Fort Collins
Larimer County cuts eligible Special Review and appeal fees for Mountain Whitewater by 25%
The reduction applies to eligible review and appeal fees; the Special Review remains under review and still requires agency coordination and two public hearings. The fee decision does not guarantee approval.
Larimer County commissioners approved a 25% reduction in Special Review and appeal fees for Mountain Whitewater and Paddler’s Pub, a $1,386.91 break for the Fort Collins business.
The applicants had sought a full waiver or significant reduction of fees for the Special Review and an appeal to use on-lot septic instead of public sewer within a Growth Management Area. They paid $6,047.65 in planning fees: $5,458.77 for the Special Review and $588.88 for the appeal. That total includes $500 in Health Review fees that cannot be waived through the fee appeal, leaving $5,547.65 eligible for relief.
The property is at 1329 Highway 287 in Fort Collins, on the highway’s south side about half a mile west of North Shields Street. The Special Review proposes extending rafting activities from May 1 through Oct. 31. It also proposes opening the pub to the public during those months, with live music on Fridays and Sundays.
The business’s appeal letter says its main revenue season lasts only a few months and that drought over five years, especially the last two operating seasons, sharply reduced tourism and caused severe financial difficulties. Applicant Brad Modisett said the business had faced four of its worst years and was struggling to make ends meet. “I mean, we've already paid tens of thousands to Larimer County for this project,” Modisett said. The Development Services Team recommended denial, saying seasonal operations do not reduce required review work and review requirements remain the same regardless of a project’s scale.
John Kefalas said the applicants had demonstrated exceptional documented financial hardship and community benefit. “A 50% reduction rounded off is about $2,774,” Kefalas said, advocating that amount instead of the $1,386.91 reduction presented for 25%. Kristin Stephens favored 25%, saying staff spend similar time reviewing applications from small and large businesses and further cuts could reduce the time and work staff need.
Senior planner Samantha Mott said the Special Review application remains under review and will go to the Planning Commission and county commissioners at a future date. A fee reduction does not guarantee approval of that application. The review still requires staff coordination, referral-agency reviews and two public hearings.