New Town Administrator Miranda Fisher took the oath of office, and Town Marshall Larry Johns announced his retirement during the Nederland Board of Trustees regular, virtual meeting on September 7, 2021, at 7 p.m. The Board also conditionally waived parking requirements for the Kathmandu restaurant, a water and sewer connection variance at 799 W. First Street, and moving forward with the Colorado Community Revitalization Grant.

Miranda Fisher’s oath of office

Before Mayor Kristopher Larsen administered the Oath of Office for new Town and Zoning Administrator Miranda Fisher, Trustees said they are pleased to have her take over the job, and they are looking forward to continuing to work with her. Fisher said she has hired a Nederland resident from old town to take over the clerk responsibilities.

Miranda Fisher was selected as the town & zoning administrator at the Board of Trustees meeting on June 1, 2021, and her contract started on September 4. Karen Gerrity, former town and zoning administrator’s last day was September 3, 2021. Fisher was formally sworn into office at the meeting on September 7, 2021.

Marshal Johns resignation

During informational items, Town Marshal Larry Johns announced his resignation.

According to Larry Johns resignation letter, he is approaching his 20-year-mark with the Nederland Police Department.

“When I took on this challenge, I agreed to a four-year commitment to make my 20 years in Ned. That 20 years comes up in April of 2022,” Johns wrote. “My plan is to make May 6 my last day.”

Johns and his wife have been working toward moving to the Grand Lake area. “We want to do that before we are too old to enjoy what we have worked hard for, and too old to survive the winters,” Johns wrote.

The general plan is for the Town to start searching for a new chief and have that person hired and on board in early 2022. “This will give them some time to learn the culture and come up with their own ideas and direction for the department,” he wrote.

“I do not envision returning to policing as a full-time job. There is a good chance I will end up working at a high-end dude ranch in the Granby area,” Johns wrote.

Fisher said his last day will be the end of May, and she will come back to the Board with a timeline for recruitment. They would like to have a candidate approved in January. She will form a committee, and the Board will have an opportunity to review the candidates.

Kathmandu Parking Variance request

Fisher presented a request decreasing the required number of parking spaces for Kathmandu at 110 North Jefferson St. Kathmandu is required to provide 38 off-street parking spaces for their new apartment units and restaurant.

The off-street parking space calculation is to be provided by the building owner and her architect and contracting team based on the total number of living units, number of tables in the restaurant, and number of staff working. Town staff recommended approving a variance and decreasing the number of required off-street parking spaces to 21.

This number includes the five off street spaces Gurung has on site and the four off-street spaces CenturyLink has approved Kathmandu to use. Kathmandu would need 12 additional off-street spaces to make up the difference if the recommended variance was approved.

Parking for the tenants will be provided on site, using five of the nine off-street parking spaces identified at the location. It is unlikely that the restaurant will be at maximum capacity on an ongoing basis and, therefore, a variance may not result in their customers using on-street parking to access the business, according to background.

The agreement with the Presbyterian Church could cover those 12 needed off-street parking spaces. Alternatively, Gurung could pay into the commercial parking fund for the 12 spaces for $30k.

Fisher said the church lots will only be available as long as they deem the lot is public and will require two-hour limits and no overnight parking. The Board agreed that the building has five apartments and each has a bedroom, so they should need a total of six spaces for the residents.

After much discussion and public comment, the Board approved a motion waiving the 32 parking requirements but requiring five parking spaces designated for the apartment residents and a sixth for ADA, handicap requirements and agreements for the additional 17 spaces. A resolution will be submitted for the consent agenda at the next meeting.

Water Connection Variance

Applicant Ed Ranegar plans to build a home on his property at 799 West 1st Street that will be more than 200 feet from the existing water and sewer distribution main. While the lot itself is within 200 feet of the water and sewer main, the proposed structure is not, according to background.

Ranegar is requesting a variance from being required to connect to the water and sewer main. Nederland Municipal Code requires that all homes within 200 feet of an operational water and sewer distribution main connect to Town utilities. Town staff and the Fire Department do not have any concerns with this variance request and recommended approving it.

Ranegar said the access is on a private drive with the phone line going down the middle. The lot connects to west First Street and the lot south of that has a variance as well. “It would be devastating to hook up with the town. It’s not feasible,” he said.

The Trustees approved the agreement making sure it is noted for water and sewer services.

Colorado Community Revitalization Grant

The trustees approved a motion to apply for a Colorado Community Revitalization Grant Program grant and use the old town shop as the site for improvements. The Colorado Community Revitalization Grant Program is intended to support creative projects in commercial centers that would combine revitalized or newly constructed commercial spaces with public or community spaces.

In reviewing this matter further with Chris Pelletier, Public Works Manager, Fisher and Pelletier discussed the Old Town Shop site being developed under this grant for mixed use. Pelletier explained that the Old Town Shop site would need to be remediated prior to development allowing all health and human service organizations to come together under one roof.

The Food Pantry, Clothing Closet, Emergency Family Assistance Association, and Boulder County Area Agency on Aging have already expressed interest in moving to the Old Town Shop site if developed. Clinica has also expressed interest in moving into this space.

Trustees asked why this is being sprung on them now, and Fisher said they learned about this grant two and a half weeks ago. Trustee Eric Coombs-Esmail said the building is one block off the highway. It’s by far the best option the town has and the softest way to develop this.

The next Nederland Board of Trustees meeting will be virtual on September 21, 2021. For more information, go to https://nederlandco.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=391