONE DISTRICT ALLOWS, AND ALL ZONE CHANGE
APPLICATIONS THAT WOULD RESULT IN COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL
USES-BY-RIGHT ON PROPERTY THAT IS PRESENTLY ZONED FOR
AGRICUL TURAL OR RESIDENTIAL USES
WHEREAS, Eagle County, Colorado (the "County") is a political subdivision of the
State of Colorado (the "State"), duly organized and existing pursuant to the laws and the
Constitution of the State; and
WHEREAS, The Local Government Land Use Control Enabling Act, ~ 29-20-101. et
seq., C.R.S. ("Land Use Act"), and the County Planning Code, S 30-28-101 et seq., C.R.S.
("Planning Code") expressly delegate paramount authority to counties to iillplement land use
regulations on unincorporated territory within their boundaries; and
WHEREAS, Eagle County is experiencing rapid population growth which will affect the
ability of the County to maintain an adequate level of public services; and
WHEREAS, the County is in the process of amending the Eagle County Land Use
Regulations ("LUR") and researching various balanced "growth management" tools which may
take a variety of forms, including development moratoria, interim zoning, downzoning, time-
limited development approvals and other growth management strategies; and
WHEREAS, the County finds that it is essential to protect and preserve the environment
and the public health, welfare and safety of the County and its citizenry, that it is in the County's
best interest, and that it is consistent with the Land Use Act and the County Planning Code to
study the potential impact of certain uses and development within the County; and
WHEREAS, a temporary moratorium on all zone change applications that would result
in more residential dwelling units per acre than the present governing zone district allows and on
all zone change applications that would result in commercial or industrial uses-by-right on
property that is presently zoned for agricultural or residential uses; and
WHEREAS, on September 8,2005, a legal advertisement was placed in a newspaper of
general circulation notifying the public of this proposed Resolution and of a Public Hearing to be
held by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado; and
"VHEREAS, based on the evidence, testimony and exhibits for the unincorporated areas
of Eagle County, comments of the Eagle County Department of Community Development,
comments of public officials and agencies, and comments from all interested parties, the Board
hereby determines that a temporary moratorium on all zone change applications that would result
in more residential dwelling units per acre than the present governing zone district allows and on
all zone change applications that would result in commercial or industrial uses-by-right on
property that is presently zoned for agricultural or residential uses are necessary and proper for
the protection of the public health, safety, welfare and best interests of the inhabitants of the
County of Eagle, State of Colorado.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO:
THAT, the purpose ofthis Resolution is to enable the County sufficient time to review,
study, hold public hearings and prepare and adopt an amendment or amendments to the County's
LUR relating to the allowance or development of certain commercial uses, residential uses and
industrial uses in unincorporated Eagle County.
THAT, during a nine (9) month time period, the County will not take any action on any
application on any zone change that would result in more residential dwelling units per acre than
the present governing zone district allows and on any application on any zone change that would
result in commercial or industrial uses-by-right on property that is presently zoned for
agricultural or residential uses.
THAT, it is not the purpose ofthis Resolution to deny development permits for other
uses that are permitted by right or special use permit and that otherwise comply with all
applicable codes, regulations and policies of the County and other regulatory agencies, or to deny
building permits.
THAT, it is further the purpose of this Resolution to fulfill the County's constitutional
charge and statutory obligations to protect and preserve the environment and the public health,
welfare and safety of the citizens of Eagle County, and in particular to protect the public health,
welfare and safety of the citizens and the value, use and enjoyment of real property in
unincorporated Eagle County during the interim period described in this Resolution, and thus
defer official governmental action until the County has properly reviewed, studied, held public
hearings and adopted amendments, if any, to the County's LUR, as necessary.
THAT, the purpose of this provision is to define words, terms and phrases contained in
this Resolution. Definitions are as follows:
(1) "Application for a development permit" means any application for zoning
permit requesting a zone change that would result in more residential dwelling units per acre
than the present governing zone district allows and on any application on any zone change that
would result in commercial or industrial uses-by-right on property that is presently zoned for
agricultural or residential uses.
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(2) "DEVELOPMENT" means any of the following activities that require
some form of development permit pursuant to the Eagle County Land Use Regulations.
(3) "DEVELOPMENT PERMIT" means an amendment to the Zoning District
Map, a Conceptual/Preliminary Plan for PUD, a Sketch Plan/Preliminary Plan for Subdivision, a
Final Plat for Subdivision, a Special Use Permit, a Variance Permit, a Certificate of Zoning
Compliance, a Building Permit, Floodplain Permit or any other official action of Eagle County
having the effect of permitting the development of land.
THAT, for a period of275 days (9 months) from and after the adoption date of this
Resolution, ending at 11 :59 p.ill. on July 4, 2006:
(1) No application on any zone change that would result in more residential
dwelling units per acre than the present governing zone district allows or on any application on
any zone change that would result in commercial or industrial uses-by-right on property that is
presently zoned for agricultural or residential uses may be filed, accepted, or processed for any
development within unincorporated Eagle County by any Department, Board, Commission, or
Agency of the County, except as provided in this Resolution.
(2) The imposition of the moratorium is not intended to affect nor does it
affect the processing of any application for a development permit that has been determined to be
a complete application (as set forth in Section 5-21O(D)(3) of the LUR) by the Eagle County
Community Development Department as of October 4, 2005.
(3) The imposition of the moratorium is not intended to affect nor does it
affect the processing of any application for a development permit the subject of which has
received previous approval from the Eagle County Board of County Commissioners for any level
of review as of October 4,2005.
(4) The imposition of the moratorium is not intended to affect nor does it
affect the processing of any application for a Development Permit for the construction,
expansion or renovation of any development that is deed restricted and is intended to be for work
force, low incoille, very low income and moderate income housing as defined by the Eagle
County Housing Guideline.
THAT, the Board shall provide a mechanism for an alleviation of a hardship as follows:
(1) The Board of County Commissioners of Eagle County may authorize
exceptions to the moratorium imposed by this resolution when it finds, based upon competent
evidence presented to it, that deferral of action on an application for development permit and the
deferral of the issuance of the development order or development permit for the duration of the
moratorium would impose a hardship on a landowner or a developer.
(2) A request for an exception based upon a hardship shall be filed with the
Director of Community Development or his designee including a fee of $300.00 by the
landowner or the developer with the consent of the landowner to cover processing and
advertising costs and shall include a recitation of the specific facts that are alleged and support
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the claim of a hardship and shall contain such other information as the Director of Community
Development or his designee shall prescribe as necessary for the Board of County
Commissioners to be fully informed with respect to the application.
(3) A public hearing on any request for an exception for a hardship shall be
held by the Board of County Commissioners at a regular scheduled meeting of the Board of
County Comillissioners that occurs after the expiration of the period for publication of notice of
the request for an exception.
(4) Notice of the filing of a request for an exception and the date, time and
place of the hearing thereon shall be published no less than 14 calendar days prior to the date of
first public hearing. Said public notice shall be in a newspaper of general circulation within
Eagle County, Colorado.
(5) In reviewing an application for an exception based upon a claim of
hardship, the Board of County Commissioners shall consider the following criteria:
a. The extent to which the applicant has prior to October 4,2005, received
Eagle County permits or approvals for the proposed development.
b. The extent to which the applicant has prior to October 4, 2005, made a
substantial expenditure of money or resources in advance on permits or other approvals of the
county directly associated with physical improveillents on the land such as grading, installation
of utilities infrastructure or any other public improvements.
c. Whether the applicant prior to October 4, 2005 has contractual
commitments and reliance upon permits or other approvals to complete the project.
d. Whether the applicant prior to October 4,2005 has in reliance upon
permits or approvals of the county incurred financial obligations to a lending institution which
despite a thorough review of the alternative solutions, the applicant cannot meet unless
development proceeds.
e. Whether the moratorium would expose the applicant to substantial
monetary liability to third persons; or would leave the applicant completely unable after a
thorough review of alternative solutions to earn a reasonable investment-backed expectation on
the property.
The Board of County Commissioners will consider the following non-exclusive factors
under the criteria set forth above:
(1) The history ofthe property.
(2) The history of any development on the property.
(3) The history of property's future land use map classification.
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(4) The history of the property's zoning.
(5) Any change in development when property ownership is changed; and
(6) The present nature, size and use of the property.
(7) Any other factors deemed relevant by the Board in making a hardship
determination.
At the conclusion of the public hearing and after reviewing the evidence and testimony
placed before it, the Board of County Commissioners shall act upon the request either to
approve, approve with conditions or deny the request made by the applicant.
MOVED, READ AND ADOPTED, by the Board of County Commissioners of the
County of Eagle, State of Colorado, at its regular meeting held the ~ day of October, 2005.
COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO
By and ugh its BOARD OF COUNTY
RS
Commissioners
Torn C. Stone, Commissioner
Commissioner Menconi seconded adoption of the foregoing Resolution. The roll having
been called, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Menconi
Commissioner Runyon
Commissioner Stone
This Resolution passed by vote of the Board of County Commissioners ofthe
County of Eagle, State of Colorado.
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