Erie Planning Commission Meeting - October 18, 2024

The Erie Planning Commission met on October 18, 2024, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included a public hearing and unanimous approval of a resolution recommending adoption of natural medicine regulations, and a presentation on the final draft Transportation & Mobility Plan (TMP) with no formal action. The meeting adjourned at 7:53 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda – Motion by Commissioner Booth, seconded by Commissioner Braudes, passed unanimously (4-0).
• Approval of September 18, 2024 Meeting Minutes – Motion by Commissioner Hemphill, seconded by Commissioner Booth, passed unanimously (4-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Natural Medicine Ordinance – No public comment was offered.
• Transportation & Mobility Plan – Two members of the public spoke:
  • Christine Hackett Eisenberg, 798 Limestone Dr., expressed concern that the TMP does not adequately address the choke points (e.g., US 287, Erie Parkway, Arapaho Road) given the planned population doubling. She questioned how proposed roadway improvements (e.g., limited widening) would accommodate future growth.
  • Clifford Zwart, 1654 Woodward St., urged an overlay between the TMP and the Comprehensive Plan to provide a bigger vision, citing inaccurate traffic studies and insufficient infrastructure requirements in the Thompson Thrift development. He noted that the updated Comp Plan increases density demands on infrastructure.

Discussion Items

• 24-471: Resolution Recommending Natural Medicine Ordinance (Resolution P24-15) – Staff (Kelly Driscoll, Planning Manager, and Kelsey Thede, Deputy Town Clerk) presented the proposed new UDC Chapter 15, which would allow natural medicine healing centers in Business District and Community Commercial District. Key points:
  • Buffer distances: 1,000 feet from schools/daycares, 250 feet from residences.
  • Hours of operation: Mon–Sat 8 AM–8 PM for healing centers; 8 AM–5 PM for manufacturing/production.
  • Hazardous materials (including carbon dioxide) prohibited in processing.
  • The town cannot ban natural medicine businesses due to state preemption.
  • Commissioner questions addressed: differences from marijuana regulations (cannot limit number of stores, vehicle signage covered by existing sign code), reason for excluding Sunday sales (staff reasoned sufficient access on weekdays), and “grandfathering” of existing businesses if schools/daycares are later established. The Commission voted unanimously to recommend adoption.
• 24-464: Final Draft Transportation & Mobility Plan (TMP) Presentation – Senior Transportation Planner Miguel Aguilar provided an update on implementation and funding. Highlights:
  • Funding distribution (town funds): 58% roadway, 13% pedestrian, 13% bicycle, 5% transit, 10% multimodal intersection, 1% program analysis.
  • Near-term (2027–2031) funding from town funds, developer fees, and grants shifts to more town funding in long-term (2032–2050) as build-out approaches.
  • Maps displayed future bike/pedestrian improvements (sidewalk infill, underpasses, cycle tracks), transit routes (flex-ride, future BRT), and roadway improvements (roundabouts, widening, signals).
  • Public speakers raised concerns about choke points and funding adequacy. Commissioner questions addressed safety vision statement, engineering standards updates (including NACTO and potential international standards), bicycle level-of-traffic stress map legibility, transit data tracking, road widening effectiveness, crash data timeliness, and roundabout lane counts. Staff clarified that no action was taken; the final draft will return for Planning Commission review before Council adoption in December.

Key Outcomes

• The Planning Commission approved Resolution P24-15 (4-0 vote) recommending that Town Council adopt the Natural Medicine Ordinance amending Title 10 of the Erie Municipal Code.
• The TMP final draft will be brought back to the Planning Commission for formal review; adoption anticipated in December 2024.
• The November 6, 2024 regular Planning Commission meeting was canceled due to lack of agenda items (confirmed by consensus).
• Commissioner Hemphill noted he is running for Town Council and requested a future discussion on bicycle parking standards.
• The meeting adjourned at 7:53 PM.