HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.apz.20010130ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 30, 2001
COMMISSIONER~ STAFF AND PUBLIC COMMENTS .............................................................. ....................... 1
MINUTES .................................................................................................................................................................... 1
DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST .............................................................................................. 1
ISELIN PARK CONCEPTUAL/FINAL PUD/SPA CONDITIONAL USE .......................................................... 1
16
ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 30, 2001
Bob Blaich, chairman, opened the regular meeting at 4:30 p.m. in Council
Chambers. The following commissioners were present: Eric Cohen, Ron Erickson,
Steven Buettow, Roger Haneman, Jasmine Tygre and Bob Blaich. Staff in
attendance were: Steve Barwick, City Manager; John Worcester, City Attorney;
Joyce Ohlson, Community Development; Ed Sadler, Stephen Bossart, Asset
Management; Jeff Woods, Parks; Jackie Lothian, Deputy City Clerk.
COMMISSIONER, STAFF and PUBLIC COMMENTS
Bob Blaich provided some rules of protocol for Planning and Zoning meetings.
The review criteria will be made public at each meeting. Joyce Ohlson introduced
the staff and planning commission chair.
MINUTES
MOTION: Ron Erickson moved to approve the minutes of January 02,
2001. Jasmine Tygre second. APPROVED 6-0.
DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
None.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING (01/02/01):
ISELIN PARK CONCEPTUAL/FINAE PUD/SPA CONDITIONAL USE
Bob Blaich opened the continued public hearing on the Iselin Park
Conceptual/Final PUD/SPA Conditional Use. Blaich noted the standard
procedures for P&Z meetings and ground rules. Jackie Lothian stated that the
notice was received at the January 2nd meeting.
Joyce Ohlson stated that she was the case planner and that there were extra copies
of staff memos and Ed Sadler's memo. Ohlson mentioned there were four letters
from the public (LJ Erspamer, Jackie Broughton, Ted Hooper, Alice Davis) entered
into the public record. Ohlson stated this project represented a consolidated
conceptual and final review of the (l) PUD (Planned Unit Development - to allow
for master planning of the entire parcel). ® SPA (Specially Planned Area - for the
affordable housing component for special review because the parcel was zoned
Park) and ® Conditional Use (to allow the recreational structure, sports shop,
snack bar/restaurant in the zone district). The P&Z decision was final on the
Conditional Use.
Ohlson stated the site was 19.3 acres with aborn a 76,000 square foot building at
the existing site of the James E. Moore Pool with a 120-space parking lot. She
mentioned the memo contained 21 issues and that there was a Resolution. She said
1
ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 30, 2001
that the parking was vastly improved: Ohlson stated.that Charlier & Company did
the transportation and parking study. She said that condition #11 dealt with a
formalized operational agreement between the School District, Aspen Ballet and
the City of Aspen.
Ohlson said that the plan called for sensitivity in the lighting design with condition
# 12 requiring a final detailed lighting plan be submitted to the Community
Development Director and the City Zoning Officer. Ohlson noted that section #1,
condition # 1 stated that the internal and external lights associated with the
structure and site improvements other than those needed for security, safety,
parking and maintenance be utilized only with the hours of operation of the Iselin
Park facility.
Ohlson stated that Housing required mitigation for 19.3 full time employees. The
one on-site unit mitigated for 2.5 employees with a remainder of 17.5. The
applicants proposed the Water Place Housing credits be utilized to meet the 17.5
shortfall for the employee mitigation. An audit of employees will be required two
years after the certificate of occupancy is issued with a check-back of the number
of employees actually generated.
Ohlson stated that there was a significant berm, which assisted connecting the
architecture to the ground, allowing landforms to minimize the building and add
vegetation to the site. The berm also helped with the function of getting the
children from the facility to the school with the pedestrian connections. She said
that there was a timing issue with the School District project beginning this
summer.
Ohlson said that staff requested a RFTA plan is approved by the Transportation
Director that included the trip frequency, travel through areas and stops and types
of vehicles usedl
Ed Sadler stated that this was an asset management project; he said that the experts
were here to provide the information and answer the questions raised. He provided
the history of the bond issues regarding facilities that were similar to this facility
and ones that were different. Sadler said that the plans presented tonight were the
result of those issues and the meetings over the years with the public. He said that
they hoped to begin construction this spring but because of land and financial
constraints the project was limited.
Dave Carpenter, DHM Design, stated that his firm has been involved with the city
on Truscott and Burlingame. He said that they were involved with the community
2
ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY $0, ~001
campus on the new high school addition as well as the city ice rink and pool.
Carpenter said the new football field and track, the parking lot, the basketball
courts, the Moore field, Rotary field and the Iselin Field were all completed. He
said that bridges were the key to moving about the campus; there would be bridges
to Maroon Creek Road, to the Ski Club and eventually to Tiehack. Carpenter said
that there were shared uses in the winter and the summer on those paths. He noted
the site constraints were the landfill under the new Iselin Field, the tennis courts
and portion of the parking lot. The mature groupings of gamble oaks have been
preserved. He utilized a cross-section drawing to show the relationships to Rotary
field and other drawings with an overlay to respond to a larger sheet of ice, the
addition of 4 more affordable housing units, a dive tank, a water fall and therapy
pool. Carpenter noted that all of that could not fit on the site.
Jim Charlier, Charlier Transportation & Planning stated that he had been working
on this for over 3 years now with the traffic concerns, parking, transit access,
pedestrian/bike/nordic ski trail network, communication in management, monitor
and community interaction. He noted all the coordinated entities that had been
contacted and met with.
Charlier stated that traffic counts were done in the fall of 1999 prior to the Ski
season but there was construction traffic2 He said that with the overall growth and
activity levels and these projects there would be an average increase of 10%-15%
in weekday traffic and maybe as much as a 20% increase on weekend days
(between 5,000-8,000 cars a day on this road). Charlier said there was a need to
Control speeds and parking. He said the parking was a shared use as to not
overbuild parking in the area. Charlier said that combined there were 655 parking
spaces, which was more than enough for daily routine demand (300-350 average).
He said that they reviewed all the different activities with the plausible events that
could cause the highest potential in parking that they came up with about 5
combinations, which would not happen very often. He said that recommendations
were made and the goal was that every one who drove to the site would park in one
of the designated sites and not park in the neighborhood or roadways. Charlier
said there was an issue of enforcement and they recommended discrete No Parking
signs placed on Maroon Creek Road with enforcement. He said there were many
transit options with much better transit service to area. He suggested that up hill
buses required a left hand turn into the parking lots but downhill buses did not
require a left hand turn which would provide a good connection for the schools
through the pedestrian overpass. Charlier said children were "line of sight"
orientated so there was a visual need for the pedestrian overpass to be seen and it
would not go against grade.
3
ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 30, 200!
Charlier noted that the transit maps, communication, trained counter help in the
transit system and managing the parking were the key to making the campus work.
He said they have spoke to the school district on how to make this a less auto-
orientated campus.
Tim Hagman, architect, provided his background and said that the team was the
finest that he ever worked with on this project. He said the building was a
contemporary vernacular lodge building, which reflects certain old simple
structures like the front entry. He noted the building sat into the ground below the
parking lot, which diminished the size of the building. Hagman stated that he
knew there was concern for the height but creating an element like this provided a
landmark aspect.
Mark Barker, Durant Architects, gave his firm's background and stated that the
plans have been worked on for some time. He provided a "tour" of the Youth
Center on the top floor from the entry with views to the pool on one side and ice
area on the other. He said that the climbing wall went from the bottom floor to the
top with a circular staircase down to the Grand Lodge Lobby. He said that was the
main flOOr level included the lobby, front desk, caf6, offices, and a small retail
space. He said that the vision was a dynamic facility.
Vic Davies said that he was known as the water boy or pool guy and provided his '
background. He described all of the different pools that he had designed and said
that the city of Whistler probably had the closest lifestyle feel to this one as well as
working on the one in Queenstown. He said that leisure pools have evolved over
the last 20 years and Iselin pool utilized the best multiple functions for a pool. He
noted that there were 3 changing rooms (male, female and family with handicap
facilities). Davies said that the leisure pool catered tO everybody with the zero to
four feet with a shallow slope of one in twelve. The competition pool was twenty-
five yards with six lanes with one for diving, which was four feet to eleven foot
two inches. Davies said that the family pool was divided into zones, which
included a water slide with a three foot six inch landing pool containing 2 jets to
swim against. There was a sheltered area of one foot six inches for the moms and
tots with a bubble machine in the floor. He said the inverted mushroom formed a
series of waterfalls and there was a seat with another massage feature plus3
geysers under a six-inch ledge. Davies said there was a lazy river section with a
circular bubble seat. He noted that bleacher seating could be brought to
accommodate up to 200 people. There was a sauna and steam room and poolside
viewing area from above. Davies said that eventually there would be a two-level
outdoor pool, hot tubs and an outdoor dining area.
4
ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 30, 200 [
John Passes said that' he was the iceman and provided his background. He said that
the trend was for the NHL size ice rinks (85' x 200') at this time as opposed to the
International (100' x 200'). He said the site would not allow the International size.
There were 450 bleacher type seats with a professional feel, there were 3 changing
rooms, a TV room, figure skating room, skate sharpen and rental area.
Ed Sadler stated that they wanted to use the Water Place credits towards this
project; City Council has agreed to purchase units at Truscott to help mitigate the
Iselin housing. Blaich asked the number of units. Sadler responded they were
discussing four.
Steve Barwick stated that the basics of the financial plan began with
$4,000,000.00 for one multi-use pool. He said added to that the SPARC group
generously agreed to donate $8,000,000.00 to an ice rink. BarwiCk said that there
has been a years worth of public process and there were now 2 pools and the Youth
Center. He noted the facility was $4,000,000.000 but with the changes and
additions it was now at $17,250,000.00. Barwick thanked the SPARC group for
their generous contribution. He said that this was one of City COuncil's goals over
the last 3 years. He said that the $17,250,000.00 waS the budget, which they had to
stay with because there weren't any more funds for this project. Barwick said that
time was money because everybody was facing about a 1% increase in
construction costs per month, which means an additional $170,000.00 each month
that constructiOn is delayed.
Roger Haneman asked the width of the pedestrian bridge across Maroon Creek.
JeffWoods replied that it was 12 to 14 feet. Haneman asked if it was entirely
Nordic Trail in the winter and if so how would people get across from the Tieback
parking lot for special events. Woods responded that was the intention at this point
and people can walk across, it was safely done in Snowmass Village all the time.
Ron Erickson said the berm looked like a black band or where the berm was
located. Sadler responded that the berm was not located on the elevation drawing
but that black band was the road elevation. Erickson asked what was to prevent
kids from crossing the road to go around the back to the service entrance. Sadler
answered that there was no entrance from the back of the facility, it was for
service.
Steven Buettow asked the height from the roadway to the top peak of the building,
as if you were driving by on the roadway. Sadler said it was forty-five feet above
the road. Sadler provided a computer photo from the other side. Blaich asked if
this was in response to the commission's request for a computer generated
ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 30, 200 I
drawing. Sadler utilized overlay drawings with the levels of trees and bulldihg to
illustrate the site plan in relation to the terrain and landscape.
Buettow asked how the overflow-parking goal would be implemented and how is
the safety of Maroon Creek Road and Moore Drive compromised if ad hoc parking
was allowed. Charlier replied that the only time the overflow parking would be
utilized was with large programmed special events. Charlier said that advance
coordination with the school and making arrangements for use of the parking.
Buettow asked how many spaces were in the existing high school parking lot.
Charlier replied that there were 81 and there would be an increase of 50-60
additional new spaces. Buettow asked if there would be a shuttle. Charlier
responded that it would be a walking experience. Buettow inquired as to any
improvements made to Maroon Creek Road because of parking on the road
currently during special events. Charlier answered that there would be No Parking
signs and that would be enforced; first ticketed then rowe& Charlier said that the
enforcement had to be decided decisively and those negotiations were going on
across the hall. Charlier said on shoulder parking would compromise the safety of
the roadways; there was no proposal to widen the Maroon Creek Road.
Eric Cohen said that the overlay with all of the extras almost fit the site; he asked
that if the Olympic size ice rink and diving well were omitted wouldn't there still
be space for some additional employee housing units. Sadler responded that the
red line space was not only the safe zone but the existing covenants do not allow
any building in that area. Sadler said that they wanted to save as many trees in the
area as possible with the setback and the service/emergency road. Sadler said that
they agreed to purchase units at Truscott then that money could be freed up for
other projects. Cohen asked where the employee parking was located. Charlier
replied that it was in the 120 spaces. Sadler stated that there was some parking
behind the facility where the service entrance was located. Cohen asked about
mitigation for additional cars generated by the employees. Charlier replied that it
was assumed that there were aboUt 5 additiOnal employee cars on an average
because the employees did have transit service availability.
EriCkson asked about the housing staff report citing 136.72 employees generated
and stated that he was confused about these numbers. Erickson asked if the
numbers between 20.44 and 82.03 of full time employees were any more accurate.
Steve Bossart said that the 136 employees generated was based on a square footage
formula, which should be for recreation only not the Pool. Erickson stated that
was why he mentioned lifeguards, they were employees.
6
ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 30, 2001
Jasmine Tygre said that the overlay on the footprint was shown, she asked if any
consideration was given to reducing the size of the grand lobby and utilizing the
possibility of placing other uses in the footprint. Sadler answered that the grand
lobby area was 3 different levels with the support area for the hockey and what was
above it were the pool locker rooms, offices, front desk, lounge area and the third
floor entry was the youth center.
Buettow asked if the swimming pool would meet the requirements for swim meets.
Davies replied that it would fulfill all the requests for the NCAA~
Blaich noted that there was almost 2 hours of presentation; he opened the public
comment section.
MOTION: Ron Erickson moved to extend the meeting to 8:00 p.m.
Steven Buettow second. APPROVED 4-2. (Tygre and Haneman opposed).
LJ Erspamer, public, stated that he has worked on this project for many years and
that they have gone through all the questions with SPARC and the neighborhood.
He said that there were many things to do in this facility but that they couldn't do
everything for everybody. Erspamer asked the audience how many people wanted
to built it now, most of the audience held up signs "build it now".
Jen Alling, public, stated that she was the director of physical therapy at the
hospital. She said that the pool plans met their needs and urged to build it as soon
as possible.
Debra Tullman, public, said that she was also a physical therapist and she said that
she was a competitive swimmer. She said that this facility would accomplish a lot
for their patients but also for the community as a whole.
Charlie Enstasis, public, stated that he was the president of Aspen Junior Hockey.
He said the Aspen JUniOr Hockey Organization supported the NHL rink size.
Peter Fornell, public, stated that he was president of the Aspen Speedo Swim Team
and stated that their organization supported the pools as designed. He said that he
was also a licensed official with Colorado Swimming. Fornell said that he
reviewed the pool from the technical aspect and the pool facilitates all the needs
that Colorado Swimming would require and Colorado High School would require
to hold sanctioned swim meets.
7
ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 30, 2001
Robert Christensen, public, stated that he was a competitive swimmer through
college and had been involved in meetings since the beginning. He said that the
discussions were of the two separate pools and agreed that the 25-yard pool was
the best possibility. He noted the design has been fine-tuned and the way it was
now was the best for the community.
Heidi Hoffman, public, stated that she also was a competitive swimmer and diver.
She said that she would love to see a separate diving well but this was not a diving
community. She said that she visited the facilities at Avon, Silverthorne, Apex
(North Jeffco Center) and the Duncan YMCA in Arvada and has swum all over the
world in various pools. Hoffman stated that we can't have everything and was
happy with the idea that the pool would be deep enough to dive and for scuba
divers. She said that she they looked at providing affordable housing on the new
bus facility but why would anyone want to live above it. Hoffman stated that it
was important to have one person housed there but it was a North-facing site, a
service parking area with the zamboni and delivery trucks. She said that she can't
wait for the facility to be built.
Jackie Broughton, public, stated that she had a handicapped child and had to agree
with the two therapists. Broughton stated that they have been working on this
since 1993 and hoped to see it built.
Tim Cottrell, public, stated that he was a board member of Aspen Junior Hockey;
he said that he agreed with the iceman and liked the statistics on the size of the ice
rink at NHL.
Larry Slater, public, said that he represented the Maroon/Castle Caucus and said
the purpose of the PUD designation was to encourage flexibility and innovation in
the development of land which promotes the purposes, goals and objectives of the
Aspen Area Community Plan (AACP). He said that the AACP promotes open
space and active use of the park, affordable housing, preserve natural and man-
made site features of cultural or scenic value, incorporates an appropriate level of
public opinion into the planning process to insure sensitivity to neighborhood and
community rules and objectives. Slater said the Maroon/Castle Caucus supported
the affordable housing unit at this facility and the existing oaks and spruce trees.
He said the Caucus worked for 3 years with the City Council, the Planning and
Parks Departments and have come up with CC&R's. Slater said the Caucus
supported the plan assuming that the CC&R's as agreed upon will be implemented.
David Parker, public, stated that he lived down valley and it was important to act
while there was community support; he encouraged building the facility.
8
ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 30, 2001
Jeanne Doremus, public, stated that she was president of the Aspen Youth Center;
she fully supported this plan and the board supports this plan. She said that it was
an internal part of the plan that Youth Center be located in this area. She noted that
she also co-chaired the Aspen High School Bond Election and it was important to
built it now because every wasted moment costs more money. Doremus stated that
she lived across from the project and supported the facility as a mother of boys that
were part of the hockey program.
Lisa Bodek, public, said that she was president of the figure skating club in town
and on the State Board for 'figure skating and a member of SPARC. She stated that
she fully supported the NHL rink as planned.
Beth Hoff, public, said that she was a member of the women's hockey team, The
Aspen Mother Puckers. She said the Mother Puckers have been using the Aspen
Ice Garden for over twenty years and that they were looking forward to having a
different place to play. Hoff stated that the locker room that they shared was quite
small with only 15 lockers; the new facility proposed over 90 lockers for the
women. She stated that she was also a member of SPARC Board and submitted a
letter in support for the record. Hoffthanked Carrie Morgridge and Jonathan
Lewis for their donations.
Torre, public, asked if the tennis courts were existing. Sadler replied that they
were existing. Torre asked about the classification of the pool store and a skate
shop and asked if these were retail stores. Mark Baker stated that the Pro Shop
was designed for accessories and the skate shop was a rental shop: Torre said that
the building was a great design but asked how it related to the outdoors. Torre
asked if the ball fields were seen from the pools. Baker said that there were pool
doors (10' x 14') that opened to the outdoors to the future outdoors pools, staging
areas for swim meets and general area for sunbathing. Torre asked for maybe ½ of
a basketball court.
Chris Schecter, public, stated that he was on the Aspen Hockey Team and referee
for hockey. He noted that there was one problem with over-flow parking and the
access onto and from the bus tot he hockey rink. Sadler replied that the buses
would drop off the hockey players before parking remotely and there were lockers
for the area residents.
Stanley Schecter, public, stated that on behalf of his son in hockey and daughter in
figure skating. He thanked all of the people who worked so hard on this facility.
9
ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 30, 2001
Scott Writer, public, stated that he was also on the SPARC Board and wanted
everyone to know that they thought a lot about the project. He said that he was
behind the NHL size and felt like they were approaching this like they were in
partnership with the city, Writer said the Olympic size was kind of a fantasy and
realized the trade-off and what was being done was fabulous and appreciated. He
stated that when they solicit funds, they show this plan. He said the schedule was
to break ground this spring and hope that the commission will help that be
accomplished.
Toni Kronberg, public, stated that this was the most packed room that she has seen
through this process. She said that there were mostly hockey people in the room
and provided her background in teaching almost every discipline of water
activities. She said that for 25 years this was a dream come true, moving this far
forward. Kronberg stated that there were some serious problems with this plan
though and recapped that the original bond was passed. She said that she had to
apologize to Planning & Zoning; she had a packet for them but it was at the
printers because she was under ~e assumption that this meeting was on February
6th. She questioned staff for not ~ncluding the 100 letters that she submitted over
the years for the swimming pool, the 2000 signature petitions for the warm water
pool, the kids campaign with over 100 signatures, the signatures from Aspen
Grand Club. She said that Steve Barwick spoke of the finance of this plan but the
questions that the commissioners were asking were not down on paper. She said
there was no feasibility study done, no demographics; there should be numbers
accompanying all of this between what the needs are for the community, the type
of programming and scheduling, the cost of the project, what the revenues are what
the expenses were going to be. Kronberg said that without Appendix D she did not
know what she was working off of (who would use the facility, the hours, the
money, etc.). She said that she was not here to squelch anything and wanted to see
this facility built more than anyone else. Kronberg said that when she went before
City Council in support of the ice arena, she said that no one went with her. She
said when the official private donors pulled pout, there was no one with her.
Kronberg said that she wanted to see this happen but wanted it done the right way.
She said the architect had done a great job but that she did not know where they
got their information. She cited a demographic group that would come into the
community and survey all the user groups.
Kronberg said the original bond was passed for the construction of a new
swimming pool. She asked if that meant we would keep the old pool. She said
that she served on the Iselin Task Force Committee and begged them to put the ice
arena on the bond issue but they did not think that it would pass, so they took it
out. Kronberg stated that the bond was for construction of a new swimming pool
10
ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 30, 2001
and hopefully keep the old pool Kronberg said the bond did not say a recreational
facility. She noted that in the application there was a conditional use requested to
be allowed in the park designation, to accommodate the recreational facility. She
said the areas being built were purely recreational without the schools, competitive
swimmers or therapy patients using them. She said that the leisure pool proposed
was 3 times the size of the one being built in Silverthorne; she said 10,000,000
people a year go through the Eisenhower Tunnel. She asked the pillow base in
town for skiers. Roger Haneman answered 8,000. Kronberg said that Silverthorne
paid $500.00 a day for life guards, she said that we can't afford that.
Kronberg said that the meeting next door was with the County Commissioners,
School Board, Bob Braudis, anyone to do with parking and transportation. She
said that Tim Ware said that it was a public parking area crowded with the skiers.
She said that when she worked the swim team Aspen had 100 kids on the team for
2 hours, in order to make this plan work there will need to be that many people per
hour to support the pools. She said the leisure pool was designed for 3 feet under,
in the Winter she said there weren't little kids, there were barely kids. She said that
in order for the pool to work we needed a huge population base. She noted that
people do not want to be indoors, that was why they came here. Kronberg said that
pool users would suffer without pools for two years while the facility was being
built. She mentioned her petition with 100 kids signatures for a warm water pool
'with a deep end. She said that the schools did not endorse this plan because they
did not know anything about it. She stated that she wanted the ice arena.
Beth Hoff stated that there was a letter from the School District endorsing this
facility included in Ed Sadler's packet (Exhibit 8).
Kronberg demonstrated her prop of the pool height with a 3½-foot water level.
She said that the kids made her prop. Vic Davies said the Iselin pool water level
was 4 feet and to the edge it was 4 foot 6 inches. She asked how much of the area
was 4 feet deep. Davies replied that the entire lazy river area was 4 feet deep, with
a zero entry at a slope of 1 - 12. Kronberg said the ladies from the thrift store told
her that they needed a deep end of the warm water pool; she said that the seniors
needed it, Challenge Aspen, paralyzed people needed more water depth to hold
them up in the water. Kronberg said that Aspen Club was building an outdoors
pool and the Maroon Creek Club had outdoor pools. She said that she wanted to
prove to the city that outdoor pools were needed so she had a swimming program
with 300 kids utilizing various outdoOr pools 10 months of the year with a sauna
and steam. She said the depth of the water related to the demographics of the
community with the birth rate going down. Kronberg mentioned her 4 goals and 4
pieces of property plan with this site being too small for everything to fit on this
11
ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 30, 2001
site. Kronberg said there was a piece of property by the RFTA bus barn that
would be ideal for the school's bus barn; she said that she did an analysis of the site
with affordable housing. She questioned that only 19.3 new employees would be
generated from this new facility. Kronberg said that by using Water Place to
mitigate employee housing would be like removing one employee and displacing
them with another. Kronberg said that there was no money for the Truscott
housing and the money was not raised in the bond for housing. She stated that she
had thought about doing an initiative referendum like the one that was done for the
Ritz. Blaich asked Toni about her statement of preparing information to support
these issues prior to the February 6th meeting. She said that she contacted United
States Swimming and Colorado Swimming.
David Bruton, public, stated that he swam at the James in Moore pool during the
1990's probably 300 days a year and spoke to Tim Anderson regularly and the
gentleman before Tim, Bill Erring over the years. He said that he contributed
about $500.00 a year over those 10 years. Bruton said that Toni lead the public
charge on this and he said that he wanted to come in with a naturalistic point of
view towards that property and facility. He stated that walking on the Nordic
wasn't compatible because it was pockmarked. Bruton said that he would
challenge the financing because he didn't feel that building a shell for the ice rink
was responsible for the built it now campaign. He said that if took opposition it
would probably help the fundraising for the ice rink; he said once the shell was up
then the city had to finance the project. Bruton said that he pledged $7500.00
towards hockey; he said there was $1,500,000.00 going into the Ice Garden now.
He said the Ice Garden site should be employee housing. Bruton said that this site
was a swimming site and he felt it was muscled out by hockey. He said that he
spoke for the swimmers and felt like this was a cram-down; the proposed pools
would not accommodate the swimmers, scuba divers and kayaks. He said that the
hockey took the Maroon Creek views and there should be outdoor pools facing the
Maroon Bells. He stated that he appreciated the opportunity to protest.
Ryan Doremus, public, stated that he was a sophomore in high school. He said that
the high school has only one program per semester to use that pool and the eight
graders don't have swimming because no one wanted to take it.
Heidi Hoffman stated that she worked on the designs for the school bus facility and
it was canned when the expenses were reviewed after the main part of the high
school renovation cost was calculated. She clarified that the school bus facility
had a $500,000.00 budget just to improve the existing facility; it was not going to
move. Hoffman noted that there would be 2 new basketball courts, which was a
total of 3 courts in the high school and will be open to the public at certain times.
12
ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 30, 2001
Hoffman said the new gym would have an indoor running track, aiso open to the
public at certain times. She said in addition to the new gymnasium, there would be
a new high school weight room with cardio equipment. She said that she was a
member of the master swimmers and can't understand why certain people didn't
like the facility. Hoffman noted that there was a brand new pool proposed with a
diving board.
Mary Hatanaka, public, stated that she was here to support Aspen Speedo
Swimmers. She said that the swim-team kids were dropped off at 7:00 a.m. at the
pool; no one parks and about hail of the kids were re-picked up because most of
the kids then go on to school. Hatanaka said that parking wouldn't be a problem
unless there was a swim meet. She said that the 150 seating would be ample
because when parents attend swim meets theygo at the time when their child is
swimming and put up team tents outside. She said that this pool was more than
adequate from what she had seen.
Carrie Morgridge, public, stated that she and her husband were involved with the
finance part of the ice arena. She said that she and Jon were 1000% committed to
SPARC; she believed it was the best community thing that has happened since
CMC college, Morgridge said that Jonathan Lewis has also donated a large .
amount of time and money. She said that they were over half way to their goal and
that she and her husband were committed to raising the rest of the money with the
SPARC team.
Andrew Kole, public, stated that the majority of the people were excited about
'what was proposed now and any delay bya day would be a dis-service to the
community. He noted that Toni had been a guest on his show and he thought that
she meant well but it was time to move forward on the project.
Ron Erickson stated that they dida terrific job answering about 95% of the
questions. He said the question unanswered was on housing and was an issue but
not to prevent the commission from going forward on this project. Erickson noted
that this was a community project intended for our children. He said he had to
listen to the experts about the designs of the facility.
Eric Cohen asked how long the pool was expected to be down. Sadler replied that
the new construction could take 18 - 19 months. Sadler said that Tim Anderson
was making arrangements to utilize some of the private pools in the area. Cohen
said that there would be some serious parking and transportation issues with a lack
of parking at certain times of the year. He said that he hoped for communication
between the entities on scheduling. He said the biggest issue was the left roms for
13
ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 30, 200!
the up loading of buses and should be straight to the entrance. Cohen asked about
the tennis courts not needing to be there. John Worcester responded that the city
entered into covenants with the Maroon Creek Homeowners Association to retain
those two tennis courts.' He said the Recreation Department planned on keeping
those courts. He said that he echoed Ron with wanting more employee housing
and he said that yes, he would like to live there. Cohen said it was a shame to
maintain two rinks and inspite of those few issues it was a good project and try to
get the project going.
Jasmine Tygre stated that she had a problem with the process. She stated that she
had a problem with every project that had to be approved now because of rising
construction; the project was requested for approval on that basis. She stated that
she felt if things weren't done correctly and properly it would eventually cost you
more money down the road. Tygre said the fact that this was a consolidated final
and conceptual caused a lot of problems because some of the commissioner's
points would have been handled better at a conceptual level followed by the final
PUD. She said that her thoughts were that for final approval there was specific
information on transportation, lighting, resolution of agreements (scheduling of
events), and parking/transportation details that these were not addressed with
enough detail for final approval to her satisfaction. Tygre said that she felt like it
was a dereliction of her duty as a member of planning commission to say we think
that it's okay without really knowing the resolution. She said that this plan had a.
lot of elements that we hope will work but we aren't sure but, we will pass it along
because of the rising construction costs; she said that she couldn't do that. Tygre
said that she did not feel that she had the level of information to make that
decision; she said the design of the building was attractive. She said that the
footprint was huge but the architect did a good job stepping the building into the
terrain but then there was the gigantic lighted tower. She said it was an obtrusive
and environmentally Offensive tower design and that there could be some tweaking
of the interior space. She said that the footprint of the building could be a little
smaller and everytime there was a suggestion, the rising costs of construction came
up again. Tygre stated that the changes were not addressed.
Steven Buettow asked how changing the leisure pool waterway to a 5-foot depth
affected the design and asked why it was limited to 4 feet. Davies responded that
the 1 in 12 slope was necessary and asked if it was the right thing to do because
then smaller people and children would not be able to use the pool. Sadler stated
that a person would have to be at least 5'6" tall to keep their mouth above the
water in 5 feet of water.
14
ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION JANUARY 30, 2001
Roger Haneman agreed with Jasmine as far as the conceptual and final; he said that
this commission did not have lot of time into it. He said that the presentations
helped diminish his suspicions but all are not gone. Haneman said that down the
road it would be a shame to find out that this was not sized correctly for the future.
Haneman said that he could now support the project.
Bob Blaich stated that the presentatiOns tonight have brought a lot of information
forward and have answered a lot of his questions. He said that Toni said that she
had more information for the commission and wanted to find out as much as
possible. He said that £mding out what the constraints were and understanding
those Constraints helped him make a decision. Blaich said that he did not feel that
the process was complete and many people have referred to the other meeting
across the hall about this location, which may have satisfied some of the
commission's questions. He stated that would be helpful for some of the safety,
parking and other issues. He said that he was positive about the project and
wanted to see it go ahead but we still needed one more checkpoint with some more
answers.
MOTION: Ron Erickson moved to continue the public meeting on the
Iselin Conceptual/Final PUD to February 6, 2001. Jasmine Tygre
second. APPROVED 4-2. (Eriekson and Haneman opposed).
Erickson asked that guidelines be set for the next meeting because a 2-hour
presentation by the applicant was not necessary. He asked Toni for pertinent
information to be given to the commissioners before next Tuesday night. The
Deputy City Clerk explained that the packet information needed to be in by 10:00
a.m. on Friday, 02/02/01. Erickson asked for information from that other meeting
with City Council and the BOCC. Ohlson said that the issues were RFTA,
Lighting, and Leisure pool drawing at a 5-foot depth.
MOTION: Ron Erickson moved to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. Steven
Buettow second. APPROVED 6-0.
~icie Lothian, l~eputy City Clerk
15