HomeMy WebLinkAboutcoa.cclc.min.04072010COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF APRIL 7, 2010
Chairperson, Terry Butler called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
Commissioners in attendance: Andrew Kole, Bill Dinsmoor. Excused were
Don Sheeley, Mark Zitelli, Fred Ayarza, Mark Goodman and John Starr.
Staff: Kathy Strickland, Chief Deputy Clerk
Terry Butler introduced Nigel Nightin from London who is staying at her
hotel.
Nigil stated that his father was the chairman of Planning and Zoning for 25
years in Sussex. They had a campaign to get the community together. A
sports center was created. Presently I deal with commercial development.
London is split up into borrows. We have planning issues driven by
development and greed. The rate per square foot is high and everyone wants
to put a block of flats.
Nigil said when the Crystal palace left it was a loss to the town of Aspen.
We have the parish council then city council.
Terry explained that we have an elected council of five.
Nigil said they are also in a recession in London. Decimation of values.
Central London hasn't dropped. High end dropped 10% which is minimal.
What has gone down is the retail rent, shops at 50%.
Nigil said we have rent review every five years governed by the government.
They first work with the renter and when they can't come to agreement they
go to the government.
Nigil said the parking attendants create revenue but people are not coming to
downtown London due to the Nazi attitude that the attendants give. It is like
you are a criminal when you get a parking ticket. People are not upset with
the money it is the attitude displayed and they aren't coming to the center of
London. Government stepped in and at XMAS the shopping malls don't
charge at all. It is a difficult balance. We have introduced pay by the
telephone. We have a reminder ten minutes before the ticket is due. It gives
you the option to extend it on the phone and you don't have to go to the car
itself. There are 4,000 parking spaces in the center of London. The first two
hours are free in the center.
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COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF APRIL 7, 2010
Bill asked if they are commissioned parking meters. Nigil said technically
no but if they do a good job they get a bonus at the end of the year.
Bill said parking is a cash flow generator for any city.
Housing:
Andrew pointed out that the City of Aspen has no capital reserve for
affordable housing.
Nigil said if you lose the heart of the community the community is gone.
Many pubs are closing and I am purchasing them for housing. Communities
have to interact. The post office is now selling food etc. Pubs are selling
post office stamps etc. and foods and it is changing. We have a petrol order
that you can't close gas stations. People are driving around to look for petrol
stations. Cars are not going away.
Nigil also said in certain borrows you have different problems.
Nigil said he stayed at Vail and people don't shop at Loui Viton because
they can get it in London. Telluride is OK for shopping. They don't shop
for high end stuff.
Bill said there has to be a perceived value when you come to Aspen and we
have something unique and special.
Nigil said London has zones.
A-1Shops and retail
A-2 Banks building, insurance offices.
We also have a compulsory order. - it gets valued at a current use and
government would buy it.
Red Onion:
Andrew said the Red Onion wants to go into the middle. Ed Van Walraven
said you can't fight the fire correctly if tables are in the middle. We should
challenge it. You can't arbitrarily make a decision.
Bill said we have bumped into Ed before.
COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF APRIL 7.2010
Andrew said the question is do you arbitrarily give someone the power to
give an answer.
Bill asked who has control over public use. We need clarity about public
space and how do we do this if we have disagreements. We all want to see
the Red Onion open.
Andrew said Ed has no base for his rulings because it is not a code.
Staff mentioned that the Red Onion has to have approval from the Liquor
Board for their outside seating.
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
Kathleen J. Strickland, Chief Deputy Clerk