HomeMy WebLinkAboutKaren PerezPlanning and Environmental Commission (PEC) Application
The Planning and Environmental Commission (PEC) is a seven-member volunteer board.
The PEC is responsible for the review and determination of requests for variances and conditional use permits, and
recommendation to Town Council on special development districts, subdivisions, rezonings, various Town of Vail proposed
plans and other community matters per the Town Charter and ordinances.
The PEC meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 1 p.m. in the Vail Municipal Building.
Name of Applicant *
Phone Number *
Email *
Is the Town of Vail
considered your
primary residence?*
Proof of Residence *
Are you a registered
voter in the Town of
Vail?*
Section 3-2-6 of the Vail Town Code prescribes the function of the PEC. According to the Town Code, The PEC shall have the
following function and duties:
a. Make and adoption of master plans for approval by the Town Council,
b. Review and recommend zoning regulations and subdivision regulations to the Town Council,
c. Review and approve environmental impact reports and mitigation measures as required by the Zoning Regulations, review
and comment on programs and studies of environmental issues,
d. Conduct research of environmental issues,
e. Make recommendations to the Town Council for control of pollution and the protection of the environment, Advise the
Town Council on appropriate actions when air and water quality standards are violated, and
f. Consider other matters pertaining to the Commission and to act in an advisory role to the Town Council.
Karen Perez
7208380564
karen@perezlegalassociates.com
Yes
No
Screenshot Voter Registration Proof.png 222.32KB
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No
PEC Responsibilities
Given the above
prescribed role of the
PEC, what makes you
uniquely qualified to
serve on the
Commission?*
Please provide an
example from your
past which
demonstrates your
qualifications and
explain why you are
interested in serving
on the PEC?*
Please describe your
availability to attend
PEC meetings for the
duration of your term
and identify any
conflicts of interest
that may arise as a
result of your
employment,
personal and/or
professional
relationships or
financial interests in
the Town of Vail.*
5000 Characters Max
I have served on the PEC for the Town of Vail for the last 6 years, and served as
Vice-Chair since 2020. Previous to this service, I served on the Planning Board for
the City and County of Denver for six years. I have been a real estate attorney for
over 23 years, and also have extensive experience regarding these matters. Our
charge on the PEC is to follow the criteria set by Town Code, review draft
ordinances, and to follow the policies and procedures set by the Town Council.
Moreover, I am a very good listener, and have experience running meetings and
following Robert's Rules of Order.
Many times I have asked questions and proposed solutions to bridge the gap
between regarding an issue that it's clear the public either doesn't fully understand,
the criteria requirements, and even different viewpoints from commissioners
themselves. I also think I bring consistency and a "historical" perspective on agenda
items that have come before the Commission.
5000 Characters Max
In addition to my last 6 years serving on the PEC and the 6 years before that on the
Denver Planning Board (as well as 5 years on the Lowry Redevelopment Authority),
I have been practicing real estate law for 23 years (all as stated above).
I have always given back and volunteered a bit of my expertise to the communities
in which I live. I would like to continue to do so for the Town of Vail and our
community.
The PEC meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Meetings begin at
1:00 pm and typically adjourn by 5:00 pm. PEC members shall be appointed to a 2
year term. Attendance at meetings is critical as it provides a broad representation on
matters before the PEC and promotes a fair and equitable development review
process.
5000 Characters Max
PEC has been on my calendar as a recurring event for many years. I plan around
this. To date, I have only had one potential conflict of interest and recused myself
out of an abundance of caution.
The PEC is often asked to act in a quasi-judicial (like a judge) on development
applications. Decision making is guided by review criteria and findings of fact. The
review criteria are prescribed by the Vail Town Code.
Vail is a small
community and
everyone seems to
know each other in
one form or another.
Please describe your
abilities to act in a
quasi-judicial role
and provide at least
one example where
you had to make and
unpopular decision
on an issued based
upon a set of criteria
or other certain
considerations.*
Resume (optional)
Letter of Interest
(optional)
5000 Characters Max
My past service on the PEC (and before) have given me ample experience to act in
a quasi-judicial role. The Booth Heights decision is the pinnacle of an example of an
unpopular decision within the community. However, the developer met the criteria
with 13 conditions, so I had no choice but to vote in favor; and Town Council
affirmed the decision of the PEC. Even though I fully supported the Residences at
Main Vail, we had to insist on the environmental considerations learned from Booth
Heights and ask the Town, as an applicant, to come back with some information to
"check the box" on meeting the environmental consideration criteria.
My achilles heel is following the criteria despite the "popular viewpoint." However in
this context, it is a strength to ensure consistency and that every applicant in our
community is treated the same.
KMP CV.pdf 166.22KB