Erie Town Council Meeting Summary – May 12, 2026
Erie Town Council Meeting – May 12, 2026
The Erie Town Council met on May 12, 2026, at 1:30 pm to approve routine items, hear public comment, declare a Stage 2 drought condition, and provide direction on the future use of the Page property. The meeting featured extensive public testimony urging preservation of the Page property as open space, and council ultimately directed staff to pursue an open‑space zoning designation, explore a funding plan for affordable housing, and study possible future amenities.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the April 28, 2026 town council meeting minutes (Item 2026‑328).
- Approved proclamations for Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day (Item 2026‑225), Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (Item 2026‑224), Public Works Week (Item 2026‑230), and Building Safety Month (Item 2026‑284).
- Approved a professional services agreement with Burns & McDonnell for the Zone 3 tank systems improvement project (Item 2026‑131).
- Approved a second amendment to the professional services agreement with D2C Architects for the Erie Police Department Expansion and Remodel Project (Item 2026‑306).
- Approved a data sharing and license agreement with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment for quarterly wage data (Item 2026‑318).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Michael Cadilinich (Northridge Drive): Urged preservation of the Page property as open space to connect Coal Creek Park and Ryance Park; opposed development.
- Sherry Brimer (Erie resident): Advocated for open space with a historical interpretive center, describing the property as a unique opportunity for a “living eco‑museum.”
- Tamas Shadri Chouthery (Erie resident): Expressed gratitude for the Erie Community Police Academy, praising the program for building trust and understanding; strongly urged continued funding.
- Megan Hughes (Northridge): Asked council to protect the Page property for wildlife habitat (owls, herons, hawks) and as a critical trail connection.
- Lyndon Hirschberger (Erie resident): Shared positive experience at the Community Police Academy, noting diversity of participants and the value of humanizing officers.
- Ann Manette Anse (Northridge Drive): Supported open space; mentioned a website “Erie Deserves Open Space” with a drone video of the property.
- Winfried Reichen (Northridge Drive): Supported open space, raised concerns about affordable housing location, the loss of wildlife (owls), and water scarcity; questioned development’s water demand.
- Carol Bunsey (Erie resident, 20 years): Recalled the Page property once housing buffalo; urged preservation.
- Frank Straza Bosco (Northridge): Opposed taxpayer money for a church on the property, noting churches are tax‑exempt and do not benefit the tax base.
- Rose Butterworth (second‑grade student, Pierce State): Asked council not to develop the space so animals and children have a place.
- Kevin Vandersdale (Northridge, 20‑year resident): Cautioned against development due to traffic safety issues (citing poorly designed intersections); urged conservative approach.
- Maria Hughes (Erie resident, 2 years): Wanted the property kept as open space for trails and natural beauty.
- Dan Walker (Northridge): Urged preservation, noting he has trespassed there to enjoy the irrigation trail.
- Molly Rice (Northridge Drive, 22‑year resident): Described wildlife (owls, coyotes, ducks, cranes) and called the property “the most special place in Erie.”
- Sarah Knighton (Old Town Erie): Concerned about infrastructure strain and traffic safety if developed; urged council to maintain the small‑town aesthetic.
- Jean Kazoka (Erie resident, 26 years): Strongly supported preserving natural open space; noted water scarcity and questioned use of ARPA funds for affordable housing.
- Claire Scott (Erie resident, 25 years): Drew attention to the ARPA funds used for half the purchase; asked what would happen if the property is not used for affordable housing.
- Mike Katternick (Northridge): Stated that elected officials should represent residents’ clear desire for open space; urged codification of the decision.
Discussion Items
Stage 2 Drought Declaration (Item 2026‑319)
- Dylan King (Sustainability & Water Conservation Specialist) presented the drought response: a Stage 2 declaration formalizes voluntary two‑day‑a‑week outdoor watering (8 pm to 8 am, even/odd address schedule), targets a 20% reduction in town‑owned irrigation, outreach to high users, and encourages commercial car washes to use recycled water.
- Council members asked about enforcement (warning‑fine structure under waste‑of‑water ordinance), communication plans (social media, town fair, bill inserts), and contingency for moving to Stage 3. Staff noted the plan is iterative and the utilities director can lift restrictions.
- Resolution 26097 was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously (all aye).
Page Property Update & Discussion (Item 2026‑317)
- Sarah Nermella (Director of Planning & Development) reviewed the property’s history: ≈50 acres purchased in October 2023 for ≈$6.7 million (split $3.4 M TNAC/ $3.3 M ARPA), annexed in January 2024 with agricultural holding zoning. A concept plan from Dig Studios (≈$172K contract, $67K remaining) tested development and open‑space options.
- Five alternatives were shown: Options 1‑3 with varying development footprints; Options 4‑5 (all open space, with or without a facility). The site has ≈54 encumbrances (floodplain, wastewater, utilities) and a pond that is structurally sound.
- Councilmember Mortalaro proposed that if development occurs, TNAC funds should be reimbursed ($1.8‑$3.4 M). Councilmember Bear emphasized the community’s survey priority for affordable housing and the need to reinvest land value into housing. Councilmember Petersonelli suggested a housing needs advisory board. Mayor Pro Tem Bell favored open space but with a payment plan for affordable housing. Councilmember Hoback supported open space and suggested a parking lot be studied for Old Town overflow, but others (e.g., Councilmember O’Connor) preferred to study feasibility in 2027.
- Discussion on zoning: “Agricultural Open Space” (AG‑OS) allows more uses (e.g., nature center); “Reserved Open Space” is more restrictive but gives permanent protection and requires a public vote to change. Council decided to let staff bring back options.
Key Outcomes
- Stage 2 Drought Declaration: Unanimously approved (Resolution 26097). Voluntary two‑day watering schedule formalized; staff will form a drought response task force and continue outreach.
- Page Property Direction: Council approved a motion (all aye) to:
- Bring back an ordinance this summer to zone the Page property as agricultural open space (with flexibility on whether to designate part as reserved open space).
- In the 2027 budget process, bring back a funding plan to replace ARPA funds used for the purchase with a payment plan from TNAC (or explore a land swap) to support affordable housing.
- In 2027, if funding is approved, conduct a feasibility study for a nature/history center, a trailhead, and a gravel parking lot for trail access and Old Town overflow parking.
- Next Steps: Staff will prepare the zoning ordinance and a budget proposal; a joint session with the Planning Commission (early June) will discuss an affordable housing advisory board.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 3:15 pm.
Meeting Transcript
Mayor Pro Tem Bell. Here. Councilmember Hoback. Here. Council Member Bear. President. Councilmember O'Connor. Present. Councilmember Mortalero. Here. Councilmember Pessimarelli. President. And Mayor Moore. Here. Mayor, you have a quorum. All right. Great. Do we have a motion to approve the agenda tonight? So move. Second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say no. All right. We have an agenda. Um, we have a few items uh tonight on the consent agenda. Um just so everybody knows when I read these, it can be lengthy, and I'm working with our town attorney uh to see if um I could just read the numbers, and I think we can, but I gotta get used to that. So tonight I'm gonna do it the way we normally do it. Uh the first item is twenty twenty-six three twenty-eight, approval of the April twenty-eighth, twenty twenty-six town council meeting minutes. The second item is twenty twenty-six twenty-five police week and peace officers memorial day proclamation sponsored by council members O'Connor and Pessor Amelli. The next item is um twenty twenty-six two two two four, Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Proclamation sponsored by Council Members Pass Ramelli, O'Connor, and Baer. Next item is twenty twenty-six two thirty, a proclamation recognizing public works week sponsored by Councilmember Baer. Next item is twenty twenty-six two eighty-four proclamation. Um, which is a proclamation, the twenty twenty-six building safety month sponsored by Mayor Pro Tem Bell and Councilmember Hoback. Next item is twenty twenty-six one thirty-one, a resolution of the town council of the town of Erie approving an agreement for professional services with Burns McDonald for the zone three tank systems improvement project. The historic preservation advisory board, the open space and trails advisory board, the sustainability advisory board, and the tree advisory board. Item 2026 306, a resolution of the town council of town Erie approving a second amendment to professional services agreement with D2C architects for the Erie Police Department Expansion and Remodel Project Design. P24 to 519. I think that's pages 24 to 519. And the last item is item 2026 318, a resolution of the town council of town of Erie approving a data sharing and license agreement. With the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment for quarterly census of employment and wages data. We have a motion to approve the consent agenda. So I move. Second. We have a motion and second. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say no. All right, we'll move on to public comment tonight.
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