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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.apz.19621009 JOINT l'iEETING OF EIE CITY AXD COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONS October 9. 1962 The joint meeting of the City and County Planning and Zoning Commissions took place at City Hall on Tuesday evening, October 9. 1962. Present were: Frank Humphrey, Fred Glidden, Jack \valls, Ken Noore, Herbert Bayer, Fritz Benedict. Nr. Gayer called the meeting to order at 7:45 P.M. He read the minutes of the meeting of September 18th. Nr. Walls has now sent all the maps to Mr. Weiner but is still trying to obtain aerial photos of this atea. It was stated by Mr. Humphrey that three persons from the State Health Department were in town on the water problem. and that they would be taken to the Sewage Plant on the following day. The minutes were approved as read. Mr. Bayer stated that the agenda was to consist of discussion of the Hunter Creek project, the proposed MaD. and a letter of Trafton Bean. However, there being visitors at the meeting, he asked what their interest was and stated that the meeting would open on that subject. The visitors were Guy Drew of the Hobby Horse Motel, Bob Shorey of the Agate Lodge, and J. Deckers of the Waterman property. Ken Lutz of The Villa of Aspen would have been there. but had been called to Denver. Mr. Drew spoke for the group stating that they were interested in knowing the reasons for changing their district from business to tourist zone. They all felt it should remain business since they had all paid higher prices for their property due to the fact that it was zoned business and they had future projects in mind to utilize this zoning. They felt it was unfair and discrimina- tory to change the zoning at this time, after they had bought property because of this designation. Mr. Bayer explained that the area points to tourist trade and that tourist businesses are allowed in a tourist area. Mr. Moore felt that before the Zoning Commissions had made their recommendations for this change, work should have been done in the field, contacting property owners in the area to get their feelings on such a proposed change. The entire group felt that a string of filling stations along the road in that area would be objectionable. Mr. Drew stated that he had re- jected the offer of an oil company to put a station on part of his property, but that the proposed station for The Villa was both unusual and attractive and should be allowed. Mr. Bayer stated that the procedure was for the Zoning Commissions to make recommendations. These, in turn, are presented to the City Council. It is then published in the newspapers that there will be a public hearing on the matter. After hearing the opinions of the citizens, and their objections, the matter is considered and passed or rejected by the City Council. This is the legal procedure. Mr. Drew stated that this change. in effect, would lower their property values thereby giving an advantage to lodge competitors closer to town. by preventing them from conducting businesses on their property, which would compensate for their locations farther from town and the ski hill. In answer to Mr. Shorey's question as to why the zoning was being changed, Mr. Bayer explained that it had been business- zoned only because of previously existing businesses that had been, and are no longer, located there. Now. with increased traffic, business zoning would constitute a traffic hazard. Building to the edge of the road would be dangerous as far as accident possibilities are concerned. when it was zoned business, the Commission knew it would be a bad measure, but was necessary because of the existing businesses. Zoning - 2 - should be only concerned with community interests, not private interests. It is more fair to all the people to have con- tinuous zoning, not spot zoning, which this would be. Mr. Walls pointed out that the opinions of the property owners involved in the area under discussion would have a great deal of weight with the City Council at the public hearing. Mr. Bayer pointed out that a discussion of property values was not in the realm of zoning, as it must necessarily have the community point of view. Mr. 3enedice pointed out that this change is not intended to create a hardship to property ownersn, but that it would protect them from being surrounded by possible filling stations, warehouses, dirty and noisey "'_\Sin8~S"s, whicb ,,'ould devaluate their properties. Grocery shops, ski shops, and other services incidental to the tourist business would be allowed. Mr. Deckers stated that he had not understood that any other than motels or apartment houses would be allowed under tourist zoning. He said he thought the Villa filling station and restaurant were beautiful and should not be prohibited. It was suggested that the visitors obtain copies of the Zoning Ordinances to study before attending the public hearing on this matter, after which they departed. Mr. Bayer then read a portion of the minutes which he had omitted regarding the proposed Villa filling station, which had been approved at the last meeting, subject to certain conditions. This approval constitutes a recommendation to the Board of Adjustmenw which has to pass on all filling stations and which requests the opinion of the Zoning Commission before so doing. It was felt that it would be better to approve this particular station, if it met with all specified conditions, than to allow any station later on which would not conform. The Hunter Creek project was then discussed. Mr. Benedict had indicated to the promoters of this project that if the Zoning Commissions approved their project, he would grant them an easement over his land for a road. One plan (Plan #3) was tentatively approved, but is now changed. Further changes indicated by the members of the Commissions should be requested before final approval. However, after a great deal of dis- cussion, it was felt that the project should be thoroughly gone over with Nr. Weiner before any commitments of any kind are made, despite the fact that the group wants to start the road now. They have agreed to await Mr. Weiner's views. The group felt that some manner of filing of plot plans should be devised, with regard to subdivisions, to protect the area from having it deviate from its original plan. There was a suggestion that we adopt the Gunnison regulations for sub- divisions. The Hunter Creek promoters have not made a formal request for approval of its project, but Mr. Benedict is on the spot personally with regard to granting the easement. Mr. Bayer felt that we should have the services of an attorney before doing anything at all on this. Mr. Glidden and Mr. j=~yer will talk with Mr. Weiner on the matter, and also to Mr. Delaney. Mr. Delaney should be consulted before Mr. Benedict does anything with regard to the easement. The question of the appropriation from RHEA for Mr. Weiner was raised. It was suggested that Mr. Jim Smith lean on Mr. Weaver on this matter. Mr. Humphrey is to call Mr. Smith the following day on another matter and was asked to request information on when a decision is likely to be made. However, ~Ir. Weiner is ready to start at any time. The questions were raised as to whether he would hire Mr. Bean; when he would start; and whether he would need local help. Stan J'ohnson has requested permission to work with Mr. Weiner. The pre- liminary plan for Aspen is supposed to take six months. - 3 - The matter of a Mall was discussed and Richard Lai's letter to the Aspen Times. Some thought it would be premature to put in a Mall before Mr. Weiner had made his plan for the city. Mr. Lai's letter implied that the Zoning Commissions had done nothing about a Mall, but it has been proposed to the City Council several times. It was stated that all of the property owners on Cooper Street were in favor of it. 'fhere are, however, many questions, such as who would do this job, parking facilities, contacting of property owners, access for fire trucks. The question came up as to the timing for a mall, and Mr. Weiner will be asked about this. Mr. 8ayer stated that Hobin Molney, and many others, worry about the looks of the town - the dirt, refuse, dust, and also the mixture of buildings. He asked how to regulate this. There is a proposal for an Architectural Review Com- mittee now before the Council, which has been tabled. Zoning is fine, but has not helped the appearance of the town. The City Council is not an aesthetic group, it was stated. Per- haps Mr. Weiner will be able to project such a neet. Mr. Benedict suggested control by property owners in the form of restrictive covenants, such as agreeing among themselves not to sell to anyone proposing to build an A-frame. Mr. Moore stated that the City Council is now drawing up its budget and that now is the time for the Zoning Commission to make its objection to the proposed dollar-a-day hudget for this Commission, and propose the utilization of other services for zoning matters. The group should set up its projects as antidpated for the coming year as well as its routine work. There being an enlarged amount of work, a part-time secretary for Mr. Markalunas and the Zoning Commissions would be most helpful. Mr. Moore asked the opinion of the Commissions on the proposed annexations of Riverside and Walderwood and what it would do to the city. He also asked its opinion on the granting of liquor licenses. Tom Crosby is going to make a test case, relations with the State Highway Department are going to be of great importance to Aspen, the Council was receptive to an historical society. He asked that people attend the Council meeting on the hudget and propose the hiring of a full-time street cleaner. This year they propose $3,000 to maintain the dump. What has heen the effect of covered sidewalks, ~8,000 has been allocated to renovate the Armory. This report was with relation to the City Council. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Jack Walls, Secretary Recorded by: Bette Gallagher