HomeMy WebLinkAbout20110693.tiff MINUTES OF THE WELD COUNTY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
A regular meeting of the Weld County Board of Adjustment was held on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, in the
Hearing Room of the Department of Planning Services, 918 10th Street, Greeley, Colorado. The meeting
was called to order by Chair Bruce Fitzgerald at 11:00 a.m.
Roll Call Absent
William Hansen
Erich Ehrlich
Bill Hall
Bruce Fitzgerald
Benjamin Hansford
Jerry Neff
Bryant Gimlin
Jim Cosner
Also Present: Chris Gathman, Department of Planning; Bruce Barker, County Attorney; and Kristine
Ranslem, Secretary.
Jerry Neff moved to approve the February 1, 2010 Weld County Board of Adjustment minutes, seconded
by William Hansen. Motion carried.
The Chair read the case into record.
CASE NUMBER: BOA-1067
PLANNER: Chris Gathman
APPLICANT: Robert Pfenning
REQUEST: Appeal of an administrative decision regarding a proposed off-site directional
sign.
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lot B RE-3591; located in Part of the E2SE4 of Section 31, T7N, R64W of the
6th P.M.,Weld County, Colorado
LOCATION: North of and adjacent to CR 74; approximately 1,000 feet west of CR 51.
Chris Gathman, Planning Services, commented that the proposed sign is to be located north of and
adjacent to County Road 74 and approximately 1,000 feet west of County Road 51.
The Galeton Community Church is proposing to place an off-site directional sign on the property owned
by Robert Pfenning. The sign would be located adjacent to County Road 74. County Road 74 is the
primary east-west street in Galeton. The Galeton Community Church was approved by the Board of
County Commissioners under USR-794 in July of 1987 and amended by the Board of County
Commissioners in February 2003. The Galeton Community Church is located approximately 230-feet
south of County Road 74 and does not have frontage on County Road 74.
Article IV Division 2 defines off-site directional signs as: "Signs situated on premises other than those
upon which the goods, services or functions being advertised are located and giving guidance as to
where, how distant and the type of goods, services or functions which may be obtained. Such signs shall
relate only to a service or product primarily available for the highway user (such as restaurants, lodging,
gas, repairs or entertainment) and available within one (1) mile of a highway exit or in a community
through which the highway passes."
The Department of Planning Services provided a written determination on December 29, 2010 stating that
the proposed sign for the church does not meet the requirements of an off-site directional sign outlined in
Chapter 23, Article IV, Division 2 of the Weld County Code.
The applicant is appealing this decision. The applicant has indicated in their appeal that the proposed
sign is consistent with the purposes and applicability of Section 23-4-60 (Purposes & Applicability) of the
Weld County Code. The sign will "encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in
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unincorporated Weld County" and will "improve pedestrian and traffic safety". The applicant indicated
County Road 74 is a busy road and a lot of participants come from outside of Galeton and have a difficult
time locating the church.
Mr. Gathman noted that if you are traveling westbound on County Road 74 there are buildings that
obstruct the view of the church. Traveling eastbound at this time of year when there are no leaves on the
trees it is somewhat visible; however in the summer it may be difficult.
Mr. Gathman talked to Heidi Hansen, Public Works, regarding safe site distance for turning in that
location. The speed limit in Galeton is 35 mph and she indicated that at that speed limit you would need
a clear view of the church at least 250 before you would need to turn. He commented that it is debatable
coming from the west; however coming from the east it would be pretty difficult.
Should the Board of Adjustment approve this appeal of an administrative decision, the Weld County
Department of Planning Services recommends the following conditions of approval:
A. The sign shall be placed in a location to have adequate site distance in both directions.
B. Appropriate building permits shall be obtained for the sign.
C. The sign shall meet all offsets (10-feet) from adjacent property lines and setbacks (50-feet)
from the edge of future right-of-way for County Road 74.
D. The size of the sign shall be limited to 150-square feet, shall not exceed 30-feet in total height
and shall not be internally illuminated per the requirements of Chapter 23, Weld County
Code.
Mr. Gathman stated that the applicant did submit a proposed sign and it does meet all these
requirements.
Gene Stille, 35886 CR 49, stated that Galeton Church provides a tremendous service to the community.
He hears many questions on where Galeton is and how to find the Galeton Church. Most of the activity
comes from Eaton, Greeley, Briggsdale, and Loveland. The concern is for traffic safety as well.
Mr. Stille commented that he has worked with Chris Gathman and wanted to express that he has enjoyed
working with him.
The Chair asked if there was anyone in the audience who wished to speak for or against this application.
No one wished to speak.
Erich Ehrlich moved that Case BOA-1067 be approved along with the Conditions of Approval as
proposed, seconded by Bryant Gimlin.
The Chair asked the secretary to poll the members of the Board of Adjustment for their decision. Bill Hall,
absent; William Hansen, yes; Erich Ehlrich, yes; Benjamin Hansford, yes; Jerry Neff, yes; Bryant Gimlin,
yes; Bruce Fitzgerald, yes. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 11:23 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
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Kristine Ranslem
Secretary
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