HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.apz.19831129
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
FORM ~O C. F. HOECKEl 6, 8. 11: L. ~ 0,
Regular Meeting
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 29, 1983
vice Chairman Welton Anderson called the meeting to order with members David
White, Jasmine Tygre, Lee Pardee, Paul Sheldon and Rogert Hunt present.
L-l/L-2 LODGE GMP COMPETITION - Aspen Mountain Lodge Additional Review
Requirements
Sunny Vann, planning director, said this meeting it to review other requirement
in the application and to make a decision on the quota, if possible. Vann
presented a scoring summary. The GMP process for the Aspen Mountain Lodge is
only the first step for this project. All the steps will be reviewed by P & Z
and/or by Council. Vann said other reviews are conceptual PUD/ subdivision
review, two rezonings, exemption from GMP for employee housing, two change in
use exemptions, two street vacations, a possible view plane review and a
possible amendment to a previous application on this site. The Commission
scheduled a site visit for 4 p.m. Tuesday, December 6th.
Vann said the site is a composite of parcels and presented a chart showing
these. The applicant proposes to build a 480 unit hotel on the northern
portion of the site, 30 to 35 residential units on the southern portion, and
a 12 unit project at the 700 South Galena. This applicant has competed for
the lodge portion of the project. The residential competition will take
place in January. The applicants want a restaurant association with the
which will have to go through the commercial competition in the spring.
P & Z is looking at conceptual PUD for the lodge portion of the overall
hotel
The
site.
To be eligible for PUD, the applicant has to demonstrate reasonableness of
the proposal, conformity to design requirements, lack of adverse impacts on
the community, and consistency with the planning regulation. These regulations
were designed to encourage flexibility; these regulations enable the P & Z to
vary the area and bulk requirements except for density and uses. Vann said
the hotel and residential uses can be accommodated without rezoning. Vann
said where the applicant is taking advantage of PUD regulations is in the
overall external FAR and the heighth regulations. L-2 zone has a 28 foot
height restriction.
Vann told P & Z the planning office feels that this project is consistent
with the intents, purposes and design parameters of the PUD process. Vann
said, generally, successful competition in GMP indicates the majority of
impacts or mitigated or an applicant would not score high enough in the
categories to win the competition. The planning office feels, in this project,
under the conceptual PUD process there are a number of concerns that should be
addressed.
The major area of concern has to do with Architectural design/visual impact of
this project. This concern is echoed in the planning office scores and also
those of P & z. The planning office thinks the project is innovative and the
applicant has tried to reduce the bulk associated with a project of this size.
A substantial portion of the project is subgrade, all parking is subgrade.
Vann said in several of the elevations, the scale of the project is inconsis-
tent with adjacent uses with a substantial impact from a visual point of view.
Vann said a major concern is the facades of the building that are visual from
town as a whole. The applicant asked this be addressed later to see if the
architect will arrive.
Vann said the applicant scored highly in traffic, parking and circulation;
however, the planning office is concerned about the implications of the impact
on parking and traffic associated with a project this size. Vann said he
would like specific proposals the applicant intends to implement to mitigate
parking and circulation before preliminary PUD. Another area of concern is
the requested street vacations and a number of encroachments into public rights.
of way. The applicant is requesting the vacation of Dean street between
Galena and Monarch and Lawn street from Monarch to the interior of the site.
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Regular Meeting
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 29, 1983
The applicant is requesting an encroachment on Mill street for the pedestrian
bridge, and encroachments for the parking garage. Jay Hammond, engineering
department, pointed out the vacations on the map. Lawn street is a dead end,
two full blocks of Dean street. Hammond said the engineering department views
Lawn street as relatively unimportant for circulation; it dead ends within the
site. Lawn street services properties all owned by the applicant. The
westerly block of Dean, the circulation impacts would be minimal if vacated
because it would remain a street through the site. Hammond recommended if
the street is vacated, public use be maintained. Hunt questioned if this plan
would allow semi-trucks access. Hammond said both bridges should be of a
height to allow semis to pass under.
Hammond said the other block of Dean would be eradicated by the site plan and
would be lost to circulation. Hammond said in the cases where the rights-of-
way are lost, he is suggesting it should be made clear that the city can have
contact with those utilities in the rights-of-way. These utilities should
either not be impacted and that any routing needs that may be impacted are
accommodated by the site plan in another fashion. Hammond said the site plan
will improve circulation significantly. There are currently a number of
conflicts in that area; this site plan will reduce these conflicts to only
four points, as opposed to existing 12 points of conflict. Hammond said
the engineering department view the trade offs as positively.
Hammond said in any vacation the city is giving up certain rights. The site
plan should be evaluated so that the off site improvements proposed by the
applicant would compensate the city for the rights-of-way through the project.
Hammond said the encroachments include a bridge, the underground structure
that will connect the two underground parking structures, loop access to the
underground parking, and a grease trap extending into the sidewalk. On Mill
street there is a pedestrian structure that will connect the two main hotel
structures. Hammond supports this request as it will allow guests to access
either side without getting to the street level. In the case of the under-
ground encroachment, it will allow the site plan to work more efficiently.
Sheldon asked if the overpass would only be pedestrian access. Vann said there
will be a lounge there. Hammond said another encroachment is a loop structure
for parking on Durant, and the grease trap on Monarch. The engineering depart-
ment support the Mill street request but does not support either Durant or
Monarch encroachments at this time. Hammond has asked the applicant for more
details for these two. Hammond said he felt the grease trap should be
accommodated on site.
John Doremus said the loop onto Durant is because the site is constrained due
to the number of parking spaces requires. There will be two levels of parking.
Doremus proposed to have a revocable license for this encroachment should the
city need it in the future. Doremus said the grease trap may not be important
and they will try and find another solution. Doremus said the applicant is
willing to discuss the rights the city wants on Dean, it should be a shared
use. Doremus said as far as payment in-kind for the rights-of-way, he would
like to be able to prove the applicant is going beyond normal expectations as
far as improvements for the whole neighborhood. Hammond said what he is
asking is that it be clear the developer is doing alot of off site improvements
which will be of value to the neighborhood and the city.
Hunt said on west Dean street the Mountain Chalet has visitor parking there,
and what rights will the Mountain Chalet have. Hammond said in the vacation,
the entire street would be vacated to the applicant with the exception of
the frontage of the Mountain Chalet. If the city vacates this street, the
Mountain Chalet would have to pick up the other half. Pardee said he is
uncomfortable with the licensing approach. The P & Z should either allow the
encroachment or not.
Pardee said he feels very strongly against the bridge across Mill street.
Pardee said he feels the city needs the project but is should be kept as
invisible as possible and fit into the other structures as possible.
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
FORM," C.F.HOECKELB.B.I.tL.LO.
Continued Meeting
Planning and Zoning Commission
-3-
November 29, 1983
White suggested if the city vacates the street, there should be an exchange for
an overpass pedestrian walkway to Rubey park. This area of the city is very
dangerous for pedestrian. This could be underground rather than an overpass
just some way of transporting pedestrians to Wagner and Rubey park. Pardee
said if the applicant is going to improve the intersections, maybe they would
heat the intersections and sidewalks to make it safer. White said he feels
strongly something should be done for people crossing Durant street. White
said he also would like the arrival of buses at this site addressed by the
architect.
Ms. Tygre said she is not thrilled with the overpasses, this adds to the visual
impact. Ms. Tygre suggested the bridge be lowered to still allow vehicular
access but lessen the visual impact. Ms. Tygre said she like the idea of
heated sidewalks because Durant street is very icy and the facade of the hotel
will exacerbate the problem. Hunt agreed the Mill street bridge should be
kept to a minimum height. Hunt would like to see some access to Rubey park
for pedestrians. Hunt said he would rather see an underpass to Rubey park
than surface or an overpass.
The applicant told P & Z the traffic consultant did not feel an overpass over
Durant street was practical or productive. The applicant said they will go
back to the traffic consultant for suggestions and ideas. Vann said the P & Z
could add their concerns to the review over circulation or Rubey park, the
issue of reimbursement and what the applicant is proposing to do off site, and
have the applicant come back with additional information at the preliminary
plat stage. Pardee said the vacations could be acceptable if there are
sufficient reimbursements in-kind to the neighboring community, the traffic
flow, access to Rubey park.
Vann said this project is a subdivision to separate the lodge portion of the
PUD from the residential portion. This is not referenced in the conceptual
PUD and the plat should be submitted at preliminary PUD. Vann said an area
of concern is the ownership of the property. The city attorney said after
reviewing this, ownership is sufficient to allow competition under GMP as well
as PUD review. There needs to be a survey of the area as a condition of
conceptual PUD. Ms. Tygre brought up the Woodstone application and that
several units at the Alpina Haus were deed restricted for employee housing for
the Woodstone. With the change in ownership, these units seem to have
disappeared. Ms. Tygre said when the ownership is straigtened out, she would
like these units to stay on the books as deed restrictied units. City
Attorney Taddune said his policy is that any deed restrictions that benefit
the city be placed first priority over any encumbrances. Taddune said the
problem is that deed restrictions are placed on record after prior liens.
Taddune suggested that any deed restrictions with this project be established
first in priority. Taddune said his opinion is that these deed restrictions
were put in after the mortgages on the property, that the foreclosure has
voided those restrictions. Taddune said this might not affect this project,
but the Woodstone is being noticed this might jeopardize their approval.
Vann said these units will not be lost from the inventory; however, the
Woodstone will have to provide some units. Taddune said the solution may be
money in lieu. Ms. Tygre said generally over the years units have been deed
restricted and then disappear. Taddune agreed he is upset that approvals are
granted based on providing employee units; the approvals are granted, but the
city does not get employee units. Hunt agreed and stated he voted against
the Woodstone approval because of the provision of employee units at the
Alpina Haus and parking at the Continental. Taddune said the parking situatim
is the same.
Pardee asked what the letter of consent is consenting to. Vann said this is
a request from the city attorney's office as part of the ownership documents.
Continued Meeting
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 29, 1983
Taddune said his concerns have been satisfied. Vann told P & Z the health
department, in its referral, has noted specific concerns dealing with the
operations proposed. These are not appropriate to conditions for conceptual
approval. These have been provided to the applicant.
Anderson said because of the effect of the Cantrup bankruptcy on the general
economy of Aspen, he would like a requirement to use local contractors as much
as practical and possible. Taddune said that may be the inclination of an
applicant, but to impose that as a condition would be irregular. Anderson
said there is a precedent for doing this legislatively. Taddune said there
is precedent for this in public projects. Pardee said he feels this is not
part of the P & Z venue. The contractors here will bid like the rest of
people in business. Doremus told P & Z they are of the same mind themselves,
and want to use locals wherever possible. Sheldon said the are where this is
germaine is in in-kind concessions to the city of Aspen in exchange for the
street rights-of-way.
Pardee said this is the biggest project ever for Aspen, and this will take up
allocations for future years. No one can be sure the project will be built,
there are a number of contingencies, etc. Pardee said he felt any future
allocations should be contingent upon absolute starting of the project and
keeping to schedule. Pardee said he is uncomfortable about giving future
allocations to this project and having it sit around like all the others.
Vann said the architect cannot make it, and suggested taking up the design
issues next week and continue through the issues in the memorandum.
Vann said the applicant is requesting four rezonings, only two of which are
germaine to the lodge portion of the project. One rezoning is on the hotel
site, which is the L-l strip just south of Durant street which takes in
the Blue Spruce, Chase duplex, Mountain Chalet, parking lot. The applicant is
requesting it be rezoned to C-L. The second rezoning relates to the employee
housing which is off site. The planning office requests this be postponed
pending further information.
Vann said CL is a zone district which allows commercial useage at street level
and lodge uses above. This is a transition zone between the commercial core
and pure lodge uses. Vann said private rezoning requests are heard in April
and October. The code allows P & Z or Council, upon request, may sponsor a
rezoning request. The rationale for this request at this time is that it may
be heard at the same time as the PUD. The applicant's argument is the
increased traffic on Durant street makes it no longer practical for construc-
tion of lodge uses at ground level, and CL zoning is more appropriate. Vann
said the planning office feels there is some truth in the statement. The
architectural design does not provide the types of uses allowed under CL
zoning and is inconsistent with the intent of the CL zone district. The
street uses as proposed as accessory hotel operations, not street level
commercial uses.
Vann said the planning office feels the primary reason for this request is to
take advantage of the greater FAR in the CL zone. The L-l, L-2 FAR is 1:1,
the FAR in CL is 2:1. However, an application under PUD allows the variance
of the FAR requirements of the underlying zone district if the project meets
the criteria for PUD development. If this is zoned CL, the variance being
requested is less than that in L-l district. Vann said the planning office
feels a rezoning should not be gone through just to make the numbers look
better but if the project makes sense as a project. Vann said he feels there
is no benefit, even to the applicant, other than a statistical one, or to
the city by rezoning this property.
Vann said the Mountain Chalet is a co-applicant in the rezoning of their
property to CL. This would provide an opportunity, under CL, for the recon-
struction of the Mountain Chalet. This would allow a 32 foot height
restriction in the CL, rather than 28 feet. Vann said it is not necessary to
facilitate the uses proposed by the applicant. Vann told P & Z the one non-
accessory use in the proposal is a restaurant where the Blue Spruce is located.
Vann said an accessory commercial space may be constructed in conjunction with
a lodge GMP application. This restaurant will require a commercial GMP
allocation because there is no credit in the existing property. This is a
conditional use in the L-l zone district. Vann said the CL is not required
in order to allow the construction of this restaurant.
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
FORM 50 C.F.HOECKEL6,B.8c L. CO,
Continued Meeting
Planning and Zoning Commission
-5-
November 29, 1983
The planning office recommends P & Z deny the request to sponsor the rezoning
and recommend to Council if they consider sponsorship, they also deny the
request for rezoning.
Doremus said there were some things the applicant did not know about the code
when they proposed this rezoning. Doremus said he had not realized a restau-
rant could be a use by special review in the L-l zone. Doremus said the
applicant was not sure that a restaurant was the only commercial they wanted
for that space. Doremus said if the park were not across the street, it
would be zoned CC and this site would be a could CL transition zone. Doremus
said rooms on the first floor at this site are totally unappropriate.
Pardee said if this is not rezoned, the only thing the applicant would lose
is the flexibility of the 8,000 square foot parcel. Pardee asked what the
other conditional uses are. Vann said satellite dishes, time sharing and
restaurant. Vann agreed if the park was not across the street it is possible
this might have been zoned CC or CL, but the park is there and it is an
amenity. The L-l and L-2 zones extend to the west and to the north and is
a logical transition to the development patterns that have occurred. Vann
said the staff is concerned about extending CL up to Monarch, and the ability
to maintain an argument against further CL zoning.
Hunt said from a land use point of view, he feels it inappropriate to allow
buildings with store fronts facing on a park. Hunt said he is not disposed
towards rezoning. Joe Wells told P & Z the applicant is filing this week
the PUQ for the balance of the site, the residential GMP application. Wells
said there has been a change in the residential program. Vann said the
planning office is deferring comments until they have seen the new material.
White said he is concerned if this goes to CL zoning, it has doubled the
price of the Mountain Chalet. There will be pressure from other lodges to
do the same thing. The P & Z recommended against CL zoning for the Buckhorn.
White said the Commission should make variances for this project through
other means other than rezoning.
Anderson opened the public hearing for rezoning from L-l to CL.
Don Crawford, citizen, is opposed to the rezoning and creating more commercial
zones. The existing establishment need support not more competition. Vann
gave a letter from Crawford for the record. Carol Fuller, resident, said
she resented this being treated by some individuals as a public project.
The amenities are meant for the hotel's guests. Ms. Fuller said she could
not believe that this concrete corridor with this density up two main streets
blocking the view of Aspen mountain can be considered. Ms. Fuller said there
is nothing charming about this project. Vann gave a letter from Ms. Fuller
for the record.
Alan Shaffer asked if P & Z could approve a rezoning qualified by the appli-
cant to restrict his FAR. Vann said it is difficult to condition rezonings.
In this application, P & Z could rezone the site and achieve the same result
through the PUD restrictions. The P & Z could rezone to give flexibility
for the use but reduce the bulk through PUD. Vann said he did not feel
rezoning should be used to permit uses at this site when the implications
for the Mountain Chalet are so signficant. Taddune said if the applicant
offers restrictions to induce the city to rezone, the restrictions become
more legally enforceable. Richman said the concerns of the planning office
go beyond the FAR; disbursement of commercial zones throughout the community
is not desirable. Vann said the staff finds it difficult to support this
request within the rezoning requirements.
Marge Riley, representing the committee to preserve open space, stated
the committee does not object to the hotel but does object to the extra
commercial space proposed and the rezoning. The committee feels that
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Continued Meeting
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 29, 1983
present zoning is sufficient. The committee would like to know how much
commercial space would provided under existing zoning and how much would
exist with the zoning change. The committee would like to know how many
hotel rooms would be allowed under the existing zoning and how many with the
change in zoning. Vann said this will be addressed at the next meeting under
design discussions. With respect to the commercial question, the entire
ground floor from Monarch to Galena could be commercial space. The construc-
tion of that space would be submit to GMP review. The rezoning would not
allow the construction of that space but would facilitate it.
Barbara Sharp told P & Z she agrees with every word Ms. Fuller said and totall]
opposes the zoning. Jeff Costly said if the planning office has reviewed the
rezoning request and has denied it because there is no viable benefit to the
city, the P & Z should follow this recommendation. Mary Peyton said if the
only way the developer can have a commercial success is to build a 50 foot
high way a block long, the Commission should question whether insuring a
developers commercial success is more important than maintaining the scale
and atmosphere.
Anderson closed the public hearing.
Sheldon moved to deny the applicant's request for sponsorship of a rezoning
from L-l to CL for the Chase duplex apartments, Hillside lodge, and Blue
Spruce and Mountain Chalet and that a resolution be drawn to send to City
Council outlined the reasons for this denial; seconded by Hunt. All in favor
motion carried.
Vann said there is a second request for public hearing and rezoning, which is
the applicant's request for 50 employee housing units on Ute avenue. There
are some technical issues that need to be clarified. Vann asked the P & Z
continue this hearing until they have the information. The rezoning is
necessary to accommodate the mix of employee housing proposed for a 7~ acre
site located where the Little Annie area is. The city Council has previously
approved a similar rezoning for this site, which will lapse on December 31st
in the event Little Annie is not under construction. This should be continued
to another meeting and discussed in detail.
Anderson opened the public hearing.
Fred Pierce, attorney representing the Gant Condominiums, said he felt there
are some issues to be resolved and is glad this is continued. The Gant is
located close to these proposed 50 units for 101 employees. The Gant is a
luxury condominium and would like to maintain the integrity of the surround-
ing area. The Council did approve a rezoning for Little Annie, which expires
in December. This was on-site employee housing for Little Annie on their
property. This applicant is not putting the burden of employee housing on
their site but off-site. pierce said he felt the applicant should bear the
burden of employee housing on-site. The Gant condominium association opposes
the rezoning at this time, with more information about the proposal perhaps
some concerns could be alleviated.
Don Crawford said a lot of people use Ute avenue for jogging and bicycling and
he would not like to see this rezoned and become heavily congested with
employee housing. Pierce said the Little Annie approval required them to
widen Ute avenue for the additional traffic. Carol Fuller asked if the 400
cars in this proposal included cars for the employee housing. Doremus said
the car count did not include employee cars. One of the requirements of
employees is not to drive to work. Vann said the work for the GMP application
addressed the traffic in the vicinity of the hotel for guests and also for
employees. Joe Wells said the lodge district is designated for intense
tourist use; using that area for employee housing seems to be in contradiction
with the land use plan. There are stringent employee housing requirements in
the city Code, and there are limited sites offerring potential for employee
housing.
Hunt moved to table action on the
the public hearing to December 6,
motion carried.
rezoning of R-15 to R-6(RBO) and continue
1983; seconded by Ms. Tygre. All in favor
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RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
100 Leaves
FORM SO C.F.HOECKELB.B.&L,CO.
Continued Meeting
Planning and Zoning Commission
-7-
November 29, 1983
Vann said the next area is exemptions from the Code in GMP. There is a change
in use for the conversion of some existing units. Vann said the copper Horse
and Alpina Haus, planned for employee units, will require change in use.
This should be deferred to December 6th.
Vann said the applicant is requesting 480 units in this lodge. These are not
all units. The Code provides for the ability to tear down existing units
and reconstruct them outside GMP, as there is no net impact on the growth
rate associated with reconstruction. The applicants have conducted an
inventory on existing lodge, commercial and residential structures on their
property, verified it with the building department. The applicant submitted
a request for 277 lodge units; the staff concluded they could verify 269
units. The difference is some units that appear to illegally constructed or
demolished without a permit. The 269 units come from the Blue Spruce,
Continental and Aspen Inn plus 36 units currently under construction at the
Aspen Inn. Taddune said the 36 units are involved in litigation and are
part of an on-going review.
Vann told P & Z the applicant is requesting 211 units under the GMP process.
The successful competing in the GMP process allows the applicant 35 units
under the 1984 quota. The applicant is requesting a backlog of lodge units,
not counting the 36 at the Aspen Inn, which is an additional 50 units. The
applicant is also requesting 3~ years of future quota to construct this
project.
Alan Richman said there are 50 units remaining from previous years, 35 units
for 1984, and a request for 126 units from future years. The applicant is
requesting six years of quota plus one unit. Richman said on the pro side,
the clearest reason for wanting to give the entire allocation is that it is
a substantial upgrade to the community lodging inventory. Richman said
reconstruction of 269 units is an upgrade of 25 per cent of units in the
inventory. Richman said this would be the first addition to the lodge
inventory, and there is some justification to doing something substantial
for lodging in Aspen.
Richman said the proposal is consistent with the 1973 Aspen land use plan,
showing lodging accommodations at the base of Aspen mountain. Another pro
is by allowing the project, it would allow the developer to build the whole
project with amenities for tourists. Richman pointed out by allowing this
project at the base of the mountain, right across from the transit center,
this will help change Aspen's image. If P & Z gives the full allocation, it
will minimize the construction impacts as opposed to phasing it. Richman
said the P & Z must consider how they feel about a project of this magnitude
and to question what benefit there would be in making the project compete
in future years.
Richman said it will take a two year construction period for this project
and by the time the project is finished, another year of allocation would
have taken place. Richman said there are numberous cons to such a large
allocation. The most clearest con is the incompatibility with the basic
growth rate and policy of the community. There would be a large growth rate
in the city over the short term. Richman said there are other projects in
review, Centennial, Hotel Jerome, and Highlands Inn. If they all go, there
would be substantial growth rate. Another con of this allocation is that it
would preclude any other L-l, L-2 project from increasing their lodge or
building a new building. Richman said even if the P & Z allocates the
entire request, in each of the next three year 12 units would be available
on top of the quota. The Hotel Jerome's 65 units will also come out of
future years quotas.
Continued Meeting
Planning and Zoning Commission
November 29, 1983
Richman said the L-3 quota of 10 units per year would continue as a separate
quota. If the Copper Horse is taken out of L-3 and made employee housing,
that would bump up the L-3 quota. Richman said another con is if this
project would be a sign to theprivate section that a new boom is on the way.
Richman said if this does touch off some cyclical growth, the P & Z may
experience some inability of the infrastructure to handle the growth rate.
For instance, the transit center is undersized for the community now.
Another con, this project might result in some attrition in smaller operation"
in town due to competitiveness. The addition of 200 units at the base of
the mountain will further concentrate lodging in Aspen with the skiing
capacity located out of town.
Richman said P & Z has been working on growth policies, and this policy
suggests if P & Zsees a project that meets a substantial community priority
and does something necessary for the community, the policy suggests that
P & Z can use the quota flexibily, in terms of multi-year allocations, or
adjusting the quota. If P & Z feels this project meets an important communit~
priority, it is reasonable to consider a multi-year allocation. Richman
said the planning office feels the argument in terms of past years allocation
is very persuasive; however, there are problems with a 3~ years future
allocations with the bookkeeping and with the short term impact. Richman
said P & Z should consider how important it is to them to get the tourist
amenities the project is proposing. If P & Z can accept scaling down of the
amenities, perhaps the project is too large.
Vann pointed out it is important to consider that this applicant is upgrading
25 per cent of the existing lodge inventory, which may not happen if they do
not get the multi year allocation. The present owners of these lodges may
chose not to upgrade the lodges. This is a community priority in the
growth management policies. This project would provide a caliber of lodging
which does not exist in this community.
Ms. Tygre said the existing 269 units to be reconstructed, this years quota
of 35 and past years quota would be 354. Ms. Tygre asked the applicant if
the project would be viable with 354 units and phasing the rest over years.
Vann said he felt the number of units is probably driven by the cost of
acquiring the parcel. Doremus told P & Z in the planning of this project,
they used numbers that were feasible. The applicant took the numbers to
consultants, who studied these and said the numbers were feasible. There
are other projects to help support the hotel, like the residential projects.
It was carefully worked out, not only to be acceptable, but to be a winner
and to be feasible. Doremus said as a long time resident, he has resolved
this project will be a benefit to the community. There is a need for this
type of facility in this town.
Alan Novak told the Commission, the applicants imposed limitation upon them-
selves and took into account the accepted views of Aspen. The applicants
were concerned to have a facility with amenities to make it viable for year
round conference business and provide quality that is lacking on that site.
It is a plus to take the existing facilities and upgrade them. Novak said
they had discussed phasing the project, because Aspen likes to stick to the
growth management plan. Novak said this project cannot be built in sections.
The design attempted to make competitive facilities, and to take in the level
of amenities to make the project competitive, they have to be put in all at
once. They have excavated the project down two stories, there is variation
in height of two to four stories. The applicants have tried to do everything
within the rules and regulations and within the framework of the community.
Sheldon raised another point with the increased competition in the lodging
community and the attrition of smaller units, the Copper Horse would be
taking off 50 units off the bottom of the lodging community. The project
would be adding 211 units to the top. There would be a decrease of budget
units available. Sheldon said the airplane traffic arriving on Saturdays
for this project should be addressed. Pardee said he is hesitant to grant
future allocations for this project unless they proceed as planned.
Ms. Tygre moved to
motion carried.
adjourn at 7'45 p.m.; second~
IKathryn S KOCh'~y Clerk
All in favor,
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