HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.apz.worksession.20090526AGENDA
JOINT WORK SESSION
CITY OF ASPEN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONS &
PITKIN COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
Sister Cities
130 S. Galena
Aspen, Colorado
May 26, 2009
4:30 PM WORKSESSION
1. Review of the Aspen Area Community Plan update
a. Review Aspen Idea and Blog - 20 - 30 min
b. P&Z Discussion of Environmental Quality - 1 hour - 1 % hours
c. 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: 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: May 20, 2009
MEETING DATE: May 26, 2009
RE~ AACP Update: Environmental Quality
RECAP FROM PREVIOUS MEETING: The May 12`h joint P&Z meeting focused on a
review of the revised Goal Statements and Action Items for the "Sustaining the Aspen Idea"
chapter, as well as an introduction to the "Environmental Quality." Topic Experts for the
"Environmental Quality" chapter gave an overview of their top two or three breakthroughs.
There was some time for P&Z questions, but there was not enough time for a substantive
conversation about the topic.
The meeting summary for the April 28`h meeting where the Aspen Idea was discussed in depth
are attached as Exhibit A. The revised Goal Statements and Action Items for the "Sustaining the
Aspen idea" chapter were placed on the blog (htta://aspencommunitvvisionblousnot com/)
following the May 12th meeting. They are also attached as Exhibit B.
A detailed summary of the May 12`h meeting is attached as Exhibit D. The major discussion
points (i.e. the breakthroughs identified by each expert) are outlined in the Discussion section of
this memo. The more detailed summary is in Exhibit D.
REQUEST OF P&Zs: No formal action is requested at this time. This is a joint meeting with
the City and County Planning and Zoning Commissions to continue the discussion of the
"Environmental Quality" chapter. Staff would also like to review the "Sustaining the Aspen
Idea" revised Goal Statements and Action Items and the biog.
BACKGROUND: The Environment has been a topic in the AACP since 1993. In the 1993 and
2000 AACPs, the Environment was combined with Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails.
Staff felt it was important to give the environment its own chapter in this AACP update because
the environment has no more or less to do with Parks or Open Space than it does with Growth or
Transportation. Additionally, the Environment has been an emerging area of focus in both the
5/26/09 P&Z Packet -Memo
Page 1 of 4
City and County as well as in the private and non-profit sectors for a number of years, so Staff
felt it made sense to have its own, focused topic.
Because the Environment was combined with Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails in past
plans, there are very few statements about the environment or environmental quality in the text
of the 2000 plan. The statements in the plan are fairly general. For example:
• Intent Statement: "Support an environment that betters the lives of all, preserves our
natural beauty and provides opportunities and access for all to enjoy."
• Philosophy Statement: "...the community must reflect the commitment to preserve our
environmental and wildlife tesources."
• Goal Statement: "Protect and enhance the natural environment."
However, there are three (3) specific Action items in the 2000 AACP that deal with the
Environment. These are attached as Exhibit C and include a staff analysis. Overall, the Action
Items are clearly worded, measurable, and directive. The one staff critique of these goals is that
they do not relate well to the text in the chapter. In the update, better context for why the Action
Items axe included and how they relate to the Goal Statements will help this chapter.
DISCUSSION: As mentioned above, the environment has been broadened as a topic for this
update to have its own chapter. This reflects the increasing importance of this topic to the
community. Given all the work done in the area of Environmental Quality, and well as the
feedback from the community during the public process, it is clear that Environmental Quality is
something people value and care about. Staff believes this chapter is likely to be more Action
Item heavy compared to other sections because there is strong and consistent agreement that
caring for and improving Environmental Quality is important. Staff believes a Goal Statement
like the 2000 "Protect and enhance the natural environment" no longer goes far enough for this
chapter.
At the May 12~h meeting topic experts for each category outlined where they feel the
"breakthroughs" in the topic exist. These are the areas staff suggests the P&Zs focus their
conversation, though the P&Zs should bring up other items as necessary. The detailed minutes
that outline the questions raised by P&Z at the May 12`h meeting as well as the breakthrough
areas identified below are attached as Exhibit D.
Stormwater Breakthroughs, April Barker the City Stormwater Manager: Reduce the
amount of urban pollutants in the Roaring Fork River
1. Reduce runoff from impervious areas
2. Treat runoff before it enters the Roaring Fork River
3. Reduce the number of pollutants/potential for pollutants in the river
Energy Breakthroughs, Phil Overeynder the City Public Works Director: City gets 100%
of its energy from renewable sources
Water Breakthroughs, Phil Overeynder the City Public Works Director: Ensure consistent
water levels (minimum stream flows) in the Roaring Fork River
5/26/09 P&Z Packet -Memo
Page 2 of 4
1. Make progress on the divergent end
2. Better administration of water rights
Water Breakthroughs, John Ely the County Attorney (emailed):
1. Develop a reliable methodology for dedication of water rights for instream flow
purposes.
2. Improved mitigation to offset the detrimental effects of river diversions for that stretch of
the Roaring Fork River between Stillwater and the confluence with Maroon Creek.
3. Improve the water quality of the Roaring Fork River as it is impacted by various return
flows and storm drainage systems throughout the Aspen Metro area.
Landfill Breakthroughs, Chris Hoofnagle the County Solid Waste Operations Manager:
Continue diverting material to be recycled and use the landfill as long as possible
1. Ensure we have the ability to protect the environment beyond the landfill's life
2. Facility needs for recycling at the landfill
Recycling/Landfill Breakthroughs, Lee Cassia the City Environmental Health Director:
Extend the life of the landfill, continue to address the amount of constmction and organic waste.
Air Quality Breakthroughs, Lee Cassia the City Environmental Health Director: Improve
overall air quality in the area
1. Achieve a 50% reduction in high pollution PM10 days. Address ozone levels
2. Create a shift in public awareness of toxic pollutants (i.e. pesticides)
3. Implement a comprehensive system to address environmental impacts of new
development as it goes through the land use process.
Development Regulations Breakthroughs, Stephen Kanipe the City Chief Building Official:
Continue work on ensuring the Aspen Area has environmentally responsible development.
1. Continue REMP in residential and commercial development
2. Reduce conflicts between the land use code and building codes ~ incorporate the ability
to have on-site renewable energy systems (like photovoltaics) into the land use code
Global Warming and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Breakthroughs, Kim Peterson the City
Canary Initiative Director: Overall reduction in the carbon footprint of the Aspen Area
1. By 2020, Aspen will have reduced its community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by
30% from the baseline.
2. Aspen area residents (full and part-time) will have undertaken committed efforts to
reduce their personal carbon footprints by 30%
3. Aspen will be viewed as a global leader in investing in renewable energy production
and will have had influence on national policy to reduce emissions
Energy Conservation breakthroughs, Dylan Hoffman the County Energy Program
Manager (emailed): 3 things that will change the energy world:
1. Tackle energy use in our existing building stock by creating a "Clean Energy Financing
District" in order to allow government bonding of residential and commercial energy
5/26/09 P&Z Packet -Memo
Page 3 of 4
efficiency and renewable energy projects. This "loan" would then be attached to the
building's property tax assessment to be paid back over time.
2. Create a "Construction Carbon Mitigation Program" to address the energy impacts from
the construction and operation of new buildings within Pitkin County.
3. Achieve our goals of 5% utility use reduction annually through energy efficiency and
renewable energy promotion.
Weed Management breakthroughs, Crystal Yates-White the County Vegetation Manager
(emailed): In order to avoid reduced water quality/quantity in the regional watershed due to
neglectful ditch management, and to avoid the increased spread of existing and new invasive
noxious weed species, there must be a commitment of all landowners to proper natural resource
management on their lands. There must also be resources available (informational or otherwise)
to assist landowners. Some specific ideas:
1. The County should invest in a local CSU Extension office, to provide expertise on
natural resource issues/sustainable living. The office could partner with
Eagle/Garfield extension in order to limit costs and not duplicate information.
Currently there is simply not enough expertise and time among County Staff to
adequately address all the resource management questions that arise among
landowners.
2. The County should continue to offer cost share funds to landowners for noxious weed
control.
Pitkin County has a Strategic Plan that addresses many of the items in the AACP. Their
Strategic Plan includes six goals related to the environment that may serve as good topics of
discussion. These are attached as Exhibit E.
The State of the Aspen Area includes an impressive list of environmental quality projects
undertaken since 2000. The presentations at the meeting will help illustrate the next steps that
can help further the Environmental Quality in the Aspen Area.
Materials to Review: Please review the materials listed below prior to the May 26`h work
session. If you are missing any of these items, please contact Jessica Ganow or Ellen Sassano.
• 2000 AACP: Parks, Open Space, & the Environment Chapter
• State of the Aspen Area: Environmental Quality
• Small Group Meeting Synthesis: Pages 23 - 25 and Page 35
• Survey Results: Questions 9, 16, 17, 91, 92; Colored Survey Tables
• Keypad Results: Questions 14 - 17
• Draft AACP Update: Environmental Quality
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A: Meeting Summary from 4/28 discussion on Aspen Idea
Exhibit B: Revised Aspen Idea Goal Statements and Action Items
Exhibit C: List of 2000 AACP Action Items related to Environmental Quality
Exhibit D: Meeting Summary from 5/12 meeting on Environmental Quality
Exhibit E: Pitkin County Strategic Plan related to Environmental Quality
5/26/09 P&Z Packet -Memo
Page 4 of 4
Exhibit A
Summary of Joint Planning and Zonine Commissions Meeting
Sister Cities Room / Apri128, 2009
The following is not intended to serve as minutes of the 4287/09 meeting, but to
summarize areas of consensus and discussion on major issues. The topic was Sustaining
the Aspen Idea.
Arts and Cultural Facilities
We should clarify that question in the Community Survey that asked whether we should
"providing assurances for adequate facilities." I don't think anyone knows what that
means and we need to clarify that.
What criteria should be evaluated when it comes to future development or expansion of
an arts, cultural and educational facility? In other words, "if there is an expansion, what
do we get back?" and "Who does it serve?" Suggested criteria included:
• Integration and permeation of the community by the arts and the physical
environment.
• Reaching out, having art on the streets, music on the streets, etc. Push art more
into the community rather than getting the community to come to an arts facility.
The idea of "art in unexpected places" is a great example of that.
• A sense of belonging. People feel a little removed and separated from it all.
Spirit is lacking is because the town has become more stratified.
• Real locals passes and inclusion in all the elements is very important.
• There is a strong need for more community space.
• Do all sorts of cool green things, integrate the schools into `green' learning.
• Make the buildings cool and unique places that are clearly part of the public
realm, relating indoors to outdoors.
• Integration is not just physically getting attendees, but also the social-economic
issues. We need equal offerings at equal values.
• Get more locals involved in these activities. Needs to be less stratification. The
affordability aspect is important.
A Council on the Arts?
Is there more interest in getting a council created again relating to the arts?
If you have one of these commissions, you need to have a third party facilitator.
If there is a commission created it is crucial that the group really capitalizes on using
email notifications. It's happened so many times to me that if I hadn't received a
reminder, notification, I would have missed out.
Exhibit A, 4/28/09 P&Z Meeting Summary
5/26/09 P&Z Packet
Page 1 of 2
Exhibit A
AC13A is trying to broaden the marketing by targeting different age levels and
backgrounds to advertise Aspen in a comprehensive manner. The idea of having an Arts
Council again would be a big help to coordinate these efforts. The SkiCo does an
incredible job digitally including everyone with what is going on. They email you when
opportunities arise.
Mind, Body, Spirit
As we move along, we cannot address mind, body, and spirit as individual concepts.
They need to be a collaborative. How can our new plan be more effective towards this
trilogy?
Link to Managing Growth
One thing to remember is how any of these improvements could be tied to a future rise in
population and how our thinking now could change. Another issue is the traffic one
which might impact how these facilities are implemented.
Goals and Action Items
Staff will present revised wording for goals and action items to be presented on 5/12.
Exhibit A, 4/28/09 P&Z Meeting Summary
5/26/09 P&Z Packet
Page 2 of 2
Exhibit B
Aspen Idea Revised Goal Statements and Action Items
Goal Statements
1. A sustained cultivation of the arts and culture is a core element of the Aspen
Area's identity -- enriching the quality of life for the Aspen community,
reinforcing its national and international profile and diversifying its arts and
culture economy.
2. Through collaboration, local non-profit groups and businesses can illustrate how
they are honoring and carrying forward the Aspen Idea through dramatically
improved outreach to those who live, work, play or visit in the Aspen Area.
3. As mind, body and spirit are fully integrated parts of a whole and balanced
person, local non-profits and businesses have an opportunity to integrate their
offerings together to reflect the Aspen Idea. This approach can rebuild local
enthusiasm for the Aspen Idea, provide common ground to reduce unintended
stratification in the community and diversify our visitor base.
4. Aspen at its best represents a place of education, personal improvement and new
experience.
5. The future potential expansion or development of arts and cultural facilities
should:
• Provide multi-purpose space for the Aspen Area community;
• Integrate the wide range of people who live, work and play in the Aspen Area;
• Reach outside the facility and into the public realm, making art and culture
visible in the community;
• Facilitate meaningful and affordable local participation and local talent;
• Emphasize reueeable materials and renewable energy;
• Collaborate with other non-profit groups to broaden the purpose of public
space;
• Maintain high quality facilities.
6. Sustaining the Aspen Idea should be a goal that is shared by local governments as
well as a wide range of local organizations. Public-private partnerships can lead
to a myriad of opportunities that could strengthen the Aspen Idea.
Action Items
1. Local non-profit organizations should explore reconvening a local Council on the
Arts to promote collaboration and mutual support between arts and cultural
organizations. The mission of such a Council on the Arts could include methods
to better integrate the wide range of people who live, visit and play in the Aspen
Area, to establish a more powerful web-based "information outreach and
Exhibit B, Revised Aspen idea Goal Statements & Action Items
5/26/09 P&Z Packet
Page 1 of 2
Exhibit B
clearinghouse," to explore shared housing opportunities for visiting artists and
other mutually beneficial purposes.
2. Local non-profits and businesses should explore integrating their offerings into a
package of activities and experiences that reflect the balance of mind, body and
spirit, clearly carrying forward the unique heritage of the Aspen Idea.
3. Explore options for the housing of visiting artists to assist local non-profit
organizations in their effort to produce special events. Options include an ADU
database available to non-profit groups.
4. Propose amendments to the City Land Use Code to include standards to ensure
that community needs with respect to Arts, Cultural and Educational facilities are
addressed when facility expansion and/or development is proposed. Future
expansion or development of Arts, Cultural and Educational facilities should:
• Provide multi-purpose space for the Aspen Area community;
• Integrate the wide range of people who live, work and play in the Aspen
Area;
• Reach outside the facility and into the public realm, making art and culture
visible in the community;
• Facilitate meaningful and affordable local participation and local talent;
• Emphasize reueeable materials and renewable energy;
• Collaborate with other non-profit groups to broaden the purpose of public
space;
• Maintain high quality facilities.
Exhibit B, Revised Aspen idea Goal Statements & Action Items
5/26/09 P&Z Packet
Page 2 of 2
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Joint P&Z Meeting, 5-12-09, Plaza 1 Meeting Summary
The following is not intended to serve as minutes of the 5/12/09 meeting, but to summarize areas of
consensus and discussion on major issues. The group had a brief discussion on the Aspen idea revised
Goal Statements and Action Items, and heard a presentation on Environmental Quality.
Aspen Idea Recao: Staff and P&Z reviewed the revised Goal Statements and Action Items for the Aspen
Idea. There was agreement that the current format of reviewing revised Goal Statements and Action
Items at the next meeting is the most expeditious way to review the document. Any comments from
the Experts will be included in future meeting summaries. There was also agreement to put all the
revised Goal Statements and Action Items on the blog (http•//aspencommunitwision.blozspot.com/)
following each topic meeting to allow the P&Zs to comment on the revisions. Staff and P&Zs will review
the Aspen Idea Goal Statements and Action Items again at the May 26`" meeting to give everyone time
to try out the blog. The idea of a writing subcommittee was raised, but was not supported by the group.
The following changes were proposed to the Aspen Idea Goals and Action Items and have been
incorporated into the draft that is on the blog:
• Number the Goal Statements and Action Items
• Goal Statement 1: Include the concept of "diversification of arts and culture' in the Goal
Statement.
• Goal Statement 5: Regarding the future expansion of arts & cultural facilities, change the 3''
bullet point to include both arts and culture.
• Goal Statement 5: Add a bullet that says "Maintain high quality facilities."
• Goal Statement 6: The group liked this style of writing better than the others
Action Item 4: Make it clearer what code amendments might be considered. The bullet list
from Goal Statement S was added to this Action Item for clarity.
The issue of the Isis and the Explore Bookstore and potential partnerships with the City/County was
raised -these will be addressed as part of the Economics Chapter.
Environmental Quality:
Staff requested that each Expert provide their top 2 or 3 "breakthroughs' in their area of expertise. The
breakthrough areas are intended to capture the major things that, if completed in the next 10 years,
would move the topic of Environmental Quality forward. Below the "breakthroughs" are identified, as
are the questions raised by the P&Zs on each topic.
Stormwater Breakthroughs, April Barker the City Stormwater Manager: Reduce the amount of urban
pollutants in the Roaring Fork River
Reduce runoff from impervious areas
• Treat runoff before it enters the Roaring Fork River
Reduce the number of pollutants/potential for pollutants in the river
Questions on Stormwater:
Q: How are these items paid for? A: Standard development fees and apportions that were
voted on in 2007.
Exhibit D, Meeting Summary of 5/12/09 P&Z meeting
5/26/09 P&Z packet
Page 1 of 5
Q: Has there been discussion regarding changes to construction rules? A: The City is revising
the Engineering section of the Municipal Code to better address impervious areas. It will state
that the amount a building needs to treat is related to the amount of impervious area on the
site. A project could build lot line to lot line if they wanted to, but it would have to treat all the
runoff.
Q: As an action item, are you stating that you need more treatment? A: We are just identifying
where we need treatment facilities and how to get there. In terms of Action Items we would
want to see mitigation for development, and regional planning for stormwater treatment. The
updated plan could address implementing code changes that address impervious surface
regulations and stormwater regulations.
Energy Breakthroughs, Phil Overeynder the City Public Works Director: City gets 100% of its energy
from renewable sources
Water Breakthroughs, Phil Overeynder the City Public Works Director: Ensure consistent water levels
(minimum stream flows) in the Roaring Fork River
• Make progress on the divergent end
• Better administration of water rights
Backeround from Phil on Water•
Since the 1960's we started development systems for treating water. Basically if you tracked water
usage in 2008 it would look like 1966. Every time a development comes, we count are the fixtures and
usage numbers. Today we could treat over 30,000 housing units so we are okay in the long run in terms
of capacity.
Questions on Water:
• Q: Concerning infrastructure, are we sound for the next 30 years? A: We aren't in perfect
shape, but the system is in good shape. The efficiency of new fixtures and better leak detection
have improved the system's overall efficiency.
• Q: Is water and electric use up in last few years? A: Water use is way down; it's close to 1966
levels. Electric goes up about 1% each year.
• Q: Could the recent bond for rivers help fight this diversion battle? A: It possibly could, but
water rights dedication for in-stream flow could also help.
• Q: What is the current policy on additional connections? Q: Our policy is actually to dissuade
people from hooking up, because then we would have substandard systems to maintain.
• Q: It's interesting that electric is up and the water is down. How much of the water use is due
to second homeowners use, and how much is due to lots having big yards, redeveloping and not
having a big yard to maintain? A: A lot of it has to do with yards and also the technology of
water efficiency. And I think that our occupancy is actually higher now than it used to be, but
there is less water usage because of more efficient systems.
Water Breakthroughs, John Ely the County Attorney (emailed):
• Develop a reliable methodology for dedication of water rights for instream flow purposes.
• Improved mitigation to offset the detrimental effects of river diversions for that stretch of the
Roaring Fork River between Stillwater and the confluence with Maroon Creek.
Exhibit D, Meeting Summary of 5/12/09 P&Z meeting
S/26/09 P&Z packet
Page 2 of 5
• Improve the water quality of the Roaring Fork River as it is impacted by various return flows and
storm drainage systems throughout the Aspen Metro area.
Landfill Breakthroughs, Chris Hoofnagle the County Solid Waste Operations Manager: Continue
diverting material to be recycled and use the landfill as long as possible
• Ensure we have the ability to protect the environment beyond the landfill's life
• Facility needs for recycling at the landfill
Backeround from Chris on the Landfill & Recycling:
Landfills are nasty and harmful to the environment, but we have done studies to show that there is no
impact (environment) to land outside of the landfill. There is an immense funding need to ensure that
we are not harmfully impacting the environment offsite. Recycling has to be comprehensive, not just
plastics, glass, and cardboard, but organics as well.
We would like to construct a new recycling facility. The existing ones are literally falling over. It's
important that we take one of the most favored programs the county has and invest in that. But there is
a challenge: if we invest funds in facilities, we have less to spend on environmental conservation of the
landfill. So, the main thing I would like to see is some public funds invested into recycling.
Questions on Landfill:
Q: There are some communities doing zero waste. Is this something we could do? A: Sure,
but there needs to be more education. We are probably one of the more advanced
communities in the area of recycling and reducing waste. It would be good to coordinate efforts
so there is a "one-stop-shop" for this kind of stuff at the landfill. But, that does not mean that
other efforts in the City should be stopped.
Q: What volume of the waste is from construction?A: 60-70%.
Q: If that much is construction waste, is that the bulk that you want to have a new facility for?
To sort that stuff out? A: The recycling of construction is complicated. In order to recycle
building materials you have to deconstruct the building, not demolish it. If you just demolish a
building there is a very low amount of material that can be recycled. We usually just sort it, use
what we can, then grind the rest and then inject it to the landfill. The metal is almost always
captured and recycled.
Q: Is it possible to require construction waste created in Pitkin County to be dumped at our
landfill rather than at a landfill elsewhere? A: It is complicated, but you could provide incentives
to do that. There is some case law about regulation of hauling waste.
• Could we encourage dumping of construction waste at our landfill by waiving dump fees, but
charge a landfill fee at the building permit stage to help fund needed facilities? A. It's
something to consider.
Recycling/Landfill Breakthroughs, Lee Cassin the City Environmental Health Director: Extend the life of
the landfill, continue to address the amount of construction and organic waste.
Air Quality Breakthroughs, Lee Cassin the City Environmental Health Director: Improve overall air
quality in the area
Achieve a 50% reduction in high pollution PM10 days. Address ozone levels
Create a shift in public awareness of toxic pollutants (i.e. pesticides)
Exhibit D, Meeting Summary of 5/12/09 P&Z meeting
5/26/09 P&Z packet
Page 3 of 5
• Implement a comprehensive system to address environmental impacts of new development as
it goes through the land use process.
Questions on Air Quality
• Q: Were you addressing vehicles with your first goal? A: Yes, PM10 is associated with vehicles.
• Q: So is a part of that getting public employees out of gas pollutant cars into better vehicles? A:
That is definitely a part of our consideration, but that alone will not get us to the goal. Getting
people out of cars and onto buses, for instance, will also help reach this goal.
Development Regulations Breakthroughs, Stephen Kanipe the City Chief Building Official: Continue
work on ensuring the Aspen Area has environmentally responsible development.
• Continue REMP in residential and commercial development
• Reduce conflicts between the land use code and building codes -~ incorporate the ability to
have on-site renewable energy systems (like photovoltaics) into the land use code
Backeround from Stephen on the Development Reeulations
The City Council adopted the 2009 Energy Conservation Code on May 11`", 2009. This code is
referenced in the federal stimulus plan, so by adopting it we are not eligible for stimulus dollars.
questions on Development Reeulations•
• Q: Did we adopt that code because that's what the feds want, or is it better than the Pitkin
County Conservation Code? A: We did not step backward at all. The benefit is that we don't
have to write our own and go through that whole process. We now have one in full along with
the training material.
• Q: What about thinking about a goal that is not just specific to us here? Why don't we have an
efficient building scoring system adopted by the state? A: That is next on Stephen's list. It is
very awkward because it is a lot like LEED.
• Q: What about unfunded mandates? Is there any money for the installation of photovoltaics,
for instance? A: Yes there are incentives --the incentives are about 40% of the installation cost
of a PV system. But we could lobby for additional tax incentives.
Global Warming and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Breakthroughs, Kim Peterson the City Canary
Initiative Director: Overall reduction in the carbon footprint of the Aspen Area
• By 2020, Aspen will have reduced its community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 30%
from the baseline.
• Aspen area residents (full and part-time) will have undertaken committed efforts to reduce
their personal carbon footprints by 30%
• Aspen will be viewed as a global leader in investing in renewable energy production and will
have had influence on national policy to reduce emissions
Questions on Global Warmine~
• Q: Is there any research done on how to do emission reduction on air travel? A: There has
been some reduction in the last few years, and some of that has to do with commercial airlines
buying more efficient fleets, and also the reduction in commercial flights.
• Q: Did you have any actions that could betaken to implement your second goal? A: Education,
tools, and data on ways to reduce carbon footprints is always beneficial. We should incentivize
Exhibit D, Meeting Summary of S/12/09 P&Z meeting
5/26/09 P&Z packet
Page 4 of 5
residents to reduce their greenhouse emissions. Some kind of contest in the community about
reducing individual carbon footprints could be fun and effective. Getting people out of cars
would also be helpful for this goal, and establishing an electric plug-in infrastructure would help.
Q: What is the metric you are going to use to measure these things? A: A lot of this is going to
be voluntary and if we can get people to submit their carbon footprints to us that would be a
start. Getting people to take ownership.
Q: What about gas usage in general? A: Gas needs to be comprehensive - incentivizing the
reduction in carbon footprints associated with existing buildings as well as new is important.
New buildings are not necessarily the problem -- it's the existing 90% of our inventory that
needs to be addressed.
Energy Conservation breakthroughs, Dylan Hoffman the County Energy Program Manager (emailed):
3 things that will change the energy world:
• Tackle energy use in our existing building stock by creating a "Clean Energy Financing District" in
order to allow government bonding of residential and commercial energy efficiency and
renewable energy projects. This "loan' would then be attached to the building's property tax
assessment to be paid back over time.
• Create a "Construction Carbon Mitigation Program" to address the energy impacts from the
construction and operation of new buildings within Pitkin County.
• Achieve our goals of 5°6 utility use reduction annually through energy efficiency and renewable
energy promotion.
Weed Management breakthroughs, Crystal Yates-White the County Vegetation Manager (emailed): In
order to avoid reduced water quality/quantity in the regional watershed due to neglectful ditch
management, and to avoid the increased spread of existing and new invasive noxious weed species,
there must be a commitment of all landowners to proper natural resource management on their lands.
There must also be resources available (informational or otherwise) to assist landowners. Some specific
ideas:
The County should invest in a local CSU Extension office, to provide expertise on natural
resource issues/sustainable living. The office could partner with Eagle/Garfield extension in
order to limit costs and not duplicate information. Currently there is simply not enough
expertise and time among County Staff to adequately address all the resource management
questions that arise among landowners.
The County should continue to offer cost share funds to landowners for noxious weed
control.
Exhibit D, Meeting Summary of 5/12/09 P&Z meeting
5/26/09 P&2 packet
Page 5 of 5
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