The Nederland Board of Trustees (BOT) met on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at 7 p.m. to vote on several Action Items on their agenda. The BOT heard the cases of several existing local businesses looking to expand or make changes to how they operate, as well as a few new businesses looking to move into Nederland’s empty commercial properties.

Town Administrator Miranda Fisher presented to the BOT her Staff Report, giving accolades to three of the six members of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB), Nate, Tabby, and Rowan, for their hard work and for graduating this year. Fisher also noted that COVID-19 testing at the Nederland Community Center will end after June 24, 2022, though testing kits are readily available and the vaccine clinics will continue.

Fisher also spoke to the BOT about upcoming Emergency Preparedness Meetings, the purposes of which are to review Nederland’s emergency protocols and procedures to ensure education and understanding for residents. Trustee Karen Blakemore asked the town to provide the BOT a presentation in the near future on how town preparedness is progressing. Fisher agreed and stated that the presentation will also include results from proposed practice emergency evacuations.

Mayor Julian Taylor presented the first of the Trustee Reports to the BOT, stating that he doesn’t have many meetings left to attend before he steps down as Mayor. Mayor Taylor spoke about the “honorable calling” of service to one’s town government being worthy and deserving of respect.

Mayor Pro Tem Tom Mahowald reported to the BOT about his continued focus on Wildfire Preparedness, having attended meetings and walked the proposed Big Springs Egress route. Mayor Pro Tem Mahowald also spoke about the progress being made on the Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB), and put a call out to residents to consider running for one of the 14 positions currently open in local government.

Trustee Blakemore reported on her continued focus on transportation and how she’s hoping to secure a grant which would fund a 30 year transportation master plan. She also is working with the Solar Ordinance Subcommittee of the Planning Commission who are looking into removing barriers for personal or business solar installation, including the proposition to make solar infrastructure exempt from Nederland’s building height limits.

Trustee Eric Coombs-Esmail spoke to the BOT about Boulder County’s upcoming vote to institute several new gun control ordinances. The revised language of the proposed ordinances will be discussed with the public on May 24, 2022, and will be voted on in a public hearing on June 7. The ordinance covers bans on assault weapons, high capacity ammunition, and on ghost guns, and also aims to ban concealed-carry in many public spaces, including parks, playgrounds, and churches. Boulder County is reaching out to other municipalities to pass the same laws, meaning that Nederland’s BOT will soon have to decide how they want to proceed.

The BOT unanimously approved a Special Review Use for The Caribou Room on March 15, 2022 allowing them use of their parking lot as an outdoor concert space. The Caribou Room, located on 55 Indian Peaks Drive, has also submitted a request (referred as a Modification of Premise) to have the boundaries covered by their liquor license extended to include their new outdoor concert space, and the request is subject to a public hearing. Mayor Taylor recused himself from the hearing due to a conflict of interest, leaving Mayor Pro Tem Mahowald to lead the BOT as the Liquor Licensing Authority.

Town staff and the Nederland Fire Department had no objections to the Modification of Premise as it met the needs and desires of the neighborhood and was in compliance with zoning laws. Fisher also noted that the Caribou Room received over 100 letters of support for the SRU which should be considered with the modification of premise since the ask is similar.

With no objection from the public or BOT, the public hearing was closed and Mayor Pro Tem Mahowald, leading the BOT as the Liquor Licensing Authority approved The Caribou Room’s request, which was seconded and unanimously approved by the BOT.

The BOT were tasked with considering a Special Review Use (SRU) application for Very Nice Brewing Company (VNBC) concerning the allowance of outdoor eating and drinking service. VNBC desired to section off the two parking spaces directly in front of their location on 20 Lakeview Drive, Unit 112, for outdoor service, to only be cordoned off during their regular operating hours.

Town staff and the Nederland Police Department (NPD) placed their conditions for approval, wanting precautions to be taken by VNBC in the form of brightly colored stanchions and ropes properly indicating the area to avoid any traffic accidents. VNBC Owners Jeffrey and Susan Green had already instituted the conditions imposed by the town and the NPD.

With a petition in support of VNBCs SRU application having been signed by many residents, accompanied by several letters of support from local businesses, the BOT moved to approve VNBCs request.

Co-owner of Decent Bagel Carl Fritschel presented to the BOT their application for an SRU concerning their new business venture, Dino Moves. Dino Moves is a proposed indoor gymnasium focusing on climbing and movement and will feature bouldering workout and aerial yoga sessions. The considered location for Dino Moves is a split residential and commercial property on 120 East 2nd Street, which is located within the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) zoning district. Dino Moves requires an SRU to operate at this location due to the nature of their business not being covered by NC zoning laws.

The BOT was largely in favor of the business and of their SRU request, however concerns about outstanding water and sewage tap fees and Plant Investment Fees(PIF) fees levied on the property complicated the discussion.

Fritschel and Dino Moves desired to reach an 18 month payment agreement for the accrued fees with the town. In interest of fairness to Dino Moves and any future business looking to take over the property at 120 East 2nd Street, the BOT moved to approve Dino Moves’ SRU with the modification of a 36 months payment plan and a stipulation that the tap and PIF fees be paid in full before the resale of the property.

General Council for Igadi David Michel represented the retail marijuana dispensary chain in regards to their application for an SRU to create a marijuana product manufacturing facility at 92 East 1st Street. The facility would have a retail dispensary on the first floor of the building with a manufacturing area on the bottom floor, primarily focusing on canna- butter infusion, tinctures, beverages, and gummies.

Michel assured the BOT that concerns of odor from the facility are unfounded as the facility is outfitted with a carbon filtration system and there will be no marijuana cultivation or extraction done on site. Michel and Igadi were also asking to be exempt from paying into the Central Business District commercial parking fund, as the property has 4 of the 6 required spaces in front of the business. The land behind the property is town land and therefore requires the business to pay into the parking fund to utilize the space.

The BOT moved to approve Igadi’s SRU request as well as moved to strike the parking requirements from the agreement.

Mayor Taylor led the BOT into a public hearing of the Marijuana License Authority to vote on Igadi’s request to change the location of their retail marijuana store and their application for a marijuana product manufacturing license. Nederland has stipulated that no more than four marijuana businesses may operate in town, therefore Igadi must move from 150 North Jefferson Street.

The BOT, acting as the Marijuana License Authority, approved the change of location request as well as granted Igadi their retail marijuana product manufacturing license at their new facility on 92 East 1st Street.

The Nederland Board of Trustees meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month. Their next scheduled meeting is on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at 7 p.m. and can now be attended online or in person at the Nederland Community Center. For more information go to: https:// townofnederland.colorado.gov/board-of- trustees