The Nederland Planning Commision met on July 26, 2023, at 7 p.m. to address both discussion and informational items. The three discussion items included the Wingate subdivision variance pursuant to the Nederland Municipal Code Sec. 17-1-1, the Animal Subcommittee update, and Nederland’s strategic plan for 2023 and 2024.

Dr. Miranda Fisher, the Town and Zoning Administrator, started off the discussion with information about Mary Wingate’s properties and the subdivision process regarding these properties. On September 14, 2000, Nederland came into agreement with Mary Wingate that she would transfer some parcels of land to the Town. However, in order for Nederland to take on those parcels and change ownership, the parcels need to go through the subdivision process. Wingate died in 2020 before the end of the agreement; therefore Wingate’s daughter Laurie is also involved in the subdivision process and joined the discussion.

Currently, the Wingate family owns four parcels. Between the Town and Laurie, there is a goal to split these four parcels in six lots, which requires a major subdivision. Two of the parcels will be transferred to town under the arrangement and Laurie will remain in possession of four lots.

Since the two parcels being given to the Town have a conservation easement on them and cannot be developed, the Town and Laurie as the applicants are requesting the Planning Commission and Board of Trustees approve a variance to the subdivision process in order to apply under a minor subdivision instead of the major subdivision. A major subdivision requires approval of a preliminary and final plat by the Board of Trustees as well as a series of reports, including drainage report, preliminary soils report, utility plan, and traffic impact study. Town staff explained that if Laurie was to apply for a subdivision separate from the town, that it would be done under a minor subdivision and that because of the conservation easement on two of the parcels, that minor subdivision application is appropriate in this situation.

The Planning Commission did not have any major concerns with this variance request, which is set to come back before the Commission as an action item in August If the Planning Commission recommends approval of the variance, the Board of Trustees will consider it at one of their meetings in September.

The next discussion item was the Animal Subcommittee update. Some of the concerns discussed were: what animals are allowed in town; which livestock would be available; and how the review process would work. Town staff explained that they needed more time to work through the draft ordinance before it was presented to the Planning Commission for discussion.

The final discussion item was a run-through and review of the Town of Nederland’s Strategic Plan. The list focused on plans that can be completed in the next 18 months, from 2023 to 2024. The Board of Trustees had two separate work sessions to talk about goals. The first session, on April 24, 2023, reviewed the roles and responsibilities of an elected official, and the second session identified goals. It was also noted that there are projects being considered but not included on the list, such as the goal to extend the sewer system to Big Springs, which cannot be completed in 18 months

Last, informational item was a review of the tentative agenda items set to go before the Board of Trustees in August. The August 1 meeting’s topic items were the supplemental budget and short-term rental Code amendments. The BOT will discuss the ways in which the STR code can be amended. In the original ordinance in 2019, the Planning Commission played a central role in its draft.

The topics for the August 15 meeting include the 24333 Peak to Peak well, cistern, and septic variance and the 2023 and 2024 Strategic Plan.

The owners of 24333 Peak to Peak are looking to develop their property. However the parcel is too far from existing water and sewer service lines. The owners are requesting a variance for a well, cistern, and septic system. In regard to the strategic plan, the BOT will be renewing and potentially adopting the updated strategic plan based on feedback received from the boards/ commissions and community.

The Nederland Planning Commission meets the fourth Wednesday of every month. Their next meeting is scheduled for August 23, 2023, at 7 p.m. Meetings can be attended online. For more information go to: townofnederland.colorado.gov/planning-commission