HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.hpc.20010306ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MARCH 6, 2001
DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST ....................................................................................................
505 SNEAKY LANE STREAM MAR(~IN REVIEW ............................................................................................. 1
TRUSCOTT LIGHTING PLAN .......... 1......~ ........................................ ~ .................................................................... 2
BAVARIAN FINAL PUD ..................... ~ .................................................................................................................... 2
ASPEN MOUNTAIN CONCEPTUAL PUD AMENDMENTS (TOP OF MILL) LOT 3 & LOT 5 ................... 3
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ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MARCH 6, 2001
Bob Blaich, chairman, opene~ the regular meeting at 4:30 p.m. in Council
Chambers. The following co~nmissioners were present: Jasmine Tygre, Ron
Erickson, Roger Haneman, EIic COhen and Bob Blaich. Steven Buettow was
excused. Staff in attendance ~vere: David Hoefer, Assistant City Attorney; Julie
Ann Woods, Fred Jarman, Ni~:k Lelack and Chris Bendon, CommunitY
Development; Richard Gould~ng, Engineering; Lee Novak, Housing; Jackie
Lothian, Deputy City Clerk.
DISCLOSURE OF CONF~CT OF INTEREST
None.
PUBLIC MEETING:
505 SNEAKY LANE STRE. aM MARGIN REVIEW
Bob Blaich opened the Strean t Margin Review for 505 Sneaky Lane. Nick Lelack
stated that there was a site vis t today and for the record no notice was needed for
Stream Margin Review. Lela,',k utilized maps for location orientation of the
property in proximity to Castl ~ Creek and the City Shop.
Lelack stated that there was d ~culty determining top of slope because it was
relatively flat between the crc ~k and the property. It was agreed with the applicant
and the City Engineering Offi :e that the 100-year floodplain would be the
measurement for top of slope. Lelack stated that the applicant proposed a partial
demolition 20 feet from top o~,slope.
Lelack noted that there were ~ options submitted based on the top of slope. All of
the Stream Margin Review C~iteria must be met. He noted that staff recommended
approval for either "Set B" ori"Set C".
Roger Haneman asked what .~e intent of the 45° angle was. Richard Goulding,
City Engineering responded tl~at the house wOUld be built out of the 45° angle.
Scott Lindeneau stated that hi:~ clients would prefer "Set C" which included the
office. Bob Camp, applicant greed with "Set C".
No public comments.
MOTION: Jasmine ~I ggre moved to approve Resolution 10, series 2001,
a Stream Margin Review for the Camp residence at 505 Sneaky Lane as
depicted in plan "Set ~" finding that all of the review criteria have been
met with conditions, l'~ric Cohen Second. Roll call vote: Erickson, yes;
Haneman, yes; Cohen yes; Tygre, yes; Blaich yes. APPROVED 5-0.
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ASPEN PLANNING & ZOI ~ING COMMISSION MARCH 6, 2001
PUBLIC MEETING:
TRUSCOTT LIGHTING Pi ~AN
Bob Blaich opened the public! meeting on the TruScott Lighting Plan. Chris
Bendon stated that the approval for the lighting plan was the same as presented
with clarification of the types [of lights and fixtures used. Lee Novak, Housing,
said that he was not an expert on lighting. He explained the ballards would be 32"
in height in dark bronze color with 26-watt bulbs. Novak said that there would be
some sort of sensor to turn off'the lights but some would remain on for safety and
CDOT specifications on sore.~ of the lights needed at the highway.
Novak said that the parking 14ts would have 16-foot poles and that the 12-foot
pOles were more pedestrian. ~Novak noted that good lights in the underpass were a
necessity for people to utilize [the underpass.
Ron Erickson asked for staff ht~ follow up after a year or two to know what fine-
tuning can be accomplished. Bendon noted that there might be additional lights
needed around the golf course. Eric Cohen noted that a year after occupancy a
follow up should be accomplished.
No public comments.
MOTION: Eric Cohen moved to adopt Resolution 01-06 approving the
Truscott Affordable h }using and Aspen Golf and Tennis ClUb PUD
Lighting Plan with the condition that staff review one year after the
certificate of occupancy has been granted and that public notice be
provided to the residehts. Ron Erickson second. APPROVED 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARING:
BAVARIAN FINAL PUD
Bob Blaich opened the public!hearing to be continued.
MOTION: Ron Ericl~son moved to continue the Bavarian Final PUD to
March 20, 2001. Rogqr Itaneman second. APPROVED 5-0,
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ASPEN PLANNING & ZO] lING COMMISSION MARCH 6, 2001
PUBLIC HEARING:
ASPEN MOUNTAIN CONt ~EPTUAL PUD AMENDMENTS (TOP OF
MILL) LOT 3 & LOT 5
Bob Blaich opened the publici hearing. David Hoefer stated that the notice was
provided as well as the mailir~g for both Lots 3 & 5.
Julie Ann Woods stated that t~is was a request to amend the conceptual approval
that was granted to the Aspen[Mountain PUD in December of 1999. For
clarification Lot 3 was the Toi~ of Mill and Lot 5 was the Grand Aspen site. She
noted that there was a new ov~ner, Top of Mill Investors, LLC for Lot 3 and Grand
Aspen Lodging, LLC now ow n Lot 5. Woods said the amendment for Lot 3 was
minor to create m~ additional 0t where the existing garage building site for the
Summit Place Condominium:~ Woods said that the parcel was 2500 square feet.
Woods stated that major chan:,~e was from the hotel use to fractional ownership.
She noted the physical changqs with Lot 5 were the relocation of the parking
garage ramp from Galena Street to Deane Street. Kim Wyle, architect, explained
that the ramps were eliminateO from Galena Street and flipped the ramps to the
north side of Deane Street. Woods stated that there was a reduction in rooms from
a 150 room hotel to 51 two, t~ree and four bedroom units or club suites (each
having at least one or two loc~c-offunits or bedrooms). Woods stated the total
room count of 125 rooms. SHe said that there was an increase of 18 parking spaces
under the building in the garage and additional 9 parallel parking spaces along the
Galena Street right-of-way. W~ oods stated that the semi-public accessory uses such
as the restaurant and comer "l~ookshop" on the eastern comer of the Dearie Street
fagade were eliminated. She s~aid that this was a loss for this project and
inconsistent with the project; ihe requested that the applicant return with an
alternate proposal.
Woods said that Lot 3 was zo~hed LTR-PUD with lodge overlay and conservation;
Lot 5 would remain the same.[ Dawd Hoefer noted that Lot 3 and Lot 5 be kept
together for review. Woods s~id that when the owners did not occupy the units, the
suites or units would be available for rental to the public on a nightly basis. She
said that there was segregatio~ between the affordable units from the club suites
and requested that be elimina!ed from the final design.
Sunny Vann, planner for appl~ant, reiterated that the new owners were comprised
of a group of local investors, ~'apital of California and Hyatt Vacation Ownerships.
Four Peaks Management was ~ormed by the partnership to complete the approval
process and manage the devel~pment of the various properties. Vann said that the
new owners felt that the conv{rsion of the hotel to the vacation ownership format
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ASPEN PLANNING & zONING COMMISSION MARCH 6, 2001
would facilitate the construction of the development of the hotel and provide some
benefits to the community. V~rrn said that the Summit Place Garage parcel Would
be included in the Lot 3 re-deVelopment plan for approval·
Vann said that there would b~ a central lobby area and a small commercial area like
what was originally included ~o provide notions, toOthpaste and the like to the
guests· He smd there would Be a small k~tchen area for continental breakfast. He
said that the restaurant and sn~all meeting rooms were deleted·
Vann noted that Deane Street ~as a vacated right-of-way that now belongs to Four
Peaks· He said that the afford~able housing requirements for the new hotel were 41
net new employees, the Bava~an Inn provided 13 and out of the remainder of the
28, 16 were to be housed on s!te per Savanaha's agreement. Vann noted that did
not change with the new owners. He said there were now 124 packing spaces.
Vann stated that the fractiona~ or timeshare use was part of the final PUD
application subject to the review and approval of the planning and zoning
commission as a conditional Use. lie said there might be code amendments needed
to amend the original code amendment.
Dr. Dick Ragatz stated that he~ was executive vice president of RCI Consulting
from Eugene, Oregon· tie provided his background in the resort industry and on
the vacation home concept· I~agatz said that by definition the term vacation
ownership in the resort industry refers to anything that was sold in private
ownership in less than whole ~wnership, multiple owners per unit. He said that
there were two kinds of vacation ownership (D traditional resort time-share and ~)
fractional interests. Traditional resort time-share were sold by the week and
Fractional Interests were the ~undling of weeks anywhere from ¼ ownership to
1/21 ownership. Ragatz state~t that whole vacation ownership (on a national
average) tended to be occupie~ about 8 weeks a year; a properly operated vacation
ownership will operate at abo~jt 90% occupancy per year. He said that the
qualitative advantages vacation ownerShip had over hotel use that was a
psYchological commitment tolthe community. He said that even though occupancy
rates were higher, the intensit~ of the traffic and the use of public utilities during
high season were usually less ~ecause of the longer length of the stay. He said that
the repeat vacation ownership!visitors came back at 60% Ragatz report gave an
economic ~mpacts statement ~p the packet; he stated that some of the assumptions
might be changed..~.
Steve Ferrarini stated that he ~t epresented the firm of Hobson/Ferrarini &
Associates, a real estate ecom mics firm from Portland Oregon. He said that the
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ASPEN PLANNING & zONING COMMISSION MARCH 6, 200!
report comparing vacation ovCners were more satisfied after purchase rather than a
hotel guest. Ferrarini said that the expenditure patterns were also higher for the
vacation fractional owner thag. hotel guests.
Ron Erickson asked for the methodology for their reports, were they national
figures and extrapolated to. fitI the local community. Ragatz replied that there were
relatively little hard statistics ~r economic indicators from the tourism industry in
Aspen.
Jasmine Tygre asked if there *vas a way to break out from the national data
statistics were ones that relate to seasonal resorts, Ragatz responded that the
occupancy rate was a blend o:' occupancy rates gathered throughout the world.
The figures were based on 36 nights a year.
Roger Haneman asked how many of the 1,000 units studied were mountain
locations. Ragatz answered ~at about 60% were in sun and surf locations, 25% in
mountain locations and the reiuainder in urban locationS to large lakes or regional
resorts.
Eric Cohen stated that it surpr[sed him that the analysis of interval ownership units
with kitchens would still have a higher dining out expenditure rate. Cohen asked if
the statistics were from the va :ation owners themselves. Ragatz replied that they
have surveyed owners from al' over the world. Ferrarini said that his report was
taken from hotel occupants surveyed.
John Burlingame, executive v~ce president of Hyatt Vacation Ownership, Chicago
Illinois stated that the vast majority of their customers used local restaurants and
used the kitchens in their unit~ minimally. Scott Writer said that of the 51 units
there were 74 lock-offs structured just like a hotel without access to kitchens.
Cohen asked if the unsold unit would also be available for rental.
Blaich asked if the unit owner could leave their cars in the parking garage when
they were not residing in their units. Vann replied no that they could not leave
their cars. Vann said that ther, 120+ parking spaces which more than met the
parking requirements.
Erickson asked the negatives ~fthis kind of development. Ragartz said if the sales
of the units were too aggressix e then that would be a negative. Ragartz said that
the units generated more vaca ion rooms with the lock-off feature, which would
generate more sales tax.
ASPEN PLANNING & ZOi qING COMMISSION MARCH 6, 2001
Tygre asked what amount of, iommercial space was lost. Vann replied that the
Dearie Street Restaurant was ~ reduction of 2500 square feet not counting the loss
of meeting space.
Blaich mentioned that this w~s the third time that P&Z reviewed this project; the
first time was for condomini~ms, which never went onto Council; the hotel was
approved by P&Z and then w~nt onto Council for approval. Vann said that this
hotel never had pure retail co~nmercial space like the Little Nell or St. Regis but
some accessory hotel Use, which were being retained with the exception of the
restaurant. Scott Writer state~ that there were a number of different reasons not to
have the restaurant were the t~nce point that they were hoping to achieve did not
provided the necessity for a r~staurant. Writer said there would be the necessary
services with an open lobby, i~viting entrance, a place for a continental breakfast
or a place for people to get together for a cocktail. Writer said that the redesign of
Deane Street with the sidewalks and not cars would add the vitality of people
walking. Writer said that the ~higher occupancies and off-season use would also
add to the vitality.
Writer said that the Silver CirCle Rink Would be made as an asset to the
community. He said that to a~td another restaurant to the mix would take away
from the existing restaurants ~nd there would be no trucks servicing the restaurant.
He said it would function as ~ hotel.
Woods stated that the intent x~ as not to say that there had to be a restaurant on this
property but more public/priv lte space at the facility. Staff wanted to see more
interaction with the street fror t than ski lockers across the front fagade of the
building. Woods said that thi., was right across from transit and a very visible
property.
·
Hoefer noted also that the T~ppler was now becoming residential also·
Erickson asked how the suitei differed from condominiums. Vann replied that
suites were by type of ownership and to be more of a hotel room with a kitchen and
living room and a number ofl,edrooms. Vann said that interval ownership was a
sign of the change in the indu ;try. John Burlingame stated that the owners have the
right to rent their units or a pc trion of the unit through the Hyatt. Tygre asked what
other ski resorts Hyatt operate d with fractional ownership. Burlingame replied that
Lake Tahoe (a 1/51) and Beax er Creek (a 1/21) and Breckenridge. Burlingame
said that Lake Tahoe was abo] it 45% sold with about 90% usage; 100% of Beaver
Creek was sold and used abort 75% of the time, which was in excess of what the
hotel did. Cohen asked what fihe lock-Offrooms might rent for. Vann replied that
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ASPEN PLANNING & ZO ~NING COMMISSION MARCH 6, 2001
they were still trying to put t~e program together but these units would be available
with moderate prices for a similar product. Cohen asked how the property was
being marketed. Burlingame ~esponded that this would be about a 4 star hotel.
Writer stated that would depend upon the finished product. BUrlingame stated that
in vacation oWnership theY would entertain someone offering a lower price for the
night. Blaich asked for examples of what the rooms rates were from the other
resort operations in the high s~ason. Burlingame resPonded that the rooms in the
other resorts went anywhere ~rom $100.00 to $500.00 a night depending on
inventory, it just depended upon the location.
Haneman said that it was contradictory to have the report read that the people in
time share units spent more time in their units and then to say that they spent more
by going to shops and businesses in the area more frequently. Writer said that the
repeat customer, the vacation~Wner, was likely to find the locals shops on the back
streetS of Aspen. Haneman a~ked if the nUmbers surveyed for the hotel were
national figures; across what ~pectrum of hotels. Ferrarini replied that the data was
from a national tourism research company; therefore it was a combination of
incomes surveyed.
MOTION: Ron Ericl~son moved to extend the meeting until 7:30 p.m.
Roger Haneman second. APPROVED 4-1,
Public Comments: ~
Jack Crawford, public, stated ~hat he was a TipPler Inn owner and president of the
homeoWners assOciation. He ~aid that they supported the elimination of the
restaurant and inquired about fie off-street and on-street parking. He asked where
the Ice Rink parking would be located. Vann replied that the 9 spaces were
replaced on Galena Street but would be decided by with City Council. Crawford
said that they were happy abo it the Galena Street garage entrance elimination and
supportive of the project as pr ,~sented by the developer.
Chris Hamilton, public, asked Ragartz about the research of how many of those
developments were similar to ~his situation. Ragartz replied that there were many
different vacation packages i~ many different areas.
David Boothe, public, Aspen Lodging Company stated that he was also happy
about the parking changes. H~e asked what the traffic Pattern might be for the 9
sPots on Galena Street and voiced Concern about peOple doing loops up Galena
Street for those spaces. Kim ~Vy. le said that they would trade out the parking from
Durant onto Galena. Vann no[ed that Deane would have two-way traffic. Boothe
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ASPEN PLANNING & zONING COMMISSION MARCH 6~ 2001
stated that the height was still, a concern and asked ~fthere would be a reduction of
the height since there was a rcductmn of the number of rooms. Boothe said that his
company provided lock-offr~oms~ and that they were primarily rented in the
summer time; people looked ~or a different
product.
[
Ann Murchanson, public, stated that the city plowed the streets with a road grader,
which was not plowed to the ~dge; the cars would get plowed in facing uphill,
which would present problems for the winter parking. Varm replied that they
would get a referral from streets department.
Steve Fallander, public, stated that his concern was for the height of the building.
He noted that the plan that Jol aa Sarpa presented had much landscaping in front of
the building, the new buildinl had no landscaping. He said that he was concerned
that the parking in front of th, building would not be for the entire neighborhood
but for employees of. the proj~ ct.
Bob Biaich excused himself a: 7:15 p.m.
Gerry Monkarsh, public, said ~hat he agreed with everything the other neighbors
have said. He asked for no pa):king from where the street was level on up. He
questioned that there were no iproformas from the companies involved in this
project for price points. He sfi~id that the city would not get an appreciable room
tax from this project. Monka~sh stated that he couldn't believe that a
$30,000,000.00 project did n~t have reams of paper on the economics. He said
that they could eliminate that ?ourth floor and still make the prOject work.
Mary Grosso, public, stated ~at she spent 6 years in Aspen and most recently
spent 6 years in Telluride, wh~re she said that she became very knowledgeable
about the fractional industry. ~he asked if the exchange program would be with
RCI. John Burlingame replie~l that all Hyatt properties had the exchange program.
MOTION: Ron Erich son moved to continue the Aspen Mountain
Conceptual PUD Ame adments (ToP Of Mill) Lot 3 & Lot 5 to April 3,
2001. Eric Cohen seCr nd. APPROVED 4-0.
Erickson asked for commissio her comments on the issues of the project. He stated
concern for how the process W~ill work; he stated that he did not want owners or
exchanges occupying the roorhs 90% of the time. He wanted information on how
and what procedures would be in place so that the owners would not leave the units
empty. Erickson stated that hz was not opposed to the concept, but he had seen the
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ASPEN PLANNING & ZO] lING COMMISSION MARCH 6, 2001
concept transformed into sore :thing he would never approve. He requested more
specifics on prices for the uni :s on a seasonal basis. He stated that this was a new
use, which was a conditional Ose. lie said that he needed to be convinced that this
would benefit the town.
Cohen stated that he echoed l~on's comments and stated that based on the facts
from the presentation, he requested a representation of a minimal number to be
closer to the 1/21 than the 1/!¢ ownership. He requested initial sales figures and a
height schematic relative to the buildings around it, particularly the Tipple Inn and
the St. Regis.
Haneman inquired as to how t~e numbers that were presented and how were they
generated. He requested the gaily use and spending numbers.
Tygre stated she wanted to see a comparison of other very seasonal areas to be
more relevant to our area. Eri :kson suggested obtaining the numbers from Beaver
Creek and Tahoe from the H,'att.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
~at~kie Lothian, Deputy City C:lerk
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