Erie Town Council Meeting – May 27, 2025

The Erie Town Council met on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting lasted approximately three hours, covering a public hearing on the Parkdale North development, appointments to the Four Corners Business Improvement District, intergovernmental land transactions with Lafayette and Tebo Properties, and adoption of a town-wide economic incentives policy. All major agenda items were passed unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes – Approved minutes from the May 6, 2025 special meeting and May 13, 2025 regular meeting.
• Proclamation – National Gun Violence Awareness Day Proclamation (sponsored by Mayor Moore).
• Street Maintenance Contracts – Resolutions 25‑086 and 25‑087 authorizing construction contracts with Asphalt Specialties Co. Inc. for 2025 Street Maintenance Phases 1 and 2.
• Development Agreement Amendments – Resolutions 25‑091 and 25‑092 approving first amendments to the Canyon Creek Filing Nos. 7 and 8 development agreements.
• Subdivision Plat – Resolution 25‑089 accepting dedications for the Lindow Minor Subdivision Plat.
• Purchasing Policy Update – Ordinance 015‑2025 adopting updates to the town’s Purchasing Policy.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brianna Brown (790 Grenville Circle, Compass neighborhood) – Expressed frustration that the 513‑home Compass neighborhood has no park, sidewalks, or safe bike connections 10 years after dedication. She urged re‑engagement with town leaders.
• Parkdale Residents (5 speakers) – Thomas Wendorf, Roxana Kazan, Charlie Menke, Samuel Badger) voiced concerns about the lack of a dedicated neighborhood park in Parkdale, noting that planned pocket parks are too small and amenities (bocce ball, horseshoes) are not desired. They asked for equitable park space, safe pedestrian crossings on Coal Creek Boulevard, and meaningful community engagement. Several noted that the proposed cash‑in‑lieu for Compass park takes resources away from Parkdale.

Discussion Items

Parkdale North PD Amendment & Preliminary Plat (Public Hearing, 6:45–8:00 PM)

• Proposal – Amendment to the Planned Development (PD) to align lot standards with UDC; preliminary plat for 534 lots (single‑family detached/attached), 37 tracts, a 15‑acre school site, three pocket parks, and a roundabout at Coal Creek Boulevard and Lorraine Place. A grade‑separated pedestrian undercrossing is planned. Cash‑in‑lieu (~$3 million) will fund the Compass neighborhood park.
• Applicant’s Presentation (John Prestwich, PCS Group) – Highlighted partnership, removal of all oil & gas wells, addition of a basketball court and pickleball court to pocket parks, and written commitment that no school zone will be placed on Coal Creek Boulevard. 7,500+ trees will be planted. Over 51 acres of open space already dedicated.
• School District (Glenn Segrew, BVSD) – Confirmed the site was selected after evaluating oil‑gas buffers; secured in 2022 bond. Construction timeline depends on student yields (currently low). Roundabout and undercrossing will serve safe access; no school zone on Coal Creek Boulevard.
• Council Deliberation – Members expressed support (Mayor Moore, Pro Tem Bell, Councilmembers Bear, Mortalero, O’Connor, Petersonelli). Concerns raised about park equity, speed limits (40–45 mph), and the need to explore a County Line Road extension to reduce truck traffic. Council directed staff to study that option and to work with applicant on park improvements.
• Votes – Ordinance 005‑2025 (PD amendment) approved unanimously; Resolution 25‑018 (preliminary plat) approved unanimously.

Erie Four Corners Business Improvement District Appointment (8:00–8:10 PM)

• Presentation (Julian Jacquin, Economic Dev.) – The BID (formed 2016) has four of five board seats filled. Walter Pounds (Erie Four Corners LLC) nominated to fill the vacancy. The BID has a $35 million bonding capacity; $21 million already issued for the Toll Brothers residential portion.
• Vote – Ordinance 02‑2025 appointing Walter Pounds approved unanimously.

Amendment to Dig Studio PSA – Village at Coal Creek Planning Services (8:10–8:15 PM)

• Summary (Aly Burkhalter) – Amendment reduces scope from full site design to conceptual planning and viewshed analyses (3‑D massing). Total value reduced from $198,000 to $171,000; $27,000 removed from a charette. Additional viewshed work added per council direction.
• Vote – Resolution 25‑093 approved unanimously.

Land Purchase & Sale Agreements: Tebo Properties and City of Lafayette (8:15–8:35 PM)

• Proposal (Patrick Hammer, Deputy Town Manager) – Two linked transactions: (1) Town sells the 3‑acre Prince Reservoir No. 2 (“Little Prince Lake”) to Tebo Partnership LLLP for $700,000 to enable mixed‑use development (50% of future sales tax to Erie). (2) Town purchases a 4.3‑acre parcel off Aspen Ridge Drive from Lafayette for $1.1 million to construct a 4.3‑million‑gallon water storage tank (Zone 3). Lafayette will grant utility easements and allow dirt storage on the development area, saving hundreds of thousands in hauling costs.
• Votes – Resolution 25‑104 (sale to Tebo) approved unanimously; Resolution 25‑105 (purchase from Lafayette) approved unanimously.

Economic Incentives Policy (8:35–8:50 PM)

• Proposal (Jack Hill, Business Development Specialist) – Town‑wide policy authorizing sales/use tax rebates, development fee rebates, and other incentives for eligible industries (retail, restaurants, primary employment, destination development, redevelopment). Staff may approve incentives up to $100,000; larger amounts require council approval. Initial budget of $100,000 from general fund.
• Discussion – Council noted the need to balance incentives with other general fund priorities (parks, police station) but recognized the policy as a tool to attract revenue‑generating businesses. No changes were made.
• Vote – Resolution 25‑083 approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Parkdale North – PD amendment and preliminary plat approved; staff to explore County Line Road extension and coordinate with applicant on park designs.
• Four Corners BID – Walter Pounds appointed to board.
• Village at Coal Creek – Amendment to Dig Studio contract approved.
• Land Transactions – Town sells Little Prince Lake ($700K) and buys Lafayette parcel ($1.1M) for water storage; both agreements approved.
• Economic Incentives Policy – Adopted.
• Staff Reports – Accepted for information (Planning & Development monthly report; Environmental Services report).
• Council Reports – Noted Memorial Day service, Erie Town Fair, Farmers Market launch, bike/pedestrian safety, and upcoming Pride event.
• Executive Session – Council entered closed session (9:25 PM) to discuss personnel and negotiation strategy regarding the Town Manager’s contract. No public action was taken.