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HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.apz.19910312A G E N D A ASPEN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING March 12, 1991, Tuesday 4:30 P.K. 2nd Floor Meeting Room City Hall ART PARR / TROLLEY / SNOWMELT CONCEPTTT?°_T. 47PA MEMORANDUM Date: 8 March 1991 From: Roger H. Hunt To: Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission subj: My Participation with the Commission regarding the Aspen Trolley Project Ref: City Attorney, Jed Caswell, memo dated 7 March 1991 I am writing this memo to you to give you my background and involvement in transportation issues, to disclose my relationship with the Aspen Trolley Project, and to give you this information before the meeting of 12 March 1991 in order to minimize the discussion time I will be requesting before I decide what my involvement should be in that meeting. I also hope that this will inform the City Council of the problems with ordinance 50 as the City Attorney has expressed to us so that they may take action to improve the ordinance. Since the 1973 Transportation Task Force for Aspen - Snowmass Rail, I have been actively involved in most of the transportation studies, plans, and projects affecting Aspen. I was first appointed to the P&Z in February 1975 and then subsequently with one of my interview positions being a systemic approach to transportation planning and within that a strong advocacy of alternatives to the automobile -- a position consistent with the expressed goals of City Council. Since 1981, the six trolley cars incorporated in this project have been and are the property of the City of Aspen. The purpose of the Aspen Trolley Project is to utilize the trolley cars in a system to be built and installed through the financial sponsorships and donations of private businesses and institutions and then, upon completion, be given to the City of Aspen. The Project has been brought to this point for the City review process through contributions and donations of many people (including mine) of time, material, and money. With the assistance of the Planning Department, the Engineering Department, RFTA, and others, I have provided information, various schematics and tracings, etc. to the City Council prior to this submittal and to the Project for this submittal. I have scrupulously avoided any financial or other liaison with this Project which could be construed as a conflict of interest, and I expect to avoid any in the future. The City Attorney advises me to abstain from matters of the trolley before the P&Z because there may be an appearance of partiality. First, I would be just as "partial" to any transportation proposal or mode that would fulfill a community need as well or better. But second, my involvement with the Trolley Project has been no more or less than the involvement of many "city officials" in such public or quasi -public projects as Commuter Rail, Pedestrian Bikeway Trail Plan, in -town School Sites, and Aspen Meadows/Institute. I and I think the City Council believe that this type of involvement is what makes this Community work. Finally, the trolleys have been through an objective matrix selection process before the P&Z, CCLC, and City Council. That process has already created a partiality favoring use of the trolleys in addressing the needs of a documented pedestrian/transit/transportation corridor. In the particular case of the Trolley Project, I would riot have a joining problem stepping down and the Planning Office/Presenter side of the table as a Transportation Planner/Advocate. However, that is clearly not allowed under ordinance 50. As the ordinance is interpreted and executed, it can bar a citizen access to and making a statement in a public hearing -- a flaw that City Council must address. After talking with the P&Z Chairman and briefly with an attorney familiar with the P&Z, I believe that I should fully participate at this time. However, I will decide after our discussion. Copies: City Council City Manager City Attorney Planning Director K MEMO TO: City Planning and Z-0-ning Department FROM: Roberth Hart'` RE: Aspen Thea re Company DATE: -February 28, 1991 I am writing to lend my support to the Aspen Theatre Company's proposed new building to house their productions. In order to properly prepare theatre productions, the Aspen Theatre Company requires the uninterrupted use of a rehearsal space, preferably -in the same location as where the performances take place. MAA's daily use of the Wheeler Opera House during our summer occupancy period and our projected daily use of the new rehearsal/performance facility each summer preclude the Aspen Theatre Company from utilizing either facility for its productions. Post Office Box AA, Aspen, Colorado 81612 303/925-3254 Fat: 303/925-3802 AZusic Associates of Aspen, Inc. • Aspen Alusic Festival & School Carolyn Diffenbaugh I Nil 0 U r .o To the Planning and Zoning Commission: i am a long-time resident and businessman of the Roaring Fork Valley. My wife and I have enjoyed very much over the years the productions of the Aspen Theatre Company. We believe the theater is a growing asset in our community and wish to see it continue. We would also wish to see the theater gain a permanent facility. Please give them your earnest consideration. Gordon Whitmer The Mother Lod To the Planning and Zoning Commission: I am. a long -mime resident of Aspen, and have been a supporter of the Aspen Theatre Company from, the beginning. M.y husband end I have enjoyed the many productions of this fine company. We also wish to see it gain more permanence with a theater facility of its own. Please give them your most serious consideration. Sincerely, fA`^• 1 i ?J�_ Of the Hotel Lenado and the Sardy House bLNLUft; 1 LANU 6c UA 1 1 LL UU141JANY s i 280 UTE AVENUE '�SPEN 81611 ,OLORADO 303) 925-3481 0 February 26, 1991 Aspen City Council P.O.Box 10431 Aspen, Co. 81611 Re: Art Park I believe the proposed "Art Park" is the best use for the Rio Grande Property along the river. The "ART Park" is compatible with Aspen's Cultural Life. It is a worth- while expansion of the Art Museum and the volunteer work is encouraging. Sincerely, Fredric Benedict l ax f�9 -e� Co ' iy c". C,�, VI C Aa�•t cj CUD R cw'� C`, • ��- ��� C-Q W� U earth sounds deborah barnekow March 2, 1991 To the Members of the Planning and Zoning Commission: As a member of the performing arts community, I would like to advocate the plans submitted to you by the Artpark Planning Committee to build a permanent structure within the Artpark area near the Art Museum. There is a need for a moderate size perfor- mance space for the theater community, the ballet and other theater -related performing groups. The whole valley has in- creased interests in these areas and we should plan to keep pace with it. During the busiest season, summer, theater activities are presented in a less than adequate tent. Though the Aspen Theater Company has done an excellant ,job in presenting top quality performances there they deserve better. Such a facility need not compete with the Wheeler Opera House as the W.O.H. is occupied nearly all summer with MAA activities. Many events call for a smaller, more intimate space, with less expense involved for production and rental costs. Locating a theater building within the Artpark has a twofold benefit. This especially beautiful property along the river is_strat.egically located close to town, close to residential areas and on a major bus line. But as well the park is located near the parking garage to facilitate out of town guests -,-avoiding heavy impact- on local streets. - - - For the arts community to continue to grow and thrive, this facility is greatly needed. We need to keep the arts as healthy as we can. As a musician and interested citizen, I strongly urge you to approve these plans. Sincerely yo s, p. o. box 4726 aspen, colorado 616-12 (303) 925-845 96 3 - 9�/0 OV-)L aC� �- �Ayo.✓�, � Jac L-IlL 114-� *-)0 Board of Trustee., K'atd G. Lar>on hL)!c(Cl!t Tnnn i,aac Seo-etar\ Eilic Allen Truuurer Diane Andmon Joan Bracken Rain \•tar: DuBc; &•rlc, Carol 5. Chanin Ellen Culc Sarah R. Ct:h� Rcnrc Dcut�.h Selma Feldman ludirh A. Fi�hm;n! 6hldit. I4;.%,t: A11,7rc,,% V. FiCLIlt \1ad�lc•tn•.� Lar<c�n A:111 \f::.•u. Da,. id \ LtrIo\k Stun \iuhin John Wiko% Trustees Emcr itus a�.:e rc•�lcrrrn .: �c. Ficilcr i�abcrh 1'arl�c�e National Council Chriq inv Aubale Cier:Iw! Tern• :nr.l Lc- Arndcrs,)n Barbara and Bruce Bcrucr Carc,i S. and Paul I:. Chanm rcter LiuI*:,3 DehI - \hriar, and Flac� Davi, Tcran and Williant Llovd Day i< Sine and Arthur Fi<cher Rlul Ciantrho- R; rbi I_cntnn an.i Gc:,rec (Jra d0'a Excrutivr Director jc:i:c� ;. F�•tY.ict Asl-,cn, Colorndo S161, 30_3,, Q`; r ,1S March 6, 1991 Susie Langenkamp ASPEN THEATRE COMPANY Post Office Box 8677 Aspen, CO 81612 Dear Susie: With regard to your 'inquiry concerning the availability of our current gymnasium space once we have moved to our summer tenancy in the Aspen School District Auditorium, I provide the following comments: 1. You should contact Tom Farrell, Superintendent, Aspen School District RE-1 for further confirmation on its availability. I can tell you that we have been informed that the District's need for gymnasium space is enormous and we were advised that the space would in all likelihood be unavailable to us, other than on an occasional, scheduled basis. Apparently, in addition to their own school -related needs, they have obligations for community recreational programs that preclude other organizations using the gym areas. 2. Be aware that the re -configuration of the gymnasium space that we accomplish each year prior to the festival is an enormous _undertaking, and an expensive one. Not only does it require up to forty people for the initial set-in and tear down but over the years we have invested in many .structural additions (such as the waterfall curtain) which conform to the domed nature of the room. These are quite old now and probably would need replacing in the near future. This would be a very expensive undertaking. Susie, in conclusion I suspect that the availability of this space is unlikely. As you know, we have invested heavily in our tenancy in the new school. At one point we inquired as to the gym spaces continued availability to us for rehearsal, small scale work, works -in -progress and it was unlikely that we could have it. I believe that the Aspen Theatre Company has made a substantial mark on this community, producing work that is challenging and of high quality. I would hope that your theatre company would be spared the many years of artistic concession that we have had to bear at the dance festival and that a modest theatre of your own could be established at the Rio Grande. Gymnasiums are, by their nature, intent and design suitable for many things so long as they include nets, sticks and spheres. Beyond that, they are quite useless. Back in the late K's and 70's, it was quite fashionable for theatres to tour the country performing the classics in school gymnasiums or, as they charmingly referred to them, 'cafetoriums'. As a result, an entire generation of young people grew up in America believing that Macbeth, or Our Town or Death of A Salesman was done at center court. Do we wonder why the audiences for the performing arts in the this country are dwindling? In any case, I wish you well on putting your case forward about the need you have for a home. You do need it, you do deserve it and the community would be immeasurably enriched by its presence. Good luck! Sincerely., JEFFREY J. BENTLEY Executive Director - - - JJB/mi WHY OTHER SPACES IN ASPEN ARE NOT USABLE BY TATC 1. THE WHEELER OPERA HOUSE * Booked for the summer (see Robert Harth memo). * No rehearsal space and no set building space. * 500 seat auditorium is too big. * Rental costs are too expensive. PLANNED MAA REHEARSAL FACILITY * MAA projects daily use of facility in summer (see Robert Harth memo). * As designed, the interior is not suitable for theatre productions. * Performance hall is too big. * Rental costs are anticipated to be too expensive. 3. PROPOSED EXPANSION OF WHEELER OPERA HOUSE * Will require significant expenditure of taxpayer funds for expansion. * Difficulty of creating compatible addition to Historic Landmark. * Parking is not available in the downtown area. * Potential controversy from loss of downtown vest pocket park/open space. * Wheeler Board is not pursuing this option at the present time. (according to Jon Busch phone call to Alan Richman, 3/6/91). 4. NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL * Dance Aspen has invested in and booked this space for the summer (see Jeff Bentley letter). 5. ASPEN HIGH SCHOOL GYM * Planned .for school/community recreation programs (see Jeff Bentley letter). * $12,000 set up/take down costs * 420 seat auditorium is too big. * The space is not suitable for theatre productions. 6. PAEPCKE AUDITORIUM * Booked for the summer * Insufficient electrical power * No back stage, no rehearsal or set building space * . 345 seat auditorium is too big. * Rental costs are too expensive. WHY A THEATRE TENT DOES NOT WORK FOR TATC 1. Not a year round facility. 2. Not a secure space for valuable equipment and property. 3. Subject to wide swings of temperature. 4. Rain, wind and outside noise are disruptive. 5. Unsafe for electrical power. 6. No storage space. 7. No set building space. 8. No rehearsal or meeting place. 9. No plumbing/no running water. 10. Costly repairs needed; a new tent would be expensive and not solve any of the above problems. WHAT THE NEW TATC FACILITY WILL INCLUDE 1. Space for; * set building; * storage; * rehearsals; * auditions; and * meetings. 2. Security for valuable equipment. 3. Opportunity for shared use with other arts and community groups. 4. Lobby/gallery area. 5. Bathroom facilities. 6. 200 comfortable seats. 7. Professional light booth. 8. Ability to screen films. 9. Resident accommodations for visiting artists. 10. No public parking on -site; reliance on existing public parking structure. ■ C6 C6 ?� 40 a) 0 cri Cf) 0 co co LL E c� c6 W E L � 0co z 0 '''' 0 E W CD 0in Co 73CO L � � .._ c co .20 0 ... E m Co Co— � L.s" -�-.+ w CO cc; L LL ■ w 0 = � cc; as CC 4. Ml c 0 0 ( Lt5 S. .. 0 E *_0. 0 0M— C 0 0 0 v� 0 — a � QD �-- > CL 0 I—cz w OC co � 0 M C a ._ .�- > Q3 L�. 0 � L .� 0 co 0 CL CL r_—_ r - -_ i i s ,