The Berthoud Planning Commission held a regular business meeting on the evening of March 11. The first order of business was to select commission officers for the upcoming year. Three positions needed to be either needed to be filled or, as is the case here, the person currently holding the seat informs the commission members that he or she wishes to continue holding the position they are in.

The three positions which are to be filled are Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Secretary. The individuals who held the Chairperson seat, Jan Dowker, and Vice-Chairperson seat, Jeff Butler, indicated they wished to continue serving in those roles. The commissioners obliged their wishes and each of them was unanimously voted to serve another term.

The position of Secretary, which was held on an interim basis by Patrick Dillon remained open for a few moments until Sean Murphy indicated his interest in taking on the position.

Murphy’s vote was again unanimous.

The remaining agenda item was slated as a public hearing requesting Preliminary Plat approval for a commercial subdivision referred to as Heron Lakes Commons. Heron Lakes Commons is a 9.07-acre commercial tract bounded on the east by Berthoud Parkway, on the north by Grand Market BLVD, on the south by Highway 287 and on the west by two outlots which will be held for future commercial development. Total size of the development including the outlots is 13.95-acres.

Agent/developer for the property is Jon Hauser. The proposal brought before the commission by Hauser proposes creation of nine commercial lots on the 9.07-acre tract.

The project received Neighborhood Master Plan approval with a unanimous vote by the PC on Oct. 22, 2020, and by the Town Board on Jan. 11th. Conditions included construction of berms for any drive-throughs to shield the drive-through from being directly visible from streets, complimentary architecture with Heron Lakes, and construction of a trail along Berthoud Parkway.

During his comments on the project, Curt Freese, Berthoud’s Director of Community Development, noted Hauser and his agents had been easy to work with regard to the changes requested by town staff.

Following several minutes of questions for the applicant and his agents, town staff and discussion by the commissioners, a motion to approve the Preliminary Plat for Berthoud Commons was made, seconded and approved unanimously.