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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcoa.lu.ud.Classical Music Salon ,-.\ A The Independently Owned of Ann Arbor 417 EAST UBERTY STREET ANN ARBOR, MICH. 48108 U.S.A. Ms Karen Smith, B&Z Dept. City Hall Aspen, Colorado 81611 Oct 29,1977 Dear Ms Smith, During our visit to Aspen, at which time we were in consultation with you re our projected Music Salon, Classical, & its attendant prob- lems of re-zoning to achieve our objective, you asked me to supply you with a resume of my previous years & activities. The resume follows: Of German parentage, studied Violin at approximately 9 yrs age; orientation: Classical Music. Played in the various school orchestras, string quartets, church groups, etc, etc,into & thru college. (Partici- pants in String Quartet playing: Joseph Maddy, Interlochen Camp origina- tor; Edw. Ormond, now violist w/Cleveland Orch.; John Dalley, member of world-reknowned Guarnieri Quartet). Became associated with the record business (in classically-oriented shop -- indeed, the present LMS) in 1940. Aside from 3~ years in the armed forces (came home on week-ends to run the shop while owners attend- ed UoM football games), & 2 years to"prove myself" by working for the local competition, the intervening time has been spent employed by the Liberty Music Shop -- for the original owners & one subsequent owner, from whom I purchased the Shop, & who is a various owner of other enterprises & a close friend of mine at this time. The Shop was purchased by me at a time when "discount chains" were invading the area; indeed, the Shop was "foundering". I brought it up to the present level of sales approaching ~ million per annum (primarilly classical records) in an era of "pop/rock", discount selling. Our Shop is firmly based, financially & is known thru-out. the world for its complete & diversified classical stock. Indeed, we have customers on our booBs, including pianists V. AShkenazy, A. Watts, A. Kostelanetz, A.de Laroccha, Conductor A. Previn, & many, many others of like stature) I continue to be classically oriented; to feel that classical music is overlooked in the nation's record shops; to espouse it in any area that I'm able. Indeed, we (I) have spent money in advertising in the Seattle Opera Program; have spent a great deal, & given a great deal, to the UoM University Musical Society, to further its aims. One gift in par- ticular: I've underwritten one of a series of concerts by the Guarnieri String Quartet -- one of a complete cycle of Beethvven qu~rtets. I am knO\ffi in Ann Arbor -- a city of musica+ culture -- as "Ylr Music"; an appellation fondly given, & appreciatively accepted. I cannot say more, concerning my past & present -- indeed, to say thif much,is embarrassing. Yet, I do wish to sell myself & my hopes for the "salon" to your constituents - thus, I've "bared my soul" to you. Cordially, (l'1r "',;. ~ ~ ~11 M E M 0 RAN DUM TO: Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission FROM: Planning Office (KS) RE: Music Studio for Classical Records - Use Determination DATE: October 27, 1977 The Planning Office has received a request from G. Mauerhoff and Jane Erb for a use determiantion involving a classical music salon in the O-Office district, Specifically, they are looking at the former Aspen Valley Realty Victorian on Main Street, Mr. Mauerhoff is proprietor of the Liberty Music Shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and would like to initiate an entirely classical music sal'on at the Main Street location in Aspen. While classical music records and tapes would be for sale at the location, the operation as described to us, would not be a typical record shop. To the contrary, the interior would be deSigned and furnished like a home library or living room where records would be available on shelves and casual listening would be encouraged, Patrons would listen to music through earphones or an open stereo available in each of several rooms organized according to specialized SUbject matter, Coffee might be served to further enhance the salon-type atmosphere and further encourage casual listening as opposed to in and out record purchase, It is important to note that Mr. Mauerhoff and Ms, Erb would offer instruction as part of the enterprise. You are asked to determine whether the use is permitted by right or conditionally based on the intent of the district and whether the use is compatible with other permitted and conditional uses of the district. The intent of the 0 district is: To provide for the establishment of offices and associated commercial uses in such a way as to preserve the visual scale and character of formerly residential areas that now are adjacent to com- mercial and business areas and along Main Street ..,. In reviewing the use list, we find uses similar in nature and impact under the conditional use category, including restaurants; antique, book, and furniture stores; visual arts gallery; art, dance, and music studios; and a music store, although the latter is limited to the sale of musical instruments. We did not find the proposal to be a music studio per se, because we believe that this implies a primarily instruc- tional function, Instruction is accessory in this case. Nevertheless, we do believe there is strong rationale for finding the proposal to be within the intent of the district and compatible with permitted and conditonal uses, We cannot distinguish the impact from that of a bookstore for example where books are displayed on shelves and casual browsing and reading is permitted. The new Explore Bookstore located in the Main Street Office district offers a format equivalent to the one proposed. Exclusive focus on classical music limits the impact of a music store in much the same way as the code's limitation of a music store to the sale of musical instruments. With a salon- type atmosphere patrons are fewer and spend longer time. The accessory availability of instruction also emphasizes the studio nature of the use as opposed to high volume commercial traffic. By its express intent, .~ - ,-. "-,, Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission Page Two October 27, 1977 the district is intended to accommodate commercial uses provided they are compatible with the residential character of the area, Commerical operations which are of a lower intensity and which can be accommodated with not only a residential setting but also within a residential structure comply with this intent, and we believe the proposal is such a use, In summary, we recommend that you find the use to be permitted condi- tionally in the O-Office district, Conditional use review will then allow you to look at specific details of conduct of the use, nature of the product offered, provisions for parking and so on, and to condition any approval on parameters that will ensure compatibility with adjacent uses and the neighborhood in general. We would, of course, want them to ensure that the use remain essentially as represented to us and that if not, become merely another record shop. lmk , w' ~ ^' Octob~r 14, 1977 PURPOSE OF VISIT: Further define steps and actions necessary to obtain: 1. Determination of specified or conditional zoning use: On Main St. (734) Zoned O. 2. Solicit help and professional advise. 3. We Recognize: Determination is a P & Z matter, but you work closely wi th them. THE CODE STATES INTENT OF CITY. SEC. 24~1.2 (a) To promote the health, safety and welfare of the community _ etc. (i) preserve our areas of historical -- importance -- preserva- tion of scenic views. (1) encourage innovations in residential development and renewal so that growing demand for housing may be met. '.. (m) advance a more effective use of land and a higher qual ity of site planning, (r) To otherwise plan for and regulate the use of land so as to provide a planned and orderly use of land, ' . . all to conserve the value of the investments of the people of this community and to encourage the most appropriate use of land throughout the municipality. Property we are interested in is Zoned "0", Type of Business Activity we are concerned with is not addressed in Code,nor "Existent" in community. Hence requirement for determination. It would be a Salon Style music studio/library oriented to Classical Music. Aimed at mature-minded music .enthusiasts, similar to patrons of the arts, supporters of the Aspen Music Festival and School; Ballet; Opera, etc. It would involve the sale of this type recording only. Operation: By middle-aged business people, well established in financial and cultural pursuits with a track record: = 30+ years in classically-oriented recorded music. = active contact with the seriously artistic world and associated business. . -. i "......,. Page 2 For this it was desired to locate a Commercial/Residential bUilding, two or three stories, preferably Victorian _ The 1st Floor would be a Music Salon and Library arrangement. The 2nd Floor would be living accommodations for the operators. We have identified the Victorian at 734 West Main as the structure most closely meeting our requirements __ In fact it appears to be the only real possibility - nothing is available in the commercial area. However, since we desire to project a dignified, qUiet image, similar to that of a public library, etc, This building would offer an excellent setting. We would expect this salon style music library to enhance the cultural side of Aspen, complementing its fine library, music, opera, theatre and ballet programs, as well as those of the several institutes. Our present activities involve sending our music recordings to areas throughout the world and this would probably continue. In short, we would expect our program to be an asset and a pride to the community, and in keeping with the desire of the community to preserve its historical image and a better place to live. Re desired structure - We plan no outward changes. A necessary identifying sign will be in taste and in keeping with structural design. Inside, changes will merely entail required shelving and storage space. Public rooms will reflect that of a typical Victorian home library, with salon-type furnishings, i.e., easy cha:ir, settee, coffee tables, etc., thus eliminating the usual store-counter/sales clerk-customer atmosphere. We would envision ourselves as host and hostess to our paying guests. Living quarters will be established upstairs, thus enabling us to better maintain the house and grounds, and enhance the home-like atmosphere. We feel our concept, type and style of business fits well into the stated objectives of the community as set forth in its zoning code purposes and more specifically the conditional concepts identified for Main Street. We would therefore hope that you will look favorably upon our proposal and support it before the P & z.