HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.apz.003-84RESOLUTION OF THE ASPEN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO THE
PROPOSED ARTS WEST BALLOT QUESTION
Resolution NO. 84- ~
WHEREAS, Arts West Aspen has submitted a proposed ballot question
to the Aspen City Council for the purposes of asking voter approval
of the sale by the City of two parcels of land to permit the construction
of a Performing Arts Center; and
WHEREAS, the Aspen City Council did request that the Aspen Planning
and Zoning Commission (hereinafter "Commission") review the language
of the ballot question and make recommendations to Council on issues
which have planning implications; and
WHEREAS, the Commission did review the ballot question at a
special meeting held on March 27, 1984; and
WHEREAS, a master plan for the Rio Grande property was prepared
by the Rio Grande Task Force in 1980-81 and was endorsed by the Commission
and Aspen City Council in 1981-82; and
W~EREAS, some of the significant elements of the Master Plan
were as follows:
1. A performing arts center;
2. The Pitkin County Jail;
3. A node in the transit system;
4. A parking garage to accommodate the needs of the business
district and the theatre;
5. Open space in the form of playing fields, trails and equestrian
facilities; and
6. A site along Mill Street
Supply
; and
WEEREAS, in 1982, the voters of
a ballot question authorizing the Clty
a portion of the Rio Grande property
for the relocation of Cap's Auto
the City of Aspen did approve
of Aspen to sell or exchange
so as to relocate Cap's Auto
Supply, provided that before
Council would fully evaluate
would also allow the consolidation of a
Center; and
WHEREAS, in December,
willingness to transfer the
consummating the exchange, the City
alternatives to this exchange which
site for the Performing Arts
1983, the City Council did reconfirm its
necessary land for the construction of
Resolution No. 84- 3
Page 2
the Performing Arts Center and relocation of Cap's Auto Supply.
NOW, ~EREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning and Zoning Commission
of the City of Aspen, Colorado, that it does hereby make the following
findings and recommendations with respect
question submitted by Arts West Aspen.
The Commission finds that
involved a comprehensive look
to the proposed ballot
the planning of the Rio Grande property
at the opportunities for improvement
of this very important public parcel which should not be undercut
by a land trade to implement one of the plan's elements. The Commission
is particularly concerned that the land to be traded to Arts West
Aspen not preclude the development of potential transit facilities
or the parking garage. Furthermore, the Commission believes that
the parking garage should be built in conjunction with the Performing
Arts Center to insure that adequate parking is available for the
theatre. Therefore, the Commission recommends that before the ballot
question is submitted to the voters, the
Council should review detailed site plans of
that they are complimentary and that the
West Aspen is not essential
Furthermore, the Commission
forward immediately with the
garage and transit facility
Commission and Aspen City
each facility to insure
land to be sold to Arts
to the design of the parking garage.
recommends that the City of Aspen move
development of plans for the parking
to insure that the garage can be built
at the same time as the Performing Arts Center.
recommends that Council allocate funds for
parameters of the
completed prior to
~S_e_c_tj. on 2
Finally, the Commission
the study of the detailed
parking garage's design, which study should be
the vote on the ballot question.
The Commission finds that the proposed relocation of Cap's Auto
Supply from its present site to a location adjacent to the Andrews/Mc-
Farlin Building is not in the best interests of the City of Aspen.
The Commission finds that the relocation would require a new driveway
curb cut on Mill Street at a location significantly offset from Puppy
Smith Street, creating a traffic conflict in an undesirable location.
Resolution No. 84- 3
Page 3
The Commission also finds that the new site would require customer
parking in the area adjacent to the river and playing fields, which
might conflict with these open space uses and that the site might
preclude any rail right-of-way from entering the Rio Grande property.
Finally, the Commission finds that the placement of a service-commercial
use near the entrance to a major public-private development project
and the perpetuation of a commercial activity on this important public
property is not good planning. Therefore, the Commission recommends
that Cap's Auto Supply not be relocated along Mill Street, and that
instead the Commission and Aspen City Council should look at alternatives
to this relocation, including other sites on the Rio Grande property
(including within the garage itself), other sites in Aspen, and condem-
nation by the City with compensation.
The Commission finds that setting zoning requirements outside
of the traditional subdivision and zoning review process is contrary
to good planning and is furthermore unnecessary, since the uses and
area and bulk requirements for the facility will be established by
adoption of an SPA or PUD plan. Therefore, the Commission recommends
that the ballot question .make no reference whatsoever to zoning
issues that affect either Cap's or the Performing Arts Center.
APPROVED by the Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission at their
regular meeting on April 3, 1984.
ASPEN PLANNING AND ZONING COi~ISSIO~
By Perry/~arvey, Chairm/a~
ATTEST:
Barbara Norris, Deputy City Clerk