HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.apz.20060502
CITY OF ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Minutes - Mav 02. 2006
COMMENTS ............................................................................................................ 2
MINUTES ................................................................................................................. 3
DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ............................................... 3
LODGE DISTRICT CODE AMENDMENTS ......................................................... 3
1001 UTE AVENUE SUBDIVISION/CONSOLIDATED PUD............................. 3
MOSES PROPERTY, 8040 GREENLINE REVIEW.............................................. 8
BOOMERANG LODGE PUD ................................................................................. 8
1
CITY OF ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Minutes - Mav 02. 2006
Jasmine Tygre opened the regular City of Aspen Planning & Zoning meeting in
Sister Cities at 4:30 pm. Commissioners present were Mary Liz Wilson, Steve
Skadron, Dylan Johns, John Rowland, Ruth Kruger, Brian Speck and Jasmine
Tygre. Brandon Marion was excused. Staff in attendance were Chris Bendon,
Joyce Allgaier, James Lindt, Community Development; Jackie Lothian, Deputy
City Clerk.
COMMENTS
Mary Liz Wilson asked if anything had come up regarding Tom Cardamone's
comments about tightening up ACES ESA. Jasmine Tygre said that most of the
members of the commission agreed that the ESA was something to be looked at
with a view toward the words matching the intentions; hoping that Tom would give
additional input for the revision of the SPA. Joyce Allgaier responded that they
can proactive1y include the neighbors and Tom.
Jasmine Tygre asked the status of the Zupancis property. Allgaier replied that it
was intended to be used for the parking department. James Lindt said the overall
idea was still being flushed out through the Civic Center Master Plan Discussions.
Tygre asked if the idea of providing housing was abandoned. Lindt replied that it
wasn't abandoned but it was still in discussions; the Civic Center Master Plan has
taken a back seat because of all of the projects on Community Developments' plate
right now; it was an important issue. Tygre stated that housing funds were used to
purchase that property, which doesn't necessarily mean anything because the
monies were moved around, but some people thought that would be a good place
for an infill mixed use project with housing, ifnot mostly housing on it. Allgaier
replied that staff has raised that point as part of an option.
Ruth Kruger wanted to look at the ADU rules and how they were written. Kruger
asked if that topic could be on a P&Z work session. The commissioners would
emai1lists to the Community Development Staff. Kruger stated that P&Z would
like to be included in the infill work discussion.
Joyce Allgaier distributed the Moratorium Summary prepared by James Lint.
Allgaier noted that Council was initiating a discussion about potential code
amendments; they were trying to establish some ideas about what kind of citizen
participation process they will put in place to gain public input. Kruger stated it
was a conflict for council work sessions to beon the same night as P&Z. Allgaier
said that they were trying not to schedule so many extra Planning Commission
Meetings and have planning related issues when the Planning Commission can
attend Council Work Sessions.
2
CITY OF ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Minutes - May 02. 2006
Steve Skadron asked if Council's decisions on code changes were sent to P&Z.
Allgaier replied the normal process for a code amendment was to start at P&Z and
forward a recommendation to City Council and Council holds the hearings and
makes the final changes.
MINUTES
Skadron requested an amendment to the minutes. Dylan Johns noted that he was
conflicted on the MotherLode. The changes will be reflected in the minutes to be
approved.
MOTION: Brian Speck moved to approve/MOTION WITHDRA WN
The minutes will be read and approved at the next meeting.
DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Jasmine Tygre was conflicted on 1001 Ute Avenue.
PUBLIC HEARING
LODGE DISTRICT CODE AMENDMENTS
1asmine Tygre opened the public hearing for the Lodge District Code
Amendments. The proof of notice was provided to the clerk.
MOTION: Ruth Kruger moved to continue the public hearing on the Lodge
District Code Amendments to May 16th; Dylan Johns seconded. All in favor,
APPROVED.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING
1001 UTE AVENUE SUBDIVISION/CONSOLIDATED PUD
Ruth Kruger opened the continued public hearing on 1001 Ute Avenue. James
Lindt stated that notice was provided at the last hearing. The commission and staff
completed a site visit at noon.
Lindt refreshed the commission and public on the application noting the several
parcels; 2 for single family residential development and several other common
properties. The applicant proposed to subdivide 1001 Ute Avenue; move the
existing tennis courts for the Gant about 40 feet to the west; 2 single family
residential parcels; provide a common driveway to the proposed single family
residences; another common parcel and a conservation easement on the portion of
the property located in the county. The city/county boundary bisects the property;
they were proposing the conservation easement in exchange for the second
development right.
3
CITY OF ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Minutes - Mav 02. 2006
Lindt said there were 3 discussion items. (1) The natural hazards associated with
the single family development, mine tailings and avalanche and rock fall concerns;
they have an avalanche expert and a geologist to review the sight and made
recommendations for mitigation of the avalanche and rock fall concerns. There
were conditions of approval in the proposed resolution; Section 10 regulates
avalanche and rock fall and requires a low mitigation wall or berm to be placed at
the back portion of the residences or an alternative would be to minimize the
fenestration on the back side ofthe houses. Section 11 regulates mine tailings in
the resolution; it requires any soils with greater than 1,000 particles per 1,000,000
particles oflead be removed from the site and the remainder ofthe soils to be
capped with non-hazardous dirt. (2) The allowable FAR was proposed by the
applicants to be 5,040 square feet for each of the single family residences. Staff
believed there were several justifiable options listed in the memo on page 2; staff
recommended 3,830 square feet per residential unit to be consistent with the Hoag
Subdivision however they could justify a larger FAR ifthere were a category 4
housing unit and the conservation unit were proposed because of the additional
community benefit. (3) The growth management request was rather confusing.
The applicant proposed a conservation easement on the upper portion in exchange
for the second development right in the subdivision. Lindt said on page 3 of the
staff memo several options relating to the growth management review were
presented. The conservation easement would provide additional protection on the
upper portion of the property; it would protect the property against future
development and any code changes in the county over time that could allow
additional development options. Lindt said the conservation easement would also
allow public use of the upper portion of the property because it would be deeded to
the city and placed in a third party conservation easement. It would allow intricate
trail connections from existing trails.
Brian Flynn stated the benefits of the conservation easement were the open space
board support because it was a tool that puts a third party in charge of protecting a
property from any unknown future uses. Flynn noted there were several properties
already under conservation easements around this one; there were benefits with
trail connections. Flynn said that Fritz's Vision was to make a circumference of
town by trails. Flynn stated this was an important connection for the trail system.
Lindt stated staff understood the benefits of the providing a conservation easement
but believe it appropriate to require mitigation for the second development right
with a category 4 employee unit.
Glen Horn introduced Allen Chosen, the prior owner of this property and with the
vision for this project.
4
CITY OF ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Minutes - May 02. 2006
Horn stated that this project was Leathem's thinking to be a benefit to the
community and consistent with the land use code. Horn said they wanted to add a
category 4 house for sale subdivided and located on Ute Avenue.
Horn presented graphics depicting the 8000 elevation and 8040 greenline and
square footage of the houses in the area and a photo from Smuggler across to this
area. Horn said that they wanted to emulate the Aspen Chance Subdivision and not
the Hoag or Newfoundland. Horn prepared a landscape plan ofthe site with
vegetative screening and trees and for a landscape plan for the 8040 green1ine
review for the specific houses when they were actually designed. Horn said that
floor area was an issue. There were photos of what the Chance looked like before
the Aspen Chance project and subdivision, which was a pile of mine tailings in the
1980s.
Peter Thomas said without the second development right the whole subdivision
unravels. Thomas said that they were deeding in fee the land to the city and in
return they were asking to build two 5,000 square foot homes in the city. Thomas
spoke of the Fox Crossing and the Hunter Valley Way conservation preservation
parcel with regards to the growth management development rights. Thomas
requested the same treatment as Fox Crossing received regarding the value of the
preservation parcel and development rights.
Lindt said on the changed application they were not far off with the addition of the
category 4 deed restricted unit and the second development right. Staff still had
concerns on the floor area and felt some additional FAR would be appropriate.
Kruger asked how staff recommended that the commission come up with that
number. Lindt said that staff felt these lots were consistent with the Hoag lots,
which average 3830 square feet of FAR each. Horn said that without the growth
management exemption by right the property could be developed with detached
duplexes and associated ADUs; there could be a 3700 square foot duplex on one
lot and on the other lot it would be comparable with one-third of the square footage
for an affordable housing unit. Horn said that the growth management exemption
entitles you to ask for 2 single family lots and some additional floor area.
John Rowland asked if the fee for the deeded conservation easement was a gift.
Lindt replied that it was a fee simple gift under a conservation easement.
Steve Skadron asked who the the owners of the adjacent conservation easements
and parcels were. Horn replied the land to the east was the owner of Hoag Lot 3
with no conservation easement; there was forest service land above that parcel and
there was unincorporated Pitkin County Land owned by the Newfoundland. Horn
5
CITY OF ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Minutes - May 02. 2006
said they were trying to band together open space land along the top, which was
called for in the Aspen Area Community Plan, private lands with preservation
value. Skadron asked ifthere were any cons to a conservation easement. Flynn
replied from Open Space there were no cons in their estimation. Skadron asked
once that property is deeded to the city what can it do with that property. Lindt
replied the purpose of their application and representation of their application is
that it would be provided to the city to be placed in a conservation easement so that
the city has one option to place in a third party conservation easement. Flynn
explained the same day that they acquire the property is the same day that the
easement is signed.
Skadron asked what benefit the applicant gains from developing and selling the
category 4 unit. Lindt replied the applicant would get the income from the sale of
the category 4 unit. Skadron asked what is cost to build the unit. Stern replied it
was over $300,000.00.
Public Comments:
Alan Chosen stated that he bought the property at 1001 Ute and owned it until this
March 22nd; they bought the property to protect their interests and the interests of
the people around them. Chosen explained that they wanted to sell the property to
the right buyer who would have the same plans as he and his family had for this
property. Chosen stated they wanted to restrict what could be built on the property
and utilize the conservation process on the county portion of the property by
deeding the 4.1 acres to the city so no one would ever have the ability to build on
that parcel.
Skadron stated that it was refreshing to hear maximizing your return wasn't always
priority number one, which was a rarity. Skadron complimented Glen and Pete for
the clear presentation. Skadron said that the motivating factor for this application
was the additional FAR; there were two 5,000 square foot houses or 10,000 square
feet, which was nearly fifty percent more. Skadron said what was important to him
was to understand what the benefit was to the city. Skadron asked if the
conservation easement and the category 4 was enough to mitigate for that; he
encouraged considering the possibility exists that another applicant similar to this
one from the owners of adjacent properties could be asking for similar things.
Kruger asked what could come up for adjacent property owners to ask for
additional FAR or development rights. Lindt responded that the neighboring
parcels have used their inherent development rights to build their single family
houses on their property; they would have to obtain additional development rights.
6
CITY OF ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Minutes - Mav 02. 2006
Mary Liz Wilson encouraged keeping the FAR for the 2 residences at 3800 or
3900 square feet and granting the conservation easement.
Brian Speck commended the applicant in stating their objectives with the
conservation easement and ADU; the proposal fills a lot of the trails system goals,
which was a plus. Speck said that he was concerned about the FAR and would like
to reduce the FAR.
Peter Thomas said that they were entitled to 5040 square feet under the R-15
zoning after the slope reduction.
Kruger asked for clarification if they were zoned for 4 houses in the city and 1 in
the county although they would be with mitigation. Lindt replied that was based
on was the minimum lot size in the R-15 zone; there would be enough lot area to
subdivide into 4 separate lots, however they would have to go through growth
management.
Dylan Johns said the affordable housing was a benefit in a small development; the
location of the lot was prime for conservation. Johns said that he saw the
comparison with the Aspen Chance subdivision house sizes and did not think it
was too much to ask for with the conservation easement and an affordable housing
unit being provided. Johns said the underlying zoning was the way to go with
respects to the FAR.
John Rowland said the application had a lot of positives to it and the FAR was the
big issue but he agreed with Dylan that the underlying zoning was the right avenue.
Steve Skadron agreed with Dylan and John; he would like to see the square footage
as in the Chance subdivision. Skadron said that he could support this if the FAR
was consistent with the Chance Subdivision.
Ruth Kruger agreed with Dylan and shared concern with Steve about the neighbors
possibly adding another house however it would be with the P&Z discretion.
Kruger said the site inspection was helpful.
MOTION: Dylan Johns moved to approve Resolution #016, Series of2006
approving with conditions the 8040 Greenline Review and recommending City
Council approve with conditions the 1001 Subdivision, Consolidated PUD, and
Growth Management Review for the Preservation of Significant Open Space
Parcels to divide the property at 1001 Ute Avenue into two (2) residential parcels
and four (4) separate common open space areas and to amend Section 6 to
7
CITY OF ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Minutes - May 02. 2006
required one (1) for sale category 4 unit to mitigate for the residence on Lot 2.
Seconded by John Rowland. Roll call vote: Rowland, yes; Skadron, yes; Wilson,
yes; Speck, yes; Johns, yes; Kruger, yes. APPROVED 6-0.
Glen Horn stated that there would be an 8040 Green1ine review to consider the
design aspects so the Commission will see this project again. Leathem Stern
appreciated the Commissioners comments.
PUBLIC HEARING:
MOSES PROPERTY. 8040 GREENLINE REVIEW
Ruth Kruger opened the public hearing.
MOTION: Mary Liz Wilson moved to continue the Moses property 8040
Greenline Review to May 16th; seconded by Dylan Johns. All in favor,
APPROVED.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING
BOOMERANGLODGEPUD
Jasmine Tygre opened the public hearing on the Boomerang Lodge PUD. Notice
was provided. Chris Bendon stated the height and design treatment on the east
wing of the development were issues to discuss.
Sunny Vann, representative for the applicant, stated the project team was a joint
venture represented by Steve Stunda, the architect Augie Reno and attorney
Michael Hoffman. Vann said that the parcel ofland across from the Boomerang
was also owned by Charlie and Fonda Paterson; Steve Stunda became interested in
buying the property and assembled a joint venture group to put the lodge and
adjacent property under contract.
Vann said collectively they determined that an expanded project lodge unit count
would comply with the new legislation and could include a free market residential
component, which was a key to the projects feasibility. Vann said that the east
wing of the Boomerang would be retained as a way of preserving the old Aspen
without historic designation at this time. Vann stated the project complied 100%
with the lodge incentive program development provisions. Vann said there were a
setback variances but the rest of the lodge dimensional requirements were met.
There were 20 new guest rooms to the lodge; there were 6 free market residential
units (from 1800 to 2400 square feet each) within the 25% limitation imposed by
the incentive lodge provisions. 39 of the existing 42 trees will be retained on the
property; there will be 19% of the site as open space; there will be a sub-grade
8
CITY OF ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Minutes - May 02. 2006
garage with parking for 31 cars; there will be retained parking in front of the lodge
(much the same parking as it exists on the east side of the Christiana Lodge). Vann
said that most of the project has been discussed with neighbors (letters of support
were in the packet) however six of the twenty-four Christiana Lodge owners were
concerned with the height and affect on their views.
Vann said this lodge is in compliance with 5410dge units at an average lodge unit
size of 500 square feet.
Augie Reno explained the location between 4th Street and 5th Street on Hopkins and
utilized drawings with shaded areas depicting the Boomerang and the Christiana.
Reno said there were roof plan drawings of the Boomerang and Christiana with 4
colors represented; every height on the Boomerang was in compliance with the
height regulations. Reno said the massing was broken up and relocated to the
center section of the building about 50 feet away from the neighbors; the parking
ramp was also located in the front of the building. Reno said they would have
moved the building even farther back but there were many large trees located
behind the building.
Reno explained the floors plans: the lowest level below grade contained the 31
space garage; a sitting area, restrooms and sauna will be kept; the main level will
be maintained on the eastern wing with 3 of the rooms, the lobby, new lounge and
renovated the pool; the second level would be maintained with hotel rooms and the
multi-purpose room; the third level is new and the eastern wing of the building has
5 rooms, 3 free market units and lodge rooms The fourth level was setback from
the perimeter of the floor below and varies anywhere from 9 to 13 feet in different
locations so it was not seen from the street; there was a roof deck, 3 free market
units and 2 lodge units.
Bendon clarified that the zoning was R-6 with an LP (lodge preservation) Overlay;
lodge preservation allows for lodges as a use and requires lodge development go
through a PUD review. Bendon said this project was in compliance with the
Lodge District with a PUD. Reno stated the desire to maintain the eastern wing
has pushed the design of the entire project because of the number of rooms; they
were only able to add 5 rooms to the design and needed to get the other rooms in
compliance with the ordinance.
Skadron asked what the FAR was compared to the allowable. Vann replied the
overall FAR under the L Zone District was 3 to 1, which was 81,000 square feet
and the proposed lodge was about 51,000 square feet.
9
CITY OF ASPEN PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
Minutes - May 02. 2006
MOTION: Ruth Kruger moved to continue the Boomerang Lodge PUD to May
16th; seconded by Mary Liz Wilson. All in favor, APPROVED.
Meeting adjourned at 7:05pm.
10