Buena Vista trustees introduced a proposed Electric Preferred Building Code requiring new homes to install wiring for future electric appliances and approved standardized airport lease templates at their February 10 meeting. The board approved a sustainability partnership with Chaffee County for recycling education under Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility law and reviewed proposals for a transportation master plan and short-term rental committee. Trustees extended a moratorium on natural medicine businesses through June 2026 and approved updated fee schedules for planning, airport, and clerk departments. The board also approved a liquor license for Mountain Oasis Bar & Grill and heard public comment requesting exceptions to town policies on July 4th events and short-term rental permits.
Electric Preferred Building Code
The board heard a first reading of the Electric Preferred Building Code, which would require new residential construction to install electrical wiring and circuit breakers for future electric appliances. Planning Director Marika Kopp explained the code does not mandate electric appliances but prepares buildings for potential future conversion from natural gas.
Trustees raised concerns about construction cost impacts and whether the town should wait for other communities to adopt similar measures. The code would affect new single-family homes, townhomes, and multifamily buildings.
Town staff noted the code aligns with Colorado climate action goals. Trustees scheduled a public hearing for April 14, 2026, before final consideration.
Airport Lease Templates
The board unanimously approved standardized lease templates for Central Colorado Regional Airport through Resolution No. 09, Series 2026. Airport Manager Chandra Swanson presented three template agreements for T-hangars, box hangars, and commercial leases with annual CPI adjustments.
The templates clarify tenant responsibilities for utilities and prohibit electric unit heater installation without town permission. Swanson said standardized agreements will streamline future leasing for currently occupied hangars.
Sustainability Partnership
Julie Mach, regional sustainability contractor for Chaffee County, presented an update on Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility law requiring producers to fund recycling programs. The board approved Resolution No. 12, Series 2026, establishing a memorandum of understanding with Chaffee County for joint education and outreach.
Mach described the county’s Green Business Network serving 25 local businesses and an electric vehicle readiness plan developed through stakeholder workshops. The EPR law shifts recycling costs from municipalities to product manufacturers starting in 2026.
Transportation and Fee Schedule Updates
The board reviewed a draft request for proposals to update the transportation master plan, with Town Administrator Brian Berger explaining the RFP seeks analysis of current infrastructure, traffic patterns, and future needs. Trustees discussed prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, downtown parking analysis, and coordination with planned development projects.
Trustees approved Resolution No. 13, Series 2026, amending fee schedules for planning, airport, and clerk departments. Town Treasurer Phillip Puckett presented adjustments including updated planning application fees and airport hangar rates tied to CPI increases.
Short-Term Rental Committee
Staff presented a proposed committee structure to address short-term rental licensing. The framework calls for a working group including trustees, planning commissioners, and community members to review the current moratorium and develop licensing recommendations.
Trustees expressed interest in examining owner-occupied versus non-occupied rentals, capacity limits, and enforcement mechanisms. The committee is expected to begin work in March 2026.
Wildfire Code and Moratorium Extension
The board reviewed the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, which establishes construction standards for fire-resistant materials and defensible space in wildfire hazard zones. Trustees scheduled a public hearing for March 24, 2026, before considering adoption.
The board unanimously approved Ordinance No. 02, Series 2026, extending a temporary moratorium on natural medicine businesses through June 2026. The moratorium prohibits acceptance or approval of applications for healing center establishments while the town develops regulations.
Liquor License
Trustees approved a hotel and restaurant liquor license for Not The Same Ol’ Food Truck LLC doing business as Mountain Oasis Bar & Grill at 215 US Highway 24 North, with operating hours from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Public Comment
Dennis Heap requested the board waive a policy prohibiting special events during the last full weekend of June to allow a drone light show June 27-28, 2026, for the nation’s 250th birthday and Colorado’s 150th anniversary of statehood. The town has $6,000 budgeted for community fireworks support.
Jeremy Feiler asked trustees to grant an exception to the short-term rental moratorium for his owner-occupied property, saying he corresponded with town staff for over a year while building a home with plans to rent an accessory dwelling unit short-term. A resident named Amy asked for explanation of the current short-term rental policy.
The board approved consent agenda items including minutes from the January 27 meeting, advisory board minutes, and department reports. All seven trustees attended, with Chris Sturm participating via Zoom.
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