At their February 3 meeting, the Fraser Board of Trustees discussed acceptance of a conveyance of Parcel 4E, per the 2003 annexation agreement with Rendezvous Colorado LLC. Town Planner Catherine Trotter explained that Section 10.10 of the Amended and Restated Annexation Agreement for the Rendezvous Property, recorded at Reception # 2003-016733 dated 12/30/2003, stated that the “Developer agrees to dedicate or convey to Fraser the open space parcel designated as Planning Area 4E on the 2003 PDD, for public use.” 

Since that time, two extensions had been requested by the developer and were included in the meeting packet. Resolution 2021-02-1 would accept the conveyance of real property to the Town, in the form of a Special Warranty Deed. After some discussion, the Resolution was approved unanimously.

Cornerstone Attainable Housing Plan

Interim Town Manager Wesley LaVanchy presented an overview of the Attainable Housing Plan which had been approved in 2007. The Plan stated that “not less than 144 Attainable Housing Units would be provided within the Town of Fraser”. Included in the language was a provision that an annual audit of the Plan would be provided to the Town annually on or before October 31 of each year.

The 2020 audit listed 43.96 Attainable Housing Units had been provided in the current year. It added that Cornerstone had been working diligently to design and evaluate various attainable housing concepts, including the following: 1. 60 Unit Deed Restricted apartment housing projects; 2. Twelve additional homes to be located in Elk Creek Filing 3 and a portion of Meyer Lot 2 on deed restricted lots; and 3. A 204 unit HUD apartment complex on planning area 2W. All of these projects are in various design development and financial evaluation stages.

With further questions, the board directed staff to contact Cornerstone for clarification on details and amendments found in the audit.

At their meeting on February 17, following a series of three Executive Sessions, the Trustees reviewed the latest Grand County Public Health Order which was issued on an emergency basis on February 12. The Order targeted several businesses who were identified as a source of the recent COVID-19 outbreak among Winter Park Resort employees. Mandating “Red Level” restrictions, the businesses suffered lost revenues as a result of the Order.

Trustee Ryan Barwick motioned they re-fund the program the board had implemented in the fall of 2020 to help out restaurants and bars that had been affected by COVID-19 restrictions imposed at that time. Barwick suggested another $25,000 be added to the fund to be available to businesses that had essentially been shut down by government agencies due to COVID regulations whether it’s a state, county or municipality. Use the same or similar application process that was utilized in the November/December timeframe and allow those businesses to apply for assistance as needed.

The trustees approved the motion unanimously and directed LaVanchy to work with Grand County on reimbursement of the funding through the CARES Act.

Business Enhancement Grant Program

Marketing and Economic Development Manager Sarah Wieck requested reinstatement of the Program, which had been suspended at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to the Board. The Economic Development Advisory Committee recommended allowing businesses to use the funds for COVID-specific upgrades and also for exterior enhancements as it was originally intended. The Town had budgeted $50,000 for the Program in 2021. 

Trustee Katie Soles moved to approve reinstatement of the Town’s Business Enhancement Grant Program motion and the motion was approved unanimously.

New EDAC members

The trustees unanimously appointed two new members, Autumn Bishop and Kelsey Young, to the Town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee.   

The Fraser Board of Trustees meet the first and third Wednesday of each month at 6 pm in Town Hall. The meetings are open to the public. To learn more, visit frasercolorado.com.