NEDERLAND — The Nederland Planning Commission met on Wednesday, November 19 to take action on a minor subdivision application regarding the property at 95 West 1st Street. This plot was being subdivided into three lots, to adhere to the conditions set by the Ralph Meyerton Living Trust. 

Minor subdivision

According to Boulder County Property Search records, the one-story ranch, as well as the  Farm Utility Building on the property, were originally built in 1900 and have been owned by the Meyersons since 2006.

Commissioners were tasked with assessing the minor subdivision application according to the criteria outlined in Nederland Municipal Code (NMC) Section 17-36, which were the same standards used by Town staff in their own assessment. 

These criteria highlight whether the proposed minor subdivision meets the legal definition of a minor subdivision; that the split lots each conform to the requirements of their zoning designation; that, in the event of development, adequate water and wastewater utilities can and will be provided; and that any development on the property would conform to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. 

It was clarified within the Agenda Information Memorandum, prepared by Community Planner Britt DeMinck, that there currently are no plans for development on the land. 

In reference to any future development, DeMinck specified that Nederland’s Downtown Subarea Plan recommends flexible use for Industrial property zones, which would allow for an expansion to the Use Group Table within municipal code, pending review by impacted property owners and Nederland officials.  

Town staff found that the subdivision application from Mark Meyerton met all the criteria, including the requirement of providing a minimum lot area of 8,000 square feet per lot. Lot 1 would be set at 772,993.98 square feet; Lot 2 at 26,907.012 square feet; and Lot 3 at 27,529.92 square feet. 

Neither the Nederland Fire Protection District, nor the Town’s Utilities, Parks, or Streets Departments had any objections to the pending approval of the application.

The minor subdivision application was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission.

First Street Overlay District

The Commission was tasked with voting on Ordinance 882, which amends Chapters 16 and 17 of NMC, establishing the First Street Overlay District (FSOD), the first recommendation for improvements to Nederland’s Central Business District from the Town’s Downtown Subarea Plan.

The FSOD codifies form-based standards to be applied to any future redevelopment within its boundaries, while also allowing for modified standards and special uses without the need to reclassify each property’s zoning designation.

The Commission has discussed the FSOD for the better part of 2025, since the Downtown Subarea Plan was approved for recommendation by the Commission back in April.

Those discussions led to the boundaries of the overlay district being expanded, Planned Unit Developments (PUD) within the district being forced to comply with the district’s standards: properties in the overlay district being permitted a maximum lot coverage of 80%, adjusted for setbacks and space between adjacent buildings; and such properties also being permitted a 10 foot front yard setback.

Parking requirements for commercial spaces were eliminated; the use of pedestrian spaces within the overlay district for vendors, outdoor eating areas, and the common consumption of alcohol, were permitted; properties zoned as Public were made exempt from the standards set in the ordinance; and flat roof types with parapets or “incorporated front-facing gables” were listed as the preferred roof design standard. 

Commissioners also previously approved all buildings within the district to be allowed to redevelop at a maximum of three stories, and a maximum height of 35 feet for a flat roof and 45 feet for a pitched roof. 

In response as to whether the Nederland Fire Protection District was consulted regarding the building height increase, Town Manager Jonathan Cain stated that, as the Planning Commission focused on the land use concerns of the ordinance, the Board of Trustees would be the entity to confer with fire professionals regarding the matter.

The Commission voted to recommend approval of Ordinance 882.  

Home occupation businesses

Commissioners also voted to recommend approval of Ordinance 883, amending NMC Section 16-76 to allow “home occupation” businesses to operate in Neighborhood Commercial (NC), General Commercial (GC), and Central Business District (CBD) zoning districts.  

Such businesses were previously allowed only in residential zoning districts, until a question over the legality of a local bakery stand was brought before the Commission back in September. During that discussion, Commissioners directed Town staff to draft the ordinance. 

The Nederland Planning Commission meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month. Their next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 6 p.m. Meetings can be attended online via WebEx. 

For more information: townofnederland.colorado.gov/planning-commission.