Monday, 18 January 2010 20:00

Board Members in Attendance: Michael Kinsley, Frieda Wallison, Jan Martin, Rick Heede, John Clark, Ken Smith, Barb Sullan, Holly McLain, Steve Child, James Brundige, Tim McFlynn
On Phone: Emily Smith
Absent: Kathy DeWolfe, Kate McBride, Brad Zanin, Patsy Batchelder
Guests: Mike Tierney

The meeting was called to order by Tim McFlynn, as President, and the following business was conducted:

I.    Approval of December Meeting Minutes.
Moved by James, seconded by Holly, the minutes of the December meeting were unanimously approved.

II.    Treasurer’s Report - Tim
In the absence of the Treasurer, there was no report.  Tim noted that approximately $100K is in the bank and on hand.

III.    Renewable Energy Committee Report
Rick, Barb and Ken discussed their committee work as summarized in their Memo to the Board.  They reported on the primary importance of reducing energy demands by making existing structures more energy efficient, indicating that both CORE and Holy Cross offer energy audits of homes as a service, in order to identify and prioritize efficiency retrofits.  They also reported on their meetings with Pitkin County ComDev staff, which will be convening meetings with Caucus representatives as Land Use Code revisions are developed and considered.

Mike Tierney of Aspen Solar was then introduced to provide a brief overview of the history of solar thermal and solar PV systems; their cost-effectiveness in terms of rebates, incentives, and payoffs; and how technological advances continue to respond to consumer and neighborhood expectations, concerns and demands.   

The Board then discussed next steps and agreed that the Committee would continue to participate in the County planning process.  While HOAs may take the initiative with architectural review covenants already in place or in the works, much of the Caucus Planning Area is outside of any HOA, and some HOAs do not meet often or function well.  Some Board members felt that no Caucus master plan provisions, guidelines or standards were needed to address and minimize  esthetic impacts.  Other Board members felt that, as with the ridgeline ordinance and the current Master Plan, preserving rural character requires proactive efforts including the development of standards for the review of applications to address siting, visibility, screening, glare, fencing, safety, and other issues.  

IV.    Land Use Applications – Steve Child
Sparks Minor Amendment to a Development Permit, DCU, Site Plan Review
Following a site visit with planner Alan Richman, the Land Use Committee recommended that the Caucus request that the detached CDU be pushed back to the other side of the driveway so as not to be so visible from the public road.  Since the ridgeline ordinance is not triggered and since no specific Master Plan provision is implicated, the Board unanimously recommended that the letter so state and simply  request consideration of  relocating the CDU  to preserve rural character and the scenic viewplane.

V.     Code Provision Committee.
Jan reported on the scheduled January 20th ComDev meeting with representatives of all the Caucuses on the agricultural structure issues raised by our Caucus.  She also stated that the subject of modifying the restrictions on  greenhouses in order to encourage local food production had been recommended by another Caucus and would also be considered at the meeting on January 20th.

VI.    Future meeting ideas  -
Rick -  story poles; who requires them, and when are they required?     for   PV panels, CDU’s, ridgeline situations?   

Tim concerned about disposal of public land in caucus areas – thinks we should put this into the Master Plan that we would be opposed to such disposal

John Clark – doesn’t want to just leave the Junkyard on Snowmass Creek ;  thinks we should do something about it

Snowmelt systems

VII.  Event for Mike’s retirement – what role does the caucus want to take ?  Think we should form a committee to discuss the event. Katie Kitchen brought up the idea of the party.  Caucus could send out RSVP, bring pot luck items, get him some gift (such as 10 rounds of golf - does he golf at RVR?)  Tim asked Jan if she would communicate with Katie to see if she wants  help on the event.

The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.