HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19861014Continued Meetin4 -As~aen--Eity Council Oc~..ober 14, 1986
Mayor Stirling called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. at t he
Wheeler Opera House with Councilmembers Collins, Fallin and Isaac
present.
CONCEPTUAL SPA - Roaring Fork Railroad
Mayor Stirling stated there will be two separate questions on the
November ballot regarding the railroad. The city question will
ask the voters if they are willing to give up open space at the
Shapery property and the Rio Grande f or rail road use . This will
be an advisory vote to the Council.
Steve Burstein, planning office, said this is the second step of
the SPA process; this has been to P & Z. This step is a
statement of intent with a conceptual description of the
development proposed. This discussion is general and the staff
has tried to identify all the issues and concerns and has tried
to work out methods by which these can be mitigated. The P & Z
held 3 meetings on the conceptual presentation and passed
resolution 86-10 recommending approval with 22 conditions.
Burstein said there are two more steps in this process; precise
plan at P & Z and Council. There is a question regarding the
GMP, whether this is to be handled as a commercial GMP
application or as an exemption. There is also a 1041 review in
the county, addressing the environmental impacts, as well as a
stream margin review within the city. Burstein told Council
staff solicited referral comments from a number of agencies,
which will be used during the process. Burstein noted there are
a number of state and federal reviews also associated with t he
process.
Sunny Vann, representing the applicant, stated both the Shapery
and Rio Grande properties have an SPA overlay. City approval
will also be required to enable the train to cross Mill and Puppy
Smith streets. The railroad proposal will also use a portion of
the Creektree property below the Eagle's club. Vann pointed out
there is a question on the county ballot about transferring the
trails to the city. If the city's jurisdiction is expanded, the
city will have to grant permission to use the trail system. Vann
said their application has outlined the extent to which other
city-owned parcels will be effected in order to disclose the
entire concept.
Vann pointed out a single track would enter at the intersection
of the Shapery property and the Roaring Fork river, which will
follow the Shapery property, enter Puppy Smith street, split into
two tracks and enter the Rio Grande property. The layout on the
Rio Grande property is determined by the engineering requirements
of laying out track, and the operational characteristics of the
applicant' s proposal. The specific area on the Rio Grande is
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Continued Meetinq__ Aspen City Council October 14. 198
dictated by the turning radii. Once the track enters the Rio
Grande property, there are 4 tracks involved. The first 2 tracks
will handle the largest train to be run of approximately 18 cars.
The train would split outside town, the front half of the train
will be pulled onto the Rio Grande property on track 1, the rear
portion of the train will be pushed on track 2. The third track
is for operation of the railbus; the fourth track is required for
emergency and safety purposes and also allows a locomotive to
bypass a standard train.
Vann told Council there would be about 7,000 square foot station
for boarding and baggage handling with outside covered deck area.
The tracks would exit a small portion of the Creektree property
to allow the engine to pull f orward to make the switch. Vann
said the applicant does not envision the locomotive would idle
overnight in town. Vann pointed out the station, sitting
approximately where the playing field and parking lot are
located. There will be a transportation plaza in front of the
building for limousines and through traffic. An extension of
Spring street is envisioned to allow more efficient circulation.
Vann noted this plan is conceptual and indicates the activities
that will have to be addressed at precise plan. One of the
requirements P & Z placed on the property is that the applicants
come up with a detailed transportation site plan and study to
document the turning movements, impact of traffic on the adjacent
streets, etc.
Vann pointed out the high priority items identified f or the Rio
Grande parcel are parking structure and some public facility, and
this proposal would not impact the areas identified for public
uses . P & Z has identified the area adjacent to the r fiver f ront
for active or passive recreational uses. Vann told Council it is
physically possible to relocate the playing field. The
applicants will evaluate the alternatives for relocation of the
field. The applicants have tried to maintain the historic and
mostly recently supported priorities for the Rio Grande in their
application, those being transportation center for rail purposes,
passive or active recreational areas, parking structure, internal
circulation system, and an area reserved f or a public facility.
The applicants have tried to maintain the existing trail system
currently on the property as well as the existing vegetation.
The track lay out has allowed for the maintaining of the large
cottonwoods and the trail system below the Eagle's club. Vann
said the plan will continue to provide pedestrian travel from
Galena street north.
Vann said the applicants are not anticipating parcelling of the
property but are discussing a lease rather than fee-simple
conveyance. The applicants concur with the recommendations from
P & Z, and have amplified the issues pointed out the in the
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C~~ntinued Meeting Aspen City Council October 14. 1986
c~~nceptual submission as areas requiring further studies. These
include existing utilities, trails and street network, turning
m~~vements and transportation impacts on the surrounding street
s~~stem, drainage master plan for the Rio Grande property, further
architectural study on the building to minimize the impacts,
landscaping plans, mass transit study to document the benefit
accruing to the commuter system. Vann told Council they have not
i~dentif ied all the impacts of this proposal at this time, but are
providing as much information as possible. The applicants will
b~e working with Council to balance the impacts to the community
at large versus the impacts that can or cannot be mitigated.
Randy Parten, applicant, told Council they would like to provide
two types of rail service to the community. One, an airline
interconnect direct from the Denver airport daily during the high
seasons leaving Denver at noon and arriving in Aspen at 7 p.m.
The other service is a rail bus service between Aspen and
G.Lenwood Springs at a frequency indicated by future studies.
Parten said the rail bus service would have to be phased in over
3 years due to the manufacturing schedule. Parten told Council
it will be possible to retrofit the locomotives with electric
block heaters for their system so they do not have to be run at
night. Parten told Council the rail bus manufactures they have
investigated have rail road f rames with bus bodies. The wheel s
are rail wheels but the engine and transmission are standard
diesel engine and a bus automatic transmission. There is an
operating booth on either end. The units are made in single
units, comparable to a bus, a double unit comparable to an
articulated bus, and a triple unit.
Parten said these units can accelerate and decelerate like a bus
but woul d not have as much reason to do so as they would have
right of way at crossings. Parten said these rail buses have
better pollution standards because they do not start and stop as
often. Parten told Council these rail buses carry from 65 to 240
passengers, depending upon the size of the unit. Councilman
Isaac asked who would be buying the rail buses. Parten answered
he has discussed this with RFTA, who has indicated they are not
interested in buying the rail buses. Parten said the applicants
would buy the rail buses and would ask for the same subsidy per
passenger that RFTA gets f or their down valley service. Parten
said RFTA would continue to service down valley. There is no way
that the railroad can provide attractive service to Snowmass.
Tom Baker, planning office, outlined the issues to be addressed;
transportation issues; parks, recreation, open space and trails
issues; utilities; environmental, employee housing; economic;
land use; growth, and code interpretation issues. Baker told
Council under transportation issues, P & Z was concerned about
impacts on the adjacent streets, Mill, Puppy Smith, Spring,
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Continued Meetinct _ Aspen Citv Council October 14. 1986
Bleeker and Galena, and how the circulation in the area will be
effected. Condition 3 in the P & Z resolution asks that the
applicant prepare a study of the combined impact on the site as
well as Cemetery Lane.
Baker pointed out another issue is potential shared use of the
terminal facility. A number of uses are targeted f or the Rio
Grande, including transportation center. Baker noted the
railroad terminal will only be used twice a day, and would like
the applicant to investigate shared uses. The terminal is
proposed to be 7,000 square feet. Baker told Council the P & Z
was concerned about integration of the railroad with other public
and private transportation options on site. Condition 3 in their
resolution addresses that. Baker told Council 850 passengers is
a maximum number the train will handle. P & Z was concerned
about moving the passengers from the Rio Grande to their
destinations, as well as how baggage will be handled. Condition
#17 addresses getting people to Snowmass and Woody Creek.
Baker said there have been representations that railroad
transportation is more reliable during bad weather. The staff
would like some verification of this, either through an existing
rail operation or historic information of the train operation in
Aspen. Parten told Council he has discussed this with Rio
Grande, and the necessity of being late may occur 4 or 5 times a
year. Baker said staff feels the potential for a Roaring Fork
Valley rail service is a significant benefit; however, the
magnitude of the benefit is unknown. Staff and P & Z would like
the applicant to work with RFTA to develop a commuter operating
plan to determine whether this is the benefit it seems to be.
Burstein pointed out conditions #1 and 2 in the P & Z resolution
address this, asking for a study of reduction in vehicular
traffic, and for the basic operation plans to evaluate this.
Baker said another claim is that rail service may be an auto
disincentive. P & Z would like a realistic view of what the
train can do for highway 82 and the cars on the road. Baker said
the long train will have a minimal impact on auto traffic. The
commuter service may have a more significant impact and could
make a dent in the peak hour traffic movement. Baker said staf f
and P & Z would like more information to understand the exact
benefits. Baker told Council P & Z and staff feels the most
significant benefit is the potential for the second
transportation corridor. Staff feels it would be appropriate to
find out what terminating the service at the airport or Woody
Creek would means to traffic coming into the entrance. However,
they also felt terminating traffic service outside if Aspen was
not desirable. Vann pointed out there is no application for an
alternative destination. The proponent would like to bring the
rail road service into town for commercial reasons as well as
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Continued Meeting Aspen City Council October 14, 1986
commuter service. Vann stated the proponent is not interested in
operating a service to Woody Creek; therefore, studying that
destination is not in his best interest.
Baker said in the parks
of the downtown area or
be addressed. It has
comprehensive plan that
available for the numbE
carried on. Losing a ~
recreation programming.
downtown a r ea may have
available. Burstein pc
concern and asks that tr
staff on the trail, snow
the applicant has not mac
field. Vann said the ap
the costs for the reloca~
and recreation issues, displacement out
.oss of Rio Grande playing field should
been documented in the Aspen area
aspen has the minimum number of parks
r of recreational activities presently
laying f field would have an impact on
The removal of a playing f field f rom
an effect on the type of programming
inted out condition #5 addresses this
e applicant work with city and county
dump and playing f field. Burstein said
e a commitment to relocating the playing
~licant has represented they will assume
.ion of the Rio Grande trail. There are
other activities that may be ettectea IJJy tnls apps icanL, clilu 1.110
applicant will work with staff to identify mitigation or
relocation, to identify the costs associated with this, and to
present a specific proposal how these costs would be mitigated.
Vann said this way the full range of activities effected can be
identified by applicant where they can make a positive
contribution and can be evaluated on the merits. Vann said he
feels there will be trade-offs in the final analysis.
Baker said the next issue is the relocation or loss of the Rio
Grande trail. Baker said this trail has been identified as
vital, and loss of this trail is unthinkable but should be
relocated properly f or all season use. Baker pointed out trail
contiguity throughout the entire Rio Grande site must be
maintained. The applicant is willing to do this. Burstein noted
condition #6 addresses this and recommended the city get a more
firm commitment regarding the realignment of the trail. Vann
said there are flags indicating a trail could be accommodated;
this has not been engineered or surveyed.
Baker said other issues are environmental issues, like air,
water, noise and solid waste. Burstein pointed out conditions #9
and 11 in the resolution address the drainage plan as there are
major drains in the Rio Grande area. Condition #10 speaks to
environmental issues like noise, air and water pollution,
disruption of mine tailings, solid waste generation and
management, and vibrations. Burstein noted the P & Z spent
considerable time discussing these areas and tried to make them
more specific. Burstein noted condition #12 identifies the
stream margin review, which will be part of the precise plan.
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Continued Meetinct Aspen Citv Coun~~. October 14, 198
Baker told Council there are several utilities located on the Rio
Grande site, under Mill and Puppy Smith streets, and along the
Rio Grande right-of-way. The main trunk line to the sewer
treatment plant and electric cable are in the Rio Grande right-
of-way. Burstein pointed out condition #7 specifically addresses
the sewer trunk line; condition #8 regards all public and private
utilities. Councilwoman Fallin said she would like to see some
detail from the sanitation district. Vann said the Sanitation
district is concerned about the location of the train and the
sewer. Vann said the applicants will provide a detailed
engineering analysis acceptable to the Sanitation district and to
staff, identifying the impact of the train. Vann said the
Sanitation district will review the findings of this and make a
recommendation. It is not known whether this will involve
relocation of the sewer trunk line or merely mitigation. Mark
Freidberg said he has a letter from Wright-McLaughlin to the
Sanitation district stating they will not allow the track to be
put over the sewer trunk line and will require a minimum distance
of 12 feet from the rail bed.
Baker said regarding employee housing, they would like the
applicant to address these requirements and condition #14 in the
resolution asks this. In economic issues, compensation for the
use of public land, P & Z asked the applicant to identify ways to
compensate the city and county for use of public lands. Burstein
pointed out condition #4 asks an economic feasibility study be
done. The P & Z wants the applicant to demonstrate the economic
needs for the scale of the proposed operation. There has been
some question if there is a need for an 18 car train and 4
tracks. riayor Stirling asked what means the applicants has used
to determine the feasibility of the operation. Parten said the
applicants have done two separate studies. Parten said they have
taken a historical analysis to give a load factor, multiplied by
the projected prices for an income analysis, and done a cost
analysis. Parten pointed out the cost side is easier to come up
with than the income side. Parten said what they have done shows
the plan is very feasible for the main train to Denver. Parten
said they have dome preliminary studies on the rail bus
indicating they will carry more passengers than RFTA; with the
RFTA subsidy but no federal subsidies, they will break even.
Baker told Council the P & Z felt because the city is a potential
partner due to using public land, the community should require
information showing the ability of the applicant to successfully
complete and operate this project. P & Z would like some
mechanism to eliminate the public expense from removing the
physical facilities, should the venture fail. Vann said
performance bonds and other mechanisms will be part of the final
agreement. Baker said there are indirect project costs that need
to be addressed, like parking on the Rio Grande, who pays for
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Continued Meeting Aspen Citv Council October 14, 198
relocating the playing field, assistance in terms of the snow
dump location.
Baker said the land use issues cover neighborhood compatibility
and P & Z asked the applicant to demonstrate what landscaping,
site design and building design techniques will be used to
minimize the structure's visual impact and also asked the
applicant to investigate ways of reducing the number of tracks on
site. Another issue is compatibility with surrounding land uses
and zoning. P & Z asked the applicant to demonstrate physical
and functional compatibility with surrounding landuses. The
S/C/I and NC zone district as well as the size of the structure
indicate there is compatibility. However, there is concern that
if a performing arts center were established, what impact wold
the train have on that. Burstein noted condition #11 asked as
part of the precise submission for a landscaping, site and design
technique plans.
Councilman Isaac said impacts on wildlife, Hallam lake, and Jenny
Adair park have not been mentioned. Baker said the 1041 special
review in the county will address Hallam lake and environmental
issues. Staff is looking to the joint review process to address
these types of concerns. Councilman Isaac said he feels the
environmental issues should be addressed in Council's resolution.
Baker said the train as a transportation mode has been looked at
not in itself being a growth generator; however, people will come
to Aspen specifically because of the train. Burstein told
Council staff looked at the train station as a project subject to
commercial GMP or as an essential public facility and exempt from
the GMP. Burstein pointed out to be exempt from GMP, one must be
a non-profit organization. The airport terminal is a county-
owned, non-profit organization, but the train station would not
be. P & Z felt the general intent is that the essential public
facilities exemption would apply to a project of this sort.
Burstein said the staff would have to draft a code amendment to
deal with this project, which could be done during precise plan.
Councilwoman Fallin asked if the depot will have other commercial
uses. Vann answered they do not envision any retail uses. P & Z
suggested some snack bar accommodation for visitors. Vann stated
their position is that the depot is not a commercial structure
and does not meet the criteria of a commercial operation. Vann
said the railroad is not a growth generator and suggested the
potential impacts of the rail road should not be dealt with in the
commercial GMP. The design criteria, impacts, employee housing,
etc. will have to be addressed by the applicant under an
essential public facility. Vann said at precise plan stage, they
will make arguments this is exempt under other than essential
public facilities.
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Continued Meeting --Aspen City Council October 14. 1986
Vann said this project can be compared to the Rubey park transit
center, both using public ground. The difference is that Rubey
park was a public sector applicant. Burstein stated the staff's
position is that this is a commercial facility as best defined at
this time. However, staff will investigate code amendments to
address this situation.
Baker addressed compatibility with past and current plans; past
planning efforts in the last 20 years have identified fixed rail
as a preferred conveyance in the Roaring Fork valley. Baker said
the plans have identified a regional rail system, the extension
to Denver does not seem to be inconsistent. Baker concluded
staff and P & Z recommend approval of the Roaring Fork rail
proposal. Baker said staff feels there are 8 keys areas that
need to be addressed early in the precise plan. Staff and P & Z
recommended approval of the conceptual plan, changing condition 5
to reflect the applicant's commitment to relocate the Rio Grande
trail.
Al Blomquist, P & Z member, told Council he voted against the
proposal mainly because of the long list of negative impacts from
Stein park into town on all the adjacent properties, the trail,
the vegetation. Blomquist said the healing of a riparian zone is
a difficult, long-term thing to achieve. Blomquist told Council
his primary reason for voting against the proposal was that the
applicant refused to provide a full analysis and alternative for
using the Airport Business Center. Blomquist said these two
alternatives could then be judged and compared.
Randy Parten, applicant, said they have not made a detailed study
of the airport alternative because their initial study indicated
this was not a feasible alternative. It is technologically
feasible but the applicant feels it is not feasible politically,
environmentally and economically. Parten said the track from
Woody Creek to Aspen is running at 2 percent compensated grade,
which is very steep. Parten said there would have to be
switchbacks across the river, the track would have to be 33 feet
above ground across from the airport, would have to cross the
Roaring Fork on a bridge 120 feet above water. Parten said the
community would not stand for this plan, nor could the applicant
afford this plan. Parten said the cost for this alternative
would be far more than bringing the train into town.
David White, P & Z member, said he, too, would like to examine
the alternative of ending at Woody Creek. White said he feels a
performance bond is essential.
Mayor Stirling continued the public hearing to October 27, 1986,
at 5 : 0 0 p. m.
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Continued Meeting Aspen City Council Octo,~er 14. 1986
ORDINANCE #46. SERIES OF 1986 - Code Amendment, Bakery in O,
Office Zone
Mayor Stirling told Council his wife, the owner of explore
booksellers, had been approached informally about rezoning this
entire block along Main street. Mayor Stirling withdrew due to a
conflict of interest. Alan Richman, planning director, told
Council one alternative is to rezone 201 East Main street from 0,
office, to C-1 with a historic overlay as well as amending the
permitted use list in the C-1 zone to include bakeries as a
permitted or conditional use. The other alternative is to leave
the property zoned 0, off ice and amend the off ice use table to
include bakeries as a conditional use in that zone. Richman told
Council P & Z is recommending the second option.
Richman told Council this proposal arose out of relocating Little
Cliff's bakery. The staff determined a bakery use is only
allowed in one zone, CC, in the city, and looked at other zones
that may be appropriate for a bakery. Richman said the most
appropriate zones for bakery use are C-1, and 0, office. The
applicant requested staff look at the existing zones and amend
the use tables to include a bakery. Richman suggested the
applicant also investigate amending the C-1 district and to amend
the use tables and to rezone the property. Richman explained the
corner on the east end of this block was rezoned to C-1 a year
ago, limiting it to the 0, office area and bulk requirements.
Richman told Council the owner of Explore books was approached in
an effort to have the entire block rezoned C-1. Richman said the
property owner declined, due to a lack of information and options
to be pursued. Richman told Council the C-1 rezoning is not
before them at this meeting, as it has not been noticed, but is
still an option. Richman said he would prefer the entire hal f
block t o be zoned C-1; however, P & Z has recommended to add
bakery as a conditional use in the Office zone district. Richman
suggested Council also add bakery as a conditional use in the C-1
zone district. Richman said the staff will return with the
rezoning issue and allow this application to move forward under a
use table Code amendment.
Richman pointed out this action is also to add an individual
historic designation to 201 East Main street. Having individual
historic designation gives the owner significant property rights,
like obtaining a GMP exemption for expansions, the right to
conditional uses. Councilman Isaac asked if the staff was
comfortable adding bakery in both C-1 and Office zones. Richman
said currently bakeries are allowed only in the CC zone, which
seems unreasonable, especially for a local-oriented bakery.
Richman pointed out C-1 is the zone most related to mixed local
and tourist uses, and the Mesa Bakery is a historic use in the
__ Office zone . Gideon Kaufman, representing the applicant, told
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Continued Meeting Aspen City Council October 14. 1986
Council they are working within a very tight time frame. They
would prefer the C-1 option; however, with the constraints , they
need to move f orward with the conditional u se application in the
Off ice zone. Kaufman said it makes sense to rezone the entire
block C-l, but this will take more time.
Councilwoman Fallin moved to read Ordinance #46, Series of 1986,
as amended; seconded by Councilman Isaac. All in f avor, motion
carried.
ORDINANCE #46
(Series of 1986)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE ASPEN CITY COUNCIL AMENDING SECTION
24-3.2 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, PERMITTED AND CONDITIONAL
USES, TO MAKE A BAKERY A CONDITIONAL USE IN THE OFFICE
AND C-1 ZONES was read by the city clerk
Councilwoman Fallin moved to adopt Ordinance #46, Series of 1986,
as amended, on first reading; seconded by Councilman Isaac. Roll
call vote; Councilmembers Isaac, yes; Fallin, yes; Collins, yes.
Motion carried.
Councilman Isaac moved to read Ordinance #50, Series of 1986;
seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #50
(Series of 1986)
AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING THE WEBBER BUILDING, LOTS A,
B , AND C , BLOCK 7 4 , ORIGINAL TOWNS ITE OF ASPEN AS AN
H ISTORIC STRUCTURE AND S ITE PURSUANT TO SECT ION 24-9.7
OF THE ASPEN MUNICIPAL CODE was read by the city clerk
Councilman Isaac moved to adopt Ordinance #50, Series of 1986, on
first reading; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin. Roll call vote;
Councilmembers Fallin, yes; Isaac, yes; Collins, yes. Motion
carried.
SUBDIVISION EXCEPT ION - Wogan Lot Split
This is a lot split request at 240 Lake Avenue for the southeast
1/2 of lots 12, lots 13, 14 and 15, Block 103, Hallam addition of
21 , 67 5 square feet zoned R-6 . The applicants are requesting a
GMP exemption and subdivision exception for this lot split into
two lots 13,000 and 8400 square feet. Steve Burstein,- planning
office, told Council the applicants have amended their proposal
on where the lot line would go. Michael Lipkin, representing the
applicant, told Council the lot with the exiting house would be
14,209 square feet and the smaller lot 7400 square feet.
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Continued Meeting As ep n City Council October 14, 1986
Burstein told Council the GMP Exemption allows for splitting a
merged lot. The sections of the code that deal with subdivision
exception are 20-19(a), P & Z review and 20-19(c), Council's
review criteria. P & Z recommended denial of the proposed lot
split and made findings that it was inappropriate. Burstein told
Council P & Z voted that denial of the subdivision exception
would not deprive the property owners of the opportunity for
reasonable use of their land, and granting of the request would
be injurious to neighbor's properties. P & Z noted the maximum
allowable FAR may not be compatible in this area. P & Z was also
concerned about the existing house, as it was designed in part by
Herbert Bayer and ought not to be demolished. These lots have an
unusual shape and do not follow the basic lot lines in that area.
Burstein told Council this property is relatively flat on the
edge of the mesa and there are no special environmental impacts
on this mesa. There are valuable trees, and the proposed
building envelope is important to save these existing trees.
Staff recommended the building envelope be pushed back from the
rear side of the lake so there will be as few impacts as possible
on Hallam lake. Burstein pointed out Section 13.76 does not
allow removal of trees with a diameter over 6 inches without
staff ' s approval . Burste i n said staf f does feel the Herbert
Bayer house is an important resource, and that both the zoning
code's intent and the historic preservation element of the plan
give reasonable ground to ask not to demolish that structure.
Burstein told Council the applicants received a demolition permit
prior to the moratorium. As a condition of approval, staff would
ask that the applicant void that demolition permit.
Burstein recommended in support of this application with 9
conditions of approval; 1) the building envelope be adjusted 45
feet; 2) placement and illumination of lights, 3) agreement to
join any future improvement district, 4) submittal of a
subdivision exception plat, 5) statement of subdivision exception
shall be filed, 6) park dedication fee, 7) restriction to single
family residences of both structures, 8) environmental impacts of
dirt and debris being dumped into Hallam lake, 9) agreeing to
void the demolition permit for the existing structure.
Gideon Kaufman, representing the applicant, reminded Council the
issue of lot splits was recently examined by Council after a
moratorium, resulting in a Code amendment. Kaufman told Council
this application qualifies in the lot split criteria as recently
adopted. The subdivision exception regulations have also been
changed to state, "If the requirements are found to be redundant,
sere e no public purpose and be unnecessary in relation to land
use policies, and if the proposed subdivision will substantially
comply with design standards, an exemption may be granted."
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Continued Meeting - Aspen Citv Council October 14. 1986
Kaufman submitted a memorandum outlining the reasons thi s
application qualifies for an exemption under 20-19(c) . Kaufman
said the reasons for P & Z's denial have changed after the
changes in the application.
Kaufman told Council they have moved the building envelope an
additional 45 feet back from the edge from Hallam lake, which
addresses concerns about development close to the lake. Another
concern was the size of the house; the applicant has further
reduced the size of the new lot by 1, 000 square feet so the FAR
will be smaller. The applicant is willing to comply with the
request of staff to give up their demolition permit, which will
mean the house will be subject to the City's regulations.
Kaufman said these are important changes. Kaufman said he feels
two single family dwellings of moderate size are better than a
large duplex from neighborhood and planning perspectives.
Kaufman pointed out both lots being created exceed the minimum
lot size in the R-6 zone. The lots will be restricted to single
family, and the applicant is willing to go along with the list of
conditions presented by staff. Kaufman stated the granting of
this lot split is within the intent of the Code.
Lipkin went over the plot plan with Council, showing the proposed
lot line and proposed building envelope. Ronnie Marshall,
adjacent property owner, noted the reason for the 1/2 lot is so
that no one could build a house between this 1 of and her 1 of .
Kaufman said this was a verbal agreement and was not made of
record.
Councilman Isaac moved to grant subdivision exception and GMP
exemption to the Wogans for the purpose of a lot split, subject
to the conditions 1 through 9 in the planning office memorandum
of October 9, 1986; seconded by Councilwoman Fallin.
Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing.
Andy Hecht, representing Mrs. Paepcke, told Council Mrs. Paepcke
wants to protect Hallam Lake. Mrs. Paepcke would favor the lot
split if it is possible to preserve the Bayer house as it is.
Mayor Stirling read a letter into the record from the Lundys
opposing the lot split, feeling Lake avenue has become overbuilt.
The Lundys state a duplex is better than two houses, and the
future of Lake avenue will be better protected with a denial of
this request. Mayor Stirling read into the record letters of
support of the application from Charles Nicolo and Phillip
Holstein.
Welton Anderson, chairman P & Z, told Council P & Z was faced
with two options; a lot split with the verbal understanding the
_ Bayer house may be threatened, or denial and the Bayer house
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Continued Meeting Aspen Citv Council October 14. 1986
would be demolished and replaced with a duplex. Anderson said he
has since spoken with Michael Lipkin, who told him the Bayer
house would be preserved as a condition of the lot split.
Anderson informally polled the P & Z after this information, and
the poll was 4 in favor of the lot split and 2 against, with the
understanding the Bayer house be preserved. Anderson requested
the Council put some teeth into the condition that the Bayer
house be preserved and not just be a starting point for another
structure. Mary Martin asked what guarantee there would be that
in the future there won't be more additions to each of these
structures. Mayor Stirling said on the smaller lot, the floor
area ratio will dictate the size of the structure.
Tom Cardamon, A. C. E. S., told Council he has discussed this with
the architects. One of the remaining concerns is that the facade
of the Bayer house as faces Hallam lake remain the same. Ann
Altemus said she feels this is a ruination of Lake avenue to
start this type of subdivision. Hecht asked if the Council would
consider further restricting the renovation of the Bayer house to
make sure there are no changes made. Kaufman said the applicants
are willing to be treated 1 ike any other applicant before HPC and
would not like to be precluded from applying for changes.
Kaufman said to condition approval at this stage upon absolutely
no change to the structure is unfair. Burstein said the
condition should be changed to indicate that the applicant will
accept historic designation of the Bayer structure. Kaufman said
they will be willing to accept designation, if after the study
staff decides the house is deserving of historic designation.
Kaufman pointed out it is not just to pre-judge.
Mayor Stirling closed the public hearing.
Councilman Isaac said he would 1 ike to add condition #10 to the
motion that the Bayer house be examined for historic significance
and if it meets the criteria, be so designated, and any
improv ements go through the HPC procedure. Richman suggested it
be designated for the period of the moratorium, and at the end of
that period either let the designation continue or not designate
it historically.
The applicant will voluntarily agree to
for the period in which the moratorium
subject to the review procedures of the
or alternation of the building. At the
the building will either be designated
Council decides to designate the Bayer
will be no objection by the applicant.
the designation procedure
is in effect and to be
HPC for any modification
close of the moratorium,
or not. Taddune said if
building historic, there
Councilwoman Fallin asked if there is any way to redo the
building envelope so that it does not encroach on the buffer zone
13
Continued Meeting Aspen City Council Qctober 14. 1986
with the lot to the west. Kaufman said they are inhibited by
preserving the trees, dealing with Hallam lake, and the neighbors
concerns. Kaufman said the priority has been Hallam lake and the
trees. Lipkin pointed out, as far as designation, they would like
to be able to do research, find out Bayer's original intentions
for the design, and start from there.
All in favor, including the condition #10 that the property owner
volunteers to be subject to review during the moratorium, at
which time the structure will be designated or not, and the
applicant will not opposed designation, with the exception of
Councilman Collins. Motion carried.
Councilwoman Fallin moved to adjourn at 7:55 p.m.; seconded by
Councilman Collins. All in favor, motion carried.
~~ ?
Kathryn ~ Koch, City Clerk
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