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AGENDA
INFORMATION UPDATE
January 26, 2021
5:00 PM,
I.INFORMATION UPDATE
I.A.Cozy Point Ranch
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INFORMATION ONLY
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM:John Spiess, Open Space and Natural Resource Manager
THROUGH:Matt Kuhn, Interim Parks and Open Space Director
Austin Weiss, Parks and Recreation Director
MEMO DATE:January 22, 2021
MEETING DATE:January 26, 2021
RE:Response to Brush Creek Metropolitan District Letter received Jan. 8, 2021
REQUEST OF COUNCIL: Information only
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:
The Cozy Point Ranch Management Plan was formally adopted by the City of Aspen on
March 27th, 2017(Council resolution 059-17).
One of the City’s lessee’s, The Farm Collaborative, has applied for a Location and Extent
Review with Pitkin County as the first step of the process for the construction of a new
Farm Collaborative Learning Center. Council reviewed this building at an August 10,
2020 Work Session.
The Location and Extent Review sought referral and comments from neighbors and
stakeholders, and Council received in copy a letter from the Brush Creek Metro District
Friday January 8, 2021.
DISCUSSION:
Management Plan vs. Master Plan:
The Cozy Point Ranch Management Plan was adopted in the Spring of 2017, and the
management plan serves as the guiding document for the property.
The term ‘master plan’ has been used internally when discussing the long-term vision
and improvements to the property. In 2019 and early 2020, staff worked with a planning
and design contractor on a ‘master plan’ and overall site plan for the property. This
project was put on hold due to COVID, and will be restarted at a later date, potentially
as early as 2022. This document is intended to be a supporting graphic document to
the governing document for the property known as “The Cozy Point Ranch
Management Plan”. The Cozy Point Ranch Management Plan was formally adopted by
the City of Aspen on March 27th, 2017(Council resolution 059-17).
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Currently, staff are preparing for the first phase of grading, drainage and parking
improvements called for within the Cozy Point Ranch Management Plan. This work is
outlined within our ‘Grading and Drainage Improvements’ plan which is currently in the
County permit review process. Construction work is scheduled to begin in the spring of
2021.
The present lease agreement with Aspen TREE (Farm Collaborative) refers to
participation in the ‘Master Plan’. The intent of this passage is for the lessee to
participate in the Cozy Point Ranch site planning efforts that parks staff hope to restart
in 2022.
Rezoning of Cozy Point Ranch:
The rezoning of Cozy Point Ranch from AR-10 to PUB as referenced within the Brush
Creek Metropolitan District memo would not be appropriate for the Cozy Point parcel.
According to the Pitkin County Land Use Code the zone district PUB (Public) prohibits
the following uses:
(2) Animal production and husbandry services, and other farm and agricultural uses.
(6) Commercial riding stables
(7) Employee dwelling units
These three uses are current and active on the parcel and specifically referenced by the
2017 Cozy Point Ranch Management Plan.
It should also be noted that the City of Aspen has voluntarily established a conservation
easement with the Aspen Valley Land Trust to ensure our conservation goals are met.
Referral Agent for the Annual Status Report
The City does not believe it is appropriate nor necessary to share the annual status
reports provided by the lessees to the City of Aspen. The agreement for annual status
reports is a term of the lease agreements established between the lessees and the City.
The agreement does not reference existing referral agencies nor the consideration of
referral agencies in the future.
Mischaracterization of Staging Area
The area north of Juniper Hill Road is a material staging area for the ‘Grading and
Drainage Improvements’ project which will commence this spring (2021). The
characterization as a fill separation / light industrial operation are incorrect. The fenced
area aligns with the AVLT conservation easement.
Brush Creek Area Masterplan
The City of Aspen is happy to hear that the County and the Brush Creek Caucus have
initiated their masterplan update. We are looking forward to being involved in the
process as a landowner.
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Parking
As part of the ‘Grading and Drainage Improvements’ project at Cozy Point there will be
a significant restructuring and formalization of the parking. We have instructed the Farm
Collaborative to ensure that the requirements laid out by the County are clearly met and
indicated within their submission.
Road Impacts and Maintenance
Presently the lower portion of Juniper Hill Road exists on the City’s Cozy Point parcel
through a recorded Easement Agreement between the City and Brush Creek
Landowner Association. This 1992 easement elaborates a cost sharing agreement for
those portions of the road on City property. The City participated in the Location and
Extent Review with Pitkin County Planning and Zoning Commission on January 19,
2021. The City welcomes the opportunity to open discussions with Brush Creek Metro
District regarding the terms of the easement and to discuss the need for potential
changes. This resolution will be reviewed in a future meeting with the Pitkin County
Board of County Commissioners.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
Future cost sharing agreements for road maintenance may have an impact on financial
responsibilities for the City.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
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