Planning commission hears reports: council declines right-of-way vacation, charter amendment on term limits, joint work session on commercial zoning

At the Nov. 13 meeting the Woodland Park Planning Commission received three administrative reports that the commission did not vote on but will act on procedurally in future meetings.

Planning Director Karen Schmink reported that city council did not concur with the commission’s prior recommendation to vacate the right-of-way for South Fairview Street; the right-of-way remains city property. "That right away continues to be City of Woodland Park right away," Schmink said.

Schmink and City Attorney Betsy Stewart also briefed commissioners on a charter amendment passed by voters earlier this month requiring each board and committee to establish term limits in its bylaws. Staff are drafting several template options — including whether partial terms count toward limits — and will present proposed bylaw language at the commission’s Dec. 11 meeting for review and possible recommendation to council. Commissioners asked staff to provide the current term status of all members so the commission can assess the practical effect of proposed limits.

Finally, staff informed the commission that city council requested a joint work session to discuss commercial zoning — including purpose and intent statements for commercial districts — scheduled for Nov. 20 in the same room with a Zoom option. Schmink said she did not yet have further details about council’s objectives for that session.

Next steps: staff will present draft bylaw language on term limits at the Dec. 11 meeting; the commission is expected to discuss and potentially recommend language to council. The commission and staff will also attend the Nov. 20 council work session on commercial zoning.