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HomeMy WebLinkAboutland use plan.ordinance.council.1973THE ASPEN LAND USE PLAN July 1973 It shall be the function and duty of the [plannin~ commission to make and adopt a master plan for the physical development of the munic- ipality, including any areas outside of its bound- aries, subject to the approval of the legislative or governing body having jurisdiction thereof, which in the commission's judgment, bear relation to the planning of such municipality. Such plan, with the accompanying maps, plats, charts and descriptive matter, shall show the commission's recommendations for the development of said territory. .. As the work of making the whole master plan progresses, the commission may from time to time adopt and publish a part or parts thereof, any such part to cover one or more major sections or divisions of the municipality or one or more of the foregoing or other functional matters to be included in the plan. The commission may amend, extend, or add to the plan from time to time. The plan shall be made with the general purpose of guiding and accomplishing a co- ordinated, adjusted, and harmonious development of the municipality and its environs, which will, in accordance with present and future needs, best promote health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare, as well as ef- ficiency and economy in the process of development. .- Excerpts, Chapter 139 "Towns & Cities", Colorado Revised Statues INTRODUCTION The Aspen Land Use Plan is a revision of the land use concept included within the 1966 Aspen Area General Plan. The updated Plan is an attempt to reflect current attitudes and objectives of the community with regard to growth poten- tial and land use. Recently adopted amendments to the 1966 Plan concerning transportation, trail systems and a Roaring Fork Greenway proposal have been incorporated with revised land use concepts into the updated Aspen Land Use Plan. Housing for low income residents, adequate circulation and preservation of natural resources and historic are considerations that are addressed by the Plan. emphasizes what needs to be done to amenities in the future for Aspen. structures It assure maximum public THE ASPEk ~AND USE PLAN Page Two The Plan is to serve as a guide to the Aspen Planning Commission in reviewing applications for building permits until a new zcn ing code and a new zoning district map are adopted. The land use recommendations shown hereon will be interrelated with urban design proposals and density limits to complete the basis the con~nunity. Certain planning considerations and policies established upon which the Plan is based. zoning map which details rigid guidelines for the evolving form and character of have been It is not a (setbacks, building heights, parking requirements or the like) but constitutes a general design for future land use and is a continuing step in effectively responding to the challenge of building a quality environment in the Upper Roaring Fork Valley. PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS The following considerations represent circumstances that provide the framework for the Aspen Land Use Plan. 1. Aspen will continue to attract visitors and new residents because of its position as a quality ski resort and its natural setting. 2. Skiing will continue as the primary economic base for the community. 3. Aspen will remain as the major tourist and commercial center for the Upper Roaring Fork Valley. 4. The community will continue in the attempt to control growth and prevent surburban sprawl. 5. Emphasis shall be placed on preserving the natural environment where new development OCCURS. THE ASPEN LAND USE PLAN Page Three POLICIES This Plan consists of a set of policy statements by general land use designations which are guiding and controlling future development new zoning code and Goals Task Force, a supported to be used in in Aspen until a zoning district map can be adopted. The group of citizens from various organi- zations, and the Aspen Planning Commission have formulated the following policies as interpretive input for the map shown hereon. 1. Preserve those buildings and sites recommended by the Historic Preservation Committee for historic designation. 2. Preserve and create scenic views of the surround- ing mountains from public places within the community. 3. Increase the number of housing units construct- ed for permanent employees. 4. Provide neighborhood shopping establishments to serve the daily needs of surrounding population and to complement but not compete with central Aspen. 5. Hold the rate of growth to a level substantially below that experienced since the ~te sixties and ensure the growth that does occur is in keeping with these same policies and the Land Use ~lan. 6. Strengthen the community's economic base in harmony with tourist activities and encourage diversification of quality recreational and cultural pursuits. THE ASPEN LAND USE PLAN Page Four 7. Implement a transportation system within the community which places primary emphasis on pedestrian and mass transit modes and de-emphasizes the automobile. 8. Expand public facilities in a manner consistent with these policy statements and a pay as the community grows program. 9. Preserve the community's wealth of natural re- sources by preventing damage to air quality, controlling runoff and maintaining a pleasant aesthetic appearance by allowing only well designed and considered development. LAND USE CATEGORIES The land use categories as shown on the Aspen Land Use Plan have the following as their intent and purpose. Central Area - To allow the primary use of land for tourist commercial activity that is essential to the community's economic vitality in an area that relates well to the proposed public transportation system, the ski area and existing tourist oriented businesses. Ordered yet diversified land uses, such as resident re- lated commercial, residential and professional office uses, should be located on the fringe of the central area. Urban design consideration is an essential element of future development or re- development of the central area and is necessary to take advantage of the unusual opportunities presented by its historic heritage and the relat- ionship of the central area and Aspen Mountain. This design element includes as primary concerns the preservation of historic THE ASP~ LAND USE PLAN Page Five sites, structures and mountain views, implementation of tree planting programs, as well as expansion of the pedestrian oriented mall area. Recreation/Accommodations - To allow for the re- creation and accommodation needs of the visitor to Aspen in an area that is especially suited for this because of its unity with, and identity to, the proposed transportation system, the ski area and the central area. Site plan review for significant development is essential to permit consideration of the impact that will result and the crucial issues relating to adequacy of public facilities. Recreation/Accommodations Transition - To permit recreation and accommodation development of limited height, bulk and scale to occur in an area that relates well physically to the ski area. The con- cept of construction should provide for a suitable physical and aesthetic transition between the in- tensive recreation/accommodation areas to the north and the slopes of the mountain on the south. The primary role of this area should be to provide for a rural scale and design for hillside development by regulating development intensity, building height and bulk and requiring adequate open space. Residential/Multiple Family - To allow for utili- zation of the land so designated for more intensive residential use by permanent residents because of its location near employment centers, contemplated neighborhood commercial establishments and ex- isting high density residential areas. These areas should be a source of housing for low THE ASi ~ LAND USE PLAN Page Six income residents. Residential/Mixed - To allow for a mix of residen- tial uses interspersed with limited amounts of professional office and visitor accommodation uses in areas where these conditions presently exist. Only existing lodges should be considered for expansion in order to provide additional guest rooms and new professional offices should be of the type that do not generate frequent client visits. Residential/Single Family - To allow for the development of the land in this category for single family permanent residential use because of the generally remote proximity of these areas to existing and contemplated commercial and trans- portation facilities. The primary purpose is to restrict these areas to their principal existing use and thereby create a buffer between the high intensity uses of the central area and the more rural areas surrounding the community. Neishborhood Commercial and Limited Industrial - To allow the land designated as neighborhood commercial to be used for a limited amount of commercial square footage in keeping with the neighborhood concept. Those areas where limited industrial use is indicated shall provide for non-polluting light industrial and service commercial needs of the community. Institutional - To allow land owned by cultural and educational organizations to develop according to approved site plans in areas where these activities now exist. THE A~ Page Seven Public LAND USE PLAN - To allow for utilization of these lands by the public sector in areas where appropriate expansion of community facilities, including those for medical care, transportation, public administration and similar facilities, are necessary. Open Spac~ - To reserve the lands necessary to preserve and enhance the natural heritage and environment of the community, an asset which is vitally important to the continued success of Aspen as a resort people wish to visit, and to protect and ensure future public access to outstanding natural features such as the river and the surrounding mountains. Open space elements shown on the Land Use Plan such as trails, footbridges and the river greenway will be used as guides in the future development of this portion of the Plan and should not be con.rued as representing existing systems or rights-of-way. IMPLEMENTATION The Aspen Land Use Plan constitutes a major revision and update of the 1966 Aspen Area General Plan. Within a one year period certain specific technical checks will be made to substantiate or supplement the conclusions and validity of this Plan with regard to natural resources including air quality, transportation, urban economics and public facilities. Specific methods of implementation include the use of new density standards, the neighborhood commercial concept, an ongoing open space program, historic heritage and view protec~on regulations, a transportation system and the adoption of a new zoning code, zoning district map and subdivision regulations.