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Larimer County approves Hansen appeal allowing more than one short-term rental on three Estes Park duplex properties
Summary
The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners approved an appeal by property owner Seth Hansen to allow more than one short-term rental unit on each of three duplex properties in Estes Valley, finding staff had met review criteria. Site plan review and licensing remain required before rentals may operate.
The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners on March 9 approved an appeal by property owner Seth Hansen (file 25GNRL0580) to allow more than one short-term rental unit on each of three duplex properties in the Estes Valley.
Senior planner Samantha Lascher told the board the application covers 1057 and 1071 Griffith Court and 1083 Alpaca Farm Way, all zoned EVA-1, and requested a deviation from Article 335(b)(2)(a) of the land use code, which normally limits short-term rentals to one per property. "Staff has determined that all five criteria in Article 672(b)(5) have been met," Lascher said, recommending approval with two staff conditions and noting referrals showed no agency-level objections.
Seth Hansen, the applicant, said the properties sit inside an accommodations corridor and asked the board to align county standards with historical town practice: "This is very much an accommodations district," he said, arguing multiple rentals already exist in the neighborhood. A nearby resident, Joan Hooper, testified in opposition, saying the area is in practice residential and arguing the valley needs housing for residents and workers rather than added visitor lodging.
Commissioners acknowledged concerns about neighborhood character and housing supply but cited staff analysis and the review criteria in their deliberations. Commissioner John Cafales said the map and staff recommendation were persuasive; Commissioner Kristen Stevens said she would support the appeal on staff recommendation and because the area historically promotes lodging uses. Chair Jody Shadd McNally said she was "reluctant" but agreed the criteria had been met and moved forward with the motion to approve.
The motion to approve the Hansen appeal passed on a unanimous vote. Approval of the appeal does not grant licenses; the applicant must obtain site plan approvals and short-term rental licenses, and any conditions in the staff report must be met before additional rentals go into operation.
What happens next: With the appeal approved, Hansen must complete required site plan review and secure any necessary building inspections and short-term rental licenses before the units may be offered for rent.
