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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09_DESIGN_GUIDELINES9.1Design Guidelines design guidelines section 9 9.2 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission Introduction This section should be read in conjunction with Section 12, which contains the legal documents setting up the Stage Road Design Association as the entity responsible for design approval for Bar/ X Ranch and the Stage Road Subdivision/PUD. These documents empower an Architectural Control Committee to approve or deny submitted designs. This Section 9 contains the Design Guidelines, the procedures for approval and construction, and the list of approved plant specimens for landscape work. These design guidelines are focused on residential construction on the Bar/X Ranch and the free market lots. They do, however, also govern construction of non-residential buildings on the ranch, and in the Cultural Use Area. Some of the guidelines may may be less relevant or not relevant to non-residential construction on these other sites; the Architectural Control Committee will exercise its discretion in applying these guidelines to non-residential construction. 9.3Design Guidelines the design guidelines: part 1 an overview section 9.1 9.4 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission There are many reasons for regulating various aspects of development - regulation of the design and construction of buildings, of utility infrastructure, and of the alteration of the natural landscape. Substantial regulation of development is already exercised by federal, state, and local governments on the basis of public health and safety, and protection of the environment, and wildlife. In regard to Stage Road Subdivision, the federal government exercises regulation through the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Environmental Protection Act, and many other pieces of legislation. The State of Colorado exercises regulation in regard to potable water standards, wastewater treatment standards, effects on wildlife, suitability of soils and geology, etc. The City of Aspen exercises regulation through its Land Use Code, Efficient Building Ordinance and the Uniform Building Code. With all these layers of regulation and control already in place, why have the developers of Stage Road Subdivision chosen to impose even more regulation? The reason is to protect and enhance the investment of lot purchasers and homebuilders by insisting on a consistent high quality of architectural design, construction and landscaping, and by maximizing the privacy of homesites. This provides a mutual benefit to all homeowners in Stage Road Subdivision. The legal basis for this Design Review is to be found in the Declaration of Architectural Restrictions for Stage Road Subdivision, which may be found in Appendix A of this Manual for easy reference. Please note that the General Declaration for Stage Road Subdivision may contain restrictions and obligations affecting construction of buildings and site improvements that are not covered in this manual. In the event of ambiguity, the Declaration of Architectural Restrictions for Stage Road Subdivision will control. In order to keep the Design Guidelines as simple and understandable as possible, we have divided them into two sections; The 12 Design Strategies and Design Approval Procedures . Design Strategies There are twelve basic strategies, some of which have sub-strategies attached. They have been arranged roughly in order of priority in order to give guidance to applicants. All, however, are regarded as important. We do not seek to apply a particular “style” of architecture in the way that that term is generally used; we intend instead to encourage creative design so long as the impacts of development, visual and otherwise, on the balance of the -/X Ranch, on our neighbors on adjoining properties, and on the environment and wildlife are minimized. Procedures The procedures start with an informal on-site conference prior to any submission being made. This includes members of the Architectural Control Committee, the lot owner, and the owner’s architect. The approval process has two stages - Sketch Plan and Final Plan - and there is also regulation of the construction itself - so as to minimize environmental damage and impacts upon neighbors. City of Aspen Land Use Code and other government regulation In addition to these Design Guidelines, building design and construction is regulated by other County, State and Federal regulatory agencies having jurisdiction. Of particular importance is the Aspen Efficient Building program, described in detail in Appendix B. The lot owner is, of course, responsible for ensuring conformance with all applicable regulations. introduction This introduction has been written as part of a “Design Manual” for Stage Road Subdivision/PUD that will inte- grate all the documents concerning design and construction within the subdivision. It has been included here because it provides an overview of the development rights for the free market lots and the design review process. 9.5Design Guidelines Development Rights The development rights attached to each lot have been determined in the annexation agreement between the Bar/X Ranch and the City of Aspen, and refined through the Planned Unit Development and Subdivision approval processes.  Construction: a house, caretaker unit and outbuildings  A landscaped garden  A natural garden  An easement for agricultural uses under the control of the Ranch (not on all lots) Subject to the Declaration and these Design Guidelines, you have complete control over, and exclusive use of, the buildings and the gardens, and you may have occasional use of the agricultural easement. Licensed Architects and Engineers The Architectural Control Committee requires that a licensed architect design any structure to be constructed or located within the subdivision. Use of an architect with experience of design in a high mountain climate is strongly encouraged. Colorado licensed engineers will be required for soils and geological studies, and for the structural design of all buildings and other substantial improvements. Sustainability We support development that is responsible in its use of resources and will contribute to a resource-efficient, conservative, sustainable lifestyle in this fragile environment. As a result we strongly encourage energy efficiency and water conservation and strongly discourage the use of old growth timber - whether local spruce, west coast redwoods, or rain forest hardwoods. Most local contractors are aware of these issues; please work closely with your architect and contractor to understand the source of the materials you use so that you can understand and feel positive about your use of the planet’s resources in building your home. Healthy Homes The ranch grows and raises food, is moving towards organic beef production, and has a strong interest in not allowing the use of potential chemical contaminants on the property. Materials and components used in construction come from factories all over the U.S. and abroad. Many chemicals with known or suspected human health risks are used in the manufacture of these materials and components. As a result the EPA now believes that environmental pollution within buildings is a significantly greater health risk than outdoor pollution; houses can be significant health hazards. However, there are more and more non-toxic construction materials available as the construction industry moves steadily towards green construction. And passive-solar high- mass buildings are also healthier because they allow more fresh air without increasing energy costs. Strategy 2 decribes our proposed green construction program which is tightly integrated with Aspen’s Efficient Building Program. In addition, the association will have the right to ban the use of materials or components which constitute a significant health risk. What can I build? Distinct portions of lots Typically, each lot consists of 4 distinct areas of land: Landscaped Garden Natural Garden Neighboring Lot and Homesite Neighboring Lot and Homesite Road Easement Agricultural Easement House Footprint Berm Berm Main House You can build a Main House of up to 7,500 square feet. This may be increased to 10,000 square feet with purchase of a Transferable Development Right (TDR). Purchase of Transferable Development 9.6 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission 1. As determined by the City Land Use code provisions in existence on June 1, 2000, included here as Section 29 “The Prean- nexation Agreement”, Exhibit I. 2. The Aspen Land Use Code requirements for ADUs in existence on June 1, 2000, are included here as Section 29, Exhibit J. 3. The tenant must qualify under the current Aspen/Pitkin County Housing Authority Guidelines. Applicants for design review are advised to obtain current guidelines before submitting their application. 4. The approved species list appears as Section 9.4 on page 9.33. Design control and review The design of the Main House, the Caretaker Unit, the outbuildings, and the garden are subject to design review by the Association, as described in this document. Maroon Creek Viewplane In order to protect wildlife in the Maroon Creek Canyon from impacts, Applicant and City Council agreed to limit visibility of buildings from the floor of the Canyon in its narrowest section. This restriction is described by analysis of viewplanes on the Subdivision Plat, and only effects the design of buildings on lots 7,8,9,10 and 11. Fencing Fencing, where it is allowed, must be of a design approved by the Colorado Division of Wildlife as consistent with ranch operations and the free movement of wildlife. The Ranch is responsible for the fencing of the agricultural easements. Irrigation water The Ranch provides irrigation water to the Association for use on private gardens. The Association and the Ranch work closely together to irrigate these areas in a comprehensive manner, using a traditional system of open ditches and sets. In addition, you may irrigate up to 10,000 square feet of your landscaped garden, including trees, with drip or sprinkler irrigation, using the municipal water supply provided to your house. Municipal water can also be used for swimming pools. Plants & Weeds The whole of Colorado is fighting a battle to prevent weeds from displacing indigenous vegetation. Because of the sensitivity of the Maroon Creek Conservation Area and the Ranch meadows to weed infestation, you may only plant your garden with approved species of trees, shrubs, flowering plants and grasses4. However, all indigenous species of trees, shrubs, and plants that are not weeds are allowed, so the range of choice is great. Rights takes place through Pitkin County. In the event that TDR’s are not available for purchase after a reasonable effort is made to do so, or the City Council rejects a specific TDR proposed for use by the lot owner, a payment-in-lieu may be made to the City’s Open Space Fund. Determination of square footage All floor areas are measured using the City of Aspen floor area regulations for square footage inclusions and exclusions1. Caretaker Unit At the same time you build your Main House, you must also either build a Caretaker Unit of 600 to 1,000 square feet, or be relieved of this obligation by purchasing a TDR from Pitkin County or making a payment in lieu. This caretaker unit is technically called an Accessory Dwelling Unit or ADU2. You have the right to select a tenant3, and you can even leave the unit unoccupied. The ADU may be architecturally integrated into the Main House or may be a separate structure. If the ADU is occupied by a person or persons offering paid services to the households in the subdivision, you will receive a discount on Homeowners Association dues in recognition of the contribution to reducing subdivision traffic. Landscaped Garden You have the right to develop a landscaped garden extending from the exterior perimeter of your buildings to the lesser of:  a distance of 100 feet  to within 15 feet of your lot boundary  to within 5 feet of the boundary of the agricultural easement The size and location of your garden is therefore dependent on the design and layout of your build- ings. 9.7Design Guidelines the design guidelines: part 2 the 12 design strategies section 9.2 9.8 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission visual neighborliness The Bar/X Ranch has spectacular views. We believe that everyone purchasing a lot would prefer to enjoy those views without seeing either their neighbors' houses or their lights. If this could be totally achieved, life on the Ranch would be a truly rural experience, and homeowners could "own" their views and their visual privacy all the way to the horizon, not just to the lot boundary. 24 foot tree screens entire house 16 foot tree screens second floor in a second floor window sightlines for person standing Second Floor Sightlines 275 feet average distance between centers of homesites lot line First Floor Sightlines in a first floor window sightlines for person standing 20 foot tree screens entire house lot line 10 foot tree screens second floor 7 foot high berm completely screens the first floor 275 feet average distance between centers of homesites Like many things in life, this is easier said than done. We can limit height and exercise regulation in a number of other ways, but we also need owners’ cooperation. We hope that purchasers will enthusi- astically adopt this goal of visual privacy, and also understand that all homeowners in Bar/X Ranch must participate in this goal for it to be successful. We call this strategy "visual neighborliness". To understand visual neighborliness, it is necessary to analyze the sightlines between homesites. Of course, these sightlines are 'site specific' and vary between each homesite and its neighbors, but to explain the principle we have chosen an average situation where two houses are 275 feet apart on a flat surface, and then constructed the sightlines from both first and second floors. It is important to understand that in this big western landscape the views hardly change if your eyes are 10 or 15 feet higher up. Two story buildings therefore have very little advantage as far as views are concerned. The main device that we are proposing for visual neighborliness is berming and planting along the lot lines that separate homes from their immediate neighbors, as shown diagrammatically above. Of course, exactly where owners place their houses and their windows, and where particular views lie, will determine the height of berms and exact position and height of trees. This is something owners will have to work out with their architects and landscape architects, the goal being to end strategy 1: 9.9Design Guidelines up with a design that looks completely natural when completed. Initial berming and planting has been provided by Bar/X Ranch as part of the subdivision improvements. In some situations this may provide adequate screening, in other situations owners will wish to enhance it. Please appreciate that we have not taken the simple step of saying "You can only build single story buildings". We want to give everyone as much flexibility as possible to come up with cre- ative design ideas in seeking to meet this goal. Of course, it’s not just the height of a house that cre- ates visual impact, but bulk, color, reflectivity, and other qualities may be more impactful than height alone. Breaking up the bulk of a house (Strategy 3) and providing dark, non-reflective, simple, roof forms (Strategy 4) will also reduce impacts. Each lot and each homesite is different, with unique problems and opportunities. We hope that owners and their architects will embrace the idea of visual neighborliness, and so we place the burden on owners to justify, as part of their design approval submission to the homeowners association, that they are actively trying to reduce their impact on their neighbors. The three components of visual neighborliness that we regard as basic to our goals are: 1.1 berm and plant along lotlines Berm and plant along the lotlines between your- self and your neighbors, in areas where there is visibility between buildings, so as to substantially reduce the views of each other’s buildings while maintaining the distant views of the landscape. The minimum width of berming shall be 10 feet either side of the lotline. 1.2 30 foot height limitation The height of buildings, measured as the vertical distance from undisturbed grade to the highest point on the building, must not exceed 30 feet. It’s that simple - if you imagine the shape of the surface of the ground where you are going to build, and then lift that shape 30 feet vertically in the air, it becomes a surface that nothing on the building can penetrate, not even chimneys, plumbing vents or antennae. 1.3 one third up - two thirds down No more than one third of the total above grade square footage of a house may be on an upper floor, and the balance must be on the first floor. This will help give a generally low horizontal emphasis to houses, reducing visual impacts. This doesn’t prevent owners from building a very tall single story space like a great room, it just keeps the bulk of the useable floor area close to the ground where it is easier to screen out the sight of neighbors’ houses. Again, we must emphasize that these mandatory rules are made for the mutual benefit of homeown- ers and the protection of the property values they create by their construction. green construction Experience is showing that green construction programs are valued by purchasers and, particularly, help maintain resale values. For simplicity, our green construction program is based on the current Aspen/Pitkin County Efficient Building Program. This program, which is decribed in detail in Section 9.3 (following), requires that your construction achieve a certain number of points for the healthy nature of materials and building components used, and for not being wasteful in energy and resource use. To help lot owners in Stage Road Subdivision understand this program and acquire the necessary approvals, we have retained the services of Ecobuild, Inc., a leading Colorado consultant firm for green development. An initial 40 hours of consultant services by the Ecobuild team for each lot will be paid for by the developer, commencing at the time of the Pre-Application Conference. Lot owners wishing to continue this consultant relationship may do so at their own expense. strategy 2: 9.10 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission Homes and their outbuildings must present themselves as a cluster of small buildings rather than a single monolithic edifice in order that visual impacts between lots are minimized. Stables and Accessory Dwelling Units should generally be separated from the main house, subject to specific ACC approval. Consider clustering around a closed or open courtyard - this creates a great sun trap in the mountain climate, greatly extending the use of outdoor areas in winter, and reducing energy costs. Although Strategy 1 - Visual Neighborliness - protects the views between homesites, there are other areas on each Lot from which neighboring homes will be visible. Breaking the mass of a home into a cluster of small, interconnected buildings - a Homesite Cluster - will greatly reduce these impacts. Massive, monolithic buildings are more visible from other adjoining lots and are out of character with much traditional mountain architecture which is recessive in the landscape and shelters itself from the impacts of winter weather. So we require homes in the Stage Road Subdivision to appear as a cluster of small buildings as are commonly found in farms and small hamlets. Of course, the component buildings of these clusters should be interconnected as interior building space so that you never need to go outdoors to get from one part of your house to another. However, we encourage articulating these components in mass and architectural treatment as independent structural components. We also encourage the use of varying materials and architectural forms to add diversity to the components of a cluster, especially to its roofscape. strategy 3: make a homesite cluster Roof forms should be kept simple. Flat roofs and shed roofs are not allowed on the central or dominant structure of a homesite cluster, but only on subsidiary structures. Dormers are not allowed unless it can be shown by sightline analysis that they do not impinge on the privacy of neighboring lots. Roof surfaces should be very dark and non- reflective. Materials permitted are matt enameled metal, ungalvanized steel (pre-rusted prior to installation), natural dark slate, and dark, matt concrete tile. Wood shakes are not allowed, because of high maintenance cost in this climate, and increased fire risk. Overhangs are encouraged in order to shed snow and rain clear of walls, and reduce heat build-up in summer. All exposed metal flashing, gutters, downspouts, snow fences and other roof hardware must be either dark and matt or made of copper to which a permanent oxidized surface of verdigris has been pre-applied. Roofs are the most likely element of construction to be visible from adjoining lots, and are therefore more closely defined in these rules than other elements. By combining dark, non-reflective surfaces with a roofscape broken up by clustering, the visual impact of roofs is greatly diminished. Dormers prevent roof forms looking simple and can produce sightlines that defeat the goal of visual neighborliness by generating views above the top of the berming and planting between homes. Cold roof design is encouraged for roofs over heated interior spaces to avoid ice damage to the roofs and eaves. Roof overhangs are encouraged in order to provide protection from snow and ice, as are covered porches in order to shelter entrances. strategy 4: keep roof forms simple 9.11Design Guidelines strategy 5: Only the following materials may be used for exterior walls: stone, natural logs, brick, stucco, vertical wood siding, stabilized earth, and ungalvanized (rusted) corrugated steel. Vertical wood siding and corrugated steel should be used only in conjunction with other materials. Using diverse materials on different buildings within a cluster is strongly encouraged. Walls should suggest solid, high-mass construction. Natural wood logs - with a handhewn rather than planed surface - should be western cedar, spruce or pine, at least 10 inches in diameter, and may not use a heavy pigment stain or paint. Use of California or Oregon redwood is not allowed. Stonework shall use natural, non-volcanic rock and shall appear to be structural (capable of bearing loads) even if applied as a veneer. Stucco and brick should only be used if offset by the accompanying use of other materials. Wood siding must be tongue and groove, at least 1 inch thick, applied vertically in at least 8" widths, and stained an ACC approved color. make walls solid strategy 6: Exposed window frames may be wood, concrete, steel, or either clad or dark anodized aluminum. We encourage heavy stone or timber lintels and sills, and the recessing of windows so that the thickness of walls is articulated. Remember that exposed wood is very hard to maintain in this climate and will require frequent coats of oil or paint. Permanent finishes such as factory enamel, galvanizing or anodizing maintain their appearance best and reduce maintenance costs. recess windows, use solar gain To combine good views with good energy performance, fairly large windows to the east and west should be provided. By this means, early morning sun will start to warm the house, and sunlight and heat continue to be picked up until late in the day. South-facing glass should be carefully sized to prevent overheating in the middle of the day and, as a rule of thumb, its square footage should not exceed 20% of the floor area it serves. A roof overhang and/or deciduous tree planting to the south or southwest can help prevent summer overheating. Smaller windows to the north will help with energy efficiency. Low-E, high-altitude glazing may be a good energy investment - ask your architect to calculate potential savings. strategy 7: All exterior doors shall be made of solid timber at least 2-1/2 inches thick. We encourage porches and interior entry lobbies so that entryways are protected from the weather. Doors and entryways are seen and handled close up by all the users of buildings in a way that other parts of buildings are not. Therefore a sense of solidity and hand-craft work in doors and entryways makes a major contribution to the perceived quality of a building. Garage doors (overhead, roll up, or vertically hinged) must be clad with wood, rusty corrugated steel, or another approved wall material. set solid doors in porches, add lobbies 9.12 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission photo: John Lifton strategy 8: To maintain air quality, Aspen limits wood burning to sealed stoves with catalytic converters, where one sees the fire through a glass door. Each lot may have 2 such stoves. There is no restriction on the number of gas fireplaces and stoves. Chimneys and flues must be treated as significant design elements and we require the combining of flues and vents into enclosure stacks. Care should be taken, however, to restrain the height of chimneys and flues because they cannot exceed the 30 foot height limit; this will normally mean that they must be offset from the ridgeline of a roof. Chimneys can be an important visual element of the architecture and, because of their height, may be the most visible element of a building. Chimneys and flues should therefore be thought of as design elements, but should be kept straightforward and functional in design. Building vents and flues for such functions as ventilation and exhaust should be consolidated into vent enclosures wherever possible and should typically be concealed from public view. Fancy caps on vent enclosures are not permitted. combine your chimneys and flues 9.13Design Guidelines strategy 9: We strongly encourage passive-solar high-mass construction, with windows and walls designed for high thermal insulation and low air leakage. This is an extreme climate, and energy is expensive. At the same time, there is great potential for the use of solar because Aspen is a long way south and 8000' in elevation (the next big mountainous area due east is the Atlas Mountains in Morocco!). Passive solar has come a long way in the last 20 years, with better analytical methods and new glazing technologies. Best of all, one can now even obtain a net solar gain from north facing high mass, high insulation windows, and the old "greenhouse" appearance of solar houses is no longer necessary. Investment in passive solar can be expected to pay for itself in zero to five years, and then to go on generating savings for the lifetime of your house. High mass buildings are generally acclaimed as more comfortable than conventionally framed buildings and are less responsive to the sudden temperature shifts that can occur in the mountains. Framed buildings should provide thermal mass in floors or interior walls. 9.14 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission strategy 10: Use external colors that exist in nature on your homesite. The range of colors in the Aspen seasons is very great. From the flat whites of winter to the yellow- greens of spring, from the dark greens and ochres of full summer to the golds and reds of fall, nature offers a large and complex palette. These colors, plus the natural colors of such materials as stone, timber, and rusted metal, are the approved colors for the Stage Road Subdivision. Large areas of white, or very pale colors, which are highly visible in all seasons except winter, are discouraged. In this climate, finishes that need oiling or repainting regularly over time are expensive to maintain; we encourage the use of "lifetime" and low- maintenance finishes. Red paints (other than pure mineral pigment) will fade rapidly from exposure to ultra violet light; blues and greens will keep their appearance for many years. Dark, saturated colors are encouraged, and color swatches are required for design approval. photo: John Lifton use colors that exist in nature 9.15Design Guidelines strategy 11: We encourage you to disturb the natural site as little as possible, especially with regard to surface drainage, so that the balance of each lot is kept in as natural a state as possible and every homeowners' experience of living in an undisturbed natural environment is maximized. New vegetation must use species from the approved plant list. No more than 10,000 sq.ft. may be irrigated with municipal water, and this area must lie within 100 feet of the building envelope. Surface disturbance and grading required for development should be designed to blend into the natural landscape rather than creating an artificial "engineered" appearance. Cuts and fills should be feathered into the existing terrain. Retaining walls should be of dry-stacked rock, and rock used on retaining walls should match rock used on the buildings you construct on the site. The slope of cut and fill slopes is usually limited to a maximum of a 2.5:1 slope and steeper slopes require retaining walls. Surface drainage patterns within the site should be modified as little as possible. Runoff from impervious surfaces, such as roofs and pavement areas, should be distributed to natural drainage channels or fed into engineered percolation sumps. An engineering plan for surface and subsurface drainage must be provided; erosion-control devices, constructed wetlands, and settling ponds to collect sediment may be required. Every building must have a subsurface soils investigation and foundation recommendation prepared by a professional engineer licensed in the State of Colorado prior to foundation design. A topographic survey indicating site contours at not more than one foot intervals, existing improvements, if any, and any special features, such as ditches, ponds, large rocks, and trees shall be prepared by a Colorado-licensed land surveyor for every homesite. These surveys and soil reports must be submitted to the ACC for Sketch Plan Approval. Any trees to be removed shall be marked with surveyors' flagging (NOT paint) prior to Sketch Plan submission. Each Lot must provide a minimum of two fully enclosed parking spaces per dwelling unit. If there are more than three bedrooms constructed in a dwelling unit, then one parking space shall be provided for each additional bedroom. Each Accessory Dwelling Unit shall have a minimum of one parking space. All parking spaces must be at least 10' x 20'. Trash storage areas must be visually screened and trash containers shall be bear-proof and sheltered from snow accumulation. Enclosed winter storage for yard furniture and gardening tools and equipment must be provided. Fences will only be permitted to protect small areas for horse paddocks, kitchen gardens, children's play areas, and swimming pools. All fences shall be natural wood post and three rail design not exceeding 36 inches in height (42 inches for horse paddocks), except with specific approval from the ACC. Because revegetation is difficult in this high- desert environment, as much of the native plant cover as possible must be preserved. Prior to any excavation, topsoil shall be stripped and stored on the site separately from subsoil. Topsoil shall be replaced to a minimum depth of four inches within 30 days in all areas requiring landscaping or revegetation. New planting is limited to the approved list of native species. More manicured or groomed areas may be desired adjacent to buildings, walkways, driveways, patios, etc., but homeowners are encouraged to cultivate a simple natural appearance, using xeriscape. No more than 10,000 sq.ft. may be irrigated with municipal water, and this area must lie within 100 feet of the building envelope. landscape - emulate nature and plant only native species 9.16 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission Our short growing season and intense winter result in low growth rates for plants. Land shaping to create suitable micro-climates can be just as important to successful planting as obtaining the properly adapted plant or tree. Berming, as well as the creation of small ponds and watercourses, will be allowed when the topography and availability of water lends itself to this type of site development. Water is available for the creation of a pond on every lot. Seeding will only be permitted in disturbed areas on the perimeter of the building site and utility cuts where it is important to blend in with the natural vegetation, and where the replaced topsoil does not contain enough seed to replace the pre-existing ground cover. Only Bar/X Ranch Groundcover Mix, and Bar/X Ranch Wildflower Mix which our plant ecologist will specify and which will be available from the association, may be used. These mixes will contain the correct balance of native seeds to match the existing groundcover and provide varying wildflower colors throughout the summer without disturbing the natural balance of species. Homeowners will provide a 7-year plant guarantee on all materials planted as part of the landscape plan. strategy 12: An outdoor lighting plan must be submitted in conjunction with applications and shall provide all the detail required by this Section. 12.1 All outdoor lighting shall be fully shielded and only direct light vertically downward. 12.2 Outdoor lighting shall be mounted no more than 8 feet in height above the surface it illuminates. In no situation shall light intensity exceed 8 foot- candles measured 3 feet above grade. 12.3 All windows shall be fitted with curtains or blinds capable of preventing interior lighting from spilling outside after dark. 12.4 Lighting on above grade decks or balconies is allowed only if illuminating the deck or balcony limit exterior lights surface and not illuminating railings, ballustrades, or walls. 12.5 No exterior light source shall exceed a rating of 60 watts. Outdoor lighting with HID light sources in excess of 50 watts shall be prohibited. Compact fluorescent lamps shall not exceed 9 watts. 12.6 Landscape lighting is limited to 35 watts per fixture per 150 square feet of landscaped area. Up lighting is prohibited as a landscaping element. 12.7 Security lights shall not be visible from adjoining lots, roads, or driveways and must be controlled by a motion sensor activated only by motion within the Owner’s property. 12.8 Photocell controlled lights shall be allowed only at the driveway entrance or in critical common areas, shall be compact fluorescent to eliminate excess consumption of electricity, and, except at the driveway entrance, shall be automatically turned off at 11:00PM. 12.9 No light trespass at any property line is allowed. 9.17Design Guidelines summary: the 12 strategies strategy 1 visual neighborliness 1.1 berm and plant along lotlines 1.2 30 foot height limitation 1.3 one third up/two thirds down 2 green construction 3 make a homesite cluster 4 keep roof forms simple 5 make walls solid 6 recess windows, use solar gain 7 set doors in porches, add lobbies 8 combine your chimneys and flues 9 high mass, high insulation 10 use colors that exist in nature 11 landscape - emulate nature and plant only native species 12 limit exterior lights 9.18 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission This page intentionally left blank 9.19Design Guidelines the design guidelines: part 3 the design approval procedures section 9.3 9.20 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission scope of procedures The design review process must be followed for any building, site or landscaping improvements to a lot, including but not limited to the following:  Construction of any building  Changes in design during construction  Renovation, expansion, or refinishing of the exterior of any building  Interior changes which affect the number of dwelling units or the function of a building  Major landscape, driveway or parking changes  Exterior lighting and signage In addition to meeting the requirements of these Design Regulations, an owner must comply with the requirements of all governing agencies including The City of Aspen in order to obtain a Building Permit or a Certificate of Occupancy. The diagram shows the sequence of procedures that must be followed. This consists of four stages - pre-application, sketch plan, final plan, and compliance. 9.21Design Guidelines Stage 1 Soils Investigation & Topographic Survey Pre-Application Conference and Site Visit Project Compliance Inspection Sketch Plan Review and Approval Sketch Plan Submission Final Plan Submission Final Plan Review and Approval Issuance of Certificate of Compliance Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Pay Design Review Fee Pay Design Review Fee Pay Landscape Escrow Pay Clean-Up Escrow Refund Landscape Escrow Refund Clean-Up Escrow 9.22 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission pre-application conference The pre-application conference is an informal work session between the owner, the architect, and members of the ACC. The purpose is to acquaint the owner with the ACC review process and with the general requirements for construction in the Stage Road Subdivision, and will include a site visit. the meeting will address the following items: The Design Guidelines and the ACC Process. Property boundaries, building envelopes and easements. Building codes. ACC permits, fees and deposits. Specific design considerations on the site. The building program and initial design assumptions. submission requirements:  The Owner requests a conference using the form provided. process:  The ACC shall arrange a pre-application conference within 30 days of receipt of the application. 9.23Design GuidelinesSAMPLE pre-application conference application Lot # Owner Address Phone 1 Phone 2 FAX 1 E-Mail FAX 2 Architect Contact Address Phone 1 Phone 2 FAX 1 E-Mail FAX 2 Engineer Contact Address Phone 1 Phone 2 FAX 1 E-Mail FAX 2 I hereby request a pre-application conference under the Stage Road Subdivision Design Guidelines. Suggested dates and times for conference (in winter please choose middle of day only) 1 2 3 Owner's Signature Date Submitting this form constitutes an Application as defined by the Declaration of Architectural Restrictions for Stage Road Subdivision. Version 3 September 23, 2003 9.24 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission  Autocad file At both Sketch Plan and Final Plan submissions, an AutoCAD drawing must be submitted containing the contour data from the topographic survey plus a wire-frame drawing of the planned construction. The drawing shall be provided as an AutoCAD (rel. 2003 or later) .DWG file. The drawing shall be located according to the Colorado State Plane Coordinate Grid. Contour lines shall be 2D polylines at correct elevations. Building wire frames shall be constructed entirely from 3D polylines. All lot corners shall be shown; State Plane Coordinates for Lot corners can be obtained from the Stage Road Subdivision Architectural Control Association.  Model 1 Owners shall submit a model or models of the Homesite Cluster and any outbuildings with the Final Plan submission. Such model shall, at a minimum, show the massing of the construction elements of the Homesite Cluster and other improvements, and shall show immediately surrounding individual trees, accurate in position and height. The model shall remain the property of the Owner, and shall be returned after study by the DRC. The model shall be at a scale of 1"=8', 1"=4', 1:100, or 1:50. 2 Owners shall also submit a model or models of the Homesite Cluster and any outbuildings at a scale of 1"=200'. This model will become the property of the Stage Road Subdivision Architectural Control Association.  Story Poles Prior to Sketch Plan submission, the Owner shall erect story poles that accurately represent the highest points, and furthest extent, of the desired Construction. A bright red flag, two feet square, shall be attached to the top of each pole. The poles shall remain in place until the Owner receives written notice following the Sketch Plan hearing.  Metrification Drawings may be submitted in metric scales if desired. However, this must be consistent for the entire Design Approval process, commencing with Sketch Plan. sketch plan submission and review The Sketch Plan process addresses the conceptual design of the project. The review will address issues that include, but are not limited to, site conditions and planned improvements, building floor plans and elevations, roof design, architectural character, exterior materials, grading, landscaping, drainage and revegetation. submission requirements:  A site-specific soils investigation report by a Colorado licensed engineer (3 copies)  A site-specific topographical survey by a Colorado licensed surveyor (3 copies)  An AutoCAD File of the project  Plans, sections and elevations of the proposed Construction (3 copies)  A schedule of proposed materials (3 copies)  A landscape plan (3 copies)  The completed Sketch Plan Application form  The Design Review Fee process:  ACC will review the Sketch Plan and notify the Owner in writing of the findings within 45 days after the ACC's receipt of all required materials.  If approved, the ACC will return one signed and dated set of drawings to the Owner. 9.25Design GuidelinesSAMPLE application for sketch plan approval Lot # Owner Address Phone 1 Phone 2 FAX 1 E-Mail FAX 2 Architect Contact Address Phone 1 Phone 2 FAX 1 E-Mail FAX 2 Engineer Contact Address Phone 1 Phone 2 FAX 1 E-Mail FAX 2 Submission Checklist Item Yes 3 copies of soils investigation report 3 copies of topographical survey CD-ROM with CAD files 3 copies: plansheets of Construction 3 copies: sections of Construction 3 copies: elevations of Construction 3 copies: materials schedule 3 copies: landscape plan Design Review Fee of $500 Story Poles have been erected Owner's Signature Date Submitting this form constitutes an Application as defined by the Declaration of Architectural Restrictions for Stage Road Subdivision. Version 3 September 23, 2003 9.26 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission final plan submission and review The Final Plan Application should contain, at a minimum, the information required by The City of Aspen for issuance of a building permit. ACC's review will address issues that include, but are not limited to, planned improvements, building elevation, colors, roof design, architectural character or expression, exterior material, site conditions, grading, landscaping drainage and revegetation and construction staging plan. submission requirements:  An AutoCAD File of the project  Complete construction and engineering drawings of the proposed Construction (3 copies)  Samples of proposed materials  The landscape plan (3 copies)  The completed Final Plan Application form  An executed Landscape Agreement and deposit  An executed Clean Up Agreement and deposit process:  The ACC will review the Final Plan and will notify the Owner in writing of the findings within 45 days after the ACC's receipt of all required materials.  If approved, one signed and dated set of drawings will be returned to the Owner.  Expiration Final Plan Approval of the design of a project shall lapse and become void one year following the date the applicant received Final Plan Approval for the project, unless a building permit has been issued and construction has commenced and been diligently pursued toward completion. After construction has commenced any substantial suspension or substantial abandonment or work, other than those due to seasonal or other adverse weather conditions (as judged by the ACC), which lasts longer than 90 days, shall constitute a failure to diligently pursue construction toward completion, and will, unless approved for good cause by the ACC, void the approval. In the event a Final Plan Approval has been declared void a new Final Plan Approval must be obtained and design review fees paid before work can be recommenced.  Material Samples At the time of Final Plan submission, the Owner shall provide ACC with samples of each wall and roof material to be used in the Construction, fully colored and finished as proposed in the plans and specifications.  Signage Street address signs shall conform with Bar/X Ranch standard address sign as adopted by the ACC. All materials and construction details shall be consistent with those indicated. The location of street address signs shall be approved by the ACC. Signs of any other nature, including but not limited to “For Sale” or “For Rent” signs, are not permitted within the subdivision. construction regulations  Permit Construction shall not commence until a certificate of Final Plan Approval Certificate has been received from the ACC and a building permit has been issued by The City of Aspen. Once started, construction shall proceed in an expeditious manner, in strict compliance with the Final Plan Approval and these Design Guidelines. Upon satisfactory completion and final inspection, the ACC will issue a Certificate of Compliance. No application to The City of Aspen for a Certificate of Occupancy shall be made until the ACC has issued a Certificate of Compliance.  Construction Impact Plan An integrated Construction Impact Plan shall be submitted. This shall contain, at a minimum, plans for topsoil and subsoil storage, replacement and reseeding; erosion control; site drainage control; fugitive dust control; construction staging; tree, mature vegetation and property protection; slash disposal; trash containment and removal; and signage.  Construction staging areas All construction staging, including, but not limited to, 9.27Design Guidelines material storage, equipment storage, construction trailers, etc., must take place within a designated area adjacent to the homesite, unless an alternate staging area is approved in writing by the ACC. As part of the Final Plan submission, the Owner shall present to the ACC a layout of the staging area, which will include, but is not limited to the following: material and equipment storage area, trash storage area, job office location, parking, and access to and from site during construction. The entire perimeter of the construction area, staging area and parking area shall be fenced by the Owner with temporary construction fencing approved by the ACC. All construction activity shall be contained on the Lot for which a building permit has been issued, and within the construction fence, unless specific authorization is received in writing from the ACC.  Tree and property protection Construction practices must include extreme care during grading and excavation to avoid damage to existing trees, shrubs and their root structures. No trees of any size may be removed prior to a site inspection and approval by an authorized representative of the ACC. Trees removed that were not intended to be removed and did not have approval to be removed shall be replaced with identical size and species within 30 days. Prior to tree removal, trees to be removed for any reason shall be identified with surveyor’s flagging and shall be approved during a site visit by an authorized ACC member. Spray paint shall not be used to identify trees to be removed. No site work or tree removal shall commence until this process has been completed and the construction fencing erected.  Slash disposal By keeping disturbed areas small, slash removal will be reduced. Where earthwork and tree removal is necessary, slash disposal will be handled as follows. Trees that can be successfully transplanted will be relocated in areas designated to be landscaped. Trees that cannot be transplanted will be cut as firewood and stacked in appropriate locations, or ground into chips and used as mulch in disturbed areas. Stumps must be hauled off the site. No on-site burning or burial of slash or construction waste is allowed.  Trash containment and removal Trash and construction debris shall be kept in containers of a type that has been approved by the ACC. Containers shall be emptied on a regular basis to ensure sufficient room to store trash at the end of each working day. It shall be the responsibility of the Owner to remove and dispose of any excess trash and construction debris at an authorized land fill. Storage of trash and construction debris outside of an approved container shall not be permitted under any circumstances. The Owner shall ensure that debris from the job site, including blowing debris, will be picked up daily. If the Owner fails to have the debris cleaned up then the ACC may clean it up and the Owner will be responsible for all costs incurred.  Noise and hours Heavy equipment operation and other loud noise from construction shall be prohibited between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. All construction activity is prohibited between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. No blasting is allowed without ACC approval. No construction work shall take place on Sundays. The City of Aspen has sound level standards for construction that must not be exceeded.  Construction signs Two construction signs will be allowed and shall not exceed 15 square feet in aggregate. One sign shall be located on Stage Road at the entrance to the subdivision; the other shall be located at the turning into the driveway leading to the homesite. Each sign shall conform to the standards adopted by the ACC, and at a maximum may only contain the name of the owner, the name, address and telephone number of the contractor, the lot number, and directional arrows. All information must be shown in uniform type, style, size and color. All construction signs and their locations must be approved by the ACC prior to installation. The sign design must be submitted to the ACC at the time of Final Plan Submission. All construction signs must be removed prior to receipt of either a Temporary or Final Certificate of Occupancy. Signs with the intended use of selling property are prohibited. No other signs may be displayed on the property during construction. 9.28 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final SubmissionSAMPLE Lot # Owner Address Phone 1 Phone 2 FAX 1 E-Mail FAX 2 Architect Contact Address Phone 1 Phone 2 FAX 1 E-Mail FAX 2 Engineer Contact Address Phone 1 Phone 2 FAX 1 E-Mail FAX 2 Submission Checklist Item Yes CD-ROM with CAD files 3 copies: plansheets of Construction 3 copies: sections of Construction 3 copies: elevations of Construction 3 copies: materials schedule 3 copies: landscape plan 3 copies: Construction Impact Plan Landscape & Clean Up Deposits Executed Landscape Agreement Executed Clean-Up Agreement Design Review Fee of $500 Owner's Signature Date Submitting this form constitutes an Application as defined by the Declaration of Architectural Restrictions for Stage Road Subdivision. Version 4 September 7, 2004 application for final construction approval 9.29Design GuidelinesSAMPLE landscape deposit agreement Between ________________________ , of __________________________________________ ___________________________, title owner of Lot __, Stage Road Subdivision, Aspen, Colorado ("Owner"), and Stage Road Subdivision Architectural Control Association, Inc., a Colorado non-profit corporation, of ______________________________________ ("Association"). Owner and Association agree as follows: 1 landscape deposit The Owner has deposited with the Association a Landscape Deposit in the amount of $_______ receipt of which is hereby acknowledged. The amount equals the sum necessary to complete all site, revegetation and landscape work. This work shall include, but is not limited to, grading and drainage, irrigation system, exterior walkways, tree, shrub and ground cover planting, sodding, seeding, mulching and paving. The Landscape Deposit shall be refunded in its entirety after final inspection if it is found that site, revegetation and landscape work has been completed as per the approved plans. Portions of the deposit may be released for work that has been completed. Scheduled values of the work completed and the work remaining must be submitted to the ACC for approval prior to the release of any portion of the deposit by the Association. 2 landscaping completion schedule The owner shall complete construction of the approved landscaping within twenty four months of obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy for the Principal Residence. 3 owner's failure to complete landscape work If the Owner fails to complete the landscaping within the time frame set forth above, and pursuant to the landscape plan approved by the ACC, then the ACC shall give the Owner written notice of the deficiencies. If, on or before forty-five (45) days after giving such written notice, the Owner has not completed the landscaping pursuant to the landscape plan approved by the ACC, then the ACC may cause the landscaping to be completed pursuant to the plan it previously approved, using the Landscape Deposit funds to pay for such work. 4 description of landscape work The agreed landscape work is as shown on the approved Landscape Plan and specifications attached hereto as Exhibit A. Amount of Landscape Deposit: $__________ Date:______________ ___________________________________ Owner: Approved: Architectural Control Committee ___________________________________ Approval Date:_______________ By: ______________________________ Submitting this form constitutes an Application as defined by the Declaration of Architectural Restrictions for Stage Road Subdivision. 9.30 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final SubmissionSAMPLE clean up deposit agreement Between ________________________ , of __________________________________________ ___________________________, title owner of Lot __, Stage Road Subdivision, Aspen, Colorado ("Owner"), and Stage Road Subdivision Architectural Control Association, Inc., a Colorado non-profit corporation, of ______________________________________ ("Association"). Owner and Association agree as follows: 1 trash containment and removal Trash and construction debris shall be kept in containers of a type that has been approved by the ACC. Containers shall be emptied on a regular basis to ensure sufficient room to store trash at the end of each working day. It shall be the responsibility of the Owner to remove and dispose of any excess trash and construction debris at an authorized county land fill. Storage of trash and construction debris outside of an approved container shall not be permitted under any circumstances. The Owner shall insure that debris from the job site, including blowing debris, will be picked up on a daily basis; if the Owner fails to have the debris cleaned up then the ACC may cause it to be cleaned up and the Owner shall be responsible for all costs incurred. 2 clean up deposit The Owner has deposited with the ACC a cash Clean Up Deposit in the amount of $_______ receipt of which is hereby acknowledged. The Clean Up Deposit will be held by the ACC until a Certificate of Compliance has been issued. 3 forfeiture of deposit If the Owner fails to clean its construction site and staging area and remove all construction debris, material and equipment on or before thirty (30) days after receipt of a Certificate of Occupancy, then, upon ten (10) days written notice to the Owner, the ACC may bring the site to compliance and the owner shall forfeit the entire Clean Up Deposit. If the costs of clean up exceed the amount of the Clean Up Deposit, then the Owner shall reimburse the ACC for all such excess costs; the ACC may recover its costs pursuant to the South Declaration reimbursement and lien procedures. 4 description of staging area: The agreed staging area is shown on the plansheet attached hereto as Exhibit A. Proposed Dates for Use of Staging Area:____________________ to ______________________ Amount of Clean-Up Deposit: $______________ Date:______________ ___________________________________ Owner: Approved: Architectural Control Committee ___________________________________ Approval Date:_______________ By: ______________________________ Submitting this form constitutes an Application as defined by the Declaration of Architectural Restrictions for Stage Road Subdivision. 9.31Design Guidelines The Compliance Inspection is to ensure that Construction has been completed according to the approved plans and specifications, and thereby allow the Owner to apply to the City of Aspen for a Certificate of Occupancy. submission requirements:  Copies of records of Building Department, Mechanical and Electrical Inspections  The completed application form process: ACC will send one or more members to inspect the Construction as quickly as can conveniently be arranged. certificate of compliance application SAMPLE Lot # Owner Address Phone 1 Phone 2 FAX 1 E-Mail FAX 2 Architect Contact Address Phone 1 Phone 2 FAX 1 E-Mail FAX 2 Engineer Contact Address Phone 1 Phone 2 FAX 1 E-Mail FAX 2 I hereby certify that all construction has been fully completedaccordingtothe approved plans and specifications. Owner's Signature Date Submitting this form constitutes an Application as defined by the Declaration of Architectural Restrictions for Stage Road Subdivision. Version 4 April 12, 2004 9.32 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission certificate of compliance SAMPLE Lot # Compliance Checklist Approved? Item Yes No N/A I hereby certify that all construction has been fully completed according to the approved plans and specifications, and the Owner is legally entitled to apply to The City of Aspen for a Certificate of Occupancy. Stage Road Design Association Signature Date Print Name Title Version 4 April 12, 2004 9.33Design Guidelines the design guidelines: part 4 native plant species list section 9.4 9.34 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission approved native plant species list Trees Common Name Proper Name Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga Menziesii Colorado Blue Spruce Picea Pungens Quaking Aspen Populus Tremuloides Narrow-leaved Cottonwood Populus Angustifolia Scrub Oak Quercus Gambelii Red Cedar Juniperus Virginiana Willow Salix spp. Mountain Maple Acer Montanus Chokecherry Prunus Virginiana Mountain Mahogany Cercocarpus Ledifolius Common Juniper Juniperus Communis Shrubs Common Name Proper Name Shrubby Cinquefoil Pentaphylloides floribunda Woods’s Rose Rosa Woodsii Twinberry Lonicera Involucrata Snowberry Symphoricarpos Albus Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus Nauseosus Myrtle Vaccinium Myrtillus Bitterbrush Purshia Tridentata Oceanspray Holodiscus Dumosa Wax Current Ribes Cereum Prickly Current Ribes Inerme Red Elderberry Sambucus Racemosa Flowers Common Name Proper Name Red Columbine Aquilegia Elegantula Firecracker Plant Penstemon Barbatus Indian Paintbrush Castilleja Miniata Scarlet Gilia Ipomopsis Agregata Wild Geranium Geranium Fremontii Pink Lady Slipper Calypso Bulbosa Shootingstar Dodecatheon Pulchellum Parry’s Primrose Primula Parryi Spring Beauty Clatonia Lanceolata 9.35Design Guidelines Lewis’ Flax Linum Lewisii Wild Iris Iris Missouriensis Bluebell Campanula Rotundiflora Aster Aster spp. Fringed Gentian Gentiana Thermalis Colorado Columbine Aquilegia Caerulia Beardtongue Penstemon spp. Chiming Bells Mertensia Ciliata Arnica Arnica Cordifolia Monkeyflower Mimulus Guttatus Mules Ears Wyethia Scabra Sneezeweed Helenium Hoopesii Yellow Evening Primrose Oenothera Strigosa Dandelion Taraxacum Officinalis Butterweed Senecio spp. Agrimony Agrimonia Striata Little Sunflower Helianthella Quinquenervis White Sweetpea Lathyrus Leucanthus American Vetch Vicia Americana Prickly Popp Argemone Hispida Curled Lousewort Pedicularis Parryi Northern Bedstraw Gallium Boreale Yarrow Achillea Lanulosa Monument Plant Frasera Speciosa Fringed Sage Artemisia Frigida Virgin’s Bower Clematis spp. Daisy Erigeron spp. Evening Primrose Oenothera Caespitosa Bog Orchid Habenaria Viridis Grasses Common Name Proper Name Bluegrass Poa spp. Smooth Brome Bromus Marginatus Timothy Phleum Pratensis Thurber Fescue Festuca Thurberi Downy Chess Bromus Tectorum Tufted Hairgrass Deschampsia Caespitosa 9.36 Bar Slash X Ranch LLC - Annexation and Stage Road PUD/Subdivision: Final Submission This page intentionally left blank