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AGENDA
Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission
REGULAR MEETING
April 16, 2019
4:30 PM Sister Cities Meeting Room
130 S Galena Street, Aspen
I. SITE VISIT
II. ROLL CALL
III. COMMENTS
A. Commissioners
B. Planning Staff
C. Public
IV. MINUTES
V. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS
VII. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Rio Grande Recycling Center
B. Council work session follow-up
VIII. BOARD REPORTS
IX. ADJOURN
Next Resolution Number: 6
Typical Proceeding Format for All Public Hearings
1) Conflicts of Interest (handled at beginning of agenda)
2) Provide proof of legal notice (affi d avit of notice for PH)
3) Staff presentation
4) Board questions and clarifications of staff
5) Applicant presentation
6) Board questions and clari fications of applicant
7) Public comments
8) Board questions and clarifications relating to public comments
9) Close public comment portion of bearing
10) Staff rebuttal /clarification of evidence presented by applicant and public comment
1 1 ) Applicant rebuttal/clarification
End of fact finding.
Deliberation by the commission commences.
No further interaction between commission and staff, applicant or public
12) Chairperson identified the issues to be discussed among commissioners.
13) Discussion between commissioners*
14) Motion*
*Make sure the discussion and motion includes what criteria are met o r not met.
Revised April 2, 2014
Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission
March 26, 2019
Chairperson McKnight called the meeting to order at 4:31 pm.
Commissioners in attendance: Scott Marcoux, Spencer McKnight, Teraissa McGovern, Ruth Carver
Absent: Jimmy Marcus, Rally Dupps, Ryan Walterscheid
Staff present:
Jeannine Stickle, Records Manager
Andrea Bryan, Assistant City Attorney
Garrett Larimer, Permit Coordinator
Jennifer Phelan, Deputy Planning Director
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
None.
STAFF COMMENTS
Ms. Phelan asked the commissioners if they would like to have the planned follow-up discussion from
the P&Z work session when only four commissioners are present.
Mr. McKnight responded that he would prefer to have a larger group present for that discussion.
Ms. Phelan stated that she would put them item on each agenda and have the discussion when there
are more commissioners present.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. McGovern voted to approve the minutes from February 19th, 2019. Ms. Carver seconded. All in
favor, motion carried.
DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Ms. Carver stated that she would need to recuse herself from the hearing on 230 E Hopkins as she lives
near the property.
PUBLIC HEARING
1011 E. Hopkins (ADU), Special Review (continued from 2/5)
Mr. Bendon asked for a continuation on the hearing as neither of the owners could attend. Ms.
McGovern motioned to continue the hearing to April 23rd, 2019. Mr. Marcoux seconded. All in favor,
motion carried.
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IV.
PUBLIC HEARING
230 E Hopkins (Mountain Forge), GMQS Amendment
Ms. Carver left the meeting at 4:37 pm.
Mr. Larimer introduced himself as a Planner with the City of Aspen. He introduced the hearing for
Mountain Forge at 230 E Hopkins. He stated that it’s located in the mixed-use zone district, stating that
the applicant is requesting a growth management approval amendment. He stated that, in 2016, the
applicant applied for conceptual commercial design, growth management approval to redevelop the
current building. They were granted an allotment for a free market residential unit as part of this
approval. They got credit for existing commercial spaces with the net leasable for the existing
commercial spaces, and then for an onsite affordable housing unit. When they came back in for final
commercial design approval, they had some changes to the unit sizes that were approved as part of
Resolution 1, series of 2018, and then they submitted a building permit with these approvals and the net
leasable and floor area numbers that came in as part of the building permit were different than what
was included in the approval, so the applicant is back again requesting to make minor amendments to
some of the floor area numbers and net livable net leasable numbers that were included in the previous
approvals. The current request is to allow for a free market unit not to exceed 2,500 square feet. The
applicant purchased a TDR. They were originally approved for a free market unit. The language of the
approval said up to approximately 2,313 square feet. The TDR allows them, based on the zone district
maximum unit size, a unit up to 2500 square feet. The applicant is interested in using more of the
square footage provided by the TDR and provided for in the code in this zone district. Also, there’s a
minor change to the affordable housing unit. They’re currently showing the affordable housing unit at
961 square feet, so amending the language of the affordable housing unit approval to include that no
less than 961 square feet, and then they have commercial net leasable spaces that are shown to be
below the credit that was granted for the existing commercial in the original building. As of right now,
no additional affordable housing mitigation is required for those and there is no significant change as
part of this request to the commercial net leasable approval. Staff recommends that the Planning and
Zoning Commission approve the request to amend Resolution 5, series of 2016 and Resolution number 1
series of 2018 to include the language for the free market unit not to exceed 2500 square feet, for the
affordable housing unit to measure no less than 961 square feet, and the commercial to continue to
comply with underlying zoning as required by the code.
Mr. McKnight asked why the amended language has the limits “no less than” or “no more than.”
Ms. Phelan stated that the reason staff is saying not to exceed 2500 square feet for the free market is
because a TDR is worth 500 square feet worth of square footage. They can go from 2,000 up to 2,500,
however, they have limitations of floor area. So 2500 square feet is interior wall to interior wall. Floor
area will have a top range, and that will also include some circulation. Staff is not sure if they’ll be able
to achieve that 2,500 square feet. However, they bought a TDR. Those are not inexpensive. It gives
them the flexibility to potentially maximize it or get up as high as they can, considering the other factors
of floor area.
Ms. McGovern asked if the area of the affordable housing unit is being increased below grade by about
4 percent.
Mr. Larimer stated that that was correct.
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IV.
Ms. Phelan stated that the housing is maintaining the minimum that was shown above grade. Overall
the unit is getting bigger and a little bit more below grade.
Ms. McGovern asked if APCHA has approved that.
Ms. Phelan responded that they had.
Mr. Marcoux asked if there are guidelines for affordable housing units.
Ms. Phelan responded that there are.
Mr. Marcoux asked if this plan met those.
Mr. Larimer replied that they received special review approval as part of the original two approvals to
have 50% or more of the floor area of that affordable unit below grade. APCHA recommended in favor
of it to have that below-grade ratio. They are improving the size of the unit and maintaining a more
than 50% below grade radio.
Patrick Rawley introduced himself as being with Stan Claussen Associates and introduced Dana Ellis from
Rowland and Broughton. He stated that they were always going for a 2,500 square foot unit. The
affordable housing unit is being expanded and it’s largely in line with the original approvals that were
granted.
Ms. Ellis thanked staff for trying to find a way to make this flexible. She stated that this is a remodel
addition. She stated that, when the building permit documents came together, the numbers were a
little bit different. She stated that, where they’re coming in right now for net livable for their building
permit is at 2,395 square feet, so they are not hitting that 2,500, but they want the leeway to have the
flexibility during construction. There’s a chance that, when we get into demolition, there may be a shift
in commercial net leasable. She stated that they would keep in touch with staff and stay under all of
those numbers. They are not even close to hitting any maximums on this. The swings aren’t going to be
more than 50 square feet here and there to keep under the allowable by underlying zone districts but
allowing that the resolution affords that flexibility since it’s a site-specific project.
Mr. Marcoux asked if there is a client already set up for the commercial space.
Ms. Ellis stated that there is. There is not yet an affordable housing tenant.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Mr. McKnight stated that the proposal seems cut and dry.
Ms. McGovern stated that she does not have any concerns.
Ms. McGovern motioned to approve Resolution 5 for 2019. Mr. Marcoux seconded. Commissioners
voted, and Resolution 5 was approved unanimously.
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IV.
ADJOURN
Mr. McKnight motioned to adjourn the meeting. Ms. McGovern seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 4:48 pm.
Jeannine Stickle
Records Manager
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IV.
Page 1 of 2
MEMORANDUM
TO: Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission
FROM: CJ Oliver, Environmental Health and Sustainability Director
THROUGH: Jessica Garrow, Community Development Director
MEETING DATE: April 16, 2019
RE: Future Options for the Rio Grande Recycle Center
SUMMARY & REQUEST OF P&Z: Pitkin County will withdraw its funding for operations at the Rio
Grande Recycle Center beginning in September of 2019. This is due to a variety of reasons that
include new county recycling regulations which will provide curbside recycling options for the majority
of Pitkin County residents and businesses as well as recycling commodity prices which have fallen
significantly over the past 10 years. Recycling today carries a significant financial burden, which
appears to be a trend that will continue. As a result, the City of Aspen City Council needs to decide if
the City should take over the responsibility for funding an in town recycle center or if Aspen should
close the center down and rely on curbside service alone to meet its recycling goals. It is important to
note that the drop off facility at the Pitkin County Landfill will be maintained.
Over the spring, the City is seeking input on the future of the Center and recycling in Aspen. This is an
informational memo to inform P&Z about potential changes happening at the Rio Grande Recycle
Center. P&Z is encouraged to visit www.AspenCommunityVoice.com to provide feedback on the
future of the Center. A final decision is expected by City Council this summer.
DISCUSSION: Pitkin County has provided funding for collection of recyclables at the Rio Grande
Recycle Center for the past 30 years. During that time the community and surrounding area have used
the center extensively to fulfil their waste diversion preferences. The center currently accounts for
around 40% of the overall waste diversion from the City of Aspen and receives significant daily use
from both residents and businesses.
The City of Aspen essentially has three choices as we move forward with the Rio Grande Recycle
Center:
1. Continue to operate the center as it is today, providing single stream recycling service at a cost
of at least $250,000/year which is the amount Pitkin County currently pays to have pick up
service at the center.
2. Provide targeted collection of specific items at the Rio Grande Recycle Center. These items
may include things such as cardboard, glass, batteries, and compostable items such as yard
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VII.A.
Page 2 of 2
waste or food. This would serve as a way to collect items which are less costly and/or not
included in single stream curbside service. This option would be less expensive but would still
have ongoing costs of $75,000 or more depending on the selected materials.
3. Close the center down entirely. In this scenario the community would rely solely on curbside
collection for residential and business recycling.
NEXT STEPS: We want to hear from you on what the future of the Rio Grande Recycle Center should
be! Please provide your input at www.AspenCommunityVoice.com. The website also has a number of
resources regarding the history of recycling, the latest waste study, and videos on this issue. Based on
all the feedback given, Council will be asked to make a decision on the future in the summer, before
Pitkin County’s funding ends in September.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Fact sheet on the Rio Grande Recycle Center
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VII.A.
Ho Aspe Recycle
INCLUDED
CURBSIDE
PICK UP
RECYCLE
CENTER
DROP OFF
GLASS PAPER
PLASTIC
METALS
ORGANICS
SCRAPS
PICK UP
Ra Material
Cost included in trash bill
5787 tons diverted (2017)
Paid for by Pitkin County
1159 tons diverted (2017)
Optional cost in trash bill
347 tons diverted (2017)
The Rio Grande Recycle Center (RGRC) in Aspen costs about $250,000 per year
for current service. In August 2019 Pitkin County will no longer fund the RGRC.
KEEP
RECYCLE CENTER
CHANGE TO
SELECT RECYCLING
CLOSE
RECYCLE CENTER
CURBSIDE
ONLY
KEEP
RECYCLE CENTER
COLLECTING
ALL RECYCLABLES
No
additional
City money
for recycling
>$250K
from City
budget
annually
>$75K
from City
budget
annually
At least 3x
diversion of
food and
yard waste
Wha '