HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.apz.19780815 BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.,DENVER R E C O R D OF P R O C E E D I N G S
Regu ar Meeting Aspen Planning and Zoning commission August r7,--=8
The Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission held a regular meeting on August 15, _
1978, at 5: 00 PM in the City Council Chambers. Members present were Charles
Collins, John Schuhmacher, Joan Klar, Welton Anderson and Ellen Anderson. Also
present were Karen Smith and Joe Wells of the Planning Office and Housing Direc-
tor Mark Danielson.
New Member Collins welcomed P&Z ' s new member Ellen Anderson, Ms,
Anderson asked that she just listen to this meeting to
acquaint herself with their procedures.
Approval of Minutes Klar moved to approve the minutes of August 1, 1978 , as
presented, Schuhmacher seconded. All in favor, motion
approved.
A&L Development, Smith noted that at the Council meeting August 14, 1978,
430 W. Hopkins, the Council directed the City Attorney to draft amendments
Goldsmith, to Ordinance 53 of 77 and imposed an administrative delay
Subdivision on any further subdivision exemptions. The City Attorney
Exemptions asked that the P&Z table the applications on the agenda
tonight. Smith said the attorneys for the applicants and
the City Attorney will meet with her in the next few days
to discuss this action. If it is determined that these
three applications can be pursued, they will either call
a special meeting or place them on the next agenda. The
delay is until November 1, 1978, to give the Planning
Office and the Housing Authority an opportunity to review
the impact of condominiumizations, evaluate the housing
supply and demand and to make some recommendations on
Ordinance 53.
Martin Kahn, representing the Goldsmith application, noted
his objection to the delay. He noted that the imposition
of a delay on an application that has been in the process
is not appropriate. He noted that there will be no tenant
displacement on this application. They were prepared to
comply with. the present regulations.
Herb Klein, representing the 430 W. Hopkins application,
noted his objection to this delay, They were also prepared
to comply with Ordinance 53 and the Planning Office memo
was positive.
Ashley Anderson, representing the A&L application,
noted that there would be no tenant displacement and they
are prepared to comply with the requirements now in effect.
He objected to the delay. He asked that if the City Attor-
ney reconsiders his position on tabling, the P&Z consider
a special meeting so they can go to Council the 28th.. He
objected to it not being heard at this meeting.
Collins acknowledged their statements. He asked that these
be tabled pending the input from the City Attorney,
Klar moved to table the A&L Development Subdivision Exemp-
tion, 430 W. Hopkins Subdivision Exemption and the Gold-
smith Subdivision Exemption based on the request for an
administrative delay from City Council, Schuhmacher sec-
onded. All in favor, motion approved .
Silverking Welton Anderson stepped down from the Commission,
Referral
Smith noted a state statutory requirement that all sub-
divisions within two miles of a municipality be referred
to the municipality for comment, She noted that the Board
of County Commissioners has set a public hearing for this
on August 28, 1978 .
Gail Mahoney was present to display a study on the housing
impact analysis of Silverking on the community. Their
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Regular Meeting Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission August 15, 1978
study showed there are 1542 rental units in the Aspen area.
Silverking provides 17% of these units, 14% theoretically
due to the occupancy rate. She estimated Silverking to-.be -
5
5/sgft.l%'itl the average at�. 50. 5/SgEt in Aspen. A sur-
vey of the Silverking residents showed that 40% were in-
terested in purchasing a unit. Klar asked if they were
told of the proposed improvements. Mahoney said yes.
132 of the 304 units responded. She noted the unemploy-
ment of Silverking is 14% compared to 6% in Aspen. Most
of the residents are short term. Silverking offers one
year leases in the fall. Short term people are forced to
forfeit their deposit and last month' s rent. She presented
two graphs showing occupancy rates. She noted a rent in-
crease in September, 1976 (4%) and one in April , 1977 (8%) ,
and showed their impact on the graph. She noted that the
labor force is becoming less and less seasonal.
Mark Danielson felt that Silverking has served as a waylay
station for short term and seasonal employees , He felt
the occupancy decrease is due in part to the management.
The owners have used it for tax purposes without using
the profits for renovations. There has been a decrease
in the quality of living, a decrease in occupancy and an
increase in rent. He drew a graph showing the relation-
ship between the increase in rent and the decrease in
occupancy. He felt people judge the housing by the value
for the dollar. He felt to retain it as a rental project
would require a substantial reinvestment of funds which
would raise the rents again. He noted that tenant dis-
placement in the future will be reduced because the oc-
cupancy is decreasing yearly. Schuhmacher asked the other
reasons why Silverking is not succeeding. Danielson said
another reason is the high rents .. Schuhmacher noted that
Mahoney had stated that the rents were not high compari-
tively. Danielson said they are high in terms of value
for the dollar. He also ntoed that the landscaping plan
that was proposed was never carried out.
Jay Kuhne, prospective buyer of the project, noted that the
attitude of the present tenants is deteriorating because
the quality of living continues to decrease.. They have
replaced 60 doors in the last four months because of their
anger. Schuhmacher asked if that attitude is unique to
Aspen. Kuhne noted that he owns other projects in Cali-
fornia and that when the tenants have a pride of owner-
ship, they take much better care of their space.
Danielson noted that Phase 1 of the condominiumization
will make the 100, 200, 300, 400 and 1200 buildings PMH
housing subject to the housing authority' s qualification
criteria. The prices for these units would be $30, 000
for a one bedroom, $47, 300 for a two bedroom and $20, 300
for the studios. There would be a resale restriction.
There 101 units with 146 bedrooms, Phase 2 deals with
employer units in the 500, 600, 700 and 800 buildings
with 87 units and 184 bedrooms. They would be sold to
employers for rent to their employees. The County P&Z
wants rent control on these units „ Danielson is against
any rent control. He is studying what tax bracket the
employers would have to be in to qualify to buy. Phase
3 would be the remainder of the buildings under the free
market criteria, with 116 units and 197 bedrooms . There
are 23 studios which would go for $36, 000 each with re-
sale restrictions and criteria for prospective buyers,
He noted that the buildings in Phase 1 are better built
than the others.
Mahoney noted a survey of over 800 licensed businesses
that showed 38. 6% of the 25% that responded were inter-
ested in purchasing a unit to rent to employees . She
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BRADFORD PUBLISHING CO.,DENVER R E C O R D OF P R O C E E D I N G S
Regular Meeting Aspen Planning anC zoning commission August 15, 1978
noted that they have employers interested in over 125
units with only 87 available. Danielson noted that
he had more than enough people interested in the Midland
Park units but when they eliminated those unqualified
and not really serious, they were left with 25% of that
figure.
Kuhne said they are prepared to pick up 10% of each -unit' s
financing. Smith noted that her main concern was with the
impact this will have on the rental market. She felt
there are many people at Silverking now that could not
afford a downpayment even with the proposed financing.
She felt there may be a need for a dorm housing type com-
plex. She suggested that one owner purchase part of the
employer units and offer them short term to seasonal em-
ployees such as the music students, etc. She asked that
the P&Z recommendation contain some caution about the
potential effects on the rental market. Danielson felt
the decision must be made on the basis of the alternatives.
He supported the condominiumization.
Collins felt this is a very complex situation. He felt
they should draft a resolution of general support con-
taining their concerns . He felt there are still many
unanswered questions. He supported Smith' s concern with
the rental market. Klar felt it very appropriate that
they review this application since she felt Silverking
may be annexed into Aspen in the future. She was pleased
that a local with a good track record is pursuing the
application. She felt they must balance the loss of
rental units with the gain of local permanent housing.
Ms. Anderson noted that she has lived in an apartment
complex that had guarantees that the landlord must put
a certain amount of money back into the units for up-
keep. She questioned if this is possible. Danielson
stated that Kuhne will be committed to the prices, reno-
vation, financing, etc, that he represents . Ms . Anderson
said she was concerned with the employee that can 't get
up the downpayment. Danielson said it may be possible
for the Housing Authority to do the financing on the PMH
units. He noted that they are tax exempt. This would
reduce the downpayments and principal and interest pay-
ments.
Schuhmacher moved to have the Planning Office draft a
resolution, Klar seconded, All in favor, motion approved,
(Welton Anderson reentered the meeting)
Trails Bridge John Young, Pitkin County Trails Director, was present
Stream Margin to present the application. He asked that the P&Z assist
Review in choosing the abutment sites for the three bridges in-
volved in the Rio Grande Herron Park Bike Path System,
He showed the paths and proposed bridges on a map.
Smith said her concern was that this would obstruct the
100 year floodplain® She suggested that the bridge be at
least one foot above the flood elevation. Ellis and
Meyring are concerned with the debris that may collect,
Young explained some specifics of the construction of
the bridges.
Klar moved for Stream Margin Review approval of the three
bridges as outlined by John Young conditioned on no more
trees than necessary be removed, construction of the re-
vegetation plan be completed as soon as possible so as
not to disrupt or pollute the stream, the lowest part of
the bridge be one foot above the floodplain and three
abutments on bridge #2, Anderson seconded, All in favor,
motion approved.
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Regular Meeting Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission August 15, 1978
GMP Long Range Joe Wells of the Planning Office was present to discuss
Changes the memo of August 11, 1978 , from the Planning Office.
The Board discussed items 1-11 under Prodedure, 1-8 under
Format, 1-5 under Employee Housing and 1-5 under Commer-
cial Projects. Memo of August 11, 1978 , and tape avail-
able in the Clerk' s Office.
Anderson moved to adjourn the meeting, Klar seconded.
All in favor, motion approved. Meeting adjourned at
8 : 00 PM.
Sheryl i.mmen, Deputy City Clerk