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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.apz.19621126 ( 1 JOINT MEETING OF THE ASPEN CITY COUNCIL AND ASPEN PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION The Aspen City Council and the City Planning and Zoning Com- mission met at City Hall on November 26, 1962 at 5:)0 P.M. for the purpose of meeting Mr. Richard Bender, an associate of Mr. Paul Wiener, Planner. Present were: Mayor Mike Garrish, Clyde Newell, Frank Humphrey, Ken Moore, Clint Stewart, Fred Glidden, Wilbur Zordel, Jack Walls, Bill Dunaway, Fritz Benedict, Herbert Bayer and Bill Beyer. Mr. Bayer was chairman and stated that the meeting had been called for the purpose of meeting Mr. Bender. Mr. Bender was introduced to the group and stated that maps and materials had been collected and that his office was now ready to collate these materials which was the first phase of planning for Aspen. They will make a regional plan covering the Roaring Fork drainage area under the Forest Service, with Aspen as the hub. They have almost everything they need, but will want to work on schools planning with regard to school population, ratio of pupils to teacher, etc. Another area in which they will be working will be the parking problem, particularly near the ski lifts, and will need information as to the number who drive up to the lifts, etc. Basically, they have all the information they need for the preliminary plan, which will be presented in a form that can be reproduced. The plan is to take place over a minimum of a thirty year period, and will have to be viewed with a long range view of what will be best for the greater number during that period. Mr. Bayer cautioned the group not to discuss anything with relation to the plan prematurely as there will be nothing definite for some time. Mayor Garrish suggested that the planners consider the need for housing for the working man, as it is getting more and more difficult to find. Needed are areas of land which are not overly expensive for the building of homes. At the present time, workers have to live in trailers. Mr. Bender stated that they hope to have the community more balanced economically rather than being dependent upon one industry, especially a seasonal one. Part of the first phase of the planning will be to make some of the things we do not as yet have, as land-use map, aerial survey, etc. After the compilation of materials, they will begin the design phase. The final plan will be made up of a suggested series of stages of progress. The interested group of citizens tend to be the people involved in the planning commission and the municipal government - thus the planners leave an interested group after they leave. Controversy in the plan should bring interest in it. Mr. Stewart reported that he had received a letter and two copies of the proposed contract from Mr. J. K. Smith. Many copies will be needed of this contract and Mr. Stewart was given permission to farm out the typing of it, mimeograph it and circulate it to the Mayor, the County Commissioners, Bob Delaney and others. He stated that any changes must be approved by the government offices. Mr. Bender said that he had looked the contract over superficially and had found nothing to be changed, as yet. Mr. Bayer brought up the question of a permanent mall, and stated that the Planning Commission has always recommended one but thought it premature to establish one before the city plan is developed. He said he had discussed it with Mr. Wiener who seemed to prefer the Hyman Street location rather than Cooper Street and said there were difficulties because of deliveries, doctors offices, agreement of~nd owners, etc. there, while on Cooper Street the land owners were in favor of a mall. Mr. Wiener thought it would be nice to have both streets as malls if we can afford to sacrifice the parking ~ , - 2 - space and traffic. The streets are not permanently surfaced yet, and Mr. Bender stated that they hoped to have suggestions with regard to a mall by spring. Mr. Bender also stated that the valley to be planned is restricted to Pitkin County in the contract, and the plan is to embrace those valleys that will be developed within the next twenty years, but that we cannot hope to make a finished plan, but just to create a climate for it. Outside the city of Aspen there will be more suggestions of method of development rather than specific development. Mr. Bayer brought up the matter of architectural development of the community with relation to the preservation of historical aspects of the town, and Mr. Bender stated that they were required, as part of their contract, to make suggestions with regard to historical buildings. He also stated that they may have an office in Aspen and will probably request office space. He also stated that the plan in final form is to be published and that they will want to know the number of copies that will be required. Mr. Bayer stated that other matters between the City Council and City Planning Commission can be taken up at another time. Mr. Dunaway asked about the proposed rezoning of the area previously discussed, changing it from Business to Tourist zoning, and Mayor Garrish said that the Council would weight the matter. Mr. Bender said that they intend to propose revised zoning based on the proposed plan. He said that this area under discussion was particularly important as it gives the first impression of the town, and said that they were aware of the problem of strings of motels and traffic problems thereby created. Mayor Garrish told of the difficulties encountered with relation to the location of the bridge and highway with the State Highway Department, but Mr. Glidden said that that department had stated that if Aspen had a plan, it would make a difference and they would cooperate on the basis of the plan. Mr. Garrish told Mr. Bender that the city records are available to him. The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 P.M. Secretary Jack Walls Recorded by Bette Gallagher