Erie Planning Commission Recommends Approval of Westerly PUD and Preliminary Plat – July 1, 2020
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Erie Planning Commission Meeting – July 1, 2020
The Erie Planning Commission held a virtual meeting via Zoom on July 1, 2020, at 6:32 PM, chaired by Chair Zuniga. The primary business was two public hearings on the Westerly development: a resolution for a PUD Overlay District (Resolution P20-13) and a resolution for the Preliminary Plat (Resolution P20-14). Both were recommended for approval to the Board of Trustees with conditions, following presentations from staff and the applicant, and extensive commissioner discussion. The meeting adjourned at 8:54 PM.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made or submitted.
Discussion Items
- Westerly PUD Overlay District (Resolution P20-13): Planning Manager Deborah Bachelder presented the staff recommendation. The PUD applies to 268 acres at the southeast corner of Erie Parkway and Weld County Road 5. It modifies dimensional standards (lot widths, setbacks) and encroachment provisions to support a traditional neighborhood design with alley-loaded housing. The PUD does not modify height, and architectural standards are equal to or more restrictive than the Unified Development Code (UDC). The applicant, Heidi Majerik of Erie Land Company LLC, and representative John Prestwich of PCS Group, presented the vision, emphasizing placemaking, walkability, housing diversity, and sustainability. Commissioner questions covered: traffic impacts on County Road 5, oil and gas easements, mine subsidence reports, window well safety, fencing, park phasing, housing mix, and the future neighborhood park. Commissioners expressed support for the project's design and housing diversity, but raised concerns about building partner alignment and compatibility with adjacent land uses.
- Westerly Preliminary Plat (Resolution P20-14): The plat proposes 530 residential lots in the first phase, with 99 acres designated for future development. The plat includes three pocket parks, a central greenway, and trails. Staff recommended 13 conditions, including compliance with wildlife protection reports, mine subsidence restrictions, and technical corrections. Commissioner discussion focused on lot sizes, alley-loaded product driveway lengths, and the phasing of the neighborhood park. The applicant confirmed that the neighborhood park would be dedicated to the town but built in a future phase, and that live-work units in the NMU zone would require additional studies for mine subsidence mitigation.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to approve Resolution P20-13 (Westerly PUD Overlay District): Moved by Commissioner Ames, seconded by Commissioner Luthi. Passed 6-0 (Vice Chairman Fraser absent).
- Motion to approve Resolution P20-14 (Westerly Preliminary Plat): Moved by Commissioner Ames, seconded by Commissioner Witt. Passed 6-0.
- Both resolutions recommend approval to the Board of Trustees with conditions, including technical corrections and adherence to staff recommendations.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to the July 1st, 2020 meeting of the Planning Commission. Please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. And you can unmute for this. I pledge a leader. To the Republican. To the Republic for which it stands. One nation underground individual. With liberty and justice for all. Will the Secretary please call roll? Commissioner Luthy. Present. Commissioner Witt. Present. Commissioner Sawish. Present. Commissioner Ames. Here. Commissioner Hoback, I believe, is signing in. Vice Chairman Frazier is absent and excused. Chair Zuniga. Here we have an agenda before us this evening. Does the staff have any changes to that? No changes appropriate. Okay. Do we have a motion to approve tonight's agenda? Commissioner Whipp moves to approve the agenda. Commissioner Ames, second. We have a motion and a second. Will the secretary please conduct a roll call vote? We can't hear you. Hear me. Can you hear me? There you go, Melinda. All right, great. Commissioner Luthy. Yes. Commissioner Witt. Yes. Commissioner Sawish. Yes. Commissioner Ames. Yes. Commissioner Hoback. Yes. Vice Chairman Fraser is absent. Chair Zunaga. Yes. Thank you. So this brings us to the approval of the June 17th, 2020 Planning Commission meeting minutes.
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