At its 6 p.m. meeting Wednesday at the Silverthorne Town Hall, Silverthorne Town Council plan to consider rezoning property to make way for a new church near Smith Ranch.

Our Lady of Peace has purchased the land, but because it’s currently zoned for agriculture with some residential, it must be rezoned as a planned unit development.

No building or site plans are in place – they come after the zoning change is complete.

Council members will also consider adding wood stoves to the list of permissible solid fuel burning devices. Masonry heaters were the first to be allowed since an early 1990s ban on wood stoves due to smoke pollution in the valley, town planner Lina Lesmes said. In 2009, pellet stoves were added. Staff is now recommending council allow wood-burning stoves, but with stricter regulations than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Colorado’s emission limits.

“We’re asking for the most efficient of the efficient stoves,” Lesmes said.

Also, to allow Sav-O-Mat to install remediation equipment at the gas station’s site, community development staff is recommending council waive the need for a building permit and site plan to build a shed on property. Lesmes said it’s normal equipment required for wear and tear on the land under a gas station property.

She said requiring the permit and site plan can be time-intensive and expensive, because the process would also require the site to be brought to current code. The gas station was built several decades ago, Lesmes said.

“The town would like to see it come to code, but (installing) remediation equipment is beneficial to the town and the Blue River,” Lesmes said.

Also at the meeting, counci members plan to:

• Review and adopt the final 2011-12 budget,

• Accept the final changes in rates to town utilities, recreation center fees and Pavilion fees,

• Make changes to the 2010 budget as needed, and

• Renew a mill levy and levy credit ordinance for South Maryland Creek Ranch.

SDN reporter Janice Kurbjun can be contacted at (970) 668-4630 or at jkurbjun@summitdaily.com.