HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19980824Aspen City Council Regular Meeting August 24, 1998
Mayor Pro Tem Richards called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. with
Councilmembers Vickery, Paulson and Markalunas present.
OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE BONUS AWARD
Mayor Pro Tem Richards, Council and City Manager Amy Margerum presented an
outstanding employee bonus award to Lee Ledesma, Water Department.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
1. Katharine Thalberg stated she is very concerned about bears being killed by
law officers and by cars. Ms. Thalberg said why wait until a human is killed by a
bear before taking effective action. The contributing factors to bear attacks are
habituation, food and protection of cubs. Ms. Thalberg pointed out all 3 of these
factors are currently relevant to the bear population that has been hanging around
Aspen. Food is what has brought the bears to town. The city has asked people to
make their trash containers bear-proof. Ms. Thalberg said the drawbacks are there
will never be a high enough percentage of compliance and the bears will still be able
to smell the garbage.
Ms. Thalberg proposed that the city take on the job of trash pickup and pick it up
every day. The city must also pass a strictly enforced ordinance to forbid putting
out any garbage the night before. Amy Margerum, city manager, said the staff is
researching the ability to take over trash pick up or to issue a franchise in order to
better coordinate noise, traffic, and to work on the bear problem. John Worcester,
city attorney said there is a trash ordinance scheduled for September 28; however, it
is not as radical as requiring city pick up or pick up 7 days a week. the ordinance
can prohibit putting trash out the night before. Mayor Pro Tem Richards suggested
working on this with ACES, staff, trash companies. Councilman Vickery said the
city should also look into other types of containers that may be available.
2. Sam Houston told Council he is currently under construction at the Isis
theatre. In order to preserve the historic facade, the building has been braced up
with I-beams. These braces require the construction trailer be pushed into the
sidewalk and the covered walkway into the street. Houston said he has recently
learned the use of the parking spaces has to be paid for. Houston said this may
amount to $8,000 for the length of construction. Houston said the economics of
preserving this theatre are hard and there is little room in the budget for things like
this. Houston requested Council approve waiving this parking charge. Mayor Pro
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Aspen City Council Regular Meeting August 24, 1998
Tem Richards said she is sympathetic; however, she is concerned about the
precedent of waiving fees. Mayor Pro Tem Richards said this is a historic
preservation which has required bracing. Randy Ready, assistant city manager,
pointed out there is a lot of remodeling in the commercial core and all construction
jobs are required to pay for parking spaces. Mayor Pro Tem Richards said she is
not prepared to take action on this request without hearing from staff. Houston can
wait until the special meeting September 3 or the next Council agenda, September
28.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
1. Councilman Vickery said he watched the video tape of the HPC meeting on
the expansion of the music tent. Councilman Vickery said all 3 architects appointed
to HPC were not present. Councilman Vickery said he passed the tape on to one
architect/member and hopes the others will watch the tape before P & Z considers
the expansion of the music tent.
2. Mayor Pro Tem Richards requested Council add the P & Z appointments to
the Board appointments on the consent calendar. The HPC appointments will be
made in September after the interviews are completed.
Councilman Vickery moved to add the appointments of Ron Erickson, Robert
Blaich and Steven Buettow as regular members and Timothy Semrau as an alternate
to P & Z; seconded by Councilman Paulson. All in favor, motion carried.
3. City Manager Amy Margerum told Council P & Z will be considering the
music tent expansion on Tuesday, September 22 at 4:30 p.m. This is a public
hearing. Council is encouraged to attend that P & Z meeting to have more dialogue
early on in the process. The HPC could also be included.
4. City Manager Margerum reminded Council they try and meet annually with
Boards and Commissions. The following meetings have been scheduled; lunch with
P & Z September 8; breakfast with CCLC September 10 at 8:30 and Wheeler Opera
House board 4 p.m. on September 9.
Ms. Margerum told Council they also need to schedule a special meeting to consider
ballot language. Council scheduled this for September 3 at 5 p.m.
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Aspen City Council Regular Meeting August 24, 1998
5. City Manager Margerum asked Council add to the consent calendar a request
for funds; $1,000 from contingency for Sister Cities to bring Maurice Herzog to
Aspen to prepare for the Chamonix conference.
CONSENT CALENDAR
John Worcester, city attorney, noted Resolution #61 has been changed to have Art
Daily appointed as temporary municipal judge for two dates in order to perform two
different marriage ceremonies.
Councilman Markalunas moved to approve amended Resolution #61, Series of
1998; seconded by Councilman Paulson. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Vickery said for second reading of Ordinance #36, he would like a
report from Dave Tolen on where the budget is on this project, the schedule, how
the project is going.
Councilman Paulson moved to read Ordinance #36, Series of 1998; seconded by
Councilman Vickery. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE N0. 36
(SERIES OF 1998)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE ASPEN CITY COUNCIL APPROVING A
SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE APPROVED PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT, SUBDIVISION, AND REZONING OF THE ASPEN
COUNTRY INN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT, 38996 HIGHWAY 82,
CITY OF ASPEN, PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO.
Councilman Markalunas moved to adopt the consent calendar as amended;
seconded by Councilman Paulson. The consent calendar is:
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Aspen City Council Regular Meeting August 24, 1998
·
Resolution #61, 1998 - Temporary Municipal Judge/Arthur C. Daily
·
Resolution #62, 1998 - US West Contract - Telephone Service
·
Ordinance #36, 1998 - Aspen Country Inn AH, PUD Amendment
·
Resolution #63, 1998 - Contract - Removal of Aspen Mountain Water Tank
·
Board Appointments
CCLC
- Bill Dinsmoor, Jon Busch, Don Swales and John Starr
regular members
Liquor Authority
- Gary Esary, Bill Murphy and Peter Helburn
Board of Adjustment
- Jim Iglehart, David Schott
Clean Air Board
- Jim Wolf
Kid’s First
- Rachel McCauley
·
Request for Funds/ Water Infrastructure Snyder and Aene Court
·
Request for Funds - Sister Cities $1000
·
Minutes - July 13, August 13, 1998
All in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Vickery moved to continue Ordinances #20 and 32, Series of 1998, to
September 28; seconded by Councilman Paulson. Councilman Vickery pointed out
Ordinance #20 has been going on for several months and this hearing should be re-
noticed and re-posted.
Roll call vote; Councilmembers Paulson, yes; Markalunas, yes; Vickery, yes; Mayor
Pro Tem Richards, yes. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #27, SERIES OF 1998
- Amendment to North Spruce Street Water
Service Agreement
Stan Clauson, community development director, told Council this property was not
in the water agreement and ordinance initially passed for North Spruce street. This
parcel is 63,031 square feet and went through the County 1041 review. In the
county 1041 review, one does not have to present any design or building at the time
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Aspen City Council Regular Meeting August 24, 1998
of review. The city’s 8040 greenline review requires an actual structure and deals
with the aesthetics of the site. Clauson told Council staff met with the applicant,
who is amenable to the condition of 8040 and Ordinance #30 reviews. The
annexation and rezoning of this property to R-30 will reduce the development
potential. In the county, a structure on this parcel would be 15,000 square feet. If
the property were annexed and rezoned to R-30, it would allow for a 6,000 square
foot house, which is more in line with the city. The applicant agrees to this plan but
does not want the provision of water to be contingent on actual annexation. The
planning staff recommends approval with the conditions in the staff memorandum
Councilman Vickery asked if by providing water service to this property, does it
encourage development of the surrounding properties. Phil Overenyder, water
department, said the 3 additional lots already have a water extension agreement with
the city.
Mayor Pro Tem Richards opened the public hearing. There were no comments.
Mayor Pro Tem Richards closed the public hearing.
Councilman Paulson moved to adopt Ordinance #27, Series of 1998, on second
reading; seconded by Councilman Vickery. Roll call vote; Councilmembers
Vickery, yes; Paulson, yes; Markalunas, yes; Mayor Pro Tem Richards, yes.
Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #33, SERIES OF 1998
- Lodge Preservation Special Review
Stan Clauson, community development department, told Council this would allow
the P & Z to look at individual small lodge lots and provide special review and
consider variances for non-conformities that will enhance the ability of small lodges
to redevelop. Chris Bendon, community development department, told Council the
LP (lodge/preservation) zone sets forth dimensional requirements. This code
amendment allows an owner to request variations in the special review process,
which is not like other zone districts in the city. Small lodges have non-
conformities, which can be maintained but this restricts their redevelopment. Some
lodge owners and P & Z requested staff look into creating more flexibility. Bendon
said one suggestion was to use a PUD which is better suited to subdivision or larger
properties, and is a lengthier and more expensive process. This code amendment
would allow the applicant to present to P & Z a better overall design, a design that
would be more compatible with the property but may not fit the exact dimensional
requirements.
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Aspen City Council Regular Meeting August 24, 1998
Mayor Pro Tem Richards said her concern is that redevelopment of lodge properties
should not be allowed to vary the dimensional of the underlying zone.
Bendon said this would apply only if the redevelopment of the property were as a
lodge; if it were anything else, the project would have to meet the underlying zone
district requirements. Mayor Pro Tem Richards said she is concerned about the
review being P & Z only and not Council. Bendon said staff is trying to find an
appropriate process for this type of development. Bendon said special review is not
a public hearing and the PUD process is quite involved. Staff is trying to work
within existing city processes. Mayor Pro Tem Richards pointed out existing small
lodges are either in residential areas or on Main street and will have significant
impact on neighbors. It seems to be more appropriate to have a modified special
review with notice, public hearing, and a final decision by Council.
John Worcester, city attorney, reminded Council staff has been working on code
simplification and the processes that applicants have to go through. This would add
another section of special review. Councilman Markalunas agreed there should be
at least notice requirement, if not public hearing.
Mayor Pro Tem Richards opened the public hearing.
Curt Sanders, representing the Hotel Jerome, told Council they have been working
with staff with redeveloping the Cortina Lodge in mind. Sanders said the Cortina is
in the O, office, zone with an HP overlay on 6,000 square feet. The Cortina has 15
units of about 230 square feet. The Hotel Jerome would like to increase density and
upgrade the units. Sanders said there is not a lot of incentive to upgrade and
redevelop the units without a code amendment to allow more flexibility and an
increase in density.
Ms. Margerum said this ordinance should be clarified so that it is clear the only
properties to which this applies is LP overlay that want to redevelop. Mayor Pro
Tem Richards said this ordinance should include some type of public notice and
public meeting. Clauson suggested an amendment to the code that when a project is
not having a public hearing before a city board, one would then be required.
Mayor Pro Tem Richards closed the public hearing.
Councilman Vickery said he feels lodge preservation is very complicated and any
development should be at Council level. Mayor Pro Tem Richards said she would
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Aspen City Council Regular Meeting August 24, 1998
like to know more about the potentials of varying the underlying zoning for lodge
properties. Mayor Pro Tem Richards said if this can be amended by the special
meeting September 3, Council could consider it then; otherwise it should wait until
the ordinance is more comprehensive.
Councilman Vickery moved to continue Ordinance #33, Series of 1998, to
September 3; seconded by Councilman Paulson.
Councilman Vickery said currently one has to complete HPC before they can
schedule at P & Z and to streamline the process, the reviews might be reorganized
to happen more simultaneously.
All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #34, SERIES OF 1998
- Code Amendment Wireless
Telecommunications
Mitch Haas, community development department, told Council this code
amendment regulates the development and maintenance of wireless
telecommunication services facilities and equipment. Haas said this complies with
the Federal Communications Act. The city’s code does not address these type of
facilities and this amendment would ensure that facilities are designed to provide
operation and protect the safety and character of the town. Haas told Council he
had people in the industry look over this ordinance and make suggestions.
Mayor Pro Tem Richards opened the public hearing. There were no comments.
Mayor Pro Tem Richards closed the public hearing.
Councilman Paulson moved to adopt Ordinance #34, Series of 1998, on second
reading; seconded by Councilman Vickery. Roll call vote; Councilmembers
Vickery, yes; Markalunas, yes; Paulson, yes; Mayor Pro Tem Richards, yes.
Motion carried
RESOLUTION #64, SERIES OF 1998
- Calling Special Election November 1998
John Worcester, city attorney, said this will call a special election as there is an
initiative petition begin circulated. If enough signatures are collected, Council may
adopt the ordinance or refer it to the electorate. Council has to call a special
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Aspen City Council Regular Meeting August 24, 1998
election at least 60 days before the election and this is the last regular meeting at
which to do that.
Councilman Vickery moved to approve Resolution #64, Series of 1998; seconded
by Councilman Markalunas. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Markalunas moved to authorize City Attorney Worcester to file a brief
before the Colorado Supreme Court in the Telluride affordable housing case;
seconded by Councilman Paulson. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Paulson moved to go into executive session to discuss acquisition of
property at 7:05 p.m.; seconded by Councilman Vickery. All in favor, motion
carried.
Councilman Markalunas moved to come out of executive session at 8:25 p.m.;
seconded by Councilman Paulson. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Markalunas moved to adjourn at 8:25 p.m.; seconded by Mayor Pro
Tem Richards. All in favor, motion carried.
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk
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Aspen City Council Regular Meeting August 24, 1998
OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE BONUS AWARD ................................ ................. 1
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION ................................ ................................ ................... 1
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS ................................ ................................ ....... 2
CONSENT CALENDAR ................................ ................................ ........................ 3
Resolution #61, 1998 - Temporary Municipal Judge/Arthur C. Daily ................... 4
Resolution #62, 1998 - US West Contract - Telephone Service ........................... 4
Ordinance #36, 1998 - Aspen Country Inn AH, PUD Amendment ....................... 4
Resolution #63, 1998 - Contract - Removal of Aspen Mountain Water Tank ...... 4
Board Appointments ................................ ................................ ............................ 4
Request for Funds/ Water Infrastructure Snyder and Aene Court ......................... 4
Request for Funds - Sister Cities $1000 ................................ ............................... 4
Minutes - July 13, August 13, 1998 ................................ ................................ ..... 4
ORDINANCE #27, SERIES OF 1998 - Amendment to North Spruce Street Water
Service Agreement ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 4
ORDINANCE #33, SERIES OF 1998 - Lodge Preservation Special Review .......... 5
ORDINANCE #34, SERIES OF 1998 - Code Amendment Wireless
Telecommunications ................................ ................................ ................................ 7
RESOLUTION #64, SERIES OF 1998 - Calling Special Election November 1998 . 7
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