HomeMy WebLinkAboutordinance.council.003-08ORDINANCE NO. 3
(Series of 2008)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO, APPROVING FINAL LAND USE APPROVALS AND GRANTING
A DEVELOPMENT ORDER FOR THE ASPEN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
HEADQUARTERS STATION AND THE THRIFT SHOP COWOP PROJECT ON
A PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY OF ASPEN, LOTS O, P, Q, AND, R,
BLOCK 87, CITY AND TOWNSITE OF ASPEN AND 540 EAST MAIN STREET,
A METES AND BOUNDS PARCEL, EAST ASPEN ADDITION, BLOCK 19 CITY
OF ASPEN
WHEREAS, the Aspen City Council, pursuant to Resolution 4, Series of 2006,
determined eligible for the City's development for the Convenience and Welfaze of the
Public (COWOP) review process the redevelopment of certain real property (hereinafter
the "Project") owned by the Aspen Fire Protection District and the City of Aspen, and
successors and assigns, for the purpose of providing a new and expanded Fire District
Headquarters and Thrift Shop; and,
WHEREAS, the Project includes the Fire Station Headquarters and the Thrift
Shop. The City of Aspen owns the four lots and the Aspen Fire Protection District leases
those lots from the City and owns the building. The Thrift Shop subleases from the Fire
District and owns their own building; and,
WHEREAS, the Project also includes 540 East Main Street (known as the
Zupancis property) where a temporazy shelter for one first-due response fire engine will
be located while the Headquarters Station is being redeveloped; and,
WHEREAS, the Project's design development team was represented by Darryl
Grob, the Fire District Chief, Nancy Gensch, Thrift Shop Board, Gilbert Sanchez and
Joseph Spears of Studio B Architects, Leslie Lamont of Lamont Planning Services, Inc.,
Dick Fenton of Fenton Construction and John Kelleher an owner's representative; and,
WHEREAS, the Fire District and the Thrift Shop, as a condition of their long
term lease with the City of Aspen, seek final development approval from the City
Council to construct and complete the Project subject to the COWOP process and the
development approvals described herein; and,
WHEREAS, the COWOP land use review process, Section 26.500 of the City of
Aspen Land Use Code, was created and adopted by the City of Aspen to allow the
planning of projects of significant community interest, when determined necessary by the
City Council according to said Section, to involve an iterative process considering input
from neighbors, property owners, public officials, members of the public, and other
parties of interest assembled as a formal reviewing authority of the City of Aspen Task
Force Team providing recommendations directly to City Council; and,
Ordinance 3, 2008
Page 1 of 10
WHEREAS, the Aspen Fire Station Redevelopment COWOP Task Force Team
was comprised of Thrift Shop and Fire District representatives, neighbors, representatives
of the City of Aspen Community Development Department, representatives of the City of
Aspen City Council, representatives of the City of Aspen Planning and Zoning
Commission, representatives of the City of Aspen Historic Preservation Commission,
representatives of emergency services of Pitkin County, and members of the citizenry.
The City of Aspen Community Development Director served as the chair of the Task
Force Team, in compliance with the requirements of Section 26.500 of the Aspen Land
Use Code. The composition of the Aspen Fire Station Redevelopment COWOP Task
Force Team was approved by the City of Aspen City Council, pursuant to Resolution No.
4, Series of 2006, as amended by Resolution No. 99, Series of 2007; and provided the
project with a broad range of expertise and awareness of community issues; and,
WHEREAS, the COWOP review process enabled the planning and design of the
Project to reflect essential community goals and values, taking into consideration various
opinions and expressed points-of--view from neighbors, land owners, citizens, and
technical expertise from various professional staff of essential City, County, and quasi-
municipa] districts; and,
WHEREAS, the COWOP land use review procedure does not and has not
lessened any public hearing, public noticing, or any critical analysis or scrutiny of the
project as would otherwise be required; and,
WHEREAS, the Aspen Fire Station Redevelopment COWOP Task Force Team
met five (5) times to consider the Project; to identify the goals, objectives, and physical,
financial, legal, and public policy issues and parameters of the project; and, to guide the
programming, planning, and design of the project on the following dates: January 12,
2006; January 19, 2006; January 26, 2006; February 23, 2006; and, December 18, 2007;
and,
WHEREAS, Aspen Fire Station Redevelopment COWOP Task Force Team
meetings were open to the public. Notice of the meetings in 2006 and the meeting in
2007 were published in The Aspen Times newspaper. Meeting summaries were
produced and adopted by the Task Force; and,
WHEREAS, the Project design/development team met with the City of Aspen
Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) five (5) times on the following dates: January
11, 2006, January 25, 2006, February 22, 2006, November 14, 2007, and January 23,
2008 to review the Project because the Headquarters is within the Commercial Core
Historic District; and,
WHEREAS, the HPC granted Final HPC approval to the Project at their January
23, 2008 meeting pursuant to Resolution No. 2, Series of 2008; and,
WHEREAS, the HPC granted a waiver to exceed the maximum 60' length of
continuous element/roof height to 76' for this project; and,
Ordinance 3, 2008
Page 2 of 10
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2006 City Council reviewed the progress of the Aspen
Fire Station Redevelopment COWOP Project during a duly noticed public hearing and
unanimously endorsed the direction of the planning and recommendations of the Aspen
Fire Station Redevelopment COWOP Task Force Team, pursuant to City Council
Resolution 15, Series of 2006; and,
WHEREAS, voters approved a bond issue election in May 2, 2006, to fund a two
part Fire District improvement program of which redevelopment of the Headquarters is
one part; and,
WHEREAS, on December 3, 2007, the Aspen City Council approved a
temporary use permit for a temporazy shelter for the first-due response fire engine at 540
East Main Street Pursuant to Resolution No. 99, Series of 2007 and City Council
appointed new task force members to the Fire District COWOP Task Force Team; and,
WHEREAS, redevelopment of the Fire Station Headquarters and the Thrift Shop
will increase the square footage of each entity thereby enhancing their programs and
operations and facilitate an overdue upgrade to the facilities; and,
WHEREAS, the enhanced Headquarters will provide improved office space, a
larger garage for the storage and maintenance of emergency vehicles, improved public
space for community meetings and emergency management operations, and a museum
for the display of Fire District memorabilia; and,
WHEREAS, the Thrift Shop enhancements will increase the retail and display
space and basement storage space, add offices and improve the drop-off and sorting
azeas; and,
WHEREAS, the Project is consistent with the Civic Center Master Plan which
recommends improvements for both entities so they may continue their traditional
contributions to the community in their historic locations which add to the civic presence
within the community and the commercial core of Aspen; and,
WHEREAS, the Project has benefited from the COWOP Task Force Team's
dialogue regazding community goals that could be achieved by this community project.
The inclusion of affordable housing, free-mazket housing, public parking, and City
offices were items discussed by the Task Force and for critical reasons related to security,
space and the lack of employee generation by the Fire Station and Thrift Shop
expansions, all four were deemed unsuitable for this project; and,
WHEREAS, the Aspen Fire Station Redevelopment COWOP Task Force Team
determined that additional floors above the Fire Station and the Thrift Shop should not be
designed or entitled as part of this project but the building shall be structurally designed
and built to accommodate future floors when and if the organization(s) require more
space for reasons to be determined as changed conditions in the community may dictate;
Ordinance 3, 2008
Page 3 of 10
and any such future additions will be subject to a land use review process defined at the
time of review in the future; and,
WHEREAS, Aspen Fire Station Redevelopment COWOP Task Force Team
agreed that 540 East Main Street was an appropriate location for a temporary shelter for
an emergency response engine for the duration of the redevelopment of the Headquarters;
and,
WHEREAS, during a publicly noticed meeting of the Aspen Fire Station
Redevelopment COWOP Task Force Team on December 18, 2007, the Task Force Team
recommended, by a vote of fourteen to zero (14-0), that City Council approve the Project
as it was represented during the December 18, 2007, meeting; and,
WHEREAS, the Aspen Fire Station Redevelopment COWOP Task Force Team
adopted a recommended motion to City Council related to the Project; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 26.304 and 26.500 of the Land Use Code, City
Council may approve, approve with conditions, or deny all requisite land use approvals
necessary to grant a development order for a proposed development determined eligible
for COWOP land use review upon a recommendation from the Community Development
Director and consideration of comments offered by the general public at a duly noticed
public heazing; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Aspen Community Development Director has reviewed
the proposed development in consideration of the recommendations of the Aspen Fire
Station Redevelopment COWOP Task Force Team, the requirements of the land use
code, and comments from applicable referral agencies and has recommended approval of
all necessary land use approvals for granting a development order for the proposed
Project including Final approval of a COWOP Land Use Review, Final PUD Plan
approval, Growth Management approval for an Essential Public Facility for the Project, a
temporary shelter for a fire engine on 540 East Main Street, and vested rights; and,
WHEREAS, during a duly noticed public heazing on March 11, 2008, the Aspen
City Council reviewed the proposal and continued the public hearing until April 14,
2006; and
WHEREAS, during a duly noticed public hearing on April 14, 2008, the Aspen
City Council reviewed the proposal and continued the public hearing until April 28,
2008; and
WHEREAS, the Aspen City Council has reviewed and considered the
development proposal under the applicable provisions of the Municipal Code as
identified herein, has reviewed and considered the recommendation of the Aspen Fire
Station Redevelopment COWOP Task Force Team, the Community Development
Ordinance 3, 2008
Page 4 of 10
Director, the applicable referral agencies, and has taken and considered public comment
at a public hearing; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the development proposal meets or
exceeds all applicable development standards and that the approval of the development
proposal, with conditions, is consistent with the Aspen Area Community Plan and the
recommendations of the Civic Master Plan; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that this Ordinance furthers and is necessary
for the promotion of public health, safety, and welfaze; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the first official community action for
the Project will be a community celebration titled the "Wrecking Ball," sponsored by the
Thrift Shop.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO as follows:
The Aspen Fire Station Redevelopment COWOP Project is hereby granted a development
order for a site specific development plan and granted all necessary land use approvals
including Final approval of a COWOP Land Use Review, Final PUD Plan approval,
Growth Management approval for an Essential Public Facility, the temporary use of 540
East Main Street, and vested rights subject to conditions of approval as described herein.
Section 1• Aspen Fire Station Redevelopment COWOP Task Force Team Findin¢s
The Aspen Fire Station COWOP Task Force Team recommends approval to the Aspen
City Council for the redevelopment of the Fire Station and the Thrift Shop finding that:
The redevelopment is consistent with the recommendations of the Civic Master
Plan in that both entities will be expanded and will remain downtown thus
preserving their civic presence within the community.
2. The COWOP Task Force supports the mass, scale and dimensions of the
redevelopment as presented to the COWOP at their meeting on December 18,
2007 clazifying that the squaze footage of the Thrift Shop is net squaze footage.
3. The COWOP Task Force approves of the use program for the site and the gross
squaze footages as presented to the COWOP at their meeting on December 18,
2007 recognizing that from design to construction squaze footage does shift
slightly.
4. The redevelopment is compatible with the immediate neighborhood and the
downtown area.
Ordinance 3, 2008
Page 5 of 10
5. The COWOP Task Force approves of the design elements as described at the
COWOP meeting of December 18, 2007.
6. The Aspen Fire Protection District is an essential public facility. The expansion
of both the Fire Station and the Thrift shop will not generate additional
employees. Both entities depend upon volunteers to support their organizations.
7. The COWOP Task Force approves of the use of the Zupancis property for the
essential service of a temporary fire engine shelter from March 2008 to December
of 2010. In the event that the Zupancis/Galena Site Plan development of the
Zupancis property should begin before the end of the shelter's term, the City shall
work with the Fire District to find an appropriate alternative site that would allow
the relocation in a timely manner without compromising public safety.
8. The COWOP Task Force understands and endorses the potential future need for an
additional floor on the Fire Station and/or Thrift Shop. In the current plan, the
structure will be designed to support future development and the Fire District
and/or Thrift Shop may seek additional land use approvals when a use program
and design have been defined in the future, and according to land use
requirements at that future time.
9. The design development team explored the opportunity to provide a basement
under the truck bays in the Fire Station and presented to COWOP that it is not
feasible. The COWOP supported that conclusion.
10. The first official action for the commencement of destruction of the Thrift Shop is
"The Wrecking Ball," to which the COWOP task force is invited to attend.
Section 2: Adoption of Findings
The City Council hereby adopts the findings of the Fire Station Redevelopment COWOP
Task Force, as listed in Section 1.
Ordinance 3, 2008
Page 6 of 10
Section 3: Approved Project Dimensions
The following approved dimensions of the project shall be reflected in the Final PUD Plans,
as follows:
Per Final PUD Plan
TOTAL: 22,98U sq. ft.
Fire Station: 12,599 sq. ft.
City/County IT Server: 600 sq. ft.
Other Non-Program spaces: 6,402 sq. ft.
40' measured from existing grade depicted on Final PUD
Plan with following exceptions:
Hose and stair tower: 50'
Elevator enclosure: 54'
Roof access hatches, chimneys, exhaust flues, solaz panels,
communication antennae and skylights may extend up to
10' above the roof elements on which they are located.
3 spaces on the
Section 4: Temporary Use of 540 East Main Street
The City of Aspen City Council hereby approves the temporazy use of 540 East Main
Street (the former Zupancis property) for a shelter to house afirst-due fire engine while
the Headquarters building is being reconstructed. During reconstruction all operations of
the Fire District will be relocated to the recently completed North Forty fire station.
However, in order to effectively respond to a call in Aspen, east of Castle Creek, it is
important to station a vehicle in downtown Aspen. Many of the volunteers work in
Aspen and arriving at 540 East Main Street to prepare for a call will ensure a timely
response to an emergency in downtown and the immediate vicinity.
A temporary use for the shelter was granted by Aspen City Council pursuant to
Resolution 99, Series of 2007. However a temporary use is only permitted for a
maximum of six months, with one additional six-month period, if approved. This
Ordinance approves the use of 540 East Main Street for the duration of the reconstruction
of the Fire Station Headquarters unless the Zupancis/Galena Site Plan development of the
Zupancis property should begin before the end of the shelter's term. In that event the
City shall work with the Fire District to find an appropriate alternative site that would
allow the relocation in a timely manner without compromising public safety.
The Aspen City Council hereby approves the Fire Station and Thrift Shop as Essential
Public Facilities, pursuant to Section 26.470.040(D)3, finding that the proposed
development is consistent with the Aspen Area Community Plan; that the expansions of
these buildings will not generate new employees as both organizations operate with
volunteers; that there is no free market residential or commercial component to this plan;
and that the project generally adds to the overall capability of the public infrastructure.
Section 6: Civic Center Master Plan
The Aspen City Council finds that the proposed redevelopment of the Aspen Fire
Protection District Headquarters and the Thrift Shop are consistent with the findings and
recommendations of the Civic Master Plan; and,
Ordinance 3, 2008
Page 7 of 10
Section 7: Final PUD Plans
Within 90 days after final approval by City Council, the applicant shall record a Final
PUD Development Plan.
The Final PUD Plans shall include:
1. An illustrative site plan with dimensioned building locations.
2. A landscape plan showing location, amount, and species of landscape improvements
with an irrigation plan with a signature line for the City Parks Department, this
should include any movable planters/pots within pedestrian azeas.
3. Building elevations demonstrating the general architectural chazacter of the project,
building materials, fenestration, projections, and dimensions and locations of
elevator shaft head, skylights, mechanical equipment, etc.
4. A utility plan meeting the standazds of the City Engineer and City utility agencies.
5. Construction details for improvements to the public rights-of--way, including the
alley.
6. A grading/drainage plan with any off-site improvements specified. Any off-site
improvements shall be done in coordination with the City Engineering Department.
7. An exterior lighting plan meeting the requirements of Section 26.575.150.
8. A table summarizing dimensional standazds of the project.
Section 8: PUD Agreement
Within 90 days after final approval by City Council, the applicant shall record a PUD
Agreement binding this property to this development approval. The Agreement shall
include the necessary items detailed in Section 26.445.070, in addition to the following:
1. Agreements with the City of Aspen, as described above, regazding: use of the 540
East Main Street property.
2. An estimated construction schedule with estimated schedules for construction
affecting city streets.
Section 9: Building Permit Submission and Issuance
The Community Development Department shall accept and process a building permit
application upon adoption of this ordinance and prior to recordation of the necessary plats
and agreements. The Community Development Department shall expedite the permit and
issue an Access Infrastructure and Demolition Permit in an expedited fashion.
Section 10: Building Permit Requirements
The building permit application shall include/depict:
1. A letter from the primary contractor stating that the approving Ordinance has been
read and understood.
2. A signed copy of the final Ordinance granting land use approval.
3. A fugitive dust control plan approved by the Environmental Health Department.
Ordinance 3, 2008
Page 8 of 10
4. A construction management and pazking plan meeting the specifications of the City
Building Department.
Section 11: Proiect Amendments
Amendments to the Project within one year of the adoption of this ordinance shall be
reviewed by the Community Development Department Director and, as applicable, the
Historic Preservation Officer and Project Monitor. If, in the opinion of the Community
Development Director, the amendment is substantial, the Community Development Director
shall forwazd the request to the City Council for review and approval. Amendments to the
project after this initial one-yeaz period, shall be reviewed according to the procedures and
limitations of the Land Use Code.
Sectionl2: Vested Itishts
The development approvals granted herein shall be vested for a period of three (3) years
from the date of issuance of the development order.
No later than fourteen (14) days following the final approval of all requisite reviews
necessary to obtain a development order as set forth in this ordinance, the City Clerk shall
cause to be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the jurisdictional
boundaries of the City of Aspen, a notice advising the general public of the approval of a
site specific development plan and creation of a vested property right pursuant to this
Title. Such notice shall be substantially in the following form:
Notice is hereby given to the general public of the approval of a vested property right,
pursuant to the Land Use Code of the City of Aspen and Title 24, Article 68, Colorado
Revised Statutes, pertaining to the following described properties: 420 East Hopkins
Avenue, Lots O, P, Q and R, Block 87, City and Townsite of Aspen; and 540 E. Main
Street, a metes and bounds pazcel, East Aspen Addition, Block 19, City of Aspen, by
Ordinance No. 3, Series of 2008, of the Aspen City Council.
Section 13:
All material representations and commitments made by the Aspen Fire Protection District
and Thrift Shop (the developer), pursuant to the development proposal approvals as herein
awazded, whether in public hearing or documentation presented before the Community
Development Department, the Aspen Fire Station Redevelopment COWOP Task Force
Team, or the Aspen City Council, aze hereby incorporated in such plan development
approvals and the same shall be complied with as if fully set forth herein, unless amended
by other specific conditions.
Section 14:
This Ordinance shall not affect any existing litigation and shall not operate as an
abatement of any action or proceeding now pending under or by virtue of the ordinances
repealed or amended as herein provided, and the same shall be conducted and concluded
under such prior ordinances.
Section 15:
Ordinance 3, 2008
Page 9 of 10
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance is for any
reason held invalid or unconstitutional in a court of competent jurisdiction, such portion
shall be deemed a sepazate, distinct and independent provision and shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions thereof.
Section 16:
That the City Clerk is directed, upon the adoption of this Ordinance, to record a copy of
this Ordinance in the office of the Pitkin County Clerk and Recorder.
Section 17:
A public heating on the Ordinance was held on the 28~' day of April, 2008, at 5:00 in the
Rio Grande Meeting Room, 455 Rio Grande Place, Aspen Colorado, fifteen (15) days prior
to which hearing a public notice of the same was made according to the requirements of
Section 26.304.060E(3)b-c.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ORDERED PUBLISHED as provided by law,
by the City Council of the City of Aspen on the 11 ~' day of February, 2008.
Attest ~
~j~ -' l~~ ~-zc~ e~
Kathryn S. h, City Clerk Michael C. Ireland, Mayor
FINALLY, adopted, passed and approved this 2~ day of , 2008.
Atte t: ,~%/~j
I °~j°~-
Kathryn S. ch, City Clerk
Approved as to form:
/~~ ~ ~ ~/r9~~~
3uh'r~City Attorney
~v8
Ordinance 3, 2008
Page 10 of 10