HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.council.worksession.20170718
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
July 18, 2017
4:00 PM, City Council Chambers
MEETING AGENDA
I. Com Dev Workplan Discussion
II. Construction Hour Extension for Aspen during the Glenwood Bridge Closure
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Com Dev Work Program Memo – July 18, 2017
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Skadron and City Council
FROM: Jessica Garrow, Community Development Director
Phillip Supino, Principal Long Range Planner
Stephen Kanipe, Chief Building Official
MEETING DATE: July 18, 2017
RE: Community Development Department Work Program
REQUEST OF COUNCIL: Staff requests City Council identify any work program items that should be a
priority for 2018 and added to the Community Development Department Work Program.
SUMMARY: This memo outlines the Community Development Department’s current work program, as
well as other priorities previously identified by City Council, P&Z, HPC, and staff. Council may wish
to re-evaluate the priorities, but based on the department’s staffing levels, realistically the department
cannot add more than one or two new work program items without deleting others. The purpose of this
work session is to update City Council on the Community Development Department’s work program in
advance of Council’s retreat. In addition to the projects outlined below, staff continues to focus on
regular work items, such as building permits and current land use caseload.
CURRENT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORK PROGRAM ITEMS: Beyond the general planning
services the city provides (processing land use applications, providing walk-in services, etc.),
community development staff is currently working on the following items. Each item lists the primary
staff contact for the project, as well as the AACP Policies the work would implement.
1. Electronic Permitting System Implementation. The Community Development Department
has worked with Vertiba, a contractor for the software system BasicGov, for the last six months
to develop a new permitting and data management system. That system is in the construction
phase, and staff expects that, following beta tests and revisions, that system will be implemented
beginning in 2018. Staff: All (Primary points of contact: Jessica Garrow, Karen Harrington,
Rebecca Wallace). AACP: Managing Growth Policy VIII.1 & 2.
2. Building Permit / Address File Scanning. The Community Development Department is
working with a Denver-based vendor to convert all building files to electronic format.
Approximately 90% of the files have been digitized, and staff from both Community
Development, IT, and the Clerk’s Office, is currently working on quality control, and creating a
usable and searchable file management system to enable easier use by staff and the public. The
project is anticipated to be completed in mid-2018. Staff: Rebecca Wallace, Bonnie Muhigirwa.
AACP: Managing Growth Policy VIII.1 & 2.
3. Mandated Sign Code Update. Following a 2015 Supreme Court Case, the Planning staff is
conducting a public outreach and code amendment process to update the sign code. The case,
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Reed v. Town of Gilbert, AZ, requires government sign regulations to be content neutral. The
specific nature of the court case and new legal requirements dictate that the amendments to the
sign code will be narrow in scope. A complete overhaul of the sign code is not within the scope
of this project. Staff anticipates this project will be completed in the fall of 2017. Staff: Phillip
Supino. AACP: Managing Growth Policy VIII.1 & 2.
4. Miscellaneous Code Amendments. Throughout the year, staff keeps a “redline” version of the
code that identifies areas of the code that are confusing, contradictory, or do not address
emerging issues. These primarily focus is on the calculations and measurement section of the
code – that is, how buildings, fences, etc. are measured for height, floor area, net leasable and net
livable, and setbacks. The most recent update was completed at the end of 2014. Staff has
begun compiling a list of potential changes and anticipates bringing a code amendment forward
in late 2017 or early 2018. Many of these changes are needed to clarify or solidify changes made
during the moratorium. For instance, the definition of demolition and the determination of
natural versus finished grade should be examined and updated to account for newer building
designs and land use trends. Refer to Exhibit B for additional commentary on those changes.
Staff: Phillip Supino and Justin Barker. AACP: Managing Growth Policy III.1, VIII.1 & 2.
5. Lift 1A Location Study. The City and property owners adjacent to Lift 1A are engaged in a
study to determine the optimal future location of Lift One relative to approved and proposed
developments in the area. Depending on the result of the study, there may be staff and HPC
review related to how the new lift will interact with the historic lift and historic buildings on the
Lift One Lodge site. The original study scope includes examination of four (4) scenarios that
could realistically move the lift further down the mountain towards Dean Street. As the group
has worked with the consultant, additional questions regarding feasibility of additional scenarios
has come up and if added will result in an increased scope. Staff anticipates the study will be
finalized in the late summer or early fall, and will be followed by public open houses and a
council work session to review the report’s findings. Staff: Jennifer Phelan. AACP: Managing
Growth Policy IV.3.
6. Uphill Economy (Council Goal #8). One of City Council’s Top Ten Goals focuses on creating
a framework for encouraging industry, events, and other economic activities tied to the “Uphill
Economy." The effort builds on the popularity of this outdoor movement by attracting events
and businesses to Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley that can provide economic development
that is not tied to the built environment. The Uphill Plan was completed earlier this year, and is
the basis for a pending grant application with the state for funds to implement the short, medium,
and long term implementation items identified in the plan. The grant would provide funding and
technical assistance for the implementation of the Uphill plan. Should the City be awarded the
grant, it may be subject to the implementation schedule and requirements of the state per the
grant award conditions. Staff proposes to continue to include this as a primary portion of the
Department’s work program to ensure the momentum of the last few years does not dwindle.
Staff: Jessica Garrow, Hillary Seminick. AACP: Aspen Idea Policy I.3-4; Managing Growth
Policy I.4.
7. Small Lodge Preservation Program. In 2015, the City adopted a Small Lodge Preservation
Program intended to assist small lodges in continuing to operate. In 2016, two fractional lodges
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joined the program, and five (5) lodges applied for and received grants through the energy
efficiency program. So far in 2017, two lodges have received permit fee reductions for
improvements to their structures. Additionally, seven lodges have taken advantage of the Energy
Efficiency program, leveraging approximately $57,000 of City and CORE funds to make
efficiency upgrades to their buildings. Staff is working with member lodges to utilize the other
benefits in the program, and anticipates additional lodges will continue to use the energy
efficiency grants and building permit fee reduction benefits. This program is in effect until June
2020. Staff: Phillip Supino. AACP: Managing Growth Policies IV.1-4.
8. Historic Property Inventorying. The City is required to periodically update the official
inventory of historic properties with updates pictures and technical analysis. No changes to
which properties are designated is part of this effort. This update is a requirement to maintain
the city’s Certified Local Government (CLG) status with the state. Due to workload, this effort
was pushed out to 2017/2018, and will likely commence in the fall or winter. Staff: Amy
Simon. AACP: Historic Preservation Policies I.1-2 and III.1.
9. Aspen Mobility Lab. The City is exploring a significant mobility experiment in May/June of
2018, as was discussed at Council’s June 26th work session. There are a number of departments
working together on this goal, including the Community Development Department. The inter-
departmental team is focusing on potential test projects to demonstrate longer-term changes that
could be implemented to improve connectivity, mobility, and the downtown experience. Staff:
Jessica Garrow and Phillip Supino. AACP: Transportation Policies 1 and 2.
10. Pedestrian Malls Project. The City, led by the Parks and Asset Departments, is working on a
master plan for the Pedestrian Malls. There are a number of departments working together on
this goal, including the Community Development Department. Staff: Jessica Garrow and Amy
Simon. AACP: Historic Preservation Policy III.1, Parks/Open Space/Trails Policy V.1,
Transportation Policy II.3.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF SUGGESTIONS: A significant number of work program items were
identified by City Council during the 2016-2017 AACP-LUC coordination process as being important to
consider in future work program work. In addition, the Planning and Zoning Commission and HPC
have weighed in on potential work program items. Below is a list of the items staff recommends be
considered for inclusion in the department’s work program.
1. Historic Preservation Submittal Requirement Standards. The Planning Department intends to
use the funds generated from the penalty assessed on 232 E. Bleecker to fund the development of
more specific standards for the submittal of applications to preserve historic buildings. Staff intends
to hire a consultant to assist the Historic Preservation Officer in developing a standardized
preservation submittal sheet, to be included in Historic Preservation Land Use Applications. This
sheet will include standardized exhibits and descriptions of preservation techniques to help ensure
that future preservation projects have clearly defined preservation processes and techniques. This
implementation item was strongly supported by HPC as a way to ensure future projects result in a
positive preservation outcome. Staff: Amy Simon & Stephen Kanipe. AACP: Managing Growth
Policy VIII.1 & 2.
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2. Future Land Use Map and Annexation Policy. In the last few years, the city has received
annexation requests for county parcels located adjacent to the city boundary. Additionally, the
Water Department receives service requests from properties outside of the city boundary, where the
city does not have planning jurisdiction. While the Aspen Area Community Plan provides general
policy guidance it is not a future land use map. Staff recommends a future land use map and more
specific annexation policy be created to assist in the evaluation of future annexation and service
requests. In addition, the city has an existing annexation plan, but it focuses on the legal process for
annexation, rather than broader policies that should guide decisions on annexation. Creation of a
future land use map and annexation policy would require consultant assistance and community
outreach, as well as coordination with other department, including Water and the City Attorney.
Staff anticipates that the planning and mapping portions of this effort would cost $50,000 and would
take 10 to 12 months to complete. Depending on the level of coordination and work needed related
to water service, temporary help may be required as well. Staff: Jessica Garrow and Phillip Supino.
AACP: Managing Growth Policy II.1 & 2; West of Castle Creek Policy I.1, II.1.
3. Definition and Standards for Lodge Use. There has been increased interest in Lodge uses since
the code amendments adopted during the AACP-LUC coordination process. The discussions of
these proposals revealed some gaps in the definition and standards for Lodge uses. The current code
requires that Lodge uses be listed with a booking agency and are subject to period audits at the
discretion of the Community Development Director. These standards are insufficient for staff to
ensure that future Lodge uses function as lodges and add to the City’s bed base. Staff suggests
adding standards and strengthening the definition of Lodge uses and believes this is one of the most
important code amendments following the moratorium that could take 2-4 months to complete. P&Z
supported this as a priority item to ensure the recent moratorium code changes are as effective as
possible. Staff: Phillip Supino. AACP: Managing Growth Policy IV.3 and VII.2.
4. Expedited Tenant Finish Permitting Process. The Community Development Department is
interested in piloting a program to assist minor tenant finish permits through the process. Tenant
finishes typically include the construction of improvements such as non-load bearing walls, lighting
and mechanical systems and floor and wall finishes. The review time associated with these types of
permits is relatively short. However, they are processed in the order they are received, which can
increase the time required for the application to make its way through the review process. An
expedited review process would ensure that more minor tenant finish applications are not placed in
the queue behind large permits that require more significant review time. This will provide a
significant benefit to business owners, because it will shorten the time required to start or reopen a
business in the City. It will be important to develop clear standards for what constitutes a small-
scale tenant finish versus a more impactful finish project, as well as coordinate with the Engineering
Department on Construction Management requirements. The Planning and Zoning Commission
strongly supported this work program item. Staff: Stephen Kanipe and Denis Murray. AACP:
Managing Growth Policy VIII.1 & 2.
5. Expedited Energy Efficiency Permit Process. The Community Development Department is
interested in the development of an expedited review process for energy efficiency permits. It would
support the City’s energy efficiency and sustainability policies, as well as assist property owners in
complying with energy code requirements. This expedited process would apply only to permits
required for energy efficiency improvements like solar panel installation or mechanical system
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upgrades. Like the tenant finish process described above, it will be essential to clearly define the
types of activities eligible for the expedite process. The Planning and Zoning Commission strongly
supported this work program item. Staff: Stephen Kanipe and Mike Metheny. AACP: Managing
Growth Policy VIII.1 & 2; Environmental Stewardship I.1 &2, II.1-4, V.1-5.
OTHER ITEMS FROM THE AACP-LUC COORDINATION PROCESS: A significant take-away from the
AACP-LUC coordination process was the degree to which regulations in various areas effect
development outcomes throughout the community. For example, changes to the parking regulations
were designed to free lot area to achieve Council’s pedestrian amenity and second tier space goals. Use
mix policies have ancillary benefits to economic sustainability and second tier space policies. The
following is a list of the items identified during the moratorium as potential follow up programs or code
amendments. Exhibit B includes additional information to the briefs listed below.
Staff suggests that if Council is interested in adding some of the items below to the department’s work
program that the work be focused within a single topic area (Use Mix, Parking & Mobility, Affordable
Housing), rather than selecting projects within multiple topic areas. This approach recognizes the
relationship between policy topic areas and ensures efficiency and effectiveness in the Land Use Code
amendment process and outcomes.
1. Use Mix Items – The following work program items are intended to achieve AACP policies,
including:
I.4. Identify opportunities to reduce the “boom-bust” nature of the economy. (Managing Growth p. 24)
V.1. Encourage a commercial use mix that is balanced, diverse and vital and meets the needs of the year-round residents and
visitors. (Managing Growth p. 26)
V.2. Facilitate the sustainability of essential businesses that provide basic community needs. (Managing Growth p. 26)
Of the items listed below, staff believes items B and E can be accomplished in the next year, and would
most directly support the policies adopted during the AACP-LUC coordination process.
A. Legacy Business Program. The Legacy Business Program was a concept put forward in the fall of
2016 to support essential and locally serving businesses. The idea is to provide government
assistance to legacy businesses to assist in their sustainability throughout changing commercial
market. Staff: Phillip Supino
B. Essential Business Overlay Zone Standards. The Essential Business Overlay Zone (EBO) was
adopted as part of Ordinance 30 to address Council’s use mix objectives. Council expressed an
interest in having additional discussions about additional features of the EBO as part of the Work
Program. Staff: Phillip Supino
C. Affordable Commercial. The goal of an affordable commercial space program would be to make
available commercial space to tenants meeting certain criteria to help achieve Council’s use mix and
economic sustainability goals. There is not currently a model for such a program, and it has been
discussed only theoretically. A public-private partnership between the City and local interest groups
could be an effective option to support an affordable commercial program leveraging City assets
with outside resources and capacity. Staff: Phillip Supino
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D. Live-Work Residential Standards: Live-work residential units were a focus of some discussion
regarding the EBO, SCI zone, use mix and affordable housing priorities. The City does not currently
allow live-work units, as there is fear about the ability to control either the residential or commercial
nature and occupancy of such units. Staff: Phillip Supino
2. Parking & Mobility Items – The following work program items are intended to achieve AACP
Policies, including:
1. Use Transportation Demand Management tools to accommodate additional person trips in the Aspen Area.
(Transportation, p. 35)
I.4. Maintain the reliability and improve the convenience of City of Aspen transit services. (Transportation, p. 35)
II.2. Expand and improve bicycle parking and storage in the Urban Growth Boundary. (Transportation, p. 35)
II.3. Improve the convenience, safety, and quality of experience for bicyclists and pedestrians on streets and trails.
(Transportation, p. 35)
III.3. Require development to mitigate for its transportation impacts. (Transportation, p. 36)
V.1. Develop a strategic parking plan that manages the supply of parking and reduces the adverse impacts of the
automobile. (Transportation, p. 36)
Of the items listed below, staff believes items B and C can be accomplished in the next year, and would
most directly support the policies adopted during the AACP-LUC coordination process.
A. Parking Cash-in-Lieu Rate. One outcome of the update to the parking section of the Land Use
Code during the AACP-LUC process was the determination by the consultant team that the cash-in-
lieu of parking fee structure may require revision. Such a study would be conducted over 4 to 6
months. Staff: Phillip Supino and Reilly Thimons.
B. Parking and Mobility Code Clean-up. There are a number of improvements that could be made to
the new parking regulations adopted under the moratorium to ensure greater coordination with
existing city policies and to cover more zone districts within the City. Depending on the scope of
the project, such a revision may take between 4 and 6 months. Staff: Reilly Thimons,
Transportation, Engineering.
C. Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) Update. Following Council’s direction to staff to
incorporate the City’s parking, transportation and mobility policies into the new parking regulations,
the TIA has become a central component of the new parking code. As such, improvements to the
TIA would ensure that all those policy areas work in concert to achieve Council and community
objectives. Depending on the scope of the update, the project may take 6 to 9 months. Staff:
Community Development, Transportation and Engineering.
3. Affordable Housing Items – The following work program items are intended to achieve AACP
Policies, including:
II.1. The housing inventory should bolster our socioeconomic diversity. (Housing, p. 41)
IV.2. All affordable housing must be located within the urban growth boundary. (Housing, p. 42)
IV.3. On-site housing mitigation is preferred. (Housing, p. 42)
IV.5. The design of new affordable housing should optimize density while demonstrating compatibility with the massing,
scale and character of the neighborhood. (Housing, p. 42)
Of the items listed below, staff believes item B can be accomplished in the next year, and would most
directly support the policies adopted during the AACP-LUC coordination process.
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A. Affordable Housing “Transfer” Amendment. During the AACP-LUC process, Council discussed
a program to allow development in the CC and C-1 zones to ‘transfer’ their affordable housing
requirement between sites in the zones. This would allow affordable housing to concentrate on
certain sites, reducing potential conflicts with commercial uses in mixed-use buildings. Developing
this program may take 4 to 6 months, including public outreach and collaboration with APCHA.
Staff: Phillip Supino.
B. Resident-Occupied Housing “2.0”. A corollary to the discussions on affordable housing mitigation
and live-work housing was the concept of “RO 2.0” standards. The idea was to develop new
standards for RO housing, which is traditionally housing with a local residency requirement and no
price cap. The policy and regulatory development process would require consultant assistance,
collaboration with APCHA and 9 to 12 months, depending on the scope of the project. Staff: Phillip
Supino
C. Essential Public Facility Mitigation Rate. Presently, APCHA and P&Z collaborate to establish the
mitigation rate for essential public facilities. Council has expressed interest in examining this policy
and process. This policy review and subsequent code amendment process may take 6 to 9 months,
including public outreach and coordination with APCHA. Staff: Phillip Supino.
ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ITEMS: In addition to the AACP items listed above,
Community Development staff suggests the following work program items be discussed as potential
additions to the department’s work program.
1. Short-Term Rental Regulations. Short term rental regulations were adopted by the City in 2012
and have not been reviewed or updated since. In that time, the City has received one formal
complaint about a short-term rental property, however a number of other unofficial complaints or
inquiries have been made in the last six to eight months. Given the increase in inquiries the city is
receiving, it may be time to evaluate the program and make certain operation changes. For instance,
the program does not allow single room Air-BnB style rentals, but a quick google search indicates
these do occur. Staff: Phillip Supino. AACP: Managing Growth Policy IV.2, IV.3.
2. Housing Credit Program updates. In recent months, applications for new affordable housing
credits programs have been made with the Community Development Department. These include
proposed rental and sales projects, and a mix of categories, which has some impacts on the ability
for buyers to achieve conventional financing. It may be appropriate to complete amendments to
either the land use code or the APCHA guidelines to address this and other emerging issues. Work
on this would require close coordination with APCHA and does not necessarily require consultant
resources. Staff anticipates amendments would take 4-12 months, depending on if the amendments
are to the land use code (4-6 months) or the APCHA guidelines (10-12 months). A more detailed
work session on this topic is scheduled for August, so a decision on this work program item could be
made at that time Staff: Jessica Garrow. AACP: Managing Growth Policy VII.2; Housing I.2,
II.5, III.2, IV.5, V.1.
3. Model Zoning Submission. Community Development has specific standards for the content of
Land Use Permit application and Building Permit application submissions. These standards provide
guidance to applicants as to the required content of permit applications and proper depiction of that
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content in plan sets. The items required for Zoning Compliance Review are specified on the Model
Zoning Submission, which is a series of 24x36 inch architectural sheets. That document is outdated
and does not include information and formatting reflecting current code requirements or building
techniques. An update to the Model Zoning Submission would require the assistance of a consultant
for the design work and take 4 to 6 months of staff time. Staff: Justin Barker, Jim Pomeroy, and
Claude Salter. AACP: Managing Growth Policy VIII.1 & 2.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The current Community Development work program has been
budgeted for. Additional monies may be needed if Council is interested in jump-starting or moving
more quickly on any of the current items. Any additional work program items identified by City
Council will require additional budget monies.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A: AACP Implementation items since 2012
Exhibit B: Work Program Items Detailed Descriptions
Exhibit C: AACP Policies and Work Program Table
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Exhibit A
AACP Implementation since 2012
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EXHIBIT A: AACP WORK COMPLETED SINCE 2012
Since the adoption of the Aspen Area Community Plan (AACP) in 2012, there have been a
number of items reviewed and implemented by City Departments and City Council. The AACP
includes many policy priorities and a variety of policy direction on topics from growth to the
transportation to historic preservation to the environment. Every year since the AACP adoption,
City Council has prioritized various work program items from the AACP. Some items have
been made into City Council goals or processed as code amendments, while others have not yet
been selected by City Council for implementation. This exhibit outlines the AACP policies the
City has completed worked on since 2012.1
Master Plan Process – Added a new chapter outlining the process for any master plan. (Ord 31,
2012). AACP: General implementation from the overall 2012 AACP Process.
Aspen Idea Chapter:
· Uphill Economy – In 2015 the City began work to support the “Uphill Economy.” The
effort builds on the popularity of this outdoor movement by attracting events and businesses
to Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley that can provide economic development that is not tied
to the built environment. In February 2015 and 2016 the City hosted a successful uphill
event and expo that coincided with the Power of Four race. In early 2017 an Uphill
Economic Development Plan was adopted, following a months-long process with a local
Technical Advisory Committee of local uphill experts. In April 2017, the city successfully
co-hosted the all-uphill weekend at Buttermilk. AACP: Aspen Idea Policies I.3-4; Managing
Growth Policy I.4.
Managing Growth For Community & Economic Sustainability Chapter:
· Code Amendment Process – Updated process for code amendments, allowing more Council
oversight and more immediate action (Ord 11, 2012). AACP: Managing Growth Policies
VIII.1-2.
· Downtown heights & uses – Reduced heights to 28 feet, eliminated SFR/Duplex as allowed
use in C-1, reduced allowed Free-market FAR (Ord 12, 2012), and amended heights to
address south/north sides of street, eliminated Free-market residential as an allowed use in
CC and C-1 (Ord 25, 2012). AACP: Managing Growth Policies I.6 and V.3.
· Mitigating Impacts of Development Report – Report analyzing the impacts of
development on Parks/Open Space/Recreation/Trails, Transportation, the Environment,
Affordable Housing, Construction, and Public Health/Human Services. Council chose to
move forward on Housing and Transportation. (Report issued May 2012). AACP: Managing
Growth Policies VII.1-2.
1 While the AACP is a joint plan between the City and the County and includes potential work items for the City,
County, and community non-profits, this exhibit focuses only on the work conducted by the City of Aspen.
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Exhibit A
AACP Implementation since 2012
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· Lodging Charrette & Report – Provided an analysis of existing conditions in the lodging
sector (Report issued August 2012). AACP: Managing Growth Policies IV.1-2.
· Employee Generation and Double Dipping – Updated the City’s Employee Generation
Study for commercial and lodging zones, and eliminated the so-called “double-dip provision”
in Growth Management that had allowed project to only mitigate for their highest
requirement (Ord 4, 2013). AACP: Managing Growth Policy VII.2.
· PUD/PD – A complete re-write of the Planned Unit Development (PUD) chapter, renamed
chapter to “Planned Development”, established new review criteria, Council decision on
projects made sooner in process, went from 4 required review steps to 3 (Ord 36, 2013).
AACP: Managing Growth Policies VIII.2-3.
· Subdivision & Development Documents – A complete rewrite of Subdivision chapter,
updated review criteria, established clearer requirements for development documents through
creation of a new chapter, established clearer subdivision review types (Ord 37, 2013 –
Subdivision; Ord 41, 2013 – Development Documents). AACP: Managing Growth Policy
VIII.2.
· Lodging Economics & Demand Report – Report outlining the economics and general
demand around the lodging and short-term rental sector in Aspen and other resort
communities (Report issued June 2013). AACP: Managing Growth Policies IV.1-2.
· Double Basement – Eliminated the ability to build double basements in single-family and
duplex development (Ord 31, 2014; Ord 8, 2017). AACP: Managing Growth Policy III.2.
· Lodge Incentive Program – Created program intended to provide incentives for existing
lodges and condominiums to upgrade, and to enable new lodging products to be developed
(Ord 19, Series 2014 – rescinded). AACP: Managing Growth Policies IV.1-4 and VII.3.
· Public Projects – Updated the COWOP Chapter to address all Public Projects and to address
state law (Ord 11, 2015). AACP: Managing Growth Policy VIII.3.
· Small Lodge Preservation Program – Created a 5-year program to assist existing small
lodges to upgrade, refurbish, and expand, in an effort to enable them to remain a lodge. (Ord
15, Series 2015). AACP: Managing Growth Policies IV.1-2.
· Downtown Residential Uses – Legalized existing free-market residential units, while
prohibiting any new free-market residential units and any expansion of free-market
residential space to address non-conforming status created by Ordinance 25, Series 2012
(Ord 25, Series 2015). AACP: Managing Growth Policies III.2 and VIII.2.
· Vested Rights Update. Updated requirements to ensure major amendments to projects are
subject to the current land use code, not a previous land use code (Ord 27, 2015) AACP:
Managing Growth Policy VIII.2.
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Exhibit A
AACP Implementation since 2012
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· Timeshare Regulations. Updated timeshare regulations for clarity and to be consistent with
state requirements (Ord 36, 2015) AACP: Managing Growth Policies IV.1-2.
· Residential Design Standards Update. Updated the City’s fifteen (15) year old Residential
Design Standards for clarity and to be more user-friendly while retaining requirements for
buildings consistent with Aspen’s small town character (Ord 48, Series 2015). AACP:
Managing Growth Policies III.1-2
· Commercial Design Standards Update. Updated the City’s ten (10) year old Commercial
Design Standards for clarity and to be more user-friendly while retaining requirements for
buildings consistent with Aspen’s small town character (Ord 33, Series 2016). AACP:
Managing Growth Policies IV.4, V.3 and Historic Preservation Policies II.1 and V.1
· Lower Building Heights and Floor Area. The City approved significant downzoning in the
City’s commercial zone districts during the 2015-2016 moratorium, resulting in lower
allowed building heights and floor area. (Ords 29 and 30, Series 2016). AACP: Managing
Growth Policies I.1, I.6, IV.4, V.3, VIII.1-2
· Commercial Use Mix and Second-Tier Commercial Spaces. The City approved major
changes to allowed uses in the City’s commercial zone districts during the 2015-2016
moratorium, resulting in the creation of “second-tier” commercial space requirements to help
preserve existing nook and cranny businesses and spaces and encourage new ones. The code
changes also updated and refined the allowed commercial uses in the commercial zones,
including the addition of the Essential Business Overlay. (Ords 29, 30, and 33 Series 2016).
AACP: Managing Growth Policies I.1, V.1-3, VIII.1-2
· Growth Management Updates. The City updated the growth management chapter to
require additional affordable housing mitigation for all existing and new commercial or
lodging space during the 2015-2016 moratorium. (Ord 31, Series 2016). AACP: Managing
Growth Policies VII.2, VIII.1-2
· View Plane Updates. The City updated the View Planes chapter to during the 2015-2016
moratorium. This included creation of fore, mid, and background designations in the view
planes, each with different standards to reflect their impacts on the protected view plane, as
well as the expansion of the Wagner View Plane. (Ord 34, Series 2016). AACP: Managing
Growth Policies III.2, IV.4, V.3, VIII.1-2
· Chain Regulations. The city adopted regulations requiring a conditional use review for new
formula businesses. (Ord 6, Series 2017). AACP: Managing Growth Policy V.1-2
Transportation Chapter:
· Transportation Mitigation Requirements – Implemented a new system for all new
development to mitigate its new trips through TDM and MMLOS measures (Ord 8, 2014).
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Exhibit A
AACP Implementation since 2012
Page 4 of 8
AACP: Transportation Primary Policies 1-2, and Policies III.1, III.3; Environmental
Sustainability Policies I.3, II.1 and II.4; Managing Growth Policy VII.2.
· Bus Stop Improvements – Remodel and updates of Rubey Park, and replacements and
updates of stops along the Hunter Creek route. AACP: Transportation Primary Policies 1-2,
and Policy I.1.
· Bus Service Improvements – Includes the remodel of Rubey Park, and ongoing efforts
including “shopping of routes,” ongoing discussions and coordination with RFTA regarding
customer and service issues, and promotion of BRT. AACP: Transportation Policies I.4 and
VI.3.
· Education and Outreach Efforts – Ongoing efforts by Transportation Department to make
more people aware of bus system and incentivize use. This has included contests,
appreciation events, and outreach and marketing to hotels. AACP: Transportation Policies
I.3 and VI.1.
· Parking Code Updates – Updated the parking code to integrate mobility and the 2014 TI
requirements into one chapter. This included implementing shared parking opportunities, as
well as parking minimum and maximum requirements. AACP: Transportation Primary
Policies 1-2, and Policies III.1, III.3, V.1; Environmental Sustainability Policies I.3, II.1 and
II.4; Managing Growth Policy VII.2.
Housing Chapter:
· Capital Reserves Policy – Policy development is currently in process, with timing
associated with resolution of issues at Centennial. APCHA partly funded capital reserve
studies for those HOA’s who opted in. This enabled some of the HOA’s to create capital
reserves and begin to collect the funds. AACP: Housing Policies I.1 and I.3.
· ADUs – Ongoing work to address the ADU option for housing mitigation. AACP: Housing
Policies II.5-6.
· AH Credits Conversion – Provide a system of conversion between categories (Ord 32,
2012). AACP: Housing Policy III.2.
· Non-mitigation units – APCHA and City continue to work on ways to partner on housing
and increase community involvement in creation on non-mitigation housing. This includes
ongoing discussions with Habitat for Humanity, continued refinements to the Housing
Credits Program, and RFPs for the City’s land-banked properties. AACP: Housing Policy
III.2.
· Housing Guidelines – Updated Housing Guidelines to make them easier to understand and
to include new procedural information (anticipated effective date August 2015). AACP:
Housing Policy V.1.
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Exhibit A
AACP Implementation since 2012
Page 5 of 8
· Community Outreach and Engagement – The Housing Office has provided a number of
seminars and other educational opportunities for homeowners, including information on
CCIOA. AACP: Housing Policies I.4 and V.1.
· Management and Enforcement – Increased audits and inventorying of each unit as to
household size, employment, etc. Increases in qualified tenants. AACP: Housing Policy V.2.
· AH Credits Update – Update program to limit creation of affordable housing credits to
private sector developers, to full units (no dorm units), to within city limits, to Categories
with cash-in-lieu figures in the Housing Guidelines, and to address the creation of fractional
credits in mixed-use buildings (Ord 34, 2015). AACP: Managing Growth Policy VIII.2 and
Housing Policies IV.2 and V.1.
· Single-Family and Duplex Housing Mitigation. Updated the fee-in-lieu requirements for
single-family and duplex development, eliminating the ADU option for mitigation, and
lowering the amount of cash-in-lieu by right (Ord 35 & 37, 2015). AACP: Housing Policy
V.1
Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails Chapter:
· Park Acquisitions – Acquired a number of parcels for both active and passive parks,
including the Dolensik property, the Lindsey parcel, and Smuggler Mineral Rights. AACP:
Parks Policies I.1 and III.2-3.
· Park Balance – Continue to maintain a balance between active recreational parks and
passive parks, this has included efforts at Ajax Park, Pioneer Park, Bugsy Bernard Park, and
Garrish open space. AACP: Parks Policy I.2.
· Recreation Business Plan – The Recreation Department is working on an update to their
business plan. AACP: Recreation Policies II.1-2.
· Protecting Open Space – Implement improved noxious weed management, enforcement of
illegal camping, and clean-up efforts at Cozy Point. AACP: Parks Policy III.1, and
Environmental Stewardship Policies VI.1 and VII.1.
· Trail Improvements – Implemented trail enhancements and new connections, including
Cozyline, Airline, Ditchline, Deer Hill trail, Burlingame connector, Hummingbird traverse,
Lollipop extension, and Hunter Creek Extension. AACP: Parks Policies IV.1 and IV.3.
· Regional Trail Planning – On going work on the Upper Roaring Fork trails plan (draft
expected September 2015), and coordination with multiple jurisdictions on trail planning,
including Pitkin County, US Forest Service, Snowmass Village, and Aspen Skiing Company.
AACP: Parks Policy IV.2.
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I.
Exhibit A
AACP Implementation since 2012
Page 6 of 8
· Community Outreach – Enhanced communications and outreach efforts regarding city
parks, open space, trails, and recreation, including online surveys, new summer and winter
trail maps, new Smuggler self-guided tour map, and a new Nordic website. AACP: Parks
Policy V.1.
Environmental Stewardship Chapter:
· Greenhouse Gases – GHG emissions were down by 7.4% in 2014 from the baseline year.
Voluntary programs exist to encourage energy reduction. AACP: Environmental
Stewardship Policies I.1-4 and V.1-5.
· Complete Streets – Adopted and implemented a “complete streets” policy that encourages
street design for all form of transportation, including bikes and pedestrians. Implementation
has included the work along the Main Street corridor. AACP: Environmental Stewardship
Policy I.3
· Air Quality Monitoring – Participate in the Colorado State Patrol’s biannual Heavy Duty
Diesel Vehicles safety checks, including performing emissions checks on all trucks to
determine if they meet state air quality standards. Conduct weekly vehicle idling
surveillance throughout the winter. Provide air quality trainings to all new RFTA bus
drivers. AACP: Environmental Stewardship Policy II.1
· Ozone Monitoring – Implement updated air quality monitoring system to provide accurate
real-time data to the public. Real-time ozone and particulate data in both a health based form
as well as raw form is available at www.aspenairquality.com. AACP: Environmental
Stewardship Policy II.1-2.
· Stormwater Updates –Urban Runoff Management Plan (URMP) requires all development
sites to treat stormwater runoff with a preference for on-site treatment. Larger scale
community projects have also been completed to help treat water in the rivers, including at
Rio Grande Park and the John Denver Sanctuary. AACP: Environmental Stewardship
Policies III.4, III.6 and III.7.
· Trash & Recycling Requirements – Updated requirements for trash and recycling for all
use types (Ord 13, Series 2013). In addition, the city has been working with Pitkin County
and Waste Management staff to encourage use of the Rio Grande Recycling Center. AACP:
Environmental Stewardship Policy IV.1.
· Bag Ban – Instituted a ban on plastic bags in May 2012. The Bag Bank program continues
to offer free reusable shopping bags to residents and visitors through 12 different locations.
Environmental Health staff has also been training the checkout personnel at the two grocery
stores to ensure they are complying with the Waste Reduction Ordinance. AACP:
Environmental Stewardship Policy IV.1.
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I.
Exhibit A
AACP Implementation since 2012
Page 7 of 8
· Composting – The City’s Environmental Health Department and Pitkin County Solid Waste
Center were awarded a $200,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment to expand the compost collection program (SCRAPS). Funds from this program
are making a wider array of curbside collection containers available to residents and
businesses at no charge. AACP: Environmental Stewardship Policy IV.1.
· Deconstruction Requirements – Instituted a tracking and reporting system as part of the
Construction Management Plan process to track the amount of deconstruction and to
encourage reuse and recycling of materials. Approximately 60% of the total waste brought
to the landfill is diverted. 63% of the waste brought to the landfill is Construction and
Demolition waste. This has helped in efforts to increase the life of the landfill. AACP:
Environmental Stewardship Policy IV.2 and IV.4
· Snow Storage Requirements – The Engineering Department has updated requirements to
address snow storage requirements, requiring a minimum functional area of 30% of the
paved area to be provided for snow storage on site. Detached sidewalk requirements also
provide areas for snow storage. AACP: Environmental Stewardship Policy IV.3
· Aspen Electric Utility – Aspen Electric has achieved 100% renewable energy. AACP:
Environmental Stewardship Policy V.1-2
Historic Preservation Chapter:
· Historic Districts – Clarified that non-historic properties located within a Historic District
are subject to the City’s historic preservation requirements. (Ord 33, 2012). AACP: Historic
Preservation Policy II.1.
· AspenModern Website – Implemented website dedicated to Aspen’s Post-WWII era
properties. The website was completed in April 2014 and includes information on each style
of architecture and each architect modern properties (http://www.aspenmod.com/) Staff
continues to update the website as new properties are designated. AACP: Historic
Preservation Policies I.1-2.
· AspenVictorian Website – Implemented website dedicated to Aspen’s Victorian era
properties (http://aspenvictorian.com/). The website went live in September 2014, and
continues to be updated with information. AACP: Historic Preservation Policies I.1-2.
· TDRs – Expanded TDR landing sites by allowing up to 3 TDRs on large lots (Ord 33, 2014).
AACP: Historic Preservation Policies II.2-3; Managing Growth Policy III.3.
· Updated Historic Preservation Guidelines. Updated guidelines to address emerging issues
such as landscaping and to ensure the guidelines result in development that respects Aspen’s
historic buildings and districts (Ord **, 2015). AACP: Historic Preservation Policies II.1 and
V.1.
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I.
Exhibit A
AACP Implementation since 2012
Page 8 of 8
· City of Aspen Designations. The City designated five of its own properties through the
AspenModern and AspenVictoriam programs, including: old Mountain Rescue building, he
Yellow Brick, the Red Brick, Hildur Anderson Park, Pedestrian Malls. Updated guidelines to
address emerging issues such as landscaping and to ensure the guidelines result in
development that respects Aspen’s historic buildings and districts (Ord **, 2017). AACP:
Historic Preservation Policy III.1.
Lifelong Aspenite Chapter:
· Childcare Access – Kids First has ongoing efforts to ensure affordable child care is available
to residents and workers, including offering financial aid above the Colorado Childcare
Assistance Program maximum income. In 2014, 81 families received childcare financial aid,
with an average award of $31.93 per day. All the families live or work in Aspen. Kids First
financial aid serves approximately 15% of the total children enrolled in licensed childcare in
Pitkin County. AACP: Lifelong Aspenite Policy I.1.
· Early Childhood Mental Health – Kids First provides early childhood mental health
consulting in the childcare programs; services include developmental screenings, behavioral
challenges, emotional challenges, and family concerns. Their consultant (MA, LPC) also
provides parent training and coaching sessions for childcare staff and families on social –
emotional development. AACP: Lifelong Aspenite Policy III.1 and III.4.
· Nurse Consulting Services – Kids First provides Nurse Consulting to the childcare
programs that includes topics such as safety, nutrition, disease prevention, immunization
policy and procedures, and medication administration. Their registered nurse also offers child
dental, vision and hearing screenings, as well as teaching CPR and First Aid to childcare
staff. AACP: Lifelong Aspenite Policy III.1, III.4, and III.5.
· Continuing Education – Kids First offers scholarships and incentives to childcare staff to
attend college courses to advance their learning in early childhood education. In 2014 over
70% of all staff working in licensed childcare programs took at least one 3-credit college
course. AACP: Lifelong Aspenite Policy IV.1.
P17
I.
Exhibit B
ComDev Work Program check-in
Page 1 of 3
Exhibit B – Detailed Descriptions of Current Work Program & AACP-LUC Work
Program Items
CURRENT WORK PROGRAM - MISCELLANEOUS CODE AMENDMENT ITEMS
Commercial Building Calculations & Measures. One focus of the commercial design standard
and view planes regulations discussions was commercial building height. Council expressed an
interest in looking at the methodology for measuring building height relative to building features
such as mechanical equipment and elevator overruns. The methodology for these measurements
is in section 26.575, along with the calculations and measurements for other built environment
metrics. Staff discussion over the previous year also identified issues related to the calculation of
vehicle circulation areas, garage FAR exemptions and car lifts as being potentially useful
amendments to explore. Amendments to this section may also include clean-up items such as
those mentioned in the Miscellaneous Code Amendments discussion on page one. These
amendments can be managed by staff and may take 6 to 9 months depending on the scope of the
amendments.
Definition of Demolition. There are a several regulations in the Land Use Code that depend on
the definition of demolition of a structure to trigger compliance or not. Some examples include
affordable housing requirements, second tier commercial space requirements and pedestrian
amenity compliance. The current definition is 40% of the surface of a structure. Frequently,
staff sees examples of that definition being stretched to its limit, where projects may not
technically trigger demolition to avoid compliance with other regulations, but in the aggregate,
the project is a significant renovation bordering on demolition. Staff suggested exploring ways
to change the definition of demolition to ease administration and enforcement of the standard,
reduce the instances of projects designing around the 40% standard, and ensure compliance with
the City’s other demolition-dependent requirements. This would be a staff-level amendment
process requiring 6 to 9 months.
Insubstantial Remodels for Commercial Design Review. There are several non-historic
buildings in town that were constructed prior to Commercial Design Review, which was adopted
city-wide in 2007. Owners of these buildings often like to make minor changes and
improvements, such as replace a window with a door or add an awning. The current Commercial
Design administrative review process for non-historic properties requires a previous Commercial
Design approval from P&Z. Without a previous commercial design approval, the Code requires
these to go to P&Z, which can be a lengthy and expensive process for such a small change. Staff
is interested in adding a process similar to the Certificate of No Negative Effect used for historic
properties. This is an administrative process that includes several detailed parameters for what
qualifies for this review. This would be a staff-level amendment process requiring 3 to 4 months.
AACP-LUC COORDINATION WORK PROGRAM ITEMS
USE MIX ITEMS
A. Legacy Business Program. In other communities with such a program, including San
Francisco, CA, legacy businesses are defined by metric such as years of operation, years in a
specific location, the age of the building, and importance to the commercial and community
fabric of the surrounding neighborhood. Incentives, such as tax breaks, rent assistance and
permit fee waivers, are offered in exchange for commitments to continue to operate for a
P18
I.
Exhibit B
ComDev Work Program check-in
Page 2 of 3
specified period of time. This is similar to aspects of the Small Lodge Preservation Program,
adopted by Council in 2015. The development of the program may require consultant
assistance over 6 to 9 months. The Planning and Zoning Commission did not support this
concept, and instead suggested that a “business support” program focused on affordable
commercial and incubator spaces rather than legacy spaces would be more effective. The
commission felt that a program or some city assistance to businesses to help them through
the process was important, but focused on supporting new or relocating businesses.
B. Essential Business Overlay Zone Standards. The EBO was created to provide greater
flexibility for redevelopment projects to deliver desired use mix in the SCI and NC zones
without being as robust as a formal PD process. In its current form, the EBO provides
incentives related to setbacks and FAR between uses within a development. There are other
tools that could be added to make the EBO more effective. Staff could conduct the code
amendment and public outreach process over 6 to 9 months. The Planning and Zoning
Commission had some support for this work, but did not feel it should be the main focus of
work in the area of use mix.
C. Affordable Commercial. Should council choose to explore this concept further, staff
recommends first conducting a study to find examples from other communities, or ownership
and management models that might inform the development of a program. That study could
then be used to inform Council’s discussion as to the effectiveness and viability of such a
program. Following that analysis, staff would propose next steps to Council in 2018 or
beyond to design and implement a program. The Planning and Zoning Commission
expressed some interest in this topic, but suggested that requiring certain spaces to be set
aside for “affordable commercial” would not reach the long-term goal of creating a balanced
use mix (AACP Managing Growth Policy V.1 and V.2) and instead supported larger scale
funding or support for new and existing business or incubator style spaces. The initial study
would require the assistance of a consultant and take 6 to 9 months.
D. Live-Work Residential Standards: There could be positives from allowing such units
including: lowering the combined costs of living and working in Aspen, providing additional
resident-occupied (RO) housing, and increasing the diversity of residential and commercial
options in town. These standards could be included in various zone districts, including the
EBO, SCI, NC and MU. Like the affordable commercial topic, above, the Planning and
Zoning Commission had some interest in this topic but was concerned that it might not have
a meaningful impact on business mix. The standards could be developed in-house, and the
process would require public outreach and the standard code amendment process over
approximately 6 to 9 months.
PARKING & MOBILITY ITEMS
A. Parking Cash-in-Lieu Rate. The new parking regulations provide greater flexibility to
developers and property owners to mitigate for their mobility demand. With that flexibility
comes a greater reliance on fee-in-lieu to off-set demand and fund for the City’s multi-modal
programs. As such, having an appropriately scaled fee is important. Changes to an impact
fee such as this require a formal fee study conducted by a consultant. Preliminary discussion
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I.
Exhibit B
ComDev Work Program check-in
Page 3 of 3
with consultants specializing in this work indicate that the over-all project cost may be
between $25,000 and $30,000.
B. Parking and Mobility Code Clean-up. The parking ordinance adopted under the AACP-
LUC coordination process addressed only those zones included in the commercial
development moratorium. There are elements of the new parking standards related to
residential and other non-moratorium zones, which could be better coordinated to ensure
optimal outcomes for parking and mobility throughout the community. These include
looking at parking impact requirements for multi-family housing and lodge uses. These
amendments could be combined with the parking cash-in-lieu rate study (see previous item)
to leverage consultant time and dollars and ensure coordinated regulations. The combined
project may take 6 to 9 months with the help of a consultant. The more focused code
amendments without the rate study could be conducted by staff over 4 to 6 months.
C. Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) Update. The TIA requires developers to off-set a
portion of their traffic generation through multi-modal and alternative transportation
measures. Given the reliance of new parking regulations on multi-modal and alternative
transportation measures to meet parking impact demand, an update to the TIA would ensure
that the two programs work together to maximize efficiency of the over-all system. Updating
the TIA would ensure greater coordination between the parking regulations and TIA
program, and it would help ensure that the TIA program helps the City achieve its desired
transportation outcomes.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ITEMS
A. Affordable Housing “Transfer” Amendment. A program of this nature may function like
a transfer of development rights, insofar as the obligation to mitigate affordable housing on
one commercial property may be transferred to another property within the designated zone
districts, where it is then built. The stated goal of this concept during the coordination
process was to reduce the likelihood of residential-commercial use conflicts in the core, as
well as reducing the potential scale of redevelopment by transferring the residential portion
of the mass to another site. Staff is not aware of similar programs in other communities, and
additional direction from Council will be required to develop such a program.
B. Resident-Occupied Housing “2.0”. This housing model provides an option for housing that
typically sells below market rate, is available to residents who have assets in excess of the
categories provided by APCHA, but who cannot afford in-town, market-rate housing. This
housing type is attractive to developers, as the sale price is higher than traditional affordable
housing. There is no data on demand for the market segment that would be served by this
housing type.
C. Essential Public Facility Mitigation Rate. The Land Use Code establishes an FTE
generation rate and a mitigation rate of 65% for new lodge or commercial development.
Essential Public Facilities, such as non-profits, religious institutions and government
buildings are subject to a different review which enables APCHA and P&Z to review and
determine the number of FTEs generated from the proposed use. Then Council determines
the mitigation percentage required between 0 and 100% of the FTEs generated.
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I.
Exhibit C
ComDev Work Program check-in
Page 1 of 1
Exhibit C – Potential New Work Program Items
Relationship to AACP Policies Areas & Moratorium Discussions
Aspen Idea
Managing Growth for
Community and
Economic Sustainability
West of Castle
Creek Transportation Housing
Parks, Recreation,
Open Space, &
Trails
Environmental
Stewardship
Historic
Preservation Lifelong Aspenite Moratorium
Follow Up?
Historic Preservation Submission
Standards
Future Land Use Map & Annexation
Policy
Lodge Use Standards
Tenant Finish Permit Process
Energy Efficiency Permit Process
Legacy Business Program
EBO Standards
Affordable Commercial
Live-Work Residential
Parking CIL Rate Study
Parking Code Clean-up
TIA Update
Affordable Housing Transfer
RO 2.0
Public Facility Mitigation
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Housing Credits Program Updates
Model Zoning Submission P21I.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Tony Kornasiewicz, Construction Mitigation
THROUGH: Trish Aragon, PE City Engineer
Scott Miller, Director of Public Works
Justin Forman, PE Senior Project Manager
DATE OF MEMO: July 12th, 2017
DATE OF MEETING: July 18th, 2017
RE: City of Aspen Adjusted Work Hours During Glenwood Springs
Bridge Closure.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this memorandum is to propose an adjustment to construction work hours for the
limited period of the scheduled bridge closure in Glenwood Springs.
BACKGROUND:
The Grand Avenue Bridge is scheduled to close on August 14th for an estimated 95 days, causing
estimated 2-hour delays during peak traffic hours on Hwy 82.
Contractor input was sought concerning the expected consequences of the closure. During casual
field meetings, contractors expressed concern that the expected delays will not only cause delays
for the hundreds of daily construction commuters, but the presence of those commuters during
regular morning and evening rush hours will greatly add to the congestion facing visitors,
emergency services, regular business deliveries, and the many other users of this corridor. All
those spoken with indicated an eagerness to participate in flexible hours if offered.
The Engineering Department hosted Lunch-and-Learn meetings with developers, contractors and
architects on May 18th & 22nd, 2017. A total of 21 attendees representing the Construction
community. When the topic of the upcoming bridge closure in Glenwood Springs was
introduced, the following suggestions were made:
- Longer work hours (6am -7pm) suggested.
- Allow low impact activities earlier than 6am.
- Utilizing parking lots for carpooling and staging trucks (Buttermilk, Intercept lot, High
School etc.)
- Coordinate carpooling through the web (message board, social media, new webpage?)
- Send smaller trucks over Independence Pass when possible (not practical or safe)
- Send vehicles over McClure Pass (adds 40minutes from Grand Junction)
P22
II.
While some of these suggestions may not be practical, the most consistent request from those
assembled was that we reasonably adjust work hours to allow flexible commute windows.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this adjustment is to lessen the impact of construction traffic during peak usage
times during the Grand Avenue Bridge Closure. By temporarily revising the permitted
construction work hours, much of the construction related traffic will be spread out, helping to
mitigate some of this congestion.
Based on community and development input, Staff recommends that hours for limited impact
interior work and low impact exterior work be adjusted to 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM Monday through
Friday for an anticipated 95days during the bridge closure. No changes are recommended for
Saturday or Sunday work. This extension of hours would be treated as probational, meaning
projects abusing this exemption my face corrective action and or revocation of extended hours.
Existing permitted hours are 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Saturdays, no work on Sundays.
The adjusted hours will apply to limited impact interior work, and low impact exterior work. The
permitted exterior work would be limited to activities such as painting and manual landscaping.
Activities such as heavy excavation, mechanical soil stabilization, jackhammering and other high
impact work would be limited to standard work hours. Standard city work regulation would
resume upon resumption of bridge traffic.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
At this time there are no financial decisions that need to be made.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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