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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.apz.20171219Regular Meeting Planning & Zoning Commission December 19, 2017 1 Mr. Skippy Mesirow, Chair, called the December 19, 2017 meeting to order at 4:30 PM with members Rally Dupps, Kelly McNicholas Kury, Spencer McKnight and Ryan Walterscheid present. Also present from City staff; Mr. James R. True and Ms. Jennifer Phelan. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS There were none. STAFF COMMENTS: Ms. Manning stated the City is still seeking applications for open board positions. PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were none. MINUTES Mr. Walterscheid moved to approve the minutes from December 5, 2017; seconded by Mr. Dupps. All in favor, motion carried. DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST There were none. Aspen Pedestrian Mall Project – Review Design Alternatives Tim Thompson, asset department, introduced Mike Albert and Darla Calloway from Design Workshop. Mr. Albert told the Commission they are going to share the results of the analysis that has been completed and present the three alternatives. They hope the best attributes of each rise to the top for the best plan. The focus is mainly on the above grade improvements. As far as the schedule goes, they are contracted for Phase I and II. The goals have been established by the community to maintain the historical integrity and character. It will explore innovative ways to improve the stormwater system as well as replace aging utilities. The goal is to retain the malls as an urban park, increase accessibility and engage the public and business owners. There has been rigorous community engagement for the last year. We asked the community their priorities. Responses included character, vitality and updating the utilities as the highest priorities. The David Fountain as well as the fire pit need some consideration. Art should be looked at as well as the information kiosk and the Sister Cities plaza. We asked about the paving, should the future mall retain the look of the current brick and 90 percent of the respondents replied yes. They also suggested additional furniture, water features and at grade plantings. We asked what kind of events would be appropriate. The most popular were small musical performances, talks and outdoor dining. We considered flexible elements including art, flowers and food and beverage carts. There were a number of questions about lighting and benches. Most came back as what we currently have is great. There was a common theme that there is not enough bike and ski storage. Ms. Callaway said as far as infrastructure, any stormwater improvements will meet the urban drainage master plan. We will treat all the surfaces. It is common to treat private parcels within the right of way. However, this is more of a policy discussion. To treat the adjacent private parcels would not require a Regular Meeting Planning & Zoning Commission December 19, 2017 2 great deal more infrastructure. Stormwater strategies do not impact the integrity of the mall. It will be achieved mostly through permeable paving. There will need to be some underground infiltration. This is not how the mall drains today with the curb and gutter system. This past summer we investigated all the utilities through potholing and found a mixed bag of conditions. Most impactful to businesses and users are the water and electrical lines. We could just replace what is there today. There would be significant impacts to the trees. There is also the question of should the utilities be closer to the buildings. It may make sense for this project to preserve the trees. Could the utilities go in the alley. The reality is most of the services today are located in the malls. It would require re-routing to the alleys and significant construction impacts. We are looking at where the lines go and what the impact to the trees will be. As far as accessibility, over a five percent grade would not be ADA compliant. There are multiple directions of travel on the mall. To make it ADA compliant all the cross slopes need to be at two percent. That is not possible with the connection to the businesses. Most of the mall services will be replaced to bring it up to ADA standards. One option is can the center of Hyman and Cooper be left alone with the existing paving and how do we address the slopes. They would need to rise up to meet the direction of travel. There has been lots of conversation around brick and maintaining the historic character. We shipped the different brick types to a manufacturer in Denver to see if they could be replicated without the date stamp. They can. All the options have similar construction impacts as far as timeline and will result in significant costs. Mr. Albert spoke about the three alternatives. Option one is stay the course. This most closely aligns with what is there today. He gave a virtual tour of the mall. The street crossings would be painted running diagonal at the corners. The dancing fountain would be repaired to today’s standards. The crab apple trees would be removed off site during the utility replacement. Outdoor dining stays the same along the sides of the buildings at Mill. The bridges and crossings are replaced as is. The trees would be replanted. The Kai Davis fountain stays as it is but the water level would be lifted up for more public interaction. One to two parking spaces would be removed at the corners and replaced with bike racks and trash receptacles. The playground would be brought up to today’s standards with a nature theme. The restrooms stay in place. The Sister Cities plaza would be relocated to the node in front of the old McDonalds building to the original diamond shape. For outdoor dining on Cooper and Hyman some would stay against the buildings and some would be in the middle. We would work to create better passage ways across the malls. All alternatives look at the replacement of the information kiosk, this option would stay in the same location. He showed images of the nature inspired playground. All alternatives look at a connection to Durant Street. This alternative is just an expanded eight foot sidewalk with trees between the sidewalk and buss pull in with rain gardens for the stormwater. Alternative two is more community activity. It is a similar design with a few opportunities to increase programming. Instead of a painted cross walk at the Wheeler intersection it is concrete. The dancing fountain is repaired. There is the same tree and dining configuration along Mill Street. The main difference at Hyman and Cooper is the dining is relocated to the middle. This option rebuilds the Kai Davis fountain. There is an expanded curb to the east to increase the pedestrian crossing. The playground is upgraded to an imagination playground. The Sister Cities plaza stays much like today. There is the opportunity for flexible games at Wagner park to activate the space. The community is open to additional water features at the Galena node. The fire pit is removed in all three alternatives. He showed images of the playground. The Durant connection will have additional plantings. There is a bike shelter included in this alternative. Alternative three looks at building the South Mill connection. Mill Street has changed the most since the original connection. This will introduce brick and concrete into the crossing. The dancing fountain is repaired. The existing crab apple trees would be replaced with a non-fruit bearing ornamental tree. Along Hyman and Cooper will be similar but outdoor dining is detached from the buildings and placed along the gutters. The Kai Davis fountain is reconstructed with a cascading water feature. There is a lot Regular Meeting Planning & Zoning Commission December 19, 2017 3 of change at the Cooper and Sister Cities area. The restrooms are reconstructed to increase visibility to the park and open it up. There could be a way to increase the size of the restrooms to increase capacity as well as a pavilion. We asked if the Sister Cities area could become more. This alternative includes a misting fountain. The Paradise Bakery side of the curb would be reconstructed to improve the crossing. There would be locations for rotating art at the Galena node. The playground focuses on flexible elements. The Durant connection would have paved surfaces, street trees and bike and ski storage. Ms. Calloway reviewed the questionnaire results. Maintaining the historic character was the highest priority with utilities being next. Also favorable is improving the Wagner park edge. The highest vote of any question was relocating the restrooms. Mr. Mesirow asked if the replacement of the water lines would affect the trees. Some won’t be replaced. Mr. Albert replied it depends on the alternative. Ms. Calloway said the crab apples can be reused. Some of the trees are too large to box up, store then reuse. It will come down to what the arborist says. We will come back with a proposed tree planting plan. Mr. Mesirow asked for the Durant connection, will there still be a curb on the street side. Ms. Calloway replied yes. Mr. Dupps asked if alternative three were to go forward what would the construction phasing be. Mr. Thompson stated that will be an ongoing conversation with the public and business owners. Those are the big questions we need to tackle as a group. We need to know the impacts to the business owners and the costs. We won’t know the time frame until we know the preferred option. Mr. Dupps asked if funding has been secured. Mr. Thompson said we are moving towards a preferred option now and looking at financing options. Ms. McNicholas Kury asked if the preferred alternative is being designed with a budget in mind. Mr. Thompson replied we don’t have a number today. Mr. Walterscheid asked if they have started thinking about the how. Ms. Calloway replied we are very conceptual but starting to talk about the details. Mr. Walterscheid asked what is the future for the current restroom building. Mr. Thompson stated it would be relocated to another city project. We are heading towards moving the building. Mr. Walterscheid asked if it is shifted down is it still in the view plane. He is curious what the height of a new building in a new location would be. He also asked if there has been discussion driving the playground configuration. Ms. Calloway said we are trying to build in more age groups within the space. Mr. Dupps said engineering had a presentation that we are moving curbs and gutters to a more European style. Is this design doing that. He also said that pedestrians and cars are all on the same level and managed by pylons for a safer alternative. Mr. Albert said that will be the case at the Wheeler and Paradise crossings. It is our intent to maintain that. There is ongoing dialogue about the security question. Ms. McNicholas Kury asked if there is discussion about getting rid of the information kiosk. Mr. Thompson replied yes. She said the structure blocks views any way you look. She likes the posters but there is information at the Wheeler and Chamber. She does not love it. Kevin Dunnett, parks, said the plan is to redesign and lighten it. Mr. Albert replied it seems like it is necessary and desired. It creates a node where people gather and go. Mr. Mesirow asked about building the connection to the natural element. Mr. Thompson stated that will come forward in the next design. Regular Meeting Planning & Zoning Commission December 19, 2017 4 Ms. McNicholas Kury said focusing on the Sister Cities area, it is important to have it realigned as the square rather than the circle. It reflects more of the historic restoration and matches the design of the other nodes. Mr. Dupps agreed that it opens the corner more into its own node. He likes the idea of the water feature. Mr. Mesirow said he does not want to lose the outdoor game aspect. He likes the natural option for the playground. Mr. Dupps said he thinks the crab apples should remain. They are historic with a patina, age and significance. Mr. Thompson said they have been a big conversation and on people’s minds. Mr. Dupps said historic trees are being preserved all around Aspen. Mr. Walterscheid said he is surprised people are in favor of moving the restroom. He is less inclined for a structured shade shelter and would rather see just trees. Mr. Alberts said there may be trees on the north and south side to provide shade. We have not got to that level of detail. Mr. Walterscheid asked what is historic about the Kai Davis fountain. Ms. Calloway replied the fountain and the curb. Mr. Mesirow said he likes the option with the seating. He asked if the water level could be brought higher. Ms. McNicholas Kury asked if that needs to wait for this project. Ms. Calloway replied the edge condition could wait. Ms. McNicholas Kury said extending the curbs would be great. Mr. Mesirow and Mr. Walterscheid agreed. Mr. Dupps said he also likes the seating around the fountain and an extended place to walk. Mr. Walterscheid said he understands the dining alignment on either side. He is not opposed to stuff in the middle but understands the concern. He could see one street being different from the other. Mr. Mesirow asked if there is more available space for dining in one of the options. Mr. Albert replied he is not sure. Mc. McNicholas Kury said she likes Ryan’s suggestion. She would hate to see the Cooper mall lost to dining down the center. Mr. Mesirow said he is concerned with the middle option creating the opportunity for it to feel privatized. Mr. Walterscheid asked if the larger trees contribute to the different feel to the streets. Ms. McNicholas Kury said the Galena water feature would be great. She is a fan of whimsy and public art. She likes the idea of rotating exhibits. Mr. Mesirow said he is on board with more public art. Ms. Calloway said they will identify locations for proposed art. Mr. Mesirow said he likes the conversation of food carts and street vendors. Mr. Dupps said he loves alternative three and that is the direction to go in. Mr. Dupps excused himself from the meeting. Ms. McNicholas Kury said she thinks there is room for discussion about achieving accessibility along the center. Mr. Walterscheid asked if parks has commented about the trees. Pete Rice, engineering said mostly it is trees four to six inches in diameter that could be relocated. Ms. Calloway said in some conditions it is only two. Mr. Mesirow said he likes the fire pit. It is a gathering place. He understands the fuel used but it is a nice part of the mall. Ms. Calloway said others have also said that. Mr. Thompson said the conversation of energy usage comes up. Mr. Walterscheid said it is a nice feature in the winter. Ms. McNicholas Kury asked how the brick search is going. Ms. Calloway stated they have confirmed with the manufacturer that they can make an in-kind replacement. Mr. Walterscheid said it would be nice Regular Meeting Planning & Zoning Commission December 19, 2017 5 to put the completion date on the brick. Mr. Mesirow said he is not in favor of snowmelt. Mr. Walterscheid said a lot of businesses ask for it. Ms. Calloway stated they will return to P&Z as the design progresses. At 6:10 p.m. Ms. McNicholas Kury moved to adjourn; seconded by Mr. Walterscheid. All in favor, motion carried. Linda Manning, City Clerk