PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION

 DRAFT MEETING MINUTES

 

EDELWEISS LODGE AND SPA

TAOS SKI VALLEY, NEW MEXICO

 

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2011 1:00 P.M.

 

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL

Commissioner Tom Wittman called the meeting to order.  A quorum was established with Commission members Elisabeth Brownell, Richard Duffy, Susan Nichols,  Steve Ruppert, Chris Stagg, and Tom Wittman present.   Mary Mortimer was absent.  Staff members Don Schieber and Ann Marie Wooldridge were in attendance.  Gordon Briner joined the meeting during item IV. New Business.  Tom Wittman asked for a few moments of silent reflection on the passing of Bruce Kelly, and others whom we have lost recently.

 

II.         APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Don Schieber presented the discussion agenda for item IV. A., and said that there would be one more item to add to this list.        

MOTION:  To approve the agenda as amended. 

Motion:   Steve Ruppert       Second:   Richard Duffy        Passed: 6-0.

 

III.        APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 31, 2011 MEETING

MOTION:  To approve the minutes as presented. 

Motion:   Chris Stagg        Second: Elisabeth Brownell           Passed: 6-0.

 

IV.        NEW BUSINESS

A.  Discussion of upcoming Planning and Zoning items

1.  Role of Village Attorney participation in the Planning and Zoning process.

Don Schieber reported that attorney Dennis Romero is assisting Staff and Council with legal advice on pending matters, in Bruce Kelly=s absence.  Romero is especially well-versed in land use issues.  He will give input on matters that would usually be overseen by a Village Administrator, such as funding options, bonding, and municipal finance for upcoming projects.  Other attorneys are also being consulted for specific matters, such as for pending litigation, on foreclosure of liens, and for creating municipal bonds.

5. Core Area master infrastructure development plan

Don Schieber outlined some of the issues involved in completing the core area water infrastructure which was started in the summer of 2010.  Some of the complications arise out of the fact that the original contractor that was chosen in the bid process in 2009 ultimately defaulted after having started the work, and a new contractor came on in the middle of the summer of 2010.  Staff is evaluating the conditions and terms of existing contracts associated with the core area water system project.

A core area master infrastructure development plan is being drawn up by core area property owners who plan on re-developing their properties.  This plan is being developed along with Village Staff, and professional engineers and designers.  All phases of potential build-out are being planned in order to complete work in a comprehensive manner.  The plan will address roads, water, sewer, bridges, walkways, recreation facilities, and design standards for the subject area.  Green building techniques will be encouraged, including geothermal uses, with the hope of having buildings LEED-certified.  Bonds may be issued in order to finance this infrastructure, with certain economic development zones needing to be identified. Gordon Briner explained that TSV Inc. intends to bring their plans to P&Z very soon, and wants to keep open lines of communication.   TSV Inc. is interested in developing as many activities as possible in the core area to bring people to the ski valley.         

2.  USFS Town site parking lot proposal and scope.

Don Schieber explained that an upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant needs to be considered concurrently with any new development plans.  A preliminary engineering report has just been completed for a new plant.  The treatment plant sits on U.S. Forest Service land, which has been problematic in the past.  Consideration is being given to purchasing Forest Service lands using the Town site act, including the parking lots and the Bull-of-the Woods trailhead.  Forest Service representatives are in communication with TSV Inc. about any proposed purchases. 

3. Review of Village Capital Improvement Projects

This was tabled until the next meeting.

4.  Future ICIP projects, review and modify needs assessment (for Impact Fees).

A Needs Assessment Report was completed when the Village initiated impact fees in 2004, and another such study was conducted in 2006 when the impact fees were adjusted.  A report has not been completed since that time, and Don Schieber suggested that the impact fees need to be re-evaluated through a Needs Assessment Report, once the upcoming capital improvement projects have been determined.            

 

6.  Don Schieber reported that the Pattisons, through Northside at Taos Ski Valley, Inc., are interested in placing small cabins to be rented out at various spots on their land.  This large parcel of Pattison land is zoned for recreation/farming.  A plan will be presented at the next Planning & Zoning meeting with more details, however Schieber had some diagrams of building components.   

   

V.         OLD BUSINESS

 

VI.        MISCELLANEOUS

A.  Chris Stagg suggested that consideration be given on how the new development plan by TSV Inc. should be incorporated into the Village Master Plan , and into the Village Zoning Ordinance. 

B.  Elisabeth Brownell reported that a camper had started a campfire at the Bull-of-the-Woods trailhead in windy conditions, recently.  This campground is near the Brownell Chalet, and Elisabeth was concerned about the fire spreading.  She called the Police Department for assistance, even though this is Forest Service land.  Elisabeth asked if the Village  would ever impose its own fire restrictions, beyond the restrictions set forth by the Forest Service.

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VII.       ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DATE, TIME & PLACE OF THE NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will take place on May 2, 2011at 1:00 p.m. at the Edelweiss Lodge & Spa Conference Room.

VIII.      ADJOURNMENT           

MOTION:  To adjourn.

Motion: Chris Stagg       Second: Susan Nichols        Passed: 6-0

 

_______________________

Tom Wittman, Chairperson