The Fremont County Commissioners tabled consideration of a moratorium on requiring site development plans in zoning regulations at their regular meeting Monday. The County Planning Commission on November 8th voted to recommend that the Board of Commissioners place a moratorium on the requirement for site development plans in various zoning districts in the county.
Several persons from the business, industrial, and real estate sectors have complained that the new requirements added as a zoning amendment last spring place too much of a burden on small businesses trying to get started or change use of their property. A lot of the concern has focused on language in the amendment stating that site development plans will be required if there is a substantial change of use. To this point the Planning Commission and Commissioners have been unable to define application of the word 'substantial'. Several of the business people say requiring detailed traffic studies for a change of use is too burdensome, too costly, and takes too much time.
The Commissioners say they recognized the problem when site development plan requirements were adopted and that is why they did not want them applied unless there was a 'substantial' change of use. But the Commissioners say they continue to hear from citizens who say that growth, both residentially and commercially, must pay for itself. The Commissioners said the county does not want to create a hardship on businesses but to make sure the impacts of growth are addressed.
The Commissioners said instead of putting a moratorium in place now they would first prefer to meet with the Planning Commission to discuss options and possible solutions. The Commissioners tabled the recommendation until January 9th when they will either consider the moratorium or other possible solutions.
In other action Monday the Commissioners:
Several persons from the business, industrial, and real estate sectors have complained that the new requirements added as a zoning amendment last spring place too much of a burden on small businesses trying to get started or change use of their property. A lot of the concern has focused on language in the amendment stating that site development plans will be required if there is a substantial change of use. To this point the Planning Commission and Commissioners have been unable to define application of the word 'substantial'. Several of the business people say requiring detailed traffic studies for a change of use is too burdensome, too costly, and takes too much time.
The Commissioners say they recognized the problem when site development plan requirements were adopted and that is why they did not want them applied unless there was a 'substantial' change of use. But the Commissioners say they continue to hear from citizens who say that growth, both residentially and commercially, must pay for itself. The Commissioners said the county does not want to create a hardship on businesses but to make sure the impacts of growth are addressed.
The Commissioners said instead of putting a moratorium in place now they would first prefer to meet with the Planning Commission to discuss options and possible solutions. The Commissioners tabled the recommendation until January 9th when they will either consider the moratorium or other possible solutions.
In other action Monday the Commissioners:
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approved a two lot minor subdivision for Jack Roberts on 6.24 acres of property on the northwest corner of Pinion Avenue and Locust in Lincoln Park;
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announced plans for the second legislative summit prior to the 2007 session of the Colorado Legislature. Senator Ken Kester, and Representatives Buffie McFadyen, Tom Massey, and Bob Gardner will meet with the County Commissioners and municipal officials at 2 p.m. on December 14th at the County Administration Building;
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and approved liquor license renewals for Penrose Post #2788 and Shadow Hills Golf Club.