HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Use Case.HP.945 E Cooper St.HPC014-00
CASE NUMBER
PARCEL ID #
CASE NAME
PROJECT ADDRESS
PLANNER
CASE TYPE
OWNER/APPLICANT
REPRESENTATIVE
DATE OF FINAL ACTION
CITY COUNCIL ACTION
PZ ACTION
ADMIN ACTION
BOA ACTION
DATE CLOSED
BY
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HPC014-00
2737-182-52004
945 E. Cooper Appeal of Decision
945 E. Cooper Court
Amy Guthrie
Appeal of Decision
East Cooper Court Homeowners Accosiation
7/10/00
Reso. 94-2000
HPC Decision Upheld
6/17/02
J. Lindt
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RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL UPHOLDING THE
DECISION MADE BY THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
GRANTING A VARIANCE AT 945 E. COOPER AVENUE, ASPEN, COLORADO
RESOLUTION NO.1t. SERIES OF 2000
WHEREAS, the property located at 945 E. Cooper Avenue is a designated historic
landmark; and
WHEREAS, the owners ofthe subject property, Robert and Darnell Langley and Angleo
DeCaro, represented by Krabacher Law Offices, requested a variance of 6" on the width
of a required on-site parking space; and
WHEREAS, the application was reviewed at a public hearing at a regular meeting of the
Historic Preservation Commission on May 24, 2000, met all of the noticing requirements
pursuant to Section 26.314.050 of the Aspen Municipal Code and was approved without
conditions by a vote of 5-0; pursuant to the reasons set forth in Historic Preservation
Commission Resolution No. 26, Series of2000; and
WHEREAS, the Aspen City Council finds that no abuse of discretion nor denial of due
process occurred during the above mentioned hearing; and
WHEREAS, the Aspen City Council affirrhs that the proper procedures were followed
and does wish to uphold the decision of the Historic Preservation Commission as
rendered in Resolution No. 26, Series of2000.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
City Council affirms the decision of the Historic Preservation Commission approving an
application for a variance at 945 E. Cooper Avenue, Aspen, CO, finding that there was
not an abuse of discretion or a denial of due process by the Commission.
APPROVED by the City Council at its regular meeting on this 10th day of July, 2000.
ATTEST:
MAYOR:
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el E. Richards
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MEMORANDUM
TO:
Mayor Rachel Richards
THRU:
John Worcester, City Attorney
FROM:
Julie Ann Woods, Community Development Director
RE:
Appeal to HPC decision regarding 945 E. Cooper Avenue
DATE:
June 15,2000
On May 24, 2000, the Historic Preservation Commission reviewed and approved a
request submitted by Bob and Darnell Langely, and Angelo DeCaro, o\,;TIers of 945 E.
Cooper Avenue, to grant a 6" variance on the size of a required parking space for a
residential building. The subject property is one of five units being constructed as part of
the East Cooper Court Condominiums development, a project which involved preserving
two historic landmark structures and creating deed restricted affordable housing units.
Recently, there have been numerous enforcement issues that have arisen as part of this
development. In order to accommodate the five structures proposed for the parcel,
distances between buildings were relatively tight, and the HPC and Council granted
numerous variances to make the project work. Unfortunately errors in the placement of
all of the structures were made, the most significant of which involved the Langley home,
which proceeded construction approximately four feet forward of the approved location.
Work was stopped by the Building Department on October 28, 1999.
After several months of negotiation amongst the Condominium Association and the City,
the attorney for the Langley's and Mr. DeCaro identified language in the Colorado
Common Interest Ownership Act which granted an easement for the misplaced house
because it was through no fault of the owner (the owner has held the surveyor responsible
for the mistake.) With that decision, the only obstacle in the way of work beginning
again at 945 E. Cooper A venue was that the incorrect placement of the building made a
required on-site parking space too narrow for City regulations by 6". This variance was
granted by HPC and on June 1,2000, the long standing stop work order was removed.
On June 6, 2000, the Community Development Department received an appeal from
other residents of East Cooper Court Homeowner's Association, citing numerous
concerns with the HPC's decision. According to Section 26.3l6.030.B., the appeal,
which shall be heard by City Council, has the effect of staying any proceedings in
furtherance of the action appealed. In other words, the Building Department should
reissue the stop work order based on the appeal. This result can be avoided if the
Community Development Director certifies in writing to the chairperson of the decision-
making body authorized to hear the appeal (the Mayor) that a stay poses an imminent
peril to life or property, in which case the appeal shall not stay further proceedings. The
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chairperson of the decision making body with authority to hear the appeal may review
such certification and grant or deny a stay of the proceedings.
The Community Development Director recommends that there beno further stay at 945
E. Cooper Avenue. After being under a stop work order for seven and a half months
(when legislation existed to address some of the issues with the project), the owners of
945 E. Cooper Avenue have been subjected to a financial hardship that should not be
furthered by another month of suspension of work.
At this point the owners would assume the risk of any additional work between now and
the scheduled appeal. In a worse case scenario, the house would need to be relocated. on
the property. It would not matter if the house was 25% completed or more fully
completed. However, further delays could pose an imminent peril to the property as the
inability to complete significant portions of work during the summer season could lead to
weather related construction problems later in the year. The construction delays could
hamper the ability to complete the project in a meaningful time frame. Unattended
construction sites also pose a risk to the safety and lives of neighborhood children and
residents.
The appeal IS scheduled for the July lO, 2000, Council agenda as a noticed public
hearing.
If you are in agreement with this position, that there shall be no stop work order issued
for 945 E. Cooper Avenue as a result of the appeal, please sign below.
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Rachel E. Richards, Mayor -- ~
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