HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.apz.19900220
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 20. 1990
Chairman Welton Anderson called meeting to order at 4:30pm.
Answering roll
Kerr, Michael
Anderson. Mari
call were Graeme Means,
Herron, Jasmine Tygre,
Peyton was excused.
Richard Compton, Bruce
Roger Hunt and Welton
COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS
Compton: Reported on the meeting of the neighborhood trails and
pedestrian circulation.
Roger: The aerial surveys we recently got on this thing are
woefully old and inaccurate.
After discussion--
MOTION
Roger: I move that we have the Planning Office draft a
resolution to go to City Council requesting that we update the
aerial surveys insofar as they are readily available at a fairly
economical price.
Jasmine seconded the motion with all in favor.
MINUTES
DECEMBER 5. 1989
Minutes were approved.
HISTORIC DESIGNATION OF 200 SOUTH MONARCH
PUBLIC HEARING
Welton opened the public hearing.
Roger: I move this application for designation be tabled to date
certain of April 3, 1990.
Jasmine seconded the motion with all in favor.
Welton asked for public comments.
There were none and he closed the public hearing.
HISTORIC DESIGNATION OF 17 OUEEN STREET
PUBLIC HEARING
Welton opened the public hearing
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Roxanne presented affidavit of public hearing (attached) and made
presentation as attached.
What we are recommending for fear of setting a precedent in other
ways is that only a portion of the parcel be designated. The
applicant will still get what they need which is the benefit, the
incentive of the FAR variation from us. However, the entire
parcel would not be designated--just the land that would be
immediately associated with the cottage which is not even 1/4 of
the parcel.
The reason we are recommending that the entire parcel not be
designated is for future incentives that might go along with a
non-historic building. The incentives have been developed
specifically for preservation purposes. And if we are
designating the entire parcel, the majority has a brand new
structure on it, we don't find that that goes along with the
spirit and the intention of the incentives.
Lennie Oates, representative
direction--that a portion
historical. That is fine with
for
of
applicant:
the site
We support
be designated
the
as
us.
Graeme: Is there an accessory dwelling unit involved in this?
Lennie: It will be employee housing unit within the primary
structure.
Graeme: Does the structure gain FAR because of that?
Lennie: I don't think so. I think we would benefit by Ord #l if
it were passed. And I would fully expect to get those benefits.
I wouldn't want to label off on them.
Roxanne: The parcel would only get one FAR bonus be
smaller accessory dwelling unit or the FAR bonus
consideration for a dwelling unit.
it either a
for an HPC
Graeme: It could get both.
Bruce: I am curious as to whether ultimately we may be looking
at a lot split or some kind of subdivision action.
Roxanne: Right now what they are proposing is allowed in this
zone district. They can have their building on here as long as
it is not a dwelling unit. A guest house or an office--some kind
of detached structure.
Bruce: A guest house is not a dwelling unit?
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Roxanne: Not if it doesn't have a kitchen.
Lennie: In all fairness if we were to go through with the
dwelling unit standpoint it is entirely possible that in order to
finance the cost you might treat this as a townhouse in a 2
townhouse situation. That clearly would be something that you
might consider.
Timothy Murray: It seems to me that it is a contradiction of
terms to be historically districting and then add onto it
substantially and to move it. I think it would destroy the
character of it. You might just as well tear it down and build a
whole new building. The historic value is lost.
Roxanne: They are not adding onto it. In
removing--it has a number of additions onto
removing the last--the addition that is in the
that they can actually move it.
fact
it.
worst
they are
They are
shape so
The HPC has considered that and losing some of it's historic
value for relocation. However, since it is only relocated
basically a few feet onto the original parcel, they felt that it
retained enough of it's original setting that it would be
appropriate.
Welton asked if there were any other public comments. There were
none and he closed the public portion of this hearing.
Roger: I shared Murray's concerns and what convinced me in this
particular case--rather than moving it and burying it and hiding
it they have moved it and put it up in a more prominent space.
That allows me to tolerate the movement of a landmark. A
landmark is associated with a piece of geography. In this case
it is within the same historic parcel and it has been given a
more prominent spot. That makes the move of this structure more
tolerable. Overall I think this plan is pretty good for saving
that historic landmark.
Compton: I don't like the idea of an FAR bonus for this type of
project where you have an historic structure which is being just
one part of a larger project. It makes a lot of sense to me if
you are dealing with one house or one building downtown where
somebody wants to remodel it basically and add on to it while
preserving the basic structure. However this is a large
residential lot and the bonus is not going to improve the
existing structure but being added onto an entirely new
development. And a very large one that changes the character of
the neighborhood at that so that to me I think the zoning change
to allow 2 dwellings on the site is about as much incentive on
bonuses I want to grant in this case.
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Welton: We are not being asked to grant any FAR bonuses. That
is entirely within the purview of the Historic Preservation
commi ttee and not for us this evening. And if I understood
Roxanne I s presentation properly, the house, the old cottage is
800sqft --500 of which is the bonus that is allowed by HPC in
order to preserve an historic structure. The other 300sqft is
coming out of the house. They have by right--the only thing they
are asking for is landmark designation. They have by right the
ability to tear that house down and build 300 more square feet
than they are planning on building on the house that they plan on
that property.
So the net tradeoff as I can see it is a house at 300sqft less
than what they could build plus the preservation of that historic
building.
So the bonus question isn't going to be addressed by us. It is
by HPC.
Roxanne: That is correct. Wel ton summed it up beautifully.
Basically what we are getting is a preserved cottage or nothing.
Welton asked if there were any further public comments. There
were none and he closed the public portion of the hearing.
MOTION
Bruce: I move for the recommendation to city council that they
approve the Landmark Designation for 17 Queen street subject to
the survey as requested by staff.
Roger seconded the motion.
Everyone voted in favor of the motion.
GORDON SUBDIVISION/PUD. STREAM MARGIN REVIEW
PUBLIC HEARING
Leslie: The applicants have requested tabling of this
application.
Welton opened the public hearing.
MOTION
Michael: Is there a reason as to why we are tabling this?
Leslie: They have some issues with my memo and rather than hash
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them out with you they would rather have the opportunity to talk
about it with Planning staff.
Michael: The only reason I ask is that we block off these dates
and we put people on the calendar and other people come forward
and can't get on the calendar. It seems to me that this is an
application that has been here before and I don't know whether it
has to be continued again. It seems to me unfair. It seems we
have done this already and if we are taking space away or time
away from somebody else who can't get on the calendar and people
are turning around and doing this on a frequency basis--it isn't
fair to somebody who couldn't get on until the end of March.
Welton: This was a difficult and time consuming memo to try to
get through and try to understand and try to put the pieces
together. It was like studying for a graduate level exam.
Herron: It was like a lawyer wrote it.
Sunny: We feel the same way. There we things in the memo that
we believe we could settle at a prior date. We did not get the
memo until Friday afternoon that we felt could be more
constructively resolved by sitting down with the Planning Office
and try and reach some conclusion on these prior to coming to
P&Z. There are things in there which I did not anticipate and
the applicant asked that we table. Staff was amenable to it.
Roger: I move to table the Gordon/Callahan PUD, stream Margin
Review and conditional use public hearing to date certain of
March 20, 1990.
Michael seconded the motion with all in favor.
Welton asked if there were any public comments.
Timothy Murray: I am a neighbor of the Gordon/Callahan
Subdivision. My Mother built the first house in that end of town
and we are still there. We have seen the growth of 1010 ute
across the river, the Aspen Club and now they are asking for
another lot split on this Gordon/Callahan Subdivision. I don't
understand whether they have gotten access or anything like that
so it is hard for me to comment on it except that as far as I
know the last lot split was lO years ago and they were allowed to
build one house and aside from that I have no other comment.
Larry Frederick: What I was primarily interested in is access
and bicycle pathways and such in that area.
."..'
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VOLK STREAM MARGIN REVIEW
Kim Johnson: Made presentation as attached in record.
The requirements of the Engineering Dept for the building and
construction document to be filed and the fisherman's easement
and the flood plain elevation certificate are the basic
conditions for approval. The Planning Dept recommends approval
of this Stream Margin Review for both of those parcels.
The applicant has offered that documents be filed with the County
Clerk regarding the graphic depictions of those foundation
requirements that SChmeuser/Gordon recommended. Also the
construction techniques to insure against erosion and stream
pollution. The landscaping plan will have to be reviewed by
Parks Dept prior to development and the inclusion of a 5ft
fisherman's easement.
The Federal Emergency Elevation Certificate which what
is require an Engineer to certify that the minimum
2 feet above the 100 flood level.
that does
at least
sunny: That is to be submitted prior to issuance of a building
permit. I am requesting these be attached so that when a
prospective purchaser picks up the conditions of approval it
doesn I t fall through the crack and the seller winds up with
problems down the road.
Kim: And also Sunny offers as a condition that the Spring Street
easement reservations be filed for future purchasers to be aware
of that easement.
Sunny: I would like to discuss the classic Fisherman's Easement.
We continue to object to the conveyance of a Fisherman's Easement
in the absence of the City'S willingness to take those easements
under their control and provide liability. To expose potential
purchasers to the liability as a result of those Fisherman's
easements and impose what is basically a trail requirement along
there when no trail is designated on the trail masterplan is
excessive. So I ask you to reconsider the mandatory exaction of
the Fisherman Easement until such time as those easements are
identified on the trails masterplan and until such time as the
maintenance and insurance on those easements fall within the
auspices of the trails program itself.
Roger: What ever happened to someone fishing at his own risk?
MiChael: I have a question about condition #l--filing
engineering documents with the Pitkin County Clerk.
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Sunny: Since it is the intent of the __mumble__ and that there
are restrictions on the nature of the foundations and building
envelopes we suggest that the Engineering Dept record the stream
Margin Review plat which has the building envelope depicted on it
and the limitations on the foundations on it so that it would be
a matter of public record in addition to the minutes of the P&Z.
We would also create deed restrictions which impose on those lots
the foundation restrictions and references those building
envelopes. It is not a subdivision plat so I can't file it as a
subdivision plat.
Michael: I would suggest that we clarify #1 a little bit so that
we say what we are doing--that we are going to record a plat and
I would think that the City Attorney should get involved in the
chain to approve the restriction and the language on the plat.
Sunny: If you want me to
document subject to the
approval, that is fine.
re-word that we file the appropriate
Engineering Dept and City Attorney
Graeme:
subject.
Sunny has a good point on this Fisherman's Easement
How do we justify doing that to people?
Michael: Constitutionally for the City to be able to exact that
somehow it has to be identified that that is an impact of
building--that you are impeding access to the water. This is the
exaction and I am not sure whether there is sufficient legal
connections between all those to make the exaction worthwhile. I
think there is a second issue. And almost more important that if
the City is going to turn around and ask us to exact that from
people that the City then should take the responsibility for the
liability of it. If we are going to make a homeowner give that
access to somebody the City then has the responsibility if they
are going to exact that they are responsible for it.
Sunny: My point is that there is a requirement under Stream
Margin Review that if there is an identified trail across your
property you are required to grant an easement. There is no
reference anywhere in Stream Margin or Subdivision regarding
Fisherman's easements. It just seems to be an idea that
Engineering has decided it's time has come. Well, I am saying
that if you are going to promote that as policy and to modify the
regulations to require it and then to promote a program which the
homeowner can be reasonably protected--fine. But just to pick
one up here, pick one up there in the absence of doing your
homework necessary to justify the program seems inappropriate.
Michael: I think we could if we wanted to address that concern
at least condition that condition with a requirement that the
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City, in order to exact it, has to agree to be responsible or
assume the responsibility for any liability.
Sunny: How about if the City should adopt a Fisherman's Easement
program like a Trail's Easement program. Then we will convey it
and be happy to do so.
Michael: What would your objection be if the City turned around
and assumed responsibility?
Sunny: At that point we would say "Fine".
Bruce: I agree with the point that Sunny and Mickey have made.
However, I am concerned about the fact that we have made these
exactions of other people and it doesn't make any sense to me to
have done that with some others and you have got these fishing
easements that may go along for one lot and then all of a sudden
the next lot there is no easement. I don't know if that means
the fisherman has to stay in the water until he gets past that
lot line. They never know where the lot lines are anyway. I am
a little concerned about fairness to other applicants that have
been here over the last months and years as long as we have been
doing it.
Sunny: It is a recent issue. Just because somebody else
acquiesced and didn't bother to obj ect to it doesn't j usti fy
exacting something that is inappropriate.
Welton: It does to the extent that if it is not exacted now, it
never will be. I feel like, as Bruce has said, if people have
acquiesced to it then--all we can do is sayan easement is
appropriate or it is not.
Michael: I am just not comfortable with saying that Sunny has
got to pay the price because somebody else before him paid the
price. I am more comfortable saying that we condition this
particular provision with if the City wants to invoke the benefit
of it that they have then got to assume the responsibility for
the liability. And it is not to be lost in the shuffle. I think
the city then has to be counted to be responsible for doing that.
Welton: Conversely if we pass the motion with the condition as
it is stated then the ball will be in their court to resolve any
problem that they have on their own rather than--
Michael: No. You are expecting that they are going to be able
to go before City Council and find a sympathetic group that is
going to say that they will be responsible for what we took from
you. We are the planners. Maybe we should at least lay that
foundation down.
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Welton: Does the City have liability insurance on all of the
bicycle trails and the hiking easements?
Baker: They do on the trail system.
Leslie: When we get an easement and it is not connected up the
idea is that we ultimately want them connected up. I have some
fisherman's easements and trail easements across the property
that says 'If within ten years it is not connected up it ceases
to exist". So it gives the ability to try and work with----
Sunny: Once again it is not the presence of the easement that is
problematic. We are not fighting against giving the easement.
My concern is the exposure to a potential purchaser which results
from the exaction in the absence of an administered fisherman
easement program by the City which includes liability. That is
the problem. Not the fact that somebody is going to stand on our
property and fish.
Graeme: I don't think it is fair to make a big issue out of this
for one particular applicant and I agree with Bruce that it needs
to be the same for everybody. Maybe what we could do is just
forward something to either the Attorney's Office or somebody
saying that there is a problem here and that there should be
liability insurance for all fishing easements within the City.
Buy that insurance like you do the trails insurance and if the
City wants fishing easements enough to buy the liability, they
ought to do it.
Welton: A fisherman's easement program needs to be implemented
the way they have done for trails.
Are you suggesting eliminating #4 and just not--
Graeme: I would be willing to just pass it like it is but try
and get the ball rolling to make it fair across the board. I
don't think this one application should be part of this whole
problem.
Sunny: What happens if Council doesn't do anything? Then I am
left with an easement that the public has a right to use and I am
liable for it.
Dunaway: This has been adopted so that fishermen can still use
the streams. Otherwise house after house is going to be built
and there would be no access. But every property owner is liable
for anything that happens on their property whether they like it
or not and whether there is an easement or not.
~-
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Michael: There is a difference though with the status that
somebody gets who is a trespasser on your property. You owe him
a different legal duty than you do so somebody who has the right
to enter your property on an easement. So there would be
different standard of care that would be legally attachable to
the situation.
Sunny: Right now the public has no legal right on that property
whatsoever. What you are getting at this point is access which
was not in existence before.
Roger: I am in favor at this point of retaining the fisherman's
easement, notifying the City Council that there is a potential
problem here and they should have their legal department address
it.
Bruce: I was going to suggest that we take part of what Leslie
said and put a very short life on this easement--a year or 2
years--thereby placing the burden on us or Council to get this
masterplan of fisherman's easements covered.
Leslie: You have to be patient with easements and trails--
looking to the future, connecting everything up.
Sunny: The presence of it is fine and if it takes ten years to
put it in---
Roger: Am I to understand that parcel #1, the building envelope
is 8,900sqft on which a house the maximum floor area of 4,930sqft
can be built? And on parcel #2, the building envelope is
3,630sqft on which a building of 4,150sqft can be built.
Sunny: That is correct. As a practical matter one may not be
able to achieve the allowable FAR on parcel #2 because of the
height restrictions and the envelope restrictions. That is just
the allowable FAR.
MOTION
Welton: I will entertain a motion to approve Stream Margin
Review for both parcels of the Volk Stream Margin Review property
with conditions 1 through 4 as listed on Planning Office memo
dated February 8, 1990 and conditions 5 that the FIMA certificate
for the elevation that the main level of the house be issued
prior to the building permit and condition #6 that the Spring
Street reservation be documented on the plat and recorded.
(attached in record)
Also with the modification to #1 as requiring City Attorney and
Engineering approval.
-
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Roger: I so move.
Jasmine seconded the motion with all in favor.
Welton: I will also entertain a direction from the Commission to
direct the Planning Office to put on the medium range--not the
short range or the long range--work schedule discussions leading
to implementation of a Fisherman's Easement program similar to
the Trail's Easement program.
Everyone was in favor of this direction.
MOTION
Roger made a motion meeting be adjourned.
Jasmine seconded the motion with all in favor. Time was 5:45pm.
/
ty Clerk
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