HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19890911Regular Meeting Aspen City Council September 11, 1989
EMPLOYEE BONUS AWARDS 1
NW COLORADO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMEN TS REPORT 1
CITIZEN COMMENTS 1
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS 2
CONSENT AGENDA 4
RFTA SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION 5
ORDINANCE #53, SERIES OF 1989 - Appropriations 6
ORDINANCE #54, SERIES OF 1989 - No Burn During High Pollu-
tion 6
ORDINANCE #51, SERIES OF 1989 - Amending Duplex Require-
ments 7
ORDINANCE #48, SERIES OF 1989 - Repealing R-15A Zone 10
RESOLUTION #33; ORDINANCE #58, SERIES OF 1989 - Extension of
Administrative Delay 10
ORDINANCE #59, SERIES OF 1989 - Affordable Housing Zone 13
POLICY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SIDEWALK, CURB AND GUTTER 14
ORDINANCE #57, SERIES OF 1989 - Campaign Contributions 16
ASPEN CLUB TENNIS BUBBLE 17
REQUEST FOR DONATION - National Preservation Auction 19
RESOLUTION #34, SERIES OF 1989 - Intergovernmental Agreement -
Housing Authority 19
21
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council September 11. 1989
Mayor Stirling called the meeting to order at 5:00 with Councilmem-
bers Tuite, Crockett, Gassman, and Peters present.
EMPLOYEE BONUS AWARDS
The Council presented outstanding employee bonus awards for the
second quarter. Bob Gish, public works director, received an award
for his efforts and assistance on city projects during his transi-
tion from building inspector. Rich Coulombe, golf course superin-
tendent, received recognition for the job done in preparing the
golf course for the Junior Golf Association national tournament.
NW COLORADO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS REPORT
Rick, NWCCOG, presented a report on the financial condition of COG.
Rick said there has been concern over their deficit. COG is making
inroads to reduce the deficit and will have a special deficit
assessment. Rick also presented a report on the programs taking
place in the community. Rick told Council one of the things that
caused a deficit in COG was greatly reduced grant programs, another
was a problem with the auditors. Rick pointed out the deficit in
1987 was $132,000 and was reduced to $82,000 in 1988.
Rick gave Council a report which showed the programs in Aspen; the
aging program, community development, weatherization and the money
actually spent in Aspen. In 1988, COG spent $22,000 in Aspen and
in 1987 spent $62,000. Rick told Council their auditors have said
COG cannot exist much longer trying to get out of a major deficit.
Several member communities suggested a one-time assessment pro
rated to $72,000. COG will try and make up the other $10,000 of
the deficit. The dues for Aspen for 1990 will be $14,200 plus the
special assessment of $8700. The dues and assessment for Pitkin
county are the same. Rick told Council they have received mostly
favorable responses on this plan.
Councilman Tuite explained it was an audit mistake that caused this
deficit, not overspending. Linda Johnson, Mayor of Basalt, told
Council they have already agreed to pay their share. Ms. Johnson
told Council COG is very useful to small communities. Ms. Johnson
urged Council to start sending a representative to COG again. Ms.
Johnson pointed out if the group is bankrupt, the city will have
to pay anyway. Mayor Stirling said Council will consider this
assessment during their budget process in November.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
1. Kent Reed requested that the Aspen Theatre Company be allowed
to leave the platform for their tent on the snow melt property
during the winter so that they do not have to take it away and
reinstall it in the spring. Reed told Council he has discussed
1
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council September 11, 1989
this with staff and it is all right with them. City Manager Bob
Anderson said this is in an area the city is not planning on using.
Councilman Gassman said he feels this represents additional
encroachment of culture in the Rio Grande. Council said this
request was fine with them.
2. Bob Myers, Pitkin County Builders Association, told Council
they support the suggested locals preference ordinance. Councilman
Crockett suggested Myers pass on to Sandy Stuller, city attorney,
any ides for this ordinances.
3. Phoebe Ryerson told Council the University Without Walls has
started and is quite exciting.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
1. Councilman Tuite reported the bids for the high occupancy
vehicle lane were opened by RFTA last week. Councilman Tuite said
the total bid was $308,000 with no guarantees the work would be
done this winter. Councilman Tuite said the original projections
for this project was $143,000 to $200,000. Councilman Tuite said
the engineers have recommended RFTA wait until next spring and
review the project again.
2. Councilman Crockett thanked Kathryn Koch for all her work with
the Council in the past three months.
3. Councilman Crockett said in discussion about affordable
housing, it was suggested locals have not been able to afford
housing in Aspen. This is driven somewhat by the wages, which have
not kept pace with escalating property values. Councilman Crockett
requested staff look into the concept of enacting a local minimum
wage stipulation within the city limits. Councilman Gassman said
he would like to know if this is legal.
Councilman Crockett moved to ask City Attorney Stuller to look into
the legalities of a local minimum wage requirement; seconded by
Councilman Peters. All in favor, motion carried.
4. Councilman Crockett thanked the city for participating in the
Lenado fire. The city sent a water truck to the fire with staff
for the full duration of the fire.
5. Councilman Peters said one of his campaign promises was to
push to 100 percent exaction from development for employee housing
mitigation. Councilman Peters said Council should look at this as
it is unconscionable for Council to let this situation get worse.
Councilman Peters asked the planning office to begin to consider
100 percent employee housing mitigation for all future development.
2
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council September 11. 1989
Mayor Stirling said this can be part of the discussion on afford-
able housing.
6. Councilman Peters said Mark Fuller is beginning to work with
the housing authority, BOCC and Council. Councilman Peters said
the housing off ice is completely overburdened with work at this
point. Councilman Peters suggested Council schedule a joint
meeting with the housing authority and staff to discuss this.
Council scheduled the meeting for Thursday, September 21 at 5:00
p.m. on housing and at 6:30 p.m. on city/county office space.
7. Councilman Peters said the newspaper recycling effort is
started but there are some difficulties with vehicles to take
newspapers to the dump. Councilman Peters asked staff to discuss
with the county if there is anything the city and county can do to
help this volunteer effort.
8. Councilman Peters said he is a property owner in Lenado and
thanked all the city and county personnel involved in putting the
fire out. Councilman Peters said the effort was well mobilized.
This is an example of how an community can come together and act
for everyone's benefit.
9. Mayor Stirling said the city manager's memo suggests bringing
the city manager's office back into city hall. Mayor Stirling
recommended waiting until after the study session September 21.
Mayor Stirling said he feels it makes sense to get the manager's
office back into city hall.
10. Mayor Stirling moved to rearrange item VII b and c to come
after d and e; seconded by Councilman Peters. All in favor, motion
carried.
11. Mayor Stirling said the city has advertised for a city manager
locally and on the western slope.
12. Mayor Stirling requested Council look over the tentative
budget schedule to see if they have changes. City Manager Bob
Anderson requested Council commit to the first budget hearing,
which is September 20th.
13. Mayor Stirling suggested a work session with the Wheeler Opera
House Board to go over the goals and mission statement. Council
scheduled this for 5 p.m. October 2nd and the HPC at 6 p.m.
14. City Manager Bob Anderson said there is a request by the group
working on the railroad study for a work session October 3 at 5:30.
Council agreed.
3
Regular Meetina Aspen City Council September 11, 1989
15. Mayor Stirling brought up the recommendation for interest free
loans to city employees to pay the out of district school fee of
$350. Mayor Stirling asked what this does to the city's relation-
ship with other school districts. City Manager Bob Anderson said
the school district does not have a program for time payments. The
city already has interest free loans for ski passes and rent
deposits. Anderson said he is having the staff look into this.
16. Councilman Crockett asked if there is input on the golf course
RFP from golfers. City Manager Bob Anderson said staff asked
people in the community who are actively involved in the golf
course.
17. Councilman Crockett suggested of the 16 goals, the staff
identify which departments would fall under these goals and what
they would propose as means of achieving these goals. City Manager
Bob Anderson told Council Bill Efting, acting deputy manager, will
have this as a task over the next few months.
18. City Attorney Sandy Stuller told Council Fred Gannett, city
attorney's office, submitted his resignation. Ms. Stuller said she
will advertise for this position and if Council has any comments
to let her know.
19. Councilman Crockett suggested public service announcements
about the traffic and the asbestos removal project at the city
shop. Councilman Crockett recommended the city should work out the
same safety and response mechanisms that were worked out for the
school project.
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilman Gassman moved to approve the consent agenda; seconded
by Mayor Stirling.
Councilman Peters asked if the encroachment at 1010 Ute Avenue is
permanent or revokable. Sandy Stuller, city attorney, told Council
all encroachments are revokable. Mayor Stirling asked how this
encroachment occurred and if it is necessary. Skip Behrhorst told
Council in the review of the plan for the realignment of the bike
path, the radius looked best by staying parallel. This is why this
happened as a landscape concept and then became an issue of a
permit needed, then an encroachment issue. Elyse Elliott,
engineering department, told Council because the applicant was
directed to do this by city staff, staff felt it was appropriate
the applicant be granted an encroachment license. Ms. Elliott said
there may have been a miscommunication in what was required for the
encroachment; initially it may have been construed to be a
landscape feature rather than a permanent fixture.
4
Regular Meeting Asnen City Council September 11,.._1989
Mayor Stirling said usually use of the public right-of-way is
determined beforehand and by the Council. Councilman Crockett said
he is concerned that something started as a simple request and the
final product is something quite different. Councilman Tuite said
he would 1 ike to take this of f the consent agenda and hear from Jay
Hammond what the understandings were. Ms. Elliott said Hammond
gave 1010 Ute Avenue permission to build a wall adjacent to the
bike path.
Councilman Tuite moved to remove this and place it on the September
25 agenda; seconded by Councilman Crockett.
Behrhorst said the wall originally was a landscape wall and as such
did not need a permit. Behrhorst said during construction, he was
told by the building department that this did need a permit. The
encroachment occurred after the fact.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilman Gassman. Motion
carried.
The consent ac
A.
B.
C.
D.
f)
g)
Benda is:
Temporary Closure of First Street
Minutes - August 28, 1989
Liquor License Renewal - New York Pizza
Request for Funds - Building Department
Welcome Reception for Stars on Ice
City Manager Resignation
All in favor, motion carried.
RFTA SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION
Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing.
Dan Blankenship, RFTA general manager, said this resolution enables
RFTA to transfer $55, 000 of prior year surplus fund balance into
1989 capital fund. This money will be spent for an engineering
study of the Rio Grande right-of-way. Blankenship told Council the
RFTA board has selected Kaiser engineers for this study.
Mayor Stirling closed the public hearing.
Councilman Crockett asked when this study will be done. Blanken-
ship said the draft is due November 31 and the final version due
January 31, 1989.
Councilman Tuite moved to approve RFTA Resolution 89-9; seconded
by Councilman Crockett. All in favor, motion carried.
5
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council September 11, 1989
ORDINANCE #53, SERIES OF 1989 - Appropriations
Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing. There were no comments.
Mayor Stirling closed the public hearing.
Dallas Everhart, finance department, told Council this Ordinance
has been amended since first reading to include the asbestos
removal of $249,000 at the city shop. Mayor Stirling said the
Aspen Bike Festival of $13, 500 was a commitment for 1990 and not
1989. Everhart said he will remove this.
Councilman Tuite moved to adopt Ordinance #53, Series of 1989, on
second reading as amended; seconded by Councilman Gassman. Roll
call vote; Councilmembers Peters, yes; Crockett, yes; Tuite, yes;
Gassman, yes; Mayor Stirling, yes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #54, SERIES OF 1989 - No Burn During High Pollution
Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing. There were no comments.
Mayor Stirling closed the public hearing.
Lee Cassin, environmental health department, told Council the city
still has not received the PM 10 monitor. Ms. Cassin said this
ordinance exempts certified stoves and gas log fireplaces. Ms.
Cassin said the city will announce high pollution days when the
real time monitor indicates these are approaching federal health
standards. Ms. Cassin told Council staff is looking into a
computer dialer to notify lodges of high pollution. Councilman
Crockett asked if staff has looked at doing anything about the wood
suppliers. Ms. Cassin said staff has looked at taxes on firewood.
There is only one vendor of firewood in Pitkin County. There are
a lot of practical difficulties in doing this . The Clean Air Board
may bring this to Council as part of the incentive program.
Ms. Cassin said the environmental health department does not have
the staff to enforce this by knocking on doors. Ms. Cassin said
staff deals with this on a complaint basis. Councilman Gassman
said another consideration for no high pollution days last year was
the efforts made to clean up the streets.
Councilman Crockett moved to adopt Ordinance #54, Series of 1989,
on second reading; seconded by Councilman Peters.
Councilman Peters said the city should be doing more to educate
the public about burning wood during high pollution. Councilman
Peters asked if the city will have a public relations program again
this winter. Ms. Cassin said the city has bought media time for
the winter and will request budget for a public relations campaign
in 1990. Ms. Cassin said they will incorporate requests not to
6
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council September 11, 1989
drive also. Mayor Stirling said this is a minimal approach and has
more to do with raising people's knowledge about the problem.
Roll call vote; Councilmembers Tuite, yes; Peters, yes; Gassman,
no; Crockett, yes; Mayor Stirling, yes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #51, SERIES OF 1989 - Amending Duplex Requirements
Mayor Stirling said he is concerned about this ordinance, that it
is too fragmented and not comprehensive enough. Mayor Stirling
questioned how this ordinance would fit in with an overall housing
strategy. Mayor Stirling said the ordinance raises the issue of
density being increased against the issue of demolition of houses
and duplexes that are housing locals. Mayor Stirling said Council
has been hearing a lot of good ideas from citizens, whether this
ordinance is fair. Mayor Stirling said the Council is concerned
with diversity, trying to keep the community mixed in the way it
has been. Mayor Stirling said the city now has a new planning
director and recommended the staff try and make this fit into a
comprehensive look at the entire affordable housing strategy,
including carriage houses, dormitory housing, replacement housing,
multi-family zones.
Amy Margerum, planning director, said staff feels they can come up
with a comprehensive program which merges the concepts of Ordinance
#51, the demolition ordinance. Ms. Margerum said staff wants to
look at adding incentives for single family homes to also con-
tribute to the affordable housing program, and an ambitious
production strategy of housing to include a funding option.
Ms. Margerum said staff believes the extension of the administra-
tive delay is necessary for staff to carry out the planning efforts
and to give staff time to come up with the information in order for
Council to weigh the pros and cons of all the options. Ms.
Margerum said the city can come up with a comprehensive demolition
replacement ordinance which would replace what Council has been
trying to do with Ordinance #51. This would apply to multi-family
structures as well as duplexes. For multi-family units, this would
require a replacement of X percent of the demolished units on site
or X percent of the allowable density on site, whichever is
greater. Ms. Margerum said the X is extremely critical, and staff
needs time to work on this. Ms. Margerum said staff will take
advantage of the economic work being done by consultants to see
what is reasonable and fair in terms of that replacement require-
ment.
Ms. Margerum said there are two goals -- affordable housing and
preservation of the character of residential neighborhoods. Ms.
Margerum said for duplexes the replacement unit could be satisfied
by one of the options discussed in Ordinance #51. Ms. Margerum
7
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council September 11, 1989
said if a person demolishes a duplex to build a single family home,
the person would need to satisfy replacement requirements with
either an accessory dwelling unit or a detached dwelling unit. Ms.
Margerum said there could be the flexibility of building units off
site. Ms. Margerum said Council may want to put some geographic
boundaries around that off site. This could allow for transfer of
credits of units. Ms. Margerum said all of this would be contained
in a demolition replacement ordinance.
Ms. Margerum said if this is only applied to existing duplexes,
there will be an inequity for people building a duplex, which is
exempt from GMP on vacant lots. Another option would be to
eliminate the exemption for duplexes in the GMP, and a developer
would have to go through the process and satisfy some housing
requirements. Another element of the program would be to include
some incentives for single family development to include some
affordable housing. The Council has already set up the accessory
dwelling units. Ms. Margerum said this could be expanded by
allowing detached dwelling units, which would be deed restricted.
Ms. Margerum said the zoning code could be amended without an
affordable housing overlay. The affordable housing zone would
provide the city with an additional tool for the total program.
Ms. Margerum said another element to the overall program is the
commercial development housing mitigation program. Ms. Margerum
said staff is proposing to look at the GMP quota allocation for
commercial and residential development, not necessarily to reduce
them but to look at the balance between jobs that are created by
the allocation for commercial and the amount of new housing that
is predicted on a yearly basis. Ms. Margerum said the staff may
also reassess the employee per square footage calculations for
commercial development. Another element is the housing projection
program, which would be a long range plan for maximizing the
effectiveness of employee housing, for the use of real estate
transfer tax for affordable housing, land and housing acquisition,
buy down of existing units, subsidy of rents, pursuing alternative
funding mechanisms, and to encourage the development of a non-
profit housing development company.
Ms. Margerum said the first task is a comprehensive inventory of
the housing stock and an analysis of the potential build out given
various scenarios. The second task would be an economic analysis
which considers the appropriate replacement percentages for the
multi-family residential units, what that X should be. Another
task would be the study of the economic consequences of the duplex
options. Ms. Margerum said another task is the inventory of
housing for potential acquisition. The last is long term housing
production strategy and identification of new funding sources.
8
Reaular Meetina Aspen City Council September 11. 1989
Mayor Stirling said Council is very ambitious in the goals of
production of affordable housing and the preservation of the
neighborhoods and the character of the town. Ms. Margerum said the
inventory would be looking at build out potentials using the
current land use zoning, how much is available now and what this
would mean in creating new housing units. This can be weighed
against the other strategies. Tom Baker told Council staff will
need to take surveys of the neighborhoods to see what is existing.
Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing.
Harold Whitcomb said it is important for the city to remember the
word voluntary in any ordinance. Another issue is whether the
options can be afforded by the owner. Whitcomb said Ordinance #51
lacks any sense of fairness and is not equitable. Whitcomb said
singling out certain components of property ownership to solve a
general problem raises legal questions. Whitcomb questioned how
many units the proposed Ordinance 51 would actually generate.
Whitcomb said another question is what should- be compensated for
based on values. Whitcomb said the city should see what the
private sector can create if the city creates the space for them
to work. Whitcomb suggested Council zone the land and let the
private sector build.
Fred Peirce said he is encouraged to hear the Council will pull
this into a cohesive package. Peirce said there is a strata of
people who are trying to buy homes without being involved in
subsidized employee housing, and the duplex is the only thing left.
Peirce said Ordinance 51 would penalize that strata and put a
burden on them they could not afford. Dick Butera urged Council
to deal with the multi-family ordinance and to put it ahead of
other things so the private sector can get on with building some
multi-family housing.
John Olson said he feels it is unconstitutional to presume to
meddle with private enterprise to tell property owners what they
can and cannot do. Olson said it is not realistic to think that
50 to 60,000 employees can be housed in the city of Aspen. John
Kelly said Council has to come to grips with the problem of
producing housing and stop trying to make a few landowners solve
the problem. This has to be borne by the community as a whole.
Kelly said the Council has already had a year of moratorium on this
issue and has had time to come up with a solution. Kelly said it
is not right to keep the landowners waiting and to extend the
moratorium again.
Mac Cunningham agreed the Council needs a long term plan, especial-
ly for reliance of property owners. This is a city/county issue
and the Council needs to interact with the Commissioners.
Cunningham said the Council has to deal with the economic reality
9
Regular Meetina Aspen City Council September 11, 1989
and with the cost of creating housing. If the private sector is
going to produce affordable housing, they should not be penalized
for producing it. Phoebe Ryerson said the housing plan should make
sense for families, too.
Les Holst agreed the comprehensive plan is essential. The private
sector has had free reign, and given more free reign there will be
no community left. Rich Lindner said affordable housing will not
happen unless Council creates a multi-family ordinance and some
housing. Lindner said the city and county will have to take some
land and create affordable housing.
Mayor Stirling closed the public hearing.
Mayor Stirling moved to table indefinitely Ordinance #51, Series
of 1989; seconded by Councilman Gassman.
Councilman Peters said he is willing to try anything to get
affordable housing. Councilman Gassman said the city has done a
lot of work in a lot of different areas. The city is now taking
the work, input and comments and putting it together. Mayor
Stirling said the city is working on employee housing at the Red
Roof, is planning a project on the Marolt property, has given land
to the employee housing project at the hospital.
All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #48, SERIES OF 1989 - Repealing R-15A Zone
Mayor Stirling opened the public hearing. There were no comments.
Mayor Stirling closed the public hearing.
Councilman Peters moved to table indefinitely Ordinance #48, Series
of 1989; seconded by Councilman Crockett. All in favor, motion
carried.
RESOLUTION #33; ORDINANCE #58, SERIES OF 1989 - Extension of
Administrative Delay
Tom Baker, planning office, recommended Council adopt Resolution
#33 to immediately extend Ordinance #23 and to adopt on first
reading Ordinance #58 to continue the administrative delay. Baker
said staff is currently doing in-house studies to confirm that the
demand for market rate housing continues to have a negative impact
on affordable housing. The on-going analysis confirms that many
properties could be lost if the administrative delay were not
extended. Baker said staff has been diligently evaluating the
problem and has guidelines for how to pursue the approach to the
problem. Both staff and consultants are conducting studies, which
are not yet complete. Baker told Council there have been various
10
Reaular Meetina Aspen City Council September 11, 1989
court decisions which have occurred recently which appear to
influence the direction the city will take. Baker pointed out
there have been staf f changes in the attorney and planning offices,
which make this project require more time.
Councilman Peters said the action to give closure to the admin-
istrative delay is proceeding on a number of fronts. This is a
complicated issue, which cannot be easily solved. Councilman
Peters said he supports extending the administrative delay.
Councilman Peters said the public purpose that is being served by
trying to put together a comprehensive ordinance is overwhelming.
The demolition of housing has affected every facet of life in
Aspen; family life, transportation, services, basic safety.
Councilmembers Gassman, Crockett and Tuite agreed.
Mayor Stirling said Council was unrealistic in June and had
anticipated there could be an extension. The city needed to
identify the comprehensive approach and the areas they needed to
work in. Mayor Stirling said administrative delays do cause
hardshi s; however, in the long term the interest of the town will
P
be better served with an extension. Mayor Stirling said he feels
comfortable that the work that has been done this summer lays the
ground work from which the city will go forward.
Bob Walker, Pitkin County Builders Association, agreed that if the
city wants a good product they will need time. Walker said Council
should be careful in extending the moratorium that they don't make
it difficult for people who work for a living to make a living.
Joe Wells pointed out the commercial GMQS deadline in Friday,
September 15th. Any applicant who has residential units involved
runs the risk of having his alteration of existing units being
construed as demolition, in which case they cannot file an
application. Wells requested Council extend the deadline for GMQS
applications.
Harold Whitcomb requested staff look at the real devaluation
numbers, how it will affect individual's abilities to build or to
leave their properties to ruin. Richard Compton congratulated
Council on having the courage to follow this process through to the
end and not wrap it up prematurely. David Myler, city attorney's
office, told Council they have taken a close look at the implica-
tions of extending the moratorium and believe it is defensible.
Baker said staff has not given a lot of thought to extending the
commercial deadline. The residential GMQS deadline is in November,
and it will have to be extended.
Councilman Peters moved to adopt Resolution #33, Series of 1989;
seconded by Councilman Gassman.
11
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council September 11, 1989
Councilman Gassman asked if the January 23 end date is realistic
for Council to have regulations adopted. Ms. Margerum said this
is realistic; however, the planning office will have to ask for
increases in staff. Councilman Gassman said Council needs to make
a real commitment to get something done. Mayor Stirling said he
would like to add another month to the extension of the moratorium.
This is the slower building season.
Mayor Stirling moved to amend Resolution #33 to change the date to
February 23; seconded by Councilman Crockett.
Councilman Peters said he feels the moratorium needs to be long
enough so that the work done can be complete. Mayor Stirling
agreed but said the pressure is good too. City Manager Bob
Anderson suggested changing the date to February 27, a day after
a Council meeting.
Mayor Stirling moved to amend the amendment to change the date to
February 27; seconded by Councilman Peters. All in favor, with the
exception of Councilman Tuite. Motion carried.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilmembers Tuite and
Gassman. Motion carried.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilman Tuite. Motion
carried.
Councilman Gassman moved to extend the commercial GMQS deadline to
some point past September 15 and ask the planning office to
recommend the date; seconded by Councilman Peters. All in favor,
motion carried.
Councilman Peters moved to read Ordinance ##58, Series of 1989;
seconded by Councilman Crockett. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #58
(Series of 1989)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE ASPEN CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING AN
EXTENSION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE DELAY IN THE ACCEPTANCE
OF PROCESSING OF ANY APPLICATION FOR A BUILDING PERMIT
FOR DEMOLITION OF ANY DUPLEX OR MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
DWELLING IN THE CITY OF ASPEN OR FOR ANY LAND USE
APPLICATION FOR REPLACEMENT OF DUPLEX OR MULTI-FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS AND ESTABLISHING A PENALTY PROVI-
SION FOR VIOLATIONS HEREOF was read by the city clerk
Councilman Peters moved to adopt Ordinance #58, Series of 1989, on
first reading; seconded by Councilman Tuite. Roll call vote;
12
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council September 11, 1989
Councilmembers Tuite, no; Crockett, yes; Gassman, yes; Peters, yes,
Mayor Stirling, yes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #59, SERIES OF 1989 - Affordable Housing Zone
Councilman Crockett moved to read ordinance #59, Series of 1989;
seconded by Councilman Tuite. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #59
(Series of 1989)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE ASPEN CITY COUNCIL AMENDING CHAPTER
24, ARTICLE 5, DIVISION 2 OF THE ASPEN MUNICIPAL CODE TO
CREATE A NEW SECTION 5-208, AFFORDABLE HOUSING (AH) ZONE
DISTRICT was read by the city clerk
Tom Baker, planning office, said this ordinance as written calls
for a free market mix, 20 percent free market and of the 80 percent
affordable housing, 60 percent would be low and moderate and 20 per
middle resident occupied. Baker said the problem P & Z has with
this ordinance is that the mix is not flexible. Baker said staff
has come up with the idea of having a 30 to 35 free market mix that
would be justified on an economic calculation that the developer
would provide staff to review how much would be free market and the
mix of affordable units.
Baker told Council growth management provides a 50/50 split. Baker
said staff feels in order to give a GMQS exemption for something
in the affordable housing zone, the community should get something
substantial in return. Baker said 65 to 70 percent affordable
housing would be attractive enough for a developer to do that.
Baker said staff has been working with developers in order to
understand what the development costs are. Baker said the 80/20
mix will not work for properties like the Billings parcel. Baker
said the cap on free market would serve for the number of bedrooms
and for the FAR for free market units. Baker said these numbers
could be adjusted given the needs of the project. This would give
the private sector the flexibility to put together a program that
would work for them, and it gives the Council the ability to insure
the community that they are not giving away more than necessary to
get affordable housing.
Baker said staff is recommending this ordinance be amended at
second reading to allow a more flexible mix. Mayor Stirling said
he is concerned this may not be flexible enough to get the produc-
tion of housing. Councilman Crockett said the Council should allow
nothing but affordable housing to be built. Any additional free
market units contribute to the problems the city is trying to
solve. Councilman Gassman asked what prevents the cap on free
market units from becoming a minimum. Baker agreed the staff is
13
Se tember it 1989
Regular Meetin As en Cit Council
struggling between providing f lexibil ity and a f ix~d •uniCouncilman
will be applied across the board in the commune y
Peters said another issue is does the Council waes thescit dwant to
ment rights and have the attendant growth or do Y
buy down the properties. Councilman Tuite asked if tteaffordable
from growth management is enough of an incentive to ge
housing. Councilman Tuite asked if this ordinanceeterslmsulnested
options for affordable housing. Councilman P gg
Council meet with P & Z to discuss this .ordinance.,ona on Settember
said this can be added to the study session discussi P
18.
Councilman Peters moved to adopt Ordinance #~e: S Roll call 8voten
first reading; seconded by Councilman Tui es; Gassman,
Councilmembers Tuite, yes; Crockett, yes; Peters, y
yes; Mayor Stirling, yes. Motion carried.
POLICY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SIDEWALK CURB AND GUTTER
Councilman Peters said he is not an urban planner, ons.dO Councilman
confident in responding to theendation c t t they do not support
Peters agreed with HPC's recomm ,
sidewalk improvements in the west end or other residential portions
of the city but do support sidewalks along Main stree Counc 1 thas
the commercial core. Councilman Peters said th
discussed having a comprehensive plan done foridewalks kscurb rand
scapes and planning Mayor Stirling agreed s ,
gutter are fine in the commercial core, Main street and highway 82
but not in residential areas. Mayor Stirling said he would like
the issue of drainage discussed. Councilman Peters said the city
has been getting sidewalks installed by developmento fund whatever
work across town and Council should research a way
program is adopted.
Councilman Gassman agreed the Council is not a design agency.
Councilman Gassman said this is a finite, solvable nrforem Major
the Council can have a planner come up with a desig Y
Stirling said the city needs to come up witi an Crockett agreed
runoff and also with a sidewalk policy. Counci
he would like to give this over to a transportation planner to
develop the policy.
Elyse Elliott, engineering department, presentedli tt told Council
locations of curb and gutter around town. Ms. E
one street improvement, which helps drainage and s elE liottlsaidoa
the pavement, is to install cu eet fromuDurant to Ute. Ms. Elliott
project on hold is Original str
said at Victorian Square, part of their approval was to install
curb, gutter and sidewalks along the frontage of highway 82. Ms.
Elliott said at the Mountain House on West End and Hopkins, the
14
Re ular Meetin As en Cit Council Se tember 11 1989
cit was going to pave the street after the owners install curb and
Y
gutter.
Councilman Gassman said his discomfort in approving specific
rojects is that they are not related to anythin the streetsmto
P
Gassman said Council does ob Gish we ty hengineer, suggested the
look when they are done. B ~ athwa s, walkways
engineering department try and define bikeways, p Y
and make a recommendation to Council. Councilman Crndersonasaid
why Council has to address this. City Manager Bob A
the city has some existing laws on sidewalks., Gish s ods t at want
needs to address surface runoffs; there are neighborho
curb and gutter.
olic does not support the
Mayor Stirling moved Council as a p Y
building of sidewalks, curbs and gutters, in is sureortesidel
that Council doe pp
historic hingthertwo hi tonic districts on Main street and within
walks wit
the commercial core and along Cemetery Lane; seconded by Councilman
Peters.
Councilman Peters said the engineering departmen off the treets
point about the managemen sho ld snotty be rdumped ginto the river.
of Aspen, and that it
Councilman Peters said he is not comfortable with t Gilman Peters
the engineering department designing the city. Coun
said this is an aesthetic issue. Councilman Peters said Council
should look for someone to do the planning from an aesthetic
standpoint. Mayor Stirling said he is looking for softer types of
design. Mayor Stirling said he is happy with people encroaching
on the right-of-way at their risk; this gives the town a beautiful
look.
Councilman Peters and Mayor Stirling in favor; Councilmembers
Crockett, Gassman and Tuite opposed. Motion NOT carried.
Mayor Stirling moved to direct the city manager f°th °S withca
September 25 with a proposal of how tlmandGassmanl oAll in favor,
3 or 4 point plan; seconded by Counci
motion carried.
Councilman Gassman said until Council comes up with a comprehensive
plan, he is not willing to discuss individual sidewalks.
Mayor Stirling moved to pave Original street as Mot on DIES for
engineering street but without curb and gutter.
lack of a second. Councilman Tuite said he favors paving this
street with curb and gutter.
15
Regular Meeting _Aspen City Council September 11. 1989
Ms. Elliott said another request is to pave West End from Hyman to
Hopkins. The city is waiting until the Mountain House installs
curb and gutter. This was part of their land use approval.
Mayor Stirling moved to pave this without curb and gutter; seconded
by Councilman Peters.
Rachel Richards said these areas are really in need of curb, gutter
and sidewalks.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilmembers Gassman and
Crockett. Motion carried.
Ms. Elliott told Council the highway 82 bike lane going east of
town will have curbs and gutters. Bil Dunaway reminded Council
voters approved the serial tax levy to pave the streets. Dunaway
said Original street was in the plan to be paved. Councilman
Crockett said he is not opposed to paving, curb or gutters but
would like to do it in a planned, comprehensive fashion. Council-
man Crockett said his concern is the increasing urbanization of
Aspen.
Councilman Tuite moved to reconsider paving Original street;
seconded by Mayor Stirling. All in favor, with the exception of
Councilmembers Crockett and Gassman. Motion carried.
Mayor Stirling moved to pave Original street as requested by the
engineering department without curb and gutter; seconded by
Councilman Tuite. All in favor, with the exception of Council-
members Crockett and Gassman. Motion carried.
Roxanne Eflin, planning office, told Council the HPC is doing a
study of the Main street historic district, which includes the
landscaping, walkways. Ms. Eflin told Council they have gone to
look at Fifth and Main, which is at the confluence of two historic
drainage ditches. Ms. Eflin said they have worked out an alterna-
tive for that site, which is split walkway to not damage the
landscaping or the irrigation ditches.
Mayor Stirling moved to suspend the rules and meet until 9:30 p.m. ;
seconded by Councilman Tuite. All in favor, with the exception of
Councilman Gassman. Motion carried.
Councilman Peters said it is difficult for Council to make deci-
sions when there are not guidelines to do it.
ORDINANCE #57, SERIES OF 1989 - Campaign Contributions
Sandy Stuller, city attorney's office, said she determined that
limitations on campaign expenditures are not authorized by law.
16
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council September 11, 1989
Ms. Stuller said this ordinance places limitations on contributions
to candidates, not issues, of $100 per contributor. The ordinance
prohibits anonymous contributions. This require the publication
of contributions and expenditures 5 days before each election.
Councilman Peters moved to read Ordinance #57, Series of 1989;
seconded by Councilman Crockett. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #57
(Series of 1989)
AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING LIMITATIONS ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBU-
TIONS FOR OR AGAINST CANDIDATES SEEKING PUBLIC OFFICE;
ESTABLISHING DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES; PROHIBITING
FALSE CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING; IMPOSING PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATION OF THESE PROVISIONS, INCLUDING FINES AND
IMPRISONMENT NOT TO EXCEED THREE HUNDRED ($300.00)
DOLLARS AND/OR NINETY (90) DAYS; AND FURTHER PROVIDING
ON CONVICTION FOR FORFEITURE OF THE OFFICE TO WHICH
ELECTED was read by the city clerk
Councilman Peters moved to adopt Ordinance #57, Series of 1989, on
first reading; seconded by Councilman Crockett.
Councilman Peters said the amount of money spent on elections in
Aspen has been increasing and threatened to overturn the democratic
principles people hold dear in Aspen. Councilman Peters said the
intention of the ordinance is to allow people enough latitude to
promulgate their candidacy but not to buy elections with vast sums
of money. Councilman Tuite said this would not limit spending on
an election. Councilman Tuite said he does like the publication
aspect of the ordinance. Councilman Tuite said he does not care
how much someone gives to a candidate as long as the voters know
before the election who is providing that money. Councilman Peters
said if someone has a popular base, they can raise as much money
as they want. Councilman Peters said he feels this is important
to this town.
Roll call vote; Councilmembers Crockett, yes; Tuite, no; Gassman,
yes; Peters, yes; Mayor Stirling, yes. Motion carried.
ASPEN CLUB TENNIS BUBBLE
Councilman Gassman stepped down due to a conflict of interest.
Dick Butera, applicant, said 20 percent of the local population
belongs to the Aspen Club. The Aspen Club fixes a lot of people.
Butera told Council he removed a tennis bubble in 1986 because of
a diminishing interest in tennis. If they had not used part of the
FAR credit, they could put the bubble up again. Butera said they
17
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council September 11, 1989
built 2400 square feet of a fitness institute and are short on FAR
to replace the bubble. Butera said they tore down a permanent
bubble which was up 12 months a year. They would like to cover an
existing tennis court for 6 months of the year. Butera said he has
4200 square feet of credit from the tear down of the first bubble;
this is 2400 square feet short of putting up another bubble. The
bubble will only be up for half the year. Butera said a tennis
court does not have the intensity of use of other commercial uses.
Butera said the impact will be nil. Butera said the club creates
a good image for Aspen and contributes to the community.
Tom Baker, planning office, said Butera asked the planning staff
for an interpretation whether this would require a GMQS applica-
tion. The deadline for commercial application is September 15th.
Baker told Council staff made the interpretation when the bubble
was torn down the 6700 square foot credit was given with no strings
attached, and approximately 2400 square feet was used. Baker said
the end result will be the Aspen Club having the tennis bubble and
the racquet ball courts/fitness center. The original proposal
prior to tearing down the bubble only had tennis courts. Baker
agreed the tennis courts will not have a large impact. Baker
recommended tabling this item if Council would like a more thorough
presentation from staff. Butera said the racquet ball courts were
there and the fitness center is on top of them.
Mayor Stirling said the actual footprint of the building will not
change. Mayor Stirling said the tennis court is already there, and
this is a temporary bubble. Mayor Stirling said there ought to be
a way to address this in the code. Councilman Peters said he feels
this is an issue for the Board of Adjustment. Councilman Peters
said at some point the P & Z said a covered bubble counted in the
FAR, and the planning office gave it back as complete, buildable
FAR. Councilman Peters said the applicant can build a more
intensive expansion than a tennis court bubble. Councilman Peters
said it is not in Council' s purview to grant a variance, and should
be reviewed by the Board of Adjustment.
Councilman Crockett agreed this seems to fit the role of the Board
of Adjustment. Councilman Tuite said he would prefer to act on
this if the impact fees for the 2400 square feet be paid and that
in the future no credit be given whether the bubble stays up or
not.
Councilman Tuite moved to approve the bubble, that the impact fees
in effect for 2,456 square feet be calculated and paid, and that
in the future should the bubble stay or go down, the plus or minus
FAR does not continue; seconded by Mayor Stirling.
Mayor Stirling said this is an internal change which triggers this
request. Mayor Stirling said Council has an opportunity to be
18
Reaular Meetina Aspen City Council September 11, 1989
responsive to citizens in a way that is beneficial to the com-
munity. Baker requested a letter of credit to make sure that the
bubble is removed in the spring. Butera said letters of credit for
the next 20 years is not a small matter. Councilman Crockett asked
about the neighbors. Councilman Crockett said he would rather
refer this to the Board of Adjustment. Sandy Stuller, city
attorney's office, said this is not an appropriate application for
the Board of Adjustment. Ms. Stuller recommended letting staff
analyze exactly what the Code allows under the original approval,
how it defined floor area to determine whether or not this is floor
area.
Councilman Tuite and Mayor Stirling in favor; Councilmembers
Crockett and Peters opposed. Motion NOT carried.
Butera said he has been through the entire planning office process
for two years and staff has made a conclusion. Butera said he is
asking for relief from his interpretation. Butera said the Aspen
Club is part of the community, and they would like to make it a
little better.
Councilman Crockett moved to follow Sandy Stuller's advise;
seconded by Councilman Peters. Councilmembers Peters and Crockett
in favor; Councilman Tuite and Councilman Tuite opposed. Motion
NOT carried.
Councilman Tuite said if Council does not approve this, the Aspen
Club has a credit to build more up there.
Mayor Stirling moved to suspend the rules and meet for 15 more
minutes; seconded by Councilman Tuite. All in favor, with the
exception of Councilman Gassman. Motion carried.
REQUEST FOR DONATION - National Preservation Auction
Councilman Tuite moved to approve a $200 donation to the National
Preservation Auction; seconded by Councilman Crockett. All in
favor, motion carried.
RESOLUTION #34, SERIES OF 1989 - Intergovernmental Agreement -
Housing Authority
Fred Gannett, city attorney's office, said this is a rewrite of the
1988 amendment to the housing authority agreement to clean up all
the issues of the various agreements. Gannett told Council there
is a critical deadline in this as the funding for Meadowood is
dependent on getting this agreement adopted. Doug Allen, housing
authority, told Council this agreement will only be effective until
the end of 1989. Allen said Council can make changes for a new
agreement to start in 1990. Mayor Stirling suggested tabling this
19
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council September_11, 1989
until Council meets with the housing authority. Allen said the
housing authority has been operating under this agreement all year.
The bond counse~_ feels this is a gap that needs to be filled to get
the bonding done. It will only be in effect for 3 months. Gannett
said the finance department would like the agreement to spell out
who is responsible for the records and how to compensate for that.
Gannett agreed this will get the housing authority through the next
3 months.
Councilman Tuite moved to approve resolution #34, Series of 1989;
seconded by Councilman Crockett. All in favor, motion carried.
Council adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
/~~' ,/
Kathryn S~' Koch, City Clerk
(J
20