HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19860401Continued Meeting Aspen City Council April 1, 1986
LITTLE NELL SPA PUBLIC HEARING 1
Open Space 3
Skier Drop Off 5
Views and Visual Impact 6
Shadow Effect 6
Pedestrian Gateway 6
Dean Street 7
Gondola Building 8
Little Nell Lift 9
Snow Shedding 9
Floor Area Ratio 9
Parking Needs 9
Adeguacy of Streets 10
Service Yard 10
Trail Easement 11
Geologic Hazards 11
Grading Plans 11
Drainage Plan 11
Pumphouse relocation 12
Employee Housing 12
Specification of Zone District Regulations, Variations;
Permitted and Construction schedule 12
Lodge Development Allotment 13
ORDINANCE #53, 1985 - Extending the SPA Boundary 14
Gondola Building 15
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ontinued Meeti g Aspen Citv Counc'i.l April 1.- 198
Mayor Stirling called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m, with
Councilmembers Fallin, Wall and Isaac present.
LITTLE NELL SPA PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Stirling said Council will begin with the evaluation of
consistency with precise plan review criteria to see whether
Council feels the Little Nell site is an appropriate site for
this project. Then Council can deal with the 25 specific
conditions. Mayor Stirling entered into the record a letter from
Hans Gramiger urging Council not to take any action until all 5
Councilmembers are present. Councilwoman Walls suggested
finishing the approvals for the gondola, and putting the hotel
decision off until later. Councilman Isaac said Council has
always discussed this as one project, not separate pieces.
Councilman Isaac moved to vote on the Little Nell project all at
once; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, with the
exception of Councilwoman Walls. Motion carried.
Councilman Isaac moved that this application is consistent with
the precise plan review criteria; seconded by Councilwoman
Fallin.
Councilwoman Walls said she feels this proposal is too much
development f or this site. Councilwoman Walls said if the land
use plan designates this area as accommodations/recreation, it
should not have all the proposed commercial space. Councilwoman
Fallin asked about voting on this project as a whole, when the
planning office has pointed out that some office and commercial
space has to be competed for in a future GMP. Alan Richman,
planning director, told Council this is being covered in the SPA
agreement. This SPA agreement will be returned to Council with
all the representations made by the applicant. Richman said any
aspects of the project for which the applicant does not have an
allotment does not have approval. Richman noted most of the
commercial space is replacement space. Richman told Council the
applicants only have to compete f or office and commercial space
that they are not replacing.
Joe Edwards said Section 24-11.5 of the Code states no
development of commercial or office space shall occur until the
proposed development shall have received a development allotment.
Edwards said the applicants are proposing to develop the space,
which is a direct violation of the Code. Edwards said this would
prejudice the f uture competition as the city had already allowed
this applicant to build the space. City Attorney Taddune said
the focus should be on the use of the space rather than the
construction of the space. Taddune said the space would be
accessory to the hotel use, like mechanical. Richman said this
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Continued Meetinct AspenCity Council- Aoril 1, 1986
space could be used for skier support services, or mechanical
facilities. Taddune said he does not feel there would be any
bias; it would still have to be evaluated by the growth
management criteria before it could be used as commercial space.
Mayor Stirling asked if there is any precedence f or building in
advance of an allotment. Richman said not that he knew of.
Taddune told Council this is a unique situation. When an large
project is built within the context of the growth management
system, it has to be taken into account that there are certain
efficiencies and economies of scale. Taddune pointed out it is
the use that has the growth impact, not the space. The
applicants recognize they have to compete in the growth
management competition. Richman pointed out the staff has been
evaluating staggered growth management application dates, and
tried to develop a system where a multi-use project can work
through the system. Richman said this project would have worked
through the 1985 system except the city was revising the SPA
regulation, and there was an inability on the applicant's part to
apply by August 1st. The applicants applied under lodge GMP but
were unable to compete in the commercial GMP until the SPA
regulations were adopted.
Taddune said staf f has insisted that if this space is built,
there can be no possible utilization for purposes other than
accessory or mechanical. Edwards said this is a mockery of the
city's Code to build office space and label it a mechanical room.
Edwards brought up Section 24-7.7(4) and the issue of whether the
applicant has employed setbacks, clustering, buffering and
architectural design to preserve significant viewplanes, avoid
adverse environmental impacts and provide open space and similar
amenities for the public at large. This is a required criteria,
and Edwards stated this applicant has not done those things. The
proposed project will wall off the last remaining view of Little
Nell ski mountain unnecessarily. Edwards submitted the applicant
has not preserved open space nor the viewplanes.
Peter Forsch, Aspen Skiing Company, told Council the Skiing
Company itself has not been in the lodging business; however,
their partners have developed over 6 , 000 hotel rooms. Mayor
Stirling said it may be beneficial to have the Skiing Company in
the lodging business to give them an insight into the business
and give them an opportunity to identify with what lodging
operators have to deal with. Mayor Stirling said it may give
them an advantage to dealing with lift ticket prices that other
operators may not be able to do. Mayor Stirling asked if an
operator has been chosen for the hotel. Forsch said they have
been working with the Pebble Beach lodge as consultants. They do
not have a specific operator in place, and Pebble Beach lodge may
be the operators.
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Continued Meeting Aspen Citv_Counc~.l ~ April 1, 1 986
Mayor Stirling said he feels this site is the logical place to do
what is being proposed. The proposal is for new tourist beds,
commercial replacement and other uses. This site is within
walking distance of the commercial core. This project has the
effect of renewing the base site and make it more attractive.
Mayor Stirling said he feels the community does need new lodging
and the town's need is to get units built as soon as possible.
Mayor Stirling said the SPA is the appropriate method as it gives
flexibility to make this the best possible project. Mayor
Stirling said this is the appropriate site, the commercial
replacement space makes sense, and this site is the focal point
of the community.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Walls. Motion
carried.
Open Space Mayor Stirling said this project has been moved 26
feet into the applicants property from the city line. Richman
said Council must make a determination on how the staff is to
evaluate the open space, whether there are variations granted,
which areas are to be counted as open space.
Councilman Isaac moved that the open space be designated as the
dark green area in front of the hotel, dark green in front of the
stairway and to the west of the loading area, and the light green
surrounding the gondola loading area; seconded by Councilwoman
Fallin.
Councilwoman Walls asked what the olio a green area is. Richman
said this pool and courtyard and does not front on a public
street. Richman said part of this area may function in
conjunction with the gondola but it is not being counted as open
space. Mayor Stirling said the first 5 conditions are effected
by the open space issue. Mayor Stirling said there will be a lot
of circulation in this area; there is not enough open space in
front of the hotel. Mayor Stirling urged the applicant to
consider moving further off Durant street than the proposed 26
feet as well as moving the hotel east off Hunter street. Mayor
Stirling pointed out that there is only 12.5 percent open space
that meets the technical requirements of the code. Mayor
Stirling said he is not trying to get the 25 percent requirement
on the street but would like more area because it will be needed.
Mayor Stirling said he feels this would improve the accessibility
to the mountain for the skiers and pedestrians. The view of the
mountain will be opened up; the shadow effects will be minimized,
and the pedestrian gateway becomes significant. Jerry Blann,
Skiing Company, said the project has been shrunk over the years.
Blann pointed out the applicant is improving the skiing
experience. Blann said they are trying to create a view corridor
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Continued Meeting Aspen City Council __ _ At~r~ 1, -1986
by pushing the building back 26 feet, by cutting the corners of
the hotel. Blann told Council at a large expense, the Skiing
Company purchased the disputed part of Hunter street. Mayor
Stirling said this is the last opportunity to make this project
the most beneficial for the public at large. Blann said this
building has been the subject of a lot of compromise and to push
it off the street 10 feet will also push it up the mountain 10
feet. Blann said the applicant feels where the building sits is
serving the public in the best way.
Larry Yaw, architect, told Council the building was moved back to
accommodate a transition in open space, to accommodate parking,
and lessen the shadow effect on Durant street. Yaw pointed out
that open space on Durant street will be in the shade. Yaw said
there is a sidewalk on Durant street as well as a 13 foot arcade.
Mayor Stirling said he subscribed to the concept of computing the
light green area as open space. Forsch said at conceptual phase,
the Council requested the building be moved back 5 to 10 f e et ;
the applicant moved the building back 20 feet off Durant street
at the loss of some rooms and commercial space. Forsch said the
applicants have worked closely with all the neighbors. Forsch
said there are 3 accesses to Little Nell, the access from Dean
street will be improved, and the main entrance, which is an 8
foot staircase, will be improved to 75 foot space. Forsch
pointed out the building has been stepped back to preserve the
view. Forsch said he f eels to request moving the building back
another 10 feet at this point is an unreasonable request. Forsch
said he f eels the applicants have met the Council's and P & Z's
conditions.
Edwards said Council's previous conditions were to have the
applicant provide open space along the entire length of Durant;
to have them do design changes to reduce obstructions to Aspen
mountain, and to have the drop off entirely on the applicants
property . Edwards said when the applicant ref filed the precise
plan, they had the drop off again on Durant street. Edwards said
the drop off is still using part of Durant street by putting the
island there. Edwards said the applicants should move the
building another 15 feet off Durant street to get at least half
the open space requirements on Durant. Edwards said having two
lifts in this area, including the gondola, will be a magnet and
have an incredible amount of traffic in this area, and the
applicants have not provided enough room to accommodate this
traffic. Edwards submitted the applicants could move the
building back again.
Raufman said the SPA process is a give and take process, and the
first item listed as a variable is open space. The reason for
the SPA is that the more traditional interpretations may not be
appropriate for this location. Kaufman reminded Council 65
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Continued Meetinct Aspen_City Council- AAril 1, 1986
percent of this site is open space. Kaufman said the reason some
of that open space is not being used to meet the Code
requirements is to mitigate other concerns and come up with a
plan that works the best for this site. Kaufman said the
applicant have taken all the conditions and balanced all concerns
and has presented the best project . Mayor Stirling said he
agrees with being flexible but is concerned about the Durant
area.
Hans Gramiger said under SPA the applicant has a right to expect
certain variations, and Council has a right to impose variations.
Gramiger said the definition of open space is in a different
section of the Code, and Council is making a decision to change
the Code as the definition is not in the SPA section. Richman
stated there is nothing in the language of the Code that says
that the variation can only relate to the percentage. The Code
talks about varying the requirement on open space, and it is
appropriate to vary the way open space is calculated or the
percentage of open space. Kaufman said the hotel cannot be moved
south because it would encroach on the Alps' park land.
Jerry Hewey, Aspen Alps, told Council the Alps has been working
with the applicant for the last 3 years. Hewey pointed out that
moving the building south will impact one of their buildings as
well as impede traffic on the footpath. Hewey also pointed out
moving the hotel will mess up the Durant and Spring street
intersection. Hewey said the Alps Board has approved the
proposed plan. Doug Carlson, Aspen Club Lodge, agreed with
Hewey's statement. Tom Anderson said he feels what has been done
to this project is tremendous and the proposed plan is exciting.
Bob George said one can try and negotiate such a good deal, one
can negotiate out of a deal. George encouraged Council not to
impose this one last conditions.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Walls. Motion
carried.
Skier Drop Off Kane presented a new drop off drawing to address
the concerns of the city engineering department. The city
engineer had objected to 3 individual curb cuts on Durant and
requested it be reduced to two. Kane pointed out the 2 curb cuts
and provides for one-way circulation into the drop off eastbound
and a T intersection with a stop sign. Kane illustrated how the
drop off would function. Jay Hammond, city engineer, said the
curb line extension is not now immediately adjacent to the
traffic lane. Hammond told Council the applicant has changed the
extension to use a more curved approach, which the city feels
they can maintain better. Councilman Isaac asked if the
applicant is willing to commit they will have this area staffed
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Continued Meeting ~ Aspen Citv Council __ - April 1. 1986
to unload cars. Forsch said in the wintertime, they will manage
the drop off which they feel will be an amenity to open doors,
unload skis and is within the applicant's best interest.
Councilwoman Fallin moved to approve the skier drop off as
proposed; seconded by Councilman Isaac. All in favor, motion
carried.
Views and Visual Impact Councilman Isaac moved that the
applicant has changed the design to the extent that the views are
being maintained on Hunter street and up into Aspen mountain;
seconded by Mayor Stirling.
Councilwoman Walls said this condition has not been satisfied
because the applicant has placed in the building right in the
middle of the view plane up Hunter street. This is a 2-1/2 story
obstruction across the end of Hunter street. Councilwoman Fallin
said the condition says "hotel", and what the applicants have
done with the hotel has mitigated the previous concerns; however,
the gondola building is of concern. Richman said when this
condition was set, the staff and applicants did not know what
type of lift would be installed. Councilwoman Fallin asked if
the hotel and gondola could be separated f or this condition.
Mayor Stirling suggested the gondola building be addressed in the
conditions about the lifts.
Councilman Isaac amended his motion that the applicant has
changed the design of the hotel to the extent that this condition
is mitigated; seconded by Mayor Stirling. All in favor, motion
carried.
SYradow Effect Councilman Isaac moved that the applicant has
demonstrated they have mitigated the problems of a shadow caused
by the hotel along Durant and Spring streets; seconded by
Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, with the exception of
Councilwoman Walls. Motion carried.
Pedestrian Gatewav Richman said he does not feel this condition
has been met as the entrance is not any more grand than at
conceptual level. Councilman Isaac said he feels that the trees
and kiosk are cluttering up the area and he would encourage the
applicants to work on this to make it more open. Forsch said the
applicants have had a hard time with this condition and the
definition of "grand". The applicant has moved the building back
some, opened it in the front. The entrance is highly landscaped
and pedestrian oriented. Yaw told Council grand should not be
identified with size but with perception. Yaw said moving the
building back 26 feet has a big effect on the proportion of the
space. The roof in the back has been lowered to 22 feet. The
dormers have been removed to reduce the bulk.
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Continued- Meetinct Aspen-City Council - April 1. 1986
Kaufman told Council the P & Z member who made this motion was
satisfied that the applicant has met what he had in mind and
voted in favor of this condition.
Edwards agreed with the Mayor's suggestion to move the building
back off Hunter to make the gateway grander. Kaufman said t he
building has been moved back since this condition was placed on
the project. Rane said the square f ootage of Hunter street was
increased by the neckdown and by moving the building. Councilman
Isaac said he is not concerned with widening this but with the
appearance of Hunter street. Richman suggested the applicant
continue to work with the lodge improvement district on this
area.
Councilman Isaac moved to accept the footprint, generally, of the
entrance but would like the applicant to continue working on the
landscaping, and the plans, in conjunction with the proposed
lodge improvement district, and make sure the mall area is
finalized within a 2 year period, whether the hotel is completed
or not; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, motion
carried.
Edwards stated he has 4 objections to the quota allotment and one
to the use variance. Edwards submitted that the approval of this
hotel is a violation of Section 24-11 .2 (j) and that the
conversion of the Holiday House is only exempt if it results in a
negligible increase in employee housing and that 30 new employee
housing units cannot be negligible and that P & Z never
specifically ruled on this. Edwards said the credit of the L-3
zone to the L-1 district makes a mockery of the quota system.
This is contrary to the way Council has previously ruled on this
issue. Edwards said to go into the future and use quotas to 1992
for construction in 1987 is a violation of Section 24-11.3, which
requires each year during construction the quota f or that y ear
must be deducted. Edwards said a use variation for a hotel to be
built in a conservation zone is a violation of section 24-7.2 (b)
where variances in uses in an SPA zone cannot be permitted from
an underlying zoning. Edwards pointed out the applicant has been
coddled at every step of these proceedings. Edwards said there
have been no substantial changes to the applicant's proposal.
Dean Street Councilman Isaac moved that the applicant has
disclosed at the precise place stage all plans related to the
Dean street right-of-way including any requests for encroachments
and the applicant will present an acceptable vendor's agreement
at the time of the SPA agreement; seconded by Mayor Stirling.
Councilwoman Fallin asked if this is an agreement in perpetuity
or will it be reviewed by Council. Taddune said the concept is
that the improvements being provided are public improvements, and
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Continued Meeting Aspen Citv-Councl - AAril i, 1 9-86
the applicant will be requesting the right to sell tickets in a
public right-of-way. Taddune suggested an annual review because
if the kiosk isn't working, it will be in the public's benefit to
look at this.
Councilman Isaac amended his motion to include annual reviews of
the vendors agreement to determine if they working; seconded by
Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, motion carried.
Gondola Building Councilwoman Fallin said with the addition of
the gondola building, that condition #12 is not being met. Mayor
Stirling asked if there is a possibility of the gondola building
being moved west and or east. Forsch said there is no
possibility of this. Forsch pointed out the gondola parallel s
the Bell Mountain lift to the east of that lift and is as close
to the Bell Mountain lift as can be built and still maintain
separation to meet the Tramway Code. Forsch said if they moved
the gondola to the west to would be on top of lift 5, which would
cause problems with evacuations and would be illegal.
Forsch told Council moving the gondola to the east would cause
the gondola to go over a cliff face which would be difficult to
scale and would necessitate some very 1 arge towers and make the
lift more visible and more susceptible to wind. The facility was
designed within very narrow parameters. Forsch said the
applicants have made the building as small and low as possible.
Forsch pointed out there is only 5 feet above the equipment for
maintenance . Mayor Stirling said there is a trade off for a
building required to accommodate a highly sophisticated lift.
Mayor Stirling said he is willing to accept the building.
Councilwoman Walls pointed out the first floor of this building
has unnecessary retail space and suggested lowering the gondola
building down one story and closer to the grade of Dean street.
Forsch told Council if the gondola building were to be any lower,
it would require a very significant cut in Little Nell. Forsch
said there will be a 100 feet or so cut for the gondola cars.
Forsch said he doubted whether it would be geologically possible
to cut the mountain to accommodated the cars if the building were
lowered. Gramiger submitted the present proposed location of the
gondola is only there because of the hotel. Gramiger said moving
the gondola to the east will have a less effect on Little Nell.
Gramiger said the acceleration lane for the gondola cars could be
in a tunnel.
Councilman Isaac moved that the applicant has demonstrate that
the new base lifts and building are visually compatible and there
will be no principal storage area at the base area; seconded by
Mayor Stirling. Mayor Stirling and Councilman Isaac in favor;
Councilmembers Fallin and Walls opposed. Motion NOT carried.
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Continued Meeting Aspen City C`ounc-il - - April 1 . 1986
Rane told Council the gondola requires about 115 feet of minus 2
percent grade to mechanically accelerate up to 1000 feet per
minute. Rane showed the requirements for cut and fill for the
proposed gondola and the Little Nell slope, and if the building
were brought down a story, these would be extreme. Rane said
this will be a small transparent structure. The gondola cars
will be stored at the top. Rane told Council the 1 if t i s 1 ow
profile, with tubular steel towers. Rane said the grade
separation from Dean to the gondola plaza is an asset, it makes
the building 1 ower profile and reduces grading requirements.
Kane told Council all attempts have been made to keep the loading
platform at the ski slope level so those that want to repeat ski
can do so easily. Kane said moving the gondola west, would
create a dead zone under the gondola for evacuation purposes, and
this would not be permitted by the Tramway board. Bob
Chamberlain asked if the applicants feel that the gondola loading
area will hold snow. Forsch answered it is being engineered and
designed to hold snow. Kaufman said during the conceptual phase,
Council indicated they would like to see the new lift be a
gondola. Raufman said the Ski Company has designed the gondola
building as sensitively as they could. The building cannot be
made any smaller.
Little Nell Lift Councilman Isaac moved that new Little Nell
lift will adequately service the Little Nell area; seconded by
Mayor Stirling. Councilman Isaac asked if the new Little Nell
lift will be able to bring skiers down the mountain. Blann said
it is designed to down load. All in favor, motion carried.
Snow Sheddincr Councilwoman Fallin moved that the applicant has
demonstrated the techniques employed on the roof of the hotel
will manage snow shedding to insure it does not interfere with
pedestrian traffic; seconded by Mayor Stirling. All in favor,
motion carried.
Floor Area Ratio Mayor Stirling said the allowable floor area
ratio in this zone is 1.5:1 and the request is to have an FAR of
1.93:1. Councilman Isaac moved to approve the variation in the
project's FAR from 1 .5 :1 to 1.93 :1; seconded by Mayor Stirling.
Mayor Stirling said this is one of three variations being
requested and it depends if Council philosophically accepts the
architectural concept of the hotel and the entire site. All in
favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Walls. Motion carried.
Parking Needs Forsch said the ski area master plan requires 46
parking spaces. The Skiing Company had requested a credit
against those spaces. They are withdrawing the request for a
credit. Forsch said they will provide 118 spaces on-site and
will be obligated to also provide 46 spaces. Mayor Stirling
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Continued Meeting Aspen City Council Aril 1 , 1986
asked if a parking structure were to be located closer to the
base of the mountain, would the Ski Company be inclined to
provide more than 46 spaces. Forsch said they would not be
interested in creating parking spaces that do not serve the
mountain or the commercial core. Forsch said a parking structure
closer to the mountain would be an entirely different discussion.
Councilman Isaac moved that the 118 parking space on site meet
the demand of the project only and the Council encourage the
applicant to contribute to a parking structure and go beyond the
requirement of 46 spaces; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin.
Councilwoman Walls said she feels 118 parking spaces falls short
of the need of the project with all the commercial spaces.
Councilwoman Fallin asked if this 118 parking spaces is also for
the gondola building offices and commercial areas. Richman said
the applicant is replicating the parking for ski area
administration and is in excess of Code standards. Mayor
Stirling pointed out the CC zone has no parking requirement.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Walls. Motion
carried.
Adeg ua cy of Streets Councilman Isaac moved that the applicant
has demonstrated study of traffic on Durant, Spring and Dean
streets that the volumes can be accommodated; seconded by
Councilwoman Fallin.
Mayor Stirling said the study being done with the TDP may bring
forward some new information. Richman said the TDP may recommend
some changed circulation patterns in the downtown area. The
applicant's study is based upon current traffic patterns.
Kaufman said the applicants designed the project on today's
standards. Forsch said if there is some new information
presented before the project starts construction, they would be
willing to look at this with the city engineer. Councilwoman
Fallin asked about access for a fire truck. Forsch said there is
access to the Alps. Afire truck could not get to the south side
of the hotel, but the building has been designed and sprinkled to
Code. The building department has written a memo addressing
this.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Walls. Motion
carried.
Service Yard The applicants are requesting a reduction in the
length of service yard from 83 to 36 feet. The P & Z has
recommended this reduction of the service yard.
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Continued Meeting Aspen City Councir - April 1, 1986
Councilman Isaac moved that the applicant has demonstrated that
the service yard on Spring street will be adequate; seconded by
Mayor Stirling. All in favor, motion carried.
Trail EasEment Kane illustrated the proposed bicycle trail
coming behind the gondola plaza and out onto Dean street.
Richman told Council there will be 3 trail connections on this
property. Forsch said the applicant is agreeing to the Nordic
council's request to go across the slope, but they will retain
the primacy of Alpine skiing.
Councilman Isaac moved that the applicant has provided 3 trail s
on this project; the base area, from the base to Aspen mountain
road, and the Nordic trail; seconded by Mayor Stirling. All in
favor, motion carried.
Geologic Hazards Mayor Stirling moved to accept that for the time
being with all information provided, the proper investigation has
been done to demonstrate the suitability of the site for
development purposes; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin.
Jay Hammond, city engineer, suggested this motion include his two
conditions about additional studies recommended by Chen and that
the final structural design and grading plan be certified by a
geotechnical engineer . Richman recommended adding to the SPA
agreement commitment to on-going study as well as commitment to
on-going participation and mitigation.
Mayor Stirling amended his motion to include Hammond's tw o
conditions and the statement about on-going study and mitigation;
seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, motion carried.
Grading Plans Councilman Isaac moved to accept the applicants
detailed grading plans; seconded by Mayor Stirling. All in
favor, motion carried.
Drainage Plan Councilman Isaac moved to accept the drainage
plan; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin.
Councilwoman Walls asked if this has been reviewed and approved
by the city engineer . Hammond told Council the applicant is
committed to and is proceeding with further topographical
information regarding the discharge from Spar and Vallejo
gulches. Hammond recommended following through with these
studies and generating a final grading and drainage plan in
response to any concerns the consultant may identify.
Councilman Isaac moved to amend his motion to include Hammond's
condition; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin.
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Continued Meeting Aspen City Council April 1, 1986
Mayor Stirling asked what methods will be used to keep the trough
from collecting debris. Kane said there will be on-going
maintenance. The depression will serve a dual purpose in getting
the gondola cars up the mountain as well as acting as storage for
the winter storm drain. This will be a concrete section with
drains for the run off, and will be fenced.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Walls, Motion
carried.
Pumphouse relocation Councilman Isaac said he wants to make sure
the pumphouse gets moved even if the applicant does not build the
hotel. Councilman Isaac moved the applicant has shown they will
relocate the pumphouse at their own cost and the plan is
acceptable, and this will be moved even if the hotel is not
built; seconded by Mayor Stirling. All in favor, motion carried.
Employee Housing Councilman Isaac moved that the applicant has
adequately provided for housing employees and to authorize the
change in use exemption for the Holiday House be granted;
seconded by Councilwoman Fallin.
Kaufman requested a finding that the applicant has met the Code
criteria for the change in use, which P & Z also found.
Councilman Isaac amended his motion to find that the applicant
has met the Code criteria for change in use; seconded by
Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, motion carried.
Mayor Stirling moved that conditions 20 , 6 , 17 , 21 , 24 and 25
have been met by P & Z or have been resolved; seconded by
Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, motion carried.
Specification of Zone District Reaalations. Variations; Permitted
and Construction schedule Councilman Isaac moved to accept and
the specification of zone district regulations, variations
permitted, and the construction schedule and these be included
in the final SPA agreement; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin.
Richman said there 7 areas to be addressed for the construction
scheduled. The Council will be authorizing the city engineer to
address the construction impacts. The city engineer will work
with the contractor to satisfy concerns of construction. Richman
said included in the SPA agreement will be a specific schedule of
the length of time the lodge allotment will be active.
Councilwoman Walls asked if a hotel is a conditional use in the
conservation zone. Richman said a hotel is a conditional use in
the CC zone and is a use variation in the conservation zone. The
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Continued Meeting Ashen City Council April 1, 1 986
applicant is asking Council to vary the use list to allow a hotel
as a conditional use.
Councilwoman walls moved that ta) hotel be stricken from the
permitted and conditional use list. Motion DIES for lack of a
second.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Walls.
Lodge-Development Allotment Richman said Council needs to
discuss granting an allocation of 92 lodge units for this project
as well as direct staff that as each of the L-3 conversion comes
forward, these be credited to the L-1, L-2 quota. Councilwoman
Fallin asked what that would to do the L-3 quota. Richman said
this does not change the availability of 10 units annually in
L-3. Richman said this 10 units quota has proven adequate over
the past 3 years. Councilwoman Walls said Council has previously
decided the L-3 units should not be credited to any other zone.
Richman told Council the staff recommended that L-3 units be
credited to the L-1, L-2 quota during the Aspen Mountain Lodge
PUD. Councilwoman Walls said she feels crediting these to the L-
l, L-2 quota is away to justify a multi-year allotment.
Richman said this is away to looking at the lodge community as a
single inventory. Richman said he feels this is to the city' s
advantage rather than allowing 90 additional units in the L-3
zone. Richman said this is less impactive. Councilwoman Walls
said Council could wipe the 90 units off the books.
Councilman Isaac moved to issue a lodge allotment of 92 units and
to direct staff to credit the change in use units which will
become empl oyee housing to the L-1, L-2 , CC, CL and other ;
seconded by Councilwoman Fallin.
Councilwoman Walls said this is borrowing into the future for
lodge units to 1992 and makes a mockery of the city's GMP.
Councilwoman Walls said the GMP has been approved by the citizens
in all the surveys that have been made. Mayor Stirling said he
is an advocate of the growth management plan; however, there has
not been lodge growth in 10 years. Mayor Stirling said the
original proposal for this site was 250 rooms, and this is
reduced to 92 units. Councilwoman Fallin said she agrees with
the philosophy of the growth management. During the 1970 a lot
of lodge units were lost to other uses or were condominiumized.
Councilwoman Fallin feels the town needs these new units.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Walls. Motion
carried.
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Continued Meeting Aspen City Council ~ AAril 1. 1986
Mayor Stirling asked if Council is interested in deed restricting
this project. Councilman Isaac pointed out this is an SPA, and
if they make any changes, it will have to be through a hearing
process.
ORDINANCE #5r3. 1985 - Extending the SPA Boundary
Councilman Isaac moved to adopt Ordinance #53, Series of 1985; on
second reading; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin.
City Attorney Taddune said this ordinance needs to be re-noticed
as there was no legal description included in the ordinance.
Rane said they have a survey of the entire site; what they do not
have is a description of the land being added to the SPA site.
Kane told Council that area was never surveyed and the applicants
do not have the prerogative to substitute a legal description for
that line. Taddune said there should be a specific description
in the ordinance so that the public knows what property is being
rezoned. Rane said this will cause at least a 3 week delay.
Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing.
Hans Gramiger said he has never been able to correlate the
boundary between CC and conservation. Gramiger said when he
scaled this area off on the zoning map, it is short by 5,720
square feet. Taddune said in terms of the technical
requirements, the applicants bears the risk. Taddune suggested
this be re-noticed for second reading.
Councilman Isaac withdrew his motion. Mayor Stirling moved to
continue the public hearing April 28, 1986; seconded by
Councilwoman Fallin.
Gramiger pointed out that the ordinance refers to CC/SPA in two
places, rather than C/SPA. Kaufman said the applicants are going
to have to spend a lot of money starting construction. The
applicants would like to know where Council stands on this issue.
Mayor Stirling said if there is a radical change in the
description, the applicants cannot rely on Council's approval.
Mayor Stirling said if the description is as everyone understands
it, the applicants can rely on Council. Mayor Stirling said he
would be in favor of this ordinance.
All in favor, motion carried.
Co un cilmem hers Fallin and Isaac indicated they are inclined to
accept this ordinance.
14
Continued Meeting Aspen City Council ~ April 1. 1986
Gondola Building Kane said the gondola building ~is not a
building but an enclosure for machinery. Kane said there is
nothing inside the building that is not absolutely essential to
operate the gondola. Kane agreed it is a big building but there
is only one activity going on there. This machinery has to be
covered. Kane told Council the applicant investigated loading
gondolas with no building. Rane pointed out the distance from
the loading platform to the top of the building is 20 feet. Yaw
pointed out the north side of the building will be glass and the
south side will be open so the building is transparent and
completely open. Forsch said the lift is the most significant
asset this community has seen in years. Forsch said the
applicants made the building as small as possible. Forsch said
there is almost no ability to move the lift building. Forsch
said he feels the citizens would be willing to have a building in
this location to house a gondola.
Forsch said the gondola will help the summer business as well as
the marketing of ASpen. Forsch said the Ski Company intends to
operate the gondola all summer long. Councilwoman Walls said she
1 ikes having a gondola but the building takes up a lot of the
Hunter street view corridor. If the Hunter street entrance were
wider, there would be more of a view. Kaufman said the vast
majority of the mountain can still be seen. Mayor Stirling said
no one has come before Council and objected to this building.
Richman told Council that p & Z was enthusiastic about the
gondola plan .
Forsch told Council a building for a detachable quad would not be
any smaller. Councilman Isaac said because of this location, the
only place this building will be seen from is the Hunter street
corridor. Forsch said this building is not in a legal viewplane.
Yaw said the applicants have done everything they can in the
design of this building to mitigate view blockage. Mayor
Stirling said this has a potential to be an interesting building.
Yaw showed Council the planter areas around and in front of the
gondola and building as a softening element. Yaw told Council
the way Poma designed the building, it was two stories taller.
The applicant lowered the building as much as possible.
Blann said this building cannot be moved to the east or to the
west, and with the engineering standards there are few options.
Blann said the applicants have minimized the building.
Councilwoman Walls said she would prefer less commercial space as
well as a wider Hunter street mall. Councilwoman Fallin said she
would like the building moved to the east. Gramiger said he
feels an alignment further east is feasible technically and with
real estate. Charlie Maddalone, mountain manager, told Council
if this 1 if t i s moved east it will end up on top of 1 ift 7 , which
was just built. Bil Dunaway said he feels the community would
put the gondola ahead of the viewplane. The gondola is very
15
Continued Meetinct Aspen City _ Council April 1 , 1986
important to Aspen and will do inestimable good to the resort.
Richman said this building does not obliterate the view of the
mountain; it does not touch the view of Bell nor the top of Nell.
Jeanette Darneaur told Council the Skiing Company has had a lot
of interest from all over the country about this gondola.
Richman said the goals recognized Aspen is both a resort and a
residential community. To make the resort work, there are times
when the resident values would have to be traded off.
Councilwoman Fallin moved to reconsider with grave misgivings and
that she does not like the building; seconded by Mayor Stirling.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Walls. Motion
carried.
Councilman Isaac moved to accept the lift design as proposed;
seconded by Mayor Stirling. All in favor, with the exception of
Councilwoman Walls. (Councilwoman Fallin under duress) . Motion
carried.
Councilman Isaac moved to direct staff to finalize the SPA
agreement for the April 14, 1986 Council meeting; seconded by
Mayor Stirling. All in favor, with the exception of Councilwoman
Walls.
Kaufman said Council has been through the entire precise plan,
and the only aspect that is lacking is the adoption of Ordinance
#53, 1985. Raufman said he would like the public hearing to be
only on the adoption of the ordinance as Council has reached a
decision on the precise plan. Raufman said he would like to
separate the two. Richman said all actions have to be pulled
together in one piece. Mayor Stirling said this was a legal
meeting and the applicants can rely on Council votes.
Councilman Isaac moved to adjourn at 8:55 p, m. ; seconded by
Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, motion carried.
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk
16