HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.apz.19841002 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2. 1984
Chairman Perry Harvey called the meeting to order at 5: 03 p.m. with
commissioners Jasmine Tygre, Pat Fallin, Welton Anderson, Lee
Pardee, David White, Roger Hunt, and Mary Peyton present.
COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Harvey commented on the letter sent to the commissioners whose
terms have expired. Harvey encouraged Hunt, Tygre, and Pardee to
definitely reapply. The city is now ,following proper procedures;
when a term expires the opened position is publicly noticed and new
applications are encouraged. Hunt requested a reaffirmation of
his position now. Is he allowed to sit as a commissioner until
he is reappointed or relieved? Harvey replied that Hunt can sit
on the Commission until relieved.
(Jasmine Tygre arrives in the chambers. )
Harvey reminded the commissioners there is a joint meeting with
City Council on October 15th at 5: 00 p.m. in the council cham-
bers. This will be a work session on SPA. Alan Richman, planning
office , remarked that Council has many questions about the
resolution. He preferred the commissioners as opposed to the staff
answer the councilmembers' questions about the resolution. He
wanted the councilmembers to see that the commissioners support
the resolution.
Harvey asked Tygre if she has reapplied. Tygre replied yes.
.1hite reminded the commissioners that tomorrow at 4 : 20 p. m. in
the council chambers Council will resume its discussion over
splitting the planning department.
MINUTE
September 18. 1984: Roger Hunt moved to approve the minutes of
September 18, 1984; seconded by Pat Fallin. All in favor; motion
carried.
PRE-APPLICATION MEETING
AGATE LODGE
Harvey said this is a pre-application meeting on the Agate Lodge.
The problem is that the PUD requires architectural review. The
applicant requests an approach to mandatory PUD that does not
require the review of the architectural design.
Colette Penner planning office, reminded the Commission it
reviewed the application on the Agate which was submitted by
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Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2, 1984
Stevenson and his group a few months ago. They had the property
under option from Butch Clark. Stevenson ' s group presented a
plan which had some problems. The Commission defined those
problems and suggested revisions in certain areas of the plan.
Stevenson' s group did that, but the Commission still had problems
with certain fundamental areas in the site planning. The Commission
again directed the group to address the issues. The Stevenson' s
group decided it did not want to work with the city; the group
decided not to purchase the property.
The property is still owned by Butch Clark. Clark wants the
Commission to discuss why the mandatory PUD was imposed on the
property. Is there an approach which would not require the
design of the houses and would not require the review of the
architectural design. Could the Commission just review a site
plan? Would the Commission support the removal of the PUD so
that the parcel is zoned R-6? The R-6 zone would be in conjunction
with the west end neighborhood. Clark does not want to design
and build the entire project. Clark wants to go through full
subdivision, divide the parcel into into single family and duplex
lots , and sell those subdivided lots to individuals who would
design their own houses.
Penne reviewed the requirements of the PUD and the feelings of
the planning office. Remember this is only a pre-application
conference and discussion. One question the Commission needs to
answer is whether or not to amend the code in the PUD section.
Would the Commission support removing a PUD through a rezoning?
Architectural design and landscaping plans are required under the
preliminary PUD plan. The code reads that the plans should be in
sufficient detail to enable the planning commission to re-evaluate
the architectural and landscaping design features of the develop-
ment. The plans should show the location of floor area of both
existing and proposed buildings, the maximum heights, the types of
dwelling units, etc. The Commission is provided a commencement
and completion construction table. The Commission is provided
preliminary elevation and perspective drawings of all structures
and improvements.
The proposal by Tom Wells, representative for Mr. Clark, is for
full subdivision of the property. Those lots would be sold as
raw land for the development of single family units or duplex
units without architectural design. There possibly would be a
site plan . This proposal is difficult. The division is along
original townsite lots. Wells has indicated his client would be
flexible about lot arrangements offered under a PUD. But the
applicant does not want to design houses. The PUD can be utilized
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2. 1984
in terms of the land planning. But, the applicant does not want
to go through all the requirements of PUD.
Planning office believed that the PUD overlay was placed on that
particular property because of its visual sensitivity. The
property has a real impact on the entrance to Aspen. Therefore,
it is important to review more than a site plan for the
property. There are no slope or viewplane problems. [dells did
mention in his letter of application, which is included in the
commissioners' packet, that originally the property was used for
a lodge. But, during the L-3 rezoning process the property was used
for long term residential accommodations. The argument by Tlells
is that things have changed and therefore the PUD is not appropriate
anymore. Planning office disagrees. Nothing has changed. The
use on the property is not as important as its exterior, visual
impact.
Penne recommended a solution to accomplish what the applicant
wants. Perhaps the parcel should be zoned R-6 without a PUD
overlay. The disadvantage with that solution is it does not
provide the flexibility to be innovative with the property. R-6
has a certain amount of compatibility with the neighborhood.
Many R-6 neighborhoods exist along the original townsite lots .
The houses in those neighborhoods are heterogeneous ; there are
Victorians next to contemporary structures.
Harvey understood the Commission' s concerns during the original
application process was the visibility of the property (it is the
first piece of property that one sees as one comes into town) ;
the trees; and the elimination of the alleys. If a PUD land plan
were done then the city might end up with a proper design. Deal
with regular townsite lots then.
Hunt remarked given the greater amount of setback on Seventh
Street there would be more natural landscaping needed to buffer
the noise from the dwelling units. That corner is noisy. An
audio type barrier is needed. The PUD discussion anticipated
the development of the property into a semi-commercial use. He
did not have a problem with a straight subdivision. But there
will be problems subdividing along the straight existing lot
lines, especially for the lots along Seventh Street.
Tom Wells , representative for the applicant, investigated what
was meant by "more creativity allowed within a PUD. " He misunder-
stood the PUD process in Aspen. He assumed that PUD could be
used either for full blown developments or only for land subdivi-
sions. Most communities provide the options. Usually one could
take advantage of the mixing and matching of density and/or land
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Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2. 1984
uses allowed in the process . In Aspen one has to go through
steps A to Z , there are no interim steps . The system is built
into the PUD ordinance. An applicant has no choice to not fully
develop a project . The PUD ordinance will not accept Clark ' s
intentions of designing a buffer and using some lot lines. The
PUD requires review of a development through the entire process.
17ells did not suggest eliminating the PUD. The PUD is the one
chance for the city -to look at a very sensitive lot. - He agreed
with certain points in the planning office memo dated October 2,
1984 . The block is one of the most visually sensitive in Aspen
and should be developed in a manner which enhances the image of
the community. The PUD overlay will allow for innovation in the
site plan, retention of some major trees , a provision for a
buffer along Seventh Street, and clustering of lots or structures.
_..freed with that statement 100% . The lot is very v---,:ial.
:e Agate Lodge is certainly substandard and has been that way
for a long time. A PUD was imposed on the assumption that the
property would be developed as a lodge. The city wanted to make
sure a good project was developed there. I4leanwhile , the owner
voluntarily engaged in long term rentals . The property was
under long term rental when the L-3 zone which preserved lodge
zoning was established. The property did not qualify for the L-3
status.
The PUD still exists. Clark can develop the property himself. He
can hire an architect to design a total development plan. He can
find another developer who would accept that design. Or he can
sell the property to another developer who would provide an
alternative design. The extreme solution is to break the property
along the lot lines into normal patterns of the R-6 zone and not
respect the fact that the lot is special. House sites could be
established and sold as residential lots, either as single family
units or duplex units, with no change in density, no change in
unit count. But the code does not address this. These individual
lots could be designated with a PUD overlay, similar to Castle
Creek Drive. He encouraged the varied natural textures of the
west end community over a homogeneous development like the
Villas. The west end is picturesque: new and remodeled Victorians
side by side with contemporary architecture. He preferred to go
through the PUD process as a land plan process. The R-6 underlying
zoning establishes the density, therefore, there is no change in
the density.
Creativity can be established under a PUD. Perhaps berms and
walls and landscaping can be established on Seventh Street to
protect the visually sensitive area before the development is
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2. 1984
built. Ile cannot detail the exact conditions. But, it is not
realistic to establish building envelopes or driveways or to
determine which trees to save under the individually owned
concept . He cannot dictate to everyone how to design their
houses. He envisioned many small duplexes , similar to the
project for Doremus on Smuggler between Seventh and Eighth. He
preferred a design of quiet small buildings. An entire block of
similarly designed structures would not be interesting . Ile
favored the varied textures of the west end along that visually
vulnerable block.
Harvey quoted from the planning office memo dated October 2, 1984 ,
page one, paragraph one :
"sufficient detail to enable the planning Commission to
evaluate the architectural, landscaping, and design features
of the planned unit development. . . the plan should show the
location and floor area of all existing and proposed buildings,
structures . . . including maximum heights, types of dwelling
units. . . "
Harvey asked why certain requirements cannot be waived within the
PUD process. Richman replied the code does not allow the Commission
to waive those requirements. Harvey argued the code allows for
variances within a PUD. Perhaps an architectural control committee
can be established for the project. Pardee reasoned there is a
PUD overlay because the site is visually critical. Many times
mandatory PUD is placed on a property for slope reduction without
requiring architectural plans. The critical reason mandatory PUD
is imposed on some properties is because of the slope. The area
reduced by the slope affects the density. The critical reason the
PUD is imposed on this lot is because of its visual vulnera-
bility. Therefore, he does see a problem with a site or land
PUD.
Penne explained there is a problem. The only thing that is exempt
under a mandatory PUD is a single family house. Even the owners
of duplexe-s,- like Roush, - had- to come in with a request for
exemption from mandatory PUD. Pardee suggested an exemption from
PUD if the applicant were to agree to restrictions defined on the
property by the Commission. Penne argued a PUD may be desirable
for the buffer zone. Harvey interpreted Pardee ' s recommendation:
blackmail an applicant from an exemption from PUD with an approved
land plan. Pardee said the Commission is not so concerned with
the area to the east. He would insist there be a buffer on
Seventh Street. He would insist the design plans for the first
two homes on Seventh Street be reviewed. Exempt the other lots
from PUD . Under PUD he would be willing to grant the allowed
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2. 1984
maximum FAR for a 6 ,000 square foot lot even though each lot may
be less than 6,000 square feet. The lots may lose land, approxi-
mately 500 square feet, to the buffer zone.
Wells commented that Clark ' s original preliminary layout included
two duplex lots on Seventh Street, which provided 90 feet to play
with. That layout provided flexibility to create a meandering
buffer. Pardee requested the trees be saved and the alley be
maintained. Harvey interjected the issue is not what the Commission
wants to see in the PUD, but the issue is how can Clark ' s request
be done legally within a PUD. If there is not a legal solution,
then should the PUD be removed.
Richman explained this request can be accomplished through an
exemption from mandatory PUD. If the Commission were to find the
development meets the intents and purposes of PUD then the
applicant would not have to go through all the rigorous requirements
of PUD. However, the applicant would still have to go through full
subdivision. This project would have to go before the Commission
and Council twice. He did not know if Council would agree to
this concept. The Commission is entrusted with exemptions from
mandatory PUD. If the project were consistent with PUD intent
then the project might not have to meet the PUD requirements.
From the perspective of design and results Wells said he did not
have a problem with Pardee' s recommendation. However, that solution
still forces Clark into either designing or developing the two
duplexes on Seventh Street. Perhaps there could be an agreement
that the city maintains total control. With the understanding
that their is PUD, that their is a buffer, the Commission can review
those two duplexes as they come along as a neighborhood PUD
overlay.
Wells specified that Clark' s original plan included two duplex
lots 90 feet from Seventh Street, and three single family units
on each side of Sixth or a total of six single family units.
white remembered the Commission' s concern during the review of
the original application was the buffer , the trees , and the
alley. There was a concern about the homogeneity of the houses.
He favored the varied textures. If there were someway the city
could have its concerns on Seventh Street mitigated and the
applicant could accomplish his goals then he would be willing to
work out a system whereby free enterprise was not limited in the
less critical portion of the entire site. Perhaps an easement is
the answer.
Wells assured the Commission that the R-6 zone spells out height,
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
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Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2. 1984
setbacks , floor area, parking , everything. It is only the
aesthetics of the design concept that the Commission is required
to review. White encouraged the solution be as simple as possible.
He would be willing to remove the restrictions of a PUD on much
of the site if the city were to receive what it wants on Seventh
Street. wells remarked the city does not have an architectural
review committee.
Hunt recommended that the Commission establish the preconditions
which the Commission has stated before. If lot M were to stay
within those prior stated conditions for the entire PUD then the
Commission would define the lot for FAR purposes as 6 ,000 square
feet even though the lot was only 5,500 square feet. If all the
prior conditions were met by the individual lots then what
would be the problem. If the lots were to maintain the precondi-
tions then the lots would be exempt from the PUD. Require that
the two lots on Seventh Street have a full PUD.
Richman suggested the Commission come to a consensus as to
whether the applicant ' s approach is acceptable. Do not design
the legal solution, let the planning office discuss a legal
solution to the problem with the city attorney. If the Commission
were not worried about consistent architecture across the entire
PUD then that would be all the planning office needs to know to
work with the applicant.
Tygre noted the PUD overlay will have to remain. If the buffer
zone were created the PUD would have to remain to address the
changes in the sizes and arrangements of the houses.
Harvey said the site plan indicates conforming lots ; the con-
figuration is six thousand square feet, six thousand square feet,
six thousand square feet, and nine thousand square feet. The
buffer area would be some kind of easement. The difficulty is
creating the mechanism which would provide for permanent maintenance
of the buffer zone, whether it be a stonewall with ivy or whatever .
If the owner of this particular lot were to grant an easement to
the city, then how would the buffer zone be maintained by future
property owners. There is no incentive to maintain the buffer.
The buffer zone generates nonconforming lots on Seventh Street.
The critical question is should the city require a PUD on those
two duplex lots fronting Seventh. Should the city require the
owner or developer to create the buffer the way the city wants?
If so, should the buffer become a common element in an homeowners
organization even though those two duplex lot owners would
maintain the buffer? On the other hand, if an easement were
given to the city, then the city could create and maintain the
buffer area as it wants.
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2, 1984
Pardee asked if a duplex or a single family structure is going on
the duplex lot . If a duplex were built there, then it would
occupy a greater portion of the extra lot. The city would not gain
that much. The concern is the size, description, and looks of the
two duplexes or single family homes. The other concern is the
appearance of the buffer. He would not release anything until
the city has reviewed those two lots.
[dells repeated he still does not want to design the buildings. The
city is forcing Clark to develop something he does not want to
develop. Design flexibility is important. Flexibility is much
greater with a duplex on 90 feet rather than with a single family
house on 60 feet.
Pardee opposed the development of the six family units without
addressing the two most critical lots. He did not want to see
the most critical lots developed or reviewed last. Pardee would
not release any PUD until the Commission has reviewed those two
parcels and reviewed the mitigations.
Wells commented that the original layout by Clark included a
buffer . But the original plan did not consider who would maintain
the buffer. It would be advantageous if the city maintained the
buffer . The city could coordinate the buffer with the island.
The city could define and maintain the kinds of trees and shrubs
in area. Then Commission can review the design when the duplexes
come up for development.
Pardee asked if the same setbacks would be maintained for a
duplex. How much would be given to the city? Harvey answered
that would be determined through the process of negotiation.
Harvey asked if the Commission favored an approach to enable the
Commission to do a PUD land plan for the critical Seventh Street
frontage and if the Commission favored retaining the PUD overlay
on those two lots . Richman interjected that PUD involves a
minimum of 27 ,000 square feet. This solution is not workable .
Harvey asked the Commission ' s position about exploring a thirty
foot easement. Harvey concluded the solution will probably be some
agreed upon land plan and easement granted to the city. The city
would then maintain that sensitive part of the property.
Penne remarked the Commission may not want to extract the maximum
density for the property. Even if the Commission were to want a
buffer without a PUD there might not be room for maximum allowed
density. The suggestion to allow the maximum FAR that the block
will absorb is not necessarily a good solution. If houses with
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2. 1984
maximum FAR were allowed and if the houses were grouped more
closely together, then there might result a tighter grouping of
larger houses. The visual impact would be massive. Wells maintained
that the lot sizes did not have to be limited. Keep the full PUD
process for the two sensitive lots on Seventh. Richman reiterated
that cannot be done, PUD requires 27 ,000 square feet. Hunt said
keep the PUD on the entire block but exempt the lots which comply
with the preconditions from the PUD requirements.
Richman supported the exemption approach. Keep the PUD on the
entire property. Go through PUD review procedures. The Commission
could determine that full architecture was not appropriate and
could exempt the individual owners from the full architectural
procedures if the applicant were to demonstrate the alleviation
of the Commission' s concerns with sufficient detailed information.
If the Commission were to agree with this concept then planning
office with the city attorney could try to design a program to
make that happen.
Pardee asked the Commission if it wants to review the architectural
design of the two houses on Seventh Street. Seven commissioners
favored this; one opposed. Pardee commented that it was a
mistake to impose the PUD on the entire block. But he would not
support removing the PUD until the two most critical parcels are
reviewed. Fallin did not support carte blanche exemption nor did
she support the request by the applicant.
PUBLIC HEARING
ASPEN MOUNTAIN LODGE
CONCEPTUAL GMP SUBMISSION AND SCORING SESSION
Harvey opened the public hearing.
Penne provided the commissioners a project profile and the score
sheets. There is only one application. It is for 4,500 square
feet of commercial space. The space is part of the Aspen Mountain
Lodge project. The applicant came through the original lodge
competition with a proposal for 8,500 square feet of commercial
space. The commercial space has been reduced to 4 , 500 . The
commercial space is on the ground floor of the hotel. The space
is for retail space for permitted uses in the cl zone; the same
uses permitted in cc with the provision that the space is at
street level with lodging above. The quota available in the cl
and other zones is 3,000 square feet. The request is for a year
and one-half quota.
Harvey acknowledged that 3 ,000 square feet is available in the 1984
quota. But, how many square feet did Council eliminate in 1983?
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2. 1984
There was an 8,000 square foot accumulation over the years of
unallocated commercial square footage. Penne commented it does
not make sense to phase 4, 500 square feet over the years. Harvey
reasoned the Commission is officially taking from future years
allocation, but remember there was 8 , 000 square feet from the
past never used. Penne noted that construction activity like the
Skier Chalet and the Pro Shop at the golf course are subtracted
from this category. Skier Chalet is exempt from the allocation
because it is an historically designated structure.
Penne remarked all employee housing is being considered for the
lodge project as a whole. The employee housing number is still
being revised. The number of employees has been reduced drama-
tically since the original submission. The provision of housing
for this particular application, 4 ,500 square feet of commercial
space, is for six employees in addition to the lodge' s require-
ments. These six employees will be put in housing at the Airport
Business Center. Th sL anits will be converted from free icarket
to emp :yee housing. As __°,-:,hers are refined in preliminary
PUD for the entire hotel project , the six employees for this
application will remain fixed. Those six have to be provided.
Harvey said 4,500 square feet translates to 15. 8 employees (4 , 500
times 3.5 employee per thousand square feet generated in the cl
zone totals 15. 8 total employees) . Six employees are only 38% of
the total required. Track these six employees. Keep these six
employees in perspective with the 15 . 8 figure. The employee
figure needs to be related to employees per 1 ,000 square feet and
to be related to the project.
Penne encouraged the Commission to consider the amenities package
for this project as part and parcel of the entire hotel project.
Peyton asked if there is a formula for determining the number of
employees based on the zone category. Penne explained use is the
critical factor; 3 .5 employees per 1 ,000 square feet of commercial
use . Peyton asked if the planning office has calculated the
total number of employees generated for the entire PUD based on
the square footage per use. Penne answered yes. But, she is not
familiar with the numbers. Vann has been handling this. Joe
Wells, consultant for the applicant, explained the figures have
been developed over the years by the housing authority. A formula
exists. Peyton asked if all the different uses for the hotel are
added together for a total number of employees for the PUD.
Someone said yes.
Hunt cited some problem areas in the application. How will this
commercial space be serviced by service and delivery vehicles?
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2, 1984
Commercial uses require semi-vehicles , trucks , and service
vehicles. J. Wells responded the service bay as proposed is along
Deane. The proposal complies with the city' s standards . Hunt
said the city standards may not be good enough. The commercial
building will probably accommodate a ski shop and other retail
spaces which will require some degree of service vehicles. Deane
Street appears to be a divided street or two single lanes with a
divider in the middle of the street. Park a semi-vehicle or truck
which services the building on Deane and the circulation is
affected. Accommodate the service vehicles on Galena or Durant
Street, a main transit route, the circulation again is affected.
There is a major design flaw for the service vehicles. J. ,fells
clarified there is a service bay for semi-vehicles and trucks at
the east side of the east wing of the hotel . He considered
refiling the hotel application in order to obtain a scoring for
the commercial project. Harvey said details have not been shown
for this problem. J. Wells again said there is a full blown
service bay associated with the east side of the hotel. Hunt
asked the location of the service bay on page twenty-three
of the documented submitted for the GMP application. Incidentally,
page twenty-three and page twenty do not agree. He does not
understand what is going on. The proposal is insufficient .
John Doremus, consultant for the applicant, mentioned the median
on Deane is nonexistent in the current plan. Perhaps include
that as a caveat in a condition of approval. This is not an
alley to be used necessarily by other trucks. The public may
access the street although the applicant owns the street .
Therefore , the regulations regarding parking can be somewhat
different than the parking regulations on an alley or public
street . The easiest way to handle semi-vehicles and cars on
Deane, which has no median, is to create a two way alley which
would be twice as wide than a standard allev. Remember the
building is a one floor commercial building. The commercial
building will not be as active as a two to four story building.
:Iunt interjected part of the problem is exacerbated by the fact
:.e has not received any floor plan of the commercial building.
Service areas are extremely important . There are also major
inefficiencies in the service bay for the main hotel project.
These issues need to be addressed.
J. tlells reminded the commissioners the project is continu-a,i,7 in
iiu_:. This is a conceptual review. Tile prorc;:_: __):aplies with
the service requirements of the city. There is a ramp proposed
to tale underground parking in the immediate area to accommodate
service vehicles . Review that option later on in the oth er
review TDrocess . Presently, there is a service bay on Deane
Street; the street will be vacated for the applicant ' s ownershi �
on the south end of the commercial building . There is also a
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Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2, 1984
complete service bay associated with the east wing of the hotel.
The full range of service solutions should be handled through the
Preliminary review process.
Hunt noted there is no curb cut shown on the sidewalk on Deane.
He does not see a service area for the commercial building .
J, Hells again said the building is constantly being redesigned.
the only assurance he can give to the Commission is that it will
have another opportunity to address this issue during preliminary
review.
Penne worked on certain assumptions for the scoring. If the
proposal were to get through the entire conceptual PUD with a
major design flaw then the system might not be working well .
But , there is a preliminary PUD coming up. Any of those specific
details can be worked out at that level. It is difficult to
separate and divorce a small 4, 500 square foot segment from such
a large project as the Aspen Mountain PUD. It is difficult to score
the 4 , 500 square foot segment. The Commission has to assume that
the -plan is at an acceptable level of design since the overall
project has been extensively run through one step of the process.
Hunt said even if the overall design is acceptable there are
details which are quite unacceptable. Harvey said site design
addresses landscaping and open space, it also addresses arrangements
of improvements for efficiency of circulation, including access for
service vehicles. This specific scoring category for this appli-
cation is deficient to the degree the Commission cannot satisfac-
torily give it a score of excellence . Penne said there will
be sufficient opportunity to work these details out at the
preliminary level. Harvey commented that Hunt can by right score
the category with a zero because the design is deficient in
addressing service vehicles and circulation. J. Wells reiterated
the city defines the standards that an applicant complies with.
This applicant has complied with the established standard. The
document states the applicant complies with the trash and access
standards as currently defined with the city. Harvey responded
but there is no design presented.
Hunt believed the discussion in the submission under the category
of energy is deficient also . The submission discusses lodge
conditions but the discussion does not relate to the commercial
portion of the lodge. The conditions of unoccupied rooms are not
necessarily applicable to commerical spaces. The discussion does
not sufficiently identify energy efficient equipment and design.
"HBAC air conditioning" normally means closed cycled refrigeration
type air conditioning. That is not an efficient system for
commercial space. Harvey thought there was a generic reference
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Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2, 1984
to heating ventilation and air conditioning. Hunt said there is
insufficient information to grade this category with a good
score. J. Ilells said the 4, 500 square feet of commercial space
is a minor element to the whole. The overall issue of energy for
the 500 ,000 square foot property is much more important than the
issue of energy for 4,500 square feet.
White said it is difficult to score this application when the
overall project needs to be considered. One concern is with
transportation; there is no circulation plan. There is a problem
reviewing and evaluating one discreet proposal from an overall
project. lie criticized the system : the Commission does not
receive enough information for the one discreet project and vet
proceeds to approve the discreet proposal. Is there a place to
comment about the insufficient information? In order to evaluate
the discreet proposal there is certain information which is
needed now that will not come forward until the overall project
is reviewed. Presently, there is no circulation plan for vehicles
and pedestrians for the commercial space.
Pardee argued there is a difference between conceptual and
preliminary review. It would be unfair to require finite , exact,
detailed architectural plans until the applicant receives conceptual
approval . Harvey reasoned when an applicant is looking for
approval to build only a lot then the GMP process is the greatest
level of detail . But this particular case is associated with a
preliminary PUD application. The preliminary review will be the
appropriate forum for the detailed submission. There is a loop_
of good faith.
Tygre shared the concerns expressed by Hunt and White . There is
every reason to believe the applicant will show designs for all
these concerns at -preliminary. The applicant is redesigning all
the time. But, there is still a fee-ling that this is out of
control . There are many elements to this project. Normally,
under the growth management process the details would be presented
now. But , much is being deferred to the preliminary level . The
GMP scoring is based on the assumption that these questions will
be resolved satisfactorily at preliminary review. But what
happens if the problems are not satisfactorily resolved at
preliminary. That is the concern.
J. Wells remarked the entire process is very inflexible. The
applicant is working with amended residential GMP applications
and with amended lodge GMP applications. The more that is defined
the more likely there will be amendments. The building design is
in flux. Tygre said this situation is the perfect justification
for the "Cantrup build now and ask permission later Man . "
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2. 1984
J. Wells said the Commission has to find comfort in that it has
control through the PUD process . Harvey said the Commission can
grant a growth management approval or allocation with the assurance
that this proposal will not be built if all the questions are not
answered in the preliminary PUD process. Tygre said somewhere
in the growth management approval process these concerns should
be recorded . Penne said the concerns expressed through the
scoring or through this discussion will be conveyed to Van; who
is taking the- Aspen- M-ountain Lodge project through preliminary
PUD. The concerns will be incorporated in the planning office ' s
submission.
Harvey requested the minutes of this meeting be submitted as
part of preliminary PUD.
J . dells clarified certain points . First he wants to try to
avoid filing amendments. He clarified the statement on energy.
Specifically, in order to get a quality operator it may be
necessary to air condition the rooms. The operator may not
accept those three or four days in summer without air condi-
tioning. The other aspects delineated under energy will be
retained. There will still be a computer system which monitors
the systems.
J . Wells continued. Under site design Penne has recommended the
maximum points. She has stated that the applicant is offering
more than 25% open space for the entire PUD and the lodge. The
overall PUD open space is still 50%. But, the hotel open space
is now 25.3% . There is a reason for the change. The ice rink has
been relocated from a space which was not counted in open space
because it was more than ten feet below grade to a space which
was counted in the open space figures. That space to which the
ice rink has been relocated will now not be counted in open space
because of the definition of the ice rink as a recreational use
in L-3 . The open space in the internal courtyards also has been
reduced. Land which is ten feet below grade is not counted in
open space.
Why does the applicant not receive maximum points for stow,,
drainage? J. Wells did not know. The proposal deals with on site
problems and handles the problems identified by Wright-McGloughlin
many years ago. The applicant has voluntarily agreed to address
that problem . He quoted from the previously submitted storm
drainage report :
"The construction of a pond or ponds to retain and store the
historic unpolluted runoff from the area of Aspen Mountain.
south of the proposed development, will reduce the chance
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2. 1984
of flooding of the project and areas downstream of the
project . The construction of this retention pond was
recommended in the Wright-McGloughlin report. And although
some effort to provide the storage has been made by private
individuals the completed construction has never been
accomplished . The construction in conjunction with this
project will fulfill a need required to protect the core
business area of Aspen. It should be kept in mind that this
storage is for upstream historic storm water from Aspen
Mountain and not for storm water generated by or on the
project site. "
Bunt asked if there is a conceptual system under the energy
section. Will a hot water, chill water loop run through the
hotel? Will air conditioning work off that? Or will there be a
forced air system? J. Wells said the idea of solving the swamp
coolers has been abandoned. Hunt asked if the main system is
pre-cooled with swamp coolers. J. Wells could not answer the
questions.
Penne explained the recommended scoring provision for employee
housing is based on a formula. That item is not a discretionary
item. The same holds true for the conversion of existing units.
Planning office does not grant bonus points but the Commission
can.
The Commission grades the GMP application.
Peyton asked if part of the entire PUD were not to receive an
allocation then what would happen to the entire PUD project. Harvey
replied that portion which did not receive a growth management
allocation could not be built. The portions of the PUD which
satisfy two concerns, receive PUD approval and receive a growth
management allocation, could be built. Peyton asked if there is a
condition attached to the resolution on conceptual approval that
states that the separate parts have to be approved before the
entire PUD or any part of the PUD can be built. J. Wells replied
yes . Peyton said theoretically if one part were not to meet
threshold the entire project could be killed.
Gideon Kaufman commented he has a client that is planning to
compete next year in the cc district. Fie suggested in years
where there are no competitors, instead of eliminating the
allocation for that year create the ability to preserve some of
the allocation so the city does not have to borrow from future
year allocations. This ability also allows someone to build an
average size building without having to phase construction over a
two year period. Harvey said Council in 1983 eliminated the
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2. 1984
backlog of allocations. Kaufman said no one is competing this
year in the cc zone. If someone were to come in the next year
with a submission for a 12 , 000 square foot building then the
applicant could ask for an allocation from the previous year and
not for an allocation from the future year. Preserve the ability
to borrow an allocation from the year which had no competitors.
Harvev asked if Kaufman is requesting in the recommendation
concerning commercial GTIP a statement that the cc quota, which
received no application for the 1984 allocation, be maintained
and carried forward. Kaufman stated at least provide the ability
to carry forward the 1984 allocation. Harvey said the Commission
could recommend to carry the quota forward. Kaufman explained if
the allocation were not used the allocation would be eliminated.
With his proposal the city would be in a position in the following
year not to borrow from the future year allocation if a submission
were to request more than the allocation for that year.
Hunt asked if Council can regenerate the allocation it eliminated.
Harvey pointed out if the Commission were not to recommend to
carry forward the unused allocation from this year to next year,
then the allocation would be eliminated. Specific action is
necessary to carry the allocation forward. Pardee questioned that
statement. He believed the allocation is carried forward automa-
tically. Penne said she thought if there were to be an elimination
of carry over then specific action would be necessary; she was
not sure. Kaufman said traditionally when the Commission does
not recommend the allocation be carried over that the allocation
is eliminated.
Penne stated the application passed the scoring.
Motion;
Roger Hunt moved to forward the results of the growth management
plan to the City Council, to recommend approval, and to recommend
that the City Council allocate a future half year allocation to
this project so that the project can be completed in a timely
fashion. The motion is seconded by Jasmine Tygre.
J. Wells requested that the request to carry forward cc allocation
be incorporated in a separate motion.
Discussion. Pardee recommended change "growth management plan"
to "growth management plan scoring . " Roger Hunt amended his
motion to read:
to forward the results of the growth management plan
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2. 1984
scoring to the City Council . . . "
The amendment is seconded by Jasmine Tygre. All in favor; motion
carried.
Motion:
Welton Anderson moved to recommend to City Council that Council
carry forward the cc commercial square footage from the 1954
competition since there were no competitors . He recommended
that the allocation be added in the potential for future years in
the cc zone. He also recommended to carry over other commercial
quotas, for example the o and the cl. The reason for this recom-
mendation is there will be an inventory of allocation so that the
city will not have to borrow from future years to approve any
project. Seconded by David White .
Discussion. Pardee would oppose the motion. The Commission
should not recommend that allocation be made available. Recommend
instead that Council not eliminate the allocations. The Commission
should not be perceived as a body which encourages growth. The
Commission should encourage the options. He preferred the
phrasing "the Commission recommend that Council oft eliminate
this year ' s quota from future allocation. " White supported the
language of the current motion, the motion as it stands is
positive. The amended motion is negative. Pardee argued the
existing language could be interpreted as a pro growth position.
i�arvey interrupted. There is a difference of opinion as to how the
system works : Kaufman is saying that the Commission should take
this action or the allocation is eliminated. Kaufman stated he
does not want the allocation eliminated. If the Commission wants
to change the motion, let the motion state that the Commission
requests that the allocation not be eliminated and be made available
for future use. Pardee questioned the statement that the allocation
disappears. The only time the allocations disappeared was when
Council took affirmative action. Hunt suggested amending the
motion to direct the planning office to draft a resolution with
the appropriate language depending on what the circumstances
are. It is unclear at this time whether eliminating the allocation
requires Council action or whether to carry over the allocation
requires Council action. Penne stated the Commission is not even
required to make a recommendation on quota. Kaufman said the
dispute is over semantics. The basic concept is the Commission
does not want -the quota eliminated.
Welton Anderson amended the motion to read:
"The Commission recommends to Council not to eliminate the
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RECORD OF PROC :EDINGS
Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2, 1984
1984 commercial quotas. "
The amended motion is seconded by David tGriiite.
Discussion. Fallin asked if one were to vote in the affirmative
would the unused allocation be added every year. Harvey explained
the motion addresses only the 1984 quota. Hunt recalled that in
prior years the city has used previous years unallocated quotas.
Did it take Council action to eliminate the unallocated quotas?
Hunt asked if Council does not take action what happens to the unal-
located quota. Penne replied if Council were not to take action
then the unallocated quota would be carried over. Harvey said
that issue is not clear. Hunt preferred a resolution.
Harvey called for a roll call vote on the motion on the floor :
Pardee nay
White nay
Hunt nay
Fallin nay
Anderson aye
Harvey aye
Tygre nay
The motion is not carried: two in favor, five in opposition.
Harvey directed the planning office to prepare a resolution
which outlines the Commission' s position . Find out if the
Commission were not to do anything would the allocation be
dropped or carried forward. If the allocation were to be dropped
then the Commission would favor a resolution which recommends the
allocation be carried forward. If Council were not to act on the
allocation carry over and if the allocation were not dropped by
the Council ' s inaction then there would be no action by this
Commission.
J. Wells asked given Council ' s bias does the Commission want to
take no position. Kaufman said there is a difference between
what happened in previous years and what happened last year. At
the same time the Council eliminated the quota Council eliminated
a large amount of available quota. The quota in the o (office)
zone is 4,500 square feet. That makes it virtually impossible to
complete a 6 ,000 square foot building. He would like to see that
1984 allocation carried forward. It is important for the Commission
to make a positive statement on this as opposed to no statement
at all.
Hunt said the issue is how to word the statement. That is why he
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2. 1984
wants the planning office to research and write the resolution.
Harvey directed Penne to determine if the Commission were not to
do anything then would the allocation automatically go
forward. Bring back a resolution.
NEW BUSINESS
NUGGET LODGE, SPECIAL REVIEW
Penne said the Nugget went through condominiumization on August
7 , 1984. It was not understood at that time that the FAR was
to be increased. The plans presented did not detail that informa-
tion. H PC reviewed and approved the elevations of the design .
But , the FAR is increasing from 18 ,300 square feet to 19,900
square feet and from a ratio of .68:1 to .72:1. There will be a
large lobby area . The existing decks and solariums will be
enclosed. There will be some covered access walkways. Height
will not be increased. The renderings are included in the
Commission' s packet. The design is an improvement. There are no
adverse impacts on the neighborhood by this slight increase in
FAR. The possible maximum FAR in L-3 zone is 1 : 1 . But any
increase in FAR has to be approved by the Commission. That is
why the applicant is before the board. The Commission takes
final action on this request.
Harvey asked if there is any increase in the footprint. Anderson
answered yes. Harvey said the expansion is toward Main Street
for entrance area . What is the old setback? What is the new
setback on Main Street? Anderson measured the expansion at sip:
feet. Augie Reno, applicant, said the setback will be eight feet
after the expansion. Anderson said the required setback is ter.
feet . Harvey asked if this action requires a variance. Reno
replied no; the expansion is eight feet from the building. Harvey
asked if the only location for increase in the footprint is the
lobby area. Reno answered yes.
Kaufman, counsel for the applicant, said it was his fault for not
mentioning the increase during the condominiumization process .
The FAR increase was one of many things his client was committing
to when his client received his condominiumization approval.
Kaufman did not know at the time of condominiumization that
the closing of the walkways and decks increased the FAR. The
increased FAR should have been reviewed and addressed concurrently
with the condominiumization discussion. Any increase in FAR
in the L-3 zone requires special review approval. It was spelled
out in the condominiumization that his client intended to do the
enclosures. The enclosures were part of the $350 , 000 figure for
remodeling. He apologized.
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2. 1984
Harvey asked if the Commission has any problem with the request.
He asked if the plans can be part of the approval . Kaufman
suggested the language in the motion "as spelled out on the
added FAR floor plans attached that show specifically what his
client is asking for. " Penne noted the Commission is setting the
FAR and is setting what the FAR is being used for. These plans
will be sent to the building department so they can check this
particular remodeling. Harvey said the approval should cite that
the increased FAR will be in the form described in the second
paragraph of the planning office memo dated October 2 , 1984 .
Reno presented the floor plans for the proposed expansion and
enclosures . He delineated the open space to be covered, the
proposed two foot projection, the lobby area, etc.
Kaufman continued. If his client were to later discover that he
needed to increase the approved 1 , 500 square feet for a three
foot overhang which was not even considered, then Drueding might
say that the three foot overhang is not allowed because the 1 ,500
square feet only includes the lobby, the solarium, and the
covered walkway. Kaufman does not want to have to return again
for special review approval for a three foot overhang projection.
Harvey suggested language : "increased lobby area, enclosing the
existing decks with solariums, and adding additional covered
access walkways. . . " Harvey did not want to see the applicant
construct an eight foot tower . He wanted to pin down the approval.
Does that language accommodate the applicant? Penne explained
the problem with an open ended approval. It is required in the
L-3 zone when FAR is increased to define the increase. Randy
Gold, applicant, stated he could live with Harvey' s wording. How-
ever, he does not want Drueding to deny something which is
included in the plans but not included in the language of approval.
He would accept Harvey' s wording with the drawing. Harvev
replied as long as Gold works within the set FAR then Drueding
will not do that. Harvey cannot approve an open ended increase
in the floor area ratio.
Motion:
Welton Anderson moved to approve the special review for the
increase in exterior floor area ratio for the Hotel Aspen,
also known as the nugget, from its present 18,297 square feet to
19, 915 square feet, increasing its FAR from .68:1 to .72:1. The
increased FAR will be in the form of increased lobby area ,
enclosed existing decks with solariums, and added additional
covered access walkways. There will not be any increase in the
height. The motion is seconded by Jasmine Tygre. All in favor;
motion carried.
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission October 2. 1984
Perry Harvey adjourned the meeting at 7: 00 p.m.
Barbara Norris, Deputy City Clerk
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