HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.apz.19870127
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A
RECORD -OF PROCEEDINGS
PLANNING AND ZONING
JANUARY 27. 1987
Meeting was called to order by Chairman Welton Anderson at 5:00
p.m. with all members present except Al Blomquist and Jim Colombo
who were excused.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
There were no comments.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - SCORING SESSION
1010 UTE AVENUE
Glen Horn said there had been some recommendations made at the
previous meeting with respect to improving the site plan to some
extent. He pointed out that the key consideration in the
category of public facilities and services category is whether or
not the improvements are beneficial to the neighborhood or just
serve the project itself. In 5 out of 6 categories this project
is proposing improvements which in our opinion will improve the
situation in the neighborhood as well as serving the project.
The only category in which this was not the case was in the
sanitary sewer service which is why we are recommending an
average score. In every other category we are recommending a
superior score.
In the area of quality design, there were 5 categories for
recommending top score and 3 out of the 5 categories. In 2 of
the categories we are recommending just an average score. The
reason why is that we think although the design overall is an
excellent design, there were minor site planning considerations
with respect to site design which led us to recommend down their
score. In particular there were the visual impacts concerning
the houses which were proposed on the ridge. Then a problem with
respect to the ponds.
Our recreation and parks department said that in the event we
have a drought year, there is a possibility there won't be enough
water running in the Wheeler Ditch to divert into the ponds
without drying up the Glory Hole Park in the Mall. In the
agreement between the applicant and the City there probably will
be a condition in that agrement that says that in a drought year
the priority for the use of the Wheeler Ditch water is going to
be for the mall and Glory Hole Park and this site might not get
water for the ponds and that might lead to an unsightly situat-
I
ion. Because of these two problems we are recommending an average
score on site design.
There are 4 trails involved with this property. We think that
the trail alignment that is proposed between Ute Avenue and the
Roaring Fork River, the Gordon Bridge Trail, is a poor alignment
and has detrimental affects on the neighbors. Due to this
problem we are recommending an average score on trails.
The other 2 categories are basic cut and tried categories. There
is no discretion involved. The project is 5 blocks from the
commercial center. Therefore it should receive the scores we
have recommended on your sheet.
Finally for the employee housing we recommending a score of 7
points.
Overall we are proposing a score of 35 points.
an excellent project and has done very well
criteria of the code.
We think this is
according to the
Dick Fallin, architect, said this project consists of l.6 acres
of park area. The Ute corridor area, what we are calling west
meadow, east meadow and the riverfront lots. These are the five
areas of this project.
The park area benefits are unique in that we are able to offer
almost a 2 acre parcel of public open space. We are going to cut
a new length to nordic trail. We are going to construct new
parking for the public and we are going to construct, landscape
and irrigate a new passage park area. The Ute Avenue corridor;
several things happened there that we think are good. One is
that we are going to realign and repave Ute Avenue pushing the
roadway to that side to ease the curve situation. We are going
to give an extra 10 feet of right of way along this area. The
benefit of that is that we are then able to create and widen this
bike path to 10 feet and create extensive landscaping on both
sides of the path and create good separation from the roadway.
We are also going to provide curb and gutter along the project
side of Ute Avenue.
The West Meadow Area; the concept here is that its been a
traditionally open space area. Our concept for this area after
many considerations was that the maximum benefit that we could
gain from the open space is to really concentrate it as much as
we can in the middle and to cluster our sites around the perim-
eter. We have paired clustrients so that the houses can be built
against land forms thereby creating a feeling of an open meadow
with the houses clustered around.
The roadway we are taking through the middle but we are limiting
the width of the paving to 20 feet and providing grassy shoulders
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of 2 feet on each side so we have our 24 ft. width for the fire
department. We are going to prohibit any parking in the roadway
in this entire system. All of the parking is to be on site.
We feel that the other natural area that we have clustered around
is what we are calling the east meadow. This is an area bounded
on three sides by a woody hilly site. The concept here is to
maintain and concentrate our open space in the middle. We are
clustering our houses around the perimeter building into the
hillside maximizing the solar exposure.
We are leaving 60% of the ridge undeveloped. We feel that we
have responded well to that terrain feature of the site. The
other areas we feel we have responded to are the areas of the
bypass along Ute Avenue and the two trail proposals. Irrigation
wise we are picking up a couple benefits from the ponds using
water from the City rights creating these irrigation ponds that
will be, as well as landscaped areas, storage areas for irrigat-
ion. The irrigation system services all parts of the property as
well as the public park area.
Gideon said in reviewing the Planning Office scoring there were
two areas he wanted to go over. The first was the site design.
There is a philosophical difference with the Planning Office in
that they may have laid some of the sites out a little
differently. When we reviewed this at the last meeting, you
agreed with our choices. Pat Maddalone, one of the owners of the
property for over 20 years, in public comment told you that ours
is the best site design of the many that she has reviewed for
this property over the last 20 years. If you look at the scoring
criteria, our landscaping and open space concepts are excellent,
the extent of our undergrounding utilities is excellent, the
arrangement and improvement of proficiency and safety are
excellent. Therefore, I believe the site design is deserving of
3 as opposed to a 2.
The only concrete issue that made the Planning Office suggest a 2
as opposed to a 3 involved a question of availability of water
for our ponds. I have a memo I would like to submit to the
record from the City Water Attorney, John Music addressed to the
P&Z. In this memo he states the City can in fact supply water.
It only enters into agreements the City can honor and that even
in the worst drought year, there would be water available to us.
This memo removes any question along these lines and we are
entitled to a 3 in the site design category.
The other scoring area I would like to review is that of trails.
The Planning Office suggests 2 points as opposed to 3. The focus
of the Planning Office rational for 2 points is the alignment of
the trail Option B and their dissatisfaction with that alignment.
On our site plan we didn't design the trail. We gave it a
general location because we hoped you would go along with trail
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alignment B. I therefore could understand the score of 2 if we
were only providing one trail. That is not the case. In
addition to this trail, we are proposing two additional trails, a
ski trail and a realignment and recreation of Ute Avenue Trail.
Not only are we providing easements for these trails, we are also
constructing these trails. These trails weren't even called for
in the trail master plan but new trails that everyone thinks is a
good idea. I think this goes way beyond the scoring criteria.
Therefore, when you look at the two additional trails we are
providing, paying for and constructing these trails, I feel
strongly that 3 is an appropriate score. I would encourage you
to go along with the rest of the Planning Office scoring for our
proj ect.
The Planning Office, does not as a policy, make recommendations
for bonus points. I believe in our particular project, bonus
points are most appropriate. Jay Hammond, City Engineer, in his
memo strongly recommended 3 bonus points. The code specifically
states that when a project exceeds the substitive criteria and
achieves an outstanding overall design meriting recognition you
can give it bonus points. I believe that the II out of 12 points
in public facilities and 14 out of IS in quality of design is
indicative that this project deserves maximum bonus points. Our
project is providing a new bike trail bed along the river, a new
nordic and a new downhill ski trail. We are dedicating land to
create a City park. We are providing improvements to that park
and irrigating it. We are providing public parking in an area
that desperately needs public parking. We are looping the City
water system. We are utilizing City well water for irrigation
which will unburden the City system and at the same time help the
City water rights. We are upgrading Ute Avenue with additional
rights-of-way, realigning it, repaving it and providing curbs and
gutters. We are constructing a new Ute Avenue Trail and
landscaping that trail. We are providing additional fire
hydrants in the neighborhood. We are even improving the Ute
Cemetery. We have lowered density by 35% and we have lowered FAR
below what is allowed.
Welton asked if there were any more questions. There were none.
He then opened the public hearing.
PUBLIC HEARING
1010 UTE AVENUE RESIDENTIAL SUBMISSION
Pat Maddalone said she supports this project. She is one of the
neighbors and the former owner of the land. Since 1969 she has
seen many different plans for this particular land. Those being
mUlti-family plans, the Little Annie plan, the John Roberts plan
which was strictly employee housing and now this plan which she
thinks is most attractive. It is a low impact and the character
along Ute Avenue of single family residents is important to the
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neighborhood.
as possible.
She urged the Commissioners to score this as high
Craig Ward with the Aspen\Snowmass Nordic Council said they had
been developing a trail system in conjunction with the Planning
Office. When I heard about this development and saw the plans of
not only improving the trails around the area but also making
more access up from Ute Avenue through the new park they are
going to dedicate, I thought it was a fantastic addition. I
would want to strongly point out that a lot of times developers
give an easement but sometimes they will actually pay for the
design of the trail. The City bought some property last year but
the Nordic Council had to go in and make the trail. Here the
applicant is going to not only give the easements that are need
but are going to pay for the trail.
Molly Campbell, general manager of the Gant, here to speak for
the homeowners and Board of Directors. We would like to say that
this application has worked really closely with the Gant Board
and has been very sensitive to the needs of the Gant and to the
needs of the neighborhood. The Gant Board of Directors has
studied this plan rather thoroughly as well as having reviewed
plans in the past of other proposals and they strongly believe
that this is a tremendous improvement over other plans. They
also believe that the improvements being offered in the plan are
really of a special nature to the neighborhood and w ill be of
special improvement In particular the Nordic Trail, the
realignment of ute Avenue, public park, the additional parking in
the area are of significant public benefit. We would hope that
the applicant's plan would be put forward and approved and we are
so strongly supportive, we would like to see you give some bonus
points.
Bob Stirling, interested citizen, said he thinks it is interest-
ing to see a developer come in that hasn't tried to maximize
densities and FARs and has brought something to the area that
goes from open space to single family to mUlti-family rather than
having only multi-family.
Bob George said he also wanted to commend the applicant on the
plan. The public benefit has been served when we consider that
we are getting in excess of a city block as a new public park and
the trails, the realignment of Ute Avenue, the building and
winding of the bicycle path. I am very much in favor of the
water element that exists within the project itself. I think
that it is unique to Aspen. This far and away exceeds what we
have seen for this project so far and I would encourage you
giving bonus points for this. It is a real nice project and they
are to be commended for it.
"
Wel ton asked if there was any more public comment.
none. He then closed the public hearing.
There was
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Roger Hunt asked what is
sac and the trail level.
in that area.
the grade difference between the cuI de
Is there a possible trial right-of-way
The answer was yes it was possible.
The Commissioners then did their scoring.
700 EAST HYMAN RESIDENTIAL GMP SUBMISSION
Steve Burstein said this is two duplexes on the corner of Hyman
and Spring Street. The applicant is competing for only two units
because a building permit for one duplex is already given. In
the area of public facilities and services the recommended
scoring in three areas was for I point if the services are
adequate and in two areas we felt that services would be approved
in the area.
In water and sewer the commitments are standard and no
improvements would result to the system so we recommended I point
in both of those areas.
In the area of storm drainage, we have also recommended I point.
The rational which is set up by Jay Hammond is that they would
need to increase the recharge to the aquifer in order to score
the 2 points. They would need a delayed type of system for
drainage.
In fire protection we recommend 2 points because of the fire
hydrant being provided.
In the parking design we are recommending 2 points because they
are providing for 8 spaces within garages and 4 additional spaces
on an apron off the alleyway. They are having some screening and
they have paving for snowmelt for safe access. We thought that
deserved 2 points.
Roads category: No improvements so it is I point.
In the area of quality design and neighborhood compatibility we
recommend 2 points. We thought the size, the massing and the
siting of the structure is in keeping with the neighborhood. Its
a very acceptable design. We did note that the small victorian
to the east would be dwarfed by this structure and we felt that
that was some reason for not recommending a 3.
In site design we did recommend a 3 and we felt that the 40% open
space, the landscape scheme with the street trees and the
scattered vegetation throughout the site, the sunken patio, the
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sodding that would basically be a green area were all good
amenities and the fact that there will now be sidewalks and
landscaping to a corner that doesn't have that at this time.
In the area of energy, we have recommended 2 points. While it is
an excellent energy strategy for the efficiency of the structure
itself, we thought there were several non-efficient aspects of
the project including the snowmelt in the alleyway for the apron
for parking, the north facing glass which is fairly abundant and
the use of non-efficient fireplaces--one per unit so there would
be 4 fireplaces as well as 4 clean burning stoves in the total
project.
In the category of trails and green space, we felt that they were
standard. We recommended 2 points in those two categories.
Support services and employee housing are done according to
formula and there is no need to discuss those in more detail.
Sonny Vann said we have taken the Planning Office and the P&Z
Commission's recommendations and comments into account and come
up with a residential project which we believe is an asset to
this area of town. It provides a unique product in that it is
essentially a single family attached units in the transition area
between the city's commercial zones to the west and the more
traditional residential neighborhoods to the east.
We believe the project is very low impact and that it is intended
primarily as a second home market. We are requesting only two
units, but we are providing the entire site plan for your review
as a way to demonstrate the extensive treatments and improvements
the property itself and public right-of-way.
We do have one technical clarification with respect to the
drainage issue. Our representation on our application would be
that we would reduce the historic runoff level from the property
and thereby reduce the impact on the storm sewer system. There
is no problem with our commitment as far as the Engineering
Department is concerned. The problem arises out of the technique
which we propose. We were going to retain it through on-site
drywells. The Engineering Department has some concerns with this
affecting the water level underneath the property. Those
concerns were not conveyed to us to on either our pre-app through
the Planning Office or with the Engineering Department and
therefore we followed the more traditional pattern of using 100%
retention via the drywells. We have clarified to the Engineering
Department's satisfaction that we can achieve the same results
through temporary small body of water on the property through
shallow swails in the grassed area or through engineered design
of the parking aprons to the rear of the property. Introduced
record from Schmueser, Gordon & Myer regarding same. We have
discussed this with the City Engineer who will concur that if we
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comply with this, and we are saying we will, it will improve the
impact on the storm drainage system and the project would warrant
a 3 score.
With respect to quality design, our problem stems from a long-
standing practice of the Planning Office not to recommend
fractional scores. The standard score that is recommended by the
Planning Office should be improved on based on the improvements
that we are proposing to provide.
Larry Yaw said the strongest factor in the architectural design
itself was the unique location of this site relative to both its
surroundings and zoning in turn. It is located on an important
corner of the office zone of Hyman and Spring. The zone is a
transition zone between the C-I zone to the west and the
residential zone to the east. It really is a site that wants to
be compatible with both. The first choice the owner made was to
put the lowest impact use on the site which is residential. We
think it is really important that the design be compatible with
both the urban and the residential. We have tried to give the
building a sense of permanence--one that relates to the downtown
area by using brick and sandstone and a banding which we drew
from the victorian buildings downtown that used horizontal
banding. We are using it to create a lower appearing building.
To relate to the residential areas, we have used a theme of scale
in identifying each unit. The building is broken down in scale
in all its elevations. It is staggered to create an individual
unit scale. The building is 2 ft. lower than the 25 ft. height
limit. It is the lowest building in its immediate neighborhood.
Another thing we did to relate the building to a residential
environment was a combined use of flat and slope roof.
In terms of site planning we carried that through. We have
staggered the building on the site back toward the corner so we
have opened up the corner of Spring and Hyman. There is 12 ft.
of sidewalks which the project will improve and maintain. Each
unit also has in individual entrance. The site in total for an
urban site is very open--40% of the site is open. This is
designed around a unique style of living for Aspen as it is
within two blocks of any destination in town.
The Planning Office noted that we didn't design relative to the
victorian which sits between the Aspen Athletic Club and this
project. If we were to build a 12 ft. high building to be
compatible with that rather unremarkable victorian, we feel the
next project along would in turn dwarf ours and a true
incompatibility would set in. We think that the zoning and the
economics that follows zoning really determine the essential land
use for that and that it would be some folly to, in fact, use
this as a determinant to design. We request that you consider
that in your scoring.
8
Sonny Van said in the area of energy we recognized initially that
we had several drawbacks regarding our project. We intentionally
sunk the project into the ground to reduce the height and the
bulk as it appeared from the surrounding streetscape. As a
result, the parking apron in the rear ramps down to the garage
and it is necessary to snowmelt that in order to avoid excessive
ice buildup.
Two woodburning devices are allowed by the code in each one of
these units which is standard. Since we were not sure about the
ultimate marking for the project we showed both of those devices
as part of this application. This gives us the flexibility to
delete one or use one or the other. Since both of those features
are standard, we felt it necessary to improve the actual design
of the building from an energy point of view in order to enhance
our score. So we exceed all of our minimal requirements under
the UBC for the buildings themselves to the extent that the
Roaring Fork Energy Center in its referral comments refer to this
as an excellent design. We took a basic standard project and
improved upon it. In the Planning Office's opinion, even though
we have an energy efficient building with an excellent design,
the fact that we have a fireplace and the snowmelt brings it back
down to standard. I think the problem here is obvious. We could
have not done anything to improve the energy of the building--
just met the minimum requirements of the UBC--had a standard
design and gotten a 2. Whereas we have clearly gone beyond those
and have been recognized as such by the Roaring Fork Energy
Center but we still get a 2. I would suggest that a score
somewhere between the 2 and the 3 is more appropriate.
Regarding green space and trails: This is a city lot. It is not
a raw parcel of land where one can go PUD design. There is no
trail we can hook up to. In an attempt to improve our score we
have taken the entire public right-of-way, put in a well-
designed sidewalk system and extensively landscaped public area.
We have included street furniture and bicycle racks. We believe
a score above the 2 is appropriate here.
Regarding greenspace: We have certain site limitations that
dictate the building footprint on the property itself. There is
no open space requirement in the office zone. We have provided
over 40% of the site as extensively landscaped open space. In
addition to 3,500 sq. ft. of right-of-way or some 30% of the total
site. The Planning Office's concern here appears to be that it
is not usable. Obviously we can't create a public park on the
property, but we have created areas that are passive recreational
landscaped open space for the residents of this proj ect. More
importantly the extensive landscaping, the setbacks we have
maintained, the retention of over 40% reduces the public
perception of the bulk of the project and offers a significant
reduction of the impact of the residents of the surrounding
9
properties. To simply call such an excessive amount of
landscaping standard under the green space criteria simply
because it is not a big open area that you would see under a
traditional PUD is inappropriate.
Regarding bonus point: We believe this project merits bonus
points for a variety of reasons. There are site limitations
inherent in trying to do a residential project in what is
essentially a commercial zone. As a result of doing residential,
we bel ieve there will be impact reduction because of the
frequency of use in the proximity of the downtown area. There is
over 40% open space provided, there is 33% more parking than is
required under the code. There is 3,500 sq. ft. of landscaped
pub I ic property. There is substantial energy savings as
witnessed by the Roaring Fork Energy Center. It is low impact
use. We have enhanced the drainage on the property. We exceed
the requirements for employee housing by 15%. The Engineering
Department has recommended bonus points because of the excellence
of the site plan.
PUBLIC lIEARING
700 EAST HYMAN RESIDEN"J.'IALGMP SUBMIS~I-oN
Elyse Elliot, from the Engineering Department, said they have
recently reassessed their criteria for evaluation. We used to
think that maximum amount of points should be awarded for 100%
retention. Now the Department wants applicants to maintain it as
storage runoff. This way you won't change the ground water
tables. In this case the applicant has provided an excellent
design.
There was no further comment.
Welton then closed the public hearing.
Sonny Vann said the position on the clarification of drywells is
the drywells are still here. We have initially said we retain
100% at the drywells. Engineering now says you have to put some
on site. We have said we can maintain on site without redesign-
ing the project, it looks the same. The original representation
is the same.
Roger Hunt said the applicant should not be hurt because of a
change in the criteria of the Engineering Department.
The Commission then proceeded with scoring on this project.
1001 -RESIDENTIAL ~MP -SOBlUS~ION
Glen Horn said he would again focus on the categories where there
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'''''-.
is some discretion involved. There was not much discretion with
categories 3 and 4.
In the public facilities category we are recommending above
average scores in each of the categories with the exception of
two.
In the sanitary sewer service category we are recommending
standard score because there is nothing being done in this
project which benefits the neighborhood.
In the roads category, the applicant has made a commitment to
provide any widening of curb gutter improvements along the street
frontage as required. We consider that to be standard because
there is nothing specific in terms of what they are committing to
do. As a general policy, we usually rate something standard
unless there is a specific commitment.
The quality of design is where we have our greatest concerns.
You will recall last meeting we focused on the site design and
the perception of density on the site. After the meeting I was
talking with the applicant's representative, Joe Wells, who
indicated to me that the site plan indicated foot prints of the
building based upon all of the buildings being only one story in
height. In other words the potential perception of site coverage
was increased due to the way that the architect drew these rough
footprints. I asked if they could give us a technical clarifica-
tion that the buildings would not be one story in height. Would
they be two story or stepped up the hillside which would reduce
the perception of density.
Unfortunately the applicant could not commit to us that the
buildings would be precluded from being one story buildings. We
consider this to be a site design flaw and therefore we are
recommending a substandard score on the site design category
because there is no commitment that the buildings will not be one
story buildings.
Another consideration in the site design category is the
perception of density that will be created due to the tennis
courts and the fixed nature of the tennis courts in front of the
buildings.
In the trails category: We are recommending just the standard
score rather than above average score because, as a general rule,
if an applicant proposes to donate or dedicate a trail easement
we consider that to be a standard type of commitment because they
are required, by code, to dedicate a trail easement that is on a
trails plat. On the other hand if someone is going to dedicate
an easement and construct a trail, we consider that to be an
above average score. In this case they are just dedicating a
trail easement and therefore it is just a standard project.
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In the greenspace category, we would be recommending an above
average score for this project due to the dedication of open
space on the hillside. However we feel that the presence of the
tennis court on the site and the paved area of the tennis court
right in front of the buildings reduces the greenspace score and
the greenspace proposal here to just a standard proposal.
Likewise we are recommending a standard score for the energy
proposal because there are no specific commitments as to the
energy conservation program.
In the other categories of quality design, we are recommending
above average scores.
We are recommending a total score of 30 points on this project.
We consider it to be an average project and think you should
score it accordingly.
Joe Wells said this is a 4-lot subdivision proposal on Ute Avenue
to the east of the Aspen Chance Project. Three of the single
family homesi tes will incl ude caretaker, restricted housing
units, restricted to the low income category. Hopefully we will
be able to clear up some of the misunderstandings between
ourselves and the Planning Office tonight to enable you to be
able to score this project high enough to reach the threshold.
At present the recommended score is 2 points below the thresh-
hold. To the extent that we are able to do that, we will be able
to proceed with the next stage of the subdivision review.
The difficulty that a small project has, particularly one that is
near the perimeter of the community, in the scoring system.
First of all the likelihood of being able to offer some of those
elements that would be perceived as a community benefit are
lessened on a smaller site. This is in regard to roads and
trails. In the case of roads the right-of-way that is already in
existence on our site is greater than on the site immediately to
the west of us so it would be of no benefit for us to offer the
City more right-of-way because you are short of right-of-way
further to the west.
In the case of trails there is really only one logical trail
alignment on the site because it is a small site. These are
disadvantages which are difficult for us to respond to because of
being a relatively small project. Both in terms of the size of
the parcel and interims of having made commitments which are
community benefit, this project suffers to some degree in the
scoring process. Obviously proximity is an issue about which the
applicant can do nothing. It is an area where points are awarded
and they are fixed. We also have some concerns about the nature
of employee housing points.
12
Regarding public facilities as to roads commitment. The
misunderstanding centers on the word "if required". We know
several things about Ute Avenue. First of all the capacity
exceeds that which is needed. To the extent that a realignment
is appropriate. We felt we were making a commitment to
participate in that realignment to the center line of the road
along the property. Our commitment is to participate in the
realignment of Ute Avenue along the property if the City desires
that. If that is viewed as a benefit to the community, that
would merit 2 points.
In the design section which is where we have to convince you that
there may be some flexibility in the recommended scores. The
first area we want to talk about is neighborhood compatibility.
John Doremus said in regard to neighborhood compatibility we got
2 points and we wish to argue for 3 points. The criteria is the
consideration of the compatibil i ty of the proposed buildings in
terms of size, height and location with the neighboring
development. The key word here is compatibility. 2 points is for
acceptable but standard design. 3 points is for excellent design.
This relates to compatibility. There is agrement between Glen
and myself that the significant neighboring development that we
need to be compatible with is the adjacent Chance Subdivision.
We are proposing single family dwellings some with caretaker
units. That is exactly the same as the Chance. We are proposing
with the assistance of the Chance architect design controls since
it is not our intention to build. This is a land subdivision.
We don't feel that there need to be a penalty because you are
developing a subdivision rather than building homes. The
opportunity there to be compatible is to use the architect that
designed the Chance dwellings to instigate design control in
order that the 1001 project emulates, compliments and enhance
this quality project of the Chance Subdivision.
These design controls were assured the same general character,
height, interior uses and roof lines. I don't know how we could
be more compatible short of actually constructing the buildings.
We did not need to put in that whole requirement for covenants in
design control. It is a pain in the neck when you are selling
lots. We only put it in because we think it will make a better
subdivision and we think you need to recognize that and give us
the points for it.
The design in general and the FAR in this category under this
criteria and we suggest that is not the issue in this section,
that is the issue in the next section called site design. What
the issue is here is compatibility with the neighboring property
and we feel we have earned 3 points.
Joe said that site design focuses on the character of the
proposed landscaping and open space, the undergrounding of
13
utilities and the efficiency of circulation. Apparently there is
still some misunderstanding about the amount of open space
provided. As we pointed out last week the open space commitment
for the City portion of the site exceeds 50% of the site. The
Planning Office said 33% of the site. That does not include the
tennis courts which technically do not count in the open space
calculation. I want to remind you that there is no open space
requirement in the R-15 zone category. We believe this merits at
least a 2 as an acceptable design particularly in comparison to
700 East Hyman which merited a recommended score of 3 for 40%
open space.
In regard to the issue of ownership of the County open space, the
parcel outside the City limits we had proposed to retain the
ownership in the homeowner's association name generally for
maintenance purposes. We thought the City would perceive that as
an advantage to have the homeowners maintaining it rather than
the City. If the City feels strongly that they would like that
portion of the site dedicated, we are prepared to dedicate that
portion of the site.
Glenn apparently feel we have not made a commitment to not do one
story structures. If I have misunderstood what he was asking for
in our phone conversation let me make it perfectly clear that we
have no intention of doing one story structures on the site and
we thought that was clear from the elevations provided with the
submi ttal.
John said the criteria on the issue of energy is the
consideration of the use of insulation, passive solar or solar
energy devices, efficient fireplaces and heating and cooling
devices to maximize conservation energy in the use of solar
energy sources. 2 points is for acceptable absol utely standard
design. 3 points is for excellent design. The Planning Office
emphasizes the lack of specificity. Some of these homes may not
be constructed for 5 or 10 years. How can we be more specific?
The state of the art is constantly changing. Mention is made of
the relatively shady site. To quote the Roaring Fork Energy
Center's remarks "The overall energy strategy for 1001
Residential GMP Submission looks good."
I also want to make sure everyone understands the meaning of our
statement that the 1001 residences "will be required to exceed
the City's design standard of a maximum heat loss of 18 BTUs per
hour per square foot and outside design temperature of -IS
degrees fahrenheit".
In an interview with Rob Wain of the Building Department, just to
handle this subject-just to get the real facts from the Building
Department as to what is going on-what are the top standards, he
suggested that this not only was the most restrictive of the City
standards, it is the most contemporary way of looking at heat
load, particularly in a changing market where the state of the
14
art is changing so quickly.
In the insulation standards we will be in excess of 25% of the
City's standards. The 1010 Ute Avenue project proposed 25% above
minimum standards and received 3 points. We argue that we are
well within that range if not above.
Joe Wells said on the matter of greenspace, Glen continues to
emphasize that the 4 acre parcel in the County is unsuitable for
development. We agree with that and that is precisely why we
feel it is so advantageous to tie it up now in the event the
rules change in the future, it will be nice to have that taken
care of.
One reason there is so much emphasis placed on the need for bonus
points is because of what can be argued as some unfair advantage
by residential applicants in terms of the employee housing
requirement relative to other categories. The residential
applicant is disadvantaged in three ways. The employee housing
points represent 33% of the total relative to 29, 16 and 14% of
the total in other categories. He must house at least 35% of the
population of the project as opposed to 35% of the employees
generated by the project which is a much stricter standard. In
the other categories, the applicant has the flexibility to
provide low to moderate middle income housing mix. In the
residential competition, you have to provide low income in order
to be limited to 35% if you want a proper moderate income, the
percentage of your total project population jumps to 70% etc. So
I think that is why so many people are insisting that the bonus
points are an essential part of the scoring category when 33% of
the points are associated with employee housing.
PROJEC'l' HI OOl
POBfrIe- HEARING
Ed Zasacky speaking in behalf of the Neal Meyers Development for
Aspen Chance. We have some problems with this project in terms
of neighborhood compatibility being that we feel we are the
neighborhood in large part. For one, some technical problems we
have with the application. The applicant has proposed to loop
the water system. For that a 2 is recommended. However we
believe this is inappropriate since Aspen Chance water system is
currently a private system and, therefore, the applicant cannot
loop without our approval which he has not received. I don't
see, therefore, how he is improving the quality of service in the
area.
The second concern that we have is in the recommended score for
parking design. The applicant has committed to parking all cars
in the subdivision and has also proposed guest parking spaces to
accommodate visitors. So this commitment by applicant should
IS
receive a I as opposed to a 2 since the improvements he is
proposing benefit only the project and not the area in general.
The 1010 Project across the street provided public parking spaces
that improves the area. Public parking is a commitment that
should receive a 2. Whereas the commitment this applicant is
making only deserves a I.
In addition there is required parking for the tennis courts along
Ute Avenue. I see utilization of this parking as a potential
goal dipping of new parking and required parking which they are
receiving a score for.
The major flaw in the project relates to site design and green
space. We believe the site design should receive a I as recom-
mended by the Planing Office because of the massing on site,
maximization of FAR density and the fact that almost all of the
open space that they are proposing is unusable. The applicant
has attempted to clarify the massing issue by showing or by
discussing the use of two story buildings. However, without a
deed restriction requiring that, you cannot be sure how the
massing will look. Therefore, you have to score as previously
presented. The deed restriction at this time would not be
allowed because that is not a technical clarification. Even if
it were all two story, its visual impacts would be negative
because of the high profile that the two stories would create.
The solution to the massing issue isn't one or two stories, it is
one less unit. I also believe that I as opposed to a 2 is
appropriate for greenspace. The 4.13 acres of land within the
county that is being proposed as open space is meaningless. That
land is unusable and cannot be utilized. Of the roughly 38,000
sq. ft. of land that is to be retained in the City as open space,
the vast majority of that is the tennis court and the spaces
between the buildings. There is no true usable open space on the
project. Again one less unit could solve this problem too. To
us, the number of units being proposed is a major design flaw of
both the site design and green space and consider those major
design flaws as deserving a I instead of 2s.
There was a statement in there that Aspen Chance has no usable
open area. You can see that in no part of Aspen Chance, which is
the same width as 1001, are there any more than two houses across
the property at any given point. In addition there are 4
separate benches in Aspen Chance. There is the Ute Avenue level,
a level at lot 5 in the Alps tennis courts, higher middle level
of lots 3 and 4 and again a higher level at lots 7 and 6. Where
the houses as shown there have 20 to 25 feet of distance between
them, our houses never get closer than possibly 50 feet and in
most cases there is 50 foot proximity. There is also vertical
separation of an additional 20 to 30 feet. So as people who will
be living there, I don't think these people will agree that this
site is compatible. Again one less unit would help that a lot.
16
Welton asked if there were more public comments.
Chuck Brandt representing Michael Dingman who owns a home in the
Aspen Chance subdivision on lot 6 which is in the third tier that
Ed just alluded to and also a lot in the Aspen Chance lot I off
of Ute Avenue. And I think really that Ed has said it all. I
simply wanted the Board to understand that there is at least one
owner in the Aspen Chance who shares those concerns and is quite
concerned about the density of this project.
Andy Hecht. I represent John Nichols who owns a lot and a house
in the Aspen Chance and joins in the protest.
Welton asked if there was any more public comment.
none. He closed the public hearing.
There was
John Doremus said the water line was proposed as a recommendation
from the City Water Department. The density is almost identical,
please listen to this, one dwelling unit per .43 acres-IOOI, one
dwelling unit per .47 acres in the Chance, almost identical. Any
argument about the density is inaccurate.
Mari Peyton asked if this included the tennis courts or not.
Joe said it does include the tennis courts which were a part of
this application. He said on the matter of parking, the standard
is consideration of the provision of an adequate number of off
street parking spaces to meet the requirements of the proposed
development. On the plat which Ed showed you, he identified the
gray areas as open space areas. You should know that there are
considerable roads in those gray areas that he has identified as
open space.
The Board then proceeded with scoring.
M60NTJtlN- VfiW-RESIDENTIAL
Steve Burstein said this project consists of 58 units and it is
located above Dean Drive. Aspen and Garmisch Streets are the
main connecting streets. The grade of Aspen Street from Durant
Street to the entrance is just less than 10% and the grade up to
the Aspen Ski Company parking is about ll%.
We recognize that this general site has advantages for some kind
of development. The applicant has made in many ways a lot of good
commitments. However we feel the problems stem from the density,
the size of the buildings and the impacts on the neighborhood as
well as the open space.
In the area of public facilities and services, we have made a
number of notes in those areas. The water system and the system
17
both receive certain improvements and we feel they deserve 2
points in those areas.
Regarding storm drainages, they have also committed to do certain
improvements including drywells, curb and gutter and a 20'
drainage easement. We recommend a 2 on that as well.
Regarding fire protection they have provided two fire hydrants
and an upgrade to the system. We feel that those are
improvements deserve a 2.
The area of parking design is where there is some disagreement.
We have noted that they are providing a 124 space underground
garage, 24 spaces are above ground. We consider this really auto
intensive and in fact is an incentive to use cars because they
are far above what is required. Only 58 spaces are required and
just the garage alone they are providing 66 additional spaces.
So we suspect that the intended use is for something different
going on on this site or almost a public parking. If you can
remember in the TDP process there was a decision early on that
there should not be major parking south of Durant Street. We
feel that this is contrary to that plan and that there are a lot
of problems because of it.
We also note that AFC spaces at the top of Aspen Street are
particularly hard to get to and that their serviceability is
questionable for that reason. We also note that there is too
much paving and curbing services and visual impacts created
because of that. For these reasons we feel that zero points
should be awarded in that category and that there are indeed
additional public burdens because of this.
In the area of roads we note that the level of density creates
particular problems where a smaller project might be manageable.
In regard to the steep grades, it is evident to anyone going up
South Aspen Street in the winter time there is a problem. On
Sunday I was there and noted a van stopped at the mine dumps and
a car coming behind it was unable to have the momentum and also
stopped and had to back all the way to Dean Street. At the same
time there were pedestrians with ski boots walking the middle of
the road. That is a typical situation on the way up to Lift One.
And that was late in the afternoon after the snow had been
cleared.
We note that the Aspen\Durant intersection is commonly identified
as a problem. Bringing this size of development and a parking
garage up there will necessitate parking at that intersection.
Also Garmisch Street which would be one of the main arterials to
this is not designed as an arterial and goes through the
neighborhood. There is a concern as to whether this will have a
negative impact on this quiet neighborhood.
18
__._______.,,_~_.., _~.H_._"~_._...__.~__._'.=.~~__..,._______.____........_.___."_.
The Barbee property would not have a publ ic access because the
roads will be privately owned and maintained. That is the
problem the Barbees have with the street vacation. We have also
recommended zero in this category because we see the additional
burdens in that there are some real problems in servicing this
area.
With regard to neighborhood compatibility we have noted that in
comparison to the projects to the north, Lift One and
Timberridge, this project is twice the size FAR per foot area
than Lift One and it is about 4 times the size of Timberridge.
This is a continuation of density further up the hill. We feel
that it is not appropriate to bring the density up the hill and
not appropriate to the single family neighbors to the west and to
the open space on Shadow Mountain and Aspen Mountain. We feel
that there is a flaw there and recommended a score of I in this
area.
In the area of site design, there are some positive features with
the abundant trees and the siting the projects in the middle of
the property. However there is a great deal of impervious
surface with the parking circulation, the terraces within the
project. We feel there is urbanization of the site. We notice
that the AFC parking is off site and that is also a design flaw
because it is not actually part of this application and is not
appropriate to evaluate that without evaluating all the impacts
that go with that site. So we recommended a I in that area.
In the area of energy, this is not a solar site because of the
shade of Shadow Mountain. Despite this their commitment has been
very high and the Roaring Fork Energy Center has recognized that
their commitments are good. They have wanted additional
information and there may be further clarification by the
applicant in this area. We recommended a 2 in this area.
In the category of trails. They are providing a 12' bike trail,
a ski trail easement, Dean Drive and Aspen Street sidewalks. We
have noted what appears to be a conflict in two of those
alignments along Aspen Street as well as a trail that would go
through the trees. There may be some clarification on this
commitment. We stated in our review that there is not a
commitment to construct all the trails.
Doug Allan said there has been some confusion and some conflict
between us and the Planning Office relative to philosophical
issues. I want to point out for the purposes of your scoring
that this site is in the Aspen Base Neighborhood Planning area as
defined by the Planning Office in 1984. That is pursuant to the
1973 Aspen Land Use Plan. As such the neighborhood is
"considered to be the major lodging area within the City." That
is the type of facility we propose to build in this area.
19
The down scoring by the Planning Office is largely because of
philosophical differences in what should be built there. Even
the Planning Office begrudgingly agrees that we are vastly
improved over last year.
Sam Hyatt said the code for Planning and Zoning for this whole
approval is very objective in certain areas and becomes much more
emotional and much more generic to a specific neighborhood. One
of the things that is important about this site and yet difficult
is that it is an area that isn't a lodge district, that can
handle a larger number of housing units because of the land
available, because of the location. You can pick up on a lot of
the publ ic amenities and also begin to f ill in an area of your
City with additional need.
One of the issues we have str ived for, the density issue, is a
result of two items. One is the desirability for a number of
units, the number of people to house in a convenient location.
The other is a type of architecture which begins to condense,
urbanize a particular part of the City. The original City plan
has it all laid out in lots. Those lots aren't dissimilar from
the lots which the Wheeler Opera House sits on or the commercial.
The City went into a depression before this was ever built out or
this may have traditionally been a larger housing area. We feel
that the nature of the project, the type of project and your
process allows for a lot of these issues of site design and
quality design to continue through your process.
Juan Street was deemed as necessary for fire circulation, for
public access and for private access. The desirability to
relocate that, maintaining a road which continues to service the
Barbee residence and\or any circulation up the mountain that may
have originally been handled by Juan Street continues to be
handled by the Garmisch Street extension. We don't see that as
being a major roadway access for our particular project. Our
project will enter on the existing City Dean Drive which will
continue through on our property, continuing what originally
would have been Dean Street through that location had Lift One
not vacated that where they built their building.
The whole issue of parking is relative to program and program
need. We would like to have 58 cars. That is a number that can
be negotiated and worked out. In light of the fact of our
adj acency to Durant Street, the indication of proposed transit
systems in the long term aspects of the project, maybe no parking
is necessary. At this particular issue it seemed to indicate
that we can't satisfy all of our parking below grade with no
impact on grade is significant. The public parking provided
along Dean Street is a gesture for the Timberridge and Lift One.
The Timberridge is presently parking on the Dean Drive City owned
street. That parking would provide something for them in a more
orderly fashion.
20
.._~.._-_.._._..-~'--
The site planning and greenspace issues as relative to a
transition to a very large mountain, I have to have some quest-
ions about. Because of the nature of the hillside I am not sure
that a participant, either a pedestrian or an automobile, is
going to perceive that additional 10,000 sq. ft. of greenspace
when you are at the base of that enormous mountain. I think the
way we have tried to use the land is to set the building in a
parkscape in a tradition of any mountain resort type facility.
There are a lot of options in the detail of how that landscape is
used, not only for the project but also for the neighborhood.
There is the possibility of creating a garden landscape that may
relate to the residential character of the Barbees.
In reference to the greenspace there is a very nice park here.
It is heavily landscaped. The combination of the whole area may
create a richer pictorialism to that aspect of the City that a
series of duplexes or oneplexes or single family homes.
Luxury housing verses non-luxury housing is a relative issue of
economics. In order to provide that economic base to a larger
mass of people a more condensed architectural prototype is what
allows that. Single smaller individual units because you do have
an expensive land base and an expensive construction base in this
City. You have to build a larger project to provide a lower
income housing unit type in this particular location.
Doug Allan said we were scored down last year for a project on
this same site for not enough parking. This year we have
provided more than adequate parking and the Planning Office
scored us down even more for providing excess parking. Nowhere
in our proposal did it say anything about this being a public
parking garage. That can be covered in the final plat approval
that it not be a public parking garage. It is solely for the use
of this apartment development. We think the best feature of the
parking is that it does have excess rather than deficient
capacity. We also think that where we have relocated the Aspen
Ski Company parking lot is far superior. It is much easier to
drive up that hill than it is to walk up that hill in ski boots
and we have moved the parking up the hill closer to Lift One A.
700 East Hyman was scored by the Planning Office with 2 points on
their parking due to the fact that they did provide extra
parking. We submit that we have provided extra parking. We have
an excellent parking plan. It is out of the weather. It is a
very real amenity to the proj ect and we still leave 42% open
space on the site. We should be entitled to 3 points on parking.
The roads go along with this. The Planning Office admits that
there is an adequate capacity on both Garmisch and Aspen given
their width and traffic volume to handle the additional traffic.
The creation of the new Garmisch Circle directs traffic to the
21
project approximately 100 feet up Garmisch Street from Durant in
the direction into Dean and then into the garage. The employees
and residents related to this project will not be using South
Aspen Street to access the project. Rather they will come around
the easier grade and go into the garage and access it there. And
the lessened grade of Garmisch Circle improves the circulation in
the neighborhood.
There has been some question about the status of the new Garmisch
Circle and Dean Drive. Our proposal very clearly states that
these will be dedicated to the public for public use. We thought
it would gain us more points by the developer agreeing to
maintain privately both of those streets and not put that burden
on the City. If that is a perceived problem, we would be happy
to dedicate the streets themselves to the City. Relative to the
roads, the Engineering Department supports the new Garmisch
Circle as the grade substantially improved over Aspen Street and
neighborhood circulation is improved. The dedication and
maintenance question relative to the road system can be disposed
of in the final plat. We feel the new road system is a real
benefit to the quality of service in the area. The Barbees, who
have sent in a letter about the access to their property as a
result of the realignment of Garmisch Circle, have the avail-
ability of access at more points than they have at the present
time. We feel that the road system merits a score of 2 points.
Neighborhood compatibility: We have addressed previous Planning
Office comments from last year as well as P&Z comments and
reduced both mass and unit count. This is an urban site but we
have retained 42% of it as open space. Our FAR ratio is less
than any of the surrounding projects to the north. We have more
square footage of building. We have a substantially larger tract
of land so the ratio of our coverage on FAR is less than any of
the projects to the north. We have addressed every item that was
criticized in last year's application by lessening the mass, unit
count and square footage. By doing so we have created a
transition area from the area below up to Lift One and Shadow
Mountain and thus created our own buffer zone by concentrating
the building elements within the center of the site. The Shadow
Mountain is a dense development up the hill as are Lift One,
South Point and Timberridge to the north down the hill. The
criteria for a neighborhood compatibility relates to these. The
Barbees have publicly stated that their land is available for
redevelopment. Theirs is a single family house on their property
at the present time. All of the other single family houses in
the neighborhood in the immediate neighborhood are on our site
and will be removed as a result of this development. We feel
that this is an excellent design for the recreation accommodation
zone as set forth by the policy of the City of Aspen and merits a
score of 3 points.
Site design is closely interrelated to this and the Planning
22
Office started out in their comments being quite complimentary
about many aspects of the site design. In response to last
year's comments, we have reconfigured the open space to be more
usable and visually available to the general public and substant-
ially increased the building setbacks. The Planning Office
states that a major design flaw is the location of the Ski
Company parking and conflict with mine dump footprints. This
statement is not correct. The mine dumps parking for the Aspen
Ski Company is without conflict to the existing development on
the mine dumps property. With the design alternative for
Garmisch Street, we still keep 42% greenspace. The Aspen Ski
Company parking is maintained at a better location than it is
now. The neighborhood circulation is improved and all of the
positive items mentioned in the Planning Office's comments merit
a score of 3 for excellent design in this area.
Regarding energy you have heard comments from the other appl i-
cants here tonight about energy. The Planning Office comments on
1010 Ute Avenue gave them a rating of 3 points for excellent
design because they exceeded the standard energy conservation by
25%. The Roaring Fork Energy Center r s report states that we
exceed that by 37% but the Planning Office only gave us a score
of 2. Mountain View's energy conservation commitment exceeds
standards. We feel that our energy commitment gives us a rating
of 3.
On trails; there is a mistake in Steve's memo to you. I met with
Steve after looking at his memo and pointed out to him that his
statement that the trails would not be built by the applicant is
incorrect. Page 42 of our application specifically states that
the trail will be constructed by the applicant to Nordic
Council's specifications. Also on page 43 the applicant commits
to co-ordinate and perform the construction of the trail
improvements based on designs approved by Lodge Improvement
District. We were rated down for only dedicating the trail and
not building it.
Regarding greenspace: Since the criticism received last year,
the greenspace is directed more to the front of the project and
more to the outside where it will be an amenity to the neighbor-
hood and a benefit visually for the general public. 42% is in
open space. The Mountain View project is constructed in an urban
environment. But it does provide substantial and significant
greenspace which provides visually throughout the project. We
feel it merits a score of 3 points.
MOONTAIIt VIEW RESIDEN"J.'IAL GMP
PUBL~--:REARING
Steve presented one letter from A. Dellas.
23
Donna Fisher, manager of a building at Shadow Condominiums, said
she is concerned about the impact on the neighborhood because of
the hill. The density of this development is not workable.
People have to race up that street and I personally have been hit
twice on that street by cars driving down the hill and people get
stuck all the time. They slide right into that intersection. I
just can't imagine 58 more units in that neighborhood that high
up the hill. I think it is going to create some problems. I do
think it is an improvement since last year but it has a long way
to go before it is really workable.
Ed Zasacky said he thinks the Planning Office is really hammering
on this one. He does not see any better location for this
density than right where it is at the base of the mountain. The
overall philosophical question in the scoring is where you are
going to allocate your quota. Are you going to allocate it to
second homes that will be used a few weeks of the year or would
you allocate it to one-bedroom units that could be used to serve
a resort in a location that can't be better. While you mayor
may not like the design, this project should not be getting
hammered as hard as it is.
Rob Small said he wished Sam would show someone how the traffic
pattern would actually flow into the project of Garmisch Circle.
This may relieve some of the question as to the congestion on
Aspen Street.
George Shaw said he wanted to set the record straight regarding
the fact that he knows nothing about this project other than a
conversation years ago.
Dave Ellis, representing the Timberridge Condominium Association,
said in terms of the Garmisch Circle realignment the specific
drawing that has been shown is definitely the same as the one in
the book. There is one terrace between the road and the
building. By scaling the drawings on submission, the 36 feet
required for realignment from the Darby property to the north of
the Barbee property would put that road within about 5 ft. of the
building without any additional right-of-way clearance for snow
storage. This is a major design flaw in that they cannot provide
the transit stop as they say.
The intersection where or iginally shown would be an improvement
but "down here it would be worse than the existing intersection
and does not meet the City design standards in terms of
subdivision street design standards". There is a minimum offset
di stance--you end up with a dogl eg. The traffic and parking
impacts on Dean and Garmisch are significant. The Garmisch
Street right-of-way at this point is 41 ft. To have angle
parking in 24 ft. of travel plus a sidewalk obviously requires
more than 41 ft. At present Timberridge Apartment parking occurs
about 50% on our property and 50% on the right-of-way. Even
24
taking that into account you are not going to have adequate
right-of-way there as they have proposed.
The extension of Dean Drive is shown as being head-in and the
right-of-way is being proposed to be 50 ft. in width. On page 31
of the application the applicant indicates they are going to
construct a 12 ft. pedestrian trail, institute 45 degree angle
parking and a 24 ft. paved street. That adds up to using the
minimum design standards of 55 ft. of the required right-of-way.
If all this parking were found to be necessary, and you were to
go to angle parking, you would have to eliminate all the green-
space to get the 24 spaces in. Angle parking is 45% less
efficient.
I agree wholeheartedly with the Planning Office on the relocation
of the Ski Company parking lot.
On the question of proof of ownership on the property regarding
clear title, I would like to state that that does have a bearing
and there is a limited number of allocations available. Everyone
else has met the minimum number of qualifying prerequisites.
Mary Barbee said the Barbees do not feel that vacating Juan
Street is to our advantage. I too own property on Juan Street
and I don't choose to have Juan Street vacated. It serves the
area very well. I would hope that there would be no advantage
deemed for Garmisch Circle. I simply does not exist.
Welton asked if there was more public comment. There being none,
he closed the public hearing.
Steve Burstein said he wanted to clarify four statements which he
did not think were appropriate.
There is parking on Dean Drive. That should be cleared. Also it
was said the applicants did say that they would dedicate and
maintain the streets. That was not in the application. The mine
dumps footprints; there is a conflict in the way it is shown. It
is not shown as they have shown it on the site plan here.
Regarding trails is based on a reimbursement from the Lodge
Improvement District.
Doug Allan said the parking he referred to as self contained is
the parking for the residents and employees. The surface parking
is for the benefit of the public and all of our parking is
handled underground. On page 67 of our booklet you will see
where the parking is. It is not in conflict with any of the
existing building on the mine dump property.
David White said the applicant had made allusions to the Lodging
District and asked if the applicant was going to become a member
of the Lodging District.
25
-
Doug Allan said that it is stated in our application that we will
join the Lodging District. Our trail system and our road system
is going to done in co-ordination with the Lodging District.
The Commission then proceeded with scoring.
Glen Horn said the scoring was done very quickly and that there
may be errors. They would be thoroughly checked over to make
sure of the totals.
The threshold is 3l.8 points. In the event someone is below the
threshold they would not continue. If everyone is above the
threshold we look at bonus points. Following are points without
bonuses:
Mountain View
700 E. Hyman
1010 Ute Avenue
1001 Residential
33.79
36.46
36.5
31.67
Allan said bonus points cannot be used to reach threshold.
With bonus points the scores are as follows:
1010 Ute Avenue
700 E. Hyman
Mountain View
1001
39.7
37.38
There are no bonus points
32.5
Glen Horn said the next question is to make a recommendation to
City Council regarding allocation of the quota. There is quota
available for the first 2 projects. This year the quota is 22
units. There is carryover of unallocated quota of 35 units from
previous years. At the discretion of the City Council based upon
P&Z recommendation, they may carryover that quota of 35, they
may use it this year or they may wipe it out. It is up to P&Z to
make a recommendation as to what you feel the best thing to do is
with that quota. It is our recommendation that the past unallo-
cated quota of 35 units not be allocated this year. We base that
recommendation on two reasons.
First is the consideration in allocating quota out of the future
years. In the last couple of years in the lodge sector, we
borrowed from the future in the lodge sector and we feel that
just because we borrowed from the future in the one sector, we
should continue to abide by the quota in the residential sector
so we don't get out of balance with our quota system in two
sectors at the same time. This is based on the fact that we are
still trying to maintain a growth rate control system in the City
of Aspen as well as Pitkin County.
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The second consideration we feel you should consider when you are
looking at the quota question is that in the near future, we are
going to see many changes of uses coming on line that have
already been approved. When all of those lodge units were
approved in the past couple of years, there were commitments to
take existing lodges and change their use from lodge use to
residential uses. There are approximately 75 units in the Alpina
House, the Copper Horse and The Holiday House which in the future
are going to be converted from lodge to residential units. What
we would like to do is to preserve the unallocated quota so that
we have it available in the future when this change of use occurs
so that we don't have to borrow in the future to compensate for
these changes in uses which we know are coming on line. Based
upon these factors, it is our recommendation that you recommend
to Council that they continue to carryover the unallocated quota
for the 35 units and the quota that is available, 22 units, be
allocated to the top projects in this year's competition.
Roger Hunt asked for the number of units in each project.
1010
1001
Mountain View
700
16 Units
3 Units
58 Units
2 Units
Allan Richman said there is no requirement that the Commission
make a recommendation. There is nothing in the code that states
the Planning Commission makes recommendations. Traditionally you
have made recommendations and you have also chosen not to make
recommendations. The choice is wholly yours.
Roger moved to recommend to the City Council that 18 units be
allocated to 1010 and 700 and that the remaining units go into
the unallocated reserve and that the unallocated portion not be
allocated this year.
Allan said that of the 22 available this year, all must be
allocated.
Roger Hunt moved that City Council allocate the 22 available
units this year to the applicants in the order of their scoring.
And that the 35 units that are presently unallocated be
maintained for the reasons given by the Planning Office.
Jasmine seconded the motion with all in favor.
Meeting
was adjourned at 7:45. ~. .!1:
--- ~~~ ~--
Ja ce M. Carn , City
Dep
y Clerk
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