HomeMy WebLinkAboutAppendix F.1 - Conceptual Engineering LetterAugust 29, 2018
502 Main Street • Suite A3 • Carbondale, CO 81623 • (970) 704-0311 • Fax (970) 704-0313
S O PRIS E NGINEERING • LLC civil consultants
Richard Shaw
Design Workshop
120 E Main Street
Aspen, CO 81611
rshaw@designworkshop.com
RE: Gorsuch Haus- Conceptual Engineering Letter
SE Job # 15101.05
Dear Richard,
This letter summarizes our initial findings as it relates to the recently revised site plan associated with the Gorsuch
Haus. The purpose of this review was to understand some of the recent revisions to the proposed site plan that are
being considered in support of allowing Lift 1A to move further down the hill. This review is provided to demonstrate
that the elements of civil engineering will be able to be met in respect to Utilities, Access and Drainage. Further
coordination and design efforts will be pursued as the project progresses through the accelerated PD Development
Review process. A conceptual site plan highlighting some of the changes (Exhibit A) has been provided as an
attachment to this letter for illustrative support.
Utilities
Since the previous Engineering Report was published a significant amount of utility improvements have been installed
along S. Aspen Street in support of the recent development of the One Aspen Project. In addition, further discoveries
have been identified as noted below:
Water: The water main improvements along S. Aspen Street have been installed and extend south from Durant
Avenue to the southern end of S. Aspen Street. The approved construction drawings actually included the
extension of the water main to continue east along Hill Street and re-connect to the existing system just east of
S. Monarch Street; however prior to this section being installed it was determined that the proposed alignment
creates complications to the Lift One Lodge and Gorsuch Projects and therefore the City agreed to defer the
final 500+ feet until after revised site plans for the Gorsuch and Lift One Lodge were available to determine if a
better alignment could be provided. As such, the recent site revisions associated with the Gorsuch Project
provides an opportunity to improve the previously proposed alignment for this final section of water main. The
proposed re-alignment is illustrated on Exhibit A and places the 16-inch water main along the south side of the
remaining Hill Street ROW which will require a 8-ft+/- wide easement through the northern portion of Gorsuch
Haus Lot 1, running parallel to the remaining Hill Street ROW. This easement along with the remaining Hill
Street ROW will provide the required 30-ft easement through this section of water line replacement. A 30-ft
easement will also be required through Gorsuch Haus Lot 2. This improved alignment avoids conflicts with
structures, reduces the amount of bends and provides additional separation between proposed structures which
improves future access and maintenance to the water main.
The proposed water service for this project will tap into this new 16” water main and will likely entail a combined
service line to provide domestic and fire flow requirements. Since the development extends above the City’s
8040-Greenline the applicant will have to provide a private water pressure boosting system to ensure adequate
pressures and fire flow requirements are maintained. Final designs of the extended water main, booster pumps,
service lines and fire suppressant systems will be provided at time of building permit application.
APPENDIX F.1 - GORSUCH HAUS CONCEPTUAL ENGINEERING LETTER
502 Main Street • Suite A3 • Carbondale, CO 81623 • (970) 704-0311 • Fax (970) 704-0313
S OPRIS E NGINEERING • LLC civil consultants
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Sewer: Aspen Consolidated Sanitation District (ACSD) is the supplier of sanitary sewer service to the subject
property and surrounding area. Sewer service to the project will be tapped from the recently installed sewer main
(8” and 12”) that extends south from Durant Avenue to the southern end of S. Aspen Street. The size of the line
will be verified prior to permit application. Grease interceptors will be provided for any and all food processing
establishments and a sand/oil interceptor will be provided within the proposed parking garage. Ejector pumps
are anticipated for portions of the project given the depths and use of the proposed below grade space.
Abandonment of all existing sewer services shall comply with ACSD specifications and final terminations will
need to be inspected by ACSD personnel. All work associated with Aspen Consolidated Sanitation District
infrastructure shall be in accordance with their rules and regulations.
Since the previous report was published it has been determined that there is an existing 8” sewer service that
runs up Aspen Mountain and serves Ruthie’s Restaurant. Based on available mapping it appears that this
existing service line will need to be re-aligned to avoid the proposed building and then re-connected to the
recently installed sanitary sewer main that runs up S. Aspen Street. A conceptual alignment is illustrated on
Exhibit A and runs along the east side of the building. Several manholes are proposed for change of direction
and future maintenance which will be an improved condition as compared to what exists today. The proposed
service for the Gorsuch Haus is currently shown tapping into the Ruthie’s new sewer service which will either
require extending the Districts mainline 65-ft+/- to the east or a shared service line agreement will need to be
pursued between Aspen Ski Company and the applicant. This will be further evaluated as the project design
progresses with final alignments and designs being provided in support of any future building permit
applications. ACSD has provided an Ability to Serve Letter which is attached to this report.
Electric: Holy Cross Energy is the supplier of electric service in this area. Numerous coordination meetings
have occurred to better understand the improvements that were installed and how to best serve the project. In
summary, new primary electric lines were installed with the S. Aspen Street improvements. These primary lines
extend to the southern end of S. Aspen Street and serve the existing transformer (3468P1) located north of Lift
1A, a recloser located adjacent to this transformer, a recently installed switch gear, a transformer (3128P1)
serving the Shadow Mountain Townhomes and then existing infrastructure serving Aspen Mountain.
The proposed improvements associated with the Gorsuch Project will require relocating the existing recloser and
transformer located near Lift 1A. In addition, the recently installed switch gear may also need to be relocated
given the close proximity to the proposed building. Furthermore, the existing primary line that feeds
infrastructure further up Aspen Mountain will likely need to be re-routed to accommodate the proposed building.
The proposed location of the transformers to serve the project and the relocated infrastructure mentioned above
are illustrated on Exhibit A; however alternative locations are currently being explored to improve access for
future maintenance. Further coordination with the design team, City and Holy Cross Energy is anticipated as the
project design evolves and the project proceeds through the review process. A will serve letter from Holy Cross
has been provided as an attachment to this letter.
Gas: As noted in the previous Engineering Report Black Hills Energy is the provider of natural gas in the area.
Since the previous Engineering Report was published a new 6” gas main has been extended to the southern
end of S. Aspen Street. A new service line will be extended from this gas main to serve the proposed
502 Main Street • Suite A3 • Carbondale, CO 81623 • (970) 704-0311 • Fax (970) 704-0313
S OPRIS E NGINEERING • LLC civil consultants
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development. The size of the proposed service will be determined prior to building permit. All natural gas
improvements/infrastructure shall conform to Black Hills rules and regulations.
Telephone: Century Link is the provider of telephone service within the area. New service to the proposed
building will be extended from the recently installed main line infrastructure that was installed as part of the S.
Aspen Street improvements.
Cable: Comcast is the provider of cable service within the area. New service to the proposed building will be
extended from recently installed main line infrastructure that was installed as part of the S. Aspen Street
improvements. A will serve letter prepared by Comcast has been attached to this report.
With the exception of the City Water Department, will serve letters from all utility providers are included as
attachments to this report. Further coordination and refining pedestal, transformer and service alignments may
occur as the project progresses into detail design with a final plan being submitted when a Building Permit
Application is pursued.
Access
The new site plan includes a much improved cul-de-sac that will serve as the primary pick up/drop off and access to
the site as well as emergency turn around. This cul-de-sac will be dedicated to the City as ROW and meets their
minimum dimensional requirements as stated within Title 26.580.020 of the City of Aspen’s Land Use Code as well as
Section 4.2.3 of the City’s Engineering Standards. The cul-de-sac also provides 24-ft of width for vehicular circulation
as well as a 12.5 ft wide drop off aisle which will provide primary ADA access to the property. As illustrated on the
attached Exhibit A the cul-de-sac accommodates an Aerial Fire Truck. It should be noted that under the revised site
plan the lift will be moved further down the hill and therefore the cul-de-sac will no longer be used as primary access to
the lift which will reduce the overall impacts to the area.
Site Drainage
The revised site plan reduced the overall footprint of the proposed building and hardscape areas resulting in a
reduction of impervious area of approximately 25% as compared to the previous site plan. This reduction will simplify
the stormwater mitigation requirements by reducing the amount of water quality treatment volume that will be required
as well as a reduction of post development peak runoff rates and volumes. Stormwater mitigation strategies have not
been completely vetted at this time however green roofs are being considered to further reduce impervious areas.
Final green roof coverage will be determined prior to building permit application. Other potential stormwater mitigation
infrastructure includes permeable pavers and underground water quality treatment vaults. The site plan is currently
showing two underground treatment vaults that have dimensions capable of providing a combined volume of
approximately 600 cubic feet. This amount of volume can accommodate water quality treatment for approximately
28,000 sf of impervious area which is approximately 80% of the overall roof and hardscape area currently proposed on
the subject property. Based on discussions with the City it is our understanding that this project will not be required to
provide onsite detention given the recent storm sewer improvements installed along S. Aspen Street. Our office will
continue to work with the design team and City to identify and address any concerns that may arise during the PD
review process.
502 Main Street • Suite A3 • Carbondale, CO 81623 • (970) 704-0311 • Fax (970) 704-0313
S OPRIS E NGINEERING • LLC civil consultants
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Conclusions
In summary, it is our opinion that the revised site plan provides improved access to the site, it is consistent with the
previous application as it relates to utility services to the building, provides for a better alignment for the required 16-
inch water main and results in an overall reduction of impervious area which will simplify stormwater mitigation
requirements as compared to the previous site plan. All utilities serving the proposed development including water
supply, wastewater collection, and the shallow utilities (power, gas, phone, data/communication) are proposed to have
essentially the same delivery and connection routes as outlined within the previous application dated March 2016. In
addition, since the publication of the previous engineering report the majority of utility upgrades along S. Aspen Street
have been completed. Our office will continue to work with the design team and City to further develop utility, grading
and drainage designs and address any concerns that may arise as the project continues through the City’s review
process.
Please let us know if you have any questions or if you need additional information.
Sincerely,
SOPRIS ENGINEERING, LLC
Jesse K. Swann, PE
Sopris Engineering, LLC
970-704-0311
Encls. Exhibit A
Utility Provider Will Serve Letters