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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.apz.19630129 I ., \ ~~ JOINT MEETING OF THE PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSIONS January 29, 196J The joint meeting of the City and County Planning & Zoning Commissions took place on Tuesday, January 29, 196J at City Hall. Present were: Sam Caudill, Richard Lai, Frank Humphrey, Herbert Bayer, Fredric Benedict, Ken Moore, Edward Morse, William McEachern and Henry Stein. Mr. Bayer welcomed the new members of the City Planning and Zoning Commission, Richard Lai and William McEacherq and ex- plained that the City and County Commissions meet ~ogether. He stated that an official letter of thanks and appreciation had been sent to Fred Glidden for his years of work on both. Mr. Bayer stated that he had finally received the ordinance on temporary outdoor signs from the City, and proposed taking it up at the next meeting. The purpose of the present meeting, he stated, was to consider the matter of annexation to the City of Aspen, particularly annexation of Calderwood. Mr. Bayer asked Mr. Benedict to prepare an explanation and information on annexation for the group; its meaning to the community and to the individual. Mr. Moore stated that he has a study made on annexation pre- pared by Trafton Bean for Boulder. There followed discussion on the benefits to the community to expand outside its boundaries, encouraging fringe areas which have a reasonable density, to annex. Whenever any section is to annex, it should be studied by the City and County Planning Commissions. When the area is not heavily populated, annexation would probably not be profitable or advantageous to the city. It was decided that this group should should try to determine guidelines for the future with regard to annexation, and should fill out a balance sheet on each particular case. In some areas it would be helpful to have them help carry the financial burden of the city. With regard to particular benefits, paving should be done through improvement districts raising bonded moneys. Better water facilities are needed in many low density areas. Mr. Moore stated that basically, residential land does not carry itself financially in a city - it has to be subsidized. He illustrated the capital investment which will be required for the annexa- tion of Riverside. There should be a plan, plat and balance sheet, and then evaluate proposed annexation. Electricity, water mains, streets, etC. were discussed. Cooperation between the city and county were urged in the matter of annexation. Mr. Moore proposed having one meeting a month on zoning and a meeting on planning. He felt that this body should be conversant with annexation with Mr. Wiener. He also felt that a meeting should be devoted to the Wiener contract for evaluation purposes in order to be prepared on these matters for questions of the legislative body. Mr. Stein felt that the city and county should be run as businesses with regard to annexation, and should gamble on the presently proposed annexation, as an experiment. Mr. Moore said that annexation by a city is an exertion of power and control. Annexation is not entirely a matter of financial success, but a matter of human values. Mr. Bayer stated that this meeting was to formulate an opinion on annexation and possibly advise City Council, though this body has not been asked for advice. An enormous amount of work is involved in delving into the matter, and each case must be appraised on its own merit. Mr. Bayer stated that subdivision regulations were prepared with Trafton Bean and presented to the County and have been put on the shelf. He feared presenting it to the City, expecting it to receive the same treatment. January 29, 196) 2. Mr. Moore said that he would request that City Council ask the opinion of the Zoning Commissions with regard to annexation. Ken Moore and Frank Humphrey were appointed a committee to delve into the matter of annexation and report back to the Zoning Commissions. Mr. Benedict stated that one-sixth of the perimeter of the area to be annexed must be contiguous to the city. Mr. Caudill and Mr. Morse were appointed a committee to read and compare subdivision regulations and make re- commendations for changes, comparing those for Gunnison. Dedication of public lands was discussed, and Mr. Stein felt that ten percent of all subdivision land should be donated to the public. Land under the Bureau of Land Management should be investigated. Mr. Moore stated that at the City Council meeting he had moved that annexation be tabled until the matter is studied by the Planning Board and advice obtained from it. Mr. Morse stated that land assessments were unrealistic and that a revision must be made before undeveloped land will be released in the city, as it is now being held for speculative purposes and not being utilized. Mr. Benedict has written to the County Commissioners on this matter. Mr. Bayer moved that Henry Stein discuss the matter with the County Commissioners to find out what can be done about the tax structure and unreal tax assessments. He said he would do this at the next County Commissioners meeting, February 6th, and asked that anyone who wished to talk on the matter accompany him. The meeting was adjourned at IO:15 P.M. Recorded by Bette Gallagher