A silent standoff of sorts was initiated during the Sept. 18 meeting of the Woodland Park City Council.

An ordinance was on the agenda intended to amend the city’s zoning regulations to come into compliance with state law concerning accessory dwelling units.

When it came time for a motion to set it for a public hearing, nobody spoke. No motion was made.

“I do not hear a motion,” Mayor Kellie Case said. “So I would say and verify from the city attorney that this item fails for lack of a motion.”

“That is procedurally correct,” affirmed City Attorney Nina Williams.

While nobody stated as such, the lack of a motion could be interpreted as a protest. The Colorado Legislature has routinely added language to bills forcing compliance upon home rule cities. House Bill 24-1152 was one of those.

Councilmember George Jones made reference to the “house of cards that (Colorado Gov. Jared) Polis has built.”

Jones said in an email that pending legal action by other municipalities, while not directly related, “could affect wording and terms of any new ‘housing related’ ordinances going forward.”

“My objective would be to work with the mayor, city manager, planning director and our legal team to bring forward the key elements that are considered essential and beneficial to Woodland Park and remove the controversial elements that are being challenged,” Jones said.

A public hearing was set on another ordinance to re-zone the property at 309 Willow Street from urban residential to central business district. The purpose of the rezoning would be so that the home there could be legally operated as a short-term rental. That hearing will be at the Oct. 2 meeting of the city council.

Bergstrom plan approved

The Woodland Park City Council adopted the Bergstrom Park Master Plan during its Sept. 17 meeting.

The plan was a result of input from a multitude of stakeholders and was facilitated by the city’s decision to purchase an adjoining piece of property that will allow significant parking not just for the park, but also for the rest of downtown Woodland Park.

Now that the master plan has been adopted, the real work begins.

“Thank you, council; now the fun starts,” City Manager Aaron Vassalotti said.

In other business

• Joel Smith, a member of the city’s parks maintenance crew, was appointed to a position on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

• Prior to the meeting, council held a work session to outline budget priorities for the coming year. The work session assists city staff in preparing the budget, which council will discuss and approve at future meetings.

A silent standoff of sorts was initiated during the Sept. 18 meeting of the Woodland Park City Council.

An ordinance was on the agenda intended to amend the city’s zoning regulations to come into compliance with state law concerning accessory dwelling units.

When it came time for a motion to set it for a public hearing, nobody spoke. No motion was made.

“I do not hear a motion,” Mayor Kellie Case said. “So I would say and verify from the city attorney that this item fails for lack of a motion.”

“That is procedurally correct,” affirmed City Attorney Nina Williams.

While nobody stated as such, the lack of a motion could be interpreted as a protest. The Colorado Legislature has routinely added language to bills forcing compliance upon home rule cities. House Bill 24-1152 was one of those.

Councilmember George Jones made reference to the “house of cards that (Colorado Gov. Jared) Polis has built.”

Jones said in an email that pending legal action by other municipalities, while not directly related, “could affect wording and terms of any new ‘housing related’ ordinances going forward.”

“My objective would be to work with the mayor, city manager, planning director and our legal team to bring forward the key elements that are considered essential and beneficial to Woodland Park and remove the controversial elements that are being challenged,” Jones said.

A public hearing was set on another ordinance to re-zone the property at 309 Willow Street from urban residential to central business district. The purpose of the rezoning would be so that the home there could be legally operated as a short-term rental. That hearing will be at the Oct. 2 meeting of the city council.

Bergstrom plan approved

The Woodland Park City Council adopted the Bergstrom Park Master Plan during its Sept. 17 meeting.

The plan was a result of input from a multitude of stakeholders and was facilitated by the city’s decision to purchase an adjoining piece of property that will allow significant parking not just for the park, but also for the rest of downtown Woodland Park.

Now that the master plan has been adopted, the real work begins.

“Thank you, council; now the fun starts,” City Manager Aaron Vassalotti said.

In other business

• Joel Smith, a member of the city’s parks maintenance crew, was appointed to a position on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

• Prior to the meeting, council held a work session to outline budget priorities for the coming year. The work session assists city staff in preparing the budget, which council will discuss and approve at future meetings.