HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19810727Mayor Edel called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. with Councilmembers Knecht, Parry,
Michael, and Collins present.
MINUTES
Councilman Parry moved to approve the minutes of March 23 and 30, 1981; seconded by
Councilman Knecht. All in favor, motion carried.
C~TIZENii,iPARTi~c~ATIoN
1, Elizabeth Tragis said she understood the Green Family duplex was to be on this
agenda. Mayor Edel said this has been referred to the city attorney and building depart-
ment to discuss the liability on both sides and then to be returned to Council with a
report. Mayor Edei said the Council made a site visit with the result of a moratorium
on new buildings in the R/MF zone, which is on the agenda this evening. Paul Taddune,
city attorney, told Council he had submitted a confidential report regarding the duplex
in question. Taddune has researched the case law submitted by John Kelly, and told ~.
Council he feels this reflects the present state of the law. Taddune recommended to
Council it would be an imprudent investment of time and energy to try to attempt to
bring the Green Family Trust duplex into compliance.
Mayor Edel read into the record a letter from Mrs. Tragis. "To the members of the City
Council. I wish to go on record in the minutes of the City Council meeting JulY 27, 1981~
as being vehemently opposed to the duplex in the final construction phases as the south-
west corner of Garmisch and West Hyman streets. As you know from a letter of June 2nd
addressed to Mr. Olof Hedstrom and the Planning and Zoning commission and signed by more
than 50 members of the neighborhood, this building is in direct violation of the laws
relative to the density and height for its location. I also note that this building has
been occupied for some time now by an Mr. A. B. Green without having been issued a
certificate of occupancy. In early July, I spoke to Mr. Vann and Mr. Paddock concerning
the occupancy of this unfinished and illegal building and was told very specifically by
Mr. Paddock that a certificate of occupancy had not been issued, nevertheless, the Green
party continues '~o live in the building."
Mayor ~del noted that there has been a certificate of occupancy has been issued for
half of the duplex.
"I am well aware from conversations of neighbors that opposition to the structure has
been voiced consistently since at least December 1980, thus allowing plenty of time for
the City to have issued a s'top order. I have been told by Mr. Vann and Mr. Paddock
that the permit issued to the building was a mistake by a former city employee. It is
beyond comprehension how such a flagrant violation df existing city laws could have
transpired by "mistake', in the first place, even more incomprehensible is the fact that
the city has chosen to ignore the responsibility that it does indeed bear for this so
called mistake. I suspect that most of you ~are now, or have been involved in business,
industry or government to the extent that you are certainly aware that while it may be
painful or costly the captain of the ship is ultimately and unquestionably responsible
for the actions or inactions of the crew. I have been told it would be costly for the
builder to modify the Green ~ouse~ I ask you to consider the cost to some members of
the neighborhood for the emotional and financial due to the deprection of property values.
It is my sincere hope that as elected'officials Council will undertake the responsibility
that is yours to protect your electorate from violations of existing laws and will
institute legal proceedings to correct the zoning violations of the Green House at the
corner of Garmisch and West Hyman. A mistake of this magnitude is
nor is simply allowed to exist by inaction can be the beginning of a significant decline
in value both moral and monetary for the entire city of Aspen. Should Council fail to
act responsibly, I will take every means possibile to seek redress from all parties
Mayor Edel said that Council has instructed the staff and city attorney to investigate
this matter. Taddune said he would make available the case law he has on the subject
for the neighbors to see and a copy of an article discussing estoppel. Taddune told
Council in his research on this, as far as the city is concerned cases hold that under
similar circumstances, ~he city is estopped from asking the property owner to redesign
and restructure the building.
Councilwoman Michael moved to put the Green Family Trust duplex on the agenda.
All in favor, motion carried.
2. ;D~ane Burson, from the community school, told Council they would like to have a
garage sale and perhaps use city property, like behind Rubey Park. City Manager Chapman
suggested Monroe Summers ~o over this and make recommendations to the Council.
3. Jeri Fox~ Chamber of Commerce, said she would like clarification from Council on the
uses of the Wheeler Opera House after renovation and will the Chamber of Commerce be
relocated in it. Mayor Edel said at the last meeting Council had regarding plans for
the Wheeler Opera House, the only facility remaining was the Visitors Center. The
Chamber ~was not located in the building; the rest of the space on the first floor and
basement, other than the Visitors Center was to be for retail space. The second floor
will be lobby, dressing rooms, etc. Jeri Fox said the Chamber is having a problem..
planning short term; there will be no information services in Aspen for 18 months.
Mayor Edel said this should be addressed and the city should help with this.
Pip Kline, Roaring Fork Energy Center on the second floor of the Wheeler, asked when the
lessees have to be out of the Wheeler. Chapman said tentants should plan on September ls'
or until the construction is started.
4. Gail Mahoney, housing authority, presented to Council a memorandum regarding the
Castle Ridge housing. There is one unit available and there are four applications for
this units; the project is full. The memorandum summarizes the type of occupancy at
Castle Ridge; how many people per unit, average individual and household income.
5. George Sells, Takah Sushi restaurant, told Council he has been encountering problems
with the building department and would like to bring this to the attention of Council.
Sells told Council three months previous he had asked the building department to look
at the premises to find out what major problems there might be before opening a restau-
rant. Throughout the construction, building inspectors looked at the project. Six days
ago, there was a pre-inspection at Takah Sushi done by John Ostwald and David Cerello;
they gave Sells a list of items to be done before opening. Paddock had said that as long
as Ostwalds and Cerello's wishes were complied, the c/o would be given. Sells said he
had permission from everybody who looked at the premises; electrical inspectors. Sells
told Council he had hired four Japanese chefs; had $1,000 of fish in the freezer. Takah
Sushi got closed down by the building inspeCtor after Sells had been granted to open by
the acting head of the building department. Sells told Council he had gutted the space
and had done a first class job.
Herb Paddock told Council the temporary c/o was written so that the business would be
reviewed on Monday, July 27. Paddock said when he did the inspection, he found 24
violations to the building code that should have been addressed by the department. These
were fire, life, safety items that had not been addressed. Paddock said the building
department was remiss in this function. Paddock told Council the environmental health
department had not grated permission and issued a food license for the facility. Paddock
said the items on his list should be addressed immediately. Tom Dunlop, health officer,
told Council he has been working on this from the first. Dunlop gave Sells a verbal
list of items to be complied with that if Sells felt they were done he could open.
Dunlop also told him if they were not complied with, he would close the restaurant.
Mayor Edel suggested that Sells meet with Chapman, Dunlop and Paddock to go through the
entire list of problems and try to come up with a resolution satisfactory to everyone.
Councilwoman Michael said she would also like the policy on temporary c/o's discussed.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
1. Councilman Knecht said he would like to see east side planning begin immediately.
Alan Richman told Council this is an item on the planning office work program; however,
this is at the very initial stages. Mayor Edel suggested a memorandum from the planning
office to outline what has been happening.
2. Councilman Knecht said he would like to consider a maximum height for buildings.
Mayor Edel pointed out that because of the cost of land, the city will end up with a lot
of flat roof houses. Sunny Vann said the planning office will be coming up with comments
3. COuncilwoman Michael brought up the cleanliness of city hall. City Manager Chapman
told Council the parks directory has met with the cleaning people and tried to convince
them to do a better job. The city may have to hire someone else.
4. Councilwoman Michael brought up the trash on highway 82 and a memorandum has
indicated that the state or the county are not going to do anything about this. Chapman
said he will prepare a program to tell Council what the costs might be.
5. Councilwoman Michael said the thistle are taking over; the county is not going to do
anything about this. Councilwoman Michael asked the city consider doing something.
Chapman said he would also prepare a program on this and investigate the costs.
6. Councilman Parry moved to put the Wheeler Opera House construction manager on the
agenda; seconded by Councilman Collins. All in favor, motion carried.
7. Mayor Edel reported on the CAST meeting which was held in Aspen and attended by a
member of Exxon. This representative to.Id CAST the residue will be a black cloud that
will extend over acres a~d acres. Mayor Edel said the CounCil and city should voice
very strong objections to what is happening. This is a very serious problem. Council-
woman Michael said she had gotten a different sense of what was being said. Perhaps
the Council Should write and request a statement of what was said. Councilwoman Michael
said she, too, is concerned about this.
8. Councilman Parry moved to put the police/sheriff merger on the agenda; seconded by
Councilman Collins. All in favor, motion carried.
9. Mayor Edel said a group had been to Aspen. Mayor Edel had received 40 letters
subsequently all positive about Aspen, its cleanliness; the bus drivers are nice; the
shop keepers are nice. None of the letters were derogatory.
CHILDREN'S BICYCLE TRACK
Councilman Parry told Council he has been going over possible locations for this track
and the best location would be out at Iselin park. Councilman Parry has talked to
Jim Moore, who is all for the idea. Councilman Parry has also talked to Puppy Smith,
Ted Armstrong and Jim Holland, who all agree this track could work out there. There is
a pop stand; there are toilet facilities, and the area is supervised.
Councilman Parry moved to approve the bicycle BMX track at Iselin park; seconded by
Councilwoman Michael. All in favor, motion carried.
0u±y Z'/, 198± J
GMP COMMERCIAL CODE AMENDMENTS
Alan Richman, planning office, told Council the Planning staff and P & Z came to the
consensus that the growth management code procedures should be streamlined. There are
two ordinances presented to Council, ~48 is for the commercial changes just for the year
of 1981. Ordinance 49 makes more substantial changes, extends the growth management
quota systems to all zones and is for all following years. Ordinance 48 revises the
scoring system to elimiates historic features and adds two new categories, community
plan~ and land use regulations and applicant's previous performance. The ordinance also
comes up with procedural changes; conceptual approval by HPC prior to submission of a
commercial or office GMP application; define the basis for an applicant to challenge the
scoring of projects by P & Z; and to~.give thle planning office a basis ~.to determine when
an applicant has deviated from an original GMP proposal.
Richman pointed out to~ Council the deadline should be October 1 for the submission's
this year. There are other decisions to be made at the point of allocations in November
dealing with how much square footage Should be available.
Ordinance #49 extends to coverage to the remaining commercial and office zones. It also
has a new category to evaluate physical services and new employee housing proposal.
These will not be effective until after the O~ober 1st deadline date for 1981 and will
not apply to this year s applications. Richman told Council the planning office and P & Z
have been continuing to review the GMP and are working on the residential sections.
Richman went through Ordinance 48 in detail for the Council. Section 24-11.5 on p. 2 is exac
the same as present; does not extend the zone coverage and does not include any new
informational requirements. Page 3 ad~ (ii) and asks for an employee housing proposal;
this has been given routinely. Section (b) is the first section of new scoring and :
(1) quality of design has six areas to score upon. Councilwoman Michael asked in (dd)
why scores are given for usable open space and pedestrian and bicycle ways when there
are provisions for this in the code and the the landscape guides. Sunny Vann said this
was in the ordinance originally and it has not been a difficult section to score or had
problems. Richman said this is meant as a way of integrating the project into usable
trails and bicycle links, and to preserve natUral open space. This is meant to integrate
the commcercial project into the rest of the community system.
Richman told Council the real changes made to quality of design are in section (cc) to
energy, clarification that fireplaces should include heating and cooling devices; and
(ff) trash and utility access~areas, which language has been cleaned up from the original
GMP ordinance. This requires special review prior to submission of a GMP application so
that the application does not have to be amended when they get special review. Richman
pointed out the Council the former review was historic features, evaluating areas such
as color, scale, massing. There was general agreement this was an area that was particu-
larly subjective. HPC review is still required of any building that has historic impact
and this section was felt to be redundant. An applicant is now required to get conceptual
approval from HPC prior to submission of a GMP application. Vann noted that the GMP
is being expanded to include other districts that just CC, which all requires HPC
approvals.
Richman told Council that Section (2) community commercial uses, is in the Code. The
planning office intended to eliminate this section this year and to come forth with an
ambitious proposal regarding employee housing. It is difficult to enforce local versus
tourist services down the line. It was difficult for applicants to be able to change
their applications for 1981 submission so this sectiOn has been maintained for 1981
submission. Vann said the P & Z feels that commercial expansion is a major generator
of new employee housing demand; P & Z said the commercial developer should be responsible
for housing the additional employees generated. This will be address more fully in
Ordinance #49. This section is not a specific requirement, but to maximize points a
developer must add employee housing. Councilman Parry said he did not see why
community needs should be emphasized in the commercial core when this is a tourist-
oriented community. Vann told Council this will be deleted from the second ordinance.
The planning office has always felts there should be a shop to provide shoe repair or
things like that to service the communitY. The reason this sedtion was not striken from
this year is that people have their projects together already and it was too difficult
to change entirely.
Richman pointed out that no applicant has to score 100 per cent but 30 percent in categori~
1, 2 and 3 or 60 per cent of the total. This is a trade off process for applicants to
see where they can afford to put in design or amenities or uses. Richman told Council
the third scoring section is a new section called compability with. community ~i~ns~and
land use regulations; this evaluates the degree to which an application could be judged
to be in confo:rmance with either an adopted plan or the zoning regulations which set up
the intent of the zone district. Richman said P & Z is very interested in this; however,
the planning office feels this could be very open ended and discretionary. Richman said
the staff came up with specific ideas how the P & Z could award these points and how the
staff could provide this information. Councilwoman Michael agreed this section is
discretionary and subjective. - Councilman Knecht said the P & Z felt strongly about
being able to get into applications, make decisions and award bonus points. Gideon
Kaufman said this section gives P & Z members a change to penalize an applicant. Kaufman
said he felt this was a way for P & Z to look at a project and if they don't like it, they
can find a way to give points against it. Kaufman said the P & Z serves:ia valuable
function by scoring on tangible items.
Vann said this was the staff's best way to articulate what P & Z wanted. There is a
possible compromise in the bonus points, which may be awarded when a project is outstand-
ing. The position of the planning office is to reduce the amount of discretion that is
available. However, there.,is always a project that does not fit within the categories;
it is impossible to write codes %hat will apply to every project. There is a 20 per cent
bonus point maximum available which will give the P & Z member to apply to any category.
ReguLar Meeting Aspen ~lty uounc~± ~umy z~, z~oz
Kaufman suggested if the bonus points are kept in, the P & Z should have to explain their
reasons for giving bonus points. Councilman Knecht said he would like to give P & Z as
mcuh latitude as possible. Councilmembers Knecht and Collins agreed to keep the compati-
bility section in; Councilmembers Parry, Michael and Mayor Edel agreed to cut this section
in both Ordinances 48 and 49.
Richman went over the next section, which is "applicant's previous performance'', which has
not been a scoring category. The planning office suggests that if an applicant has receiv~d
an allocation and has gone two years without submitting plans, they should not be allowed
to submit an application for that year's competition. Vann pointed out this gives an
applicant two years to compete in a year but precludes a person from competing year after
year without building. This section does not have to be scored on; it does not get bonus
points, and will not help an applicant getting to the threshhold. Vann said the way the
section is written, an applicant will lose five points for not building; however, they
may still win the competition. Councilwoman Michael suggested taking out "unusual hard-
ship from the section; Mayor Edel agreed. Councilmembers Collins, Knecht and Parry voted
to keep it in as written.
Richman pointed out that the City Council only hears challenges to the scoring; it does
not do any scoring. This ordinances gives specific basis for determining whether the
Council wants to hear a challenge; denial of due process or abuse of discretion. These
have been the only basis for challenges. This ordinance also gives a time limit within
which a challenge to be filed, which is 14 days from the of the date of the public hearing
at P & Z. Richman outlined that (f) is exactly the same about awarding points and going
on to further approvals. Subsection (g) provides a cross reference to 24-11.7(b) to
provide ~a basis to look at an application if it has been amended and to determine if a
change materially affects the project.
Vann told Council there is an FAR bonus in the CC zone district for the provision of
employee housing. There has been a misunderstanding about the provision of employee hous-
ing; if it is supplied off-site, can all the .5 FAR bonus increase be free market commer-
cial. P & Z said that is not what they meant. Mayor Edel said if the FAR is increased
for commercial, this further compounds the problems of bigger buildings, more demand for
employee space and negates the value of the whole thing. Vann said P & Z had problems
with arbitrarily increasing the FAR for commercial space in CC, all they intended to do
was not to force an applicant to provide the housing on-site.
Richman told Council section 24-11.7 (b) is the criteria for looking at amending a GMP
application. There are four criteria listed in the section; if the planning office feels
the amendment affects any of these four areas, it must go to P & Z. The P & Z holds a
public hearing and based on the four criteria, it does a rescoring. If by rescoring, P &
Z finds out the applicant would have no longer met the threshhold to receive an allocation
or the applicant's position relative to another application has change, the P & Z then
sends a recommendation Ito Council for their action. This section gives a specific way
to anaytize the building change. City Attorney Taddune told Council this section repre-
sents a codification of the city's existing administrative policy and making it clearer
to the applicant.
Richman told Council that 24-11.10 is housekeeping matter to complete code references to
employee housing in the commercial and lodge sections of the GMP. The last section,
24-11.3 (d) relates to the approval by HPC which was discussed earlier.
Councilman Parry moved to read Ordinance #48, Series of 1981; seconded by Councilwoman
Michael. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #48
(Series of 1981)
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 24-11.5, 24-11.7(b), 24-11.10 and 24-11.3(d)
OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF ASPEN BY THE MODIFICATION OF THE SCORING
SYSTEM FOR THE OFFICE AND COMMERCIAL GMP COMPETITION, BY THE ADDITION OF
CRITERIA FOR THE DETERMINATION OF WHETHER AN APPLICANT HAS DEVIATED SUB-
TANTIALLY FROM THE ORIGINAL GMP PROPOSAL AND BY IMPLEMENTING OTHER PROCEDURAL
CHANGES TO THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT QUOTA SYSTEM was read by the city clerk
Councilwoman Michael moved to adopt Ordinance #48, Series of 1981, on first reading
deleting section 3 entitled "Compatibility with community plans and land use regulations;
seconded by Councilman Parry. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Knecht, aye; Collins, nay;
Parry, aye; Michael, aye; Mayor Edel, aye. Motion carried. Richman said Council also
wanted that the bonus points be justified by P & Z members and will add this before
second reading.
Councilwoman Michael moved to read Ordinance #49, Series of 1981; seconded by Councilman
Knecht. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #49
(Series of 1981)
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 24-11.5 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY
OF ASPEN BY THE EXPANSION OF THE COVERAGE OF ZONE DISTRICTS INCLUDED
WITHIN THE OFFICE AND COMMERCIAL GMP COMPETITION PROCESS AND BY
MODIFYING THE COMPETITIVE SCORING SYSTEM TO INCLUDE THE EVALUATION OF
THE ADEQUACY OF PHYSICAL SERVICES AND A NEW PROCEDURE TO EVALUATE AN
APPLICANT'S EMPLOYEE HOUSING PROPOSAL was read by the city clerk
Richman explained this ordinance extends the coverage the day after the 1981 applications
are processed. The planning office feels they have gone through the process in reviewing
this ordinance with P & Z and feel it is important that people are aware of how the
system will look for the 1982 competition. Mayor Edel said he would like to go over this
in a study session.
Richman pointed out the changes that were in Ordinance 48 are also included in this
Ordinance. This ordinances now includes all commercial development. Councilman Collins
asked if property zoned SPA were included. Vann said this had not occurred to them;
however, this is an area in which the use is determined based on a specific proposal.
They can add that should a person propose an office or commercial use in SPA they would
have to compete. Councilman Collins asked if this ordinance included offices which are
in residences. Vann told Council the P & Z has asked the planning staff to come up
with details for small offices which cannot compete under the guidelines. Vann said they
basically feel the only way to deal with this is to create an exemption for small project~i.
Richman told Council page two is the same as the previous ordinances as is page three,
which ~ontains the six categories of quality of design. "Availability of public facili-
ties and services" is a new category and relates to the fact that the geographic area
governed by GMP is being expanded. There could be differences in water, sewer, storm
drainage, transportation, the evaluation is whether the city has to bear the costs of
the extension or service or not. Kaufman said he was concerned about one competition
for all six zone districts; for example, the intent of the S/C/I is to get as cheap
as possible the building and rants. If S/C/I is competing with CC, there will not be
that kind of flexibility. Kaufman suggested a separate competition amongs the different
districts. Vann told Council the planning office will recompute the remaining buildout,
determing an appropriate rate of allocation based on availability of services, etc.
The Council's policy has been that those projects get build which have the least impact
and are the most appropriate. The planning office will then come back to Council with
a total revised quota. Vann agreed this may have some adverse affect on S/C/I and this
should be looked at. There may not be any S/C/I land left to develop.
Kaufman requested that if this is passed, it be passed with the understanding it be
brought back for study before applicant compete on it. Vann agreed but the timing is
necessary to get this adopted before October 2, 1981. Richman told Council that the
employee housing section has been changed. Section (aa) establishes a deed restriction
for 50 years to the city's housing price guidelines. Section (bb) establishes the
point schedule for percentage of housing that is to be deed restricted. This housing
can be on- or off-site but has to be a net addition to the employee housing pool. Vann
told Council that P & Z was unwilling to go with housing 100 per cent of the employees
and felt that 50 per cent was a reasonable start with a commitment to increase the
percentage overtime. Mayor Edel said he felt 50 per cent was too low.
Richman told Council (cc) deals with how to compute the number of employees, This
section is trying to get at the fact that office, S/C/I/ CC, zones are not all the same.
This will have a basic generator number per zones to determine how many employees there
will be. Richman said the planning staff's original idea was to base this generatqr
number on use; however, the fear was that uses can change and applicants will present the
lowest use, then change to a higher one. Kaufman said the city should look at what they
are doing to costs of buildings by adding employee housing; this will drive the rents
of new businesses up tremendously.
Richman pointed out (dd) prOvides a mechanism for telling an applicant the number of
employees the project will generate based on the square footage requested. The language
in (ee) takes care of people who have already housed employees. (ff) said an applicant
must house employees in general rather than employees of the project. Council requested
a study session on this ordinance to go over it in detail.
Councilwoman Michael moved to table Ordinance ~49, Series of 1981; seconded by Councilman
Parry. All in favor, motion carried.
BURNT MOUNTAIN IMPACT ANALYSIS
Sunny Vann reminded Council they are a signatory to the memorandum of understanding
between the Forest Service and Town of Snowmass Village to consider the impacts of the
Burnt Mountain expansion. Vann said in reviewing the documents, the bulk of the comments
deal with Highway 82, Owl Creek road, parking lots on Brush creek. The planning office
forwarded their comments to the town planner for Snowmass, who agreed with the general-
ized comments. The town planner requested Vann bring these letters to Council for
them to consider adopting the letters as an official position of Council. Mayor Edel
said the Snowmass town Council has looked for imput from City Council. Mayor Edel said
he has no problem with putting Aspen's imprimature on this. Councilman Parry agreed.
Councilman Parry moved that these letters represent the City of Aspen's position;
seconded by Councilman Knecht. All in favor, motion carried.
SILVERKING BUS RIDERSHIP
Mayor Edel read an editorial from KSNO about walking home to Silverking from town at
2 a.m. with no lights on Mill street, getting attacked on the way home and raped, and that
the city is attempting to cutlback on the Silverking bus from midnight to 2 a.m,
Duane Fengel, transportation director, told Council the cost of this service from midnight
to 2:30 a.m. is very high and the ridership is not. Running a late night bus is not a
deterrent to crime Fengel made a study of the ridership and costs and recommends cuttin~i
the service back t~ be uniform with the other bus routes and to stay uniform all year
round. In the high season the buses will go to 1:00 a.m. because there are tourists
that ride all the bus routes. Fengel's study showed that the average nightly ridership
on the Silverking route from midnight to 2:30 a.m. is 14 persons with a 2 to 1 ratio of
male to female.
Mayor Edel asked if, because this is a cost factor, it would be appropriate to charge ~
a fee because it is a singular area of the city. Fengel said for 14 average riders, he
would have to charge $4 and a cab is $2.00. Councilwoman Michael asked if police rides
were still available. Mayor Edel said if the Silverking service is stopped, the city
will have to have a campaign for other options, such as police rides. City Manager
Chapman said the staff could look into this. Fengel said he feels this operation is too
expensive right now; what the staff thought would happen is not.
Councilman Michael moved to cut the Silverking bus route to 12:30 a.m. for the sum~er and
off season, and further move that the transportation department work with the police
department in installing a substantial PR campaign announcing the police staff is avail-
able to drive women home after 12:30 a.m.; seconded by Councilman Knecht. All in favor,
motion carried.
UMTA GRANT
City Manager Chapman told Council a grant application for transportation has been prepared
and reviewed by UMTA; they need a letter of commitment from the city for the matching
share for the purchase of 16 new pieces. The matching share is $560,000, which will be
required when the buses are delivered. The staff is looking at options on how to raise
this money; bonding is one, municipal leasing is an other, negotiating with the Ski Corp.
The source of the funds will actually be charges to the users, Chapman said he is not
concerned about repayment but how to handle the upfront money.
Councilwoman Michael moved to send a letter to Pitkin County stating that the City of Asper
does support them in their bus grant application and a letter of commitment to UMTA
guaranteeing 20 per cent local share for the bus grant; seconded by Councilman Parry. All
in favor, motion carried.
WAIVER OF BUILDING CODE - THRIFT SHOP
City Manager Chapman told Council he, Paul Taddune and Herb Paddock have reviewed the
requirements for getting a house to be donated to the Thrift Shop up to Code. Chapman
said the 1979 UBC provides authority to waive parts of the building code provided three
criteria are met; (1) the building has special historical or architectural significance;
(2) the unsafe conditions described in the code are corrected; (3) that the restored
building is no more hazardous than the existing building.. Chapman told Council as a result
of point 2, there are some items that could be waived, such as insulation, thermal windows
electrical system changes, handicap access. The code requirements that still must be met
are replacement of the entire roof and sUbfloor system, some electrical code requirements,
and the one-hour rated exterior and interior walls. Chapman pointed out the Council does
not have the authority to waive safety requirements the way this is written.
Fire Chief Willard Clapper said he did not think the Council should make attempts at
changing the Codes. They may be leaving themselves open to too many other projects and to
liabilities. Clapper said he did not think the Council should waive any requirements.
Councilwoman Michael asked what the cost for the list of items that cannot be waived would
be. Karen Kashinski said the roof structure would be a major cost. The Thrift Shop has
asked the owner if he would donate any more than just moving the house; he has not
responded. Mayor Edel suggested a city-wide drive to raise funds. Ms. Kashinski said it
appears the Thrift Shop would do better with a new structure. Councilman Knecht said he
would hate to lose the building for its historical value. Mayor Edel said in the future
the Thrift Shop may consider combining with the fire department on site site. Chief Clapp~
said the fire department does not have funds to build next year.
Lois Butterbaugh told Council sixth penny funds could be used for renovation of a historic
building if it is used for government purposes. Paul Taddune pointed out the building
would have to be designated as historic and the HPC has not reviewed it. Mayor Edel
suggested the Thrift Shop meet with staff and get on the HPC agenda. There is a sense
that Council wants this done. Alberta Moore told Council the Thrift Shop has raised and
donated $225,000 over 10 years to various groups. It would be defeating their purposes
to put out this money for renovation.
ORDINANCE #50, SERIES OF 1981
City Attorney Taddune told Council he has prepared an ordinance imposing a temporary
moratorium in the R/MF zone including language of subdivision of new buildings. Taddune
has also prepared a resolution authorizing the building department to refrain from acting
on any pending building permits, an administrative delay.
Councilwoman Michael moved to read Ordinance #50, Series of 1981; seconded by Councilman
Knecht. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #50
(Series of 1981)
AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING A THREE (3) MONTH TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON THE
CONSTRUCTION AND/OR EXPANSION OF ALL BUILDINGS WITHIN THE R/MF ZONE
WITHIN THE CITY OF APSEN, COLORADO was read by the city clerk
Councilwoman Michael moved to adopt Ordinance #50, Series of 1981, on first reading adding
the following "subdivision of new buildingS"; seconded by Councilman Knecht.
Ed Baker, purchaser of lots N,O,P, Block 68, told Council he is aware of concerns of the
neighbors about what he is planning to build. Baker told Council he has met with the
surrounding property owners and had a productive meeting. Baker said Council is going
to pass an ordinance affecting a small amount of property in the west end and a lot of
property in the east end because people are concerned about the height and mass of the
building. The R/MF zone has an FAR imposed on it now; it is 1:1. Baker said he applied
for a building permit at least a month ago, he has worked with the building department so
that his building complies with the zoning regulations. Baker told Council he wants to
build a nice duplex and to put two employee units in the basement under RBO review.
Mayor Edel said it is the function of Council to respond to the citizens of the community
and to reexamine the laws of the City. The Council is affectingil~a moratorium so there is
time to research and to think. Councilwoman Michael said the bulk issue has been in the
mind of Council for some time. The moratorium Will only be effective for three months.
Roll call vote; Councilmembers Parry, aye; Michael, aye; Knecht, aye; Collins, aye; Mayor
Edel, aye. Motion carried.
July 27, 1981
RESOLUTION #37, SERIES OF 1981 - Administrative Delay
Councilwoman Michael moved to read Resolution #37, Series of 1981~ seconded by Councilman
Knecht. All in favor, with the exception of Councilman Parry. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION 937
(Series of 1981)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO, AUTHORIZING
AN ADMINISTRATIVE DELAY IN THE PROCESSING OF ALL PENDING APPLICATIONS
FOR PERMITS TO CONSTRUCT AND/OR EXPAND BUILDING LOCATED WITHIN THE R/MF
ZONE DISTRICT
WHEREAS, The City Council of the City of Aspen, Colorado, is in the process
of reviewing the present requirements of the zoning ordinances of the City of
Aspen as they pertain to the bulk, area and height requirements of the R/MF
zone district, and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Aspen has before it a pending
ordinance proposing the imposition of a temporary three (3) month moratorium
on the subdivision of property and construction and/or expansion of all
buildings within the R/MF zone district, and
WHEREAS the courts are sensitive to the inequities involved in requiring
local governments to meet certain time-consuming procedural requirements
prior to the adoption of amendments to zoning codes during which time applicants
may defer the intended effects of any amendment by applying for approvals prior
to the effective date of the amendment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO:
That it does hereby authorize an administrative delay on the processing
of all applications for building permits to construct and/or expand buildings
within the R/MF zone district which would be prohibited by the adoption of the
aforesaid moratorium and pending a review of the present requirements of the R/MF
zone district, and does hereby authorize a delay of the processing of such
applications until the scheduled date of the public hearing and second reading
of the proposed moratorium ordinance was read by the city clerk
Councilwoman Michael moved to adopt Resolution ~37, Series of 1981; seconded by Councilmar
Knecht. Ail in favor, with the exception of Councilman Parry. Motion carried.
GREEN FAMILY TRUST DUPLEX
City Attorney Taddune recommended that administrative or legal action not be pursued
because of the doctrine which holds when a building permit is erroneously issued, the
city is estopped from trying to take corrective action where there would be substantial
loss or injury to the person who relied upon the approvals. Herb Paddock, building
inspector, told Council they have researched this item in depth and feel that the building
department is not remiss in issuing the building permit. Clayton Meyring told Council he
issued the permit; in the R/MF district there is no FAR listed. However, there was an
FAR adopted in Ordinance 16, 1980, this is not listed in the area and bulk requirement
section. Meyring told Council as for the roof, the height is measured at right angles
to the natural undisturbed slope of the land. According to the approved plans, this
duplex is the correct height.
Mayor Edel said it seems on recommendation of the city attorney and b.uilding department
there is no action to be taken by the city. The building department will verify that the
setbacks are accurate.
PLUM TREE OPTIONS
Councilman Parry moved to table this until Wednesday, July 29, 1981, at noon; seconded by
Councilman Collins. All in favor, motion carried.
EXEMPTION FROM PARK DEDICATION FEE - Aspen Sanitation District Employee Housing
Councilwoman Michael moved to waive the park dedication fee applicable to the four moderat
income employee housing units to be constructed by the Aspen Sanitation District at the
old sanitation plant located south of Puppy Smith street; seconded by Councilman Parry.
City Manager Chapman pointed out this was the location of the snow dump area. The city
is not going to be using the Aspen Sanitation property for dumping snow. The staff does
have alternatives and will be suggested them to Council. Planning director, Sunny Vann,
noted the Council has established a policy if the employee housing units are low or
moderate, they may be exempted from park dedication fees. Councilman Collins asked if
this is a policy, why does it keep coming back to Council.
All in favor, with the exception of Councilman Collins. Motion carried.
LOCATION FOR DUMPING SNOW
City engineer, Dan McArthur, told Council the site the city will use is the Aspen One
property. The only other available site is somewhere on the golf course.
EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEM ORDINANCE
Wayne Chapman told Council that Ordinance #5, 1981, is doing what the staff proposed it
to do - reduce the number of false alarms. Sopris Security Systems is complaining because
there are things in the ordinance that are prohibitive to other businesses moving into
town. Nothing in the ordinance.set high standards foraalarm companies; the only thing
that is reducing alarms is the high false alarm fee. Chapman pointed out that ordinance
intended to put the onus for false alarms on the alarm company.
Regular Meeting ............... Aspen Citv ~ounc~l duly Z/,
Sopris Security Systems told Council they objected to the high licenseing and high insur-
ance fees. Council requested that City Manager Chapman meet with the alarm companies and
go over these; if there is anything definitive to bring it back to Council.
ORDINANCE #45, SERIES OF 1981 - Appropriation Transportation
Councilwoman Michael moved to read Ordinance #45, Series of 1981; seconded by Councilman
Parry. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #45
(Series of 1981)
AN ORDINANCE MAKING A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION IN THE TRANSPORTATION FUND
FROM PRIOR YEAR FUND BALANCES FOR TRANSFER TO THE TRANSIT FUND IN THE AMOUNT
OF $108,230; AND TO APPROPRIATE A TRANSFER TO THE TRANSIT FUND FOR
EXPENDITURE FOR THE BUSWAY FEASIBILITY STUDY IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000 AND
FOR BUS DEBT SERVICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $83,230 was read by the city clerk
Councilwoman Michael moved to adopt Ordinance #45, Series of 1981, on first reading;
seconded by Councilman Parry. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Collins, aye; Knecht, aye;
Michael, aye; Parry, aye; Mayor Edel, aye. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE ~46, SERIES OF 1981 - Appropriation Ice Garden and Land funds
Councilwoman Michael moved to read Ordinance #46, Series of 1981; seconded by Councilman
Knecht. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #46
(Series of 1981)
AN ORDINANCE RECOGNIZING A TRANSFER FROM THE ICE GARDEN FUND IN THE AMOUNT
OF $91,469; AND A REDUCTION IN BUDGETED DEBT SERVICE EXPENDITURES OF THE
ICE GARDEN FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $91,562; AND AN INCREASE IN OTHER EXPENDITURES
IN THE ICE GARDEN FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $93; AND A TRANSFER TO THE LAND FUND
IN THE AMOUNT OF $91,469, AND A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION IN THE LAND FUND
FOR PROPERTY NOTE DEBT SERVICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $91,562; AND AN APPROPRIATION
FROM CURRENT YEAR REVENUES IN THE LAND FUND IN THE AMOUNT OF $93 was read by
the city clerk
Councilwoman Michael moved to adopt Ordinance #46, Series of 1981, on first reading;
seconded by Councilman Parry. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Knecht, aye; Parry, aye;
Michael, aye; Collins, aye; Mayor Edel, aye. Motion carried.
ORDINANCE #47, SERIES OF 1981 - Appropriation - General Fund
Councilwoman Michael moved to read Ordinance #47, Series of 1981; seconded by Councilman
Parry. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #47
(Series of 1981)
AN ORDINANCE MAKING A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION IN THE GENERAL FUND FROM
CURRENT YEAR UNAPPROPRIATED REVENUES IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,000 AND RECOGNIZING
ADDITIONAL UNANTICIPATED REVENUE IN THE AMOUNT OF $500 was read by the city
clerk
Councilwoman Michael moved to adopt Ordinance #47, Series of 1981, on first reading;
seconded by Councilman Parry. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Michael, aye; Parry, aye;
Knecht, aye; Collins, aye; Mayor Edel, aye. Motion carried.
WHEELER OPERA HOUSE MANAGER
City Manager Chapman told Council the staff has been trying to clarify a point in the
contract and staff has not been satisfied until today. City Engineer McArthur told Council
the staff had solicited construction management proposals to four firms in Denver and Grand
iJunction. The City only received one bid; the others declined because of their work load.
iA late bid was received, but was much higher than that of Weaver construction. The
iconstruction fee schedule from Weaver is broken down into categories because of the
iuncertainty the city has on how much money they will spend. One of the fee schedules is
ia low percentage up front during the construction at 4.4. On proposal B there is a
!straight 7.6 per cent for total construction. The difference is between A and B there is
ila on-site construction superintendent; in B all responsibilities are put on the CM to do
ithe job within the money and time period. Under this, the CM pays the superintendent,
ilsubsistence, lodging, clerical work, etc. Under A, the city is paying a lower percentage
ilbut all expenses are on the city's reimbursible list. If the job drags on, the city picks
iup the tab.
McArthur told Council he feels, if the city is going to do more than $2,000,000 work on
the Wheeler, they Council should probably choose proposal B and leave ~he responsbility on
the construction manager. Chapman pointed out the proposals are close, but goin~ with
B puts incentive on the construction to go quicker.
iiCouncilwoman Michael moved to read Resolution #38, Series of 1981; seconded by Councilman
iParry. All in favor, motion carried.
aspen u~sy councl± July 27, 1981
RESOLUTION #38
(Series of 1981)
Councilman Parry moved to adopt Resolution #38~ Series of 1981; seconded by Councilwoman
Michael. Ail in favor, motion carried.
ELECTION ISSUES
Mayor Edel told Council he had met with the County regarding two points on law enforcement
1) whether there should be an elected or appointed sheriff; 2) whether or not the police
and sheriff's departments should be consolidated. Mayor Edel stated his position is that
it is important to know first whether it will be an elected or appointed official. Mayor
Edel said this would sway his thinking towards consolidation and this should go to the
voters fist.
The Commissioners' asked if the city would be willing,i~if they put this first question
to the voters, to put a question to the voters for consolidation. The Commissioners also
asked if there is an elected official and a consolidated department, who should be the
head of it. Councilwoman Michael said she would have no problem with the city putting
the consolidation question on a ballot; however, she prefers an appointed law official.
Mayor Edel agreed, as did the rest of Council. City Manager Chapman pointed out if both
the elected versus appointed issue and the consolidation issue were on the same ballot,
it could be confusing.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council requested the request for expansion for Primavera be taken off the agenda to find
out if this expansion should fal~ under a growth management allocation and commercial
expansion.
Councilwoman Michael moved to approve the consent agenda - Ordinance #37, Series of 1981;
lot line adjustment; Ordinances #39 through #44, Series of 1981 - Water Management Plan;
Liquor license renewal - Burger Bros.; Holy Cross Easement; seconded by Councilman Parry.
All in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Parry moved to com~inue~th~me~t'i~g~un~li. Wednelsday~;
Se¢onde~b~. CouncilwOman Michael. All in favor, motion carried. Meeting ended at 10:10
Kathryn ~/. Koch, City Clerk
~D~ia~e~c~ng Aspen City Council July 29, 1981
Mayor Edel called the meeting to order at 12:00 noon with Councilmembers Michael, Collins,
Knecht and Parry present.
PLUM TREE INN
Monroe Summers told Council after the May election, there was a great deal of interest in
the sale of the Plum Tree; however, that is where it stayed. Most developers felt the
issue was not clear enough to invest a lot of time and money in, i.e. what can be done
with the Plum Tree, and its non-conforming status. The question stated there will be no
more expansion of the facility, there is an interpretation issue; use, FAR of the building~
Summers said Council needs to define the constraints and outline the options for imprQving.
City Attorney Taddune told Council the bottom line is whether the Council wants to
initiate rezoning of the area; the staff has come up with a golf course overlay support
zone. Alan Richman, planning office, pointed out the lodge reconstruction and preservatio~
ordinances allow ways for a lodge to be renovated and reconstructed.
Continued Meeting Aspen ~l~y
Summers said there were some proposals for condominium-type units. Richman said resident~ al
units would be subject to six-month minimum leases. Councit~man Knecht said he preferred
that Council initiates a golf support district. Things after that can be anchored down
and narrowly defined. Mike Fitzgerald told Council the first problem with this hotel
is that it is a non-conforming use. It is unclear as to what Council wants to see done
with this property. Council needs to define potential uses for that property. Without
this, the staff cannot compare offers. Mayor Edel said the Council should go with a
golf overlay district and while doing that, define what Council would consider in that
overlay district. This will state to buyers what the City wants and will avoid confusion.
Mayor Edel said the only problem is will this create a delay and another winter in which
the building will be shut down
Richman told Council he is not arguing against rezoning; it is a question of timing,
whether to do it now or later. The Code does provide a mechanism without rezoning. If
Council feels they need to make a clearer statement; they need to define what belongs in
that zone. Councilman Collins said the city should have a program of what they want out
there before they do anything. The property should not be rezoned until it is down in
writing exactly what they want. Fitzgerald told Council one of the first question is
whether or not the conditional use status will be removed. Another question is how many
sqaure feet are there; can the basement be finished off. The facility has to have
amenities other than tennis and golf course, like jacuzzis and conference facilities.
Another question is if rooms which are obstructed or noisy be turned into conference
facilities and new rooms can replace them.
Councilwoman Michael pointed out from the ballot question the uses are short-term tourist
accommodations, existing square footage, 50 bedrooms. The Council has to take the
perimeters of the ballot question and figure out the non-conforming status problem.
Fitzgerald asked if the basement were counted as existing square footage. Slummers!out-
~i~ed~i~e!phys~Cal plan~ of~.~heilOdge; the area of the wing of rooms is 20,000 square
feet. In a section, the building is a two-story building with a basement entrance in
the back. About 4,000 square feet of the basement is finished. The question of square
footage and expansion is whether one can use the existing 20,000 square feet or the
basement at 40,000 square feet. Mayor Edel said the voters said there could be no more
than 50 bedrooms but the intent seemed to be to use that space. Herb Paddock, building
inspector, told Council the basement area does not qualify as storage; it is subgrade
area and is not counted in the FAR but it is viable usable space. There has not been
any designated use for that subgrade area.
Councilman Knecht moved to sponsor and initiate an amendment to the text of the Aspen
zoning code, to create a new overlay zone, called the golf support overlay for the park
zone; and further moved to appoint a committee composed of staff, Council and the private
sector to prepare a recommendation for restrictions and permitted uses within the new
overlay zone; seconded by Councilman Collins. All in favor, with the exception of
Councilman Collins. Motion carried.
PRIMAVERA REQUEST FOR EXPANSION
Herb Paddock explained Primavera planned only on having tables with umbrellas; this does
not fall within the GMP.
Councilwoman Michael move~ to allow the expansion for the Primavera liquor license;
seconded by Councilman Knecht. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Knecht moved to adjourn at 1:05 p.m.; seconded by Councilman Parry. All in
favor, motion carried.
~, City Clerk
~egular Meeting Aspen City Council August 10, 1981
Mayor Edel called the meeting to order at 5:10 with Councilmembers Collins, Michael, and
Parry present.
MINUTES
There were none.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Councilwoman Michael moved to approve the accounts payable; seconded by Councilman Parry.
All in favor, motion carried.
CItiZEN PARTICIPATION
1. Hal Clark, representing Pitkin County Parks Association, told Council he is concerned
about a problem with Hallam lake. Clark presented a map showing the area, about 21
acres, which is in the county presently. Clark said he would like the city to consider
purchasing two properties adjacent to the Lake; these are owned by Mrs. Paepcke. During
the last five years there has been a big impact on properties near Hallam Aake; new
buildings have been built surrounding the Lake. There is a parking problem along Puppy
Smith street. PCPA feels it is important to develop a strategy to purchase this property
during 1982 fiscal year. PCPA has had preliminary discussions with Mrs. Paepcke, who is
amenable to the idea. Her position is that she would like an Offer from the city. This
is approximately 1-1/2 acres. Mayor Edel and the Council are pro for pursuing this and
suggested leaving in Clark's hands and going to the City staff for whatever assistance
they need.