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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcoa.cclc.min.040313 COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF APRIL 3, 2013 Chairperson, Don Sheeley called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Commissioners in attendance: Bill Dinsmoor, Riley Tippet, Kiki Raj, Terry Butler, Hana Pevny and Siam Castillo. Andrew Kole was absent. MOTION: Riley made the motion to approve the minutes of March 20' second by Terry. All in favor, motion carried. Don said there are three issues: Saturday Market Public right of way Loss of parking Mak Keeling, Summit Construction said he will make this as quick as possible. We worked out the jersey barricades with the farmers market. One of the rigs can go inside the barricades. Don asked if there was any way to bring half the parking back? We need to protect businesses and the look of the town and I hate to see that many parking spaces gone. Mak said all of the construction is within the foot print. Steve Barwick, City manager said council gave direction that they only want one street impacted per season but they didn't mention a corner lot. Charles Cunniffe, architect said they want this building done in record time and they want to be open for businesses for XMAS. Steve asked which side would work. Charles said they need both sides. Don said anything is possible. Erica Della from Cunniffe's office suggested using diagonal parking along the Elks Building. Terry said when we get a good developer we need to get behind them. They are trying to do a development first class in a clean manner and all of a sudden we are putting in road blocks. I am frightened to death. These people bought the building 1 COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF APRIL 3 2013 beside me. We believe in Aspen again. We will be benefiting in the end. We need to let him get started. Riley asked about putting some of the parking spaces back after a certain date to show good faith. Mak said we have a internal contractional agreement with the owner and businesses coming in. Bill said he is concerned about the parking but it is the price we have to pay to get efficiency. I am sorry you had to come down here and lose a week. We want the project to be on time. Kiki said it is a big deal for our store losing parking but people in the summer usually walk. Hana said there is a price to pay for the project. It is only one summer and the market encourages people to walk around. Siam said they are doing what they can to make it happen. There is always going to be a price. Don said it is public right of way. I don't feel we need to take away that many spaces. Lets look down the road, the aspen art museum is a mess and it is a corner lot.. I am asking for four spaces back. Torre said they are using an onsite construction trailer. I am not sure that is necessary. The sidewalks are wide and can't we use the sidewalk instead of the streets. This isn't about parking it is about the impacts to the community. It is a compromise. I have been talking to staff about this. Chris Bendon said we are trying to balance the project. We don't have a clear Policy. I feel for these people because they were intending to start Monday. We need to have a clear policy on how to develop a building downtown. We need to be clear about the city policy for the future. Trish Aragon said there are no encroachments allowed in the core. This is an encroachment variance to allow construction to proceed. This is a variance from the municipal code. 2 COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF APRIL 3 2013 Steve said if we allow two sides on this we will probably have to allow it in the future. Torre said this is near and dear to my heart. Charles said this is a small building and that is why we can proceed faster. Hana said we have to weight the time frame also and putting this out an 8th month inconvenience or a 12 month inconvenience. Lorrie Winnerman said that Cooper Street went for 12 to 18 months and it didn't affect any businesses. Give him the access and get it done. The quicker the better. Hanna said if you make a policy and if you go over your time frame then you get a penalty. Chris said it is all about clarity. Tony said there is no penalty provisions but the actual costs of these encroachments are $1,000. a day. Mak said we have to pull everything off for the bike race. Motion: Bill moved to approve the engineering plan and move forward; second by Terry. Motion carried 6-1. Don voted no. Don said we do need to look at future development. Updates: Dan said Wagner is closed. John Denver sanctuary phase two should be completed. Dan said flowers have been planted at the roundabout. Xmas market update Bill Dinsmoor said both companies are affiliated with the German consulate who is promoting these. They are funded from Germany to explore bringing in businesses here. Chicago has recently reorganized their board. The feedback was good and they are excited about discussing this. They said it was redundant to do a survey because they do them themselves. 3 COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF APRIL 3 2013 MOTION: Riley moved to adjourn; second by Kiki. All in favor, motion carried. Meeting adjourned 10:00 a.m. Kathleen J. Strickland, Chief Deputy Clerk 4