Town Council passes Ordinance 5 simplifying special event permits and fee schedule

The Town of Buena Vista, Colorado, held a Board of Trustees Work Session and Regular Meeting on May 27, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, including updates to the fee schedule and ordinance adjustments.

The meeting commenced with a review of Ordinance Number 5, which aimed to simplify the process for issuing special event permits. A trustee noted the previous complexity of overlapping provisions in the code, expressing hope that the revisions would streamline operations for parks and recreation and other departments involved in special events. Following a brief discussion, the board moved to approve Ordinance Number 5, which passed unanimously.

Next, the discussion shifted to adjustments in the fee schedule. The proposed changes included the removal of the special event business license from the clerk's section and a reclassification of the permit to an event vendor permit. The fee structure would remain unchanged, but the title would be updated for clarity. The board agreed to consider these changes in conjunction with the approval of Ordinance Number 5.

Planning Director Marika Cox then presented a preliminary concept regarding parking fees, which had been discussed in a previous session. She reported that the recommendation from the trustees was to seek input from the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission. Cox had presented this concept at the last P&Z meeting, where she shared three case studies to support the proposed adjustments.

The meeting concluded with a focus on the next steps for the fee schedule and parking fee recommendations, ensuring that the board would continue to refine these proposals in future sessions. Overall, the discussions highlighted the town's commitment to improving operational efficiency and clarity in its regulatory framework.