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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20062573 HEARING CERTIFICATION RE: CONSIDER SERVICE PLAN FOR PROPOSED KITELEY RANCH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT A public hearing was conducted on August 30, 2006, at 10:00 a.m., with the following present: Commissioner M. J. Geile, Chair Commissioner David E. Long, Pro-Tern Commissioner William H. Jerke Commissioner Robert D. Masden Commissioner Glenn Vaad Also present: Acting Clerk to the Board, Jenny Luna County Attorney, Bruce Barker Director of Finance and Administration, Donald D. Warden Planning Department representative, Kim Ogle The following business was transacted: I hereby certify that pursuant to a notice duly published August 2, 2006, in the Fort Lupton Press,a public hearing was conducted to consider the proposed Service Plan for the Kiteley Ranch Metropolitan District. Bruce Barker, County Attorney, made this a matter of record. Kim Ogle, Department of Planning Services, presented a brief summary of the proposal and entered the favorable recommendation of the Planning Commission into the record as written. He stated the District proposes to provide urban services and continued gas and oil production. He stated the site is approximately 140 acres, and 427 residential lots are proposed. He stated the estimated cost of public improvements to be financed,acquired,constructed, installed, and completed by the District is expected to exceed $8.2 million; however, the total on-site improvements will total more than $18 million. He further stated all improvements are expected to be completed by December 2009. Mr.Ogle stated the referral from Donald Warden, Director of Finance and Administration,states the Service Plan appears to be financially feasible,and is prepared in accordance with the Weld County Code. He further stated the maximum mill levy of 65 mills, and the maximum debt service of 15 mills, are consistent with the Weld County Code. Mr. Ogle stated fifteen referral agencies reviewed the case,and written comments were not received from five of the agencies. In response to Chair Geile, Mr. Ogle clarified the on-site improvements will total approximately $18 million; however, approximately $8.2 million of the improvements will be financed by the District. Responding to Chair Geile,Mr. Barker stated once the bonds are paid in full,the District will continue to provide maintenance. He further stated at a meeting on August 3, 2006,the applicants created a plan which will provide for changes to the Service Plan stating that the District is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the roads and a majority of the improvements within the District. He stated the operation mill levy will continue after the financing bonds are paid in full. Further responding to Chair Geile, Mr. Barker stated once the bonds are paid in full, the District does not dissolve as long as it is providing services and facilities. In response to Chair Geile, Mr.Ogle stated the proposed use is residential, and no commercial or industrial uses are proposed. Responding to Commissioner Jerke, Mr. Ogle stated the mill levy will be set at 50 mills for debt services, and at 15 mills for maintenance. Commissioner Jerke questioned why the applicant will utilize the 2006-2573 SD0129 Oct-ac9-ae HEARING CERTIFICATION - KITELEY RANCH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT SERVICE PLAN PAGE 2 maximum mill levy since the District is only financing a portion of the improvements. In response to Commissioner Jerke, Mr. Warden clarified the District will only finance $8.2 million worth of improvements, and the developer will provide the rest of the needed funds for improvements. Paul Cockrel, Collins, Cockrel, and Cole, PC, represented the applicant and stated Longs Peak Investors, LLC, is the developer of the property. He stated the District will not be used to finance all of infrastructure costs, bonds will be issued to cover approximately$8 million of the project costs, and the Developer will be responsible for payments in excess of that amount. He stated the Service Plan limits the debt capacity to$12 million, and the District has a projected debt service mill levy of 35 mills; however, it is permitted to have a mill levy up to 50 mills. He further stated the District will have an operation and maintenance mill levy of approximately five to eight mills,therefore,the total mill levy will be approximately 40 to 45 mills, which is a low range of property taxes for urban districts within the County and areas to the south of the County. Mr. Cockrel stated Exhibit C-1 of the Service Plan illustrates the responsibilities for operation, maintenance, construction, and financing of the proposed facilities. He stated the District will be primarily responsible for all construction and financing of the facilities, and will operate and maintain the streets and drainage on a long-term basis. He further stated the water service and sewer services within the District will be provided by the Longs Peak Water District and the Saint Vrain Sanitation District, respectively, and neither District has stated any objections to the creation of the Metropolitan District. He stated an Intergovernmental Agreement will be completed with both Districts,and the Districts will provide services after the service lines have been constructed. Mr. Cockrel stated there is sufficient capacity to amortize or capitalize the cost of seal coating and resurfacing the roadways on a five to fifteen year basis, and the roads will be constructed to the standards set forth by the Department of Public Works. He stated the cost to maintain the roads will be approximately $120,000.00 per year, and the mill levy of five to eight mills will allow the District to fully fund the associated costs. He further stated the funds will be set aside in a Capital Repair and Replacement Reserve,and the property owners will not need to maintain the roads. He further stated the County may take over the roads at some point in the future, and the District will dissolve once the debt is paid off, and it has no service responsibilities. Mr. Cockrel stated he understands at this point it is not County policy to accept the roads,and the Service Plan is flexible to accommodate the wishes of the County. In response to Chair Geile, Mr.Cockrel clarified that the County has no responsibility for the roads within the District unless the County wishes to assume responsibility. Further responding to Chair Geile, Mr. Cockrel stated as valuation increases within the District, the mill levy may be decreased. He further stated it will not be necessary for the Homeowners'Association(HOA)to perform the typical functions of maintenance in regards to open space,etcetera. He stated the HOA may be responsible for the operation of the swimming pool and community recreation center, and the fees will be minimal. Mr. Cockrel stated the service plan is in full compliance with the Special District Regulations, and no comments regarding non-compliance have been received. He stated the Maintenance Matrix, Exhibit C-1 of the Service Plan, proves who is responsible for the various activities of the District, and clarified that the Service Plan contains a revised boundary map,which now excludes the Kiteley homestead. He further stated the record contains letters between service providers, and it is the intent of the District to enter into Intergovernmental Agreements with both service providers. In 2006-2573 SD0129 HEARING CERTIFICATION - KITELEY RANCH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT SERVICE PLAN PAGE 3 intent of the District to enter into Intergovernmental Agreements with both service providers. In response to Chair Geile, Mr. Cockrel stated both the Saint Vrain Water Sanitation District and the Longs Peak Water District will assume all responsibility for future operations and maintenance of the respective systems, and the homeowners will pay uniform rate fees, with no surcharge. He stated a generic objection was received from the City of Longmont,and no objections were received from other municipalities. Mr. Cockrel clarified that the District will fund only a portion of the cost of development, and the total mill levy will equate to approximately$100.00 per month; however, Districts north of Denver have a total mill levy of approximately$130.00 to$140.00 per month. He stated the Service Plan is responsible,the District has the financial ability to operate,and the District is in full compliance with County regulations. In response to Chair Geile, Mr. Cockrel clarified the total mill levy of 125 mills would equate to a cost of approximately $100.00 per month for homeowners. He stated he is not aware if a Metropolitan District exists within the Town of Mead, and the total mill levy is within the low range compared to other Metropolitan Districts north of Denver. He stated Vista Ridge Metropolitan District has a total mill levy of 149 mills, Erie Commons Metropolitan District has a total mill levy of 138 mills,and MacKay Landing Metropolitan District has a total mill levy of 141 mills. In response to Chair Geile,Mr.Cockrel stated if the District were annexed to the Town of Mead, the Town would assume the responsibility for maintaining the roads, the District operating mill levy would decrease, and only the debt service mill levy would remain in place. He further stated no prohibition exists under State law regarding annexation of Special Districts,and many Districts have been created within municipalities. He stated no liability is assumed by a municipality to annex a District, since the debt remains in place and is not transferred to the municipality. In response to Chair Geile, Mr. Cockrel stated it is disclosed to potential purchasers that the property is located within a Metropolitan District,as it is required by law. He stated the District can be competitive, and if the mill levy is too high, less will be financed through the District. He stated the developer is ultimately responsible for all infrastructure costs,the bonding company has indicated the financial plan is financially feasible, and interest rates have been taken into consideration. Jerry Eckleberger, Longs Peak Investors, LLC, stated the mill levy does not place a competitive disadvantage on the District. He stated the District will only finance approximately$6 million worth of infrastructure in order to be fair to, and competitive with, the consumer. He further stated staff is pleased with how operations and maintenance will be handled, and the roads within the District will be seal coated every five years,and will be replaced every fifteen years. Mr. Eckleberger stated a$2,000.00 County impact fee exists per home,which is paid for by the consumer,and a$7,800.00 impact fee per home exists within the Town of Mead. He stated the District is able to perform maintenance,snow removal,street cleaning, and repair of roadways,etcetera. He stated the total mill levy does account for the seven mills to be utilized by the Law Enforcement Authority. In response to Chair Geile, Mr. Eckleberger stated the Service Plan requires the District to complete the necessary maintenance, and the Board of Directors has a fiduciary duty. He further stated the District will have responsibility of the pool to ensure maintenance is performed,and the HOAwill not have a large amount of financial responsibility. Further responding to Chair Geile,Mr. Eckleberger stated if the District is not competitive, it will not be able to sell homes. 2006-2573 SD0129 HEARING CERTIFICATION - KITELEY RANCH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT SERVICE PLAN PAGE 4 No public testimony was offered concerning this matter. Mr. Barker stated no conditions have been set forth within the Resolution,and all requirements set forth by State statute have been included. In response to Chair Geile, Mr. Barker stated approving the Resolution indicates approval of the Service Plan. Commissioner Jerke moved to approve the Service Plan for Kiteley Ranch Metropolitan District, based on the recommendations of Planning staff and the Planning Commission. He stated a reasonable degree of safety exists, and he is pleased that the applicant will invest a significant portion of funds for infrastructure. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Long. In response to Chair Geile,Mr. Barker stated the District may now proceed to District Court. Further responding to Chair Geile, Mr. Cockrel stated Mr. Kiteley has presented a written letter, giving the developer permission to proceed. He further stated in order to establish standing at the District Court level, a petition is submitted by at least 30 percent of the electors of the District, and a hearing is held before the District Court Judge. In response to Chair Geile, Mr. Cockrel stated the Town of Mead has not established standing; however, the City of Longmont may be an interested party at the District Court hearing, since a letter was submitted. He further stated no other municipalities may establish standing, since no objections were received. In response to Commissioner Jerke, Mr. Cockrel stated the District Court proceeding focuses on property owners,and whether the District is desired by the property owners. He further stated that if a municipality or service provider wished to form an objection, it should be stated before the Board of County Commissioners. Chair Geile stated none of the surrounding municipalities attended the hearing today;therefore,they are not able to establish standing. Chair Geile stated he had concerns regarding potential annexation to the Town of Mead during the Change of Zone process; however,other jurisdictions have the potential to seek annexation of the District in the future, and he supports the motion. There being no further discussion, the motion carried unanimously. The hearing was completed at 10:10 a.m. 2006-2573 SD0129 HEARING CERTIFICATION - KITELEY RANCH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT SERVICE PLAN PAGE 5 This Certification was approved on the 6th day of September 2006. ��..` APPROVED: �, �'' "'-',\ BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS "di WELD COU , COLORADO ATTEST: „"H GIs, �ii(%.,.-4 `) Ali w* ,I M. J. ile, Chair Weld County Clerk to the`-,`` �� /� • w BY. )2/K,11 `�° €0.. David E. Long, Pro-Tem ty Clerk the Board W . m Jerke TAPE #2006-32 W. w11 . Robert . Masde jtask Glenn Vaad _ ... 2006-2573 SD0129 EXHIBIT INVENTORY CONTROL SHEET Case SD0129 - KITELEY RANCH METROPOLITAN DISTRICT Exhibit Submitted By Exhibit Description A. Planning Staff Inventory of Items Submitted B. Planning Commission Resolution of Recommendation C. Planning Commission Summary of Hearing (Minutes 08/15/2006) D. Clerk to the Board Notice of Hearing E. John Folsom E-mail re: Kiteley approval dated 08/19/06 F. Bernard Lyons Gaddis and Kahn Letter re: Condition No 7, dated 08/17/06 G. Applicant Letter re: Authorization for Representation dated 08/14/2006 H. Bernard Lyons Gaddis and Kahn E-mail re: Removal of Condition dated 08/29/06 Applicant Final Service Plan (duplicate of Original - removed from file) J. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. R. S. T. 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