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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 Yes 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