Parking Prohibited on Stretch of US Hwy 40

Your safety is our main priority. Due to some close calls between cars and pedestrians, parking on the shoulder of eastbound US Hwy 40 between Old Town Drive and Winter Park Drive is now prohibited. This includes the Moffat Tunnel overlook parking area.
Prohibiting parking will help keep this busy area safe. “No Parking” signs are being installed to inform violators that they will be ticketed and/or towed. Free parking options are available near the resort or in downtown, which are served by shuttles and the Lift.
Thanks for your cooperation in keeping our community safe!

Winter Park approves creation of Housing Authority

At the Winter Park Town Council meeting on January 2, Town Housing Director, John Crone, requested creation of the Winter Park Housing Authority. The Authority would be a separate, unique and distinct form of government and would be governed by the Town Council, operating similar to Town Liquor Licensing. By establishing a Housing Authority, there would be more flexibility in funding options as it allows access to federal and state funds and also direct contributions from the Town. Funding is limited in its current state. The topic was previously discussed in September and Crone had since taken steps to assess whether the Town has a need for an independent authority.

One of the key factors in creating a Housing Authority is determining whether there is a “lack of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations available for all inhabitants of the Town”. According to the Town’s 2015 Housing Needs Assessment, only 22% of workers currently live and reside in Winter Park. In comparison, Breckenridge houses 58% of their workforce. The 2015 Housing Needs Assessment also indicated a goal of reaching 30% by 2020, which is still low when compared with other resort communities, and even lower when compared to US averages. Crone stated that there are over 100 on the Town’s housing waitlist and that he receives calls and emails daily inquiring about housing, further illustrating the lack of available housing.

A petition had been circulated and an allowable number of signatures had been obtained and were submitted to the Council. Proper notice was also given for public hearing to be held on January 2. No public comments were received during the meeting.

The council acknowledged the lack of safe and sanitary housing within the Town and approved the motion to create the Winter Park Housing Authority unanimously.

Roam Development receives Public Comment

A number of local residents showed up to learn more about Ordinance 509 which would allow annexation of the 172 acre parcel just south of Town (the former Beaver’s Lodge property) and approve the associated Final Development Plan.

Planner and Landscape Architect, Jeff Vogel, went over the Fraser River Development Company’s Final Development Plan (FDP) for the proposed Roam project. The FDP had previously been presented to the Town Council and Planning Commission, but was new to most of those in attendance. Vogel told attendees that he felt lucky to have been involved in area development for the past twenty years. He explained that he had been involved in the Town’s last annexation project ten years ago, when the Rendezvous Arrow development was approved. The Roam FDP utilized the Rendezvous Arrow Plan as a template for the project.  At the end of Vogel’s presentation, Town Manager, Drew Nelson, provided an update advising the Council that the Final Development Plan as presented was not yet final. Drafts were being exchanged between the Town, development team and legal counsel. He estimated the document to be about 98% complete.

Mayor Lahrman went through key items of the proposal, defining there to be 20 years of vested rights with the FDP and outlined costs to the town for constructing additional Fraser River Trails. 2 written comments had been submitted prior to the meeting and were read into the meeting record. Mayor Lahrman then opened the meeting for public comment.

Robert Blay, with Condominium Management Company, spoke first on behalf of his clients in Beaver Village. Concerns have been expressed that the new property will create traffic congestion and make it difficult for residents and visitors to turn left from westbound Highway 40 onto Village Drive. They are requesting that the FDP be revised to extend Village Drive across Highway 40, and add a stoplight to the interchange. He also asked for clarification of what Roam plans to do with the six acres adjacent to Beaver Village as well as parts of the property that are designated wetlands. Mayor Lahrman affirmed that the developer would be responsible for mitigating wetlands wherever necessary. On behalf of Bray’s clients in the Sawmill Station development, he observed that the extension of Ski Idlewild Road will create more traffic in vicinity of the complex. He asked that the developers be mindful when finalizing road and traffic plans.

Retired Wildlife Biologist, Wendy McGuire, spoke out of concern for the wetlands and wildlife while developing the property.  After seeing the FDP presentation, she said that she felt the proposed overlay of residential areas over wetlands was not adequate and would be damaging to the environment. “It is better to preserve than try to mitigate” she said. She also believes the trail system “loops” would have too much impact on the wildlife. She went on to highlight the fact that the Fraser River is already impaired and that the development will impact the river and existing wildlife habitats. She asked that if they haven’t already done so, they involve the Arapaho National Forest, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Division of Wildlife agencies in their plans going forward.

After public comments were received, the Town Council resumed discussion of the ordinance. They felt that, without having a final copy of the FDP to review, there was not much benefit in discussion. Jeff Vogel felt they could have a final plan available in time for the February 6, 2018 Town Council Meeting. The motion to continue until February 6 was approved, with another public hearing likely to take place prior to consideration of approval or denial of the ordinance.

East Grand Fire Protection District #4 urges you to “Resolve to be Ready” for a safe 2018!

The New Year is a good time to take a look at your overall emergency preparedness plan. If you don’t already have a good plan in place, or it’s not quite complete, this is a perfect time for you to work on getting one done. Having a good, well-communicated plan in place will help in times of disaster.
Below are some steps you can take to develop an effective emergency strategy:

1. Create your:
Family communication plan
Sign up for emergency alerts
Complete your household plan

2. Be prepared for home fires by:
Establishing a safe meeting place outside of your home.
Practicing your fire drill twice a year.
Test your smoke alarms each month

Here are two resources to help you and your family make emergency plans for fire and disaster: Visit https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan and http://www.nfpa.org/…/Escape-pla…/Basic-fire-escape-planning.

Free Grand County Historical Association A to Z History Art/Photography Exhibit

Location: Granby Library   55 Zero Street  Granby CO 80446   (970) 887-2149   www.gcld.org

Dates: Opens January 2, 2018 and ends February 28, 2018
Times: During regular library hours

Description: Grand County Historical Association partners with Granby Library to host an educational exhibit of historical and contemporary photographs of local history based on the children’s picture book, A to Z: Your Grand County History Alphabet by Penny Rafferty Hamilton, Ph.D.

Daycare openings in Granby

Little Sprouts has infant and toddler spots available starting the beginning of the year.  Call (970) 887-3037 or email littlesproutsgranby@gmail.com for more information or to set up a tour.

Fraser Board of Trustees onboard with Fraser Center for Creative Arts Strategic Plan

During the workshop held prior to the Board of Trustees Meeting on Wednesday night, January 3rd, the Board of Trustees met with members of the Town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) to discuss the Frodo Strategic Plan. The Plan seeks to develop a mix of “create space” and attainable housing units on the quarter acre lot situated just east of the new Distillery in downtown Fraser.

The next step in the process is the assembly a group of stakeholders consisting of members of Town staff, EDAC, PAC and Board Trustees. The group will work on design, financing and programming elements that capture the Town’s vision for the space. Trustees Andy Miller, Eileen Waldow, Parnell Quinn and Herb Meyring, and, Mayor Phillip Vandernail committed to participate in the stakeholder group. EDAC members Toni Hallgren and Barry Young volunteered to also participate at the December meeting. Public Arts Committee (PAC) members will round out the stakeholders group so that they can begin working on the plan.

At the Board of Trustees Meeting following the Workshop, Town Manager, Jeff Durbin, began the discussion related to Community Housing. He stated that the Town had appropriated $500,000 of the 2018 budget toward Housing, and the goal is to make something happen with it this year. He recommended re-establishing a Housing Task Force with an emphasis on creating deliverables. The Task Force would work with a facilitator to identify property, engage neighbors and property owners in potential partnering endeavors, work on project design and financing and present back their findings to the Board at a date to be determined, ideally as soon as July 2018.

The Trustees did not see the need for both a Housing Roundtable and a separate Task Force and felt the existing Roundtable members could be converted to the Task Force. As the Town continues to grow, attainable housing will be an ongoing process. Also, since the Town is in the process of working on changes to Town code, it was noted to be a perfect time to look at alternative funding options for future housing. Members of the existing Housing Roundtable agreed to participate in the Task Force.

On the subject of elected official’s compensation, the Board reviewed a broad list of other Colorado town pay scales, which vary from per meeting (like the Town’s current structure), monthly and annualized salary amounts. It was observed that the Trustees and Mayor are only paid for the meetings they attend, and that they were not paid for separate committee meeting participation. It was ten suggested that a lower, reduced amount be considered to compensate for them for their additional time commitments to the Town. This could potentially attract new Trustee candidates.

The Board asked if Town staff could pare down the list to similar towns using assessed valuation, size and budget to find averages and help guide them to make the best recommendation. Town Manager, Jeff Durbin, agreed to have something back to the Board so they can vote on it by the end of February. With 4 Trustees coming up for re-election in April, it will allow adequate time to implement the new structure at the start of new terms.

Durbin brought up the replacement of the bridge on County Road 8. The current condition of the bridge is deteriorating and it would behoove the Town to move forward with the project as soon as possible. The Town has secured $816,000 in funding for the $1.5 million project, but it is uncertain whether Grand County will be able to help fund the project in 2018 due to budget contraints. The Board agreed to allow the project to move forward and work out financial details later.

Hideaway Place Grand Opening

On Dec. 14, the Town’s efforts to create more affordable housing options for the local workforce took a major step forward with the grand opening of the Hideaway Place apartments. The new affordable housing complex includes 38 units, and 70 residents have moved in since opening in November. The name of the apartments was revealed during the event and chosen through a contest among the apartment tenants.

Attendees of the event were able to tour some of the apartments and meet some of the apartment residents. Winter Park Town Council also went door-to-door handing our housing warming gifts to the tenants.  

“Living and working in a community creates that sense of community,” said Mayor Jimmy Lahrman on the importance of housing the local workforce in Winter Park. He also emphasized the Town’s efforts to foster the sense of community and enhance the vibrancy of downtown.

With the opening of Hideaway Place, the Town has invested $12 million in workforce housing with several more projects in the works. The next phase will break ground in spring 2018 and will house another 100 residents.

Imagine Winter Park Update

When you think of Winter Park in 10-20 years, do you envision a town with diverse cultures and economic opportunities? Or a physically and functionally connected community? How about a complete community anchored by the natural and wild environment? The Vision of the Town of Winter Park defines a series of vision statements and principles to guide the development of the Town Plan Update, named Imagine Winter Park. Building on what was heard from the public and stakeholders over the past several months, the vision addresses new challenges to capitalize on emerging opportunities for smart and sustainable growth. The four community vision statements set the stage for developing opportunities and actions that will contribute to the Town’s future. Review the vision and principles

The vision and principles will be expanded upon through the formation of goal-level and policy statements in a framework for each theme. The public will be able to review these frameworks in early 2018.