HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.council.worksession.20240617AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
June 17, 2024
4:00 PM, City Council Chambers
427 Rio Grande Place, Aspen
I.Work Session
I.A Theatre Aspen / Rio Grande Park Request -
Joint meeting with the Open Space and Trails Board
I.B Marolt Open Space - Proposed Bike Skills Trail Site Visit - Mustering point is Marolt
Cafeteria Porch between 5:15-5:30pm, 100 Marolt Place
Joint meeting with the Open Space and Trails Board
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240617_Theatre_Aspen_Memo.docx
FINAL TA & CCA City Council Mtg Deck 6.17.24.pdf
240617_Marolt-Thomas_Skill_Trails.docx
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MEMORANDUM
TO:Mayor,City Council and the Open Space and Trail Board
FROM:Mike Tunte,Landscape Architect and Construction Manager
THROUGH:Matt Kuhn, Parks and Open Space Director
Austin Weiss, Parks and Recreation Director
MEETING DATE:June 17, 2024
RE:Theatre Aspen / Rio Grande Park Request
REQUEST OF COUNCIL:
The purpose of this memo, along with the upcoming joint work session, is to update City Council and the
Open Space and Trails Board on Theatre Aspen’s revised design for a new venue at Rio Grande Park and
to provide an update of the tenant’s request to Council to consider a land use application.
Staff seek guidance on two primary questions:
1.Is a permanent theater building an appropriate use for Rio Grande Park considering surrounding
park uses? Discussion may include the following subtopics: Permanent building, year round use,
long term lease, and prioritization of staff resources and overarching community projects
2.Is there general Council and Board agreement with the general direction on the design
aesthetic?
The City Manager will be requesting an executive session later for negotiation of lease terms.
BACKGROUND:
Theatre Aspen introduced their initial building concept during a sketch plan review with City Council,
Planning and Zoning, and the Open Space and Trails board jointly in August 2022. Subsequently, this
concept was further discussed with
the Open Space and Trails Board
(OSTB) in October 2022. During this
meeting, the board raised several
concerns regarding the proposal.
Specifically, there were issues related
to the scale and massing of the
building and green roof, as well as the
overall approach and how the new
venue would integrate into the park's
existing landscape and character. The
OSTB emphasized the need to ensure Initial Theatre Aspen Concept
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that any new construction would work with the natural setting and maintain the park's aesthetic and
environmental integrity.
Theatre Aspen collaborated closely with Parks and Open Space staff in early 2023 to refine their
approach, addressing the initial concerns raised by the Open Space and Trails Board. The updated
concept was presented to the OSTB in August 2023. Although the OSTB was not asked to formally
support or reject the proposal at that time, the board’s general opinion was that the project refinements
effectively responded to their previous feedback on the original concept.
DISCUSSION:
Theatre Aspen has been present in Rio Grande Park since 1987, initially hosting performances within
temporary site infrastructure. Over the years, as the park transformed from a largely degraded site into
its current well-maintained state, Theatre Aspen also evolved, moving to a semi-permanent building.
Today, Theatre Aspen seeks to establish a permanent, year-round venue within Rio Grande Park.
In August 2022, Theatre Aspen presented a building concept that proposed a structure primarily covered
with soil and vegetation, attempting to expand the park over the building itself. This concept raised
concerns among Parks and Open Space staff regarding the compatibility, usability, and long-term
maintenance of the earth mound design. The Open Space and Trails Board (OSTB) echoed these
concerns during their review in October 2022, highlighting issues related to the building's integration
into the park’s landscape.
In response to this feedback, Theatre Aspen engaged in a refinement process. They conducted a
geotechnical investigation and collaborated closely with Parks and Open Space staff to revise their
proposal. The updated design, presented to the OSTB in August 2023, features a blend of green roofs
Current Theatre Aspen Concept
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and visible structures. This approach aims to better align with the park's aesthetics and functionality.
Parks and Open Space staff believe these adjustments result in a design that is more suitable for the
park environment.
Currently, Theatre Aspen is working with City staff to develop the terms that would allow this project to
proceed, and both parties are reviewing a draft letter of intent. That letter of intent, which will spell out
general terms of the new lease and construction details, may be brought back to City Council in late
summer if Council and the Open Space Board feel this proposal should proceed. Following the signature
of the letter of intent, we would anticipate that next step involves initiating the land use application
process, which will outline the framework for formal project review and ensure all aspects are
thoroughly evaluated before proceeding.
FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPACTS:
The Theatre Aspen proposal is currently in the early stages of project development. While the applicant
is expected to bear the financial burden of the project, it is anticipated that the City will incur associated
labor expenses throughout the project design, planning and construction periods. The exact nature and
extent of these costs have not yet been determined.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:
The construction of a permanent facility in Rio Grande Park will entail the typical environmental impacts
associated with building construction, as well as direct impacts on the surrounding park area. In addition
to the building footprint and limit of disturbance, utility runs are anticipated to extend through existing
park areas, further affecting the landscape.
However, a permanent building also offers some environmental benefits. It will be more energy-
efficient, more durable, and will reduce transportation requirements related to the current temporary
performance trailers.
ALTERNATIVES
At this stage in the project, Council is being asked to determine is the proposed use is appropriate in Rio
Grande Park and if the applicant should continue with a land use application. Council can support or
deny this approach.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
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THEATRE ASPEN
NEW VENUE UPDATES
June 17, 2024
4:00pm MT
Aspen City Hall
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AGENDA
•Opening/Why do this Project? (Jed)
•Since We Last Met (Jed)
•Latest Design Progress (Charles)
•Program Approach (Jed)
•Projected Usage Plan (Jed)
•Approach to Community Input (Jed)
•Conclusion (Jed)
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Why do this project?
Jed Bernstein
A new facility will give us the ability to:
•Serve audiences year-round
•Expand educational offerings for locals and theatre students nationwide
•Upgrade stage technology to meet audience needs and meet industry
standards
•Provide two performance/meeting spaces right sized for other
community groups/functions
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Since We Last Met
Jed Bernstein
•Multiple meetings with Parks/Open Space staff.
•Charrette meetings with Parks/Open Space and Charles Cunniffe
Architects.
•Geotechnical studies undertaken
•Multiple meetings with Parks/Open Space Board.
•Development of revised design with principle aim of consolidating
footprint and re-imaging the roof concept and planned activation.
•Multiple meetings with City Attorney, Theatre Aspen Attorney, and Land-
Use Consultant.
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Latest Design Progress
Charles Cunniffe
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Program Approach
Jed Bernstein
•Our three-show summer season and September Solo Flights Festival
will continue to be the cornerstone of Theatre Aspen’s programming.
•A new facility will allow us to partially or completely consolidate some of
our current activities that are spread over other locations (cabarets,
education classes, education productions)
•New Initiatives might include winter/spring concerts or productions and
additional holiday programming.
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12 12
6 6
20
30
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25
10
12 12
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
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January February March April May June July August September October November December
Potential Theatre Usage Chart
For Discussion Only -6.17.24
Days Activated
Total: 207 Days
Current Usage
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Approach to Community Input
Jed Bernstein
As a basic principle, we believe that the more people are exposed to and
learn about the project, the more engaged and excited they will become.
We are prepared to engage wherever and whenever we all collectively
believe it will be productive.
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Approach to Community Input
Jed Bernstein
Examples of some cornerstone actions in this regard:
•Lobby display –visuals and description, QR Code plus e-mail
for comments and feedback
•Community open house(s)
•Meetings with Oklahoma Flats homeowners
•Meetings with public interest groups
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Conclusion
Jed Bernstein
•We believe this project is consistent with the long-standing vision and
goals of the Park and the Sanctuary.
•We believe that this project has many public benefits, not just for
Theatre Aspen constituents.
•We believe our proposed uses are completely consistent with how the
space has been used for nearly two decades.
•We are anxious to continue to work collaboratively and sensitively with
all appropriate parties to make this dream a reality.
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MEMORANDUM
TO:Mayor and City Council
FROM:Brian Long, Trail System Manager
THROUGH:Matt Kuhn, Parks, and Open Space Director
MEETING DATE:June 17, 2024
RE:Marolt Open Space – Proposed Bike Skills Trail Site Visit
REQUEST OF COUNCIL:
The Parks and Open Space Department is vetting the southwestern edge of the Thomas parcel as a
potential home to a small network of skills trails for mountain biking. Council is asked to engage in an
on-site discussion with the Open Space and Trails Board on the suitability of the site for a skill trails
facility.
SUMMARY / BACKGROUND:
The Aspen cycling community identified a strong desire for a skills development area as early as 15 years
ago. Such facilities have been established during that time in many communities around the state to
great success. Skills development areas can take several different forms: pump tracks, dirt jump farms,
wooden pathway features, or tight networks of featured trails. These facilities are heralded as crucibles
of learning for beginner and intermediate mountain bikers of all ages.
Staff began evaluating the City’s inventory of properties for suitability for this sort of amenity on a
number of criteria: central bikeable location, proximity to schools, suitable topography, wildlife value,
and potential conflict with other uses. Areas considered included Cozy Point Ranch (too far from town),
Deer Hill Open Space (high wildlife value), and Moore Ballfields Open Space (questionable access,
parking and Nordic trail conflict).
The strip of land in the southwest corner of the Thomas parcel rose to the top of this suitability review,
and the 2019 Marolt Open Space Management Plan mentions the potential for this amenity at that site.
The Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association (RFMBA) approached the City looking to partner on
creating a skills development area and subsequently,the City’s Open Space and Trails Board asked staff
to prioritize the planning of a possible skill trail network in 2022.
RFMBA directly contracted a leading trail design firm to draft initial designs of a tight network of
featured trails in this space, offering jumps and berms on downhill trails and a return trail to bring users
back to the top. This design balances a density of trails with preserving as much of the native oak brush
and serviceberry habitat as possible.
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Preliminary Skill Trails design in the Thomas parcel strip
DISCUSSION:
City staff conducted a public survey campaign in the fall of 2023 to seek opinions on these proposed Skill
Trails. A survey posted through Aspen Community Voice received a strong number of responses. 211
people registered opinions on the project, with 85% believing these trails would be a benefit to the
Aspen community and 13% believing they would not. Almost all respondents recorded comments that
are logged in the survey results. The issue of constructing these trails is quite polarizing, with very few
survey respondents expressing ambivalence to the Skill Trails.
Selected public comment in support:
This project serves a need that is unmet in the current trail system.
These trails would serve users of many different abilities and ages.
The location is perfect with easy access from everywhere by bike or public transport.
It is an efficient use of this sliver of land to get recreational value while maintaining habitat.
Proximity to routes from school would encourage youth cycling and building skills.
While the Thomas parcel makes a lot of sense as a candidate location for a skill trails facility, nearby
existing user groups are largely not in favor of another use entering into proximity. The meadow across
Marolt Place from the proposed area is a popular spot for dog owners to run dogs off-leash. It is also
the landing area for paragliders who have launched form Aspen Mountain. Both of these groups have
voiced opposition to the proposed skill trails, citing increased traffic, parking, noise and wildlife
concerns.
Selected public comment in opposition:
An intense recreation amenity is counter to the peaceful character of Marolt Open Space.
This parcel is wildlife habitat home to deer, foxes and wild birds.
The Marolt Open space is already too crowded and has too much pressure.
Other locations would be better for this project.
This will cause conflict with other uses (dog walking and paragliding).
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At the request of the Open Space and Trails Board, the City commissioned a wildlife study by Colorado
Wildlife Science to assess the specific wildlife values of the strip that might be impacted by trail
development (attached). CWS concluded “Development of the proposed skills trails within the
project area will result in the direct loss of a small area of a native plant community with minimal
value for wildlife and is unlikely to cause any indirect loss of valuable habitat.” This assessment is
based on field observation, and also on the area’s small size and its location in the context of other
developments, impacts and disturbances.
Nearby development and impacts
FINANCIAL/BUDGET IMPACTS:
Intricately featured skill trails like the ones proposed are more expensive to design and create than other
types of trail. As part of the initial design process, Progressive Trail Design has projected a quote for
completed construction of the Skill Trails in the Thomas parcel at $561,500. RFMBA is pursuing a campaign
to seek donor funds to be a financial and planning partner to the City on this project. Their goal is to secure
50% of this construction cost.
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If there is general support to further the project following the site visit, staff will finalize capital budget
numbers and present those to Council during the fall 2025 budget presentations for further consideration
and discussion.
The Parks Department would anticipate ongoing expenses to be between$8,000 and $15,000 annually to
maintain a fully featured skill trails facility.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:
The proposed skill trails would impact the strip with a limited amount of excavation and earthwork to
create the trails. While the design prioritizes preservation of as much of the existing vegetation as
possible, there would be noticeable exposed earth immediately following the trails’ creation.
Restoration and re-seeding would return off-trail disturbance to native cover over time. Human use
patterns in the area would certainly increase during popular times of day, though the wildlife identified
in the parcel are those fairly tolerant of human activity.
A skills development area would add to the City’s portfolio of recreation amenities that foster and
encourage cycling in town as a healthy pursuit and alternative mode of transportation. Such a facility
has the potential to increase mode share by bike for kids travelling to school.
ALTERNATIVES
Council may recommend that a reduced density of trails be drawn up. Council may recommend to staff
to seek another location for a skill development area, though other candidate areas are less suitable in
one or more aspects. Council may also recommend delaying or cancelling the development of a skills
trail network at this location.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
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