Windsor Town Board Regular Meeting 9/9/24

Highlights

• Mayor Cline designated September Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. She said Colorado ranks 6th nationally in deaths attributed to suicide annually and 66 lives were lost to suicide in Weld County in 2023.
• Despite requests from numerous community members to deny the concentration, the Board approved the site and conditional use permit for a 75’ telecommunications tower in the Jacoby Farm Subdivision. 

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Call to Order

Following roll and the pledge of allegiance, the Board approved the agenda.

Mayor Cline proclaimed September Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, noting that Colorado ranks 6th nationally in deaths attributed to suicide annually and 66 lives were lost to suicide in Weld County in 2023.

Alyssa Selby from North Range Behavioral Health, the community mental health provider for Weld County, thanked the community and Board for recognizing the importance of suicide awareness and prevention. 

Mayor Cline also proclaimed September 17-23, 2024 as Constitution Week.

Board members shared their liaison reports:

• Mayor Pro Tem Member Steinbach reported that Windsor Housing Authority celebrated the groundbreaking of Jacoby Meadows and estimated a 54 week construction process. The Authority has also been discussing changes to their bylaws. Reporting  on the recent quarterly Larimer County Behavioral Health Policy Council, Steinbach said SummitStone laid off 75 people but that the layoffs will have no impact on the facility. He also shared that two Windsor agencies -- Finally Home and First Responders Trauma -- each received $30K from the Behavioral Health Services Impact Fund Grant Program.
• Town Board Member Jones said the Historic Preservation Commission will meet Sept. 11 and the Tree Board on Sept. 24. 
• Town Board Member Peltz reported that the Clearview Library Board served over 18,000 patrons in July. They also have 2 openings for library trustee positions. For the Great Western Trail Authority, Pelz shared that the 11 mile trail between Eaton and Windsor is complete and the Authority has received great feedback.
• Town Board Member Symsack stated that the Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Board meeting was canceled, but acknowledged their great work on the Windsor Harvest Festival. He noted that fall sports are up and running, Eastman Skatepark renovation is complete and ribbon cutting is on Sept. 28, and Founders Green Playground infrastructure replacement is underway. Symsack said the Windsor Arts Commission approved the design for the mural on 411 Main Street and has selected 3 finalists for the artistic entryway signage for the rec center.
• Town Board Member Klimek said the Chamber of Commerce discussed finances and event planning, and the Water and Sewer Board will meet Sept. 11. 
• Reporting on the RE-4 School District, Town Board Member Hallett said that Windsor Middle School is working on construction. Additionally, the Windsor Downtown Alliance hopes to obtain non-profit status and is planning a Jingles and Jammies event for the holidays. 
• Reporting on the Poudre River Trail Corridor Authority, Mayor Cline said there was a bear on the trail on Friday -- Windsor PD corralled the bear until CO Parks and Wildlife arrived. Poudre Trail is doing a dedication for Doug Lockhart this week, the full moon bike ride is scheduled for Sept. 17., and the Board approved money for a video about the trail. Mayor Cline also reported on various transportation groups. The I-25 Coalition is planning grand openings for the mobility hubs in the coming month. North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is looking at their 10-year priority plan, petitioning the EPA to lower the air quality alert level, and community members are increasingly using services provided by Ride NoCo. US34 Coalition & NoCo34 Transportation Management Organization (TMO) have branded themselves as “Go 34” and are looking for ways to promote its organization and have 2 candidates for their part-time ED position. Finally, Cline stated that two CDOT employees were killed while changing out a sign on the highway and reminded the community to drive safely.  

Consent Calendar

The Board unanimously approved the Aug. 26, 2024 Town Board Regular Meeting Minutes, Board and Commission Appointments, and Report of Bills. 

Board Action & Public Comment

Kimberly Lambrecht (Senior Planner) said there have been no changes since the first reading and the Board unanimously approved Ordinance No. 2024-1702 - An Ordinance Approving the Lone Tree Annexation to the Town of Windsor Pursuant to the Colorado Municipal Annexation Act of 1965 and the Establishment of Zoning.

Sandra Mezzetti (Senior Planner) presented a recommendation for a wireless telecommunications tower within the Jacoby Farm Subdivision. 

• The 1,965 sf site is at 301 17th Street, Windsor, CO. The applicant and Vertical Bridge discussed other sites they considered and explained that approval to go beyond the town’s 50’ height limitation would be necessary to get the tower above tree line and offer better T Mobile carrier service. Brandon Dittman was retained by the town to discuss how wireless facilities are unique compared to other land use restrictions.
• Over 10 community members were invited to speak and expressed concerns about the tower’s impact on property values, personal finance, environment and wildlife, individual health risks, aesthetics, and proximity to neighborhoods, the elementary school and playground, and the community’s outdoor recreational trail. 
• In June 2023, this applicant had applied for a conditional use permit for this telecommunications tower to be 102’ but it was denied. According to community members, the applicant and Vertical Bridge said at that time a tower less than 102’ would not solve the carrier issues, and residents expressed frustrations that a 75’ tower was now being considered. One neighbor stated she currently has T Mobile and does not experience any issues with her service presently.  
• The Board suggested incorporating certain conditions of approval, but determined that these conditions would be part of the Public Hearing and Consideration of a Conditional Use Permit for the 75’ Telecommunications Tower. 

Stating that the site satisfies the applicable review criteria set forth in the Windsor Municipal Code, the Board unanimously approved the proposed site location of a Telecommunications Tower within the Jacoby Farm Subdivision 5th Filing, Tract A.

Sandra Mezzetti recommended approval for the conditional use permit for a 75’ wireless telecommunications tower in the Jacoby Farm Subdivision. 

• Four community members were invited to be heard and reminded the Board that the Windsor height limitation has been set at 50’ and urged the Board not to approve a 75’ telecommunications tower in their neighborhood. 
• Board Member Symsack echoed his neighbors’ frustrations, but stated the site has fulfilled the obligations and has the support of the Planning Commission. Board Member Jones expressed hesitancy to approve a tower that goes beyond the town code height limitation. Town Manager Shane Hale noted that the height limitation is set to 50’ unless an applicant can prove the necessity to go beyond that limitation, which Hale stated the applicant had done in this case. Board Member Steinbach stated that the Board set a standard by approving Verizon’s 75’ tower, making it difficult to deny this proposal without being considered material inhibition to providing service. 
• The Board and Ms. Mezzetti solidified the following conditions of approval: a) landscape all four sides of the fence surrounding the tower, b) include a gate at entrance to service road for employees, c) work with town staff on dead vegetation replacement and timing plan, d) replace existing cottonwood trees, and 5) comply with current landscaping and design standards. 

The Board agreed that the conditional use permit satisfies the requirements set forth in the Town Municipal Code Section 14-2-130. With the incorporation of the additional conditions described above, the Board approved the Conditional Use Permit for a 75-foot Telecommunications Tower within the Jacoby Farm Subdivision 5th Filing, Tract A in a 6-1 vote. Board Member Hallett of District 6 voted ‘no’.

Communications

Mr. Moyer addressed the July 2024 Financial Report, citing that sales taxes were lagging behind budgeted projections. Mr. Lucas stated that 3 new KPIs were added to the September Strategic Plan: 1) population growth and water consumption, 2) wastewater treatment plant capacity, and 3) town water providers. Town Manager Hale shared that the Windsor Citizens Academy with 25 residents would kick off this week. Other notable events include Friday Sept. 13 coffee with the Mayor at 10am and ribbon cutting at the new police station at 1pm. Mayor Cline said they had 25 eligible applicants for the Ad Hoc Charter Committee and would be completing interviews this week and hoped to have the list finalized by Friday. 

The meeting adjourned at 10:45pm. 

Next Meeting: Monday, Sept. 23, 2024 7 p.m. -- Town Hall Chambers (3rd floor), 301 Walnut St., Windsor, CO 80550 or live on WindsorTV 

Questions to Consider

• Based on community concerns about the new telecommunications tower, could the Board better balance technological needs with aesthetic and environmental impacts?
• With the recent layoffs at SummitStone, Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month proclamation, and ongoing mental health challenges in the community, what additional resources or support can Windsor provide for suicide prevention and behavioral health services?

Documenter: Shannon Murphy

Links

• 9/9/24 Agenda & Agenda Packet
• View Board Meeting Broadcasts
• All Agendas and Minutes
• Town Board Website: The Town Board serves as the community’s legislative body, having responsibility for enacting town ordinances, appropriating funds to conduct town business, appointing members to boards and commissions, and providing direction to town staff.

Board Members

• Present: Ron Steinbach (District 1 / Mayor Pro Tem), Brian Jones (District 2), Lainie Peltz (District 3), Mayor Julie Cline,  Ken Symsack (District 4), Rick Klimek (District 5), Jason Hallett (District 6)

*Citizen Observers further the commitment of the League of Women Voters to its principle of Citizens Right to Know, however, we are not acting as journalists. Omissions and errors are possible. It is assumed that users of this information are responsible for their own fact-checking. This could include contacting a government clerk, conversing with an elected official or staff, and/or asking us to speak to the Observer who attended.