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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes.OSB.20231102The OSTB recommended that BOCC support Primergy replanting the 34 shrubs at the solar project. BOARD AND STAFF COMMENTS Kinsley provided a commented on a recent opinion letter in The Sopris Sun by Dale Will (attached). Mallory requested an update and next steps for the Forest Services review of the Redstone to McClure Trail. Tennenbaum commented that the objection period is over. The reviewer has ruled that the Forest Service can move forward with the trail project. It was determined that a wildlife monitoring plan needs to be completed with CPW. He noted that capacity and wildlife were concerns from the main objectors. The winter wildlife closure has been received well, he said. BOARD ACTION Redstone Wayne Ives motioned to adopt the 2023 Redstone Parks and Open Space Management Plan. Michael Kinsley seconded. Motion passed (5-0). The Open Space and Trails Board adjourned the regular session of the Nov. 2, 2023 greeting n and convened in executive session at 11: 20 a. in. The executive session adjourned at 12: 00 p. in. JOINT PITKIN COUNTY OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS BOARD & CITY OF ASPEN OPEN SPACE BOARD REGULAR SESSION Commissioners Meeting Room; 530 E. Main St., Aspen OSTB Trustees Present: Graeme Means, Chair, Michael Kinsley, Amy Barrow, Howie Mallory, Wayne Ives Pitkin County Staff Present: Gary Tennenbaum, Jessie Young, Carly O'Connell, Janet Urquhart, Liza Mitchell, Paul Holsinger, Drew Walters, Ted O'Brien, Dale Will City of Aspen Open Space Board Present: Adam McCurdy, Julie Hardman, Dan Perl City of Aspen Staff Present: John Spiess, Matt Kuhn, Brian Long, Mike Tunte Others Present: Anthony Pratt, Kathleen Wanatowiez Media Present: Scott Condon, Aspen Daily News Adam McCurdy called the joint regular session to order at 12:10 p.m. Brush Creek Park and Ride to Aspen Airport Business Center Trail 11 /02/2023 Page 4 of 7 Tennenbaum explained that Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (PCOST) conducted a Recreation Inventory and Analysis in 2012 that identified a safe, dual surface trail connection from the Aspen Airport Business Center (AABC) to the Rio Grande Trail (RGT) as a missing link, and was one of the top five gaps identified in the 2011 Open Space and Trails Visitor Use Survey. This connection would work towards the County's Strategic Plan Success Factor calling for efficient multi -modal transportation systems linking residential areas. PCOST has also created management plans for both the Roaring Fork Gorge and the Rio Grande Trail, and this connection has been identified as a potential in both adopted plans. He noted that a feasibility report in 2014 looked at how to create a hard- and soft -surface connection to the City of Aspen from the WIJ hill where McLain Flats Road crosses the Rio Grande Trail. Tennenbaum explained that PCOST gauged public interest in the Pitkin County Community Survey since 2016 to determine community desire for a hard -surface connection both from down valley and the Brush Creek Park and Ride (BCPR). He commented that every year there has been a high percentage of the public supporting this connection. Tennenbaum stated that today's meeting goals are to review findings of community engagement and analysis, provide high-level thoughts on findings to date, discuss the next steps, and provide a recommendation to the BOCC. Kathleen Wanatowicz, PR Studio, provided the community engagement and analysis. She stated that public comments determined that these are important community connections. Additionally, the AABC bridge location needs to be closer to the AABC, and the seasonal use (Nordic, multi- use) needs to be addressed. Wanatowiez stated that over the entire engagement process there was large scale support for this project. Over 70% of the survey participants supported the Twin Bridges alignment as the preferred option. Wanatowiez explained that community engagement themes include: ■ Safety and equity of access ■ Connection to communities ■ Improved commuting options by utilizing trails ■ Environment o Climate change 1 reduction of emissions ■ Proactive leadership and forward thinking ■ Recreational opportunities Matt Kuhn noted that there has been a gradual increase in trail usage, specifically with ebike commuting. Kinsley asked about potential negative impact with regards to the aesthetics. Wanatowicz explained that the aesthetics were not a main concern amongst the public. She stated that the main concern was the cost of the project, and noted that 86% of survey respondents supported local funding or grants for the project. 11 /02/2023 Page 5 of 7 Matt Kuhn stated that the area of influence within the travelshed was focused on walking and bicycling to understand the overall connectivity to the proposed trail and bridges. The one -mile walkshed distance is intended to reflect a 15-20 minute walking distance. The two-mile bikeshed distance is meant to represent a typical 15-20 commute time by bicycle. The five -mile bikeshed distance is a good representation of the potential for recreational bicycling and e-bike uses. Within the one -mile travelshed of the new trail alignmentl,800 people would be able to access the trail within a one -mile walk (facilities marked). Approximately 3,200 people would be able to access the trail within a two-mile bike ride. Lastly, approximately 12,500 people could access within five miles of the proposed trail. Tennenbaum provided the cost benefit analysis with comparable bridge projects and what has been done recently by OST to connect communities, examples include: ■ 2002 Tiehack Bridge: — $2.4m ■ 2017 Lazy Glen:—$770,000 ■ 2023 Maroon Creek, Trail: —$7.9m ■ 2024 Aspen Village Bridge: budgeted cost —$1.5m ■ 2025 Twin Bridge Investment: estimated cost $25m Kuhn explained that if the recommended alternative is adopted the next steps would include further studies for the AABC bridge location, paving of the Rio Grande Trail, and winter and Nordic operations. Tennenbauin stated that the fund capacity for PCOST reflects the voter's approval of 10-40% of the fund being spent on trails. Other potential upcoming trail projects are Redstone to McClure Trail, RGT capital improvement projects, and highway/trail safety improvements. Kinsley asked about the usage of winter bike commuting. Kuhn commented that there is very little commuting via biking in the winter. Tennenbaum added that if Nordic use was utilized for the Twin Bridge project that would deter winter bike commuting. Kinsley stated that if winter biking wouldn't be an attribute it would be hard to justify the project for commuting. Adam McCurdy commented that the trail is more of a recreational and summer commuting benefit. Mallory asked about the bridge location options for connection of the AABC with the RGT. Kuhn explained that a potential alternative would start near the RFTA bus barn and cross the river to the RGT. Tennenbaum stated that another option would connect the bridge through Sand Plant Road, however some utilities may be an issue. It is warranted to have additional studies on the bridge alternatives and costs, Tennenbaum said. Barrow commented that utilizing the RGT for commuting provides a better aesthetic and user experience. She added that there could be a point where parking at the Brush Creek lot and riding a bike into town is a better alternative than driving into Aspen and finding a place to park. Mallory stated that the proposed project is an important part in the connectivity to the broader network. Getting a plan in place would potentially help the effort of securing grants for outside funding. 11 /02/2023 Page 6 of 7 Julie Hardman provided support for moving forward with the project and further analysis. It is an expensive project, however it is hard to determine what future impacts are going to be down the road, and having these connections would be beneficial, she said. Kuhn stated that the City of Aspen and PCOST has $250k appropriations in 2024 for the potential project, and the City would share costs 50150 with the County. Pending recommendation to the BOCC, the City of Aspen and Pitkin County will proceed with the contracting design and engineering for BCPR Bridge and further refine the location of the AABC Bridge, as well as cost estimates and paving needs. Board action below. Future joint City of Aspen Parks & Open Space and Pitkin County Open Space & Trails topic to discuss McCurdy recommended looking into potential ebike use on Airline Trail. Tennenbaum noted that Snowmass Mountain ski area is looking into ebike use. Mallory suggested jointly discussing trail speeds. Kuhn recommended a joint meeting late spring or early summer of 2024. BOARD ACTION Brush Creek Park and Ride to Aspen Airport Business Venter Trail City of Aspen Open Space Board: Julie Hardman motioned to recommend to the BOCC to proceed with contracting or design and engineering for Bush Creek Bridge and further refinement of the AABC location. Howie Mallory seconded. Motion passed (4-0). Pitkin County Open Space Board: Michael Kinsley motioned to recommend to the BOCC to proceed with contracting or design and engineering for Bush Creek Bridge and further refinement of the AABC location. Amy Barrow seconded. Motion passed (5-0). ADJOURN The OSTB meeting of November 2, 2023 adjourned at 2:00 p.m. Approved: Graeme Means, Chair Pitkin County Open Space & Trails Board 11 /02/2023 Page 7 of 7 Attest: Kim Arensdorf Pitkin County Open Space & Trails Administrative Specialist Board Comment Attachment: The vast majority of conversations among OST folks is amiable. I'm going to introduce a dissonant note, but as a counterpoint to Dale Will's dissonant op-ed in last week's Sopris Sun, which has offended and angered several people who are, or aspire to be, major players in local land conservation. And those are just the few who've contacted me so far. Most players just quietly grind their teeth. My comments here won't impinge on I" amendment rights nor address personnel matters, which are in the purview of senior county staff. I'm only a volunteer. My overarching point is that effective local government requires a high level of community trust. Policing and public health come to mine. The OST program too requires trust, especially with of local landowners who contemplate agreements with this county that profoundly influence the future of their land. So I feel compelled to attempt to mitigate the erosion of that trust caused by this op-ed -- by offering a very different point of view about Nimbies, who are the primary focus of the op-ed. The op-ed cited three examples of Nimbys 1. Those who live in certain habitats while claiming that additional visitors threaten those places. Z. Ranchers who want public grazing lands shielded from recreationists while opposing restoration of certain native species. 3. Environmentalists proud of their access to wild spaces while condemning efforts to create access for others I'm a # 1 and #3. Having been there at the outset, I assure you that the bulwarks of this county's land -use limits are Nimbyism and also altruism. Most of us are Nimbies because we don't want this to be a big city. Many are also altruists because we, for example, support one of the most aggressive affordable housing programs in the country. We're complicated. But comparing local Nimbys to Joe McCarthy's flagrant authoritarianism is not complicated. It's simplistic, deeply offensive, and over the line. But morality and politics aside, there are individuals who right now are considering participating in and contributing to open space preservation, who now wonder if certain OST staff will place them in one of those 3 categories, even unconsciously. And, if so, what effect such pre -judgements would have on them? Quiet undermining? Public ridicule? Such thoughts damage land -conservation efforts I would like to maybe begin repairing the damage to landowners' trust with a simple message: If the particular conservation actions you are considering are als❑ in your personal interest, that's okay. If you're attempting to protect your back yard, that's fine. The only factors this organization considers are benefits to biodiversity and the public interest, not your motives ❑r your personal interests. Michael Kinsley MINUTES OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS BOARD CONFIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE SESSION November 2, 2023 530 East Main Street Aspen, CO 81611 OSTB EXECUTIVE SESSION OSTB Present: Graeme Means (Chair), Michael Kinsley, Amy Barrow, Wayne Ives, Howie Mallory Staff Present: Gary Tennenbaum, Dale Will, Richard Neiley, Jessie Young, Carly O'Connell, Paul Holsinger, Drew Walters, Janet Urquhart, Ted O'Brien, Kim Arensdorf Others Present: Amy Barrow motioned for the Open Space and Trails Board entered into executive session at 11:20 a.m. for the purpose of discussing the acquisition of real property, obtaining legal advice, and providing instructions to negotiators regarding the following: • Property interest in Snowmass Creek area; • Property interest in Capitol Creek area • Property interest in Crystal Creek area All items pursuant to: Property Interest Acquisitions CRS 246402(4)(a); Negotiations CAS 246402 (4)(e); and Legal Advice CRS 246402 (4)(b). Richard Neiley motioned to amend the motion to include a property interest in the Frying Pan River Valley. Wayne Ives seconded. Motioned passed (4-0). Howie Mallory was not present for the (notion. ADJOURN The OSTB adjourned executive session meeting of November 2, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. Approved: Graenie Means, Chair Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Board of Trustees 11/0212023 OSTB Executive Session Page 1 of 1