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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.apz.19630305 {, , J MEETING OF THE CITY AND COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONS WITH ASPEN CITY COUNCIL March 5. 1963 A meeting of the City and County Zoning and Planning Commissions and the Aspen City Council was held at City Hall on Tuesday. March 5. 1963 at 7130 P.M. Present werel Mayor Mike Garrish. James Markalunas, Herbert Bayer, Frank Humphrey, Harald Pabst, City Clerk Dorothy Hoffman, William McEachern, Richard Lai, Ken Moore, and Henry Stein. Mr. Bayer opened the meeting at 7150 P.M. by raising a question on the size of the signs at the Molly Gibson, which appear to be larger than allowed by the regulations. Mr. Markalunas stated that he had been awaiting a decision on the National Auto Parts Association sign before taking action on this. The Mayor stated that he planned to contact the proprietor of the Molly Gibson on the matter, and that he prefers to handle the sign situation in a manner of friendly pursuasion rather than by way of penalty, as this constitutes good public relations. Mr. Bayer felt that policy should be established with relation to enforcing the sign regula tions. Mr. Bayer thanked the Mayor for attending this meeting, and stated that its purpose was to see if the Zoning Commissions and the City Council cannot work more closely and successfully together. He stated that the Zoning Commissions seem to be unable to receive answers from the City Council when it makes recommendations; that they seldom know what, if any, action has been taken, and if any changes have been made. The first matter on which no answer has been given is the plan for streets and sidewalks, and that a Tree Planting Committee needs to know the decision of City Council in order to start planting for this spring, with a donation which has been given for that purpose. The Mayor stated that the plan on sidewalks, streets, etc. was adopted with a few changes, and he thought that the Planning Commissions knew that it had been adopted. Mr. Humphrey was to obtain this information, but it never reached the Commissions. The Mayor recommended that minutes of the meetings of the two bodies be exchanged. He thought that perhaps the turnover of councilmen had resulted in a loss of continuity. Mr. Bayer stated that there were three liason persons between the two groups, and that that should enable communication to take place. Discussion followed of the proposed tree planting. The Mayor suggested that the Tree Planting Committee be re-appointed, and said that he would see that the Planning Commissions received the changes in the street and sidewalk proposal as adopted by the City Council. Mr. Bayer suggested that an ordinance be drafted regarding trees. The Mayor is to talk to Mr. Stewart to draft such an ordinance. It should be reviewed by the Zoning Commissions and then go back to City Council for passage. The Mayor wants the sidewalks established before any actual planting is done, however. The Mayor showed the group the Municipal Code which had just been published, and gave a copy of the planning and zoning ordinances to those present, which were taken from the Code. Mayor Garrish took the floor in order to tell the members of the Zoning and Planning Commissions what had been accomplished by the City Council in the past three years. A new water system was installed in one summer, operating on its own revenue, usually testing as safe. A survey of grades of streets and sidewalks of the entire are has been made. Ninety percent of the city is now surveyed. City Hall now has a vault for City records, and they now have all the records from 1881 to the present, except for four years. They have added new street . March 5, 1963 Page 2. lights, and a bond issue is being floated for a complete new electrical system for Aspen, as the present one is now inadequate. There will be single poles for telephone and electric lines. The final plan is to be presented on March 13th. Mr. Bayer asked that the Zoning Commissions be called in to determine the type of lights to be installed, and the Mayor said he would call them in on this. A City Administrator has been hired, which was a progressive move for the city, and Mr. Humphrey is well qualified for the job. The Mayor stated that the working conditions of the city personnel had been very poor, but had greatly improved since he has become Mayor. He said that the Historical Society is looking for quarters, and that the Armory has been offered. The Armory can be utilized for city equipment storage, and the city intends to clean up the auditorium for the USe of the city as well as for the Historical Sooiety, if they use it as their headquarters. Mr. Humphrey then told members present of the hope to make the Glory Hole and the surrounding area into a public park of some sort, suggesting that it be used in some of the following possible mannersl bridge, fish bond, filled to a minimum depth for safety, bridal path, landscaped, skating rink, benches, underground auditorium. He said that the inflow of water is constant and it could be made into a lake. The Zoning Commissions were happy to hear of the plans for a public park of SOme sort, as they believe that there must be open areas within the boundaries of the city. Mr. Bayer suggested that the City Planner be informed that this is to be a city park. The proposal has not been presented to the City Council, but is approved by the Mayor and the City Administrator. Mr. Moore suggested that a list of priorities be established for city moneys, and that this park be established in its proper time. Mr. Bayer will send a print of the area to the Planner. The Mayor will try to attend future meetings of this group. He suggested that a problem is inherent in the City Dump, and this is something the Planning and Zoning Commissions might work on. He felt that this was a joint city and county problem and that it should be handled together. Mr. Bayer asked what was being done about the cleanliness of the city and the petition which had been circulated on the subject. The Mayor stated that the Police Chief had been told to report on unsightly alleys, etc.. but had neglected to do so. Mr. Moore made a motion that Mr. Humphrey be given full authority to do this job with relation to enforcing the ordinance on Cleanliness, and the motion was carried. The citizens should be informed of their responsibilities with relation to cleaning up from the streets to their properties, and the city will clean the streets. Mr. Humphrey stated that when a permanent cover is laid on the streets, they will be swept and flushed. Mr. Bayer stated that the City Council had rejected its re- commendation for an Architectural Control Committee, and the Mayor said that it had been unanimously rejected, as the City Council did not like the methods by which the matter was to be handled. However, he suggested that the matter not be dropped, but approached from a different angle. Mr. Bayer said that control could be exercised under Paragraph 9 on the books now. City Clerk Dorothy Hoffman suggested that everyone write to the State asking for reassessment of properties and objecting to the present state structure. This would aim at lowering taxes on improved properties and increasing them on unimproved properties. Mr. Stein stated that the Zoning Commissions are going to invite Mr. Robert Delaney to discuss this problem with them. Mr. Bayer stated that two other matters had not been settled by -~---_. -, .",.,.~--_. . March 5, 196) Page 3. City Counci11 No action had been taken on the ordinance with relation to reflecting surfaces, and on the rezoning of the area from business to tourist, with the compromises which were proposed with relation to setbacks. Both require public hearings. Mr. Stewart's wording on the latter is being awaited, as well as an ordinance on the preservation of historic buildings. He stated that his group has two small committees to report on subdivision regulations and on annexation, and the group is awaiting a balance sheet to be drawn up by Mr. Humphrey on annexation of Calderwood. Mayor Garrish said that the Sanitation District should be ex- panded, and Mr. Markalunas stated that it is merely a matter of educating the Board in order to expand. Mr. Moore stated that the Planner is to incorporate utilities and sanitation districts in his proposed plan. Mr. Mayor told Mr. Bayer that the reason the budget request was not considered was that it was presented too late, there being a statutory deadline. Mr. Lai submitted the duties and purpose of the Zoning Commission which had been presented by Mr. Lai, hereto attached. The Mayor stated that there had been a lack of contact and cooperation and concerted effort on community projects. He commended Terese David on her work on Bastille Day last year, and recommended that these groups give her all possible help and cooperation this year. The meeting was adjourned at 10100 P.M. Recorded by Bette Gallagher . . 1. WHEREAS the Colorado State Division of Planning, the City of Aspen, the County of Pitkin, and the Aspen Institute of Humanistic Studies are to engage the professional services of Paul Lester Wiener, Planning Consultant, to undertake an analysis of the City of Aspen and its immediate environs; and 2. WHEREAS the Joint Planning and Zoning Commission has been appointed by the City of Aspen and the County of Pitkin as advisors in view of its interest in and familiarity with urban planning and Aspen; 3. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Commission shall a. endeavor to become particularly knowledgeable in the specific aspects of planning as outlined in the contract, b. to convey to the Consultant the peculiar problems and needs of the community of Aspen, c. to supply all pertinent existing information and data, d. and to evaluate for the client groups the recommendations of the Consultant. submitted by Richard T. Lai