HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.apz.worksession.20090428AGENDA
JO11VT WORK SESSION
CITY OF ASPEN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONS &
PITKIN COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
Sister Cities
130 S. Galena St.
Aspen, Colorado
April 28, 2009
5:30 PM WORKSESSION
Review of the Aspen Area Community Plan update
a. Review discussion from 4/7/09 - 5-10 min
b. Staff Presentation on Aspen Idea - 5 min
c. Resource Experts Presentation on Aspen Idea - 20 min
d. P&Z Discussion of Aspen Idea -1 hour
e. Relationship to Growth Discussion - 10 min
7:00 PM ADJOURN MEETING
MEMORANDUM
TO: City of Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission; Pitkin
County Planning and Zoning Commission
FROM: Ben Gagnon, City Special Projects Planner
Jessica Garrow, City Long Range Planner
Ellen Sassano, County Long Range Planner
THRU: Chris Bendon, City Community Development Director
Cindy Houben, County Community Development Director
DATE OF MEMO: Apri123, 2009
MEETING DATE: Apri128, 2009
RE: AACP Update: Sustaining the Aspen Idea
RECAP FROM PREVIOUS MEETING: The last meeting with the P&Zs occurred on April
7, 2009 where the overall adoption schedule was discussed as well as "big picture" issues related
to growth. The meeting summary is attached as Attachment B. Staff has revised the meeting
schedule for the adoption process based on feedback from the P&Zs at that meeting. This is
attached as Attachment C.
REQUEST OF P&Zs: There is no formal action requested at this time. This is a joint meeting
with the City and County Planning and Zoning Commissions. The purpose of this meeting is to
review the "Sustaining the Aspen Idea" topic.
BACKGROUND: The first time that the topic of the arts became part of the long range
planning process in the City of Aspen and Pitkin County was in the 2000 AACP. The chapter
was titled, "Arts Culture and Education." The "Intent" statement that began that chapter stated:
"Recognize the contribution of the arts, culture and education to the quality of life in Aspen.
Support the arts and the cultural community in its efforts to increase awareness of its significance
to the future and quality of life in Aspen."
Unlike chapters on transportation, housing and managing growth in the 2000 AACP, there were
very few specific goals contained in the Arts, Culture and Education chapter. There were
numerous generalized statements such as:
o Inspire our community to embrace arts, culture and education;
o Nurture intellectual and spiritual growth;
o Preserve and build upon our heritage;
o Celebrate social and ethnic diversity through arts, culture and education;
o Foster artistic, cultural and educational experience;
Page 1 of 4
o Support the continued vibrancy of the arts;
d Support activities and education for youth;
o Encourage collaboration in Arts, Culture and Education;
o Provide educational outreach;
o Develop and cultivate local artists.
There is nothing wrong with such generalized statements. It is hard to disagree with any of them,
and while it is unclear how they would be translated into reality, they provide general support
and direction. They also could provide support for important programs and initiatives being
considered by local governments and non-profit groups.
Among the more specific statements in the 2000 AACP were:
o Ensure the provision of public facilities and services to sustain arts, culture and
education;
o Ensure the provision of affordable housing to sustain arts, culture and education in the
community;
o Ensure sufficient funding for arts, culture and education valleywide;
o Make educational, cultural and artistic experiences more accessible for all valley
residents.
There were three Action Items related to the Arts, Culture and Education chapter of the 2000
AACP. Theses action items are attached, with a report on the current status of each. As staff
mentioned at a previous meeting, we have also included an analysis of whether these action
items were worded in an effective way that provided sufficient direction for staff. (Please see
Attachment A.)
DISCUSSION: During the planning stages of the current update to the 2000 AACP, staff
decided to broaden this section and chose a new chapter heading, titled: "Sustaining the Aspen
Idea."
The intent was to directly recognize the importance of the Aspen Idea of balancing mind, body
and spirit, as formulated in the late 1940s, and as a way to focus specifically on this foundational
concept. As with any new long range planning concept, staff is continuing to work on exactly
how to make this a meaningful topic, and is enlisting the aid of both planning and zoning
commissions in defining the pazameters of this new chapter.
Public Facilities: There are some portions of the 2000 AACP that staff believes are valuable and
important to carry forward. Perhaps the most specific goal of the 2000 AACP was to "ensure the
provision of public facilities and services to sustain arts, culture and education."
While this goal addresses "public facilities" in a general way, it does not specifically identify any
specific capital project or facility, and staff strongly believes the 2009 Update should also not
attempt to delve into the pros and cons of any specific capital project. Today, there aze several
such projects at different stages of review, including:
o Expansion of the Aspen Music Festival and School campus on Castle Creek Road,
recently approved by Pitkin County;
Page 2 of 4
o Development of the vacant lot adjacent to the Wheeler Opera House, currently
starting the City review process;
o Anew Aspen Art Museum at the former Youth Center, on the ballot in May seeking
authorization for the City to sell the land at some future date;
o The new Greenwald Pavilion (seasonal tent) at the Aspen Institute, recently approved
by City Council.
It's certainly appropriate to provide general direction on the issue of "ensuring the provision of
public facilities," as addressed in the 2000 AACP. Public feedback on this issue is provided in
the draft chapter on "Sustaining the Aspen Idea."
Accessibility: Another central concept that emerged consistently in last fall's Small Group
Meetings was the question of accessibility - an issue that was also cited in the 2000 AACP.
While surveys clearly show that visitors are drawn to Aspen partly because of its wide range of
arts and cultural events, it's also clear that many year-round residents feel they don't have the
opportunity to enjoy such events as much as they'd like. Again, the draft chapter on "Sustaining
the Aspen Idea" includes public feedback on this issue.
Staff is inviting a range of "resource experts" on the Aspen Idea, including representatives of the
Wheeler, the Institute and others ... But rather than ask them to talk about their current program
or plans for expansion, staff is asking them specifically to address the constituencies they aze not
reachin as much as they'd like, and strategies to improve that effort. They will also attend the
P&Z discussion in order to answer any other questions.
Balancing Mind, Body and Spirit: Since the Aspen Idea intends to balance mind, body and
spirit, staff asked the Large Public Meetings a few direct questions on the subject. A pair of
questions asked people to evaluate which element is strongest in today's Aspen, and which
"needs the most work. The message was clear: We're doing great on the body, but the spirit
needs some help.
Staff is not entirely certain on what to do with this kind of public feedback due to its very
generalized nature. Staff made an effort to address it in the draft goal and action statements in the
draft chapter on "Sustaining the Aspen Idea," but are certainly open to entertaining other ways of
addressing this interesting question.
Material to Review: If you are missing any of these items, please contact Jessica Garrow or
Ellen Sassano.
• 2000 AACP: Arts, Culture and Education Chapter
• State of the Aspen Area: Sustaining the Aspen Idea section
• Economic White Paper: Pages 30 - 31
• Small Group Meeting Synthesis: Pages 16 - 17 and Page 35
• Survey Results: Questions 8, 49, 50; Colored Survey Table labeled "$100"
• Keypad Results: Questions 49 - 54
• Drafr AACP Update: Sustaining the Aspen Idea
Page 3 of 4
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: 2000 AACP Arts, Culture & Education Action Items
Attachment B: Summary of April 7, 2009 joint P&Z meeting on Growth
Attachment C: Revised Adoption Schedule
Page 4 of 4
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Attachment B
Summary of Joint Planning and Zoning Commissions Meeting
Sister Cities Room /April 7, 2009
The following is not intended to serve as minutes of the 4/07/09 meeting, but to
summarize areas of consensus and discussion on major issues.
Process of Future Meetings
A staff memo is provided prior to each topic, including:
/ Brief overview of topic.
/ List of materials to review.
/ List of resource experts who will attend.
A staff member will provide a brief overview of the topic,
followed by "resource experts," who will provide a briefing.
A staff member will facilitate the P&Z discussion, using the"Big Board" to help structure
the discussion as follows:
/ What to "carry over" from 2000 AACP.
/ New areas of consensus.
/ Identification of issues we have to work through.
/ Links to other topics.
"Big Picture" of Managing Growth
Staff asked the P&Zs to focus on the Big Picture themes of Managing Growth, with the
understanding that final goals and action items for this topic will be established at the end
of this process. Between now and then, the P&Zs will discuss a number of different
pieces of the Managing Growth picture, such as affordable housing, lodging, retail etc.
After examining each topic over the summer, the P&Zs will be in a good position to draft
the Managing Growth chapter.
Reaffirming Consensus on Exploring House Size Limits
The P&Zs affirmed there is a consensus on exploring ways to reduce house sizes.
On the potential for reducing house sizes, the P&Zs want to develop a strong rationale,
such as:
• Aspen shouldn't be a place focused on returns for investors,
it should be a place where we focus on quality of life.
• Larger homes tend to result in part-time residents, negatively
affecting neighborhood vitality.
• Small town and/or historic character should be preserved.
• Excessive resource consumption.
• Excessive job generation creating pressure on traffic, schools etc.
Attachment B, 4/28/09 P&Z packet
Page 1 of 3
Attachment B
Two different approaches to reducing house size:
• Establish a "hard" limit on the size of houses that are allowed. This is the "stick"
approach.
• Establish a house size cap that can be exceeded if very substantial mitigation is
provided, on a steeply sliding scale. This is the "stick and carrot" approach, i.e.
more affordable housing requirements; a "homestead exemption" that "keeps the
lights on."
The P&Zs need information on current rules and regulations on house size. Staff noted
that these are complex, but will develop this information over the summer.
Reaffirming Consensus on Controlling/Pacing Growth.
The P&Zs affirmed there is a consensus on exploring ways to control the pace of growth.
Growth management currently controls growth as land use applications come in the door,
or "upstream." We limit the amount of annual approvals granted for different types of
development.
The other approach is controlling growth "downstream," by limiting the number of
building permits issued each year. Although this has been a goal identified in past plans
going back to 1976, neither the city nor the county does this.
Staff will develop options for changes in upstream and downstream controls over the
summer. Some research was conducted on the topic of downstream limitations in 2006 by
the City.
Creating an "Umbrella" of desired uses.
The P&Zs will need to further discuss what are the most desired types of growth and
which are the least desired types of growth, in order to adjust the Growth Management
System.
There is consensus that affordable housing is as the top of this list, with lodging and other
uses to be further discussed.
What is the proper balance? What do we want the community to look like? What do we
want to create?
Balance within the Lodging Base.
Public feedback showed interest in "moderate" or "affordable" lodging versus more
deluxe lodging. Further discussion will occur under the topic of "A Sustainable
Economy."
Tourism or Real Estate/Construction?
Is this community about tourism or real estate & construction?
Tourism as a sustainable, long-teen identity versus real estate & construction as
essentially an "extraction industry."
Attachment B, 4/28/09 P&Z packet
Page 2 of 3
Attachment B
Dual Role of the P&Zs?
- We have the ability to look at ideals and not worry about being elected. We have a
privilege and a duty to divorce ourselves from that thinking.
- I think it is important that we are pragmatic. I don't want to advocate something
that is just going to blow up in our faces and accomplish nothing.
Information Needed.
The P&Zs asked for information on various subjects, including:
/ What was the methodology for establishing the 30,000
ceiling? What methods can we use today? Where were we 10
years ago, today? Staff will update those numbers over the
summer.
/ What is the carrying capacity of various kinds of
infrastructure? Are we planning to expand infrastructure?
What types?
/ How much growth is attributable to growth management
exemptions?
/ How many rural Pitkin County TDRs could land within the
UGB in terms of floor area. If we reduce county house sizes,
what is the impact on the TDR program?
Attachment B, 4/28/09 P&Z packet
Page 3 of 3
Attachment C
AACP Update Adoption Schedule: Planning and Zoning Commission Review
The following are joint meetings with the City and County Planning and Zoning Commissions.
Time and location of meeting is listed below the topic.
Tuesday, April 28: Aspen Idea
5:30pm, Sister Cities Meeting Room
Tuesday, MaY 12: Environmental Quality
4:30pm, Plaza One Meeting Room
Tuesdav. May 26: Lifelong Aspenite
4:30pm, Sister Cities Meeting Room
Tuesday, June 2: Housing
4:30pm, Sister Cities Meeting Room
Tuesdav, June 23: Housing
4:30pm, Sister Cities Meeting Room
Tuesdav, July 7: Economy
4:30pm, Sister Cities Meeting Room
Tuesdav. July 14: Economy
4:30pm, Plaza One Meeting Room
Tuesdav, August 11: Historic Preservation
4:30pm, Plaza One Meeting Room
Tuesday Au usg t 25: Aspen Airport
Business Center
4:30pm, Sister Cities Meeting Room
Tuesdav, September 1: Transportation
4:30pm, Sister Cities Meeting Room
Tuesday, September 22: Transportation
4:30pm, Sister Cities Meeting Room
Tuesdav, October 6: Parks, Recreation,
Open Space, and Trails
4:30pm, Sister Cities Meeting Room
Tuesdav, October 20: Managing Growth
4:30pm, Sister Cities Meeting Room
Tuesdav November, Date and Time TBD:
Managing Growth
November. Date and Time TBD: Public
Check-in on draft, Open House, Clicker
meeting, etc.
Attachment C, 4/28/09 P&Z Packet
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