PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION

DRAFT MEETING MINUTES

 

EDELWEISS LODGE AND SPA

TAOS SKI VALLEY, NEW MEXICO

 

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2010 1:00 P.M.

 

I.          CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL

Commissioner Tom Wittman called the meeting to order.  A quorum was established with Commission members Elisabeth Brownell, Richard Duffy, Mary Mortimer, Susan Nichols, Steve Ruppert, Chris Stagg, and Tom Wittman present.  No one was absent.  Staff members Bruce Kelly, Don Schieber, Rich Willson, and Ann Marie Wooldridge were in attendance.

II.         APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

Bruce Kelly suggested adding discussion of the Master Plan under Miscellaneous.

MOTION:  To approve the agenda as amended.

Motion:    Chris Stagg     Second:  Mary Mortimer                  Passed: 6-0.

 

III.        APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 1, 2010 MEETING

MOTION:  To approve the minutes as presented. 

Motion:   Chris Stagg     Second: Susan Nichols          Passed: 6-0.

 

IV.        NEW BUSINESS

A.    PUBLIC HEARING: Application for Preliminary Subdivision Plat approval for proposed Pioneer Glade Subdivision, on Tract B of Tract L-1 located on a tract of land within the Antoine Leroux Grant in the Village of Taos Ski Valley, Taos County, NM located within the NE 1/4 of Projected Section 9, Township 27 North, Range 14 East, NMPM, by TSV Pioneers Glade LLC.

Don Schieber explained that TSV Pioneers has applied for preliminary subdivision plat approval under the cluster provision of the Village Subdivision Ordinance.  Under the cluster provision, the minimum lot size can be reduced with the provision that forty percent of the entire parcel be designated as open space for the use of not only owners but for the general public.  This subdivision totals 7.897 acres: the area containing the lots for development is 4.738 acres, while the open space dedication comprises 3.160 acres and will be maintained by the homeowners= association. Scheiber explained that those building pads near the stream will need to preserve the riparian zone with appropriate setbacks.       

Scheiber said that the preliminary plat as submitted is substantially complete.  He has been working with Russell Engineering and Red Tail Surveying on the subdivision plans.  For the roads, the plat shows a twenty foot driving lane within a fifty foot right of way.  All utilities are required to be buried within that right of way and in associated utility easements.  The preliminary plat includes provisions for pedestrian access through the development and onto the ski area and the Village Core.  Snow storage areas have been designated on the plat, and this is in addition to the requirement for areas along the front setback for snow storage.  The developer plans to allow for 11 structures on the 22 lots, which could accommodate 22 dwelling units classified as duplexes, or 11 single family residences.

Gary Derck of Mountain Spring Development introduced himself as one of the principals in TSV Pioneers LLC.  His company, out of Durango, Colorado, not only develops but also runs various projects, including Durango Mountain Resort.  Derck explained that the subdivision has been highly structured with all building pads laid out. The building pads will determine the limit of the site disturbance, not just the buildings themselves.  There will be no parking on the subdivision roads by residents or guests: homeowners will need to park within their building pad or on their own driveways.  He explained that they are setting even stricter requirements for the subdivision than the Village requires.  For example, there will be a design review board with the authority to oversee building designs.  Derck explained that the design guidelines will be finalized by the time of the final plat approval.  All buildings will be sprinklered, allowing for fewer trees to be cut down.  The riparian setback will be clarified before the final plat is submitted.  They intend to install the infrastructure this summer and then turn it over to the Village. 

PUBLIC HEARING: Gordon Briner of TSV Inc. spoke in favor of accepting the preliminary plat, as did Gary Derck of Mountain Springs Development.  Rob Watt of Red Tail Surveying also spoke in favor, saying that the subdivision will be positive for the community and will work with the environment.  Rich Willson, Village code consultant, spoke for approval saying that the design guidelines are good, and John Halley, property owner, spoke in favor noting that the subdivision as presented is a good example of cluster development.  No one spoke against. The Public Hearing was closed. 

MOTION: Motion to approve the application for Preliminary Subdivision Plat approval for proposed Pioneer Glade Subdivision, on Tract B of Tract L-1 located on a tract of land within the Antoine Leroux Grant in the Village of Taos Ski Valley, Taos County, NM located within the NE 1/4 of Projected Section 9, Township 27 North, Range 14 East, NMPM, by TSV Pioneers Glade LLC.  

Motion: Mary Mortimer            Second: Elisabeth Brownell              

 

Discussion was held on the whether there is a need for a site-specific avalanche study, on top of the letter from the ski patrol stating that terrain features indicative of avalanche conditions exist above and below the subject area.  Additional analysis will be done in the spring.  It was clarified that once the preliminary plat is approved, TSV Pioneers has two years to submit the final plat, or they will need to request more time from the Commission.

The question was called                         Passed: 6-0 (Chris Stagg recused herself from the discussion and the vote.)

V.         OLD BUSINESS

A.         The source water protection committee will meet once the snow melts and access is available.  Bruce Kelly said that three homeowners have volunteered, along with several people on the P&Z Commission.  Some property owners in the Kachina area may be willing to provide protective easements. 

VI.        MISCELLANEOUS

A.         Bruce Kelly asked if the Commission would like to review the Village Comprehensive Plan from 2002 and also the Village Master Plan from 2006.  Should they be combined?  Stagg said that this has come up for discussion because of TSV Inc.=s upgrade plan for the ski slopes that was submitted to the Forest Service, and also because of their work in master-planning the core area.  Stagg also mentioned that the Forest Service is close to Aaccepting@ their plan, and they are moving forward.

VII.       ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DATE, TIME & PLACE OF THE NEXT MEETING:  Monday, May 3, 2010 at 1:00 p.m at the Edelweiss Lodge & Spa Conference Room. (Note: This meeting was later postponed to June 7, 2010 at 2:00 p.m..)

VIII.      ADJOURNMENT           

MOTION:  To adjourn.

Motion: Chris Stagg          Second:  Mary Mortimer              Passed: 7-0

 

_______________________

Tom Wittman, Chairperson