Dinosaur Town Council
Dinosaur Council Chambers
October 24, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:00 P.M. By Mayor Blakley
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Tamara Long
ROLL CALL - Trustees present: Mayor Richard A. Blakley, Trustees Jeremiah Gray, Marshelle Gray, Michael Taylor, Robert Essex and LeRoy Trujillo.
NEW BUSINESS
- Derek McCarty – Did not attend the meeting
- Ed Sands Town Attorney - Discussed with the Trustees: COLA increases. Tiny home concerns and issues that come with inspections and permits of Dinosaur. All tiny need to have water to the houses. Inspections and permits are needed before the approval process. He Discussed Zoning requirements in place within the Town ordinances with regards to land use matters, inspections and variances and zoning for commercial or residential property. Town Attorney discuss how the Council should handle individuals when they come to a meeting stating that are going to sue the Town.
No motions or actions were taken at this meeting.
- Dusty Roth – Zoning – Dusty Roth has been cancelled for more research. Other public members attended the meeting to discuss zoning regulations in Dinosaur. Public mentioned she can’t afford to do the improvements needed for rezoning nor can she sell the property. She asked why does some zoning issues only apply to certain people. She feels the Council does not have any consideration for her. She stated that she contacted Town Manager Elarton regarding her zoning problems on her property. She questioned what does being grandfather mean within the zoning regulations for Dinosaur? Mayor Blakley stated that she is allowed to do what she wants with her property and that the zoning process has never changed. All zoning changes requested by the residents need to be reviewed and approved by the Council. Trustee Essex stated that the zoning regulations protect both residential and commercial properties from living next to each other due to their different land uses. Trustee Essex stated that a lot of property is not for sale in Dinosaur due to the possibility that the town may grow. He states that if a residential home has mixed uses and located in commercial zone if the owner torn down the building it could be built back to mixed use without following the ordinance the town has in place. Town Manager Elarton stated you need to follow the zoning and variance ordinances. Trustee Essex mentioned that there are plenty of vacant lots for sale in Dinosaur and that only commercial property should be located on Main Street. An exception might be to have living quarter in the upstairs of the business. He mentioned that the zoning is setup to protect citizens health and welfare. Public rumor all over Town is that Dinosaur is falling apart. Trustee Essex stated that Rangely citizens have always had the perception of Dinosaur that it is a dilapidated Town but for the most part Dinosaur is not in bad condition. Town Manager Elarton mentioned that most of the vacant lots in Dinosaur have been purchased for investments in the future. Public stated the biggest eyesore in Dinosaur is the junk yard coming into town it’s the first building you see. Trustee Essex stated that he is very conscious of the perception of his property and makes a special effort the keep the area free of trash and Debre. Trustee Essex encouraged dinosaur residents to look at other towns and compare their building structures, streets and infrastructure to Dinosaur. The Council thanked everyone for coming in and addressing these concerns with the Council. Now that the meetings are zoomed it gives all residents the option to watch the meetings.
No motions or actions were taken at this meeting.
- Aaron Hayes- Tiny Home
Mr. Aaron Hayes said that he is setting up a tiny home for his mother. He said that he wants her out of the rest home and let her be in peace before she passes away. He said that the land is hers and then it passes down to him. Mayor Blakley said that the problem is that needs to attach a hallway to his house to connect both of the buildings. Mayor Blakley said that they do not allow tiny homes in Dinosaur they have to be 720 square feet. Mr. Hayes said that there is a storm coming in and he is not going to cut a hole in his houses. He said that right now he is working on putting a ramp in to his back porch. Mayor Blakey said that he needs to put in a good foundation and tie downs on the tiny home. Trustee Essex said that he must follow the codes on how to set up a prefab home. Mayor Blakley said that he must put in four-foot anchors. Mr. Hayes said that it is not going to happen this year, the concrete will freeze. Trustee Essex said that no one can live in it until it is hooked up correctly. Mr. Hayes said that the cord is on the house to plug it in. Trustee Essex said that it is illegal plugged in it has not passed code and he does not have an occupancy permit. He said that you must pass the inspection and have an occupancy permit. Mr. Hayes said that all it takes is a dryer plug. Trustee Essex said that the tiny home cannot be lived in until he passes all the codes and regulations. Mr. Hayes said that it has all been passed by the state he has the title and registration. Town Manager Larry Elarton said that if it is good have inspector come in and check it. Mayor Blakley said that the state electrical needs to be signed off on the tiny home. Mayor Blakley said that it will have to be inspected where it is plugged in also. Trustee Essex said that the building inspector needs to go talk to Mr. Hayes. Mayor Blakey said that he has but he is disagreeable. Trustee Essex said these are the town rules and they apply to everyone.
No motions or actions were taken at this meeting.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS AND/OR ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Mayor report and actions
B. Council reports and actions
C. Town Manager Reports
ADJOURN
Robert Essex motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Marshelle Gray, motion passed.
TOWN OF DINOSAUR
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Richard A. Blakley, Mayor
ATTEST:
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Christine Brasfield, Acting Clerk
For more details go to zoom link: Minutes, Agendas and Zoom Link for the meetings can be found at https://townofdinosaur.colorado.gov/minutes-and-agendas.