August 11, 2026
Gunnison County Board of Commissioners - 1 -
Minutes of August 11, 2026 Special Meeting
Approved by BOCC August 18, 2026
GUNNISON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
August 11, 2026
The August 11, 2026 meeting was held in the Board of County Commissioners’ meeting room located at
200 E. Virginia Avenue, Gunnison, Colorado. Present, either in person or via Zoom, were:
Laura Puckett Daniels, Chairperson Matthew Birnie, County Manager
Elizabeth Smith, Vice-Chairperson Holly Perry, Deputy County Clerk
Jonathan Houck, Commissioner Others Present as Listed in Text
Rachel Allen, Deputy County Attorney
GUNNISON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING:
CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Puckett Daniels called the meeting to order at 11:05 am.
MAJOR IMPACT SKETCH PLAN; LUC-25-00004; LOWER VERZUH RANCH DELIBERATION:
Assistant County Manager for Community and Economic Development April Kroner and Planning Director
Hillary Seminick were present for discussion.
- A Resolution Approving LUC-25-00004, A Land Use Change Permit Application for Sketch Plan
Review of a Major Impact Project for Lower Verzuh Ranch Subdivision
Commissioner Puckett Daniels explained that this was remanded to the Planning Commission and is now
before the Board again, but they must first decide if another Public Hearing is desired.
Commissioner Smith relayed she is not inclined to continue another Public Hearing due to not having new
information that could come forward. She emphasized keeping projects efficient and she doesn’t believe
the conversation would substantially change. Commissioner Puckett Daniels explained that due to the
widespread internet outage, she was unable to access the Planning Commission meeting and would like to
either have another Public Hearing or discuss this at a further meeting. Additionally, the level of public
interest is very high and the highest she has seen in her time with the County. She emphasized stewarding
a process where the public voices are heard fairly. Commissioner Houck stated that he does not believe
there will be substantially new information, and while he agrees about being good stewards, he believes
the draft recommendation was reflective of the information they desired by toggling back to the Land Use
Resolution standards. He then emphasized that some questions were unable to be answered at the sketch
plan level, and if the proposal does get to further levels in the process, there will still be opportunity for
the public process. Therefore, he does not believe an additional Public Hearing is necessary.
Commissioner Puckett Daniels reiterated her desire to either have another Public Hearing or push the
decision off until the next meeting to be good stewards of the public process. Commissioner Houck
disagreed with Commissioner Puckett Daniels on her comment regarding approval changing the north valley
forever and explained that there are other phases within the process. Commissioner Smith stated what was
brought to them today is what was expected from what was asked and noted it is also being a good steward
to not extend the process. Commissioner Puckett Daniels further explained that while the recommendation
was tethered to the standards, she is unsure of the reasoning for why the Planning Commission vote
changed from 2-2 to 5-0. She reiterated her previously stated desires. Commissioner Houck explained the
process timelines and confirmed waiting until next meeting is within the timeline. Moved by Commissioner
Houck, seconded by Commissioner Smith, that based on the discussion we had today, that the Board of
County Commissioners not hold an additional Public Hearing for the application LUC-25-00004.
Commissioner Houck and Commissioner Smith voted in support, with Commissioner Puckett Daniels in
opposition. It was decided to postpone the application decision until the next Board of County
Commissioners Regular Meeting on August 18, 2026.
ADJOURN: Commissioner Puckett Daniels adjourned the meeting at 11:49 am.
Laura Puckett Daniels, Chairperson
Elizabeth Smith, Vice-Chairperson
Jonathan Houck, Commissioner
Minutes Prepared By:
August 11, 2026
Gunnison County Board of Commissioners - 2 -
Minutes of August 11, 2026 Special Meeting
Approved by BOCC August 18, 2026
Holly Perry, Deputy County Clerk
Attest:
Kathy Simillion, County Clerk