HomeMy WebLinkAboutcoa.lu.ca.Nonconformities.1998r^, ~-~
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Aspen City Council
THRU: Robert S. Anderson, Jr., City Manager ~! i'
FROM: Alan Richman, Planning and Development Director
RE: Continued Public Hearing-Ordinance 65, Nonconformities
DATE: March 9, 1988
SUMMARY: The Planning Office recommends final approval of
Ordinance 65, which repeals and re-enacts Article XIII of Chapter
24, with respect to nonconformities.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: At a public hearing on Ordinance 54,
held on December 7, the Council directed the staff to remove the
nonconformities provisions from the R-6 Ordinance and to begin
processing a separate Ordinance, to allow public debate to focus
on the issues. On December 21, Ordinance 65 was unanimously
approved on first reading. At a public hearing held on January
11, 1988, Council directed the staff to delete certain provisions
regarding nonconforming structures. At a continued public
hearing on January 25, Council listened to concerns raised by
staff and the Code consultant regarding the deletions. Based on
these comments, Council asked staff to bring forward some
alternative ways of addressing willful destruction of noncon-
forming structures. However, when we brought back these
alternatives on February 8, significant new concerns were raised
by members of the public, resulting in another tabling action.
BACKGROUND: At the hearing on January 25, we pointed out to you
that the Council needed to make a policy decision as to how to
treat nonconforming structures which are willfully demolished by
their owners. When we originally drafted this section of the
Code as part of the overall revision of our zoning and sub-
division regulations, we believed it was Council's intent to
gradually phase out existing nonconformities in the community.
Our consultant indicated to you that the direction given at the
January 11 meeting would not accomplish this intent, but instead
had the effect of maintaining the status quo. He also pointed
out to you that by giving the owner of a nonconforming structure
the right to tear down and replace the nonconformity, in effect
you give that owner a competitive edge in the marketplace.
The alternative that appeared to have support at the meeting on
February 8 was to only require a nonconforming structure to be
rebuilt to conforming status when it is willfully demolished to
the extent of 75$ of the floor area and exterior walls. However,
the public identified two problems with this approach. First, it
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was pointed out that a condominium complex with more units than
currently allowed by Code which is willfully destroyed would not
be able to rebuild the prior number of units, causing legal and
financial problems. Secondly, it was argued that the regulation
had a more severe effect on the owner of a small house than on
the owner of a larger home, who could demolish more square
footage without having to bring the structure into conformance.
PROBLEM DISCQSSION: I believe there is a strong rationale for
requiring a nonconforming structure which is willfully demolished
to be brought into conformance. However, I also recognize that
our regulatory approach appears to be having some unanticipated
consequences. I suspect that the problems with the regulation
being identified by the public may represent only a portion of
the unintended problems we may cause by trying to eliminate
willfully destroyed nonconformities.
one response to the objections raised at the prior hearing is to
add several new exceptions to the provisions of the Ordinance.
One exception would state that a willfully destroyed structure
which is nonconforming as to the number of dwelling units
(minimum lot area per dwelling unit) can be restored by right to
its prior unit count. The other exception would state that when
willful demolition of a structure involves less than 1,000 square
feet of floor area, the structure may be rebuilt to its prior
nonconforming status.
A second response would be to admit that the approach to willful
demolition is too ambitious at this time and conclude that we
should retain the manner in which nonconformities are addressed
in the current Code. One reason for this position would be the
problem of adopting a regulation which already includes numerous
exceptions and which may require others over time. Exceptions
make the regulation more difficult to administer and understand,
running counter to the theme of the Code revision process.
RECOMMENDATION: Attached as Exhibits A and B are proposed
revisions to the willful demolition/restoration clauses of the
Ordinance. Exhibit A, regarding nonconforming uses, should be
adopted in place of the language in Section 24-13.2 (G). If you
review the Ordinance, you will find it to contain language
pertaining to reinvestment of more than 50$ of the value of the
structure, which you decided was an inappropriate criterion.
The approach taken in Exhibit A is based on that we have been
discussing for nonconforming structures, but contains fewer
exceptions and more rigid criteria, in recognition of the
relatively greater impact that a nonconforming use can have on a
neighborhood, compared to a nonconforming structure. Please also
note that in Section 24-13.5 (A), Lodge and Hotel Preservation,
the 50$ of value criterion is again used. If you agree to the
revised approach to nonconforming uses, you should also apply
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this approach to the preservation clause, as shown in Exhibit C.
Exhibit B, regarding nonconforming uses, has been drafted to
include the new exceptions. On balance, we feel the added
administrative difficulty and the potential for anyone to avoid
compliance (by phasing reconstruction into increments of less
than 1,000 square feet or less than 75$ of the floor and exterior
wall area at any one time) may outweigh the potential community
benefits. We are also concerned about the unanticipated
consequences with respect to nonconforming structures which we
have not yet discovered. Therefore, we recommend that the
language in Exhibit B not be included in the Ordinance at this
time. Instead, the language shown in the proposed motion should
be included as a new subsection 24-13.3 (F).
PROPOSED NOTION: "Move to adopt Ordinance 65, as amended, on
second reading, with the following changes:
1. Insert the language of Exhibit A to replace that in
Section 24-13.2 (G).
2. Add a new Section 24-13.3 (F) to read as follows:
Ability to restore. A nonconforming structure which is
demolished or destroyed through any manner and to any
extent may be restored as of right if a building permit
for reconstruction shall be issued within twelve (12)
months of the date of demolition or destruction.
3. Insert the language in Exhibit C to make Section 24-
13.5 (A) consistent with revised Section 24-13.2 (G)."
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS:
nonconformities
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this approach to the preservation clause, as shown in Exhibit C.
Exhibit B, regarding nonconforming uses, has been drafted to
include the new exceptions. On balance, we feel the added
administrative difficulty and the potential for anyone to avoid
compliance (by phasing reconstruction into increments of less
than 1,000 square feet or less than 75$ of the floor and exterior
wall area at any one time) may outweigh the potential community
benefits. We are also concerned about the unanticipated
consequences with respect to nonconforming structures which we
have not yet discovered. Therefore, we recommend that the
language in Exhibit B not be included in the Ordinance at this
time. Instead, the language shown in the proposed motion should
be included as a new subsection 24-13.3 (F).
PROPOSED NOTION: "Move to adopt Ordinance 65, as amended, on
second reading, with the following changes:
1. Insert the language of Exhibit A to replace that in
Section 24-13.2 (G).
2. Add a new Section 24-13.3 (F) to read as follows:
Ability to restore. A nonconforming structure which is
willfully demolished or destroyed to any extent may be
restored as of right if a building permit for recon-
struction shall be issued within twelve (12) months of
the date of demolition or destruction. A nonconforming
structure which is demolished or destroyed to any
extent by an act of God or through any manner not
willfully accomplished by the owner may be restored as
of right if a building permit for reconstruction shall
be issued within twenty-four (24) months of the date of
demolition or destruction.
Insert the language in Exhibit C to make Section 24-
13.5 (A) consistent with revised Section 24-13.2 (G)."
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS:
nonconformities
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Exhibit A
Section 24-13.2
G. Demolition or destruction.
1. Ability to restore. Any nonconforming use which is
demolished or destroyed to the extent of less than
seventy-five (75$) percent of the floor area or
exterior wall area of the entire structure may be
restored as of right if a building permit for recon-
struction shall be issued within twelve (12) months of
the date of demolition. Any nonconforming use which is
demolished or destroyed to the extent of seventy-five
(75$) percent or more of the floor area or exterior
wall area of the entire structure shall only be
restored in conformance with the provisions of this
chapter.
2. Non-willful destruction. Any nonconforming use which
is demolished or destroyed by an act of God or through
any manner not willfully accomplished by the owner may
be restored as of right, regardless of the extent of
its demolition or destruction, if a building permit for
reconstruction shall be issued within twelve (12)
months of the date of demolition or destruction.
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Exhibit B
Section 24-13.3
F. Demolition or destruction.
1. Ability to restore. Any nonconforming structure which
is demolished or destroyed to the extent of less than
seventy-five (75$) percent of the floor area and
exterior wall area of the entire structure may be
restored as of right if a building permit for recon-
struction shall be issued within twenty-four (24)
months of the date of demolition. Any nonconforming
structure which is demolished or destroyed to the
extent of seventy-five (75$) percent or more of the
floor area and exterior wall area of the entire
structure shall only be restored in conformance with
the provisions of this chapter.
2. Exceptions.
a. Non-willful destruction. Any nonconforming
structure which is demolished or destroyed by an
act of God or through any manner not willfully
accomplished by the owner may be restored as of
right, regardless of the extent of its demolition
or destruction, if a building permit for recon-
struction shall be issued within twenty-four (24)
months of the date of demolition or destruction.
b. Historic Landmark. Any nonconforming structure
designated as a historic landmark may be restored
as of right, regardless of the manner or extent of
its demolition or destruction, if the restoration
plan is approved by HPC pursuant to Section 24-
9.4."
c. Density. A structure which is nonconforming as to
minimum lot area per dwelling unit and is
willfully demolished or destroyed shall not be
required to reduce the number of units in the
structure, regardless of the extent of its
demolition or destruction, if a building permit
for reconstruction shall be issued within twenty-
four (24) months of the date of demolition or
destruction.
d. Minor Demolition. Any structure which contains
less than one thousand (1,000) square feet of
floor area which is demolished or destroyed may be
restored as of right, regardless of the manner or
extent of the demolition or destruction.
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Exhibit C
Sec. 24-13.5. Lodge and hotel Dreservation.
All lodge and hotel uses and structures that are lawfully
established at the time of adoption of this chapter or an
amendment which would be considered to make the lodge or hotel a
nonconforming use or structure under this chapter are hereby
declared to be conforming and not subject to the provisions of
this article as long as the following standards and requirements
are met.
A. Demolition or destruction.
Ability to restore. Any nonconforming lodge or hotel
which is demolished or destroyed to the extent of less
than seventy-five (75$) percent of the floor area or
exterior wall area of the entire structure may be
restored as of right if a building permit for recon-
struction shall be issued within twelve (12) months of
the date of demolition. Any nonconforming lodge or
hotel which is demolished or destroyed to the extent of
seventy-five (75$) percent or more of the floor area or
exterior wall area of the entire structure shall meet
the dimensional requirements of the underlying Zone
District.
2. Non-willful destruction.
hotel which is demolished
or through any manner not
owner may be restored as
extent of its demolition
permit for reconstruction
(12) months of the date o
Any nonconforming lodge or
or destroyed by an act of God
willfully accomplished by the
of right, regardless of the
or destruction, if a building
shall be issued within twelve
demolition or destruction.
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ORDINANCE NO. 65
(Series of 1987)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE ASPEN CITY COi1NCIL REPEALING AND RE-ENACTING
ARTICLE XIII OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO NON-CONFORMITIES
WHEREAS, as a result of the scale of residential development
being experienced within the R-6 Zone District in recent years,
the Aspen City Council directed the Planning Office and Planning
and Zoning Commission (hereinafter the "Commission") to evaluate
the current requirements for residential development and to
recommend necessary changes thereto; and
WHEREAS, in response to this directive, the Commission
adopted Resolution 87-9, addressing setbacks, site coverage and
floor area ratio in the R-6 zone district, the methodology for
calculating floor area ratio and regulatory provisions pertaining
to nonconformities; and
WHEREAS, at a public hearing on December 7, the Aspen City
Council directed the Planning Office to remove from Ordinance 54,
Series of 1987, those sections pertaining to nonconformities and
to place those provisions in a separate ordinance to allow for
public debate to focus on the issues involved; and
WHEREAS, having considered the recommendations of the
Commission pertaining to nonconformities, the City Council wishes
to amend the Municipal Code as specified herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ASPEN, COIARADO:
Section 1
That Article XIII of Chapter 24 of the Municipal code be repealed
and re-enacted to read as follows:
....
ARTICLE XIII - NON-CONFORMITIES
Sec. 24-13.1. Purpose.
Within the Zone Districts established by this chapter, there
exist uses of land, buildings and structures that were lawfully
established before this chapter was adopted or amended which
would be in violation of the terms and requirements of this
chapter. The purpose of this article is to regulate and limit
the continued existence of those uses, buildings, and structures
that do not conform to the provisions of this chapter or any
amendments thereto.
It is the intent of this article to permit these nonconfor-
mities to continue, but not to allow nonconformities to be
enlarged or expanded. The provisions of this article are
designed to curtail substantial investment in nonconformities in
order to preserve the integrity of the Zone Districts and the
other provisions of this chapter but should not be construed as
an abatement provision.
Sec. 24-13.2. Nonconforming uses.
A. Authority to continue. Nonconforming uses of land or
structures may continue in accordance with the provi-
sions of this article and this section.
B. Normal maintenance. Normal maintenance to permit
continuation of nonconforming uses may be performed in
any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, to an
extent not exceeding ten (10$) percent of the current
replacement cost of the structure.
C. Extensions. Nonconforming uses shall not be extended.
This prohibition shall be construed so as to prevent:
1. Enlargement of nonconforming uses by additions to
the area of the structure in which such noncon-
forming uses are located; or
2. Occupancy of additional lands.
D. Relocation. A structure housing a nonconforming use
may not be moved to another location on or off the
parcel of land on which it is located, unless the use
thereafter shall conform to the limitations of the Zone
District into which it is moved.
E. Chancre in use. A nonconforming use shall not be
changed to any other use unless the new use conforms to
the provisions of the Zone District in which it is
located.
F. Abandonment or discontinuance. The intent of the owner
notwithstanding, where a nonconforming use of land or
nonconforming use of structure is discontinued or
abandoned for twelve (12) consecutive months, then such
use may not be re-established or resumed, and any
subsequent use must conform to the provisions of this
chapter.
G. Damage or destruction.
Ability to restore. Any structure housing a
nonconforming use which is damaged or destroyed to
the extent of less than fifty (50$) percent of the
fair market value of said structure may be
restored as of right if a building permit for
reconstruction shall be issued within twelve (12)
months of the date of damage. Any structure
housing a nonconforming use which is damaged or
destroyed to the extent of fifty (50$) percent or
more of the fair market value of said structure
shall only be restored in conformance with the
provisions of this chapter.
Exception. Any structure housing a nonconforming
use which is damaged or destroyed by an act of God
or through any manner not willfully accomplished
by the owner may be restored as of right, regard-
less of the extent of the damage or destruction,
if a building permit for reconstruction shall be
issued within twelve (12) months of the date of
damage.
Sec. 24-13.3. Nonconforming structures.
A. Authority to continue. A nonconforming structure
devoted to a use permitted in the Zone District in
which it is located may be continued in accordance with
the provisions of this article.
B. Normal maintenance. Normal maintenance to permit
continuation of nonconforming structures may be
performed in any period of twelve (12) consecutive
months without limit on the cost of the maintenance.
C. Extensions.
1. General. A nonconforming structure shall not be
extended by an enlargement or expansion that
increases the nonconformity. A nonconforming
structure may be extended or altered in a manner
that does not change or that decreases the
nonconformity.
2. Historic Landmark. The only exception to this
requirement shall be for a structure designated as
an Historic Landmark which is located in the R-6
or R-15 zone districts. Such structures may be
extended into front yard, side yard and rear yard
setbacks, may be extended into the minimum
distance between buildings on a lot and may be
enlarged, provided, however, such enlargement does
not exceed the allowable floor area of the
existing structure by more than five hundred
(500') square feet, complies with all other
requirements of this chapter, and receives
development review approval as required by Section
24-9 of this Code.
D. Relocation. A nonconforming structure shall not be
moved unless it thereafter conforms to the standards
and requirements of the Zone District in which it is
located.
E. Unsafe structure. Any portion of a nonconforming
structure which becomes physically unsafe or unlawful
due to lack of repairs and maintenance, and which is
declared unsafe or unlawful by a duly authorized City
official, but which an owner wishes to restore, repair
or rebuild shall only be restored, repaired or rebuilt
in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
Sec. 24-13.4. Nonconforming accessory uses and accessory
structures .
No nonconforming accessory use or accessory structure shall
continue after the principal structure or use shall have ter-
minated unless such structure or use thereafter shall conform to
the provisions of the Zone District in which it is located.
Sec. 24-13.5. Lodge and hotel preservation.
All lodge and hotel uses and structures that are lawfully
established at the time of adoption of this chapter or an
amendment which would be considered to make the lodge or hotel a
nonconforming use or structure under this chapter are hereby
declared to be conforming and not subject to the provisions of
this article as long as the following standards and requirements
are met.
A. Reconstruction or renovation. All reconstruction of a
structure shall meet the dimensional requirements of
the underlying Zone District. Renovation shall not
increase the nonconformity of the structure. Renova-
tion is the investment of up to fifty (50~) percent of
the appraised value of the structure, net of land
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value. Reconstruction is the investment of fifty (50 %)
percent or more of the value of the structure, net of
land value.
B. Increase in units or size. There shall be no increase
in the number of units in the lodge or hotel, or the
total square footage in the lodge or hotel, unless the
enlargement is for the purpose of constructing deed
restricted employee housing units accessory to the
principal use.
C. Construction of emnlovee housing. The enlargement of
the lodge or hotel for the purpose of constructing
employee housing shall be reviewed and considered as a
Development Application for a conditional use pursuant
to Section 24-3.3. In determining whether to approve,
approve with conditions, or disapprove the application,
the Commission shall ensure all the following standards
and requirements are met.
1. There is no increase in lodge or hotel units.
2. The proposed employee housing units are in
compliance with the adopted housing plan, and
specifically the need for seasonal employee rooms.
3. The construction quality and unit size of the
proposed employee housing units meets the stand-
ards of the City's housing designee.
4. There are adequate public facilities to serve the
proposed development, and off-street parking is
provided pursuant to Section 24-4.5.
5. The proposed employee housing is compatible with
surrounding land uses and the dimensional require-
ments of the underlying Zone District.
6. The proposed employee housing is deed restricted
to the employee rental guidelines, and against
commercial rental or sale. In the event the lodge
is condominiumized, the deed restricted units must
be retained as a portion of the common elements of
the lodge or hotel.
7. The proposed employee housing receives health,
safety and fire inspection and commitments are
made to comply with the results of said inspec-
tion.
8. The deed restricted employee housing units are
limited in their rental solely to employees of the
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lodge or hotel, and shall not be rented to other
employees of the City nor rented on the open
market.
9. The expansion may be in rental rooms, provided an
equal amount of existing square footage of space
is converted from rental rooms to deed restricted
employee housing units.
D. Abandonment. The intent of the owner notwithstanding,
when a lodge or hotel subject to this section is
discontinued or abandoned for twelve (12) consecutive
months, then the use may not be re-established or the
structure occupied, without conforming to the standards
and requirements of the underlying Zone District.
E. Damave or destruction. If a lodge or hotel subject to
this section is damaged or destroyed by any means and
is not repaired or replaced within two (2) years from
the date of damage or destruction, it shall only be
reconstructed pursuant to the standards and require-
ments of this chapter.
Sec. 24-13.6. Nonconforming lots of record.
A. General. A detached single family dwelling and
customary accessory buildings may be developed on a lot
of record if:
1. The lot of record is in separate ownership and not
contiguous to lots in the same ownership; and
2. The proposed single family dwelling can be located
on the lot so that the yard, height, open space
and floor area dimensional requirements of the
Zone District can be met, or a variance is
obtained from said dimensional requirements.
B. Undivided lot. If two (2) or more lots or combinations
of lots with continuous frontage in single ownership
(including husband and wife as in all cases a single
owner) are of record at the effective date of the
adoption or amendment of this chapter, regardless of
time of acquisition, and if all or parts of the lots do
not meet the requirements established for lot width and
area, the lots shall be considered an undivided parcel,
and no portion shall be used or occupied which does
meet the width and area requirements of this chapter.
Sec. 24-13.7. Lot reduction.
A. No lot or interest therein shall be transferred,
conveyed, sold or subdivided so as to create a new
nonconforming lot, to avoid, circumvent or subvert any
provision of this chapter, or to leave remaining any
lot in violation of the dimensional requirements of
this chapter.
B. No lot or portion of a lot required as a building site
under this chapter shall be used as a portion of a lot
required as a site for another structure.
C. No building permit shall be issued for any lot or
parcel of land which has been conveyed, sold, or
subdivided in violation of this section. Any trans-
feree who acquires a lot in violation of this paragraph
without knowledge of such violation, and any subsequent
transferee, shall have the right to rescind and/or
receive damages from any transferee who violates the
provisions of this paragraph.
Section 2
That the following definitions be added to Section 24-3.1 of the
Municipal Code:
(ii) NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE means any structure which was estab-
lished pursuant to the zoning and building laws in effect at the
time of its development, but which does not conform to the
dimensional requirements imposed by this Code for the Zone
District in which it is located.
(jj) NONCONFORMING USE means any use of land, building or
structure, which was established pursuant to the zoning and
building laws in effect at the time of its development, but which
use is not a permitted or conditional use under the regulations
imposed by this Code for the Zone District in which it is
located.
(kk) NORMAL MAINTENANCE OF A NON-CONFORMITY means any work done
in a period of twelve (12) consecutive months on ordinary
repairs, or on repair or replacement of non-bearing walls,
fixtures, wiring or plumbing.
Section 3
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or
portion of this ordinance is for any reason held invalid or
unconstitutional in a court of competent jurisdiction, such
portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent
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provision and shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions thereof.
Section 4
Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed to affect any
right, duty or liability under any ordinance in effect prior to
the effective date of this ordinance, and the same shall be
continued and concluded under such prior ordinances.
Section 5
A public hearing on the Ordinance shall be held on the
day of 1988, at 5:00 P.M. in the City Council
Chambers, Aspen City Hall, Aspen, Colorado, fifteen (15) days
prior to which hearing notice of the same shall be published once
in a newspaper of general circulation within the City of Aspen.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ORDERED PUBLISHED as provided by law by
the City Council of the City of Aspen on the day of
1988.
ATTEST:
William L. Stirling, Mayor
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk
FINALLY adopted, passed and approved this
1987.
ATTEST:
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk
William L. Stirling, Mayor
8
day of
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REID &WAIDRON
Real Estate • Rentals • Property Management
February 4, 1988
Bill Stirling
Mayor
City of Aspen
130 South Galena
Aspen, Colorado 81611
Dear Bill:
I am writing you with some serious concerns I have in regards to
Ordinance #65 dealing with non-conforming use. In this regard I
have two questions:
1. When a multi-ownership building becomes too old to keep up
and it must be destroyed and rebuilt, how is the equity dis-
tributed if less total units or square footage can be built than
presently exists? How does the ordinance address this situation?
We manage a multi-unit complex in Aspen which mlght have serious
foundation problems which we have been addressing. The building
might need several hundred thousand dollars worth of repairs and
each owner is possibly faced with several thousand dollars worth
of expenses. At some cost it would be wiser to tear down and
rebuild the complex again. How will this ordinance address a
problem like this which occurred through no fault of the owners?
Can they rebuild what they already have? If not they stand to
lose a lot through the high cost to repair or not being able to
rebuild the same square footage.
2. How will condominium complexes and apartment buildings get
replacement insurance if what they have can't be rebuilt? My
feeling is that it would not be insurable. Has the Council
investigated this potential problem.
We are all concerned with keeping a high quality of living in
Aspen, but these two issues represent real problems to us that
need to be addressed before this ordinance is passed.
S1nc'~,
Michael L. Spalding
General Manager
MS/jc
cc: John Howard
Aspen Office • 720 East Hyman, Aspen, Colorado 8161 1 • (303) 925-1400
Snowmass Office • Box 6450, Snowmass Cenier, Snowmass Village, Colorado 8167 S • (303) 923-4750
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TO: Aspen City Council
THRU: Robert S. Anderson, Jr., City Man~ger~
FROM: Alan Richman, Planning and Development Director
RE: Continued Public Hearing-Ordinance 65, Nonconformities
DATE: January 20, 1988
SUMMARY: The Planning Office recommends final approval of
Ordinance 65, which repeals and re-enacts Article XIII of Chapter
24, with respect to nonconformities.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: At a public hearing on Ordinance 54,
held on December 7, the Council directed the staff to remove the
nonconformities provisions from the R-6 Ordinance and to begin
processing a separate Ordinance, to allow public debate to focus
on the issues. On December 21, Ordinance 65 was unanimously
approved on first reading. At a public hearing held on January
11, 1988, Council directed the staff to make some significant
policy changes to the Ordinance prior to its adoption.
CHANGES SINCE PRIOR HEARING: In response to Council's direction,
following are the changes included within the revised Ordinance:
1. Section 24-13.1, Purpose, second paragraph amended to
make it clear that this is not an abatement ordinance.
2. Section 24-13.2, Nonconforming uses, subsection (F)
clarified to address Sally Roach's comments. New subsection (G)
written from language of prior version to address Bil Dunanway's
concern as to possible inconsistency of the language.
3. Section 24-13.3, Nonconforming structures, sections
regarding termination and damage/destruction eliminated.
4. Throughout Ordinance, reference to section numbers of
new Code replaced with section numbers of current Code, other
minor typos corrected.
5. Severability sections added as new Sections 3 and 4 of
Ordinance, as per City Attorney's instructions.
One additional issue which arose at the last meeting was the
Mayor's question regarding whether the single family houses in
the commercial core are nonconforming uses, and if so, what we
could do to minimize the effect of the regulations on these
structures. We checked our records and find that there are seven
such structures in the CC zone district, two of which are
designated as historic landmarks and five which are not desig-
nated. Presently, all are nonconforming uses, because the zone
district does not list detached residential dwellings as a
permitted or conditional use.
We concur with Council that we should encourage preservation and
restoration of these structures and not have regulations which
might cause their needless destruction. Therefore, we recommend
that the clarified Code list "detached residential dwellings
designated as historic landmarks" as a permitted use in the CC
zone district. This will be an incentive towards designation of
the five undesignated structures by giving them expansion and
remodeling rights not shared by the undesignated homes. We do
not recommend that all detached residential dwellings be allowed
by right, as this could result in new residential development
outbidding commercial uses for our limited downtown area.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Commission
recommended approval of the revisions to the nonconformities
provisions within their Resolution 87-9, and were responsible for
several important modifications to our original staff recommend-
ation during their discussion of this proposal.
MOTION:
"Move to adopt Ordinance on second reading"
CITY MANAGER' S COMMENTS : ~ !.~.~.~.~. ~z~~ .~~~-r
~~
ti_
nonconformities
--,
4... a.a
SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSES IN COMMERCIAL ZONE DISTRICT
ADDRESS HISTORIC EVALUATION/
DESIGNATION STATUS
309 E. Main St. 4
311 E. Main St. 4
302 E. Hopkins Designated
530 E. Hopkins 3
532 E. Hopkins 3
534 E. Hopkins 2
104 S. Galena Designated
TO:
THRU:
FROM:
RE:
DATE:
Aspen City Council ~~~// ~j
Robert S. Anderson, Jr., City Manager _~-~/~
Alan Richman, Planning and Development Director '~`
Public Hearing on Ordinance 65, Nonconformities
January 4, 1988
SUMMARY: The Planning Office recommends second reading approval
of Ordinance 65, which repeals and re-enacts Article XIII of
Chapter 24, with respect to nonconformities.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: At a public hearing on Ordinance 54,
held on December 7, the Council directed the staff to remove the
nonconformities provisions from the R-6 Ordinance and to begin
processing a separate Ordinance, to allow public debate to focus
on the issues. On December 21, Ordinance 65 was unanimously
approved on first reading.
BACRGROUND: When we began working on the clarification of our
land use regulations, first the Task Force, then staff and
finally the consultant identified the nonconforming use and
structure provisions as among the most confusing, disorganized
and internally inconsistent regulations in the Code. You asked
the staff to review these provisions from a substantive stand-
point and the consultant to completely reorganize and clarify
this section of the Code.
PROBLEM DISCUSSION: Rather than try to put a bandage on this
section of the Code, the Consultant's approach was to build an
entirely new regulation in the following manner. First, the
consultant produced a "model" draft, containing virtually no
policy considerations, but instead relying on the recommendations
of the American Law Institute/American Bar Association (ALI/ABA)
in their Model Land Development Code. Using this model as the
skeleton, we then added on the local policies with respect to
nonconformities which had been adopted in the past, and which we
felt continued to represent community interests.
Following are the basic policies contained within this Ordinance.
1. Nonconforming uses (a use which is not allowed in the zone):
a. Are limited as to maintenance and repair to only 10% of
the replacement cost of the structure per year.
b. Cannot be enlarged and cannot occupy additional lands.
h
/.w^
r
c. Cannot be relocated to another site or changed in use
unless brought into conformance.
d. Can be restored by right if damaged or destroyed to the
extent of less than 50% of the fair market value of the
structure or if damaged or destroyed to any extent by
an act of God or in any manner not willfully accomp-
lished by the owner, provided a building permit for
restoration is issued within 12 months.
e. Must be restored to a conforming use if willfully
damaged or destroyed by more than 50% of the fair
market value of the structure.
2. Nonconforming structures (buildings not meeting dimensional
requirements of the zone):
a. Are not limited as to annual maintenance and repair.
b. Cannot be extended or altered to increase a nonconform-
ity, but can be extended or altered in a manner that
does not change or decreases a nonconformity. Historic
Landmarks which are nonconforming structures can be
extended or altered in a variety of ways if HPC
approval is obtained.
c. Can be restored by right if damaged or destroyed to the
extent of less than 50% of the fair market value of the
structure or if damaged or destroyed to any extent by
an act of God or in any manner not willfully accomp-
lished by the owner, provided a building permit for
restoration is issued within 24 months.
d. Must be restored to a conforming structure if willfully
damaged or destroyed by more than 50% of the fair
market value of the structure.
e. Historic Landmarks which are nonconforming structures
can be restored by right, whether restored willfully or
by an act of God, without limitation on the value of
the reinvestment if HPC approval is obtained.
The above summary demonstrates that the proposed rules for
nonconforming uses are somewhat more stringent than those for
nonconforming structures. This is consistent with current
provisions and with general thinking that a use which is not
allowed in a zone is a greater problem for the neighborhood than
is a structure which exceeds its dimensional limitations.
The major new policy contained within our recommendation is 2d
above, regarding willful damage or destruction by more than 50%
of the structure's value. we believe this change is most
2
.,
.~
important, because it means that at the end of a structure's
useful life, neighbors can expect that its reconstruction will
comply with the same limitations which new construction must
meet. Otherwise, the City can never expect to see its neighbor-
hoods come into compliance with. any new understanding of land use
and zoning matters which are formulated over time.
We have attempted to limit the effects of this requirement on the
owners of nonconforming structures by extending to them add-
itional opportunities to renovate by eliminating the annual
maintenance and repairs value limitation of 10~. This limit does
apply to residential nonconforming structures, contrary to the
comment voiced by Gideon Kaufman at the prior hearing, because
the preservation clause only applies to nonconforming lodge
structures, not residential structures.
We have further limited the applicability of the new requirement
by first, allowing the investment of up to 50$ of the value of
the structure without requiring compliance with the dimensional
requirements, second, differentiating between willful and
accidental destruction of a structure, and third, allowing the
restoration of historic landmarks by right. All of these
policies have been discussed with a real estate appraiser and a
mortgage banker, who felt that they would not make nonconforming
structures incapable of obtaining a mortgage.
The lodge preservation clause has been retained as Section 9-105
of the Ordinance, in recognition of the crucial role of lodges in
our tourist economy. There are still a few nonconforming lodge
uses in existence (the Swiss Chalet and Ullr being the only
examples of which I am aware) which we felt should not be limited
in terms of repairs and maintenance. We also wanted to maintain
the ability of these facilities to add units for employees of the
lodge. The clause retains the differentiation between reno-
vation, which is the investment of less than 50g of the value of
the structure and reconstruction, which is the investment of more
than 50$ of this value. In the case of reconstruction, under-
lying area and bulk requirements for the nonconforming use must
be met.
The residential portion of the preservation clause, which only
applied to nonconforming residential uses, not structures, has
been deleted. This means that residential nonconforming uses
will be subject to the 10$ repairs and maintenance limitation,
which was not previously the case.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Commission
recommended approval of the revisions to the nonconformities
provisions within their Resolution 87-9, and were responsible for
several important modifications to our original staff recommend-
ation during their discussion of this proposal.
3
,.~..
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
"Move to adopt Ordinance S~ on second reading"
CITY MANAGER' S COMMENTS : ~ f. n ~ T 1I~N C 1 0 ~~/'~Q ~ ~f
4
N°/¢6 ~ f3gT'~ t SM1 ~ R"~6'F°PRI~d`~e, S (,~NGflti .
nonconformities
~~,
.~m
TO: Aspen City Council
THRU: Robert S. Anderson, Jr., City Manager ),fly, ~/~
FROM: Alan Richman, Planning and Development Director 1~ ~
RE: Ordinance lv 5, Nonconformities
DATE: December 15, 1987
SUMMARY: The Planning Office recommends first reading approval
of Ordinance ~p~ , which repeals and re-enacts Article XIII of
Chapter 24, with respect to nonconformities.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: At a
held on December 7, the Council
nonconformities provisions from
processing a separate Ordinance,
on the issues.
public hearing on Ordinance 54,
directed the staff to remove the
the R-6 ordinance and to begin
to allow public debate to focus
BACKGROUND: When we began working on the clarification of our
land use regulations, first the Task Force, then staff and
finally the consultant identified the nonconforming use and
structure provisions as among the most confusing, disorganized
and internally inconsistent regulations in the Code. You asked
the staff to review these provisions from a substantive stand-
point and the consultant to completely reorganize and clarify
this section of the Code.
PROBLEM DISCUSSION: Rather than try to put a bandage on this
section of the Code, the Consultant's approach was to build an
entirely new regulation in the following manner. First, the
consultant produced a "model" draft, containing virtually no
policy considerations, but instead relying on the recommendations
of the American Law Institute/American Bar Association (ALI/ABA)
in their Model Land Development Code. Using this model as the
skeleton, we then added on the local policies with respect to
nonconformities which had been adopted in the past, and which we
felt continued to represent community interests.
Following are the basic policies contained within this Ordinance.
1. Nonconforming uses (a use which is not allowed in the zone):
a. Are limited as to maintenance and repair to only 10% of
the replacement cost of the structure per year.
b. Cannot be enlarged and cannot occupy additional lands.
,, .,
r
.~.,~
c. Cannot be relocated to another site or changed in use
unless brought into conformance.
d. Can be restored by right if damaged or destroyed to the
extent of less than 50$ of the fair market value of the
structure or if damaged or destroyed to any extent by
an act of God or in any manner not willfully accomp-
lished by the owner, provided a building permit for
restoration is issued within 12 months.
e. Must be restored to a conforming use if willfully
damaged or destroyed by more than 50% of the fair
market value of the structure.
2. Nonconforming structures (buildings not meeting dimensional
requirements of the zone):
a. Are not limited as to annual maintenance and repair.
b. Cannot be extended or altered to increase a nonconform-
ity, but can be extended or altered in a manner that
does not change or decreases a nonconformity. Historic
Landmarks which are nonconforming structures can be
extended or altered in a variety of ways if HPC
approval is obtained.
c. Can be restored by right if damaged or destroyed to the
extent of less than 50~ of the fair market value of the
structure or if damaged or destroyed to any extent by
an act of God or in any manner not willfully accomp-
lished by the owner, provided a building permit for
restoration is issued within 24 months.
d. Must be restored to a conforming structure if willfully
damaged or destroyed by more than 50$ of the fair
market value of the structure.
e. Historic Landmarks which are nonconforming structures
can be restored by right, whether rescored willfully or
by an act of God, without limitation on the value of
the reinvestment if HPC approval is obtained.
The above summary demonstrates that the proposed rules for
nonconforming uses are somewhat more stringent than those for
nonconforming structures. This is consistent with current
provisions and with general thinking that a use which is not
allowed in a zone is a greater problem for the neighborhood than
is a structure which exceeds its dimensional limitations.
The major new policy contained within our recommendation is 2d
above, regarding willful damage or destruction by more than 50°s
of the structure's value. We believe this change is most
2
important, because it means that at the end of a structure's
useful life, neighbors can expect that its reconstruction will
comply with the same limitations which new construction must
meet. Otherwise, the City can never expect to see its neighbor-
hoods come into compliance with any new understanding of land use
and zoning matters which are formulated over time.
We have attempted to limit the effects of this requirement on the
owners of nonconforming structures by extending to them add-
itional opportunities to renovate by eliminating the annual
maintenance and repairs value limitation of 10~. This limit does
apply to residential nonconforming structures, contrary to the
comment voiced by Gideon Kaufman at the prior hearing, because
the preservation clause only applies to nonconforming lodge
structures, not residential structures.
We have further limited the applicability of the new requirement
by first, allowing the investment of up to 50$ of the value of
the structure without requiring compliance with the dimensional
requirements, second, differentiating between willful and
accidental destruction of a structure, and third, allowing the
restoration of historic landmarks by right. All of these
policies have been discussed with a real estate appraiser and a
mortgage banker, who felt that they would not make nonconforming
structures incapable of obtaining a mortgage.
The lodge preservation clause has been retained as Section 9-105
of the Ordinance, in recognition of the crucial role of lodges in
our tourist economy. There are still a few nonconforming lodge
uses in existence (the Swiss Chalet and Ullr being the only
examples of which I am aware) which we felt should not be limited
in terms of repairs and maintenance. We also wanted to maintain
the ability of these facilities to add units for employees of the
lodge. The clause retains the differentiation between reno-
vation, which is the investment of less than 50% of the value of
the structure and reconstruction, which is the investment of more
than 50$ of this value. In the case of reconstruction, under-
lying area and bulk requirements for the nonconforming use must
be met.
The residential portion of the preservation clause, which only
applied to nonconforming residential uses, not structures, has
been deleted. This means that residential nonconforming uses
will be subject to the 10$ repairs and maintenance limitation,
which was not previously the case.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Commission
recommended approval of the revisions to the nonconformities
provisions within their Resolution 87-9, and were responsible for
several important modifications to our original staff recommend-
ation during their discussion of this proposal.
3
.._
s
MOTION:
Move to read Ordinance ~5
"Move to approve Ordinances ~Aon first reading"
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENNTS : ~ SeQ %~ ~ 5 SR-e-i ivri ~'S T YP~~'o'~
9t F w~a~o,Cr ft~P~2o,~-cG.P,f ~~ '(L.e ~ f5 aQ , ~ ,Qe co~+ w~2/D //~~,G9dd-~-
nonconformities
4
r
*'-'
MEMORANDUM
TO: Aspen City Council
THRU: Robert S. Anderson, Jr., City Manager
FROM: Alan Richman, Planning and Development Director 1~ ~
RE: Ordinance Nonconformities
DATE: December 15, 1987
SUMMARY: The Planning Office recommends first reading approval
of Ordinance , which repeals and re-enacts Article XIII of
Chapter 24, with respect to nonconformities.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: At a
held on December 7, the Council
nonconformities provisions from
processing a separate Ordinance,
on the issues.
public hearing on Ordinance 54,
directed the staff to remove the
the R-6 Ordinance and to begin
to allow public debate to focus
BACKGROUND: When we began working on the clarification of our
land use regulations, first the Task Force, then staff and
finally the consultant identified the nonconforming use and
structure provisions as among the most confusing, disorganized
and internally inconsistent regulations in the Code. You asked
the staff to review these provisions from a substantive stand-
point and the consultant to completely reorganize and clarify
this section of the Code.
PROBLEM DISCUSSION: Rather than try to put a bandage on this
section of the Code, the Consultant's approach was to build an
entirely new regulation in the following manner. First, the
consultant produced a "model" draft, containing virtually no
policy considerations, but instead relying on the recommendations
of the American Law Institute/American. Bar Association (ALI/ABA)
in their Model Land Development Code. Using this model as the
skeleton, we then added on the local policies with respect to
nonconformities which had been adopted in the past, and which we
felt continued to represent community interests.
Following are the basic policies contained within this Ordinance.
1. Nonconforming uses (a use which is not allowed in the zone):
a. Are limited as to maintenance and repair to only 10~ of.
the replacement cost of the structure per year.
b. Cannot be enlarged and cannot occupy additional lands.
r ~~
<. A
c. Cannot be relocated to another site or changed in use
unless brought into conformance.
d. Can be restored by right if damaged or destroyed to the
extent of less than 50~ of the fair market value of the
structure or if damaged or destroyed to any extent by
an act of God or in any manner not willfully accomp-
lished by the owner, provided a building permit for
restoration is issued within 12 months.
e. Must be restored to a conforming use if willfully
damaged or destroyed by more than 50$ of the fair
market value of the structure.
2. Nonconforming structures (buildings not meeting dimensional
requirements of the zone):
a. Are not limited as to annual maintenance and repair.
b. Cannot be extended or altered to increase a nonconform-
ity, but can be extended or altered in a manner that
does not change or decreases a nonconformity. Historic
Landmarks which are nonconforming structures can be
extended or altered in' a variety of ways if HPC
approval is obtained.
c. Can be restored by right if damaged or destroyed to the
extent of less than 50$ of the fair market value of the
structure or if damaged or destroyed to any extent by
an act of God or in any manner not willfully accomp-
lished by the owner, provided a building permit for
restoration is issued within 24 months.
d. Must be restored to a conforming structure if willfully
damaged or destroyed by more than 50$ of the fair
market value of the structure.
e. Historic Landmarks which are nonconforming structures
can be restored by right, whether rescored willfully or
by an act of God, without limitation on the value of
the reinvestment if HPC approval is obtained.
The above summary demonstrates that the proposed rules for
nonconforming uses are somewhat more stringent than those for
nonconforming structures. This is consistent with current
provisions and with general thinking that a use which is not
allowed in a zone is a greater problem for the neighborhood than
is a structure which exceeds its dimensional limitations.
The major new policy contained within our recommendation is 2d
above, regarding willful, damage or destruction by more than 50$
of the structure's value. We believe-this change is most
2
r-
r...
important, because it means that at the end of a structure's
useful life, neighbors can expect that its reconstruction will
comply with the same limitations which new construction must
meet. Otherwise, the City can never expect to see its neighbor-
hoods come into compliance with any new understanding of land use
and zoning matters which are formulated over time.
We have attempted to limit the. effects of this requirement on the
owners of nonconforming structures by extending to them add-
itional opportunities to renovate by eliminating the annual
maintenance and repairs value limitation of 10$. This limit does
apply to residential nonconforming structures, contrary to the
comment voiced by Gideon Kaufman at the prior hearing, because
the preservation clause only applies to nonconforming lodge
structures, not residential structures.
We have further limited the applicability of the new requirement
by first, allowing the investment of up to 50$ of the value of
the structure without requiring compliance with the dimensional
requirements, second, differentiating between willful and
accidental destruction of a structure, and third, allowing the
restoration of historic landmarks by right. All of these
policies have been discussed with a real estate appraiser and a
mortgage banker, who felt that they would not make nonconforming
structures incapable of obtaining a mortgage.
The lodge preservation clause has been retained as Seotion 9-105
of the Ordinance, in recognition of the crucial role of lodges in
our tourist-economy. There are still a few noneon€orming lodge
uses in existence (the Swiss Chalet and Ullr being the only
examples of which I am aware) which we felt should not be limited
in terms o€ repairs and maintenance. We also wanted to maintain
the ability of these facilities to add units for employees of the
lodge.. The clause retains the df€erentiation between reno-
vation, which is the investment of less than 50~ o€ the value of
the structure and reconstruction, which is the investment of more
than 50$ o€ this value. In the ease of reconstruction, under-
lying area and bulk requirements for the nonconforming use must
be met.
The residential portion of the preservation clause, which only
applied to nonconforming residential uses, not structures, has
been deleted. This means that residential nonconforming uses
will be subject to the 10$ repairs and maintenance limitation,
which was not previously the case.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Commission
recommended approval of the revisions to the nonconformities
provisions within their Resolution 87-9, and were responsible for
several important modifications to our original staff recommend-
ation during their discussion of this proposal.
3
~.~,
law X
MOTION:
"Move to read Ordinance "
"Move to approve Ordinance on first reading"
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS:
nonconformities
4
,.
.~~
ORDINANCE NO. _
(Series of 1987)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE ASPEN CITY COIINCIL REPEALING AND RE-ENACTING
ARTICLE XIII OF THE MDNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO NON-CONFORMITIES
WHEREAS, as a result of the scale of residential development
being experienced within the R-6 Zone District in recent years,
the Aspen City Council directed the Planning Office and Planning
and Zoning Commission (hereinafter the "Commission") to evaluate
the current requirements for residential development and to
recommends necessary changes thereto; and
WHEREAS, in response to this directive, the Commission
adopted Resolution 87-9, addressing setbacks, site coverage and
floor area ratio in the R-6 zone district, the methodology for
calculating floor area ratio and regulatory provisions pertaining
to nonconformities; and
WHEREAS, at a public hearing on December 7, the Aspen City
k
` Council directed the Planning Office to remove from Ordinance 54,
Series of 1987, those sections pertaining to noneonformities and
to place those provisions in a separate ordinance to allow for
public debate to €ocus on-the issues involved; and
WHEREAS,' having considered the recommendations of the
Commission pertaining to nonconformities, the City Council wishes
to amend the Municipal Code as specified herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF TBE
CITY OF ASPEN, COIARADO:
Section i
That Article XIII of Chapter 24 of the Municipal code be repealed
and re-enacted to read as follows:
,~..
~..,
ARTICLE XIII - NON-CONFORMITIES
Sec. 24-13.1. Purpose.
Within the Zone Districts established by this chapter, there
exist uses of land, buildings and structures that were lawfully
established before this chapter was adopted or amended which
would be in violation of the terms and requirements of this
chapter. The purpose of this article is to regulate and limit
the continued existence of these uses, buildings, and structures
that do not conform to the provisions of this chapter or any
amendments thereto.
It is the intent of this article to permit these nonconfor-
mities to continue, but not to encourage their survival. It is
further the intent of this article that nonconformities should
not be enlarged or expanded. The provisions of this article are
designed to curtail substantial investment in nonconformities and
to bring about their eventual elimination in order to preserve
the integrity of the Zone Districts and the other provisions of
this chapter.
Sec. 24-13.2. Nonconformin uses.
A. Authority to continue. Nonconforming uses of land or
structures may continue in accordance with the provi-
sions of this article and this section.
B. Normal repair and maintenance. Normal maintenance and
repair to permit continuation of nonconforming uses may
be performed in any period of twelve (12) consecu-
tive months, to an extent not exceeding ten (l0~)
percent of the current replacement cost of the struc-
ture.
C. Extensions. Nonconforming uses shall not be extended.
This prohibition shall be construed so as to prevent:
1. Enlargement of nonconforming uses by additions to
the area of the structure in which such noncon-
forming uses are located; or
2. Occupancy of additional lands.
D. Relocation. A structure housing. a nonconforming use
may not be moved either to another location on or off
the parcel of land on which it is located, unless the
use thereafter shall conform to the limitations of the
Zone District into which it is moved.
E. Chance in use. A nonconforming use shall not be
changed to any other use unless the new use conforms to
2
>~
.,~
the provisions
located.
F. Termination.
of the Zone District in which it is
1. Abandonment or discontinuance. The intent of the
owner notwithstanding, where a nonconforming use
of land or structure is discontinued or abandoned
for twelve (12) consecutive months, then such use
may not be re-established or resumed, and any
subsequent use must conform to the provisions of
this chapter.
2. Damage or destruction. Any structure housing a
nonconforming use which is damaged or destroyed to
the extent of less than fifty (50$) percent of the
fair market value of said structure for which is
damaged or destroyed to any extent by an act of
God or through any manner not willfully accomp-
lished by the owner may be restored as of right if
a building permit for reconstruction shall be
issued within twelve (12) months of the date of
damage. Any structure housing a non-conforming
use which is willfully damaged or destroyed to the
extent of more than fifty (50$) percent of the
fair market value of said structure shall only be
restored in conformance with the provisions of
this chapter.
Sec. 24-13.3. Nonconforming structures.
A. Authority to continue. A nonconforming structure
devoted to a use pertaitted in the Zone District in
which it is located may be continued in accordance with
the provisions of this article.
B. Normal repair and maintenance. Normal maintenance and
repair of nonconforming ,structures may be performed in
any period of twelve (12) consecutive months without
limit on the cost of the maintenance and repair.
C. Extensions.
1. General.- A nonconforming structure shall not be
extended by an enlargement or expansion that
increases the nonconformity. A nonconforming
structure may be extended or altered in a manner
that does not change or that decreases the
nonconformity.
2. lIistoric Landmark. The only exception to this
requirement-shall be for a structure designated as
.~ -.
an Historic Landmark pursuant to Art. 7, Div. 7
which is located in the R-6 or R-15 zone dis-
tricts. Such structures may be extended into
front yard, side yard and rear yard setbacks, may
be extended into the minimum distance between
buildings on a lot and may be enlarged, provided,
however, such enlargement does not exceed the
allowable floor area of the existing structure by
more than five hundred (500') square feet,
complies with all other requirements of this
chapter, and receives development review approval
as required by Section 24-9 of this Code.
D. Relocation. A nonconforming structure shall not be
moved unless it thereafter conforms to the standards
and requirements of the Zone District in which it is
located.
E. Termination.
1. Abandonment. Where a nonconforming structure is
abandoned for twelve (12) consecutive months, then
such structure shall be removed or converted to a
conforming structure.
2. Damage or destruction.
a. General. Any part of a .nonconforming
structure which is damaged or destroyed to
the extent of less than fifty (508) percent
of the fair market value of said strueture[or
which is damaged or destroyed to any extent
by an act of God or through any manner not
willfully accomplished by the owned may be
restored as of right if a building permit for
reconstruction shall be issued within twenty-
four (24) months of the date of the damage.
Any part of a non-conforming structure which
is willfully damaged or destroyed to the
extent of more than fifty (508) percent of
the fair market value of said structure shall
only be restored in conformance with the
provisions of this chapter.
b. Historic landmark. A non-conforming structure
designated as a historic landmark may be
restored as of right, whether destroyed
wilfully or by an act of God and without
limitation on the value of the reinvestment
in the structure, if the restoration plan is
approved by HPC pursuant to Art. 7, Div. 6.
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c. Structure in stream margin. Any part of a
nonconforming structure which is in the
stream margin as established pursuant to Sec.
7-504, which is damaged or destroyed to the
extent of less than fifty (50$) percent of
the fair market value of the structure, may
be restored as of right if the structure can
be rebuilt in the original footprint,
consistent with the provisions of Art. 7,
Div. 5.
d. Unsafe structure. Any portion of a noncon-
forming structure which becomes physically
unsafe or unlawful due to lack of repairs and
maintenance, and which is declared unsafe or
unlawful by a duly authorized City official,
but which an owner wishes to restore, repair
or rebuild shall only be restored, repaired
or rebuilt in conformity with the provisions
of this chapter.
Sec. 24-13.4. Nonconformin4 accessory uses and accessory
structures.
No nonconforming accessory use or accessory structure shall
continue after the principal structure or use shall have ter-
urinated unless such structure or use thereafter shall conform to
the provisions of the Zone District in which it is located.
See. 24-13.5. F,odae and hotel vreservation.
All lodge and hotel uses and structures that are lawfully
established at the time o€ adoption of this chapter or an
amendment which would be considered to make the lodge or hotel a
nonconforming use or structure under this chapter are hereby
declared to be conforming and not subject to the provisions o€
this article as long as the following standards and requirements
are met.
A. Reconstruction or renovation. All reconstruction of a
structure shall meet the dimensional requirements of
the underlying Zone District. Renovation shall not.
increase the nonconformity of the structure. Renova-
tion is the investment of up to fifty (50$) percent of
the appraised value of the structure; net of land
value. Reconstruction is the investment of fifty (50~)
percent or more of the value of the structure, net of
land value.
B. Increase in units or size. There shall be no increase
in the number of units in the lodge or hotel, or the
total square footage in the lodge or hotel, unless the
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enlargement is for the purpose of constructing deed
restricted employee housing units accessory to the
principal use.
C. Construction of emolovee housing. The enlargement of
the lodge or hotel for the purpose of constructing
employee housing shall be reviewed and considered as a
Development Application for a conditional use pursuant
to Art. 7, Div. 3. In determining whether to approve,
approve with conditions, or disapprove the application,
the Commission shall ensure the following standards and
requirements are met.
1. There is no increase in lodge or hotel units;
2. The proposed employee housing units are in
compliance with the adopted housing plan, and
specifically the need for seasonal employee rooms;
3. The construction quality and unit size of the
proposed employee housing units meets the stand-
ards of the City's housing designee;
4. There are adequate public facilities to serve the
proposed development, and off-street parking is
provided pursuant to Art. 5, Div. 3.
5. The proposed employee housing is compatible with
surrounding land uses and the dimensional require-
ments of the underlying Zone District.
6. The proposed employee housing is deed restricted
to the employee rental guidelines, and against
commercial rental or sale. In the event the lodge
is condominiumized, the deed restricted units must
be retained as a portion of the common elements of
the lodge or hotel.
7. The proposed employee housing receives health,
safety and fire inspection and commitments are
made to comply with the results of said inspec-
tion.
8. The deed restricted employee housing. units are
limited in their rental solely to employees of the
lodge or hotel, and shall not be rented to other
employees of the City nor rented on the open
market.
9. The expansion may be in rental rooms, provided an
equal amount of existing square footage of space
is converted from rental rooms to deed restricted
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h
employee housing units.
D_ Abandonment. The intent of the owner notwithstanding,
when a lodge or hotel subject to this section is
discontinued or abandoned for twelve (12) consecutive
months, then the use may not be re-established or the
structure occupied, without conforming to the standards
and requirements of the underlying Zone District.
E. Damaqe or destruction. If a lodge or hotel subject to
this section is damaged or destroyed by any means and
is not repaired or replaced within two (2) years from
the date of damage or destruction, it shall be recon-
structed pursuant to the standards and requirements of
this chapter.
Sec. 24-13.6. Nonconforming lots of record.
A. General. A detached single family dwelling and
customary accessory buildings may be developed on a lot
of record if:
1. The lot of record is in separate ownership and not
contiguous to lots in the same ownership; and
2. The proposed single family dwelling can be located
on the lot so that the yard, height, open space
and floor area dimensional requirements o€ the
Zone District can be met, or a variance is
obtained to vary from said dimensional require-
ments pursuant to Article 10.
B. Undivided lot. I€ two ~2a or more lots or combinations
of lots with continuous €rontage in single ownership
Bineluding husband and wife as in all eases a single
owner} are of record at the effective date of the
adoption or amendment of this chapter,. regardless of
time of acquisition, and if all or parts of the lots do
not meet the requirements established €or lot width and
area, the lots shall be considered an undivided parcel,
and no portion shall be used or occupied which does
meet the width and area requirements of this chapter.
Sec. 24-13.7. Lot reduction.
A. No lot or interest therein shall be transferred,
conveyed, sold or subdivided so as to create a new
nonconforming lot, to avoid, circumvent or subvert any
provision of this chapter, or to leave remaining any
lot in violation of the dimensional requirements of
this chapter.
B. No lot or portion of a lot required as a building site
under this chapter shall be used as a portion of a lot
required as a site for another structure.
C. No building permit shall be issued for any lot or
parcel of land which has been conveyed, sold, or
subdivided in violation of this section. Any trans-
feree who acquires a lot in violation of this paragraph
without knowledge of such violation, and any subsequent
transferee, shall have the right to rescind and/or
receive damages from any transferer who violates the
provisions of this paragraph.
Section 2
That the following definitions be added to Section 24-3.1 of the
Municipal Code:
NONCONFORMING STRUCTDRE means any structure which was estab-
lished pursuant to the zoning and building laws in effect at the
time of its development, but which does not conform to the
dimensional requirements imposed by this Code for the Zone
District in which it is located.
NONCONFORMING IISE -means any use of land, building or structure,
which was established pursuant to the zoning and building laws in
effect at the time of its development, but which use is not a
permitted or conditional use under the regulations imposed by
this Code for the Zone District in which it is located.
NORMAL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF A NON-CONFORMITY means any work
done in a period of twelve (12) consecutive months on ordinary
repairs, or on repair or replacement of non-bearing walls,
fixtures, wiring or plumbing.
Section 3
A public hearing on the Ordinance shall be held on the
day of , 1987, at 5:00 P.M. in the City Council
Chambers, Aspen City Hall, Aspen, Colorado, fifteen (15) days
prior to which hearing notice of the same shall be published. once
in a rr2wspaper of general circulation within the City of Aspen.
READ AND ORDERED PIIBLISHED as provided by law by
the City Council of the City of Aspen on the day of
1987.
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William L. Stirling, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk
FINALLY adopted, passed and approved this day of
1987.
William L. Stirling, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk
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