HomeMy WebLinkAboutcoa.lu.sr.Citizen Housing Plan.1998
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TO:
Pitkin County Planning and Zoning Commission
Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission
FROM:
Ellen Sassano. Senior Long Range Planner
RE:
Adoption of the Citizen Housing Plan as an Amendment to the Housing
Element of the Aspen Area Community Plan
DATE:
June 2, 1998
BACKGROUND
As a result of the Housing Roundtable in January, 1998, the BOCC and City Council
gave Staff direction to bring the then-proposed Citizen Housing Plan to the City and
County Planning Commissions for joint review and consideration. The Aspen and Pitkin
County Planning Commissions met in worksession on February 10 and February 24,
1998 to discuss the merits of joint adoption of the Citizen Housing Plan as an
amendment to the Aspen Area Community Plan. While further refinement of the Plan
was recommended, it was agreed that joint adoption should be pursued.
On March 3rd, subsequent to the joint Commission worksession, the County Planning
Commission adopted the Citizen Housing Plan as an amendment to the housing element
of the Down Valley Plan. A copy of the County adopting resolution and Plan area
boundary is attached as Exhibit "B".
PROCESS
State statutes authorize the City and County Planning Commissions to adopt master plans
in whole, or as work progresses, in parts thereof. Upon adoption by the Planning
Commission(s), a request for Plan endorsement may be forwarded to the City Council
and BOCC respectively.
ADOPTION OF THE PLAN
The Aspen Metro Area Citizen Housing Plan is intended to function as an interim Plan
with respect to housing until such time as the Aspen Area Community Plan (AACP)
update is complete. Parts or all of this housing plan may be ultimately incorporated into
the updated Community Plan.
As it has been several months since the Planning Commissions met jointly to discuss the
Housing Plan, the following paragraphs are provided to "re-cap" some of the key
discussion items that were raised in Commissioners review of the Plan in February:
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· While it is reasonable to identify development of affordable housing in the metro
area as a priority, the document shouldn't preclude development of affordable
housing outside of the metro area;
It was ultimately agreed that while the Plan states a preference for housing in the
metro area, if the document criteria is used as a whole, it doesn't preclude housing
outside of the Metro area. Ji/oreover, the County Planning Commission is currently
reviewing a proposal for a new "Rural Affordable Housing Overlay/PUD Zone
District" which was drafted by Com Dev Staff to accommodate housing and limited
commercial uses on lands located outside of the Aspen Metro Area, and strategically
located in relation to transit opportunities, The proposed zone is inten...dedfor the
production of Category /,2.3 and -I and limited Resident Occupied Affordable
Housing within the rural areas of the County and is intended to provide an
opportunity for development of affordable housing consistent with the goals of the
Down Valley Plan and the Pitkin County Citizen Housing Plan.
· Consideration should be given to the addition of criteria which states that
projects shouldn't be growth generators;
It was agreed that Philosophy #3 (on page 13 of the attached Plan Draft) was
intended to address this issue, Commissioners may wish to review the language of
this criterion to be sure that it is satisfactory,
· There should be more narrative in the beginning of the document to clarify the
purpose of the Plan; If the intention is to provide criteria to help locate and
develop affordable housing, then that intent should be more clearly stated;
The purpose of the Plan is stated in the introduction section on page one of the
document. As it is important that Commissioners agree on the stated purpose of the
Plan, it is recommended that this language be reviewed (revised as necessary) and
agreed upon.
· It may be appropriate to add a bulleted list of what commercial activity is
appropriate to accompany affordable housing development after density reaches
a certain level;
This suggestion may be more appropriately addressed in the AH and/or currently
proposed zone district regulations, although the Commissioners may want to address
the issue of proximity of affordable housing to commercial services in this Plan.
· There are sections of the draft that are contradictory;
Commissioners are requested to specifically identifY these sections so that they may
be addressed
2
. Philosophy E should consider not only the carrying capacity of the land in
optimizing density, but also the carrying capacity of transportation and other
support systems;
This change has been made to the text on page 16, paragraph #3,
. Criteria should be added to address the establishment of homeowners covenants
to provide bylaws requiring the maintenance of affordable housing at a certain
standard;
This could be addressed by revising the second sentence in Philosophy H on page 17
of the attached draft in the following manner:
"Quality design, construction and maintenance standards are important in terms of preserving the
character of the Aspen area and also in terms of providing a lasting, high quality of life for the
residents of citizen housing."
The second sentence of the corresponding Criteria H would then be revised with the
following language:
"Where a specific development plan is being considered" are good quality design, construction
and maintenance standards proposed?"
. "Containable Development" should be more clearly dermed as development that
serves its own need but doesn't create surplus capacity for adjacent properties;
Commissioners may want to discuss the addition of this language to the existing
definition of "containable development" which states,
Containable development means development that will not fundamentally change or be
incompatible with the char.>cter of a neighborhood or area. Containable development is also de-
velopment that does not promote sprawl and which can be confined (or held) within its area."
. It should be clear that housing sites identified for the Basalt area should be used
to house employees working in Basalt rather than Aspen;
Commissioners may wish to revise the second sentence of Philosophy #1 on page 12 c
to state,
Working (or retired) Aspen, Basalt,andlor Snowmass citizens should have an opportunity to live
close to where they work (or worked).
3
A draft of the Plan text is attached to this memorandum as Exhibit "A" for
Commissioners review.
AL TERNA TIVES
I. Commissioners may take action to approve the Aspen Metro Area Citizen
Housing Plan as an amendment to the Housing Element of the Aspen Area Community
Plan, acknowledging that the Citizen Housing Plan will not supersede the existing
housing element in the AACP, but be used in addition to that Plan. Under this
alternative Commissioners will direct Staff to bring back a resolution of approval;
2. Commissioners may choose to endorse rather than fonnally adopt the Plan.
Under this alternative, the Plan would be "handed-oft" to the housing committee working
on the AACP update with an endorsement from the P&Z. The down-side of this
alternative is that any perceived benefits of the Plan will not be realized until the AACP
update is completed in December of 1998.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the Housing Plan as an amendment to the Housing
Element of the Aspen Area Community Plan. Adoption of the Plan should have no
detrimental impact to the ongoing process of updating the AACP, and in the interim will
provide a common set of standards which may be used by both the City and the County in
detennining the most appropriate location for affordable housing.
ATTACHMENT A Draft Metro Area Citizen Housing Plan
A IT ACHMENT B County Resolution Adopting the Citizen
Housing Plan as an Amendment to the Housing
Element of the Down Valley Plan (including a map of the Plan
Area Boundary)
4
EXHIBIT A
INTERIM ASPEN AREA CITIZEN HOUSING PLAN
The attached draft of the Citizen Housing Plan is identical to the Citizen Housing Plan,
, which was adopted by the County Planning Commission as an amendment to the Down
Valley Plan, with the exception that references to Pitkin County were replaced with
references to the Aspen Area or Metro Area, etc.
INTERIM ASPEN AREA CITIZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
.
INTRODUCTION
.
PURPOSE
AFFECTED AREAS
APPLICABILITY
OVERVIEW
.
Planning and providing for citizen housing in the Aspen area is
necessary to create a balanced community representative of the
various types of people that live, work and retire in the area. This
interim plan is intended to serve as a framework and guide to local
officials, staff members and private property owner/developers in the
identification, purchase and development of citizen housing sites.
To this end, part one of the interim plan establishes a set of Citizen
Housing Philosophies and Criteria to assist in the evaluation of
potential citizen housing sites. Three Philosophies and Criteria have
been identified as the most important for the future acquisition and
development of citizen housing: (1) location within an identified metro
area; (2) proximity to available public mass transit; and (3) containable
development. The remaining Philosophies and Criteria are identified
by the letters A through K in no particular order of significance, but are
to be considered along with the three priority Philosophies and
Criteria.
Part two of the interim plan, which will be enacted at a later date, will
consider a variety of potential citizen housing sites in light of the
Citizen Housing Philosophies and Criteria. The AACP set forth a goal
of creating and preserving a certain number of citizen housing units by
the year 2015. The progress with respect to that goal is presently
asce~ainable, so a plan that identifies sites that will aliow the
production of those units by the year 2015 is appropriate now.
The purpose of the interim plan is to address citizen housing needs
and opportunities, particularly in the context of sound land use
planning and planned and available public transportation. This interim
plan will be used to evaluate citizen housing opportunities and site-
specific proposals while the Down Valley Comprehensive Plan
("DVCP"), the Aspen Area Community Plan ("AACP") and the Woody
Creek Master Plan are being amended, updated and adopted.
The purpose of the interim plan is to establish Philosophies and
Criteria to evaluate potential citizen housing development sites and
actual development proposals. The intention is not to preclude the
development of citizen housing outside of the metro areas if it is
appropriate considering all of the Philosophies and Criteria.
The interim plan addresses the Aspen metro area from a citizen
housing and transportation perspective only.
The interim plan is applicable to all site-specific applications that are
pending at the time of final adoption of the plan and all applications
filed thereafter, The interim plan is intended as a complement to and a
tool to be used along with the other adopted plans. Consistency with
other applicable plans should be considered along with this interim
plan,
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PAGE 1 OF 1A
INTERIM ASPEN AREA CmZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
.
EXISTING ADOPTED
PLANS
OTHER PENDING
PLANS
1984 White River National Forest Management Plan
1985 Highway 82 Corridor Plan
1987 Down Valley Comprehensive Plan
1991 Woody Creek Master Plan
1993 Aspen Area Community Plan
1996 Basalt 3 Mile Plan
Aspen Area Community Plan Update
Basalt Comprehensive Plan
Carbondale Master Plan
Down Valley Comprehensive Plan Update
Pitkin County Strategic Plan
Corridor Investment Study
Snowmass Comprehensive Plan
White River National Forest Update
Woody Creek Master Plan Update
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OVERVIEW
.
PAGE20F18
INTERIM ASPEN AREA CITIZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
.
DEFINITIONS
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
* CARRYING CAPACITY
~ CHARACTER
CITIZEN HOUSING
COMPATIBLE
CONTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
DEFINITIONS
.
Affordable housing is a household paying less than 18-28% of its
gross annual income for monthly housing costs. For owner Occupied
housing costs, the percentage would include, by month, mortgage
payments, taxes, insurance and utilities. The purchase price of the
home would also not exceed 2.7 times the household's gross annual
income. For renter occupied housing costs, this percentage would
include monthly contract rent and utilities,
Carrying capacity is a term borrowed from ecology that represents
the upper limit of population growth that can "be achieved in a
particular area when individuals are introduced into that area.
Carrying capacity is used in determining the potential of an area to
absorb development. Specifically, the term includes, but is not
limited to: (1) the level of land use, human activity, or development
for a specific area that can be accommodated permanently without
an irreversible change in the quality of air, water, land or plant and
animal habitats; (2) the upper limits of development beyond which
the quality of human life, health, welfare, safety, or community
character within an area will be impaired; (3) the maximum level of
development allowable under current zoning considering the carrying
capacity of the land from a physical and character based
perspective.
Character means the distinct physical characteristics of a structure or
area that set it apart from its surroundings and contribute to its
individuality. Specifically with respect to structures, character means
the density, height, coverage, setback, massing, fenestration,
materials and scale of materials. With respect to an area, character
means the nature of the area in terms of intensity of the use using
the terms rural, suburban or urban.
Citizen housing is any housing that is affordable housing or housing
that is reasonably attainable for persons employed, or formerly
employed retirees, in Pitkin County. Citizen housing includes deed
restricted units as well as free market units, so long as such units are
affordable housing.
Compatible means capable of existing together without conflict or ill
effects. Specifically with respect to structures, compatible means
consistent with, harmonious with, similar to and/or enhances the
mixture of complimentary architectural styles, either of an individual
structure of the character of the surrounding structures.
Containable development means development that will not
fundamentally change or be incompatible with the character of a
neighborhood or area. Containable development is also development
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PAGE 3 OF 18
DEFINITIONS
INTERIM ASPEN AREA CITIZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
.
.
that does not promote sprawl and which can be confined (or held)
within its area.
FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE
IN CHARACTER
A fundamental change in character means that the citizen housing
development proposed is likely to result in a change in the character
of an area so fundamental that its classification as rural, suburban or
urban will change. For example, a citizen housing project that
transforms an area from rural to suburban, rural to urban or
suburban to urban classification, would result in a fundamental
change in character of the area.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Infrastructure means public facilities and urban-services, such as
sewage-disposal systems, water-supply systems, other utility
systems and roads,
METRO AREA The metro area is defined for each jurisdiction as follows:
. The Aspen metro area is: the eastern property boundary of the
Preserve Subdivision on Independence Pass, northwest to Brush
Creek Road where it intersects with Highway 82. The Aspen
metro area covers the valley floor between those two points and
is inclusive of the West Buttermilk Subdivision, Maroon Creek
Ranch Subdivision and the private portion of Smuggler Mountain,
to the Red Mountain ridge line .down to Slaughterhouse Bridge,
where the boundary coincides with Roaring Fork River until it
intersects with Aspen Consolidated Sanitation District and Wally
Mills property lines and heads northwest until it inte'rsects with
Brush Creek Road.
. The Basalt metro area is: the "urban growth boundary" delineated
in the 1996 Basalt Three Mile Plan, adopted by Basalt, or any
Master Plan or siting criteria adopted by the Town of Basalt that
supercedes or supplements this plan.
. The Snowmass metro area is: the annexation boundary that will
be established as part of the pending Snowmass Master Plan.
PUBUC FACIUTlES AND Public facilities and urban services are amenities provided typically
URBAN SERVICES only to urban development, including but not limited to: civic facilities,
publicly-owned community parks, arterial and collector road facilities,
police protection, emergency services, health services, recreation
facilities and services, schools; and publicly and privately-owned
potable water, sanitary sewer, solid waste, stormwater management,
and mass transit facilities that provide services to the public.
RURAL Rural means country-like or agricultural. Rural areas are generally
characterized by lower density residential development and
agricultural uses.
SPRAWL Sprawl is the continuous, haphazard, uncoordinated development
outside of an urban area that does not provide or properly plan for
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INTERIM ASPEN AREA CITIZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
.
DEFINITIONS
.
concentration of more intense uses and the efficient and economical
provision of public facilities and urban services. Sprawl development
tends to promote additional development, especially in connection
with the provision of public facilities and urban services.
SUBURBAN Suburban means a predominantly IOW-density residential area
located immediately outside of and physically and socio-
economically associated with an urban area, municipality or a city.
URBAN Urban means of, relating to, characteristic of, or constituting a
municipality or city. Urban areas are generally characterized by
moderate and higher density residential development, commercial
development and industrial development.
URBAN LAND Urban land means land inside and adjacent to municipalities or cities
that is served by public facilities and urban services and is
intensively developed.
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PAGE50F18
INTERIM ASPEN AREA CITIZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
.
EXISTING PLANS, CONDITIONS
AND OPPORTUNIT1ES
.
CITIZEN HOUSING
Existing Plans
AACP The AACP established an upper limit to the desired population of the
Aspen Metro Area of 30,000 people by the year 2015. (The 30,000
person cap included full-time residents, second home owners and
tourists at peak season around Christmas-time,)
The AACP also established the community goal of housing 60% of
the working residents upvalley of Aspen Village by the year 2015.
The AACP further stated that the majority of futOre residential and
commercial growth should be community oriented with the residential
sector being made up of a mixture of economic levels. In order to
reach the 60% goal, the AACP recommended four primary actions:
. The AACP identified a housing shortfall that called for the
creation of approximately 450 new deed restricted employee
housing units within the Aspen Metro Area and 200 units
outside of the metro area upvalley of Aspen Village;
. The AACP called for 750 units of free market housing currently
occupied by working residents to be preserved within the Aspen
Metro Area;
. The AACP identified the need for 200 occupied AD Us in the
City of Aspen; and
. The AACP proscribed mitigation for commercial, lodge and
residential growth to keep in step with the 60% goal.
Aspen and Pitkin County are currently updating the AACP.
Basalt Three The two main purposes of the Basalt Three Mile Plan were: (1) to
Mile Plan provide guidance in the Town's consideration of future growth and
development and establishment of Urban Growth Boundaries; and
(2) to help coordinate the actions of Pitkin, Eagle and Garfield
Counties regarding growth and development in the three-mile area.
The four underlying concepts used in creating the plan included:
creation and conservation of sense of community; social, economic
and environmental sustainability; livability of the community and
quality of life for residents; and quality in man made and natural
environments. The Plan recommends policies that establish that
55% of the housing created will be attainable by a median income
family spending no more than 35% of their income for housing.
Basalt is currently updating its Master Plan.
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INTERIM ASPEN AREA CITIZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
.
EXISTING PLANS, CONDITIONS
AND OPPORTUNITIES
.
DVCP The DVCP did not formally address the provision of citizen housing.
Rather, the DVCP's primary philosophy was land preservation
oriented and one of its main goals was "[t]o identify the highest
priority land for preservation and suggest preservation strategies
while recommending the most suitable locations for development."
The "employee housing" section of the DVCP states only Pitkin
County's general policy of encouraging such housing closer to
Aspen. The DVCP's explanation for that policy is the transportation
problem created by having employees commute to work in Aspen
from down valley, The DVCP also suggested that Pitkin County
revisit citizen housing preferences because some down valley sites
might provide more of a family lifestyle than is provided by the citizen
housing in Aspen. The DVCP's cluster-residential designation also
might provide some opportunities for citizen housing.
Pitkin County is currently updating the DVCP,
Woody Creek The Woody Creek Master Plan did not address the proVIsion of
Master Plan citizen housing, except to identify Woody Creek's preferred pattern of
growth: dispersed, low-density housing. The Plan states as its
housing policy that: "Affordable housing in Woody Creek should be
mixed in with existing units (infill and dispersal by the private sector,
instead of government housing projects),"
The 1991 Woody Creek Master Plan adopted by the Pitkin County
Planning & Zoning Commission deleted the DVCP's cluster
residential designation on Pitkin Iron,
Woody Creek is in the process of finalizing its Master Plan which will
then be forwarded to the Pitkin County Planning and Zoning
Commission for its consideration.
Existing Conditions
GENERAL There is a general perception that the population composition of the
area is changing. It is also perceived that along with this
composition shift that there has been an increase in the level of
services demanded. The demand for a higher level of service is not
necessarily linked with any physical growth in the commercial or
residential sectors other than the addition of employees.
Consequently, some of the employees generated in connection with
the demand for a higher level of service may be unmitigated.
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The data is not complete regarding the existing housing and
employee conditions. For example, information is available
regarding the number of jobs in Pitkin County as a whole, but a
breakdown for each of the employment centers (I.e., Aspen, Basalt
and Snowmass) has not been compiled, Various groups are
PAGE 7 OF 18
INTERIM ASPEN AREA CITIZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
.
EXISTING PLANS, CONDITIONS
AND OPPORTUNITIES
.
currently conducting studies that may provide the data and statistical
information that is currently lacking. This interim plan will likely need
to be revisited once complete information regarding existing
conditions is available,
PROGRESS The existing conditions currently backed by sufficient data are as
follows:
. The 1996 population of Pitkin County was approximately 14,119
persons.
. In 1996, 14,929 wage-paying jobs in Pitkin County were
reported. In 1995, approximately 4,000 proprietor jobs in Pitkin
County were reported.
. Since 1990 through 1996, the job growth rate in pitkin County
has been approximately 17,1%.
. Much of the job growth rate is believed to be unrelated to actual
physical growth in the commercial or residential sectors.
. Since 1993, the Aspen Metro Area (includes some County
projects) has seen the production of 152 new units. Additionally,
40 units have been approved, but not built, and 86 potential
units are in the review process. No new deed restricted
employee units have been created in the non-metro area.
,( Total New Unit Shortfall (considering only built units):
498 units, 298 Metro and 200 Non-Metro.
,( Total New Unit Shortfall (counting all units approved
and projects still in the review process): 372 units,
172 Metro and 200 Non-Metro.
. Outside the metro area, 150 units have been preserved at
Aspen Village and another 50 units may be preserved at the
Woody Creek Trailer Park. If the 100 units at Lazy Glen are
also considered, a total of 300 units have been preserved in the
non-metro area. The City of Aspen has or will preserve 6 units.
,( Total Preservation Unit Shortfall (including Lazy Glen):
444 units.
. 50 ADUs have been constructed in the City and 50 EDUs more
have been created in the County for a total of 100 ADUs/EDUs.
Note that the actual available stock of this type of housing may
be slightly higher because County caretaker units are not
included in these numbers. A problem in the occupancy rates in
the City (somewhere below 30%) has been identified. The units
in the County are occupied in excess of 80% of the time.
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DRAFT #1 FOR PUBUC HEARING, ,-",ST REVISED 4/23/98
INTERIM ASPEN AREA CmZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
.
EXISTING PLANS, CONDITIONS
AND OPPORTUNITIES
.
. The two most significant projects identified by the Housing
Office in terms of judging whether mitigation has been
successful are the Moore and Highlands projects. The Moore '
PUO fell short of the 60% goal by 13 units. If the dormitory units
of the Highlands PUO are considered real employee housing,
then Highlands probably did meet the 60% goal. It should also
be noted, however, that while the Highlands project includes a
large number of luxury free-market homes, 20 of those homes
were approved contingent upon the use of TORs which will
result in the preservation of 20 former potential development
sites in the backcountry.
./ Total Mitigation Shortfall: 13 Units.
. While the Moore and Highlands projects may have fallen short
of the 60% mitigation goal, more significant is the development
and re-development that is occurring in Aspen and Pitkin
County with no employee mitigation at all, For example, older
homes that are torn down and replaced with newer, often larger,
homes with no mitigation required.
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PAGE 9 OF 18
INTERIM ASPEN AREA CITIZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
.
EXISTING PLANS, CONDITIONS
AND OPPORTUNITIES
.
TRANSPORTATION The following are the existing conditions and opportunities for mass
transit. This interim plan addresses only the provision of citizen
housing within the context of available and planned mass transit, but
it does recognize that the creation of citizen housing may implicate
other infrastructure issues (e.g., schools, water, emergency rescue).
These other potential infrastructure issues, along with transportation,
are addressed more thoroughly by the various Aspen, Basalt. Pitkin
County and Snowmass regulations and plans, and are also
considered as one of the Philosophies and Criteria in locating citizen
housing sites. (See the Policies section, infra.)
Existing Plans 1996 Roaring Fork Transit Development Plan
Entrance to Aspen EIS
1997 Roaring Fork Transit Agency Recommendation for System
Improvements
Existing Conditions Currently the only public transit that exists in Pitkin County is bus
selVice provided by RFTA. The 1996 RFTA Development Plan and
the 1997 RFTA Recommendation for System Improvements
describe the basic available and planned selVice routes currently
provided by RFT A.
Under consideration is a valley-wide train system that would
ultimately provide selVice from Glenwood into the City of Aspen.
Opportunities RFTA's plan for additional selVice is outlined in the 1997 RFTA
Recommendation for System Improvements.
The plans for a valley-wide train have identified a number of possible
station stops all of which are still being reviewed. In connection with
the Entrance to Aspen, the voters will be asked to consider some
transit issues that may affect the train.
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INTERIM ASPEN AREA CITIZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
GOALS AND POLICIES
.
GOALS
.
To create and ensure the provision of a sufficient supply and variety of
attractive, dispersed, sound, safe, and affordable living units that are
appropriately scaled to the neighborhoods for the working (or retired)
citizens of the Aspen area.
To create a livable community that is balanced from a socioeconomic
and resident/non-resident perspective.
To identify the actual present citizen housing shortfall and formulate a
plan to encourage the development of the needed housing in
appropriate locations,
To provide a framework to identify the locations appropriate for citizen
housing through the application of Citizen Housing Philosophies and
Criteria.
To identify a mechanism and set of policies to reduce the number of
unmitigated employees generated in the Aspen area,
To encourage orderly growth and development in appropriate areas of
Aspen while protecting the character of the various areas of the
unincorporated Pitkin County, making efficient use of public services,
de-emphasizing automobile transit, and preventing development
sprawl.
To examine the appropriateness and desirability of the AACP's goal of
providing citizen housing for 60% of the Pitkin County workforce
upvalley of Aspen Village by the year 2015.
To update the data and methodology behind the 60% goal of the
AACP (or provide updated data and appropriate methodology for
whatever new goal may be established).
To ensure that housing issues are considered on a regional basis
including consistency with intergovemmental agreements and
commitments relating to joint planning issues.
To consider the cross-jurisdictional impacts of the location of citizen
housing, parti9ularly with respect to the provision of public facilities and
urban services.
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INTERIM ASPEN AREA CmZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
GOALS AND POLICIES
.
.
POLICIES
Citizen Housing The following Philosophies and Criteria shall be used to evaluate all
Location citizen housing sites and site-specific development plans. Each of
Philosophies these Philosophies and Criteria shall be considered in the broader
And Criteria contexts of the AACP, the Basalt 3 Mile Plan and the DVCP. Three
priorities have been established for the location of citizen housing sites
and they are identified as Philosophy/Criteria 1-3. The remaining
Philosophies and Criteria are identified by the letters A through K and
should be considered as well, but they are identified with no particular
order of significance.
PRIORITY NO.1:
METRO AREA LOCATION
PHILOSOPHY/CRITERIA 1 PhilosoDhv 1: Development of citizen housing is preferred within the
metro areas and employment centers of Aspen, Basalt and
Snowmass. Working (or retired) Aspen citizens should have an
opportunity to live close to where they work (or worked). Further,
citizen housing located outside of metro areas may result in an
undesirable pattern of growth that negatively impacts the Aspen area
and may further compound the perception that locals do not live in our
metro areas anymore, Aspen, Basalt and Snowmass are all significant
employment centers and, with the exception of schools which are
over-capacity, these urban cores have the public facilities and urban
services necessary to serve any additional development. '
Criteria 1: Is the site or proposed development within an existing
metro area and employment center (Aspen, Basalt or Snowmass)? If
the site is outside of a metro area, consider whether there is
documentation or other credible evidence to support a present, urgent
need for citizen housing that can not realistically be fulfilled in the
metro areas? In considering whether there is a present, urgent need,
the goal of the AACP to house 60% of the workforce upvalley of Aspen
Village shall be considered as shall the probability that such goal can
be accomplished by the year 2015.
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INTERIM ASPEN AREA CITIZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
GOALS AND POLICIES
.
.
PRIORITY NO.2:
PROXIMITY TO A V AU.ABLE
PuBuc MAss TRANSIT
PHILOSOPHy/CRITERIA 2 PhilosoDhv 2: Citizen housing, particularly higher density citizen
housing, should be located adjacent to available public mass transit.
Because the issue of whether, when and where a train will be built is
unresolved, it would be premature to premise the approval of any site-
specific development plans solely on the ultimate construction of the
train (I.e., other interim public mass transportation should be
available).
Criteria 2: Is the site or proposed development adjacent to available
public mass transit? If such transit is not currently available and is still
proposed, then consider:
1. Is the provision of public mass transit realistic and
desirable?
2. Who will pay the cost to make the transit available?
3. When will the transit be available?
4. What impact will the provision of public transit in this location
have on:
a. The character of the surrounding neighborhood?
b. The safety of the public?
c. The public treasury?
d. The level of service and capacity of roads servicing
the location (before and after development)?
e. The environment?
f. The visual experience from the public viewplanes and
neighboring properties?
5. If there are significant negative impacts found in subsection
(4) above, consider whether a non-development or minimal
development is preferable to one that would require mass
transit. Also, consider whether the negative impacts are
outweighed by the advancement of citizen housing goals.
PRIORITY NO.3:
CONTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
PmLosOPHY/CRITERlA3 PhilosODhv 3: Citizen housing should only be permitted where such
development is containable and will not promote additional
development or sprawl.
Criteria 3: Is the site or proposed development plan containable in
the sense that it will not tend to promote sprawl and that the
development can be confined (or held) within its area?
DRAFT 111 FOR PUBUC HEARING, LAST REviSED 4123/98
PAGE 13 OF 18
GOALS AND POLICIES
INTERIM ASPEN AREA CmZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
.
OTHER
CONSIDERATIONS
.
PHILOSOPHY/CRITERIA A PhiloSODhv A: The availability of public facilities and urban services
is critical to the provision af desirable citizen housing, however the
provision of those services may not be desirable in some instances.
Where public facilities and urban services are not fully available
concurrent with proposed citizen housing, issues regarding the fiscal
impact of providing such services arise, Further, even where the
developer proposes to pay the entire cost for the provision of public
facilities and urban services, where such faciliti~s and services are
proposed outside of the metro areas significant land use issues may
be implicated. For example, the provision of public facilities and urban
services outside of metro areas may fundamentally change the
character of the area and contribute to undesirable sprawl
development which has social, financial and environmental
consequences that should be avoided.
~rn~ tJo
~~~
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~-VO
Criteria A: Are all necessary public facilities and urban services
available concurrently with the development of the site or phasing of
the proposed development? If there is not full public facility and urban
service concurrency at the time of the consideration of the site or
proposed development, or the developer proposes to provide such
services in a non-metro area, then consider:
1. Is the provision of public facilities and urban facilities realistic
in this location?
2. Is the provision of public facilities and urban services
desirable for the proposed location?
3. Will the introduction of public facilities and urban services
result in a dramatic change to the community character of
the area and/or a fundamental change in the type of
historical use of the property? If the proposed location is
rural in character, consider whether public facilities and
urban services are appropriate in that particular rural area.
4. Who will pay the cost to make these services and facilities
available?
5. How would the provision of public facilities and urban
services in this particular location impact:
a. The character of the surrounding neighborhood?
b, The safety of the public?
c. The public treasury?
d. The level of service and capacity of roads servicing
the location (before and after development)?
e. The environment?
f. The visual experience from the public viewplanes and
neighboring properties?
DRAFT #1 FOR PuBUC HEARING, LAST REVlseo 4/23/98
PAGe140F18,
INTERIM ASPEN AREA CITIZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
GOALS AND POLICIES
.
.
6. Would the provision of public facilities and urban services in
this particular location encourage a sprawl development
pattem?
7, If phasing along with increases in services and facilities is
proposed, will these services and facilities really be available
concurrently with the completion of each phase of the
development (Le., when the occupants really need it)?
PmLOSOPHY/CRlTERIA B Philosoph v B: While the provision of citizen housing is important, it is
equally important that we preserve the character of our community and
natural environment. Citizen housing should not be developed where
such development will result in fundamental- incompatibilities or
fundamental changes in the character of any neighborhood or area.
Particularly where rural lands located outside of the metro areas are
implicated, careful consideration should be given to the issue of
whether citizen housing development will likely transform the character
of the area from rural to suburban or rural to urban,
Criteria B: Will the development of the site with citizen housing be
compatible with the neighborhood or area in which it is proposed?
What will the effect of the development of citizen housing be on the
character of the neighborhood or area? Will such development likely
result in a fundamental change in the character of the neighborhood or
area? (For example, will the development of citizen housing in the
area transform the character of the area from rural to suburban or
urban?)
PmLOSOPHY/CRITERIA C Philosoph v C: Citizen housing developments should emphasize non-
automotive transportation through site design that internally and
externally promotes. alternative transportation modes (Le., mass
transit, walking, biking, etc,).
Criteria C: Is the site or proposed development plan internally and
externally oriented to promote alternative, non-automotive transport?
Specifically:
1. Can the proposed site accommodate an intemal pedestrian-
oriented design? Or, if a specific development is proposed,
is the site design pedestrian-oriented? Does the internal site
design promote alternative, non-automotive transport?
2. Is the site or proposed development plan externally oriented
to promote alternative, non-automotive transport? Is it
reasonably accessible to existing and/or proposed
recreation/commuter trails, sidewalks and mass transit?
PmLosoPHY/CRiTERlAD Philosoph v D: Citizen housing should be visually compatible with its
surrounding environments, both built and unbuilt. The issue of visual
compatibility is particularly important from adjacent public and private
viewplanes and along identified scenic corridors.
DRAFT #1 FOR PUBUC HEARING, LAST REVISED 4123/98
PAGE 15 OF 18
GOALS AND POLICIES
INTERIM ASPEN AREA CITIZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
.
PHILOSOPHY/CRITERIA E
1,
;:h/
PHILOSOPHY/CRITERIA F
~~(
.
Criteria D: Is the site or proposed development plan visually
compatible with its surrounding environment (built and unbuilt) as seen
from the public and adjacent private viewplanes?
Philosoohv E: The under-development of certain citizen housing
sites is undesirable. Considering the carrying capacity of the land,
citizen housing sites should attempt to optimize the density of the site
to produce the greatest number and variety of needed citizen housing
types.
Criteria E: Does the site or proposed development plan optimize the
site's potential density, considering the maximum density appropriate
from a carrying capacity perspective (including transportation).
Philosoohv F: While achieving the optimal number of citizen housing
units considering the carrying capacity of a given site is important, it is
also vital that the proposed density and housing types be the type of
units identified by the City of Aspen/Pitkin County Housing Office in
their affordable housing guidelines and definitions and any applicable
local housing policies. (For example, 100 dormitory or 100 resident-
occupied units may not be as desirable as a mixture of category
types.)
Criteria F: Do the proposed density and housing types proposed
significantly contribute to the overall Aspen/Pitkin County and regional
housing goals and needs as identified by the City of Aspen/Pitkin
County Housing Office, and/or any subsequently created regional
housing authority, and/or applicable local housing policies?
DRAFT #1 FOR PUBue HEARING, LAST REVISED 4/23/98
PAGE 16 OF 18
INTERIM ASPEN AREA CmZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
GOALS AND POLICIES
.
.
PHILOSOPHY/CRITERIA G Phi/osoohv G: The opportunity for a high quality of life in any citizen
housing development is a critical component in attracting employees
(and retirees) to live in such housing. Ownership housing represents a
more desired type of housing and chance for a higher quality of life for
both the residents and their neighbors. The placement of citizen
housing within a neighborhood and also within a larger project should
preferably be dispersed among free market units and other housing
types. Infill development is highly desired.
Criteria G: Does the site or the proposed development plan provide
an opportunity for a high quality of life - both for those living in the
housing, as well as their neighbors? The type of housing in terms of
ownership versus rental units shall be considered in terms of the
quality of life as shall the mix of housing (in terms of category type and
integration/dispersal among free market units or other housing types).
PHILOSOPHY/CRITERIAH Philosoohv H: Citizen housing should be of good quality design and
construction, structurally sound and energy efficient. Quality design
and construction are important in terms of preserving the character of
of the Aspen area and also in terms of providing a lasting, high quality
of life for the residents of citizen housing,
Criteria H: Does the site present an opportunity for good quality
design and construction? Where a specific development plan is being
considered, are good quality design and construction proposed? What
will the operating costs of the unit be (e.g., heating' bills, etc.)?
Consider the likely economic life of the units proposed and weigh it
against the public subsidy for those units.
PHILosOPHY/CRITERIA I Phi/osoohv I: The design of citizen housing should utilize and
conserve the natural scenic features of the site, Site design should
conserve valuable and scenic natural features, and social
opportunities, based on site characteristics, should be promoted and
utilized.
Criteria I: Does the site or proposed development utilize and
conserve the natural scenic features of the site?
DRAFT #1 FOR PUBUC HEARING, LAST REVlseo 4123/98
PAGe 17 OF 18
INTERIM ASPEN AREA CITIZEN HOUSING
PLAN: PART I
GOALS AND POLICIES
.
.
PHILOSOPHY/CRITERIA J Philosoahv J: The development of citizen housing usually results in a
neutral or negative fiscal impact. However, the fiscal impact should
nonetheless be considered, particularly to the extent that such impact
varies by the type and location of the citizen housing developed. In
some instances where the negative fiscal impact of the development
of a particular site with citizen housing significantly exceeds the impact
of development of other citizen housing sites, consideration should be
given regarding the appropriateness of development in that instance.
Criteria J: What will the fiscal impact of the development of the site or
proposed development be? How does the fiscal impact of this
particular site or proposed development compare to other citizen
housing sites? If the proposed site has a negative fiscal impact that
significantly exceeds the fiscal impact of developing other citizen
housing sites, consider whether development is justified.
PHILOSOPHY/CRITERIA K philosoahv K: Citizen housing sites should be consistent with the
AACP, the DVCP and the Basalt Three Mile Plan, and any plans that
supercede or supplement these documents. Citizen housing sites
should also be consistent with any intergovernmental agreements
among Aspen, Basalt, Pitkin County or Snowmass.
Criteria K: Is the site consistent with the AACP, the DVCP and the
Basalt Three Mile Plan, and any plans that supercede or supplement
these documents? Is the site consistent with all adopted
intergovernmental agreements?
Employment In reviewing everf development application, for commercial and/or
Generation residential uses, the effect of the proposed use on the generation of
Considerations employees shall be considered. The type of person the use is
intended to attract and the likelihood that the proposed use will attract
persons who require a high level of service shall also be considered.
Employers of a significant number of employees who seek
development review approvals shall be required to provide housing for
substantially all of their generated employees near the proposed
development. (Examples would be the Aspen Skiing Company and
the former Ritz.)
PAGE180F18
DRAFT #1 FOR PUBUC HEARING, lAST REVISED 4/23/98
f.Jc+4Ift. IT "J!.~"
RESOLUTION OF THE PITKIN COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING
COIVfMlSSION ADOPTING THE PITKIN COUNTY CITIZEN HOUSING PLAN AS
Al'l tJPDATE TO THE 1987 DOWNY ALLEY PLAN
Resolution No. PZ-98-~
I. Pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute (hereinafter reterred to as C.R.S.) 30-28-
106, "it is the duty of the County Planning COmmission to make and adopt a master plan
for physical development of the unincorporated territory of the County:'
2. C.RS. 30-28-108 states that Planning COmmissions may adopt their master plans
in whole, or as the work progresses, in parts thereot: and may amend. extend or add to
their master plans.
3. C.R.S. 30-28-106 E. provides that in creating the master plan, the Planning
Commission may take into consideration the availability of :mordable housing within the
County or region.
4. The Pitkin County Down Valley Plan, which was adopted by Pitkin Counry in
1987, addressed the issue of affordable housing in a general manner. The Aspen Area
Community Plan (hereinafter referred to as the "AACP") was jointly adopted by the City
of Aspen and Pitkin County in 1993. The AACP identified a specific need for affordable
housing and identified potential development sites, but provided no criteria upon which to
rank potential affordable housing sites or areas in the Context of overaII Community goals
and policies.
5. The following public meetings and public hearings were held by the Planning and
Zoning Commission in order to solicit public COmment on the development of a Citizen
Housing Plan drafted to establish affordable housing development criteria in the context
of broader Community goals:
July 28, 1997
August 25, 1997
September 9, 1997
September 30, 1997
October 6, 1997
October 20, 1997
November 13, 1997
November 18, 1997
December 2, 1997
January 13, 1998
January 27, 1998
February 10, 1998
February 24, 1998
Public Meeting
Public Meeting
Public Meeting
Public Meeting
Public Meeting
Public Meeting
Public Meeting
Public Meeting
Public Meeting
Public Hearing
Public Hearing
Public Hearing
Public Hearing
111111I1111I11111111111I11111111111I111 11111111 11111111
414597 13/17/1998 84:18P RESOLUTI DAVIS SILYI
t ...1 ~ a .. _ _ _ __ .. _ __
"--- --~-._..-
March 3,1998
Public Hearing
6. Upon adoption, the Plan will apply to all properties within the Down Valley Plan
planning area boundary identified on map Exhibit "B," e:<:cept those which cmrently have
a vested site specific development plan.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOL YED by the Pitkin County Planning and Zoning
Commission that it does hereby adopt the Pitkin County Citizen Housing Plan (attached
as Exhibit" Xi as an amendment to the housing element of the Down V alley Plan. The
Housing Plan shall function as an Interim Plan with respect to housing until such time as
the Down V alley Plan as a whole is updated.
NOTICE OF PUBUC HEARING PUBLISHED IN THE .\SPEN TIMES on
the 13th day ofDecember, 1997 .
INTRODUCED, FIRST READ, AT A PUBLIC HEARING at a special meeting
on the 13th day of January, 1998.
DISCUSSED AJ.~ CONTINUED AT SECOND READING on the 27th day of
January, 1998.
DISCUSSED A.i.~ CONTINUED AT THIRD READING on the 10th day of
February, 1998.
DISCUSSED A.i.~ CONTINUED AT FOURl'H READING on the 24th day of
February, 1998.
APPROVED A.i.~ ADOPTED AT 5TH READING ON THE 3RD DAY OF
MARCH. 1998.
CERIll")J!;D TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON THE
18TH DAY OF MARCH. 1998.
PUBLISHED AnlW.<. ADOPTION IN THF. ASPv:N TIMES on the 21st day of
March, 1998.
.__"_"_,__... __'___'U.
. IIIIIII 11111 1IIIIIIIillllllllIII 1IIIIIflllllllllfilIliI-
414517 113/1711118 84: lIP RESOLUTI IlAYIS SILYI
2 ., 22 R .... D.... N '.fIe PITKIN COUNTY CO
2
ATTEST:
~ a~~~
L ce Clarke,
CO=unity Development Deputy Director
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
(&n,f1n~ :1 .5'. qe
Cindy Houben
Co=unity Development Director
. 111111I111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
414!17 13/17/1998 M;18P RESOLUTl DAVIS SILvt
3 ., 22 It .,.. D.... N .... 1"11I<%N COUNTY CO
PITKIN COUNTY PLANNING
AND ZONING COMMISSION
BY D~ ~
David Gifl' Chairman
DATE 3 'CJp'
APPROVED AS TO FORlv[:
~-~~
John Ely
CountV' . y
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WITNESS LisT*
AGENDA ITEM:
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NAME OF WITNESS:
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2, 'Pit Ie.- ~(~ , si?J.ff
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* Includes staff persons, but excludes staff attorney and board members.