MINUTES REGULAR MEETING February 14, 2024- -6 6:00 P.M. TOWN OF HUDSON: PLANNING COMMISSION CALL' TO ORDER 6:00j p.m. The meeting was called to order by the Planning Commission Chairperson, Daniel Warren, at PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLLCALL Present Commissioners: Brandi Bond Robert Hollister Don Post Daniel Warren Lisa Marie Buesgens Matt Cole None Ex-Officio Members: Absent: Natalie Schlidt, Deputy Town Clerk, took roll call and six (6) Commissioners were present. Town Staff Present: Jennifer Woods, Town Planner Natalie Schlidt, Deputy Town Clerk APPROVAL OF MINUTES a) Wednesday January 10, 2024 minutes from January 10, 2024. The vote was as follows: Nay- None Commissioner Cole made ai motion, seconded by Commissioner Bond to approve the Aye- Commissioners Cole, Bond, Buesgens, Hollister, Post and Warren Commissioner Warren declared the motion passed. Minutes February 14, 2024 Town ofH Hudson Planning Commission Regular Meeting Page 2of5 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA None. Commissioner Warren noted that agenda item b) will be addressed first and then will move to agenda item c). No Commissioners had an objection to the change. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS GENERAL BUSINESS None b) Public Hearing: Case 23-15Long Annexation Zoning Commissioner Warren opened the Public Hearing at 6:03 p.m. for Case No. 23-15Long Initial Zoning. Planning Secretary Schlidt stated the Public Hearing is for the purpose oft receiving public comment and to consider Long Initial Zoning. Planning Secretary Schlidt stated that the notice for the public hearing was] published in the newspaper on January 27, 2024, posted at the site on January 26, 2024, sent to neighboring property owners on January 25, 2024, and to mineral estate owners on January 11, 2024. Town Planner Woods summarized the process related to zoning and its alignment with the Comprehensive Plan. Town Planner Woods noted that the property is] proposed to be zoned Agricultural One (A-1), specifically for the right of ways, and Industrial One (I-1) specifically for all oft the subject property. Town Planner Woods noted that no comments were: received by the Town prior to the hearing. Public comments were given by 10 (ten) individuals with significant concern about the impact on their lives and properties including quality of] life, noise, traffic and the loss of open space. Other concerns of note were the potential impact ofindustrial development on existing agriculture and residential areas, maintaining the small-town feel; lack of proper maintenance of roads and bridges, snow removal and planning for future needs including emergency services; the Towns ability to support increased industrial activity; potential air pollution for industrial activities, especially related to oil and gas which could have health impacts; improved communication, transparency and engagement with the public to ensure that the community is involved in the planning process. Clarification was provided on the legal and procedural steps for annexation, including planning commission, zoning, and Town Council approvals. Furthermore, industrial zoning does noti immediately change land use and current agricultural activities can continue until development occurs. Any future development would require approval from the Town Council, ensuring further scrutiny and opportunity for community input. Current well water usage remains unchanged until future development arises, in which case the' Town would go through a Utility Demand Analysis. Commissioner Bond inquired about the property owners' vision for the property. Commissioner Cole inquired about requesting a bigger ag buffer. There being no further public comment, Commissioner Warren closed the Public Hearing at 7:18 p.m. Commissioners Buesgens, Bond and Warren thanked everyone in attendance at the meeting and noted the importance ofcommunity input in the planning process to ensure decisions reflect the Commissioner Cole made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Bond, to approve Case 23-15 Long Initial Zoning with the recommendation that council consider an added growth barrier of community'st needs and concerns. 1000 feet of property lines and to forward to Town Council. Minutes - February 14, 2024 Town of Hudson Planning Commission Regular Meeting Page 3of5 The vote was as follows: Nay- Commissioner Post Aye- Commissioners Cole, Bond, Buesgens, Hollister and Warren Commissioner Warren declared the motion passed. a) Public Hearing: Case 23-13 MSLCAT Annexation Initial Zoning Commissioner Warren opened the Public Meeting at 7:27 p.m. for Case No. 23-13 MSLCAT Initial Zoning. Planning Secretary Schlidt stated the Public Hearing is for the purpose of receiving public comment and to consider MSLCAT Initial Zoning. Planning Secretary Schlidt stated that the notice for the public hearing was published in the newspaper on. January 27,2024, posted at the site on January 26, 2024, sent to neighboring property owners on. January 25, 2024, and to mineral estate owners on January 11,2024. Commissioner Warren noted that due to the legal litigation regarding this matter, the' Town and Commissioners cannot comment or have discussion on the matter but can allow public comment. Public comments were given by 11 (eleven) individuals noting concern about the: zoning. Comments included inquiries on the Town's equipment fori maintenance and snow removal and the financial burden on the Town for extending services like water and sewer and howi it would be financed. Another commented on a past decision to vote down a de-icing facility due toi its negative impact on the neighborhood. Moreover, there was community skepticism on the annexation and zoning process with concerns about the motivation, suitability, and the town's capacity to manage growth, suggesting that it was motivated by financial gain rather than community benefit; that industrial zoning near multi- million-dollar homes was inappropriate and could lead to undesirable development impacting agricultural communities and the importance of preserving rural identity. There is concern for safety, increased traffic and the desire to: maintain the small community feeling and the importance ofnature and outdoor space. There was confusion over voluntary annexation between bordering towns and how the process works. Clarification was provided that the Town does not force annexation; it's a completely voluntary process. Others expressed frustration over the lack of communication from BNSF on their future plans. Overall, there was community concern about the potential negative impacts of development on the rural character, safety and quality oflife. The community noted a need for improved communication and transparency in the process to ensure community members are adequately engaged and requested to improve the notification process and access to information such as scalable maps. Town Planner Woods noted that no public comment was received prior to the hearing. Town Planner Woods noted that the Town has adequate water treatment facilities and contingency plans to handle increased demand. Additionally, clarification was provided that annexations are decided by the Town Council and are separate from zoning considerations. There being no further public comment, Commissioner Cole made ai motion, seconded by Commissioner Bond, to continue Case 23-13 to Commissioner Warren will entertain ai motion. March 13, 2024, at 6:00pm. The vote was as follows: Nay- None Aye- Commissioners Cole, Bond, Buesgens, Hollister, Post and Warren Minutes - February 14, 2024 Town of Hudson Planning Commission Regular Meeting Page 4of5 Commissioner Warren declared the motion passed. c) Weld County Referral: Case LAP24-0004 -Location Assessment for Pipeline Town Planner Woods noted that the referral is regarding al location assessment for construction ofai new pipeline at WCR: 20 &51 to WCR 18 & 398. Town Planner Woods noted: no concerns and recommended approval. The Commission had no comments or concerns and isi in consensus on the recommendation. d) Election ofOfficers: Planning Secretary Schlidt noted that Kerry Shaklee applied to the Planning Commission which leaves one alternate vacancy. Pursuant to the Municipal Code the Planning Commission must elect a chairperson and vice chairperson for ai term of one year and are at the deadline to do SO. Commissioner Cole made ai motion, seconded by Commissioner Bond to appoint Commissioner Warren as Chairperson of the Planning Commission. The vote was as follows: Nay- None Aye- Commissioners Cole, Bond, Buesgens, Hollister, Post and Warren Commissioner Buesgens made ai motion, seconded by Commissioner Post to appoint Commissioner Bond as Vice Chairperson oft the Planning Commission. The vote was as follows: Nay- None Aye- Commissioners Buesgens, Post, Bond, Cole, Hollister, and Warren Commissioner Warren declared the motions passed. STAFF COMMENTS Town Planner Woods gave an update on some development plans including Hudson Hills Phase 2. The Town has received another annexation for a trucking company off 52 in addition to completing the Reed and Willard Annexations that were filed some time ago. There is an additional potential site plan at 630 Cedar for a restaurant. PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Warren made closing comments regarding growth and development emphasizing the Town's efforts to maintain balance and protect community interests. Commissioner Warren noted that active community engagement and participation in local politics are essential for effecting change and that participation has led to change int the past and encouraged the community to bei involved and attend local meetings to make one's voice heard. Minutes - February 14, 2024 Town of Hudson Planning Commission Regular Meeting Page 50f5 ADJOURN The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:55 p.m. Hudson Planning Commission Boross BR Chairman, Daniel-Warren Cmmtouney, Barbibd ATTEST Natalie Schlidt, Town Clerk Clmes Deputy