HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Use Case.CU.400 W Main St.1976-CU-8f t .
RT!� RIJSUI A. PIELgM, ARGHncr
TO: Aspen Planning Commission
FROM: Russell A. Pielstick, AIA
RE: Floradora - Conditional use of restaurant in Office Zone
on Main Street
Date: August 30, 1976
As agent for the owners, I would like to respond to the memo from
the Planning Office Staff.
I would like to state, first, that we are in agreement with the
technical analysis as presented on their memo. We agree with the
square footages, the breakdown of use areas, and the number of
parking spaces required.
As to the comments at the top of page two, I would like you to
consider the following.
In comment number one the planning office memo correctly indicates
that we have provided 26 parking spaces, which is 5 spaces more
than the maximum required by zoning.
The memo also indicates their concern for landscaping above the
parking garage. It is common, particularly in the age of energy
conservation, to landscape over structures located underground.
The planting of trees would necessitate the use of planters but
would not constitute a technical problem. I agree that the concept
is somewhat urban; however, I feel that when handled carefully,
the visual difference from the Main Street side should be almost
undetectable. As to the last sentence in comment one, the Planning
Office is in error. I refer you to the Zoning Code Article III -
Zone District Definitions and Regulations 24 -3.1 items y and AA pages
8 and 9, 24 -3.7 item D page 13, and 34 -3.7 item F. I also refer
you to the Uniform Building Code Chapter 4 Section 426, I further
would refer you to the precedence of The Miner's Building, The
Cooper Building, and Mountain Plaza Building and to the opinion of
the City Building Inspector. All of these references indicate that
open space, yard, and building line is measured from the ground
level upward.
Comment number two indicates that perhaps we are considering
service to this structure from Main Street, which is not the case.
Service is to be from the alley and, if necessary, we would gladly
reduce our parking to 25 spaces (4 above the maximum) to provide
easier maneuvering of hand trucks and dumpsters.
SUITE 205 520 EAST COOPER ST. ASPEN, COLORADO 81611 TELEPHONE 303/925 -1666
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Comment number three refers to the potential congestion which
could be caused by the restaurant. Use of restaurants are allowed
by right only in CC district where no parking is required. They
are a conditional use in 0, L -1, and L -2. In L -1 and L -2, 4
spaces are required per 1000 sq. ft. while in the 0 zone only 3
spaces are required per 1000 sq. ft. If I went to the maximum
number of spaces required anywhere in the code (L -1 and L -2) for
a restaurant, I would need two additional spaces for a total of
23. We have already privided 26. The corner of 3rd and Bleeker is
on the city bus route as is the corner of 3rd and Hopkins; either
bus brings customers to within 2 blocks of our site. Numerous
lodging accommodations are within easy walking distance of this
site. If a restaurant is located on our site, more people will have
the opportunity to walk to a restaurant, therefore reducing the
potential for noise generation and automobile traffic.
As to comment number four by the Planning Office, it is hogwash.
We have not even been able to determine, at this point, whether the
restaurant is a viable use and therefore, have no lease or operator
to tell us when he will be open, what type of service he will
provide, or what color the menu will be.
The Planning Office memo summarizes by saying they like the
restaurant as a use but cannot support it in conjunction with
the offices. Yet the zone code requires the same parking for
office use as for restaurant use. They say this is an overly
intensive use of the site, but the code says we can have 2292.5
more square feet. The Planning Staff recommends denial of the
conditional use of a restaurant to the Planning and Zoning
Commission, then turns around and encourages the applicant to
proceed with a request for a restaurant.
Further comments unrelated to the Planning Office memo:
1. The site at 3rd and Main is an ideal location for a
restaurant serving the residents and guests of the West
end of Aspen. It would eliminate the requirement of
going into the commercial core area for a meal. It is
located at the corner with the best, most used access to
the North and South in the West end.
2. As an historic structure, the use as a restaurant is the
best possible use which will allow the general public to
view, use, and enjoy one of the finest Victorian structures
in Aspen.
3. A game is going on between myself and the Planning Office
which has nothing to do with use or parking. It has to do
with the "mass" and "size" of the building. However, we
have met with the HPC several tiems and worked out a scheme,
larger than this one, which meets with their approval where
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"mass ", "size ", "open space ", and "design" have been carefully
considered. We have compromised with the Planning Office
by removing 2100 sq. ft. from the "mass" and "size" in our
present scheme. I don't want to play the Planning Office
game any more and I don't think the Planning and Zoning
Commission should be sucked into this game by the subterfuge
of considering parking and floor area ratios when both have
been more than adequately met.
Mrol
ITIMA
FRS RUSELL A. PIE srm. ARGMTEGT
July 14, 1976
Chairman, Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission
c/o Planning Office
City of Aspen
130 S. Galena St.
Aspen, Colorado 81611
Re: Conditional Use for the Floradora
Dear Sir:
I would like to make application for a Conditional Use in the
0 Zoning District for the building located on Block 37, Lots
P,Q,R & S, Aspen Townsite, better known as the Floradora. The
Conditional Use requested would be for a restaurant located
on the ground floor of the existing Victorian house. It is
our belief that with the substantial remodelling that we will
be doing within the existing house, particularly in the areas
of mechanical and electrical equipment, that the building will
conform to the Zoning Code as it presently exists in the City
of Aspen. It is our belief that this use as a restaurant is
consistent with the objectives and purposes of the Zoning Code
and the historic character of buildings along Main Street.
This use seems to be compatible with surrounding land uses.
Enclosed please find the list of land owners within a 300 -foot
distance of the referenced site. Please advise me of any addi-
tional requirements you may have for us to be considered for
this Conditional Use.
ncerely,
Russell A. Pielstick
RAP:lw
Enc.
SUITE 205 520 EAST COOPER ST. ASPEN, COLORADO 81611 TELEPHONE 303/925 -1666
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CHRI' 1ANIA LODGE & CHAI 7S
501 WEST MAIN STREET • ASPEN, COLORADO 81611
TO CHARlMAN ASPEN P AND L DATERECEIVED
CITY OF ASEPN
13 SOUTH GALENA STREET ASS IOPJE0 TO
ASPEN COLO 61611 DATE REPLIED
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Gentlemen:
As already written, I think a quali
Floradora would be an asset to this
restaurant in the
d of Town.
However, the proposed addition to thFloradora is MUCH TOO LARGE
and no matter how cleverly the Archi ect shows open green space
this proposed expansion is much too large.
In addition to the proposed restaura t within the present Floradora
buiiding, an addition of a small off Ice or one or two apartments
seems realisiic on such a small parc 1 of land.
gut if we are going to reduce cones ion and grov,th then each
additional structure should be minim m size. etc. as opposed to
maximum.
Cordially,
Steen Gantzel
BY SIGNED
CHRISTIANIA LODGE & CHALETS
501 West Main Street • Aspen, Colorado 81611 • 303- 925 -3014
DATE REPLIED
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August 3. 1976
Mr, Charles Collins
Planning and Zoning Committee
City of Aspen
Dear Sirse
As a resident of the West End (620 N. 3rd. Street) I
would like to voice my disappr6val of the project planned
for the Flora Dora Building on Main and 3rd Streets.
I disapprove on the grounds that the introduction of a
restauant will upset the delicate balance of residental
life especially affecting Bleeker Street between 3rd
and 4th.
We already faced this same problem with the application
to add a restrauant to the second floor of the Mesa
Store Bakery. I feel that it is important to minim-
ize heavy traffic_ not to mention exhaust fans, delivery
trucks, and air pollution.
Sinc ely.
Ann Altemus
620 N. 3rd, Street
Aspen Co. 81611
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Sue W. Hall
P. 0. Box 2088
Aspen, Golo. 81611
July 30, 1976
Mr. Chick Collins
Aspen Planning & Zoning Commission
City of Aspen
130 So. Galena
Aspen, Colorado 81611
Dear Mr. Collins;
As a full time resident of Aspen since 1967
at the corner of 4th & Sleeker Streets, I have
watched the West End become a less desirable neighbor-
hood each year as car and heavy truck traffic in-
creased.
I realize some traffic increase is in-
evitable as our town grows, however, I have just
examined the new plans for the Floradora and am
appalled!
The traffic congestion and parking problems
created by a 2000 sq. ft. restaurant, 6 apartments,
and 6 or 7 business offices and ONLY eleven off
street parking spaces, is much more than this neigh-
borhood can handle. One has only to observe the
chaos created by the Mesa Store Bakery and Restaurant- -
which I do daily - -to realize that commercial business
is the West End must be sharply curtailed.
The residents of Sleeker St. now have patrons
parking in front of our homes to visit the Bakery
and other existing businesses on Main St. Truck
traffic making deliveries has also become an ob-
noxious problem.
Please take these things into consideration
before granting Conditional Use to the Floradora. I
would like to go on record as being opposed to
granting Conditional Use for this project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Sue W. Hall
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ASPEN 'TITLE COMPANY
A TITLE INSURANCE AGENCY
POST OFFICE BOX 27
ASPEN, COLORADO 51611
(303) 925 -4444
VARIANCE REPORT 1176 - -
RE: Lots P, Q, R and S (Floradora) Block 1137
Per your request we have searched the records of the Pitkin County
Clerk and Recorder of Pitkin County, Colorado and find the property
owners within a 300 foot radius of the above reference property
are as follows:
BLOCK #29
Lots R and S Sue Hall, 500 W. Bleeker, Aspen, Colo.
aTnry filn
Lots F, G and E.1 /2 E� — Sara Linderme, z;o address.✓ 2 L,ovr✓muv�
Lots H and I Herman Dearing, no acdress �D 44101
Lots P, Q and E.1 /2 0 -iHenry Siever, no address r\- -
Lots R and S -'J. Cooke Wilson, Jr., no address ✓(
BLOCK 31 % -770roZ
Lot I Christiana Lodge, Swen & Frances Gantzel
501 W. Main St., Aspen
BLOCK 36
Lots K thru S John F. Weaver, 422 W. Bleeker St., Aspen
BLOCK 37
Lots A, B, C, D, John and Jane Strandberg, 433 Bleeker St.,
E.1 /2 E, F, 3�, {2�^
and W.1 /2 of G. 3(�0
Lot:: H, I and E. 1/2 G- Maude Helms, no address' r -770
Lots K, L and M Alma Beck, no address/ 6 ° X
Lots E. 8' of L and ''Frank & Mary Warhust, no address�/l'�-.'
W. 22' of M
Lots N and 0 Wm. & Patricia Comocowich, 420 W. Main,
Aspen
BLOCK 38
Lots A thru I Mary Perkins, 435 E. Main St., Aspen
Lots K thru S Russell & Mary H. Scott, 400 W. Hopkins,
Aspen,
VARIANCE REPORT #76 -07 -32
Page #2
BLOCK 44
Lots A, B, C, and Francis Coates, 333 W. Bleeker, Aspen
w. 28' of D
Lots E, F, G, H, I Ruth Whyte, 117 N. 2nd. St., Aspen
and e.2' of D I �y Q
Lots K and w.15' of I-'Dwight Morss, no address �t�'S 0.nmw� �� 1' AP01 0ko ,
Lots M and e.1/2 of L -.Joseph & Bridgett Luciaea, no address ) A' a �� ,yy f 0
Lots N, 0 and P Mrs. Lawrence Elisha, 320 W. Main, Aspen
Lots Q, R and S Leroy M. Fink, no address ✓
BLOCK 45 o-d' k0Z02�-
Lots A and w.20' of B Herron Apartments
Unit #lA - Stanley Prins, 330 W. Main St., Aspen.
Unit #lB - Stephen Wishart, 330 W. Main St., Aspen
Unit #2B - David Chamberlain, 330 W. Main St., Aspen
Unit B - RobettBar and & Joel Hartmeister, no address/
Carriage House - Susan Bennett, 330 W. Main St., Aspen
Lots C, e.9.5' of B J.Sterling Baxter, 323 W. Main St., Aspen
and w.15' of D
Lots E, F, G, H, I,
and e. 2' of D Tor Corp (Applejack Inn) 311 W. Main St.,
Aspen
Lots K and L -Ted & Sylvia Brown, no address ✓Z3[J gw,.P, HA p,
Lots M and e.1/2 of t - Tames Porter, no address V � � O` To-7,- -7 -7d29
Lots M, N and 0 Shadowview Condominiums
Unit A - Sue Crowley, 324 W. Hopkins St., Aspen
Unit B - John Stoddard, 324 W. Hopkins St., Aspen
Unit C - Priscilla Harper, 324 W. Hopkins St., Aspen
Unit D - John Poppell, 324 W. Hopkins St., Aspen
BLOCK 43
IS '1i5)
Lots K, L, M, and w. 8' of N''- Ruth J. & Raymond Maxwell, no address
Lots 0 and w. 8' of N Estate of Wilford Fultz V"
W avtk. T�s�c b (0-7
VARIANCE REPORT 176 =07 =32
Page #3
Although we believe the facts stated are true, this report
is not to be construed as an abstract of title, nor an
opinion of title, nor a guaranty of title, and it is under—
stood and agreed that Aspen Title Company neither assumes
nor will be charged with any financial obligation or liability
whatever on account of any statement contained herein.
Dated this 22nd. day of July, 1976
ASPEN TITLE COMPANY
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Aspen Planning Commission
FROM: Planning Staff (HC)
RE: Conditional Use - Restaurant in Floradora
DATE: July 30, 1976
This is a public hearing to consider the conditional use of a
restaurant in the O,Office zone to be located in the Floradora
building on Block 57, Lots P, Q, R & S, Aspen Townsite. The
Floradora has received Historic Designation and the proposed
remodel is under review by the Aspen Historic Preservation
Committee.
The proposed remodel of the Floradora would create a building
composed of the following:
Basement
3,704
square
feet
Ground Floor
5,560
square
feet
Second Floor
3,858
square
feet
Third Floor
2,845
square
feet
TOTAL 15,967 square feet
TOTAL LOT AREA 12,000 square feet
The uses consist of eight (8) offices; six (6) apartment units;
and a restaurant of 3,000 square feet with accessory space of
1,300 square feet. The parking spaces shown on site total
eleven (11) spaces.
The comments of the Planning Office are as follows:
1. The configuration of the building design is under
review by the H.P.C. and subject to change. The
above figures are taken from plans currently on
file with the Planning Office. A meeting of the
H.P.C. is scheduled for Friday, July 30, 1976 at
which time additional revisions may be made to the
building plans.
2. Including the basement storage
building size is substantially
ratio of 1 to 1 for the office
feet to 12,000 square feet lot
The building size must be redu
the zoning code requirement.
and restroom areas,
over the floor area
zone (15,967 square
area).
Zed to conform to
3. Only eleven (11) parking spaces are reserved for the
entire building complex. This is insufficient for
the restaurant alone without considering that allocated
for office and residential uses.
4. We are informed that the restaurant would be owned
and operated by the present owners of the Weinstube
Restaurant. As such it is predictable that the rest-
aurant will be of a high quality and attract a significant
number of persons. Details of the hours of operation, types of
service, etc. are not available at this time. The
restaurant use would offer an excellent opportunity to
display the fine Victorian archecture of the Floradora.
u
MEMO
P & Z
FLORADORA
July 30, 1976
Page Two
5. The Planning and Zoning Commission is reminded that
on August 17, 1976 the revised office zone will be
considered at public hearing. An element of this
revision would require offices on Main Street to
receive conditional use approval.
The Planning Office would support the operation of a restaurant together
with accessory housing apartments on this site. However, we cannot
support a restaurant in conjunction with eight(8) office units; six (6)
apartments; and only eleven (11) parking spaces. This represents an
overly intensive use of this site. Undoubtedly, substantial impaction of
Bleeker Street will occur by automobiles seeking parking spaces. Such
use would occur at late evening hours creating a potential for nuisance
compliants in the existing residential neighborhood. Only limited public
parking is available on Main Street and the adjacent Third Street.
The Planning Office recommends denial of the conditional use as proposed
and encourages the applicant to proceed with a request for the restaurant
and apartments only.
s.