City approves Toyota dealership for downtown Trinidad

by Bill Knowles
TRINIDAD — The Trinidad City Council, during a regular meeting Tuesday, Feb. 2, voted 7-0 to approve the plat allowing Phil Long Toyota to begin building a downtown dealership to be located along Cedar Street between Commercial and Chestnut.
Several citizens addressed the move to locate the dealership in the Historic Preservation District of Trinidad.  Protest however, was focused on the process used by Planning and Zoning to approve the conditional use permit (CUP), rather than the approval of the project itself.
The discussion between the two sides, those wanting the dealership downtown, and those wanting the dealership to either change its design to make it blend better with the historic character of the area or leave it where it is, became more defined.  As the evening wore on consensus of the council remained strongly in favor of approving the plat.
The city council felt the comprehensive master plan approved in 2008 mandating economic development for the city, superseded the historic preservation district ordinance passed by council in 2011.
Arguments against the process used were made by Paula Manini, Marilyn Leuszler, and Treslie Hennsley, each criticized Planning and Zoning for allowing the project to pass in spite of zoning violations built into the plan. Questions also arose about lighting and traffic problems created by the influx of semi-trucks pulling trailers of vehicles into the center of town.
Manini noted Planning and Zoning had instructed Noah’s Ark to go out and seek public input. “Why not here?  That is a problem with the process, some groups are asked for more by the P and Z, while others get a pass.”
Leuszler said even though interesting things are happening in Trinidad, the process used in the approval of the Toyota dealership is a concern.  “I’m surprised that all the violations in the plan were eliminated by one vote.”
Some members of city council were also concerned about the process used to approve the CUP,  with council member Michelle Miles expressing her doubts about the process.
Council member Anthony Mattie said he was eager to do something about Trinidad’s economic development.  “The motive here is legal and honorable, however more transparency is needed.  There is great value in the historic standing of Trinidad.  And as we know Colorado has many ghost towns that are preserving their historic standing.”
In other business the city council was asked to consider the sale of city property , known as the former Maglia property, just north of the wastewater treatment plant.  The property is comprised of 20 acres and will be used as a marijuana grow operation.  The city is asking $95,000 for the property which is undeveloped, has no infrastructure, is difficult to access, and has to be annexed by the city.  Both Mayor Phil Rico and council member Joe Bonato voted no.  The sale was approved on a 5-2 vote.