Board approves of changes to the Development Code

By Judy Lehn

The Berthoud Town Trustees met on Tuesday, February 16. The agenda was short, but the evening was long, due to the placement of an Executive Session before the last agenda item was presented. The reason given for the Executive Session was to give directions for contract negotiations. The parties involved were not named.

There was a short public hearing to transfer the retail liquor license on a permanent basis to the new owner of Log Cabin Liquors, Mark Williams. The Board unanimously approved this action, and Williams was present to thank them.

Mayor Tom Patterson read a proclamation designating the month of February, 2010 as “Career & Technical Education Month, strongly urging business, industry, education government, and citizens of the community to lend their interest, assistance, and encouragement to the students participating in the program. ”

The Board next adopted a resolution that converts the Temporary Use Permits of the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District (NCWCD) to annually renewable perpetual water contracts. The town has been functioning under the temporary use order for a number of years, but NCWCD no longer allows such agreements. The Town of Berthoud’s contract is for twelve acre-feet of water from NCWCD.

After the Executive Session, the Board reviewed changes to the Town Development Code. Town Planner Tim Katers presented the document and a summary. The Subdivision changes are on a fast track due to the Prairie Star Mixed Use Development planned for Highway 287 and CR17. Katers advised that the new changes involve how to develop property, not what to develop.

Everyone agreed that the changes to the Development Code are an improvement, and Katers will bring the document back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for some “tweaking” before presenting to the Board for final approval.

The next regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 9.