HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.20010226Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
Mayor Richards called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. with
Councilmembers Markalunas, Paulson, McCabe and Hershey present.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
1. Mick Ireland, Pitkin County Commissioner, brought up the question
to be referred to the voters about the entrance to Aspen asking to use the
Marolt open space for cut and cover tunnel. Ireland said the County
Commissioners are on record to spend money to lobby in favor of the
entrance to Aspen. Ireland said Pitkin County has made some progress on
the entrance to Aspen; however, one comment is that the legislators need to
know that the community is fully behind the entrance configuration.
Ireland told Council the 5-county transportation planning group has
unanimously endorsed the entrance to Aspen as a top priority. Ireland noted
the entrance is one of 28 projects that have zero funding for the next 10
years. Ireland said he believes the city is pre-authorized to put a busway
across the Marolt property. Ireland said he agrees another vote would
reinforce that position. Ireland said Council should put the Marolt property
to the voters in May.
Mayor Richards said $2.5 million has been put into the Buttermilk to Main
street section of the highway to get that completed. Mayor Richards said she
feels this is the only alternative that has been approved in the record of
decision other than rail. A fixed busway way approach will allow an
upgrade in the future to rail. Ireland said this approach is a way to link
together open spaces that are currently cut by the highway.
2. Ramon Duvernay said this ballot question is just to enhance someone's
political career. Duvernay said ballot questions should not be used that way.
There is no rush to put a transportation question on the May ballot.
Duvernay said this issue should wait until the next Council is in office.
Councilman McCabe agreed with Ireland that the community needs to
present a unified voice to the state in order to get highway funding.
Councilman McCabe said the longer the community waits, the more there is
to lose.
Councilman Hershey agreed the busway could be built without another
election. However, if this ballot question would settle the issue, the
community can move ahead and get the entrance done. Mayor Richards said
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
it is impossible for candidates to separate themselves from other ballot
issues. It is a matter of disclosure for candidates to tell the community
where they stand on the issues. Mayor Richards said it is incumbent upon
the Council to move the busway question forward quickly.
3. Ton i Kronberg questioned Resolution #22 on the consent calendar;
the resolution refers to contracts for both Iselin and Truscott. Ms. Kronberg
said she did not see an agreement for Iselin in Council's packet. Ed Sadler,
asset manager, told Council any reference to Iselin should to stricken.
Councilman Hershey moved to amend Resolution #22, Series of 2001, to
delete any reference to Iselin; seconded by Councilman Markalunas. All in
favor, motion carried.
4. Torre said the community has looked at the entrance to Aspen plans as
tied to rail. Torre proposed a rail corridor be maintained for the future while
looking at the possibility of four-laning the existing bridge over Castle
Creek and redefining the S-curves, taking out the island, re-routing traffic.
Torre said this issue defines the community. Torre said the entrance to
Aspen should not be through a tunnel; it would scar the face of Aspen.
Torre said he is interested in further exploration of the alternatives proposed
in the beginning that were discarded because the rail was foremost in the
debate.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
1. Councilman Markalunas said he is pleased to see the city is spending
money to try and place the Ute Cemetery on the National Register. This is
long overdue. Councilman Markalunas said he hopes to do something about
restoration of the markers.
2. Councilman McCabe said Helen Palmer has been working with the
Elk's in trying to figure out where the markers go in Ute Cemetery.
3. Councilman Paulson noted Aspen has been asked to be a city the
Olympic Torch visits before the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Councilman Paulson said he feel it would be great to have the community
get behind this.
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
4. Mayor Richards said she does not support the Burlingame/Moore
open space land trades proposed to be on the May ballot. Mayor Richards
said she feel it would be too damaging to the credibility of the open space
program and the housing program.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilman McCabe moved to read Ordinance #10, Series of 2001;
seconded by Councilman Hershey. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #10
Series of 2001
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN
ENACTING A SIX MONTH SUSPENSION OF THE OPERATION OF
SECTION 26.420.080 OF THE MJNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO
ASPEN'S INVENTORY OF HISTORIC SITES AND STRUCTURES was
read by the city clerk
Councilman Hershey moved to adopt the consent calendar correcting
Resolution #22, Series of 2001; seconded by Councilman McCabe. The
consent calendar is:
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
·
Resolution #21, 2001 - Authorizing Borrowing for Iselin and Truscott
Projects
·
Resolution #22, 2001 - Truscott Construction Contracts Phase I
·
RFTA Resolutions on Employee Housing Program & Maintenance
Facility
·
Holy Cross Service Agreement for Truscott
·
Expenditure of Grant Funds for Nomination of Ute Cemetery to the
National Register
·
Ordinance #10, 2001 - Historic Preservation Strategy
Minutes - February 12, 2001
·
Roll call vote; Councilmembers Hershey, yes; Markalunas, yes; Paulson,
yes; McCabe, yes; Mayor Richards, yes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #5, SERIES OF 2001
- Corbin/Burrows 610 W. Smuggler
Landmark Lot Split
Fred Jarman, community development department, reminded Council this is
a 9,000 square foot parcel in the west end proposed to be split into a 3,000
and a 6,000 square foot lot. Jarman told Council there will be no
landscaping of the ditch in the city right-of-way, nor will there be anything
done to impede the flow of the ditch. The encroachment of the fence will be
dealt with by an revocable encroachment license. The shed encroaching in
the alley will be removed within 180 days. Jarman said the panabode was
reviewed by the HPC who felt it was not a good representation of panabodes
in town. Staff feels this project meets the criteria in the land use code for lot
splits.
Mitch Haas, representing the applicant, told Council the panabode was
discussed at length. This structure was not listed on the last inventory. It
has been altered many times; every window has been changed, the roof has
been changed, there have been additions in both the front and back of the
structure.
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
Mayor Richards opened the public hearing. There were no comments.
Mayor Richards closed the public hearing.
Councilman McCabe moved to adopt Ordinance #5, Series of 2001, on
second reading; seconded by Councilman Hershey.
Councilman Markalunas commended the applicants for reducing the size of
the structures on lots R and S so that they will not overwhelm the Victorian
on lot Q. Haas said with this action, HPC will have review authority over
this property.
Roll call vote; Councilmembers Markalunas, yes; Paulson, yes; McCabe,
yes; Hershey, yes; Mayor Richards, yes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #6, SERIES OF 2001
- Iselin Conceptual and Final PUD
Joyce Ohlson, community development department, entered into the record
two letters; one from the Pitkin County comissioners dated February 22 and
one from Steve Bossart summarizing the proposed housing mitigation.
Mayor Richards said she received an e-mail from Jasmine Tygre, P&Z
member, urging Council to look at lowering the tower.
Ms. Ohlson told Council P&Z reviewed this project in 3 extensive public
meetings. The affordable housing unit requires a SPA review and approval
because the property is zoned P, park. A GMQS exemption for an essential
public facility is required; this involves a recommendation from the growth
management commission. The growth management commission had a
public hearing on this project last week and asked for more time to consider
several issues, like housing and parking mitigation. The GM Commission
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continued their public hearing to February 27 . The Council will not be able
to take action until they have a recommendation from the GM Commission.
Mayor Richards stated Council will take public comment and continue this
meeting for recommendations from the GM Commission.
Ms. Ohlson said the conditional use approval for the recreational structure
and the retail and restaurant uses is a P&Z review. P&Z approved the
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proposed uses February 6 .
P&Z approved Resolution #5 by a vote of 4 to 1 sending a favorable
recommendation to Council and listing conditions of approval. These
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
conditions are included in Ordinance #6, Series of 2001. One of these
conditions is a minimum 10 foot distance be included on the lap pool deck in
order to have competitive swim meets at this pool. Another condition from
P&Z is that the lap pool and pool area meet the CHSAA regulations for
competitive high school swimming.
Ms. Ohlson noted the condition that the applicant strives to implement the
parking and transportation management strategies in the Charlier report of
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February 6 . Ms. Ohlson told Council there has been a lot of discussion of
traffic, parking and management and how it will work. Ms. Ohlson said
managing parking and traffic are very important to the entire project. Ms.
Ohlson said a formalized agreement regarding parking enforcement between
the city and county should be in place before a certificate of occupancy is
obtained. Another issue is that a RFTA bus be dedicated to Maroon Creek
service.
Ms. Ohlson said P&Z recommended housing mitigation be supplied at
Truscott rather than Water Place housing. P&Z feels this is new housing
and is a better place for mitigation. Water Place housing is already being
used for housing. P&Z passed a separate motion 3 to 2, recommending that
the height of the structure be limited to a maximum height of 48 feet, down
from 58 feet. P&Z feels the lower height fits in better with the natural
setting and with the neighborhood.
Ms. Ohlson noted 120 parking spaces on-site are proposed; there are
currently 65 parking spaces on site. Ms. Ohlson showed the parking plan on
the site plan. The increased usage will require increased parking. There is
also parking across Maroon Creek road at several school lots. Ms. Ohlson
said staff does not think this parking will meet the peak demand and
recommends that the Charlier report traffic management strategy be
implemented. Ms. Ohlson said a condition in the ordinance is that there be
one entity to oversee the scheduling of events at all venues that share
parking, the high school, Aspen Ballet, the Ski Club, the Iselin center and
ball fields. Ms. Ohlson said there should be an agreement so that all entities
agree to coordinate the schedules; the city recreation department will be
overseer of the schedule. Ms. Ohlson said there should also be an agreement
with Pitkin County on where parking enforcement will occur, who does the
parking enforcement, and how that will work.
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
Ms. Ohlson said a lighting plan is required and P&Z reviewed it. P&Z
recommended a final detailed lighting plan should be submitted to staff prior
to issuance of a building permit to make sure the plan is in conformance
with the technical requirements of the lighting code. Councilman
Markalunas asked if there is a way for people to look at the proposed
lighting units to see what the residual lighting is before the plan is approved.
Mayor Richards pointed out there are no lighted playing fields in this
application. Ms. Ohlson pointed out a condition from P&Z that lighting be
shut down that is not essential for safety, security and internal operation at
night.
Ms. Ohlson commended the designers for working with the site, stepping the
building down, and utilizing the topography of the landscape and
minimizing the impacts of the building. Ms. Ohlson showed how this works
on a site plan. The ice sheet layer is below the pool layer level. Staff feels
high style of the building is reflective of the sense of quality and is
appropriate for a public place available to all.
The housing office determined the applicants need to mitigate for 19.3
FTEs. The housing office requested an audit of this development 2 year
after a c/o is issued to make sure the mitigation for employees was correct.
There will be one deed restricted unit on site mitigating for 2.5 employees.
The applicants are deed restricting 4 units at Truscott and the housing office
will evaluate which units that will be and how many employees will be
mitigated with these units. There will be units at Water Place housing to
help meet the employee housing mitigation.
Ms. Ohlson said there is a condition that requires a final on-site review by
staff including the landscape architects to insure that the berm will work to
funnel school children through the pedestrian bridge from the high school to
the recreation center site. The berm needs to be pleasing and be an
impediment to short cuts between the two facilities. Ms. Ohlson showed the
traffic flow pattern, the RFTA bus stops. Councilman Markalunas asked if
there is a plan to prevent Highlands' skiers from parking in this lot. Ms.
Ohlson said the Charlier report will address this.
Ed Sadler, asset manager, said this is a culmination of 3 years work on this
project. Sadler presented letters to answer Council questions from the last
meeting. The Prince of Peace Chapel sits 132 feet above the roundabout and
is 110 feet tall. Sadler said the housing mitigation was based on number of
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
employees generated rather than on the square footage. This will be audited
at 2 and at 5 years. The square footage did not make a difference in the
employee calculation. The difference in square footage in mechanical and
storage areas.
Dave Carpenter, landscape architect, DHM, told Council his company has
been involved in the Moore project, Rotary Park, the new school and Iselin.
Carpenter reminded Council the idea is a core of buildings with a center
pedestrian core with parking as the critical share use. There are pathways
and bridges connecting the various uses. Carpenter said the project has been
designed so as to channel pedestrians onto the paths and bridges and not
making short cuts. Carpenter said the building is delicately placed into this
site. The constraints of the site are the Maroon Creek road and right-of-way,
the Moore property line, the existing softball/soccer field and the land fill,
the parking lot, bridge, pathways and the scrub oak field. Recreation
facilities are a perfect use to be on top of landfill.
Claude Morelli, Charlier, went through their parking supply and
management report. Morelli pointed out the advantages of shared parking.
The parking program for Iselin is 120 spaces on site; shared use with the
school for special events; proposed use of Tiehack parking using the Maroon
Creek bridge. Morelli went through how the average demands and peak
demands were determined. Morelli told Council during peak times, there
will not be enough parking. Some strategies for those times are to avoid
scheduling events at the same time; encourage transit and carpooling;
provide shuttles from remote parking area. Morelli said the organizers of
events should be the ones responsible for encouraging alternative transit,
providing shuttles. Morelli said "no parking areas" will have to be enforced.
Morelli said most overflow situations can be avoided by coordinating
events. Morelli suggested the Iselin facility could issue parking permits for
people using the recreation center. Morelli recommended Iselin and the
school institute a monitoring system on how many people drive; how many
people use transit or alternative methods to get to Iselin. Mayor Richards
said Council has discussed paid parking but will first have to gauge what is
going on. Mayor Richards suggested single occupancy vehicles could be
charged. Mayor Richards said the city will also have to enter into an
intergovernmental agreement on management of parking before a certificate
of occupancy is granted.
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
Tim Hagman, architect, said the basic idea was to create a building that feels
like it is in a park, a contextual fit with the mountains. Hagman said the
building had to have minimal visual impact. Hagman said the colors are
indigenous. The roof is non-reflective. Some of the building is 15 feet
below the road level. Hagman showed where the roof is 58 feet. Hagman
said the design will preserve the stand of gambel oaks. The building is
entered on a bridge through those oaks. Hagman said the building is
designed to create a landmark and a strong civic identity.
Mark Baker, Durrant Architects, said the practical reason for the height of
the tower is it allows natural light into the central lobby. This reduces the
number of light fixtures and the operating cost of light fixtures. The tower
will also provide natural ventilation. Baker said eliminating 10 feet off the
tower would necessitate reducing other roofs, lowering other sections, and
eliminating the mechanical penthouse spaces
Vic Davies, pool consultant, told Council he has been working on this for
over a year. Davies said this pool will be most things to most people, most
of the time. Davies showed a tour of the facility with slides through the
changing rooms, the leisure pool, 25 yard pool, and a place for over 100
spectators, moms and tots pool, raindrop equipment, lazy river, sprays, and a
water slide. The are doors that open to the outside where future pools could
be located. Davies told Council this design is the result of input of all user
groups and within the budget restrictions. Davies said this is an exciting
project and a winner.
John Passes, ice rink consultant, noted this site is ideal for ice rink, entering
at a high elevation, walking down to the seating with the ice rink below.
This gives the feeling of a larger facility than it really is. Passes said the
seating capacity is 450. The site does restrict the size of ice rink to 85' X
200'. Passes said most of the facilities being built are NHL rinks, which is
85' X 200', rather than Olympic size rinks. The dasher board system has
been design for maximum safety to flex when they are hit. The design will
incorporate use by disabled athletes.
Sardo, Rising Sun Lighting Studios, said they have been retained to refine
the lighting program and to make this environmentally sensitive and
environmentally responsive. Sardo noted this is a big building; it will be
underlit. Sardo told Council they have looked at this building from all
perspectives around the outside. Sardo said they are concerned with the
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
lighting inside the building. The city's lighting ordinance has eliminate a lot
of the offensive outdoor lighting but does not address the lighting that comes
out from inside the building. The strategies to minimize the impact of
nighttime lighting are to cut off or shield the exterior lighting, which will be
low intensity and dispersed. Sardo noted one quarter of this building is
below ground and is shielded from view. The climbing wall be highlighted
but it only goes as far as the cross bar. There will be minimal ceiling pieces
that one can see from outside. Sardo said 2 goals are to reduce operating
costs and to minimize the impact to the environment. The lighting will be
efficient, sensitive and discrete.
Steve Bossart, asset management, showed the Nordic trail connection
through the site and over to the Maroon Creek bridge.
Mayor Richards opened the public hearing.
Mick Ireland, Pitkin County Commissioner, said their concerns are road
maintenance, parking and transportation. Ireland said the county's position
that the city should take responsibility for the overflow parking problems, if
there are any. Ireland said they endorse the concept of shared parking. The
city should enter into an agreement with the county to allow the city to
formally do parking enforcement. Council agreed and noted this is
condition #13. Ireland said they would like this agreed to before building
permit.
Ireland said if the city is not able to use Tiehack for overflow parking, they
should spell out what the alternative will be. Ireland said this should be
settled with MC/DC within the next 60 days. Council agreed.
Ireland said the county would like to have an agreement with the city on
road maintenance, road plowing who pays the cost, contingent upon review
of the condition of the road. Ireland said the county will agree to the
appropriate study of the road so this agreement is contingent upon the city
finding the road does not need to be rebuilt.
Patti Clapper, Pitkin County Commissioners, said in the draft agreement
where the city agrees to pay 1/3 of the cost of resurfacing of the Maroon
Creek road between the roundabout and Iselin once a mutually acceptable
schedule is determined will probably be agreeable to the BOCC. Randy
Ready, assistant city manager, noted there is a lot of construction planned on
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
Maroon Creek road and the city accepts responsibility for 1/3 cost of
resurfacing the road.
Toni Kronberg said this has been a personal goal of hers for 25 years and
she has been working diligently for 9 years to get this project passed. Ms.
Kronberg said she is happy this project is finally coming to fruition. Ms.
Kronberg said she was on the transportation committee of the AACP to help
this plan pass. Ms. Kronberg said the bridge across Maroon creek should be
move to the other side of the building. The two RFTA stops should be
combined on one side of the road. The first question is why is the bridge
located here it is.
Ms. Kronberg said the Tiehack parking is a long way away. There should be
lighting along the path for safety. Ms. Kronberg said walking across a
bridge in the dark is dangerous. Ms. Kronberg said the city should absorb
some of the cost of the bus. There should be a shuttle from the Iselin
parking lot to the farthest school parking lots. Ms. Kronberg said there
should not be a parking charge. Ms. Kronberg said her goal is to see this
project happen; however, she is concerned about the public process.
Ms. Kronberg said she submitted a packet done by a leading aquatic
consultant. The city missed a crucial step in conceptual planning without an
aquatic consultant. There was no feasibility study to support the numbers at
the pool. The number of guards per hour for the swimming pool will
increase the amount of employee housing mitigation the project will need.
Ms. Kronberg asked where the money is coming from to pay for the
affordable housing units at Truscott.
Ms. Kronberg said the school will monopolize the lap pool and make it
unavailable to other uses. Ms. Kronberg said she biggest concern is that
there is no deep water in the warm water pool. Ms. Kronberg said a needs
assessment, programming, demographics, cost analysis, expenses and
revenues should have been done for this project. Ms. Kronberg said
currently there is no high school swimming and the city has based some of
their dimensions on high school swimming. Ms. Kronberg told Council she
has contacted the adjacent property owner to see if the outdoor pools could
be moved toward his property. This depends on the location of the road and
accessibility to his property.
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
King Woodward, Meadowood, asked if Tiehack parking lot will not be used,
where will the overflow parking go. Woodward said Tiehack is too far from
this facility for people to use.
Gary Beach, Aspen Highlands Village, said parking is already a big issue.
Beach encouraged the city and county to include Aspen Highlands metro
district and Five Trees metro district in any intergovernmental agreement on
parking enforcement. Beach said currently cars are parking all over, the
problem is exacerbated because there is no parking enforcement. Cars are
on Moore drive, up through Highlands, all over Maroon Creek road.
Beach told Council Highlands is paying for a bus and Highlands and Five
Trees are paying to operate that bus because of the traffic demands created
by their development, not that of the High School and Iselin Park. Beach
said the height of the tower should be viewed as its impact on the valley up
towards Pyramid Peak. Beach said he supports the Iselin park project.
Mayor Richards pointed out when the city started planning this project, Five
Trees and the base of Highlands had not been built. A lot projects are
coming on line before the city project.
Steve Buettow, P&Z member, encouraged Council to lower the height of the
tower by 10 feet. Buettow forwarded sketches of a lower roof to Council
showing that a lower roof could meet the architectural goals of a gateway
entrance and mechanical system. A lower roof will give lower costs, a
greater ability to meet the budget, less neighborhood impacts, and 28,000
cubic feet less building to heat and to cool. Buettow said he would prefer to
see Maroon Bells rather than the top of a tower.
Larry Slater, Maroon/Castle Creek caucus, said they have concerns about
parking. They would like any agreement to cover their private roads. If this
area has paid parking, it will divert people to these private roads. Slater
asked if the contracts with the Youth Center moving into this facility are in
place. Slater said when the Caucus supported this project, they did it
because they felt the Youth Center belonged at this complex. The caucus
feels if the Youth Center is not going to be located here, they do not support
the height of the structure nor the project. Mayor Richards said no contracts
have been signed; however, nothing is standing in the way of that. Slater
suggested the city look into using automatic paid parking machines at Iselin.
Slater said lighting the bridge to Tiehack should be looked into. The city
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
should also look at building the bridge so that it could carry a shuttle. Slater
said if the ice rink is not built, there should be some assurances that this
building will be used for recreation, not city offices, not housing.
Ernie Fyrwald representing the committee raising funds for the ice rink, told
Council they are still raising these funds. Fyrwald noted the downtown ice
rink has survived by years with only 6 on-site parking spaces.
Scott Writer said he feels this facility will be part of the "good new days";
this is an opportunity for Aspen to get better. Writer said skaters other than
hockey players will be using this rink. Writer said the city staff has bent
over backwards to accommodate all comments and issues on this facility.
Writer said this is a great facility. Deb Tullman, physical therapist at the
Aspen Valley Hospital along with her director Jan Allen, voiced support for
the facility. The pools will provide great opportunities for patients to
enhance their rehab process.
Elizabeth Boyles said more could be done with this building to have it be
energy resourceful. Ms. Boyles asked how many gallons of water will be
used, how will this water be heated, what the monthly operating costs will
be. Ms. Boyles said this facility should be using pre-heated solar water. Ms.
Boyles noted there are a lot of energy resourceful experts in this valley that
could have been used in this project. Ms. Boyles asked what the utility costs
to the taxpayers will be not having pre-heated solar water, not having a solar
wall for pre-heating the air. Ms. Boyles said the city should do more
homework before completing this project
Steve Bossart, asset manager, said staff has been working with Randy Udall
and CORE. This is a complex building with a lot of complex systems. The
building will have a microturban to generate electricity. Bossart said
because of the orientation of the building there was not a good place to put
solar collectors. Bossart said daylight is important to the building.
Councilman Paulson agreed the city didn't take enough time to look at
making this project more green. Councilman Paulson said he would like to
know the operation and maintenance costs for the building. Bossart said the
intention of the facility is to build something that will work well with
people, with staff, with energy and be efficient in all those areas.
Jeff Woods, parks director, pointed out the building is set down in the
ground and is surrounded by earth. The ice facility is 2/3 buried and is
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
protected by natural vegetation. The central core is naturally ventilated and
naturally lit during the day. No air conditioning will be used in the facility.
The pool opens up in the summer, which will require little mechanical
equipment. Ms. Boyle asked if it is responsible to go ahead without
knowing how much it will cost to operate this facility. Mayor Richards said
the current pool facility is not energy efficient at all. Mayor Richards asked
staff to put together the energy efficiencies for the continued meeting.
Mayor Richards noted the inflationary figure in the valley is 1%/month and
putting this off one month would cost $170,000. Mayor Richards pointed
out the Council has approved $2.5 million out of the general fund, separate
from the bond approved by the voters, in order to make this project happen.
Councilman McCabe said he has some concerns about the energy efficiency
of this building and whether changing the construction scheduled would pay
off in the long run. Councilman McCabe said there are a lot of trade offs in
this project. Councilman McCabe said the air quality has to circulated and
maintained because of the chlorine in the water, some heat will be lost, there
are mildew considerations. Councilman McCabe said the city has balanced
this project, put as much money in as possible to get as much for the
community as possible.
LJ Erspamer, hockey board and SPARC member, said there have been a lot
of public meetings with lots of input and now it is time for Council to come
to a decision. Erspamer said this building will be a landmark for the
community. Erspamer said many groups have worked and given input on
this project.
Sabra Van Dolsen said she hopes this project is approved and that access
gets addressed by pool programming. Ms. Van Dolsen said she is concerned
that there is access so that everyone gets the most for their money. These
problems can be solved with community input. Torre asked why the
entrance to the building is not facing the school; it does not seem to be
integrated into the community campus. Torre asked why the bus facilities
are not integrated better into the design. These should have been addressed
in the pre-design phase. Torre said this project should be held to the highest
criteria; the city should lead by example.
Jim True, Aspen Junior Hockey, said they are very excited about this project
and support the rink. True thanked SPARC and the city for continuing to
move forward. True urged the city to work with the county on the parking
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
enforcement. True said this project has been well thought out and is a good
project for this community. Heidi Hoffman pointed out this is a 365 day a
year tremendous mixed use project with the youth center, swimming pool,
ice rink. Ms. Hoffman said this facility will create a buzz in the community.
Daniel Jezierski said this project should have more "green" in it; there is too
much heat being wasted in the building. Having 452 locker rooms in the ice
skating facility is going overboard. Councilman McCabe said the amount of
lockers is to allow kids to leave their hockey and skating equipment on site.
Mayor Richards noted the bus regulations do not allow hockey equipment
on the buses. These lockers will help cut down on car trips. Kirk Baker said
this is a great facility. However, the parking seems inadequate. Kayak
students have to bring their cars with their boats on them. Jackie Broughton
reminded Council she has been working on this project since 1993. The lazy
river is great therapy and great for seniors. Ms. Broughton said this will be a
great facility for a lot of different users. Slater asked if there is an agreement
with the schools for long term use of the parking lots. Mayor Richards said
the city has just started working with the school district on an
intergovernmental agreement on all these issues.
Ms. Kronberg suggested the city do a feasibility study before the entire
process begins. Ms. Kronberg said take care of the problems and get the
project going. Mayor Richards said this project started 5 or 6 years ago on a
recreation center for the community. The first major components were the
ballfields. Tim Anderson, recreation director, told Council the city hired
Water Technology in 1996 to look at a pool and potential for adding an ice
rink. This is where Council got the original concepts for the pool and ice
rink.
David Bruton said the parking is definitely inadequate. Bruton said if this
facility were located where the bus barn is, there would be a lot more close
in parking. Bruton said he feels the bus barn is a more attractive site. Bruton
suggested putting this off to see if some of the issues can be ironed out.
Councilman Hershey moved to suspend the rules and extend the meeting to
10 p.m.; seconded by Councilman Paulson. All in favor, motion carried.
Ms. Kronberg noted the feasibility study of 1996 shows only 5 groups of
revenue producers estimated to use the swimming pool. Ms. Kronberg said
a feasibility study for this pool can be done very quickly.
15
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
Mayor Richards closed the public hearing.
Councilman Hershey moved to continue Ordinance #6, Series of 2001, to 5
p.m. February 27, 2001; seconded by Councilman McCabe. All in favor,
motion carried.
ORDINANCE #7, SERIES OF 2001
- Code Amendment 1/2 cent
Park/Open Space Sales Tax
John Worcester, city attorney, told Council this is codification of the new
1/2 cent tax approved by the voters in November.
Mayor Richards opened the public hearing. There were no comments.
Mayor Richards closed the public hearing.
Councilman McCabe moved to adopt Ordinance #7, Series of 2001, on
second reading; seconded by Councilman Markalunas. Roll call vote;
Councilmembers Hershey, yes; Paulson, yes; Markalunas, yes; McCabe,
yes; Mayor Richards, yes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #8, SERIES OF 2001
- Code Amendment Eliminating Jury
Trial for Traffic Cases
John Worcester, city attorney, said this code amendment would eliminate a
jury trial for parking and traffic cases. Worcester said jury trials are labor
intensive and most municipal courts have eliminated them.
Mayor Richards opened the public hearing.
Sy Coleman objected to eliminating this right to a jury trial.
Mayor Richards closed the public hearing.
Councilman Hershey moved to adopt Ordinance #8, Series of 2001, on
second reading; seconded by Councilman McCabe. Roll call vote;
Councilmembers Markalunas, yes; McCabe, yes; Hershey, yes; Paulson,
yes; Mayor Richards, no. Motion carried.
16
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
ORDINANCE #9, SERIES OF 2001
- Hotel Aspen PUD
Councilman Hershey moved to read Ordinance #9, Series of 2001; seconded
by Councilman McCabe. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE N0. 9
(SERIES OF 2001)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN
APPROVING THE HOTEL ASPEN MINOR PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT, 110 WEST MAIN STREET, LOTS F, G, H, I, P, Q, R,
AND S, BLOCK 58, CITY AND TOWNSITE OF ASPEN, PITKIN
COUNTY, COLORADO.
Parcel ID #2735-124-61-112
Chris Bendon, community development department, told Council this is an
application for 8 new lodge rooms and 2 affordable housing units. Bendon
showed the property at Main and Garmisch and the site plan. There will be
a third floor on one section of the building. The project mitigates for its
impacts of employee housing and parking on site. This design did go
through conceptual HPC review.
Bendon pointed out the 21 parking spaces on Garmisch street are entirely
within the public right-of-way. Bendon noted staff has commented that
parallel parking would be more desirable. There could be 10 parallel spaces
in this right-of-way. There will be parking for the 8 new units.
Herb Klein said they would like to be able to rent the units to Hotel Aspen
employees at category 2 although the employees may not qualify in the
earnings side.
Mayor Richards said parking is needed in this area and would be interested
in some combination of parallel and head in. Councilman McCabe said he
prefers parallel parking; however, this is a wide street and the sidewalk is
available. Council agreed they would look at keeping most of the head in
spaces on Garmisch street.
Councilman Hershey moved to adopt Ordinance #9, Series of 2001, on first
reading, that the situation of the rental units be worked out with the city
attorney and applicant, that they would like to see a couple of variations on
17
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
the parking scheme; seconded by Councilman Paulson. Roll call vote;
Councilmembers Hershey, yes; Markalunas, yes; McCabe, yes; Paulson,
yes; Mayor Richards, yes. Motion carried.
BOARDS AND COMMISSION REPORT
Councilman McCabe moved to appoint Tabatha Miller and Roger Marolt to
the Child Care Task Force; seconded by Councilman Hershey. All in favor,
motion carried.
Council directed staff to re-advertise for the other board openings.
Councilman Paulson moved to continue the meeting to 5 p.m. Tuesday,
February 27; seconded by Councilman Hershey. All in favor, motion
carried. Council left Chambers at 10:10 p.m.
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk
18
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council Februa ry 26, 2001
CITIZEN COMMENTS ................................ ................................ .............. 1
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS ................................ ........................... 2
CONSENT CALENDAR ................................ ................................ ............. 3
·
Resolution #21, 2001 - Authorizing Borrowing for Iselin and Truscott
Projects ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 4
·
Resolution #22, 2001 - Truscott Construction Contracts Phase I .......... 4
·
RFTA Resolutions on Employee Housing Program & Maintenance
Facility ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 4
·
Holy Cross Service Agreement for Truscott ................................ ......... 4
·
Expenditure of Grant Funds for Nomination of Ute Cemetery to the
National Register ................................ ................................ ..................... 4
·
Ordina nce #10, 2001 - Historic Preservation Strategy .......................... 4
·
Minutes - February 12, 2001 ................................ ................................ 4
ORDINANCE #5, SERIES OF 2001 - Corbin/Burrows 610 W. Smuggler
Landmark Lot Split ................................ ................................ ...................... 4
ORDINANCE #6, SERIES OF 2001 - Iselin Conceptual and Final PUD .... 5
ORDINANCE #7, SERIES OF 2001 - Code Amendment 1/2 cent
Park/Open Space Sales Tax ................................ ................................ ......... 16
ORDINANCE #8, SERIES OF 2001 - Code Amendment Eliminating Jury
Trial for Traffic Cases ................................ ................................ ................. 16
ORDINANCE #9, SERIES OF 2001 - Hotel Aspen PUD ........................... 17
BOARDS AND COMMISSION REPORT ................................ ................. 18
19