HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19970414Aspen City Council Regular Meeting April 14, 1997
Mayor Bennett called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. with Councilmembers
Paulson, Waggaman, Marolt and Richards present.
PROCLAMATION
- Week of the Young Child
Mayor Bennett and Council proclaimed April 13 through 19 as Week of the Young
Child and urged all citizens to recognize and support the needs of young children in
Aspen’s community.
Virginia Newton and Meg Berglund of Kid’s First, Shirley Ritter, Little Red School,
accepted the proclamation and presented a list of activities that will celebrate the
week of the young child. There is a parade of children through town Wednesday,
April 16th.
PROCLAMATION
- National Telecommunicators Week
Mayor Bennett and Council proclaimed April 13 through 19 as National
Telecommunicators Week and urged all citizens to support their 911 dispatchers.
Ginny Bultman, Pitkin County Communications Center, accepted the proclamation
on behalf of dispatchers for law enforcement, ambulance, fire throughout the valley.
PROCLAMATION
- Child Protection Awareness Week
Pat Hall, Pitkin County social services, presented Council and staff with dolls telling
stories of children in Pitkin County. These dolls are to focus on the needs of
children. This event is occurring throughout the state.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
1. Rebecca Schickling, parks department, told Council the city has been given a
$60,000 GOCO grant towards the pedestrian bridge connecting the Moore and
Iselin properties to Buttermilk. John Wilkinson, state trails board district 3, told
Council there were 73 applications for this trails money and Rebecca and the Aspen
Park Department are to be congratulated.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
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Aspen City Council Regular Meeting April 14, 1997
1. Amy Margerum, city manager, reminded Council there is a charette for the
Independence Place on Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m.
2. Amy Margerum, city manager, requested an executive session to discussion
potential litigation.
Councilwoman Richards moved to add an executive session for the purpose of
discussion potential litigation to the end of this meeting; seconded by Councilman
Paulson. All in favor, motion carried.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilwoman Richards moved to adopt the consent calendar; seconded by
Councilman Paulson. The consent calendar is:
Minutes - March 24, 1997
Resolution #27, 1997 - Contract - Golf Course Remodel Phase I
Gasboy Purchase Approval Resolution #26, 1997 - Hunter Creek Route Vehicle
Selection
Resolution #25, 1997 - Service Changes for RFTA Airport Shuttle
Resolution #24, 1997 - Polling Places for May Election
Resolution #23, 1997 - Deputy Municipal Judge/Stephen Ehrlich
All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #9, 1997
Cap’s Property Commercial GMQS Extension
Mitch Haas, community development department, told Council in 1994, Cap’s was
granted a GMQS allotment for 810 net leaseable commercial square footage. The
application expired in January 1997. Council also granted approval for 2 affordable
housing units as well as vested rights. These expired in February 1997. The
applicant has submitted a request for a 6 month extension of these approvals. In the
past, Council has approved GMQS extensions if they receive the application before
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Aspen City Council Regular Meeting April 14, 1997
the expiration date of the approvals. In this case there are two sets of expiration
dates; the allotment of commercial space and the vested rights.
Haas noted payment of a water service line extension as an additional issue. The
water department upgraded service to this building with a 4 inch water service line.
This was put in during some work on Mill street to avoid tearing up the street at a
later date. The upgraded water service is the responsibility of the developer. This
$7800 should be paid within 2 weeks of any final approval of the extension request.
Haas recommended approval of this ordinance which grants extension of the
allotment for the commercial square footage to August 28, 1997 and exemption for
the 2 affordable housing units and denial of the extension of vested rights.
Stone Davis, applicant, told Council he does not object to paying the $7800 for the
water service line. Davis said he thought the vested rights and GMQS allotment
went together. Davis said he is having plans drawn this month for the building and
would like to keep the vested rights. Davis said he would like the architect to
proceed under the old land use code.
John Worcester, city attorney, pointed out Council does not approve extensions of
vested rights very often. The two exceptions have been when it is in the best
interest of the city and when the applicants were involved in a lawsuit. Worcester
said vested right is to balance the interests of the developers so they have some
reliance on the codes and the interests of the city to make sure amendments to the
code get implemented.
Mayor Bennett opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor
Bennett closed the public hearing.
Councilwoman Waggaman said she feels the applicant has acted in good faith;
however, she does not want to create any precedents for other applicants. Amy
Margerum, city manager, pointed out the developer will not lose any land use
approvals only the availability to develop under the then land use code. Ms.
Margerum noted the city has not made changes to the commercial core district so
that the laws should be pretty much the same as when the project was first
presented. Mayor Bennett said he supports extension of the development rights and
does not think the vested rights are important to this property. Councilwoman
Richards said she does not want to get into setting precedents with approving vested
rights extensions.
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Aspen City Council Regular Meeting April 14, 1997
Councilwoman Richards moved to adopt Ordinance #9, Series of 1997, on second
reading which grants the extension of 810 square feet of net leasable and GMQS
exemption for 2 on-site affordable housing units, and denies the request for vested
rights; seconded by Councilman Paulson. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Paulson,
yes; Richards, yes; Marolt, yes; Waggaman, yes; Mayor Bennett, yes. Motion
carried.
ORDINANCE #42, SERIES OF 1997
- Kastelic Property - WinWin LLC Vested
Rights Extension
Councilwoman Richards moved to continue this to July 14, 1997; seconded by
Councilman Paulson. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #10, SERIES OF 1997
- Silver Lining Ranch Annexation
John Worcester, city attorney, told Council there are no outstanding issues in this
annexation. This has gone through 2 resolutions and there is compliance with the
state statutes.
Mayor Bennett opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor
Bennett closed the public hearing.
Councilman Paulson moved to adopt Ordinance #10, Series of 1997, on second
reading; seconded by Councilwoman Richards. Roll call vote; Councilmembers
Waggaman, yes; Richards, yes; Paulson, yes; Marolt, yes; Mayor Bennett, yes.
Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #11, SERIES OF 1997
- Silver Lining Ranch, Rezoning, GMQS
Exemption, SPA approval
Mitch Haas, community development department, told Council this request is to
rezone the property annexed in Ordinance #10. The proposed zoning is academic
and conservation with an SPA overlay. This will enable the applicants to create a
permanent home for Kids Stuff foundation, a non-profit foundation that brings
groups of children with life threatening diseases to Aspen. The facility will contain
education rooms, housing, dining and recreation areas.
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Aspen City Council Regular Meeting April 14, 1997
Haas told Council P & Z reviewed this twice in March and granted final approval
for the conditional use and 8040 greenline and stream margin review. P & Z also
recommended Council approve the SPA with dimensional requirements and
conditions. Haas pointed out where the academic portion of the property, which
will contains most of the development, is and where the conservation zone is. The
conversation zone is the lower bench and contains floodplain and riparian habitat.
The conservation land will have stable and a swimming pool; other than that, it will
be maintained in it’s natural state. The SPA will cover both zones. Staff feels the
SPA will give flexibility and allow for multiple uses on the property.
Haas said the GMQS exemption is required for the on-site housing. Staff and P & Z
agree this proposal meets a requirement for exemption under essential public
facilities associated with a non-profit group.
Andrea Jaeger, applicant, told Council she has been running the Kids Stuff
Foundation programs through hotels in town. The Benedicts have donated property
for this ranch. David Brown, architect, showed Council the site plans and rendering
of the project. Brown told Council they have tried to keep the building on the upper
bench. The parking and entrance will be off Ute Avenue. The applicants have
made representations they will enforce a van system and will be using that to
minimize traffic. Brown said they are willing to comply with the P & Z conditions.
This is essentially a big house with a living room and dining room. There will be 20
kids at a time with at least 3 staff dwelling on project.
Alan Richman said one of the condition is the applicant enter into an SPA
agreement. Richman suggested the application and P & Z resolution could serve as
that agreement. Richman said the applicants cannot get a building permit without
meeting the conditions of the P & Z resolution. John Worcester, city attorney,
volunteered to draft the SPA agreement as it is a condition of approval and should
be met.
Mayor Bennett opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor
Bennett closed the public hearing.
Councilwoman Richards said she is supportive of this project. Councilwoman
Richards asked how the exemption from GMQS fits into the allotments. Clauson
said this will not come out of the exemption pool; it is a Council exemption based
on being an essential public facility. Councilwoman Richards said she appreciates
this project not being asked to be exempt from the affordable housing requirements.
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Aspen City Council Regular Meeting April 14, 1997
Councilwoman Richards asked about the comments from the parks department
regarding the Nordic trail and the corral. Haas said the conditions were part of the P
& Z stream margin and 8040 greenline reviews.
Councilwoman Richards asked if there will be a sidewalk. Richman said they are
required to join a sidewalk district. They will pave the driveway and turn around
and will coordinate the access with the fire department. They do not plan to do
anything to change the character of the cul-de-sac. Haas noted a P & Z condition is
to look at the parking and PM 10 again in a year.
Councilwoman Richards asked if the building has been reviewed under the design
review standards. David Brown, architect, noted from the street one will be looking
at the narrow end of the building. The mass is broken up from that vantage. There
is a covered porch all around the building. Haas pointed out this is right next to the
Aspen Club, which is a very large building.
Councilwoman Waggaman asked about the trail easement along the river. Haas
said the parks department does not want a trail easement along the river; the master
plan calls for it on the adjacent property. If the trail needs to be relocated, there is a
temporary easement along the property. Brown said the river trail just misses this
property. Councilwoman Waggaman said she is concerned about Ute avenue and
the traffic generated by this project. Haas noted Ute avenue is closed beyond this
project. Richman said the access to the other lots in Stillwater subdivision will be
off Highway 82. One lot will be open space. Councilwoman Waggaman asked
about development on the mountain side of Ute avenue. Haas said there is not much
development left on that side.
Councilwoman Waggaman asked about any mitigation for the construction of this
project this summer. Brown said they plan on fabricating the wall panels off site
which cuts down construction time. Councilwoman Waggaman said she would like
them to emphasize workers car pooling. Councilman Marolt said the neighbors on
Ute avenue were very vocal about traffic to the Aspen Club. Councilman Marolt
asked about the traffic management for this project. Haas said the children at the
facility will be required to use the van pool service. Ms. Jaeger told Council this
facility will not run every week. There will be about 14 sessions. People are not
constantly driving up and down Ute avenue; a lot of activity will take place on the
Ranch. Ms. Jaeger said the point is for the ranch to fit into what Aspen is. Ms.
Jaeger said the safety of the children on Ute avenue is important. Ms. Jaeger said
the concerns is for kids to have a good time for a moment in their life. Ms. Jaeger
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Aspen City Council Regular Meeting April 14, 1997
said complaints will do nothing for the program she is trying to establish. Ms.
Jaeger told Council they sent letters to all the neighbors and asked for their
thoughts.
Ms. Jaeger told Council only medical organizations will have use of this facility
when it is not in use for the children; this is not a free for all. The Kids Stuff
foundation offices will be there; there are 3 year round employees. Richman told
Council there have been 3 public hearings on this and there has been almost no
opposition. Ms. Jaeger reiterated there will only be 20 children per session. The
Aspen Club has hundreds of participants a day. Councilman Marolt said this could
change into some other use. Richman pointed it this is a conditional use and they do
not have the right to do whatever they want on this property.
Councilman Paulson asked if Nordic skiing will be party of the program. Ms.
Jaeger said it will be when the ranch is complete and the children can exercise close
to their quarters. Mayor Bennett said when Council reviewed the Aspen Club,
Council heard from dozens and dozens of citizens. Mayor Bennett said he has not
received any negative comments about this project. Mayor Bennett said he does not
want to limit the numbers of children that might take advantage of the ranch.
Councilwoman Richards moved to adopt Ordinance #11, Series of 1997, on second
reading; seconded by Councilman Paulson. Roll call vote; Councilmembers
Richards, yes; Paulson, yes; Marolt, yes; Waggaman, yes; Mayor Bennett, yes.
Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #13, SERIES OF 1997
- Puppy Smith Street Vacation
John Worcester, city attorney, told Council this vacation request is for that portion
of Puppy Smith street that is within ACES. Tom Cardamone, ACES director, told
Council this street has been under their control for years. Cardamone said the city
would like easements for utilities, which is fine. Worcester noted the map attached
to the ordinance lacks detail showing how the vacated street will go to the abutting
property owners. Cardamone said the Given Institute owns 40 feet on the southwest
corner. Cardamone said the map indicates this vacation would go right through the
pillar. Cardamone requested getting an additional 10 feet so the pillars are on the
ACES property.
Mayor Bennett opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor
Bennett closed the public hearing..
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Aspen City Council Regular Meeting April 14, 1997
Councilwoman Richards requested staff look at the Given Institute trail down to the
ACES property. Cardamone said this exists as a pedestrian right-o-way bur it
would be nice to get it cleaned up.
Councilman Paulson moved to adopt Ordinance #13, Series of 1997, on second
reading; seconded by Councilwoman Richards. Roll call vote; Councilmembers
Paulson, yes; Waggaman, yes; Marolt, yes; Richards, yes; Mayor Bennett, yes.
Motion carried.
RESOLUTION #22, SERIES OF 1997
- Colorado Riff Raft Temporary Use
Permit
Chris Bendon, community development department, told Council L. J. Erspamer is
requesting a temporary use permit for storage of raft equipment and vehicles on
Lawn street. Bendon said they have been using this for the last 2 summers. The
city has received no complaints and has letters of support from neighboring property
owners. Bendon said staff recommends approval of this with the 9 conditions listed
in the resolution. Tim Whitsitt, representing the applicant, said this raft company
has been in business for 20 years. Colorado Riff Raft has a good relationship with
the Ski Company.
Mayor Bennett opened the public hearing. There were no comments. Mayor
Bennett closed the public hearing.
Councilwoman Richards moved to approve Resolution #22, Series of 1997;
seconded by Councilwoman Waggaman. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilwoman Richards moved to go into executive session for the purpose of
discussing potential litigation; seconded by Councilman Marolt. All in favor,
motion carried. Council went into executive session at 6:55 p.m.
Councilwoman Richards moved to come out of executive session at 8:20 p.m.;
seconded by Councilman Paulson. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilwoman Waggaman moved to adjourn at 8:20 p.m.; seconded by
Councilwoman Richards. All in favor, motion carried.
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Aspen City Council Regular Meeting April 14, 1997
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk
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Aspen City Council Regular Meeting April 14, 1997
PROCLAMATION - Week of the Young Child ................................ ...................... 1
PROCLAMATION - National Telecommunicators Week ................................ ....... 1
PROCLAMATION - Child Protection Awareness Week ................................ ......... 1
CITIZEN COMMENTS ................................ ................................ .......................... 1
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS ................................ ................................ ....... 1
CONSENT CALENDAR ................................ ................................ ........................ 2
Minutes - March 24, 1997 ................................ ................................ ................... 2
Resolution #27, 1997 - Contract - Golf Course Remodel Phase I ......................... 2
Gasboy Purchase Approval Resolution #26, 1997 - Hunter Creek Route Vehicle
Selection ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 2
Resolution #25, 1997 - Service Changes for RFTA Airport Shuttle ...................... 2
Resolution #24, 1997 - Polling Places for May Election ................................ ....... 2
Resolution #23, 1997 - Deputy Municipal Judge/Stephen Ehrlich ....................... 2
ORDINANCE #9, 1997 Cap’s Property Commercial GMQS Extension .................. 2
ORDINANCE #42, SERIES OF 1997 - Kastelic Property - WinWin LLC Vested
Rights Extension ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 4
ORDINANCE #10, SERIES OF 1997 - Silver Lining Ranch Annexation ................ 4
ORDINANCE #11, SERIES OF 1997 - Silver Lining Ranch, Rezoning, GMQS
Exemption, SPA approval ................................ ................................ ........................ 4
ORDINANCE #13, SERIES OF 1997 - Puppy Smith Street Vacation ..................... 7
RESOLUTION #22, SERIES OF 1997 - Colorado Riff Raft Temporary Use Permit 8
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