Woodland Park City Council unanimously approved initial posting of a Unified Development Code replacing zoning and subdivision regulations dating to 1969 at their February 19 meeting. Council also voted 5-1 to accept $5,923 in compensation from TAVA House Enterprises for 1,263 square feet of Bergstrom Park land needed for a state-mandated highway turn lane. City Manager Vassalotti announced a $2.75 million request for proposals for Meadowood Sports Complex improvements, addressing ice rink concerns raised earlier in the meeting. Council approved a $194,091 City Hall roof repair contract and heard reports on a February 18 roundtable with Senator Hickenlooper and a school assembly by NASA astronaut and Woodland Park High School graduate Nichole Ayers.
Unified Development Code Advances
Planning Director Karen Schminke presented Ordinance 1521, which consolidates Titles 16, 17, and 18 of municipal code into a single document. The UDC project began in early 2021, with more than 20 work sessions conducted since October 2022.
Mayor Pro-Tem Nakai raised concerns about whether private residential stables should be allowed in suburban and urban residential zones. The 1988 code created nonconforming uses for stables, with only five of the original 22 remaining today.
Council agreed to leave stable language unchanged for initial posting and address concerns at the March 5 public hearing after receiving public input. The ordinance passed 6-0.
Bergstrom Park Land Compensation
Council addressed compensation for parkland needed to install a Colorado Department of Transportation-required eastbound deceleration lane off Highway 24 onto South Center Street. The turn lane required removing trees, relocating sidewalk, and reconfiguring access to Bergstrom parking.
City staff presented three valuation options based on market comparables ranging from $2.78 to $17.82 per square foot. Council selected Option 3, which valued the land at $20,000 using a 75/25 split between comparables, then subtracted $14,077 in improvements TAVA completed for net compensation of $5,923.
TAVA representatives argued their park improvements constituted full compensation and emphasized the encroachment was a CDOT mandate with no direct benefit to TAVA. Council maintained the land had value requiring compensation beyond in-kind work.
Online commenter Arnie Sparnins questioned whether the transaction required voter approval under the city charter and raised concerns about public perception of subsidizing private development. Legal counsel said the land was sidewalk and parking lot rather than developed parkland, so voter approval was not required.
Ice Rink Improvements Planned
During public comment, Woodland Park Hockey Association President Janelle Waltzer told council the outdoor ice rink at Meadowood has provided only one month of usable ice this season despite over 100 volunteer hours plus city crew time. She said 120 youth players are affected and families are driving 45 minutes to Colorado Springs for ice time at $310-$330 per hour.
Waltzer requested the city prioritize a chiller system to maintain consistent temperatures and a roof to protect ice from sun and snow. Vassalotti confirmed the upcoming RFP will include hockey rink chillers among the $2.75 million in Meadowood projects covering turf, ice rink, and pickleball improvements.
Hickenlooper Roundtable and Astronaut Assembly
Mayor Case reported on a February 18 roundtable with Senator Hickenlooper at the Cultural Center attended by 15 elected officials and community leaders. Topics included wildfire preparedness, insurance challenges, water infrastructure, and roads. Case shared a finding from a recent insurance forum that hail rather than wildfire primarily drives insurance costs in mountain communities.
Mayor Case and Councilmember Smith attended a same-day school assembly featuring NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers, a Woodland Park High School graduate who spent five months on the International Space Station in 2025. Councilmember Smith said Ayers spent time individually with special education students after the assembly concluded.
Other Business
Council approved February 5 meeting minutes on the consent calendar. Assistant City Manager Rob Felts said the $194,091 roof contract covers City Hall’s main roof, the largest of four sections.
Brave Angels representatives announced a February 28 wildfire forum at Summit Elementary in Divide featuring fire district chiefs and county officials. Council congratulated Utilities Director Kip Wiley on being named Chamber of Commerce Employee of the Year, to be honored at the Chamber’s March 6 dinner. Councilmember Jones congratulated his wife Lynn Jones on her business Zebz OutFooter winning Chamber Business of the Year.
Councilmember Bryant reported the Keep Woodland Park Beautiful Committee needs volunteers and encouraged residents to apply on the city website. A candidates forum for the April municipal election is scheduled March 10 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers. A golf course subcommittee meeting invitation will be issued for March 17, and the Aquatic Center lap pool will be closed next week for cleaning.
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