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HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.064-96 ~ ,., ~ 'W' '!fA ., RESOLUTION NO. 64 (Series of 1996) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO PROVIDING CITY OF ASPEN COMMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE--FOREST SERVICE WITH RESPECT TO THE ASPEN HIGHLANDS SKI AREA DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ISSUED SEPTEMBER 1996 WHEREAS, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared and distributed in response to a proposal submitted by the Aspen Skiing Company to the USDA Forest Service (Forest Service) to amend their Master Development Plan for the Aspen HigWands ski Area (Aspen HigWands); and WHEREAS, Aspen HigWands operates under a special use permit on the White River National Forest; and WHEREAS, The Forest Service has prepared this Draft EIS pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act [NEAP 1969, as amended]; and WHEREAS, specific comments have by requested from the City of Aspen by the Fo'rest Service, to be submitted by 20 November 1996; and WHEREAS, the City Council supports the improvement and development of recreational amenities in the region to the extent that such improvements are consistent with the preservation of community character and quality of life for residents and visitors; and WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that Pitkin County is also undertaking a thorough review of the proposed development under the criteria for the AF-SKI zoning district; and ~ ~. . fIlA 'II' Resolution No. 64, Series of 1996 Page 2 WHEREAS, staff has reviewed the Draft EIS and provided comments in the fqrm of memoranda and letters, recommending that certain conditions and further analysis be incorporated into the Final EIS; and WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to comment on the proposed project with respect to those areas of concern directly impacting the City, its operations, and quality of life while encouraging the further development of a recreational resource which provides valuable amenities for local residents and visitors in the Aspen area. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF ASPEN, COLORADO, THAT: Section I: The City Council of the City of Aspen, Colorado, generally supports the expansion and improvement of the Aspen Highlands Ski Area as proposed by the Aspen Skiing Company and described in the Forest Service Draft Environmentallmpact Statement as the "Preferred Alternative." Section 2: The City of Aspen respectfully requests the Forest Service to incorporate the following areas of additional analysis and related specific conditions in the Final EIS, specifically: I. The ski area should be expected to provide additional mass transit capacity servicing the potential increase in skier capacity. 2. The more stringent analysis ofthe "Maroon Creek Corridor Detailed Transportation Plan" should be incorporated into the final EIS document and appropriate transportation mitigation should be required based on this analysis, including capital and operating subsidies for public transportation and design changes which may alleviate congestion from Highway 82 to the site. - - - Resolution No. 64, Series of 1996 Page 3 3. Incremental Transportation Management (TM) measures should be put into place to ensure that traffic generation does not adversely impact the transportation system. 4. The applicant should participate in the funding and development ofTM measures which may be required to be implemented by the City of Aspen, such as further restrictions on skier parking in residential parking areas or at the James Moore Pool parking lot. 5. Strategically placed variable message signs should be used to inform travelers of lot full or pay parking conditions and direct them to free parking and shuttles outside or towards the periphery of the PMIO non-attainment area, so as to minimize Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). 6; Permanently deed restricted employee housing should be provided based on a careful and accurate analysis of employee generation and the stated goal of the Aspen Area Community Plan to house 60% of the Aspen workforce within the metro area. 7. The increase in ski area capacity should be used to determine future traffic increases, and mitigation should be required to offset air quality impacts resulting from increased traffic. The final EIS should disclose actual impacts on traffic, air quality, transit, and noise. 8. Use of the City of Aspen Maroon Creek intake is preferable to developing an independent intake. However, if Aspen HigWands develops an independent snowmaking water supply system, substantial monitoring and reporting should be required to protect instream flow conditions. This monitoring program should also be designed so that it provides for real time measurement and is effective during the icing conditions which are common on Maroon Creek. 9. The use of water storage should be required in order to minimize stream flow fluctuations and associated acquatic impacts, 10. Snowmaking which occurs after the months of November and DecembershoulQ be provided from the 1. 0 cubic foot per second (cfs) of firm water supply currently committed to Aspen Highlands in order to maintain instream flow conditions ofI4 cfs or more. APPROVED, on 1 I November 1996 at a public hearing before the City Council. ~ '7, {>'.-'-~.~ ..-Ztf John S. Beffilett, Mayor I, Kathryn S.-=Koch, duly appointed and acting City Clerk, do certifY that the foregoing is a truti'and accurate copy of the resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Aspen, Colorado, at a meeting held on 11 November 1996. ~ dfiv- Kathryn S. ch, Cit( Clerk