On the morning of Friday, January 27, 2023, businesses opening up for the day were greeted with notices on their doors. The notices from Nederland Central Business District Redevelopment LLC advised business owners that parking will not be permitted in several lots in the Central Business District (CBD) until the town of Nederland lifts an emergency moratorium on CBD development.
The notice reads:
“The Town has declared an emergency. During and until that emergency is resolved there will be no parking for you, your employees or your customers on the parking lots owned by The Nederland Central Business District Redevelopment. Fees for violators will be harsh. Cars towed will be charged $600 plus the towing fee and cars immobilized will be charged $600 plus $50 per day until all fees are paid. We regret this situation, and hope it can be resolved as soon as possible.
Do not call us regarding this emergency. Call Town Hall at 303-258-3266.
We regret the inconvenience and economic loss this emergency may cause you.”
On January 17, 2023 the Town of Nederland placed a suspension on processing land-use applications for properties in the CBD due to a property owner who had run into issues in the zoning code when applying for lot consolidation. The Board of Trustees (BOT) reviewed the Emergency Moratorium Ordinance 835 at that January 17 meeting and were not convinced that the matter should be considered an emergency.
The BOT agreed with several property owners present at the meeting that the moratorium caught them off guard; some considered the moratorium a “breach of trust”, especially to those investing money in the town. However the BOT approved a motion to place the moratorium for five weeks. The matter will be discussed on February 7 and will return as an action item on February 22.
On Friday, January 27 work crews from Nederland Central Business District Redevelopment LLC fenced off several lots, including 95 East 1st Street, affecting businesses from Ubon and all down East 1st Street. Work crews also towed derelict cars to block parking spaces across from Salto and Tin Shed.
Look to The Mountain-Ear for more on this issue as it develops.
