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Larimer County OKs narrower EV‑charging requirement for Askeland microbrewery
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners approved an appeal allowing one installed electric‑vehicle charger and four EV‑capable spaces at a microbrewery proposed in the Horsetooth Reservoir area, deviating from the land‑use code percentage requirements.
The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 24 approved an appeal that lets a proposed microbrewery at County Road 38E provide one installed electric‑vehicle charger and four EV‑capable parking spaces instead of the full number required by county code.
The appeal concerned the Askeland Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Appeal, file 24‑zone‑3601, a request tied to an administrative special review to convert a vacant building near the Blue Sky Trailhead to a microbrewery and tasting room with an outdoor patio. Justin Curry, a county planner, told commissioners staff had received updated parking counts showing the applicant proposes 44 spaces; the land‑use code’s percentages translate to two installed EV spaces and four EV‑capable spaces for that parking total.
Jenny Axmaker, lead planner, and Justin Curry summarized the technical issue for the board. "Based on the parking they're proposing, the percentage for EV capable and ready is 10% of the total parking...and the percentage is for, 5% of the total parking is for the EV installed," Curry said. The applicant, John Asquin, told the board after consulting electrical engineers he can install one charger now; upgrades to meet full code would likely require replacing site transformers and could cost "in excess of $50,000," and Poudre Valley Energy estimated up to 18 months to secure a replacement transformer.
The development services team changed its recommendation from denial to no recommendation after the applicant submitted the updated parking and electrical‑capacity information; staff told the board it had not previously considered an appeal of this type and stopped short of recommending approval. Commissioners discussed seasonality of parking and whether the code accounts for peak summer demand; staff said the EV‑charging standard is not based on seasonal parking patterns.
Commissioner John Kefalas said the applicants’ technical analysis and the site's unique circumstances persuaded him the appeal met the required review criteria. Kristen Stevens, chair of the Board of County Commissioners, also supported approval. Commissioner Kefalas moved to approve the appeal; the board voted 2–0 in favor.
The approval applies to the Askeland appeal as presented; no additional conditions were attached by the board at the time of the vote. Staff noted the microbrewery and patio remain subject to separate review and permitting processes.
Votes at the meeting were recorded verbally. The motion passed 2 to 0.
