Planning Commission — 2024-01-10

The Queenstown Planning Commission met Jan. 10, 2024. Commissioners moved the Wheatlands (Waterman Family Limited Partnership) DRRA discussion to the top of the agenda; Barry Waterman asked the Commission to find the DRRA consistent with the town comprehensive plan and described benefits including paying to extend water, donating a lot worth $400,000 for public works, a $200,000 payment at the 100th home, HOA payments ($25,000/year to Queenstown Volunteer Fire Dept. noted), impact fees ($600 per residence to the fire department and $400 to the town), a water reservation fee of $1,085,000, projected ~$85 million added to the tax base, an estimated $230,000/year in town property tax revenue, and a $50,000/year increase to a county tax rebate; he also offered a five-year option for the town to acquire a buffer zone and stated a one-acre parcel for trailer/boat storage would be contingent on town acceptance of the buffer. The Commission voted to recommend acceptance of Resolution 24-01 and amended that recommendation urging consideration of immediate acquisition of the buffer and the trailer/boat lot. Other items: public comment raised concerns about the proposed Haven Ministries homeless shelter near a neighborhood park; the Corridor Management Plan discussion was deferred pending clarity about the old service station owner’s intentions; commissioners asked the Town Commissioners for more context on reconsidering recreational cannabis regulations; and in new business the Commission reaffirmed prior findings allowing Andy Wood increased lot coverage if he provides on-site mitigation plantings (155 sq ft or the difference between existing and proposed coverage) or pays a mitigation fee. November and December minutes were approved, Paul Cain’s oath of office was recorded, and the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.