Erie Planning Commission Meeting - October 5, 2022: Comprehensive Plan Update, NSMP Preview, and Staff Reports
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Erie Planning Commission Meeting - October 5, 2022
The Erie Planning Commission met on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at 6:30 PM at 645 Holbrook Street, Erie, CO. The meeting was called to order by Chair Zuniga and included a Pledge of Allegiance. Key agenda items included an update on the Comprehensive Plan and Transportation and Mobility Plan (TMP), a preview of the Neighborhood Speed Management Plan (NSMP), and staff reports. The meeting adjourned at 8:57 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of August 17, 2022 Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously (6-0) via roll call vote.
- Agenda Amendment: Moved Agenda Item 22-369 (NSMP Preview) from Staff Reports to General Business, approved unanimously (6-0) via roll call.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made.
Discussion Items
Comprehensive Plan & Transportation and Mobility Plan Update (22-372)
- Sarah Nurmela, Director of Planning & Development, introduced new staff: Erin Fosdick (Principal Planner - Long Range), Carlos Hernandez (Principal Transportation Planner), Andrew Collins (Senior Planner - Long Range), and Miguel Aguilar (Senior Transportation Planner, not present).
- Erin Fosdick presented an overview of the Comprehensive Plan update process, emphasizing community engagement, scenario planning, performance metrics, and an 18-month timeline targeting adoption in early 2024. Carlos Hernandez introduced the Transportation and Mobility Plan (TMP), highlighting integrated land use and transportation, data collection, costing, and community-driven outcomes.
- Commissioners raised concerns about being left out of the RFP process and the need for the Planning Commission to take the statutory lead on the Comprehensive Plan. Vice Chair Luthi expressed feeling blindsided, noting canceled meetings and lack of updates. Chair Zuniga acknowledged the issue and proposed more regular communication, including standing agenda items and direct updates to the Chair.
- Discussion covered the RFP process: one response received from Logan Simpson, with the town requiring sub-consultants to enhance diversity (e.g., Fehr & Peers for transportation, Trestle Strategy for engagement). The contract budget was advertised, and negotiations resulted in a team with over half women or underrepresented groups. The contract will go to the Board of Trustees for approval in October 2022.
- Commissioners volunteered for the Plan Steering Committee (two primary members with rotatable alternates, subject to sunshine laws limiting to two commissioners). Staff agreed to bring a detailed schedule and committee structure back for input.
- Other topics included integration with adjacent municipalities (e.g., Frederick, Longmont, Boulder County), timing relative to home rule ballot initiative, affordable housing alignment with existing efforts, and the need to avoid duplication of topics.
Neighborhood Speed Management Plan (NSMP) Preview (22-369)
- Carlos Hernandez presented the NSMP, a collaborative process to address speeding in neighborhoods through data collection, a pre-approved toolkit (education, enforcement, design), and a structured resident request process. The program aims to leverage external funding (e.g., CDOT Vision Zero grants) by matching local dollars.
- Commissioners commented on the need for such a plan, requested that developers be required to incorporate traffic-calming measures in new developments, and suggested using HOAs for outreach. Questions were raised about speed bumps vs. humps, existing request volume, and the toolkit's application to new development.
- The timeline: community outreach beginning October 2022, protocol and toolbox development by January-March 2023, and a finalized program recommendation to the Commission and Board by April-May 2023.
Staff Reports
- Planning & Development Monthly Reports (June, July, August 2022): Deborah Bachelder, Planning Manager, introduced new Administrative Specialist Shelby Zinchini. Two staff departures were noted (Shannon Moeller to Boulder, Audem Gonzales to Frederick). Open positions for a Senior Planner and backfill are being recruited.
- Meeting Cancellation: The October 19, 2022 Planning Commission meeting was cancelled by consensus due to no agenda items, with the next meeting scheduled for November.
- Vacant Commission Seat: The Board of Trustees will interview candidates on December 6, 2022, and appoint a new Planning Commissioner on December 13, 2022, from a pool of three previous applicants.
- Metrics Tracking Bi-Annual Report (22-380): Presented for information; no discussion.
Key Outcomes
- Agenda Amended: NSMP Preview moved to General Business (unanimous).
- August 17, 2022 Minutes Approved (unanimous).
- October 19, 2022 Meeting Cancelled: By consensus, due to lack of business.
- Comprehensive Plan/TMP Process: Staff will provide more frequent updates, including a standing agenda item; a Plan Steering Committee will include two Commission members (with alternates); staff will refine the community engagement plan and bring back a detailed schedule.
- NSMP: Program development will proceed with community outreach starting in late 2022; staff will return to the Commission for further input before Board consideration in spring 2023.
- Vacant Commission Seat: Appointment process set for December 2022.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to the October fifth meeting of the Planning Commission. Please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the Fly of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. Thank you. Will the Secretary please call roll? Commissioner Burns. Here. Commissioner Swajowski. There. Commissioner Booth. Here. Commissioner Baham. Here. Vice Chair Luffy. Here. Chair Zunica. Here. We have a forum. All right. Thank you. Um now we have an agenda before us this evening, and I was informed just before the meeting that an item that was um that was meant to be under general business was accidentally uh moved down under the staff reports. And so uh Deb, do you want to well, I mean it's it's this one, the neighborhood speed management plan twenty-two dash three six nine. Um can we have a a motion to amend the agenda? Uh motion to amend the agenda to move item twenty-two dash three six nine uh to general business. Thank you. Second second, Luthy. Commissioner Burns. Yes. Commissioner Swakowski. Yes. Commissioner Booth. Yes. Commissioner Baham. Yes. Vice Chair Luffy. Yes. Chair Zunica. Yes. Um, and I would like to ask a question of Austin. I like getting clarification and making sure we're doing things properly in procedures. Um, I've been continuing to do roll call votes for everything, but I believe that there are certain things that require them and certain things that do not. Can you remind me of what that is? Yeah, that's correct. If it's a public hearing, then you must do a roll call vote. If it's not, then you have some latitude, and this is a good preview to say you will soon have Planning Commission rules of procedure. That will hopefully um clarify some of these issues. And we'll be talking about that in a future planning commission meeting. Okay, so it will lay out kind of those rules when you can when you can't do certain things.
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