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AGENDA
ASPEN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
PITKIN COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
January 23, 1991, Wednesday
4:30 P.M.
2nd Floor Meeting Room
City Hall
State Highway 82 Design
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission
Pitkin County Planning and Zoning Commission
FROM: Tom Baker, Assistant Planning Director
RE: SH 82 Design: Airport To Aspen
DATE: January 23, 1991
PURPOSE: The purpose of this meeting is to finalize our work on
the SH 82 design resolution. The Colorado Department of Highways
is coming to speak to the elected officials on January 28, 1991
and I feel it is important that we have our resolution available
for that meeting.
I have reviewed the tapes of the meeting and have had a brief
discussion with Dwight Shellman while d-�afting the resolution.
In the resolution bold type means new language and (...delete)
means delete. Additionally, Herb Klein has submitted suggested
changes to Section G Entrance to Aspen (see attachment)
Finally, I will bring a map to the meeting with my interpretation
of what this resolution means.
sh82.design.memo.3
-------draft incorporating joint drafting committee comments ---
JOINT RESOLUTION OF
THE ASPEN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
AND
THE PITKIN COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
N.W
HIGHWAY 82 ENLARGEMENT DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS
Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission Resolution No. 91-
Pitkin Planning and Zoning Commission Resolution No. PZ-91-
WHEREAS., the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of
Aspen, Colorado and the Planning and Zoning Commission of the
County of Pitkin, State of Colorado are the entities lawfully
vested with master planning responsibility and authority in their
respective jurisdictions;
WHEREAS, both commissions have met jointly and separately on
numerous occasions to review corridor and highway and bridge
design considerations in connection with the ongoing activities
of the Colorado Department- of -Highways (CDOH) with respect
thereto; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of this resolution is to identify and
communicate important current planning considerations and
comments so that they can be incorporated in the design process.
Both Planning and Zoning Commissions understand that this design
discussion is limited to the area where 4(f) land is impacted,
that is between the Airport Business Center and the intersection
of Seventh Street and Main Street. Both Planning and Zoning
11
Commissions, however, would like to go on record as stating that
there are important design issues along the entire corridor,
i.e., shale bluffs and the intersection of Brush Creek Road and
State Highway 82. The Planning and Zoning Commissions will be
prepared to work with the Colorado Department of Highways when
the design process begins for land outside of the corridor with
4(f) concerns and have developed ideas for that discussion, i.e.,
European Snow Shed and modified grade separation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the -Aspen Planning and
Zoning Commission and the Pitkin County Planning and Zoning
Commission that:
I. Adopted Plans and Regulations. The commissions wish to note
that the County has adopted the State Highway 82 Master Plan, and
both the City and County have adopted the Aspen Area
Comprehensive Plan: Transportation Element. Further, each
jurisdiction has land use regulations which will be applied
throughout the process. In the County, special attention should
be applied to Section 5-407 of the_Pitkin County Land Use Code,
which addresses activities of State and Local Interest, such as
interchanges and highways. Additionally, the CDOH should be
aware of existing County regulations such as the 200 foot set
back requirement from SH 82. The following reflect the
commissions' views of modifications which will more closely
conform the highway design (as only partially disclosed at this
time) to adopted master plans, land use regulations and standards
and to improve compatibility of the new highway with official
2
community goals and objectives.
II. Preserve the Ability to Incorporate Rail and Mass Transit.
Highway design shall include the structural reinforcement of
bridges to accommodate rail transit, as well as the acquisition
of adequate right-of-way throughout the corridor to accommodate a
separate transit way (rail or other). (....delete The hicrhwav
right of way, bridges and other improvements must include the
land area and easy, cost effective capability to install and
incorporate rail and other mass transit facilities.)
III. Design to Facilitate Bus Transit. All design must
incorporate all features necessary to give convenient priority
access to present and foreseeable future bus transit -functions.
This effort shall be guided by and coordinated with the Roaring
Fork Transit Agency General Manager. In particular:
A. All intersections shall be designed to permit
convenient transfers between buses, minimize the need
for the buses to leave the highway;
B. Breakdown and other lanes shall be designed to permit
safe stopping and merging of buses at all existing and
potential future bus stops and transfer points.
C. Safe pedestrian access should be provided for all bus
3
patrons to and from trails on both sides of the
highway, and for crossing the highway. Pedestrian
underpasses and/or overpasses should be incorporated
at all major intersections and other major bus stop
locations.
D. Design shall accommodate areas for bus shelters,
waiting areas and connecting pedestrian ways.
IV. Trails and Pedestrians: Given Aspen's commitment to
providing residents and visitors with travel options other than
motorized vehicles, the highway design must not impede pedestrian
movement or cause the trail system to be discontinuous. In
particular:
A. All major intersections and transit stops shall be
designed with safe and attractive underpasses
(overpasses,,_ where _appropriate) for safe pedestrian
travel from one side of the highway to another.
B. Continuity in the trail system will be provided through
underpasses (overpasses, where appropriate).
C. The design of these underpasses (overpasses) shall be
attractive, lighted, and large enough to accommodate
the piston bully used for maintenance of the cross
4
country trail system.
V. specific Locations. If historic net auto traffic growth
continues, the new highway facility will very quickly experience
peak season and peak hour highway congestion much sooner than
predicted. This process will be accelerated by the many new
traffic control lights that will be needed at the proposed new
on -grade intersection improvements. When this occurs, we will
either be stuck with an inadequate highway again, with inadequate
funds to make further improvements, or (if funds are available)
will become involved in another disruptive series of highway
improvements. The following recommendations for improvements are
made the these specific locations:
A Airport Area. The AABC, RFTA, BMC and airport
activities, including high occupancy vehicles, shall
be served through grade separation.
B. Pfister/Buttermilk Area. Tiehack, Grand Champions,
Pomegranate and Pfister Ranch access roads shall be
consolidated with and accessed through the proposed or
relocated and redesigned Pfister grade separated
intersection. The owl Creek, Stage Road and Butter-
milk access roads shall be consolidated and served by a
different grade separated intersection.
5
C. Maroon Creek Bridge. Box girder single bridge design
of the types previously described is acceptable. All
CDOH designs appear to have good sensitivity to
minimization of temporary destruction and restoration
of the Maroon Creek ecosystem.
Comments as to accommodation of rail and other present
and future transit capabilities apply to this bridge.
See also comments as to utilization of the new bridge
to underpass Truscott Place vehicles, to create a right
on/right off intersection rather than a signalized
intersection.
Southerly relocation of the highway to accommodate
critical Maroon/Castle intersection objectives will
require relocation of the bridge to the southerly
side of the present bridge, and acquisition of private
property _ for the_ approached and. the Maroon/Castle
intersection. This solution is more compatible than
the originally proposed solution in order to minimize
the taking of public open space.
The Commissions find that the existing bridge should be
part of the new highway alignment, either as the east
bound portion of the roadway through reconstruction, or
as a median through restoration to its original width,
6
approximately 12 feet. In the event that neither of
these options can be achieved, then the existing
structure should be removed. The Commissions make this
finding based upon our belief that a four -lane bridge
on the north side of the existing bridge is an
unnecessary impact to the adjacent open space, playing
field, and golf course parking lot.
In the event that the existing maroon Creek bridge
remains in place and is not used as part of the
roadway, the Commissions request information on bridge
condition and its expected useful , life considering
future uses (trail,, rail) of the bridge and how the
issue of liability. (If the bridge is not safe to use,
then why must it remain in place?)
(delete ... The commissions feel that the cost of removal
of the present -Maroon Creek Bridgeshouldbe considered
a highway cost pending a decision to retain this bridge
for some useful purpose not yet identified. The con-
dition of the bridge is such that it has limited
utility, represents a large public liability, and a
visual intrusion, which should not be accepted without
a clear source of funding. Except as noted, the
decision of what will be done with the bridge can be
deferred for further study...
7
D. Truscott Place Area. Modest grade separated
intersection shall be designed which is incorporated
with the east end of the Maroon Creek bridge, if not
then provide a controlled 4-way intersection.
E. Maroon Bells View Plane. The Maroon Bells view plane
(identified in the SH 82 Corridor Master Plan) shall
not be obstructed by any highway improvements and there
shall be a pull -off from the highway to safely
accommodate photographers and others.
F. Maroon/Castle Creek Intersection. The Commissions have
a number of concerns and ideas for this intersection.
This intersection shall be analyzed and designed to
_ provide the Community with good traffic flow and the
ability to platoon traffic into town and into the
Seventh and Main intersection. This may mean a
combination traffic light and grade separation for left
hand turns from Maroon Creek Road. Additionally,
design solutions should consider moving the existing
intersection, if necessary. Finally, the CDOH shall
review traffic projections at this intersection to
ensure the accuracy of projected levels of service.
n
(....delete consolidated, grade separated solution be
analyzed for this location.
We are not persuaded by the assertions that this cannot
be considered either because the structures would
violate local government prohibitions against this type
of improvement. Local governments should examine other
solutions while there is still time. We are also not
persuaded by assertions that the improvement must be
where the present intersection is.
We believe that the necessary elevation, cut and fill,
topographic, vegetative screening opportunities would
exist, open space takings would be minimized, and con-
struction disruptions minimized, if the new highway and
intersections were realigned southerly of the existing
highway. Such a solution will also create important
opportunities for the Maroon and Castle Creek roads and
neighborhoods, and also perhaps Truscott Place...
G. Entry to Aspen. After reconsideration, the most
southerly alignment is preferred ' for the following
reasons: It places the new highway and attendant noise
and air pollution as far as possible from the existing
Aspen Villas development. Historic preservation
requirements of the foundation for the old reduction
0
mill should be accomplished under and in connection
with the new Castle Creek Bridge design.
Since the 7th and 82 location will have significant
future noise, visual and other impacts at a critical
location, additional mitigation steps are necessary:
1. Depress the highway to 5-7 feet below grade at
Villas of Aspen. Enlarge the height of the
resulting view and sound:buffer by using excavated
material, and add heavy evergreen landscaping to
further screen for noise and visual purposes.
2. Grade down from 7th and 82 to west end of new
bridge (not more than 20). The significant
soundattenuation effect will be to reduce noise
under load of vehicles entering (i.e. will be
decelerating uphill) and leaving (i.e. will be
accelerating down hill).
VI. Construction Management. In order to ensure that the
highway corridor and not the County road system mitigates
construction impacts, the CDOH shall provide a complete transit
way in the highway corridor prior to the beginning of
construction work which creates major traffic delays.
10
APPROVED by the Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission and the
Pitkin County Planning and Zoning Commission at a special meeting
on January 23, 1991.
ATTEST:
Jan Carney,
Deputy City Clerk
ATTEST:
Deborah Skehan,
Office Manager
ASPEN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
lim
C. Welton Anderson, chairperson
PITKIN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
IM
Suzanne Caskey, Chairperson
1�
HERBERT S. KLEIN
RICHARD S. CROFT'
'also admitted in Florida
LAW OFFICES OF
HERBERT S. KLEIN
PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
201 NORTH MILL STREET
SUITE 203
ASPEN, COLORADO 81611
(303)926-8700
TELECOPIER (303) 926-3977
January 9, 1991
HAND DELIVERED
Tom Baker, Assistant Planning Director
City of Aspen Planning Department
130 South Galena Street
Aspen, Colorado 81611
JAN t 5
Re: Highway 82 Design Committee - Joint Planning Commission
Resolution - Entrance to Aspen
Dear Tom:
Some of my neighbors and I have met with Don Ensign and
discussed design guidelines for the portion of the highway entrance
across the Marolt property eastward to Seventh and Main. We would
appreciate your inclusion of these design guidelines in the Joint
Planning Commission Resolution which is next scheduled for
discussion on January 15th. These comments would go into the
section of the Resolution titled "Entry to Aspen". I am using the
draft Resolution which was submitted by your office at the last
joint meeting and certain comments are intended to be inserted into
specific sections -of that language.
1. The first -paragraph should be redrafted as follows: -
The most southerly alignment is preferred for the following
reasons: it places the new highway and attendant noise and air
pollution as far as possible as far as possible from the existing
Villas of Aspen development and is consistent with the alignment
described on the ballot issue voted upon by City voters. Historic
preservation requirements of the foundation for the old reduction
mill should be accomplished under in connection with the new Castle
Creek bridge design which may require it to be curved in order to
maintain required distance from the historic site without reducing
the right-of-way's distance from the Villas of Aspen.
While crossing the Marolt Park area, the highway right-of-way
should be the minimum width possible in order to preserve park
land. Pedestrian and cross country trails shall be provided and
maintained in locations which are feasible and accessible without
creating conflicts with highway traffic. The highway should be
depressed as much as possible and appropriate landscaping, berming,
etc. shall be required to minimize the noise and air pollution
Tom Baker, Assistant Planning Director
January 9, 1991
Page 2
impacts of the highway to the park and its users. Said landscaping
shall also mitigate vehicular light impacts on residential
development which is adjacent to the park.
Because the segment easterly of Castle Creek between the
Villas of Aspen and Seventh Street will have significant noise,
visual, air pollution, and other impacts in an existing residential
neighborhood, additional mitigation steps are required:
a. The highway should be depressed below existing grade
as it crosses between the easterly bank of Castle Creek and Eighth
Street as necessary to fully mitigate visual, noise, and air
pollution impacts to the Villas of Aspen. The use of sound
barriers with appropriate landscaping and berming will be used to
avoid a "urban wall" effect as viewed from the Villas of Aspen
looking southerly. If necessary, the bridge crossing Castle Creek
shall be depressed below grade in order to accomplish the
depression easterly of its location without excessive grades.
b. Between Eighth Street and Seventh Street the highway
should continue to be depressed with its grade eventually reaching
natural grade at Seventh and Main. Significant landscaping,
berming and sound barrier structures shall be utilized in this
section to fully mitigate the visual, noise, and air pollution
impacts of backed up and accelerating traffic at the Seventh and
Main intersection as these impacts will adversely affect existing
residential uses. Additional right-of-way shall be acquired for
use in the placement of these mitigation measures.
C.- Comprehensive - noise --and air -pollution evaluation
shall be undertaken as part of the final EIS in order to adequately
assess these impacts on the Marolt Park area and the residential
neighborhood between Seventh Street and the easterly bank of Castle
Creek. Mitigation measures shall be designed to respond to these
evaluations and avoid harmful environmental, aesthetic, and health
effects from the placement of the highway in this location.
d. The visual impact on the entrance to Aspen between
Seventh Street and the easterly bank of Castle Creek shall be
preserved by the acquisition of sufficient right-of-way to place
landscaping and create a parklike setting in the areas adjacent to
those disturbed by the new right-of-way, ie. the Villas of Aspen
open space and the vacant lands lying northerly and southerly of
the right-of-way between Seventh and Eighth Streets. Eighth Street
should become a dead end with a cul-de-sac, without direct access
to the highway. Landscaping and parklike features shall be
installed in this area to create a continuous parklike buffer
through the Villas of Aspen open space to Seventh Street.
Tom Baker, Assistant Planning Director
January 9, 1991
Page 3
After you have reviewed the enclosed, if you have any
questions or comments, please call me so that we may discuss them.
Otherwise, please include this language in the draft of the Joint
Resolution for consideration by the Commissions.
Thank you very much for your cooperation.
Very truly yours,
HERBERT S. KLEIN PROFESSIONAL
CORPORATION
By.
Herbert `S. Klein
\hsk.per\81