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HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.apz.018-85RESOLUTION OF THE ASPEN PLANNING AND ZONING ~OMMISSION RECOF~NDING CONCEPTUAL APPROVAL OF THE L1TTLE NELL BASE REDEVELOPMENT SPA Resolution No. 85-18 WHEREAS, pursuant to Ordinance 20, Series of 1985, the Aspen Skiing Company (hereinafter, the "Applicant") did submit a proposal for the redevelopment of the Little Nell base area; and WHEREAS, aspects of the development proposal include a 96 unit hotel, replacement of the existing commercial space, new pedestrian gateways to the mountain from Hunter and Dean Streets, new base lifts and an expansion of the area designated with an SPA overlay; and WREREAS, the Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission (hereinafter, the "Commission") did hold a public hearing on August 20, 1985 to consider the applicant's SPA boundary change proposal, and did also hold meetings to consider the base area redevelopment plan on August 6 and August 27, 1985; and WHEREAS, at the conclusion of its deliberations the Commission did make the following findings: The proposed mix of uses for this site is an appropriate one and meets the intent of its original designation with an SPA overlay. The requested extension of the boundary of the SPA overlay into the Conservation zone provides public benefit by integrating the planning for the lifts with the remainder of the base area redevelopment plan. The redesignation meets the test of Section 24-7.2 (C) the Code due to the unique location of the parcel as the su~er and winter gateway to Aspen Mountain and the potential year-round recreational benefits to the community which can be provided on this site. The Planning and Zoning Commission supports the policy stated in Section 24-11.3 (b) of the Municipal Code that "City Council may (but need not) grant a development allotment for an entire project to be constructed over a period of years..." and, therefore, is willing to entertain the applicant's request for a multi-year allocation. The formal consideration of this issue will occur following the scoring of the applicant's growth management application at the precise plan review stage. The resolution approving the Aspen Mountain Ski Area Master Plan contains commitments by the applicant to provide 46 parking spaces to mitigate the skiing capacity increase at Aspen Mountain and to accomplish various other parking/- transit/circulation impact mitigation measures. The Planning Commission encourages the City Council to work cooperatively with the applicant to insure that the ~rking spaces can be provided in a timely manner and in an appro- priate location. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Commission that it does hereby recommend that the Aspen City Council grant conceptual SPA approval to the Little Nell Base Redevelopment Plan, subject to the following 1. conditions: The applicant shall work with the Zoning Official to determine whether the open space provided on the site meets the requirements of Section 24-3.7 of the Code. The applicant shall, in the Precise Plan submission, request a variance of the project's FAR if it is above 1.5:1, since the land zoned Conservation does not count toward the overall project FAR. The applicant may also request special review approval to increase the allowable commercial FAR of the property to 1.7:1 by providing employee housing in the appropriate ratio on or off site. The applicant shall provide a detailed, technical study of the parking needs of the facility to meet the demands from the lodge rooms, skiers, administrative offices, commercial spaces and skier support facilities, and shall adjust the parking plans accordingly. The applicant shall continue to evaluate the impact of the hotel on the views of Aspen Mountain from Hunter Street, and propose any design changes which will reduce obstructions of the mountain from the corner of Cooper or Hyman Avenues on Hunter Street. Detailed architectural renderings and elevations shall be provided at the Precise Plan stage. The applicant shall provide detailed grading plans for the earth work which is proposed to occur at the base area, including any activity associated with the base of the new lifts which may fall outside of the SPA boundary, and shall identify the locations for any material deposition which is to occur. The applicant shall evaluate the applicability of the City's 8040 greenline and mountain viewplane review procedures to the proposed development. Should it be found that either review procedure applies, the applicant will submit the necessary materials at the Precise Plan stage demonstrating compliance with the review criteria of the Code. The applicant shall revise the site plan to indicate an auto-taxi-limo drop-off facility of adequate size. As the Commission is concerned about maintaining adequate traffic flows on Durant Avenue, it is expected that the applicant will creatively address the proper location for this facility within the Durant Avenue right-of-way, within the property boundary, or through some combination thereof. The applicant shall provide a detailed analysis of the proposed service yards on Spring Street and Dean Street, demonstrating that adequate space has been provided for truck stacking and that proper turning movements can be accomplished within these streets. The applicant shall also confer with the Environmental Health Department as to any air and water quality devices which may need to be installed in these areas (and in the parking facility for cars). The applicant shall work with the North of Nell and Tippler management entities and shall try to accommodate the service delivery needs of these buildings in a single location off Dean Street. Finally, the applicant shall demonstrate that the service delivery area on Dean Street will not cause safety problems for pedestrians on Dean Street or nuisance problems for the residents of the North of Nell, and that the needs of the facility could not practically otherwise be met by a single facility on Spring Street. 9. The applicant shall provide a detailed, technical study of the adequacy of Durant, Spring and Dean Streets to handle the vehicle traffic volumes associated with skiers, hotel guests, employees, service vehicles, and visitors to the commercial uses and shall propose appropriate mitigation measures to address any traffic problems which will result from the project. 10. The applicant shall provide a detailed, technical study of the geologic hazard on Aspen Mountain as it affects this site and shall demonstrate that any hazard posed to the property can and will be fully mitigated. The applicant shall also investigate the soils hydrology in the area to demonstrate the suitability of the site for development purposes. 11. The applicant shall provide a solution to the pumphouse relocation problem and shall agree to implement said solution at the applicant's cost. 12. The applicant shall provide detailed drawings of the new base lifts demonstrating that these buildings are visually compatible with the base area and that the principal storage area for either chairs or gondolas will not be above grade at the base area. 13. The applicant shall reiterate the commitment as to how lift service will be provided on Little Nell for special events, ski instructions and for secondary access to Lift 5, and will show the location of all lifts proposed for the base ar ea. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. The applicant shall provide housing for employees of the project in a manner acceptable to the Housing Author- ity and Planning Commission. The number of employees to be housed will be determined at the Precise Plan stage, based on the applicant's commitments as part of the growth manage- ment plan application. The applicant shall provide a shadow study of the effects of the building along Durant Avenue, and mitigate the problems caused by the building's shadows for pedestrians crossing the street. The applicant shall demonstrate the techniques to be employed on the roof of the hotel to manage snow shedding to insure that it does not interfere with or endanger pedes- trians below. The applicant shall demonstrate that the proposed buildings do not encroach into the land within the Park zone near the Aspen Alps. The applicant shall provide a trail easement through the property connecting the trail near the Aspen Alps with the Dean Street trail and will include any required ramps for bicycles or other trail facilities in their site plan at the precise plan stage. The applicant will also examine the potential for creating a pedestrian trail connecting to the Aspen Mountain Road within the context of the base area regrading and provide an alignment for said trail if it is found to be feasible. The applicant shall make every effort, including working with the City of Aspen, to increase the extent of the pedestrian gateway to the mountain so as to make it a more"grand" entrance in the winter and summer. 20. The applicant shall demonstrate that all questions as 3 21. 22. to the ownership of the Hunter Street right-of-way have been resolved, and shall work with the City of Aspen to insure that permanent guarantees of the availability of Hunter and Dean Streets for pedestrian access have been provided. The applicant will also demonstrate that the boundary questions adjacent to the Tippler have been resolved, and the SPA boundary designation shall be adjusted accordingly. The applicant shall provide the Environmental Health Department with detailed information on any fireplaces which will be included in the project, demonstrating their compliance with applicable Code provisions. The applicant shall provide a drainage plan at the precise plan stage which meets the standards of the Engineering Department concerning the 100 year storm and which addresses drainage from Aspen Mountain as it affects the site and drainage from the development site itself. 23. The applicant shall take into account in the precise plan the historic access pattern of skiers using the land between the Copper Kettle and the Tipple Lodge as a means of getting to the Little Nell base area. 24. Final approval of the proposed SPA boundary change shall only occur in conjunction with final approval of the precise plan for the project. 25. In the event that the growth allocations for the project shall expire, the boundary of the SPA shall revert to its prior configuration. APPROVED by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Aspen, Colorado, at their regular meeting on September 3, 1985. ASPEN PLANNING AND ~ONING C0~ISSION ATTEST: Klm W~lhoit, By Deputy City Cl%rk C. Welton A~zson, Chairperson