|
With the advent of
small-scale residential wind turbine technology, Estes Park
faces important regulatory decisions pertaining to height
restrictions, visual impacts and noise. The Town is
seeking input on what changes, if any, should be made to the
Estes Valley Development Code to regulate wind turbines.
These regulations must weigh the rights and expectations of
individual property owners against the broader community
values and standards. Property owners and residents of
the Estes Valley are invited and encouraged to submit
comments.
|
 |
| |
Pole Mounted Horizontal Axis |
 |
Two public forums were held to
answer questions and gather information from citizens. The forums
were facilitated by Community Development Director Bob Joseph, and
public comment both in support and opposition of small-scale
residential wind turbines in the Estes Valley was received. Since
those forums, draft code revisions have been written and discussed
at Estes Valley Planning Commission meetings. The public is
encouraged to attend these meetings and comment on this topic. |
|
Pole Mounted Vertical Axis |
|
| On August
11, 2009, the Town Board
of Trustees placed a temporary moratorium on the issuance of any
building permit by the Community Development Department for the
installation of any wind turbine within the Town of Estes Park. On
December 8, 2009, this
moratorium was extended for another one-hundred-twenty (120) days unless amended and/or terminated by the
Board of Trustees. This moratorium period is being provided to
facilitate an informed public discussion of the pros and cons of
residential-scale wind turbines prior to the formal adoption of
local policies and regulations. |
 |
|
| |
Roof Mounted Horizontal Axis |
|
 |
On January 26, 2010, the Town Board of Trustees
heard the first reading of the proposed Wind Turbine
Regulations. It was determined to review small-scale
residential wind turbines independently from the
smaller micro-wind systems. Community Development
staff will proceed accordingly and will present
revised drafts at the next regularly scheduled Town
Board meeting on February 23, 2010. |
|
| March 8, 2010 - tentative date |
Board of County Commissioners — If
approved by Town Board
Meeting to be held at the Estes Park Town Hall Board
Room - 6:30 p.m. |
| February 23, 2010 |
Estes Park Town Board — |
| January 26, 2010 |
Estes Park Town Board —
Staff Report to Town Board
First reading of Draft 3 — Town Board of Trustees
determined to review small-scale residential wind turbines
independently from the smaller micro-wind systems. Revised
drafts will be presented to the Town Board on February 23,
2010 |
| December 15, 2009 |
Estes Valley Planning Commission —
First public hearing for initial review and comment on
Draft 3
Draft 3 Approval with minor revisions recommended to Town
Board |
| December 8, 2009 |
Estes Park Town Board —
Town Board of Trustees
extended the moratorium on the issuance of any building
permit by the Community Development Department for the
installation of any wind turbine within the Town of Estes
Park.
Moratorium extended to
March 8, 2010 |
| November 17, 2009 |
Estes Valley Planning Commission
—
First public hearing for initial review and comment on
Draft 2
Continued to December 15, 2009 |
| November 12, 2009 |
Estes Valley Planning Commission Special Meeting
—
First public hearing for initial review and comment on
Draft 1
Technical Feasibility Presentation by Utilities Engineer Reuben
Bergsten
Setback Illustrations by Community Development Director Bob
Joseph
Problem Statement
Continued to November 17, 2009 |
| August 13, 2009 |
Public Forum #2
Notes |
| August 11, 2009 |
Town Board of Trustees
placed a 120-day moratorium on the issuance of any building
permit by the Community Development Department for the
installation of any wind turbine within the Town of Estes
Park.
Moratorium is set to expire December 11, 2009 |
| April 30, 2009 |
Public Forum #1
Slide Presentation by Community Development Director Bob
Joseph
Notes |
| |
|
Click here
to view the Renewable Energy Survey Results |
If you have questions about the proposed changes or the
timeframe for their review, please contact the Community Development Department
at bjoseph@estes.org or 970-577-3721.
What is the process for adopting revisions to the Development
Code?
Proposed revisions to the Estes
Valley Development Code are considered and adopted through a public hearing
process that is held before the respective elected boards, the Estes Park Town
Board of Trustees and the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners, with
each acting independently.
Proposed changes are first heard by the Estes Valley Planning Commission. If
the Planning Commission recommends approval of the revisions, they are presented
to the Estes Park Town Board of Trustees at the following two monthly Town Board
meetings. If the Town Board approves the changes, they are presented to the
Larimer County Board of County Commissioners at their meeting a month later.
If the revisions are approved by both the Town Board and Larimer
County Commissioners, they are adopted into the Estes Valley Development Code.
|
