Erie Town Council Meeting - March 11, 2025

The Erie Town Council met on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 6:31 PM. The meeting included consent agenda approvals, public comments, several proclamations, public hearings on annexation and zoning, resolutions for contract amendments, lease extensions, development agreements, engineering standards updates, a public hearing for the Summerfield Preliminary Plat, and council reports. Key themes included infrastructure investment, economic development, housing diversity, traffic connectivity, and transparency.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the February 18, 2025 Special Town Council Meeting Minutes (25-126).
• Approved the February 25, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes (25-127).
• Adopted Resolution 25-047 approving the First Amendment to the Pre-Development Agreement for North Westerly and accepting easements.
• Adopted Ordinance 007-25 approving the transfer of real property from North Westerly Owner, LLC to the Town.
• Adopted Resolution 25-041 approving a Grant Agreement with Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado Aeronautical Board, Division of Aeronautics for Erie Municipal Airport Improvements.
• Adopted Resolution 25-049 appointing Taylor Thomson to the Tree Advisory Board.
• Approved a Proclamation for March 2025 as the 23rd Annual March for Meals Month. The consent agenda passed unanimously via roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Christine Hackett Eisenberg (79 West Online) commented on the comprehensive land use plan, suggesting clearer terminology on residential density and housing diversity. She compared Erie's projected density to current densities of Westminster, Longmont, and Boulder.
• Elliot Bridgent (age 7, Morgan Hill resident) requested a park in the Morgan Hill neighborhood, noting the current open space is unusable due to stickers and weeds.
• Shannon Taylor (1856 Marlowe Circle East, Morgan Hill) asked the council to prioritize the Morgan Hill Park timeline, noting neighbors have waited over three years for the park. She cited a study session later that week.
• Luna Collins (Community Engagement Manager, Cole Creek Meals on Wheels) thanked the council for the March for Meals proclamation. She reported that in 2024, the program provided over 70,000 meals, including 8,540 to Erie residents, with no age or income limits.
• Sarah Laughlin (652 Sundance Circle, Flatiron Meadows) expressed concern about the removal of the Villages at Cole Creek discussion from a prior agenda and requested a public conversation regarding $3.6 million in ARPA and TNAC funding. She supported thoughtful design integrating density with trails and open space.
• Dwayne Drummond (991 Sumner Way, submitted after an initial missed opportunity) criticized Mayor Moore for a lack of transparency on the $3.6 million investment and housing diversity plans. He accused the mayor of a heavy-handed approach, creating a hostile work environment, and refusing to allow council to speak freely. The mayor responded that a study session would be held.

Discussion Items

Women's History Month Proclamation

• Councilmember Emily Baer sponsored the proclamation, highlighting the contributions of Erie women historically, including Lottie Pickett, Pauline Phillips, Maddie Fina, and Josephine Roach. She noted Josephine Roach's role in building what became Medicare and Medicaid. Baer recognized former women council members in attendance. The proclamation was read and approved.

Meals on Wheels Proclamation

• Mayor Moore read the proclamation proclaiming March 2025 as March for Meals month, recognizing Cole Creek Meals on Wheels' 50+ years of service, surpassing one million meals served in 2025.

Erie West Annexation – Public Hearing & Initial Zoning

• Special Counsel Jerry Dahl explained the process: the annexation (legislative) was separated from the zoning (quasi-judicial) to allow council conversations with property owners on annexation only. Council members affirmed their contacts were restricted to annexation.
• Kelly Driscoll (Planning) presented: ~87 acres at 119th and Kenosha, proposed zoning as Agricultural Holding (same as current use). Staff recommended approval of Ordinance 006-2025.
• Public Testimony:
  • Lisa Langer (11638 Kenosha Road, on behalf of Greg Langer) thanked the council and assured continued agricultural use and land stewardship.
  • Cindy Lindau (11995 Kenosha Road) thanked the council for including them in Erie, noting they lease land to the town and care for a barn.
• Council approved Ordinance 006-2025 unanimously.

Third Amendment to PSA with Wold Architects for Town Hall Expansion Design

• David Pasic (Public Works Director) and Chad Alexander (Facilities Manager) presented the $33,000 amendment to change from micropile foundations to spread footings due to unforeseen existing structural conditions discovered during demolition. Funds are within the approved 2025 budget. Councilmember O'Connor asked about further unforeseen costs; staff noted additional construction costs are covered by contingency. Council approved Resolution 25-050 unanimously via roll call.

Fifth Amendment to Lease Agreement with Vector Air Management LLC

• Todd Fessenden (Utilities Director) explained the amendment extends the lease for the terminal building and hangar for three months while finalizing a new fixed-base operator agreement. Vector Air is gathering cost information for terminal improvements. The building has negative value due to condition, but Vector is invested. Councilmember Pesaromelli voted no, expressing frustration with repeated short extensions and wanting a permanent solution. Resolution 25-043 passed with one dissenting vote.

First Amendment to PSA with FHU for Colliers Hill Historic Downtown Erie Connection

• David Pasic presented the amendment for additional services during bidding and construction of a pedestrian bridge. The bridge will span approximately 200 feet across Coal Creek, designed for pedestrians and bicyclists, with structural capacity for a 20,000-pound plow truck. Estimated construction cost is $4.56 million, funded from the Daybreak URA, which specifically includes this bridge as an eligible cost. Councilmember O'Connor questioned the width for bikes; Pasic confirmed 12-foot clearance. Council approved Resolution 25-042.

First Amendment to Development Agreement for Lot 1, Erie Airpark Replat D

• Chris LaRue (Principal Planner) presented the amendment, which adds a traffic signal at the entrance off Highway 7 (Airport Drive) and provides water/sewer improvements. Total project not to exceed $2.8 million, with the town's portion of the signal at $350,000.
• Zach Nasser (Nasser Development, applicant) requested approval, noting their phase one brought 200,000 sq ft of industrial flex space. Phase two (10 acres) has been in process since 2018. The signal is triggered by the last building permits.
• Debate: Councilmember Moore expressed concern about precluding a future extension of Arapahoe Road to Highway 7 to alleviate north-south traffic. Staff and the applicant argued the development does not preclude future road connections; alternative routes have been studied and are not impacted. Economic development director Julian Jackwin noted the preferred alternative from Roxall study connects from Arapahoe to the airport north of the FBO, not impacting this site. Councilmember Pesaromelli questioned the airport's value to Erie, suggesting it may be a liability. After extensive discussion, council approved Resolution 25-046 6-1 (Mayor Moore dissenting).

Amendment to Town's Standards and Specifications for Design and Construction of Public Improvements – Transportation Standards

• John Firouzi (Transportation Mobility Manager) presented updates including new roadway cross-sections with wider bike lanes, traffic calming devices (speed cushions, roundabouts), improved ADA standards, roundabout-first policy for intersections, and urban design elements. The standards incorporate references to national guidelines. Councilmembers Mortalero and Bell asked about snow plow compatibility and bike lane winter use. Council approved Resolution 25-040.

Economic Incentives Overview Presentation

• Postponed due to time constraints.

Summerfield Preliminary Plat No. 2 – Public Hearing

• Chris LaRue presented the 333.75-acre project with 1,301 lots and 56 tracts (mix of single-family, duplex, townhomes). Zoning is Planned Development, with 3.9 dwelling units per acre. The development includes four pocket parks, two neighborhood parks, 75+ acres of open space, and 4+ miles of trails. All former oil and gas wells are plugged and abandoned; developer voluntarily exceeds current code with 50x100 ft setbacks.
• Brad Dixon (Toll Brothers, applicant) highlighted the project's conformity with the 2013 PD, age-restricted active adult housing (55+), and a new Weld County Road 5 alignment to improve safety by removing cut-through traffic. The project includes off-site sewer and water line extensions to serve future development.
• Council Discussion: Councilmembers asked about park funding (fee in lieu for community parks; neighborhood parks to be built by town), oil and gas setbacks (500 ft from active wells), school impacts, traffic signal timing at Weld 5 & 52, and connectivity of the spine trail. Town staff confirmed impact fees exceed $3.2 million for parks alone. The motion to approve included conditions to work with CDOT on signal timing. Council approved Resolution 25-045 unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Consent Agenda (unanimous).
• Approved Women's History Month Proclamation (unanimous).
• Approved Meals on Wheels Proclamation (unanimous).
• Approved Erie West Annexation and Initial Zoning (unanimous).
• Approved Third Amendment to Wold Architects contract (unanimous roll call).
• Approved Fifth Amendment to Vector Air Lease (6-1, Councilmember Pesaromelli dissenting).
• Approved First Amendment to FHU contract for Colliers Hill bridge (unanimous).
• Approved First Amendment to Erie Airpark Development Agreement (6-1, Mayor Moore dissenting).
• Approved Amendment to Transportation Standards (unanimous).
• Approved Summerfield Preliminary Plat No. 2 (unanimous).
• Council will hold study sessions on capital improvements (March 13) and transportation (June) and a study session on the Page property at a future date.