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Aspen Plannin!! & Zonin!! Meetin!! Minutes - Januarv 17, 2006
COMMENTS ............................................................................................................ 2
DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ............................................... 2
SKY HOTEL REDEVELOPMENT ......................................................................... 2
BOOMERANG SOUTH REZONING ...................................................................10
CASTLE CREEK LOT SPLIT & PUD AMENDMENT....................................... 11
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Aspen Plannin!! & Zonin!! Meetin!! Minutes - Januarv 17, 2006
Jasmine Tygre opened the regular Planning & Zoning Meeting in Council
Chambers at 4:30 pm with members Steve Skadron, Dylan John, Ruth Kruger,
Mary Liz Wilson and Jasmine Tygre present. Brian Speck arrived at 4:45pm.
Brandon Marion, John Rowland and Ruth Kruger were excused. Staff present
were Joyce Allgaier and Chris Bendon, Community Development; Jackie Lothian,
Deputy City Clerk.
COMMENTS
Steve Skadron inquired about the Fox Crossing Parking; it appeared on Lone Pine
Road the parking was dedicated to construction parking. Chris Bendon stated there
was discussion that parking be located on Lone Pine rather than Race. Skadron
asked why the need for construction parking superseded the need for public
parking; why couldn't they just put the parking on the development. Bendon
replied that in some cases they can park on site and in others they can't.
Skadron asked if there was a condition of approval on the Mocklin Property about
the non-removal of native grasses. Bendon said that they will ask the Parks
Department.
Skadron complimented RFTA on the extraordinary job that they do especially with
the weather. Skadron noted the sidewalk where the Galena Street Shuttle crossed
over was a sheet of ice.
Jasmine Tygre said that the meeting with City Council turned out to be the impact
fee discussion, which was valuable but she thought there should be a meeting to
address the wish list from P&Z. P&Z will talk about the issues and concerns first
and staff could help with the discussion.
The commission chose to postpone the approval of the minutes from 11/29/05;
12/13/05; 12/06/05; 01/03/06.
DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Dylan Johns said there was a potential conflict on the Castle Creek Lot Split.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING 11/29/05):
SKY HOTEL REDEVELOPMENT
Jasmine Tygre opened the continued public hearing on the Sky Hotel
Redevelopment. Chris Bendon recapped that the current development contained
45,000 square feet of development; 21 parking spaces; 5600 square feet of
commercial space with the new project having 90 hotel units in a building of
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Aspen Plannin!! & Zonin!! Meetin!! Minutes - J anuarv 17, 2006
103,0000 square feet; 10 free-market residential units; 3 affordable residential
units; 62 underground parking spaces; 3700 square feet of accessory commercial
space.
Bendon noted there was a site visit today with Jasmine, Steve and Brian; the 2
Chateau buildings and the Aspen Alps were represented as well as the applicant.
Bendon commented they met on the Durant side and talked about the bulb-out
landscape area on Durant, the entrance ramp into the parking garage, the setbacks
along the alley for the Sky project and the Chateau buildings, the Alps parking
physically located on the Sky property with an agreement, existing heights on site
and surrounding the project.
Bendon said that there was a question about Dean Street being a street or an alley;
it is in fact an alleyway from research from the original townsite, which platted this
as a 20 foot wide unnamed right-of-way. Bendon said to the west it was a 50 foot
wide street from Gondola Plaza west.
Bendon said that there was argument that the Chateau buildings were developed
with their front to the alleyway but that doesn't create any legal standing, it was
just a matter of the way that they configured their buildings.
Bendon said that the cull de sack could be cleaned up with a partnership with the
city and the Sky, Alps and Little Nell; if the parties think that it was a good idea it
should be passed along to Council. Bendon said it wasn't this applicant's soul
responsibility for a better pedestrian experience.
Bendon said staff did not believe that the Sky was grandfathered for former rights-
of-way that were attributed to lot area for the purposes of development rights.
Bendon said the change in the code in 1975 did not attribute lot area but since that
was 30 years ago there was no grandfathering or reliance from that long ago.
Bendon said there were questions about the architecture studies provided by the
neighbors but staff was not able to provide much guidance on that; it was hard to
gauge where the setbacks were on these renderings.
Bendon said there were questions about the loss of views and it was apparent the
proposed building was taller than the existing building and there will be some loss
of views from the adjacent properties. Bendon noted this was not an area where
views were protected by the city and the applicant was not requesting any special
consideration for setbacks.
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Bendon said there were commercial design review criteria for the mechanical
equipment on the roof; the equipment had to be either setback or screened from a
pedestrian viewpoint. Bendon said that standard was met but there was a question
about what could be seen from above being adjacent to the ski area.
Bendon reiterated that the project was going through new code sections with
commercial design review; the growth management review, which qualifies as an
incentive lodge development that additional heights and FAR were allowed in the
zoning. Bendon said the incentives were to encourage dense lodging in the lodge
zone district. Bendon said the Conditional Use deals with the cafe, bar and retail
space within the project. Bendon said the subdivision review was because the
residential units technically qualify as a subdivision although lot lines were not
being moved around. Bendon stated the remaining reviews were with City Council
for the allocation, vested rights and condominization.
Tygre asked for a criteria page for incentive lodge development. Bendon
responded that there were criteria listed in the November memo and the zoning did
not have criteria other than if the project meets the 500/500 requirement.
Skadron asked for Bendon to state the 500/500 requirement again. Bendon
responded that was a density standard; the incentive was to meet the goals to
replenish the lodge rooms base. Skadron asked about the rights-of-way in relation
to the lot area; it had to basically to do with what can be done on the lot. Tygre
responded that it was what the allowable FAR was. Bendon replied that there was
the gross lot size and you subtract former rights-of-way, vehicular easements, areas
under high water line to get the net lot area, which is used to derive the property's
development rights. Bendon said for example floor area ratio becomes derived
from the lot area; in the 1960s Spring Street was vacated in exchange for moving
Spring Street over to the west without a discussion or qualifier to the vacation.
Bendon said that in 1975 the city became concerned with floor areas and
development rights and there was a decision and an ordinance passed that former
rights-of-way would be subtracted from the lot area; it would not apply to pre 1975
vacations. Bendon said that the 1961 and 1962 vacations that affect this property
were not affected by that 1975 ordinance; that language carried through until 1988
at which time the pre 1975 exemption was dropped. Bendon said the initial
discussions with Sunny included should there be a code amendment as part of the
application that changed the 1988 change; there was a request from the applicant to
change the 1961 - 1962 vacations so that the pre 1975 exemption would be
restored just for this property. Skadron asked the impact on this application
exactly. Sunny Vann responded the building that was there today could not be
built. Bendon said they were talking about 1/3 of the development right was
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affected. Vann explained the reason the 1975 exemption was there with the
vacations on this property done in the 1950s and 1960s; the Hotel Jerome was a
good example of the vacated right-of-way with the alley stopping at the Jerome
property. Vann said the mid 1970s began the modern zoning regulations for FAR.
Vann said the city did not loose a street but simply swapped the street to the
current alignment with the jog. Skadron asked if there was a condition in the
resolution. Bendon replied that it was iri Section 5 that required the building
permitted show compliance with the lodge zone district including the lot area;
Council will either amend that vacation and provide lot area back to the applicant
or not. Vann said it was a moot point because if Council denys then the
application would have to be withdrawn because it can't be processed and the site
would be frozen to what was there today because it becomes a non-conforming
structure with all the unintended consequences of that designation.
Skadron asked the principal behind the new pedestrian amenity. Bendon
responded the legislation stems from development in the early 1970s that people
reacted to such as the North of Nell Building, the Aspen Square Building that
essentially developed the whole site and there was a requirement put in place for
open space (25% of each and every lot had to remain open to the sky with visual
access). Bendon said that met the need quantitatively but not quantifiably creating
dismal spaces, which detracted from the pedestrian experience; the city can
determine if the 25% is met on site or through an outside solution. Bendon said it
was more quality for the pedestrian experience.
Sunny Vann stated the incentive lodge provision basically grew out of the old infill
regulations in which they were trying to promote additional lodging development
close to the mountain and the downtown core. Vann said the dimensional
requirements of increased height and increased FAR that were adopted specifically
contemplated adding more units without having to go through the planned unit
development process. Vann said the lodge incentive program was deemed to be
more appropriate community wide and addressed the fact that height and FAR
would be increased in the downtown core and the area was designated subject to
review under other criteria. Vann said this was the first project to come in under
the new criteria with a specific decision made on behalf of the client to not use the
PUD process so this project complies with the new dimensional requirements with
the exception ofthis limitation on non-unit space, which was an unintended
consequence not providing enough floor area for lobbies, corridors and those types
of mechanical areas. Vann said that all of the lodge units were replacement lodge
units and were taking advantage of the 25% of the project floor area for free-
market residential, which was the incentive to make project viable and then they
had to provide 30% of the free-market units as affordable housing therefore 3 on-
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site affordable units were provided. Vann said all of the parking requirements
were provided for the affordable housing, residential, commercial and lodge units.
Vann said the small cafe space was an amenity with a lounge bar area. Vann said
that if it were not for the Lodge Incentive Program this older lodge would not be in
here because it could not be designed under the old 1: I lodge zone district, the
mitigation would be onerous and would not work. Vann said the size was driven
by the dimensional requirements for the zone district and the need to meet the 500
square foot density requirement, which requires 86-87 units to be put back onto the
site.
Vann said the street was the surrounding history of the lodge. Vann said the open
space requirement was about 6% and they were about 25% not counting the
proposed open space landscape improvements to the public right-of-way in the
front portion of the building.
Vann said there was a request to vacate about 30 feet of the alley, which was part
of the old Spring Street right-of-way and a pragmatic solution to some issues but
not be added to the floor area of the project. Vann said the alley vacation will not
change accessibility for the adjacent properties and will not limit accessibility to
their project. Vann stated since the last meeting there were a couple of changes to
the project denoted on the site plan sheet #4 (application addendum), which shows
the 10 by 30 foot strip of the alley that was proposed to be vacated.
Vann said the original access ramp was 2 way and there were concerns raised
regarding circulation in the alley; they went back and checked with the fire
department and the fire marshall, who provided turning radius information and the
ramp, was modified to a single lane (depicted on sheet #7 of the packet). This
moved the existing circulation lane, right now people enter the garage by coming
off of Durant turning right or left through what is not a parking lot into the alley
and the parking spaces at the rear of the Chateau Dumont and Chateau Chaumont,
this moves that driving lane about 10 feet to the east but eliminates or provides an
opportunity to do a landscape buffer (sheet #18) adjacent to the Chateau Dumont.
Vann said they basically reduce the amount of circulation in that area back there
and included a new landscaped area between our project and the adjacent Chateau
Dumont. Bill Poss stated the fire lane was indicated; the ramp down to the garage
has been narrowed down to the garage in the gray area; they have moved things
over a little bit to allow for a two way or one way access in. Tygre asked how you
got out. Poss said you enter this way and come out here. Vann explained that
most of the ramps were one way for example that goes down to a lot ofthe hotels,
there was a light that controls the ramp. Bendon replied that it was two ways but
only one at a time, either up or down with the light. Poss said as a car approaches
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the ramp in the garage a sensor puts a red light up so that another car cannot come
down. Vann noted that it was Valet Park. Vann said that the ramp will function in
either way for access and they think that there will be less opportunity for conflict
if the one way was reversed and will go along with whatever recommendation the
city engineer makes. Vann said that both directions will continue to maintain
access to some surface parking spaces at the rear of the Chaumont and Dumont.
Vann said the one other change was the way the pedestrians circulate along South
Spring Street; currently the building comes right up to the curb and there was a
revised drawing indicating the ability to provide a sidewalk in the current location
and they would make their case to city council; either one works and they can do it
either way. Vann said there was one significant enhancement on South Spring
Street with activity with the access to the Aspen Alps, the delivery dock to the
Little Nell Hotel and currently accessing the Sky Hotel's drop-off. Vann said this
proposal brings a new covered entry at the north end of South Spring Street, which
will reduce traffic at the south end of South Spring Street for drop-off and
passenger drop-off purposes; it also enable them to queue cars underneath a Porte
Cochere on their own property hopefully reducing further congestion on South
Spring Street.
Vann introduced the team: Bill Poss and Les the architects; Dave Myler the
attorney; the owners' representatives Dave Jackson and Cheryl Jones.
Vann remarked that they were asked to comment on the pictures of the alley
generated by Michael Hoffman and his clients from the Chateau Dumont and
Chaumont; it was difficult for them to duplicate the photos since they did not
create them but they believe them to be generally representative of the fact that
there will be a fairly tall building in the alley. Vann said the model that they have
is much more indicative as to what was going to be built with the fenestration and
decks and provide a clearer idea of what's going on in the alley.
Steve Skadron asked to see the 15 foot area. Bendon responded the alleyway
comes in and the elbow of the property. Vann noted that drawing #4 showed the
area pretty well (a red cross hatched area).
The public viewed the model and drawings.
Skadron asked what happens to the property if this project doesn't gain approval.
Vann replied that you would have to ask the owner but it was an ongoing
maintenance situation on a deteriorating building with rooms that were too small
to try to stay competitive in the market place. Skadron said he wanted to ask the
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question differently to Chris; the underlying area was zoned incentive lodge, what
is allowed there, if the Sky Hotel is no longer financially viable to the owner can
they come under a PUD or SPA or something and ask to build 4 townhomes.
Bendon replied that there was no limitation on what you can apply for but what
was allowed in the lodge district; all of the regulations, now that the lodge district
has been amended, are really geared to a lodge proposal. Bendon said the FAR for
a free-market residential development was cut in half from what it was before so
now it's at .5:1; it doesn't prevent someone from tearing it down and coming back
in say they want to build a pure townhome project but none of the incentives exist
and the FAR was severely limited. Vann said that they can only assume that if
they came in and the FAR was .5 and they wanted to do a residential project
increase it 2: 1 that you would laugh us out of the room.
Dylan Johns asked if the existing development in the dimensional requirements
chart under commercial space .13 was just interior. Bendon replied that was in the
building so there was also the outdoor patio space not reflected in this number.
Johns asked if that included kitchen space. Bendon replied that it did. Vann
responded that net lease able was anything except storage, bathrooms, common
circulation, and stairwells; everything else was net leaseable.
All letters received to date were part of the packet materials.
Public Comments:
1. Helmut Rhinehart, public, owner of Chateau Chaumont #8 said he owned
the condo since 1972 with a view of the mountains and gondola; the value of the
condo was with the mountain view. Rhinehart said that if this project goes through
with the height his view is a wall of buildings; it was a big impact for his guests
not to see the mountains. Rhinehart asked ifhis view counted or not. Tygre
replied that this particular area does not have protected view planes under the new
legislation the height of the building that they are asking for would be allowed by
code.
2. Bruce Jeans, public, owner of Chateau Chaumont #19 said he became aware
of these changes and can understand Council wants to improve density in parts of
Aspen but the effect of these regulations on neighboring buildings was quite
devastating. Jeans said the model showed the Chateau Chaumont and Dumont had
their access from Dean Street and it was clear that with the 42 foot high wall down
the side of Dean Street it become a canyon with no sunlight entering into it during
the wintertime. Jeans said the total effect on the whole city was quite negative and
put that to the commission for consideration.
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3. Michael Hoffman, attorney representing the owners of the Chateau
Chaumont and Chateau Dumont; the applicant has taken the position that the city is
required to approve this application because it meets the parameters of the new
lodge zone district no matter what the impacts are on the neighbors. Hoffman said
that was just wrong and unfair. Hoffman agreed with Sunny that the model speaks
volumes and to the fact that any views from the Chateau Chaumont or Dumont will
be devastated but perhaps more to the point was any access to air and to heat and to
sunlight will be devastated. Hoffman said the assumptions on which the lodge
zone district were based included the assumption for the width between projects.
Hoffman disagreed with the comment about no legal status to the orientation of
Chateau Dumont and Chaumont; these two projects opened onto Dean Street and
have existed that way for almost 40 years and they were approved that way and
will continue to exist that way. Hoffman said the distance between structures
would be approximately 60 feet with a 55 foot right-of-way with a 5 foot setback
on each side, with those assumptions even on December 21 st ( the lowest sun
angle) only the bottom floor of the Chateau Dumont would be in shadow and
maybe 2 or 3 weeks on either side of that in terms of the month of December but
the rest of the year Chateau Dumont and Chateau Chaumont will be in sunlight and
the street itself would be the beneficiary of those sunlight months of the year.
Hoffman said this was different Dean Street was a 20 foot wide right-of-way with
a 5 foot setback on the side of the proposed hotel and 7 foot 8 inches on the side of
Chateau Dumont; for 6 months of the year no sunlight will hit Dean Street because
of the height of this proposal. Hoffman said there were other negative impacts that
substantially impact Chateaus Dumont and Chaumont; the 2 condominium
associations asked TDA of Colorado to complete a traffic study (he passed out to
the commission) and David Leahy of that firm made a number of conclusions; the
plan submitted was as the original plan. Hoffman spoke of the prescriptive
easements that could not be moved lawfully and this could be avoided by requiring
the applicant to amend the application to minimize the impacts on Chateaus
Dumont and Chaumont. Hoffman asked the applicant to reduce the height of the
structure form the current 42 feet along Dean Street to something that matches the
Glory Hole Building at around 28 feet; move back off of Dean Street; the ramp to
the garage should be removed from the alley and placed on Spring Street; the
deliver and trash area should be required to be fully enclosed within the building.
4. Todd Yerigan, public, owned a Chateau Chaumont unit and was the
president of the association with full support of the board of directors. Verigan
said the concerns were the height, deprivation of light, serious adverse impacts on
their building and neighbor building the Dumont. Verigan said they met with the
applicant last week and expressed concern for the traffic flow and objected to the
traffic being reversed and thought the area should be entered from Durant as it now
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does because there was angle parking on Durant. Verigan said they objected to the
vacation of the 1500 square foot of Dean on the west end because it may be unbuilt
upon today but he did not know what would happen in the future. Verigan
objected to taking out the trees and objected to the shutdown of Dean Street or any
impairment in the use of it; this was access for ambulances. Verigan said that
Dean Street was the front of the building and asked where the increase in lodging
units was.
5. David Barzone stated that he owned Chateau Chaumont #3 and asked if the
proposed project was 100% bigger. Bendon said it went from 40,000 to 100,000
something. Barzone asked what percentage comes from building into the alley and
what percent would come from just be higher. Poss and Vann responded that they
did not know how that would break down. Barzone asked if the surrounding
heights of buildings were less than 30 feet in height. Bendon replied they did not
go through the heights of the surrounding properties but they could come back and
clarify; the Little Nell was 42; the Aspen Square was over 40 and the Chateau
Buildings. Barzone asked the height of the existing building. Bendon responded
that on Durant it was in the mid 30s and on the alleyway it was probably the upper
20s. Barzone asked the height of the Glory Hole. Poss responded about 31.
6. Pamela Cunningham, general manager of the Aspen Alps, thanked the
commission for the site visit; the principals and their team have met with the
Aspen Alps on several occasions about their concerns. Cunningham stated
concerns about the pool area, which was probably environmental as opposed to
com dev.
7. Chuck Frias stated that the unintended consequences of this new code was
not anticipated and really because of the width of Dean Street. Frias said hopefully
council will look at that and come up with something respectable.
8. Tim Clark stated that he was from Frias Properties and commented that Pam
talked about the how the applicant consulted with the Aspen Alps and in retrospect
if the applicant had consulted with the Chaumont and Dumont associations perhaps
some of the negative impacts that we were talking about tonight could have been
addressed early on.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
BOOMERANG SOUTH REZONING
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CASTLE CREEK LOT SPLIT & PUD AMENDMENT
Jasmine Tygre opened the public hearings for the Boomerang South Rezoning and
Castle Creek Lot Split and PUD Amendment. Joyce Allgaier provided proof of
notice for both hearings.
MOTION: Steve Skadron moved to continue the public hearings on the
Boomerang Rezoning and the Castle Creek Lot Split & PUD Amendment to
January 2lh; seconded by Mary Liz Wilson. All infavor, APPROVED.
Resume the Sky Hotel Hearing.
Dave Myler offered facts and circumstances in response to comments made at the
previous meeting and tonight's meeting on the heights, views and setbacks as they
relate to this project. Myler said the roadway between the two buildings was an
alley with legal status of an alley and from a standpoint of building separations and
setbacks it is to be treated as such. Myler said there was a condominium map
recorded in 1968 for the Chateaus and the roadway (Dean) was labeled as an alley.
Myler said height was a very sensitive issue when it affects views and light; they
understand that and views that a property owner enjoys over the top of somebody
else's property or undeveloped property is not their property, it belongs to the
people who own the underlying property. Myler said for the last 40 years the
individuals that have the 6 or 7 units out of the 50 that face toward the Sky Hotel
have been enjoying the property that was owned by the predecessors of the Sky
Hotel; the air rights are not owned. Myler said that this property is not asking for
anything that the neighbors haven't either already done or could do under the
zoning that affects their property.
Myler said that in 1968 the two Chateaus obtained a variance to increase the height
of the building by 8 feet 3 inches, the underlying zoning was 25 feet and it was
built to 33 feet 2 inches. Myler said that when measured from grade the building
(Chateau) comes out to 33 feet something in one place and 38 feet along the
westerly side of the building; they also obtained a setback variance, the building is
3 feet closer to the alley than the underlying setback requirements would have
allowed. Myler said the developers of the Chateau and subsequently the owners of
those units that have enjoyed the benefits that those developers were able to
achieve have been enjoying the development potential of their property, actually
more than the development potential based on the underlying zoning of that time.
Myler stated that fundamentally they were not asking to do anything else; he
brought this up to address the views that can't be protected. Myler said the results
from that circumstance were that the first guy to build will control everything else
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that goes on in the neighborhood. Myler said that they did not set out to destroy
people's views; we set out to take an advantage of an incentive ordinance that
allows them to replace aging lodging products. Myler said there wasn't an alley in
Aspen that was in the sun and that was a fact oflife in the core area; it will affect
them when the Chateau redevelops and when the Aspen Alps redevelops. Myler
asked that the commissioners keep that in mind.
Myler said that he could not comprehend how they could be inconsistent with the
comp plan when they were following an ordinance that was adopted to implement
the comp plan. The ordinance itself needed to be found consistent in order to be
adopted and be legitimate. Myler questioned the owners of the Chateaus having a
prescriptive easement through their property; they have acknowledged that they
have been driving through their property since 1968 when the Chateaus were built.
Myler said whether or not that rises to the level of a prescriptive easement that
could be used to preclude them for redeveloping that alley, they never conceded;
that certainly was an issue for a few more discussions with the Chateau
representatives.
Vann commented that the consistency with the Aspen Area Community Plan was
in every land use review and you have to look at it in the specific context. Vann
stated the Plan spoke of replacement units but not architecture. Vann noted the
Conditional Use in this application was the Commercial Space within the hotel and
not the hotel. Vann stated that they were not subdividing anything but by
developing more than one free market unit in a mixed use building that by
definition it was a subdivision. Vann said there were new commercial design
standards, which get specific about whether or not this was an appropriate design
and that was the area in which design comes into play because they were not a
PUD. This project was consistent with the specific review criteria for these types
of in fill projects in the downtown core. Vann said the alley was in the shade
during the winter with the building at 2 stories today; adding additional floors will
not increase the shade on the alley driving surface itself.
Skadron asked what prescriptive easement meant. Bendon replied it was a right
that you assume as a property owner over someone else's property based upon
your history of use; the city did not determine it or regulate it but rather determined
through the courts. Vann said the clarification was there was no challenge to
preclude their historic access to the alley through their property but if they could
assert that they could block the applicant's realigning it and therefore preclude
them from accomplishing their proposal. Myler stated that you might be more
familiar with the term adverse use or adverse possession; a right an individual may
obtain by meeting various criteria for open notorious continuous adverse hostile
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use of someone else's property. Tygre asked in what way would the prescriptive
easement ruling affect the applicant's project. Vann replied that if they found that
even reversing the direction of the alley made more sense but if the neighbors and
city engineer concur then that was acceptable to them. Vann said if the neighbors
blocked the ability to relocate the easement then they would not be able to develop
the project as approved and certainly would not go forward without resolving the
Issue.
Skadron said that he had everything he needed. Skadron stated that was important
was the relationship of the development to the surrounding environment of the
community; he was sensitive to promoting harmonious and compatible site
planning. Skadron said he would look at the impact on the Chateaus and the Alps.
Johns stated concern for the neighboring property owners; it was difficult to come
to terms with this because they were not asking for anything they were not allowed
to do and the rights of property owners. Johns stated concern for the Chateaus
entrance on the alley without something hammered out as far as how the alleyway
and all the connections was important and it had a nebular solution at this time.
Vann said there was a condition that required that they had to maintain access for
the Chateau Chaumont and Dumont and the public alley for no other reason than
fire protection purposes. Vann said they did not intend to close the alley whether it
was necessary to maintain access through their parking lot, which they presently
enjoy was a question of the city and a matter of talking with the Chaumont and
Dumont.
Mary Liz Wilson said that the relations and concerns for the neighbors were very
important; she stated concern for the height of the building.
Brian Speck said that David Myler's view on the land ownership was clear and
after 30 years the Chateaus Dumont and Chaumont have had views but they did
not own those views. Speck voiced concern for the massing of the building and
the effect on the neighbors.
Tygre stated that the fact of the matter was the new regulations were recently
passed and people that own units in the neighboring properties have owned them
for quite a while and had an expectation of a certain height limit that has recently
changed. Tygre said that she liked to follow a set of criteria that are logical with a
basis for decision making. Tygre noted that the condominium units in the
Chateaus and the Alps were traditionally short term accommodations and they
were popular lodging properties at the base of the mountain and proximity to
downtown. Tygre asked at what point do you give all the incentives to a lodge that
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Aspen Plannin!! & Zonin!! Meetin!! Minutes - Januarv 17, 2006
definitely needs to be rehabilitated/upgraded to the detriment of existing lodging
properties that have a history of short term rental in this particular neighborhood;
she wasn't sure where the balancing act would come out for herself and was
concerned about not having specific criteria to balance that. Tygre said that she
did not believe that one size fits all for all in the infill process; each project should
be evaluated on a site specific basis. There were areas where the impacts were
greater on the neighbors. Tygre requested criteria sheets.
Brian Speck excused himself at 6:45 pm.
Vann asked to continue the hearing on the Sky to January 31 st.
MOTION: Steve Skadron moved to continue the public hearing on the Sky Hotel
to January 31"; seconded by Mary Liz Wilson. All infavor, APPROVED.
Meeting adjourned.
"
ckie Lotliian, Deputy City Clerk
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