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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19850930Mayor Stirling called the continued meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with Councilmembers Isaac, Collins, Walls, and Fallin present. Mayor Stifling explained that the city has been asked to move into third position on the Music Associates property on the promissory note for the water line. The Music Associates wants to open their credit, which they do every year, and cannot get their renewal unless the city agrees to third position. Mayor Stirling requested this be added to the agenda. Council agreed to add this item at the end of the meeting OWL CREEK WATER LINE - Ordinance #31, 1984 John Musick, water counsel, said this ordinance approves a standard water line extension agreement. Musick told Council under this agreement there will be a dedication of water rights from Owl Creek to the city, with a lease back provision so Owl Creek may use water for irrigation. Musick said the city will get the water rights, Owl Creek will be putting these water rights to beneficial use and preserving them for the city. The city will be receiving about $144,000 for this hook up. There is a credit on the 1-1/2 inch line that was originally serving the project, which is standard provision. Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor Stirling closed the public hearing. Councilman Isaac moved to adopt Ordinance #31, Series of 1984, on second reading; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Walls, yes; Isaac, yes; Collins, yes; Fallin, yes; Mayor Stirling, yes. Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 24, SERIES OF 1985 - Aspen Institute Subdivision Exception City Attorney Taddune told Council they have two documents, one is a resolution setting forth the grounds for granting the exception from the subdivision process. The second document is a statement of exception from the full subdivision process and declaration of covenants and restrictions. The resolution articulates Council's legislative action, that a public hearing was held, that title owner of the entire unified parcel, Aspen Mountain Joint Venture endorses and supports the application. The resolution states that Council finds this request for subdivision falls within the definition of subdivision. It further states that the Institute has represented that the Continued Meeting Aspen City Council September 30, 1985 application is for the purpose of confirming record title only and has agreed that any future application for zoning, land use or any development pertaining to the academic parcel shall proceed the same as if the entire parcel was unified and in single ownership as if no subdivision had been approved, thereby requiring a comprehensive plan with the concurrence of all title owners. Taddune pointed out that a final plat of the unified parcel conforming to the requirements of the Municipal Code shall be submitted to the city engineer for review and approval. The final plat shall contain a recitation subscribed by the owners of the resulting parcels, the Aspen Mountain Join Venture and the Aspen Institute, that the parcels are subject to the restric- tions, conditions and covenants or the statement of exception. The Aspen Institute is agreeing to participate in a public improvement district, should one be formed. Mayor Stirling asked if this implies that AMJV would not be held to that. Taddune said it does not imply that, but when AMJV come in for develop- ment approval the city will require the same of them. Taddune quoted a condition from the statement of subdivision exception, "Despite the separate ownerships, the unified parcel hereinabove described, as designated on the official city of Aspen zoning map, shall continue and be deemed a single unified parcel with regard to all zoning, land use and development, it being the intent of the City and Covenantors that any proposed change in zoning, land use or development with regard to the unified parcel shall be submitted and considered as if the unified parcel was not subdivided. NO development application shall be submitted which does not comprehensively address development on the entire unified parcel, and no such application shall be submitted or considered without the written consent of all owners of the unified parcel". Taddune told Council this paragraph states land use application will be considered the same as if the subdivision has not occurred; no application shall be submitted or considered by the city which does not comprehensively address the land use consid- erations, and that no development application will be submitted which is not consented to by the owners of the Institute parcel and the remaining parcel. Taddune told Council these conditions run with the land and will be noticed to anyone purchasing the property. Taddune said the subdivision will become effective only on recordation of the plat and statement of exception. Taddune told Council no conditions or covenants shall be released, waived or modified without prior consent of the city by ordinance of the City Council. Taddune said normally the city does not require an ordinance but because of the sensitivity of this subdivision exception, it would be in the best interests 2 Continued Meeting Aspen City Council September 30, 1985 of the community to require an ordinance procedure, which would invite public hearing. Taddune told Council these documents have been submitted to attorneys representing various groups interested in the applica- tion. Taddune said the attorneys spent a lot of time insuring these documents address everyone's particular concerns. Councilman Isaac moved to adopt Resolution No. 24, Series of 1985; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. Dwight Shellman, representing the West Side Improvement Associa- tion, said the city attorney worked very hard to develop a consensus. Shellman told Council he has been requested by his Association to address the question of how to deal with the likelihood of a lawsuit if there is disagreement. Shellman has draft a clause about that. Shellman also pointed out there is a question whether proper notice was given to adjacent owners. Shellman said he is advised that Markalunas, Mencher, Bresnitz, Iselin and Hibberd are adjacent owners and their names did not appear on the list. Shellman said he is not authorized to waive a defect in notice. Shellman said some of his changes reflect form and include representations heard at the hearing, that no further development of the 26 acre parcel is contemplated. Shellman said the word "owner" has been marked out, and that may be a mistake. Shellman suggested inserting a word "comprehensively address all develop- ment". Shellman read a new paragraph 6, "6, The owners assume all risk or loss, cost, damage or expense, which may arise from or relate to any disagreement between the owners as to any development application with regard to all or any part of the unified parcel or failure of all said owners to agree to and proceed upon all or any part of land use for development authori- zations by the city of Aspen as to all or any part of the unified parcel. Said owners hereby agree to indemnify, hold harmless, waive or release the city of Aspen, its present and future agents and employees and elected and appointed officials from, of, and as to all suits, claims, demands, damages, loss and expense, in any way arising out of or related to this statement of exception or City Council or other municipal processes concerning the grantment of this statement of exception for which are hereafter undertaken pursuant to the provisions hereof. Shellman said this is intended to refer to an approval Council might give, which approval one or the other of the owners might disagree upon or have litigation about. Spencer Schiffer, representing the Aspen Institute, said every- thing Shellman mentioned has been covered adequately and compre- hensively by the city attorney's documents. Shellman said these 3 Continued Meeting Aspen City Council September 30, 1985 applicants will be unable to agree on a comprehensive development for the entire parcel and may involve themselves and the city in litigation and expenses may be incurred. Shellman said the clause he drafted indemnifies the city against that cost and that the applicant will waive and release their right to litigate about what these exceptions mean or how they should be applied. Shellman said the language of the specially planned area is that a "precise development plan" and that should be incorporated in the documents. Art Daily, representing John Roberts, said he has no objection to any of the changes except the indemnification clause. Daily pointed out Roberts is not the applicant but is supporting the Institute's application to acquire title to a piece of the Meadows property. Roberts is not going to commit himself to reimburse or indemnify any parties in connection with this application. Daily told Council Roberts is not going to waive any of his rights with respect to development or land use on that property, except what he has already agreed to do, which is agree along with the Institute that that property will be master planned at one time as a single unit. Daily told Council he feels Taddune's documents have been written very carefully. Schiffer stated he feels that Ordinance ~20, Series of 1985, the SPA ordinance, gives the city sufficient insurance against the expressed concerns. Schiffer said he has worked closely with Taddune and Daily to come up with language that is satisfactory to the city. Schiffer said Shellman's proposed change is designed to cause further delay in this process. Nick McGrath, representing Concerned Citizens of the West End, said originally they suggested a provision asking the Institute for a specific waiver. In the past, the Institute has shown a proclivity for law suits. McGrath said he raised this issue to Council, and it did not seem to be part of the consensus. McGrath said he would like language along Shellman's lines, however, it was not part of what was agreed to before, and it is difficult to add it later. McGrath said he feels the documents came pretty far and got a lot of protection. Mayor Stifling said these documents sufficiently protect the city and reflect what Council decided last week. Councilman Isaac asked Taddune if felt a clause like this was needed. Taddune said the extent to which Council can extract a legal right from an applicant as opposed to something Council has an ability to determine as a matter of discretion becomes an issue for a court to determine. Taddune said when Council extract legal rights, they are giving an application the opportunity to say the extraction was illegal and there was no other alternative but to agree. Taddune said there is not a judge in this country who is going to say a citizen does not have a right to go into a 4 Continued Meeting Aspen City Council September 30, 1985 courthouse and complain. Mayor Stifling agreed there is not a waiver any one has come up with that will prohibit litigation at some point. Mayor Stirling said "owner" was deleted and reinset- ted and some of the changes Shellman recommended have been done. Taddune told Council after the last Council meeting, he put together a draft resolution and circulated it to all counsel who appeared at the meeting. Changes were suggested, the redraft was again circulated. A final draft was made and there was consensus among the Institute, Roberts and McGrath. Unfortun- ately Shellman did not get a chance to look at the final draft, and his clients requested some additional language. Councilman Collins asked why the owner of the property is not the applicant in this request. Taddune said the Institute is the owner of the option. Staff was concerned whether or not the owner of an option can be the applicant, and the problem was resolved when the Roberrs group concurred in the application. Councilman Collins pointed out the Institute is not a signatory to the statement of Exception. Taddune said that is an oversight and they will be added. Councilman Collins said the Municipal Code states if there are any conditions placed on land that is subdivided, it has to be handled by ordinance, and the statement of exception says if there are to be any changes these should be done by ordinance. Councilman Collins asked if these two documents should be implemented by ordinance. Taddune said he construes the Code to mean a police power action, such as a zoning regulation which would restrict the use of private property should be done by ordinance. Taddune told Council for the past 15 years subdivision applications have not been approved by ordinance. Taddune pointed out Section 20-19(c) says when Council grants an exception or exemption, the basis for the approval should be articulated on the record by motion duly adopted or by resolution of the Council. Councilman Collins read from the Charter, "or placing any burden upon, or limiting the use of private property shall be by ordinance". Councilman Collins said it seems this is not a straightforward subdivision with conditions limiting the use of property. Taddune said the applicants have agreed to conditions and have made representations to induce the Council to approve this. This is an offer to be burdened, not complained about. Councilman Collins said originally Council received a letter from John Roberrs that he was not in favor of this application. Daily told Council this was Roberts initial position, and he communi- cated to the Institute it would be wiser and make better planning sense to wait a year or so to allow some master planning to be done. Roberts ultimately decided to support the application with the conditions Council is considering. Schiffer quoted 5 Continued Meeting Aspen City Council September 30, 1985 from the letter in question, "if, however, the Institute agrees not to present any development plans and to treat the parcel as a unified parcel under the SPA ordinance, we are fully in support of it." And, "if this interpretation is accurate, the Institute's application will not, in fact, have any impact on potential development of the area since regardless of the separation of the underlying ownerships, the entire Aspen Meadows property will still have to be master planned at the same time". Taddune told Council these issue involve the prerogative of Council, if they feel this should be approved by ordinance, it can be. Councilman Collins said he is seeking some assurance that this agreement is not leaving the door open for some kind of legal action in the future. Councilman Collins said it is not uncommon that the intent is questioned somewhere down the line and there is legal action. Councilwoman Walls said this is not an application for a simple redrawing of the lines that the one step procedure was designed for. Councilwoman Walls sug- gested referring this to P & Z because it seems to be more controversial than was presented in the beginning. Hchiffer said this is a simple drawing of lines, and the only purpose for this application is so that the Institute can complete record title. Schiffer said these documents have attempted to address the concerns of the city, the owner of the other part of the property, and the attorneys who have raised objection. Mayor Stifling said Council held a full public hearing and made a decision last week. This action is to codify the language from that meeting. Mayor Stifling moved to call the question; seconded by Councilman Isaac. All in favor, motion carried. All in favor, with the exception of Councilmembers Walls and Collins. Motion carried. Mayor Stirling announced the death of Herbert Bayer, one of the founding fathers of the renaissance of Aspen. Mayor Stirling suggested putting off Council Rules & Regulations, Open Meeting Law and Parking Permit ordinance off to another meeting. MALL FOUNTAIN Jay Hammond, city engineer, requested Council consider funding reconstruction of the mall fountain at Mill and Hyman as a capital project in 1986. The problems relate to replacement of the existing computers that control the fountain, replacement 6 Continued Meeting Aspen City Council September 30, 1985 of the existing controllers which create the interconnection between the computers and the pumps that run the fountain, and the relocation of the computer equipment into the Wheeler to protect the equipment from the weather. Hammond said the reason to replace the computer is that the current equipment is older, has been customized for this fountain and hinders the ability to maintain the fountain. Hammond said it could be maintained with less expertise if there was a different computer. Hammond told Council this could be rebuilt in the current shed; however, that would contribute to on-going maintenance problems. Council- man Isaac suggested looking at this along with the other capital projects. Mayor Stirling pointed out the Council is in the middle of the budget process for 1986. Gary Plumley, CCLC, said there are various methods of financing this project. Plumley said they would like Council to be aware of the problems with the fountain and that it will take creativity to rebuild the fountain. Plumley told Council Nick deWolfe is willing to donate his time for this rebuilding. Councilman Isaac moved to consider the rebuilding of the Hyman Avenue mall fountain at the same time as the other capital projects; seconded by Councilman Collins. Council will look at these projects October 21. All in favor, motion carried. Council Collins said he would like more background information on this item. A great deal of money has been put into the fountain and $48,000 is a large request. Plumley said the CCLC is not recommending relocating the equipment in the Wheeler, which would lower the request to $35,000. GOLF PRO SHOP PROPOSED NORDIC LEASE Jim Holland, parks director, reminded Council they asked him to look into using the pro shop for winter Nordic skiing support. Holland said he did a request for proposal over the summer and received a proposal from Ute Mountaineer, who is proposing to use the pro shop for 5 months during the winter as a Nordic center. Holland told Council it is an extensive, well-prepared proposal. Staff recommends approving this proposal. Mayor Stifling said this is for a one year season and staff will evaluate this after the winter season. Boots Ferguson, representing Ute Mountaineer, said the Ute would like an option to be in first position to renegotiate next year because of the expenditures required in a start up year. Ferguson said this is a first time experience for both parties. Kit Summers said the Council has supported the Nordic counsel in the past, and hopefully this will enhance that program. 7 Continued Meeting Aspen City Council September 30, 1985 Councilwoman Walls moved for conceptual approval of Ute Mountai- neer Ltd's proposal to lease the golf pro shop for the 1985-86 winter season for the purpose of operating a Nordic skiing center, and authorize staff to enter into such agreement pending successful, detailed contract negotiation; seconded by Councilman Collins. Councilwoman Walls said this program looks much more detailed than originally anticipated. Councilman Isaac said he would like to add to the motion that an option be added in the contract for the following year. Summers explained they would like this option because there is a large capital expenditure in rental equipment and advertising to make it work this season. Councilwoman Walls accepted the amendment to give an option to Ute Mountaineer to have the right to negotiate the first position for the following year; Councilman Collins seconded. All in favor, motion carried. EXPANSION OF PROGRAMMING/COMMUNITY ACCESS CHANNEL Assistant City Manager Mitchell told Council this is Canyon Cable's proposal to expand programming. The cable televi- sion permit requires Canyon Cable to present the programming to Council and to solicit comments. The additional programming will be provided when Canyon Cable finishes the upgrading. Kelly Bloomer, Canyon Cable, said the permit requires they provide a minimum of 26 channels, and they are proposing a minimum of 28 channels. Bloomer pointed out that pursuant to the cable communications act, city governments are not in a position to mandate particular channels. Bloomer said he feels Canyon Cable is proposing an excellent mix of programs to suit many needs. Bloomer said the cable permit requires them to provide a minimum of two community access channels. Bloomer said they do not feel it is thrifty to have two channels of community access of programming this is produced locally and one channel is more than adequate. Since January 1, 1985, Grassroots network has been accompanied by Arts and Entertainment. Arts and Entertain- ment is going to 20 hours and they would like to provide a second channel for them. Bloomer recommended they not be obligated to carry another channel for community access because one channel can accommodate the needs of local interest. Bloomer told Council they have an agreement with Grassroots that they take the Arts and Entertainment channel and sell the ad avails. Linda Cotton, Grassroots, said they would like to continue running Arts and Entertainment on the community access channel. Ms. Cotton said the second community access channel should be 8 Continued Meeting Aspen City Council September 30, 1985 dedicated to Grassroots. Ms. Cotton said they plan to move Arts and Entertainment to channel 34 and have it designated as a second community access channel. Mayor Stirling asked how many hours per week Grassroots is programming. Ms. Cotton said about 35 hours per week. Mitchell told Council the ordinance requires 10 percent of all channels be used community access, and Canyon Cable is providing 27 channels. Mitchell recommended one additional community access channel. Bloomer said Canyon Cable does not intend to preclude anyone who wants to produce local programming to put it on the cable but would like to encourage thriftiness as much as possible. Councilman Isaac brought up the work that Canyon Cable has done to the streets and alleys and that it has left ruts. City Manager Schilling told Council Canyon Cable is not done with the work. Councilman Collins moved to approve the assignment of one commun- ity access channel to the Arts and Entertainment network; seconded by Councilwoman Walls. All in favor, motion carried. ORDINANCE-NO. 58, SERIES OF 1985 - Rezoning Moore Property Steve Burstein, planning office, told Council this is an applic- ation for rezoning four lots on the southwest corner of Monarch and Main street, the Moore property, from O, office, to C-1. This property has about 10 businesses, most of which are non-conforming in the office zone. The main block of the building is non-conforming in setbacks. The purpose of this rezoning request is to bring the non-conformities to a stop. Burstein said this property could be redeveloped at a larger area and bulk if zoned C-1. The planning office recommends rezoning to C-1 but feels there are significant problems with the area and bulk requirements of that zone. P & Z felt strongly it was not appropriate to have the area and bulk requirements of the C-1 zone on this property. James Moore amended his application to restrict the development rights of the property to the area and bulk requirements of the office zone. P & Z approved the rezoning based on that condition. Councilman Collins moved to read Ordinance #58, Series of 1985; seconded by Councilman Isaac. All in favor, motion carried. ORDINANCE NO. 58 (Series of 1985) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ASPEN, COLORADO REZONING LOTS F, G, H AND I, BLOCK 74, CITY AND TOWNSITE OF ASPEN, PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE MOORE PROPERTY FROM THE O, 9 Continued Meeting Aspen City Council September 30. 1985 OFFICE TO THE C-l, COMMERCIAL ZONE DISTRICT DESIGNATION was read by the city clerk Councilman Collins moved to adopt Ordinance #58, Series of 1985, on first reading; seconded by Councilman Isaac. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Fallin, yes; Walls, yes; Isaac, yes; Collins, yes; Mayor Stirling, yes. Motion carried. SUBDIVISION EXCEPTION - Beyers Steve Burstein, planning Office, told Council this request is to condominiumize a duplex located at 1335 Riverside drive. Burstein said the concerns are the submission of a plat to satisfy the engineering department; whether the smaller unit has been used as employee housing and should be deed restricted. The housing authority said under the circumstances where no rent has been paid as an act of friendship and in exchange of work, it does not meet the definition of a low income unit. The P & Z and planning office concurred with this. Another concern is the driveway and whether it will encroach an a neighboring property. The fourth concern is that the applicant agree to the six month minimum lease, to which the applicant has consented. Councilman Isaac moved to approve the subdivision exception of the Beyers duplex for purposes of condominiumization subject to the four conditions stated in the planning office memorandum dated September 30, 1985; seconded by Councilman Collins. All in favor, motion carried. FIGURE SKATING SCHOOL REOUEST George Pucak, manager Aspen Ice Garden, told Council staff is recommending the summer figure skating school be renewed for operation for the summer of 1986. Last year, Council approved the su~uner skating school as a secondary budget request with the condition a new program for the operation of the school be provided. Pucak told Council they had a very successful skating school with 60 skaters and 3 visiting pros. Pucak said the question raised by the summer figure skating school is whether to keep the rink open for June and July. Pucak said if the city can make the camp feasible, the rink should be open. Pucak said if the ice rink and the camp can operate together to reach zero operating costs, it would make sense to do this. Pucak told Council the figure skating club reported $15,177 in revenue and $10,000 in expenses and turned over the difference to the city, leaving the operation of the ice garden for of June and July with a $3,447 deficit. Pucak said the skating director feels an additional 5 to 8 skaters will bring this to a zero operation cost for the city. Pucak recommended the Council 10 Continued Meeting Aspen City Council September 30, 1985 direct staff to enter into an agreement with the figure skating club for the operation of the 1986 summer skating school. Mayor Stifling asked why Council should act on this in advance of all the other non-profit requests. Jim Holland, parks director, said this is not as much a non-profit request as it is part of the ice garden's budget. The figure skating school needs lead time to get their marketing program going. Holland pointed out this is part of the 1986 budget. Councilman Collins moved that the city manager be authorized to negotiate and execute agreements with the Aspen Figure Skating Club for the operation of the 1986 summer skating school; seconded by Councilwoman Walls. Mayor Stirling said this was a difficult decision for Council last year, and the figure skating school did a great job. Marty Flug said the figure skating club is not a profit making group. Flug said it was presented at a 5 year project to prove itself, and it might prove at some point to be feasible for the city to take the program over. All in favor, motion carried. REOUEST FOR ENCROACHMENT - Woodstone Inn Councilman Collins stated he is abstaining. Elyse Elliott, engineering department, said the Woodstone is proposing an awning which would encroach 38 square feet over the Spring street sidewalk. Ms. Elliott recommended approval as this will not interfere with use of the sidewalk and would be a benefit for guests entering the lodge. (Councilwoman Fallin left Chambers). Jim Colombo told Council this will provide a covered entrance for arriving guests. There are precedents for awnings throughout the town. Councilwoman Walls moved to approve the encroachment license for the awning over the Spring street sidewalk for the Woodstone Inn; seconded by Councilman Isaac. Councilman Isaac asked about the handicap accessibility at the entrance. Colombo said they plan on providing two handicap access, the existing main entrance and the new entrance. All in favor, motion carried. REOUEST FOR ENCROACHMENT - Roush/Wayburn Elyse Elliott, engineering department, told Council this is an encroachment request for a residence at 740 Castle Creek drive for a series of retaining walls from the street to the house. 11 Continued Meeting Aspen City Council September 30, 1985 These retaining walls protect the irrigation culvert. Ms. Elliott told Council the applicant was given approval by the building department prior to construction, and the building department did not notice the encroachment. Ms. Elliott told Council usually the city does not allow an applicant to build ona public right-of-way for this purpose, but this was already constructed and does not interfere with street maintenance. Ms. Elliott said these walls are 3 feet high and encroach 9 feet on each side. Councilman Isaac moved to approve the encroachment license for the Roush/Wayburn residence on Castle Creek drive; seconded by Councilman Collins. All in favor, with the exception of Council- woman Walls. Motion carried. M.A.A. BANK POSITION City Attorney Taddune said the M.A.A. has requested that the city's $78,000 promissory note for the water line extension be subordinated to two financial transactions outlined in the resolution, approximately $600,000 worth of financing. Taddune said before the Music Associates' refinancing, the city's note was in third position. The city's not moved into first position when the M.A.A. paid off the other two notes. Taddune said this promissory note was discussed thoroughly by Council. Mayor Stifling said this is an annual recurring event, and it seems appropriate to approve this request. Councilman Isaac moved to approve Resolution #23, Series of 1985; seconded by Councilwoman Walls. Councilman Collins said he would like more information about the note between the M.A.A. and the city, which part is tap fees, etc. All in favor, motion carried. Councilman Isaac moved to approve liquor license renewals for O'Leary's and Nick's Fresh Seafood; seconded by Councilwoman Walls. All in favor, motion carried. BOARDS AND COMMISSION REPORT City Clerk Koch reported there is a vacancy for alternate on the Clean Air Advisory Board, and there is one application. The Commercial Core and Lodging Commission has two vacancies and 4 applications. On the Historic Preservation Commission, Nick Pasquearella's term expired, he has applied for reappointment. Connie McCrudden resigned, there is a vacancy. On P & Z, Welton Anderson and David White's terms expired; they applied for reappointment, and there are no other applications. All these vacancies have been noticed at least 4 times. Ms. Koch reported that John Stanford has just resigned from the Wheeler 12 Continued Meeting Aspen City Council September 30, 1985 Board, this will be advertised. Mayor Stirling requested this be added to the next Council agenda. City Attorney Taddune told Council the bankruptcy court held that the real estate transfer tax in the Cantrup bankruptcy/Aspen Mountain Joint Venture transaction is exempted under the federal bankruptcy law. The court relied on a case decided in the second circuit. Taddune said the decision was not surprising given the way the law is developing on the east coast. Councilman Isaac m~ved to adjourn at 8:00 p.m.; seconded by Councilwoman Walls. All in favor, motion carried. Kathryn S~K~och, City Clerk 13