HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.apz.202202151
AGENDA
ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
February 15, 2022
4:30 PM, WebEx Virtual Meeting (See agenda packet for
instructions to join the meeting)
I.VIRTUAL MEETING INSTRUCTIONS
TO JOIN ONLINE:
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Enter Meeting Number: 2557 097 2954
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II.ROLL CALL
III.COMMENTS
IV.MINUTES
IV.A.Draft Meeting Minutes for January 18, 2022
minutes.apz.20220118.pdf
V.DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
VI.PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
VII.OTHER BUSINESS
VII.A.Requests to Pay Fee-in-Lieu in Providing Affordable Housing Mitigation
Recommendation to City Council
Staff Memo and Exhibits.pdf
P&Z Resolution.docx
VII.B.Update on Residential Development and Short-Term Rental Moratorium
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Presentation and Discussion
No packet materials for this item
VIII.ADJOURN
TYPICAL PROCEEDING FORMAT FOR ALL PUBLIC HEARINGS
1) Conflicts of Interest (handled at beginning of agenda)
2) Provide proof of legal notice (affidavit of notice for PH)
3) Staff presentation
4) Board questions and clarifications of staff
5) Applicant presentation
6) Board questions and clarifications 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
11) 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 or not met
Revised January 9, 2021
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Minutes Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission January 18, 2022
Page 1 of 8
Chairperson McGovern called the regular Planning and Zoning (P&Z) meeting for January 18th, 2022 to
order at 4:30 PM.
Commissioners in attendance: Ruth Carver, Sam Rose, Brittanie Rockhill, Scott Marcoux, Spencer
McKnight, Teraissa McGovern.
Staff in Attendance:
Amy Simon, Planning Director
Ben Anderson, Principal Long-Range Planner
Michelle f, Planner
Kevin Rayes, Planner
Kate Johnson, Assistant City Attorney
Cindy Klob, Records Manager
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
None
STAFF COMMENTS
Mr. Anderson provided an update on a couple of items. He stated the commission’s comments
regarding deferral agreements and their impacts on locals were heard by Council who ended up tabling
the ordinance to amend the code at this time. Staff has been directed to continue to look into it.
Mr. Anderson stated the affordable housing credit program is essential to both developers of affordable
housing units and developers who need to mitigate. Approximately 85 units have been developed.
Currently, someone who needs to mitigate is essentially required to use the credits because the fee in
lieu process is somewhat arduous. He noted it is becoming very difficult for small residential projects to
obtain the needed credits and staff will be reaching out to the commission regarding efficient methods
to alleviate the situation.
Mr. Anderson then provided a brief update on the residential development\short term rental
moratorium. Council issued emergency Ordinance 27 in early December, 2021 for a six month period.
Staff and Council had a productive discussion on January 11th and staff will be meeting with Council on
February 1st to obtain specific direction regarding the changes to policy and their prioritization to policy.
He stated the proposed amendments will be discussed with the commission in an upcoming meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
None
DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Ms. Carver stated she met the applicant for the 905 W North St hearing about five years ago at an
Anderson Ranch event. She had an extra ticket that was used by Ms. Baird. She does not know the
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Minutes Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission January 18, 2022
Page 2 of 8
family and does not feel it is a conflict for her. After asking Ms. Carver a few questions, Ms. Johnson
does not feel there was a conflict.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Ms. McGovern asked if notice had been provided. Ms. Johnson responded proper notice had been
provided for both hearings.
401 W Bleeker St – Special Review for Replacement of a Non-Conforming Structure
Ms. McGovern then opened the hearing and turned the floor over to staff.
Mr. Kevin Rayes, Planner, introduced the application regarding the existing non-conforming structure
encroaching the combined side yard setback. The applicant is requesting a special review to maintain
the structure. He added they are doing some work on the structure, but they are not triggering
demolition. He then turned it over to Mr. Alan Richman, Alan Richman Planning Services, to discuss the
application.
Mr. Richman introduced Mr. John Galambos, the project architect.
Mr. Richman stated the owners want to remodel the residence which was built in the 1980s and
expanded in the 1990s. He stated the planned remodel is mostly for the interior of the house but also
involves the removal and replacement of a portion of the roof and related walls. He stated staff had
informed the project architect the residence was considered non-conforming in regards to the
combined side yard setback.
Mr. Richman explained the combined side yard setback utilizes a sliding scale so as the lot gets bigger,
the side yard setback gets bigger. He stated their review of the historical files showed there had been a
robust discussion on how to apply the somewhat new combined side yard setback requirements. The
code did not clearly define how side yard setbacks were calculated. The files indicated the city had
accepted the concept of measuring the setback in a staggered approach instead of a linear approach. He
noted how the site drawing displayed pointed out this approach. The current code now clearly defines
how this is to be calculated, requiring the special review application.
Mr. Richman believes the request for a special review should be granted because thew proposed work is
to occur where the non-conformity exists on the southwestern corner of the property. They are
proposing to remove a portion of the roof that extends into the setback. With the proposed changes the
overall volume and height of the structure will be reduced.
Mr. John Galambos, Galambos Architects, introduced himself. He pointed out the residence was
previously permitted, and a certificate of occupancy (CO) was granted. He asked Mr. Rayes to display
pages 32 and forward in the packet showing the existing and proposed sections of the southwest corner
of the residence in the setback. He said the third level would be eliminated and the new gable will be
tied in with the gable of the main house reducing the overall mass.
Ms. McGovern asked if the commissioners had questions for the applicant. There were none, so she
turned the floor over to staff.
Mr. Rayes described the location of the property and provided pictures of the current residence. He
displayed a table showing the current dimensional requirements per the code standard and the existing
conditions of the applicant’s residence. He noted the non-conforming combined side yard setback area
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Minutes Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission January 18, 2022
Page 3 of 8
measures 16 FT 8 IN where 22 FT 6 IN is required. He provided a diagram showing the staggered
measurement which was permitted in the 1990s and a diagram showing the linear measurement
required by current code standards. He noted the building footprint will not be enlarged in the setback
area.
Mr. Rayes then discussed a few of the review criteria found in the packet. One standard was the
replacement of nonconforming structures. He noted staff believes there is an existing special
characteristic unique to the property because the house was previously permitted, and it has not
changed since the permit allowing for the portion of the house to exist in the current setback area. He
also pointed out the non-conformity will be reduced with the proposed changes. Staff also feels it would
be burdensome to require the applicant to bring the structure into total conformance, especially since
there is no demolition triggered with the proposed remodel.
Mr. Rayes closed his presentation stating staff recommends approval of the special review to replace a
non-conforming structure subject to the conditions listed in the draft resolution. He stated one of the
conditions stated if demolition were to be triggered for any reason, the residence would need to be
brought into full compliance with underlying zoning requirements or returned back to the P&Z
commission for subsequent review. The second condition stated if there are any change orders
increasing the massing of the non-conformity, the project would need to return back to P&Z for
subsequent review.
Ms. McGovern asked if there were any questions for staff. There were none.
Ms. McGovern opened for public comments. There were none so she closed the public comment
portion of the hearing.
Ms. McGovern asked if staff or the applicant had any rebuttal. There were none so she closed this
portion of the hearing.
Ms. McGovern opened for commissioner deliberation.
Mr. McKnight likes that the mass of the legal non-conformity will be reduced, and demolition is not
triggered. He would approve it.
All other commissioners agreed with Mr. McKnight.
Mr. Marcoux likes that the roofline will be consistent with the remainder of the house.
Mr. McKnight motioned to approve Resolution #2, Series 2022 for a special review to allow for the
replacement of a portion of a legally established nonconforming structure at 410 W Bleeker St subject to
the conditions listed in the resolution. His motion was seconded by Ms. Carver. Ms. McGovern
requested a roll call: Ms. Carver, yes; Mr. Rose, yes; Ms. Rockhill, yes; Mr. Marcoux, yes; Mr. McKnight,
yes; and Ms. McGovern, yes for a total six (6) in favor – zero (0) not in favor. The motion passed.
Ms. McGovern thanked staff and the applicant and then closed the hearing.
Ms. Rockhill left the meeting after the first hearing.
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Minutes Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission January 18, 2022
Page 4 of 8
905 W North St – Special Review and Variance Application
Ms. McGovern then opened the hearing and turned the floor over to staff.
Ms. Bonfils-Thibeault, Planner, provided an overview of the application to make modifications to an
existing legally non-conforming structure. There is also a request to increase floor area in a combined
side yard setback.
Ms. Sara Adams, BendonAdams, introduced herself and Mr. Stephen Baird, one of the owners of the
property. She also introduced Mr. Keith Howie, Poss Architects, who is part of the project team.
Ms. Adams described the location of the single family residence. Some of the proposed changes includes
windows and doors as well as digging out the crawl space to a full height basement which would extend
into the combined side yard setback.
She provided some photos of the home and stated it is a legal non-conformity built in 1977. The non-
conforming portions of the residence are the setbacks, the height of the dormer and floor area.
Mr. Baird explained his family’s connection and involvement with the Aspen community. He said they
are looking for more space for their growing family as they are spending more time in Aspen.
Ms. Adams displayed the definition of a setback as defined in the code. She believes its intent is to
protect the spaces between structures. The intent of the applicant is to dig out the existing crawl space
to make it a usable basement.
She then displayed a table showing the R6 zone requirements, the existing conditions, and the proposed
changes. She pointed out there will not be any change to the 10 ft front yard setback. For the east side
yard setback, there will be no change above grade (11.1 FT) and the below grade setback will meet the
current 15 FT requirement. For the west side yard setback, there will be no change above grade (9.1 FT)
and the below grade setback will meet the current 15 FT requirement. For the combined side yard
setback, there will be no change above grade (20.2 FT) and the below grade will be 30 FT. The R6
requirement is 37.6 FT. The rear yard setback will not be changed, and it currently is greater than the 10
FT requirement.
Ms. Adams displayed the plans showing the foundation and each floor of the residence and where the
setback requirements are located. She next displayed the proposed layout of the basement and its
location within the combined side yard setback.
Ms. Adams displayed a layout of the main level and the proposed location of the trash enclosure on the
side of the house. The enclosure is allowed in the setback and is exempted from the floor area
calculation.
She next displayed existing and proposed north elevations showing the location of a new door and
windows and trash enclosure. She then displayed existing and proposed west elevations with the
removal of a door and addition of two windows and the trash enclosure.
Ms. Adams then reviewed the dimensional requirements of the special review criteria. She believes the
first criteria is met because adding a basement is compatible with surrounding land uses. She also
believes the second criteria is met because a basement below the existing home would mitigate some of
the construction impacts as compared to digging outside the foundation of the home.
Ms. Adams noted there are five letters of support from the neighbors. She added the construction
management plan will include managing traffic during the construction.
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Minutes Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission January 18, 2022
Page 5 of 8
She then discussed the criteria regarding replacement of nonconforming structures. She stated there is
no demolition triggered. She noted they are not increasing the existing variances by digging down for
the basement. She believes it is a hardship to prohibit a basement level, doors and windows and a trash
enclosure when others can enjoy a subgrade space. She added if floor area space is available then the
applicant should be allowed to dig out a basement.
Ms. Adams reviewed the variance criteria specific to the basement request. She stated setbacks below
grade do not impact neighborhoods. She believes they are asking for the minimum variance to make use
of the below grade space and not allowing it would create an unnecessary hardship on the applicants.
Mr. Howie reiterated they are not triggering demolition and their proposal is the most economical way
to design a basement under an existing structure. They plan to excavate from the inside which will be
less noticeable to the neighbors and will not harm the mature trees and existing landscape.
Ms. McGovern asked if there were any questions of the applicant.
Mr. Rose noted several letters noted they do not want to see construction vehicles on the street and
asked if this could be avoided.
Mr. Howie responded the construction company has completed projects similar to this one and should
know how to mitigate their concerns and will be part of the submitted construction mitigation plan.
Ms. Carver asked for the depth of the crawl space.
Mr. Howie stated the majority of the crawl space is about 3 FT in height, but it varies from 1 FT to 7 FT
where the mechanical exists.
Ms. Carver wanted to clarify if the variance was for the applicant to excavate in the combined side yard
setback and not if they can dig out a basement.
Ms. McGovern responded the variance request is for an encroachment into a side yard setback.
Mr. Howie responded they would consider digging out behind the house if the variance is not granted
but believe their request is more economical.
Ms. McGovern asked Ms. Adams to address how they are adding square footage and keeping the floor
area the same. Ms. Adams stated they will be removing some of the floor area from the dormer area.
Ms. McGovern then turned the floor over to staff.
Ms. Bonfils-Thibeault reviewed the application. She stated the single family residence was originally built
in 1977 and is located on a large 11,000 SF lot in the R6 zone district. It is a legal nonconforming
structure in regards to its height, floor area and side yard setbacks.
She then reviewed the proposed door and window changes on the west and north elevations adding
staff is in support of these proposed changes because they do not add to the nonconformity.
Ms. Bonfils-Thibeault stated the existing floor area ratio (FAR) is about 4,069 SF exceeding the allowable
3,363 SF by about 706 SF. The applicant is proposing to reallocate some area on the third floor to the
below grade space which is allowed. She added with the proposed shift of the space from the third floor
to the lower level results in approximately the existing FAR.
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Minutes Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission January 18, 2022
Page 6 of 8
Ms. Bonfils-Thibeault reviewed the required setbacks for the R6 zone district. They are proposing to
improve the nonconformity of the combined side yard setback, but not meet the required amount. The
applicant is requesting a variance for this.
Ms. Bonfils-Thibeault next reviewed the review criteria and staff findings. She noted the request to
expand the living space into the combined side yard setback by about 293 SF does not meet the criteria.
She then discussed the special review criteria. Staff does not find any existing unique characteristics to
the property. The floor area is above what is allowed. They could choose to build in a different direction.
And for non-conforming structures, the city does not want the non-conformity expanded outside the
dimensional standards. Staff does not find the criteria met regarding the expansion into the side yard
setback. She then displayed a site plan showing the crawl space areas to be demolished, the location of
the 15 FT side yard setback and the area required to meet the combined side yard setback.
Ms. Bonfils-Thibeault then discussed the review criteria for the variance request. Staff could not identify
a hardship to allow for the requested variance, so the criterion is not found to be met.
She closed her presentation stating staff recommends approval of the special review to expand the
crawl space into a living space basement and denial of the variance to the required combined side yard
standard.
Ms. McGovern asked if there were any questions for staff.
Mr. Rose asked Mr. Howie how they would expand if the variance was not granted.
Mr. Howie reiterated his previous response stating the setback lines are underground and no one will
see them. He feels it is a better construction technique and will provide less disturbance.
Ms. McGovern opened for public comments. There were none so she closed the public comment
portion of the hearing.
Ms. McGovern opened for commissioner deliberation.
Mr. Marcoux stated as long as they are reallocating the floor area from upstairs dormer, not increasing
the floor area, and stay within the existing foundation, he has no problem approving it.
Mr. Rose agrees with Mr. Marcoux.
Mr. McKnight stated although he feels the request is benign, based on the review criteria, he does not
see how it meets the criteria and cannot support the variance.
Ms. Carver believes the code was written to protect the sight lines outside. Although it doesn’t exactly
meet the variance criteria, it’s a matter of what makes sense. She would approve it because it is staying
on the existing foundation and doesn’t show on the exterior.
Ms. McGovern agrees with Mr. McKnight and doesn’t see where a hardship has been proven by the
applicant which doesn’t provide a basis in the code to grant the variance. She is fine with the exterior
changes.
Ms. Simon asked the commissioners to state how each of the criteria has been met.
Mr. Marcoux asked why the commissioners even here if they are voting on a subjective application. He
asked why didn’t staff ask the applicant to go back to the drawing board on the basement.
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Minutes Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission January 18, 2022
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Ms. Johnson stated per code, the commission is the decision making body on these issues. Staff does
not have the administrative authority to do what Mr. Marcoux suggested. The board members are asked
to evaluate the facts as presented per the code language in respect to the review. The fact finding
should be based on the criteria provided.
Mr. Marcoux reiterated his thoughts regarding approving the application.
Ms. Johnson asked them to point to the facts or evidence in the application which support how the
commissioner’s decision.
Mr. Rose stated he would respond to the criteria. Regarding criteria number 1, he stated the application
proposes the expansion with no public visibility in the setback overrides the setbacks. In response to
number 2, he stated because they are taking space from other parts of the house to use in the
basement. In response to number 3, he believes this house can have a basement as do other houses and
will not give the applicant any special privilege.
Mr. Marcoux and Ms. Carver agreed with Mr. Rose. Ms. Carver believes it is in the spirit of the code and
there will not be any hardship on the community if this house has a basement.
Ms. Johnson noted any motion to approve needs to include any modifications to the draft resolution to
approve the variance and any conditions on the approval. She suggested the motion include a statement
to amend Section 2 of the draft resolution pursuant to the procedures in Title 26 of the Municipal Code,
the P&Z Commission approves the dimensional variance to convert the crawl space to a livable
basement level without meeting the minimum side yard setbacks. She asked the board if any limitations
should be included such as how much can they vary from the combined setbacks. Staff’s memo
identifies 7.5 FT.
Mr. Rose motioned to approve the resolution with an amendment to Section 2 to limit the amount of
the variance in the side yard setback to 7.5 FT. No one seconded the motion.
Ms. Carver wants something added that the basement would be within the existing foundation.
Ms. Bonfils-Thibeault suggested the approval should be for the combined side yard setbacks.
Ms. Bonfils-Thibeault suggested changes to the last whereas clause and Section 2.
Mr. Rose, Mr. Marcoux and Ms. Carver approved of the changes.
Ms. Adams noted it should state 7.6 FT instead of 7.5 FT. She also asked if the last sentence in Section 1.
Staff and the commission agreed it should be removed.
Ms. Carver motioned to approve Resolution 3, Series 2022 with the proposed amendments. Mr. Rose
seconded the motion. Ms. McGovern requested a roll call: Ms. Carver, yes; Mr. Rose, yes; Mr. Marcoux,
yes; Mr. McKnight, no; and Ms. McGovern, no for a total three (3) in favor – two (2) not in favor. The
motion passed.
Ms. McGovern thanked staff and the applicant and then closed the hearing.
OTHER BUSINESS
Ms. McGovern requested a meeting for staff provide training for the commissioners in regards to how to
review our packets, how we understand the review criteria and what we are basing our decisions on
when we review these applications.
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Minutes Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission January 18, 2022
Page 8 of 8
Ms. Johnson suggested scheduling a work session. Ms. Simon will reach out to the commissioners about
a work session.
Mr. McKnight motioned to adjourn and was seconded by Mr. Rose. All in favor and the meeting was
adjourned at 6:27 pm.
Cindy Klob, Records Manager
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MEMORANDUM
TO: City of Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission
FROM: Ben Anderson, Principal Long-Range Planner
THROUGH: Amy Simon, Planning Director
MEMO DATE: February 10, 2022
MEETING DATE: February 15, 2022
RE: P&Z Recommendation related to FIL requests to City Council
REQUEST OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION:
The Planning and Zoning Commission is asked to review, consider and send a
recommendation to City Council related to Affordable Housing Mitigation requirements
and the ability for four properties currently in the building permit review process to pay
Fee-in-Lieu (FIL) to meet mitigation requirements. This recommendation and the
eventual review by Council is a response to a current shortage of available Affordable
Housing Certificates in the market.
Staff recommends P&Z approve the Resolution – providing P&Z support for the
identified properties/projects to pay FIL.
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:
The Affordable Housing Certificates Program – now in effect for over a decade – has
been successful in providing incentive for the private sector to produce affordable housing
units. Since the inception of the program, housing for more than 100 FTEs has been
produced – without any public dollars being expended.
The program is dependent on two things: 1) the willingness of the private sector to
successfully complete affordable housing projects, and 2) the demand for AH credits by
free-market commercial and residential development to meet their mitigation
requirements. The City, to encourage the program, established AH Certificates as the
preferred means to provide affordable housing mitigation for single-family and duplex
development. Primarily, this was accomplished by disallowing the payment of FIL for
mitigation requirements above 0.1 FTEs. A property owner pursuing a permit may pay
the first 0.1 FTEs due for a given project in cash, but to the extent that additional mitigation
is due above this threshold, AH Certificates must be provided to meet the mitigation
calculated for the project. (Please note that there are other alternatives, such as
voluntarily deed restricting the subject unit to Resident Occupied, or buying another free-
market residential unit in town and deed restricting it as mitigation, however these have
been unpopular and likely cost prohibitive options.)
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Staff Memo, P&Z Recommendation
Page 2 of 4
The Land Use Code has long offered a process for paying FIL over 0.1 FTEs with cash
for larger mitigation requirements, but it requires a request and approval by Council,
following a recommendation from P&Z. No applicant has pursued that option due to a
perception that approval would be unlikely. Following is the code language that describes
this process:
26.470.110.
C. Provision of required affordable housing via a fee-in-lieu payment. The provision of
affordable housing in excess of 0.10 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) via a fee-in-lieu payment, upon a
recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission shall be approved, approved with conditions
or denied by the City Council based on the following criteria:
1) The provision of affordable housing on site (on the same site as the project requiring such
affordable housing) is impractical given the physical or legal parameters of the development or
site or would be inconsistent with the character of the neighborhood in which the project is
being developed.
2) The applicant has made a reasonable, good-faith effort in pursuit of providing the required
affordable housing off site through construction of new dwelling units, the deed restriction of
existing dwelling units to affordable housing status, or through the purchase of affordable
housing certificates.
3) The applicant has made a reasonable, good-faith effort in pursuit of providing the required
affordable housing through the purchase and extinguishment of Certificates of Affordable
Housing Credit.
4) The proposal furthers affordable housing goals, and the fee-in-lieu payment will result in the
near-term production of affordable housing units.
The City Council may accept any percentage of a project's total affordable housing mitigation to be
provided through a fee-in-lieu payment, including all or none.
At present, there are not AH Certificates available in the marketplace. There are a
number of Certificates unextinguished (40+ FTEs), but they are unavailable for purchase
as they are held by entities that have already dedicated their use to commercial and
residential projects in the pipeline. Staff has confirmed this condition through analysis of
the spreadsheet that we use to track the Certificates program and correspondence with
individuals that are seeking Certificates to meet mitigation requirements associated with
building permits and previous projects that have AH Deferral Agreements for working
locals. Staff has also had conversations with the entities that are holding unextinguished
Certificates to understand their intentions. It is clear that there is a problem in the market.
As noted above, in the 10+ year history of the Certificates Program, this is the first time
that we have had requests to pay FIL above the 0.1 FTE threshold. Looking at potential
AH Certificates projects that are in the development pipeline, this is a condition in the
market that is going to take some time to resolve.
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Staff Memo, P&Z Recommendation
Page 3 of 4
In response, staff has established a policy and a process to facilitate these requests in a
“batched” review. At this meeting, P&Z is asked to consider requests from five property
owners to pay FIL for their full mitigation. These are all projects that require 1.0 FTE or
less in meeting mitigation requirements and are for building permits that are in their final
stages prior to issuance, or are previously completed projects that were granted mitigation
deferrals for local, working residents. It is important to note that the projects that are a
part of this request to pay FIL have mitigation requirements that are just a fraction of an
FTE over the 0.1 mitigation that can be paid in cash by right. It is not reasonable to expect
the property owners to pursue the other mitigation options offered by the code for the
relatively small employee generation related to their homes.
It is intended that until the shortage conditions in the market improve, that this process
will occur quarterly.
STAFF DISCUSSION:
With staff’s confirmation of the conditions in the Certificates market, it was clear that a
solution needed to be identified to allow otherwise compliant development projects to
proceed through the permit issuance process.
It is hoped that this process will accomplish the following:
1) provide some predictability for projects that are in the development pipeline and
are nearing building permit issuance.
2) prevent the clogging up of P&Z and Council agendas with these requests.
3) maintain important components of the AH Certificates Program, so that the
essentials of the program are not undermined.
4) Allow for a seamless and simple transition back to AH Certificates as the primary
mechanism for mitigation once the market conditions improve.
In staff’s view, if the process is not facilitated in this way, it would likely lead to suboptimal
outcomes for Community Development customers that have projects that have mitigation
requirements and additionally, could potentially undermine important aspects of Aspen’s
AH mitigation system.
Below are the projects that are requesting to pay FIL in this round of review. In the
information provided for each, the FTE and dollar amounts of the FIL are estimates that
will be confirmed and finalized as the last step of the building permit process. The land
use code establishes that FIL for most residential mitigation is to be calculated at the
Category 2 level, which is currently $376,475 per FTE. These numbers will typically not
change, unless a small technicality emerges in the final reviews.
• 1195 Black Birch Drive – .45 FTE / $169,414 (Building Permit)
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Staff Memo, P&Z Recommendation
Page 4 of 4
• 1245 Mountain View Drive - .29 FTE / $109,178 (AH Deferral Agreement)
• 1315 Sage Court - .27 FTE / $101,648 (Building Permit)
• 543 and 549 Walnut St. (Duplex) - .73 FTE / $274,827 (Building Permit)
CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS:
On March 8, 2022, Council will consider this issue with P&Z’s recommendation and will
decide whether to authorize FIL for the identified projects. With this approval, each of the
projects would pay the finalized FIL amount as part of the permit issuance process. It is
likely that this process will be replicated in Quarter 2 of 2022 – sometime in early June.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends the Planning and Zoning Commission
approve Resolution XX, providing support for payment of FIL for the subject properties.
EXHIBITS:
A – Letters from the applicants that were included as part of the application to
request to pay FIL
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To: Community Devolopment
We have exhausted all options with regards to acquiring the necessary .45 FTEs for the
development of a single family home at 1195 Black Birch. The owner of the property has been
involved in the development of several residential projects in Aspen, and is unable to acquire
any FTEs as they are no longer available.
We are requesting the ability to acquire the approval to use the Fee-in-lieu process as this is the
only option available to move forward with the project.
Thank you,
Ryan Doremus
Thunderbowl Architects
15
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ZONE 4 ARCHITECTS PO BOX 2508 ASPEN COLORADO 81612
February 1, 2022
To whom it may concern,
The project team at Zone 4 Architects was notified and the end of the permit process that FTE’s
where no longer available for our project at 1315 Sage Court. The required FTE’s for this project
is .27. The project team, GC and owner have tried contacted all potential FTE owners and have
had no success in retaining the required FTE’s for the project. The owner would like to pursue the
fee-in-lieu payment to mitigate employee housing obligations.
We would like to be on the P and Z schedule for February 15, 2022 and City Council schedule for
March 3, 2022.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Regards,
Tim Andrulaitis
A R C H I T E C T S
Z O N E
L L C .
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February 08, 2022
Jeffrey Barnhill
Planner I
Community Development – Planning and Zoning
427 Rio Grande Place
Aspen, CO 81611
Re: 543 and 549 Walnut St (Fee-in-lieu for Affordable Housing Credits)
Dear Mr. Barnhill,
CCA is writing you on behalf of our clients, the owners of 543 and 549 Walnut Street - Randy and Michele
DeWitt, to request approval to pay a fee-in-lieu of 0.73 Cat 2 FTEs for their duplex project.
We are requesting approval to make a fee-in-lieu payment after exhausting all options to meet the affordable
housing needs advised by the code: on-site housing, off-site house, and purchasing FTEs in the free market.
Developing affordable housing on-site for this duplex project was impractical due to the size of the approved
lot, the required setbacks, easements, and off-street parking requirements mandated by the HOA.
Developing affordable housing off-site for this project was also impractical based on the current inventory of
free market housing that could be changed to deed restricted housing.
In regard to acquiring FTEs, we have contacted all current FTE holders in the city and have found that none of
them are willing to sell their available credits. Our efforts to acquire FTEs have included using the City’s
Affordable Housing Credits tracking spreadsheet to locate available Cat 2 FTEs and contacting all potential
sellers. We have also used the City’s FTE formula to convert Cat 2 FTEs to Cat 4 and contacted all potential
sellers for 0.91 Cat 4 FTEs.
Our research has found that a few local developers are holding the majority of available FTEs for their future
development projects in the city and are not willing to sell their credits.
We kindly request your approval to make a fee-in-lieu payment for 0.73 Cat 2 FTEs.
Best regards,
Noah Czech, AIA
Architect
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Planning and Zoning Commission
Res. XX No., Series of 2022
Page 1 of 2
RESOLUTION NO. XX
(SERIES OF 2022)
A RESOLUTION OF THE ASPEN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
RECOMMENDING APPROVAL BY CITY COUNCIL OF THE ABILITY OF CERTAIN
DEVELOMENT PROJECTS TO PAY FEE-IN-LIEU FOR REQUIRED AFFORDABLE
HOUSING MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS, PER MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION
26.470.110.C.
WHEREAS,The Affordable Housing Certificates Program has been established as the
preferredmechanism within the Land Use Code to provide required affordable housing mitigation;
and,
WHEREAS,the Land Use Code provides a process for an applicant to make a request to
Aspen City Council to pay Fee-in-Lieu in meeting mitigation requirements as an alternative to
Affordable Housing Certificates in Section 26.470.110.C; and,
WHEREAS,Community Development Staff has analyzed the current market conditions
for Affordable Housing Certificates and has determined that there is a shortage, making it
practically impossible to acquire Affordable Housing Certificates; and,
WHEREAS Community Development has presented and discussed this issue with the
Planning and Zoning Commission; and,
WHEREAS,at a regular meeting on February 15, 2022, the Planning and Zoning
Commission considered the requests of four property owners to pay Fee-in-Lieu in meeting
affordable housing mitigation requirements, and reviewed staff’s memo, and by a X - X (X-X)
vote approves Resolution No. XX, Series of 2021, recommending Council consideration and
approval of the requests to pay Fee-in-Lieu.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO THAT:
Section 1:
Planning and Zoning Commission recommendsthe following projects be allowed to pay Fee-in-Lieu
in meeting affordable housing mitigation requirements:
1195 Black Birch – Building Permit - .45 FTE / Category 2 - $169,414
1245 Mountain View Drive – AH Mitigation Deferral - .29 FTE / Category 2 - $109,178
1315 Sage Court – Building Permit - .27 FTE / Category 2 - $101,648
543 and 549 Walnut St. (Duplex) - .73 FTE / $274,827
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Planning and Zoning Commission
Res. XX No., Series of 2022
Page 2 of 2
The FTE and valuations of the Fee-in-lieu as presented are estimates only and will be finalized prior
to building permit issuance.
Section 2:
This Resolution shall not affect any existing litigation and shall not operate as an abatement of any
action or proceeding now pending under or by virtue of the ordinances repealed or amended as
herein provided, and the same shall be conducted and concluded under such prior ordinances.
Section 3:
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Resolution is for any reason
held invalid or unconstitutional in a court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed
a separate, distinct, and independent provision and shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions thereof.
FINALLY,adopted, passed, and approved this 1
st day of March 2022.
Approved as to form: Approved as to content:
________________________________________________________________
Katherine Johnson, Assistant City Attorney Teraissa McGovern, Chair
Attest:
_______________________________
Cindy Klob, Records Manager
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