HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.088-97
A RESOLUTION OF
THE ASPEN CITY COUNCIL
ADOPTING THE
ASPEN DOWNTOWN ENHANCEMENT AND PEDESTRIAN PLAN (ADEPP)
RESOLUTION NO. 97.]3
WHEREAS, the Aspen City Council (hereinafter "Council") has the powers and duties
to take such other actions not delegated to the Commission, the Historic
Preservation Commission, the Board of Adjustment or the Planning Director, as
the Council may deem desirable and necessary to implement the provisions of the
Land Use Regulations; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aspen and County of Pitkin in 1993 adopted the Aspen Area
Community Plan, a character-based plan developed by the citizens of the
community, which includes the Aspen downtown core area; and
WHEREAS, the Aspen Area Community Plan includes Growth, Transportation,
Housing, Commercial/Retail, Open Space/Recreation and Environment and
Design Quality and Historic Preservation Action Plans with the adopted policies
relating to the enhancement and improvement of the downtown core;
WHEREAS, in response to citizen requests to make the downtown more pedestrian-
friendly and to minimize the impact of automobile traffic the City Council
appointed an Aspen Downtown Enhancement and Pedestrian Plan (ADEPP) Task
Force, comprised of twenty-two (22) members representing sixteen (16)
"stakeholder groups" and six (6) "citizens-at-Iarge" to ensure all facets of the
community were being represented; and
WHEREAS, in March 1996, the ADEPP Task Force began meeting every two weeks
from noon until 2 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall to discuss the
enhancement of downtown. The Task Force defined the study area as being the
twenty-four block sector bounded by East Main Street on the north, East Durant
A venue on the south, and to the east by Original Street and by South Aspen Street
to the west. The area contains approximately 56.5 acres and includes 11 zone
districts; and
WHEREAS, after numerous meetings and discussions, the Task Force refined and
expanded City Council's original ADEPP goals to reflect the following:
1. To preserve and enhance the downtown core as a physically
attractive place.
2. To improve the downtown core as a place which inspires and
accommodates a wide variety of activities and events year round
including arts, music, performing arts, recreation and shopping.
3. To make the downtown core more pedestrian friendly and
minimize the sense that automobiles dominate the downtown area.
4. To provide and preserve opportunities for multiple modes of
transportation within the downtown core.
5. To strengthen the downtown core as the commercial heart of the
community.
6. To provide the physical environment for establishments and
activity centers that can serve as community gathering places (heart
and soul of the community) in the downtown core.
7. To take greater advantage of opportunities for the utilization of
alleys and pocket park spaces for pedestrian circulation, social
interaction and commercial activity.
8. To work with other appropriate citizen committees and volunteer
boards to take maximum advantage of the knowledge and
experience of these groups and avoid duplication of purpose and
work product; and
WHEREAS, in December 1996, Design Workshop, a landscape architecture and
planning firm based in Aspen, was selected from a nation-wide field of consultant
teams to work with the Task Force and to provide professional services for
Downtown Enhancement Plan. Design Workshop and their team of experts
(Charlier & Associates of Boulder, traffic and BBC Research & Consulting of
Denver, economic and market review) completed the Inventory and Analysis
phase in May 1997. The planning and urban design process for the Downtown
Core is comprised of three phases; and
WHEREAS, during this first phase of planning, the consultants and Task Force members
met several times, including two worksessions on April 18 and May 6, 1997. The
Task Force and consultants derived from the analysis of transportation issues,
economic conditions of the downtown retail market, physical state of Aspen's
public domain, public policies which influence the town's built environment, and
qualities which infuse Aspen with its "heart and soul," the following objectives:
1. To retain and enhance the traditional town form which characterizes
Aspen and separates it from other resorts.
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a. Encourage public policy which reinforces the traditional urban form of
Aspen (open space and set-back requirements, viewplanes, etc.).
b. Establish a civic presence to the streets of the commercial core.
2. To strengthen the existing street grid of downtown Aspen while
developing a ~ystem of pedestrian enhanced streets.
a. Prevent the car from being the dominate mode of transportation in the
downtown-create streets that encourage walking.
b. Construct in fill sidewalks on the outlying streets of the commercial core.
c. Enhance pedestrian circulation across Main Street into downtown.
3. To allow for a functional downtown.
a. Anticipate in 2015, that 43% of people in the downtown will be arriving by
automobile. Parking is an important factor to a functioning and vital
downtown. Loss of parking shall be minimized; attempt to replace each
space lost with another elsewhere in the downtown core area.
b. Establish a pedestrian/transit linkage at Rubey Park and from Monarch
Street to the proposed light rail (LRT) platform.
c. Minimize impacts to surrounding neighborhood streets when making
improvements to the streets in the commercial core.
d. Create and retain curbside parking wherever possible.
4. To enhance existing public spaces which are not functioning to their
potential.
a. Create and enhance public spaces where special events and performances
can occur.
b. Address current urban forestry problems now and in future public
improvements.
5. To maintain a balanced mix of successful commerce, lively public spaces
and civic character which is uniquely Aspen.
a. Seek alternative approaches to creating more opportunities for locally-
serving and locally-owned commercial uses downtown.
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b. Allow for a public domain which both local residents and resort visitors
can enjoy; and
WHEREAS, City Council reviewed and concurred with the ADEPP Goals and
Objectives and the Existing Conditions Inventory and Analysis findings at two
special public worksessions on May 19 and June 10, 1997; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force and consultants then proceeded into Phase 2, Conceptual
Plan Alternatives. Three plan alternatives were developed:
Alternative One was a modest proposal that maintains the existing character and
function of the downtown while making improvements to the pedestrian system
(completion of sidewalks, pedestrian crossing improvements and special crossing
treatments) and enhancements to the existing malls.
Alternative Two maintained, enhanced and expanded the existing pedestrian
malls while creating a street hierarchy and modifying on-street parking
configurations. It also included completion and expansion of sidewalks,
pedestrian crossing improvements and special treatments.
Alternative Three included all of the elements contained in Alternatives 1 and
2. The plan also expanded the pedestrian malls. The new malls extended from
East Hyman Avenue south on Galena Street, then east on Cooper to Hunter and
south on Hunter to Durant; and
WHEREAS, the Task Force reviewed the Inventory and Analysis Working Paper along
with the three Conceptual Plan Alternatives in relationship to the committee's
established goals and objectives. The DEPP committee reached a consensus at
their regular meeting on July 8, 1997, even though a minority on the Task Force
continued to support Alternative 3. The majority noted that Alternative 2 does
not preclude the possibility of implementing Alternative 3 in the future. The
ADEPP Task Force endorsed Alternative Plan 2 based on the following findings:
A. Conceptual Plan Alternatives
1. Alternative 1 does not "go far enough" in creating a downtown that
committee members believe is necessary for Aspen's core to remain vital
and vibrant in the future.
2. Alternative 3 has many attractive facets associated with it, especially the
pedestrian-friendly "mall-type" spaces that create special areas of attraction
and refuge, and which have become synonymous with Aspen. However,
the addition of more malls, loss of on-street parking and the potential for
attracting more tourist-oriented uses made this seem too drastic a
recommendation for the Task Force.
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3. Alternative 2 addresses all of the Council and Task Force goals and
objectives in a comprehensive manner. It builds upon the successes of the
existing pedestrian malls while retaining and reinforcing the traditional
town form. The plan is flexible in that it can be phased to accommodate
light rail, the Galena Street Trolley Independence Pass Plaza and if desired,
future pedestrian mall expansions.
B. Physical Improvements
1. Creates a hierarchy of public streets within the downtown core: Main
Street/Sta,te Highway 82; Primary Commercial Core Streets; Secondary
Commercial Core Streets; and Downtown Residential Streets.
2. Defines the streets of Mill, Galena and adjoining sections of Hyman,
Cooper and Durant as "core streets" reinforcing the "vector of desire" in the
downtown. Increases sidewalk dimensions to provide better pedestrian
movement and creates a civic presence through consistency of materials,
provision of street furnishings and more ordered treatment. Makes the
"messy vitality" a little less messy.
3. Extends the ends of the Mill and Galena Street pedestrian malls to Durant
A venue. Designates these sections of the malls as "pedestrian streets" to
allow continued use by vehicles and busses.
4. Creates a spatial and visual linkage between the Cooper A venue/Mill Street
malls and Wagner Park. Allows for the relocation and improvement of the
public restrooms at Wagner Park.
5. Develops a street/landscape that brings both sides of the malls together to
enhance the pedestrian and shopping experiences. Enhances architectural
character and visibility of storefronts where appropriate. Currently, the
malls are segmented by landscape elements. Proposes to reorient benches,
realign water feature bridges, remove overgrown vegetation through
judicious pruning and thinning and allows for the potential addition of
information kiosks.
C. Pedestrian and PJ.Iblic Safety Improvements
1. Creates a comprehensive and interconnected sidewalk system. Proposes
sidewalks where none currently exist. Promotes wider walkways with
narrower streets as being very desirable. Proposing all sidewalks to be
ADA accessible.
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2. Provides neckdownslbulb-outs along Main Street at the intersections of
Aspen, Monarch, Mill, Galena, Hunter and Spring Streets to improve
pedestrian crossings to and from the downtown core. Creates "special
treatments" for these critical pedestrian crossings; "striping" is alone not
sufficient. Coordinates these improvements and funding allocations with
the CDOT/City of Aspen Entrance-to Aspen project.
3. Creates neckdownslbulb-outs along Durant Avenue at Mill, Galena, Hunter
and Spring Streets to improve pedestrian circulation and safety from the
downtown malls and Rubey Park to the ITT Sheraton Hotel, Silver Circle
Ice Rink, Little Nell Hotel and gondola. Creates "special treatments" for
these critical pedestrian crossings; "striping" alone is not sufficient.
4. Removes obstructions to pedestrian movement along Durant A venue as
noted on the plan.
5. Creates "pedestrian arcs" at the corners of Hyman and Mill (Wheeler Opera
House) and Cooper and Galena (Paradise Bakery) to alert drivers that these
are significant pedestrian crossings.
6. Provides for the location of Emergency .Medical Training (EMT), fire and
police facilities to effectively serve the users of the downtown core area.
D. Public Streets and Parking
1. Retains as much of the current on-street parking supply as possible.
Concern by Task Force members that reduction of downtown parking will
diminish public support and acceptance of any proposal.
2. Replaces on-street parking spaces eliminated due to pedestrian
improvements and street reconfigurations at a 1: 1 basis. Conversion of
angled parking to parallel parking results in the "lost" spaces being
relocated to other on-street parking areas within the downtown core.
3. Allows and encourages opportunities for seasonal street closures. Needs
further evaluation on how the streets will be used and how the infrastructure
can be designed to enhance the potential activities ( i.e.: shallow gutters
with roll-over curbs; use of similar materials, colors, textures, etc.).
E. Public Transit
1. Incorporates proposed light rail (LRT) alignment into the plan along the
eastern side of Monarch Street and the north side of Durant A venue to
Rubey Park. LRT and Monarch transit station needs integration with
streetscape enhancement and Wagner Park plans.
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2. Delineates Galena Street Trolley alignment in the Preferred Plan for future
planning purposes. Ensures that the potential trolley is fully integrated into
the Galena streetscape enhancement plans, meets ADA requirements and
interfaces with the Rubey Park Transit Center.
F. Independence Pass Plaza Concept Plan
1. Conceptually, agree that the proposed massing, scale and land use
allocations "fit" within the context of downtown Aspen.
2. Concur that the location is appropriate for an east-end intercept parking
garage. Design parking and circulation so that downtown streets are not
impacted. Encourage vehicles to remain on Original Street and out of the
"vector of desire." Use signage and entry/exit locations to direct traffic
circulation.
3. Recommend that East Cooper Avenue remain a public street and that it not
be developed into a pedestrian plaza or mall.
4. Agree that the site is an appropriate location for uses that are locally-owned
and locally-serving.
5. Recommend strongly that affordable housing be developed on the site.
Advise that additional upper story affordable housing on the south portion
of the site adjacent to the Durant Mall may possible in terms of urban
design and massing.
6. Agree that the free-market units should have excellent southern exposure
and views to Aspen Mountain.
G. Public Policy
1. Adoption of Preferred Alternative 2 reinforces and expands the vision
established in the Aspen Area Community Plan. Implementation of
DEPP's Preferred Alternative: revitalizes the permanent community;
provides transportation alternatives; promotes environmentally and socially
sustainable development; and maintains and improves design quality/
historic compatibility.
2. Adoption ofDEPP's Preferred Alternative 2 does not preclude the approval
and implementation of any of these projects: Entrance-to-Aspen and LRT;
Galena Street Trolley; and Independence Pass Plaza.
3. Development of affordable housing is very appropriate and desirable in the
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downtown COre. Specific locations need to be evaluated on a case-by-case
basis. Existing zoning requirements (FAR and height limitations;
mitigation measures; and viewplanes) may be modified at Council's
discretion where appropriate.
4. Support revision to City's open space requirement in the commercial core
as it encourages "bad" urban design solutions. DEPP strongly discourages
the creation of sub- and partially below grade open spaces that separate
buildings from pedestrians, public sidewalks and streets. Encourages staff
to investigate the "transfer" of open space to affordable housing FAR at
Council's discretion; establishment of build-to lines; and designation of
street corners as "special treatment" areas.
5. Maintain, to the extent possible, the current supply of on-street parking in
the downtown core. Convert parallel parking to angle parking where
appropriate to compensate for any loss of on-street spaces resulting from
this plan. Modify loading zone areas to allow public parking during certain
hours of the day.
6. Address the on-street parking impacts associated with the implementation
of the LRT alignment on Monarch and Durant.
7. Initiate the master planning process for Wagner Park immediately. Strive to
create an important civic park, a community focal point, that is more fully
integrated with the pedestrian malls and functions year round for a wide
variety of groups and activities. Incorporate the alley along the north edge
of Wagner Park into the Wagner Park Master Plan.
8. Agree that the primary use of alleys is for service and delivery. Future
planning efforts may address how the alleys may be enhanced.
9. Concur that snow removal practices are important, but they are not a
primary limiting factor in the downtown enhancement plan. Recommend
that snow removal practices be modified to accommodate creative urban
design solutions.
H. Recommendations:
1. To adopt the Task Force's recommendation of Alternative 2 as the
Downtown Enhancement and Pedestrian Master Plan for guiding the future
of downtown Aspen.
2. To recommend that the Task Force, consultant team and staff proceed
with the Design Development phase of the Downtown Enhancement and
Pedestrian Plan (DEPP) process; and
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WHEREAS, a special joint public worksession with Aspen Planning Zoning
Commission and Historic Preservation Commission was held on September 23,
1997 to review, discuss and make recommendations regarding the three
Conceptual Plan Alternatives; and
WHEREAS, at a regularly scheduled public meeting on 21 October 1997, the Aspen
Planning and Zoning Commission did hereby endorse the Aspen Downtown
Enhancement and Pedestrian Plan (ADEPP) Conceptual Plan 2 as the
"Preferred" Alternative; and that all plans shall be submitted to Aspen Planning
and Zoning Commission for more detailed review and approval via
Resolution 97-_; and
WHEREAS, at a specially scheduled public meeting on 24 November 1997, the Aspen
Historic Preservation Commission did hereby endorse the Aspen Downtown
Enhancement and Pedestrian Plan (ADEPP) Conceptual Plan 2 as the "Preferred"
Alternative; and that all plans shall be submitted to Aspen Planning and Zoning
Commission for more detailed review and approval via Resolution 97-_; and
WHEREAS, a public Open House displaying the Goals and Objectives along with the
exhibits of Phase I-Inventory and Analysis, Phase 2-Conceptual Alternatives 1-3,
and the "Preferred Alternative" was held in the lobby of the Wheeler Opera House
from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, 25 November 1997 with citizens, Board members,
elected officials, Task Force members, consultants and staff; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Aspen City Council that we do hereby
endorse the Aspen Downtown Enhancement and Pedestrian Plan (ADEPP)
Conceptual Plan 2 as the "Preferred Alternative;" and that all plans shall be
submitted to Aspen City Council for more detailed review and approval.
APPROVED by the Aspen City Council, ~ to 0 at a specially scheduled public
meeting on 15 December 1997.
ATTEST:
~~~~
City Clerk
ASPEN CITY COUNCIL
~ {3~-
John S. Bennett
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
~~
J n Worcester
City Attorney
~s TO CONTENT:
Stan Clauson
Community Development Director
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