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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.apz.20171107Regular Meeting Planning & Zoning Commission November 7, 2017 1 Mr. Skippy Mesirow, Chair, called the November 7, 2017 meeting to order at 4:30 PM with members Mr. Ryan Walterscheid, Mr. Rally Dupps, Mr. Spencer McKnight and Mr. Skippy Mesirow. Mr. Keith Goode, Ms. Kelly McNicholas Kury and Ms. Jasmine Tygre were not present. Also present from City staff; Ms. Andrea Bryan, Assistant City Attorney, Ms. Jennifer Phelan, Deputy Director of Planning and Mr. Ben Anderson, Planner. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Mr. Dupps wanted to bring up an issue identified previously by Ms. Tygre. He is concerned bikes are using sidewalks too often and wanted to know what P&Z can do to further her cause. Ms. Phelan stated it is enforcement by the Police department essentially. Mr. McKnight agrees. Ms. Bryan suggested members reach out to the Police. STAFF COMMENTS: Ms. Phelan mentioned there is an open house on the pedestrian mall project this Thursday at 5pm at the Pitkin County Library to discuss designs. Ms. Phelan then noted Mr. Mesirow, Mr. Walterscheid and Mr. McKnight have confirmed for the November 21st. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were none. MINUTES Mr. McKnight motioned to approve the October 24th minutes and Mr. Mesirow seconded the motion. All in favor, the motion passed. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST There were none. PUBLIC HEARINGS – Aspen Mountain Rd – 8040 Greenline Review Mr. Mesirow asked if legal notice had been provided to which Ms. Bryan replied it had been. He then opened the hearing and turned the floor over to staff. Mr. Ben Anderson, Planner, introduced the applicant team: Mr. Chris Bendon, BendonAdams Aaron Shaffer, Aspen Skiing Company (Skico), Project Manager Seth Hmielowski, ZGroup Architects Regular Meeting Planning & Zoning Commission November 7, 2017 2 Mr. Anderson then reviewed the project. He stated the property owner is the City of Aspen and letter was provided by Mr. Jim True, City Attorney, authorizing from the City to proceed with the application. He noted had this application been submitted about six months ago, it would have also called for a view plane review. However, with the recent code changes, this review is no longer applicable at the 8040 Greenline. He then reviewed the location of the project on a site map as shown on p14 of the agenda packet. He noted there is an existing pumphouse. The proposed new booster station will be just uphill from it. He pointed out the location of an underground water tank belonging to the City. Skico’s use of this property is connected to a 1980 agreement to purchase water and pump it uphill for the snow making operations. The City’s Utility department required them to upgrade their pump system with some backflow preventers to prevent contamination of the City’s water system in the event of some failure uphill. When Skico installed the new equipment, it dropped the pressure too much so the Utilities department allowed Skico to remove the devices and replace the check valves temporarily until the booster station could be put in place. He then provided a map of the site indicating where the new pump station would be located. He stated the 400 sf building will be just uphill from the existing pump house. He also pointed out the location of an aspen grove next to the proposed building. The Parks department is concerned one of the corners of the building may be dipping into the root system of the adjacent aspens. Mr. Anderson then discussed the 8040 Greenline review by reviewing the applicable standards. He stated staff finds the standards to be met. The Parks, Engineering, and Community Development departments could not any impacts on the specific review criteria. The Parks department comments were not about the 8040 Greenline review, but more specific to other areas. They are recommending the following: 1. Amend the 1980 water service agreement as necessary to: a. Correct the sf Skico will actually be using on property – The new combined estimate is around 1,500 sf and the existing agreement limits it 900 sf. b. Include a reversion clause in the event Skico no longer needs these facilities, so the property will revert back to the City. 2. Regarding the impacts of excavation and construction to adjacent the adjacent trees, they recommend a tree dripline be added which requires a permit to do so. Ultimately, staff recommends approval subject to the two conditions presented in the draft resolution. He then provided elevations and described the materials. He noted the location that will not be visible from town. Mr. Mesirow asked for any questions of staff. There were none. Regular Meeting Planning & Zoning Commission November 7, 2017 3 Mr. Mesirow then turned the floor over to the applicant. Mr. Bendon then introduced the applicant team. Mr. Bendon reviewed the location of the proposed building. He stated the 400 sf building is designed to be as small as possible while allowing the necessary clearances for the machinery. He stated the size of the pipes and the pressure of the water in the pipes requires the protection of the building. He continued by reviewing the architecture, noting it will be 15 ft tall to the ridge. He then showed a map and pointed out existing buildings, transformers, water lines and other City vaults which ultimately require the new booster station to be located at its proposed location. There are setbacks from the ground vault, switch gear and aspen grove. He stated they recognize the 1980 agreement is stale and they do not have a problem with either of the two recommended conditions to the resolution. They want to be sure they can move forward with the project. Mr. Shaffer provided a detail history of the project. The Water department recognized there was no backflow prevention, only two check valves for the past 20-plus years. He stated the system requires very high pressure and when they added backflow devices, the volume and pressure was not at an acceptable level. They received permission from the Water department to remove the backflow devices and replace them with new check valves. At this point, they decided to step back to consider the design more carefully and work with the Water department on the new design. Mr. Shaffer noted they also have been working with the City on the water agreement. Mr. Mesirow asked for any questions of the applicant. Mr. Dupps asked where excavation dirt will be go. Mr. Hmielowski replied it will probably go in front of the existing shed and any remainder will be hauled off. Mr. Mesirow asked if the interim solution was for last year or this year. Mr. Shaffer stated the interim solution was used last ski season and will be used for this ski season as well. They plan to dial in the approvals this year and put it in place next year. He added this will be a permanent solution. Mr. Mesirow then opened for public comment, which there was none, so he closed this portion of the hearing. Mr. Mesirow then opened for commissioner discussion. All the members felt it was straight forward review. Mr. McKnight motioned to approve Resolution 15, Series 2017 as drafted. Mr. Walterscheid seconded the motion. Mr. Mesirow requested a roll call. Roll call: Mr. McKnight; yes; Mr. Walterscheid, yes; Mr. Dupps, yes; and Mr. Mesirow, yes; for a total of four (4) yes votes and zero (0) no votes. The motion was approved. Regular Meeting Planning & Zoning Commission November 7, 2017 4 Mr. Mesirow then closed the hearing. OTHER BUSINESS None. A motion was made to adjourn and seconded. All in favor, motion passed. Cindy Klob City Clerk’s Office, Records Manager