HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.drac.19971009DESIGN REVIEW APPEALS COMMITTEE OCTOBER
9,1997
Chairperson Steve Buettow called the special meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.
with members Mary Hirsch, Dave Johnston, Bob Blaich and Gilbert Sanchez
present. Roger Moyer arrived at 4:10 p.m. David Hoefer, assistant city
attorney, and Mitch Haas, community development, were also present.
Buettow polled the board regarding changing the meeting time for the Design
Review Committee from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Committee agreed with
the time change although staff objected.
MOTION: Mary Hirsch moved to ch ange the meeting time for
the Design Review Committee from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Gilbert
Sanchez second. ALL IN FAVOR, APPROVED.
“WIN RIVER” RESIDENCES ON LOTS 1 & 2 OF THE KASTELIC
SUBDIVISION/PUD (570 & 580 S. RIVERSIDE AVENUE) APPEAL
OF THE “VOLUME” STANDARD (26.58.040(F)(12)
David Hoefer, assistant city attorney, asked for the affidavit of notice. Herb
Klein, attorney for applicant, stated that the architect, Bill Campbell, had the
notice and could not be in attendance because of an emergency down valley.
Klein said Campbell was to lead this meeting and apologized for not having
the notice. Mitch Haas, Staff, asked if the sign for the notice was posted.
Larry Winnerman, applicant, said he thought a sign was posted. Mary Hirsch
commented that she and U.S. West had trouble locating this property and had
not noticed a sign. David Hoefer said with this situation, the board cannot
proceed without the notice, unless one of the two parties would testify that
the notice was mailed and posted. Mr. Winnerman said he would be happy to
do that. Hoefer asked what and when notice was given. Winnerman said the
normal sign was placed on the property and the regular notice was given.
Hoefer stated the board could conditionally proceed, with the condition that
affidavit for proof of notice must be submitted within 5 days. He further
stated that if this notice was not submitted, then the meeting was null and
void.
Haas explained the applicant requested a variance from the volume standard
for two ADU’s (on Lot 1 & Lot 2 Kastelic Subdivision) alongside the
Roaring Fork River.
1
DESIGN REVIEW APPEALS COMMITTEE OCTOBER
9,1997
Haas commented that the applicant was changing the west elevation. He
noted the site plan had not really changed but noted on the plans the
separation between the dormers was where the 9’-12’ “no window” zone
existed and that was where the change has occurred. The proposed design
shows the window in the dormer comes down to the top of the French doors
and every other window has been raised above 9’. Haas said the homes
were built to the maximum FAR and the reason for the variance request was
due to re-design.
Haas explained the 3 criteria are: 1. to better comply with the AACP (which
did not apply); 2. better responding to the issue or concerns of the volume
standard (non-complying windows cannot better address the standard than to
comply to the standard); 3. clearly necessary for reason of fairness due to
unusual site specific constraints (the applicant requested the variance be
based upon this standard). Haas stated the applicant requested windows in
the 9’-12’ “no window zone” in order to have views of Aspen Mountain
because of the unusual site specific constraints due to fairness. Staff’s
opinion was that this was not an unusual site, but a site that was commonly
found throughout town. Haas said the site was not the reason for 9’-12’
windows, but a change in the design. He noted that based upon the re-design,
staff recommended denial of the variance.
Klein asked that the committee look at the community interest that is being
served given the property location on an private access easement without
pedestrians. He said that he was involved in the development of Ordinance
30, so he is familiar with those concerns. Klein said the street scape is not at
risk here. He noted the windows are broken up with an articulated facade.
He commented that it doesn’t appear to be one of those obtrusive designs, but
rather architecturally keeping the primary viewplane of Aspen Mountain.
Klein said this was a natural design element. Winnerman stated the architect
assured him the design met with all the appropriate energy situations and
legal limits on the glass area.
Dave Johnston noted the curved elements on 580 Win-River with the South
elevation raised. Roger Moyer asked the reason for not having a site plan.
Gilbert Sanchez questioned the elevations on the plans that were submitted.
Haas spoke to Campbell who said it was the west elevation on Win-River 1.
Winnerman said there were large spruce trees screening the property.
2
DESIGN REVIEW APPEALS COMMITTEE OCTOBER
9,1997
Bob Blaich noted the south elevations had changed the smaller windows to
large plate glass windows. He asked if these windows were also of concern.
Winnerman said (looking at the floor plan) that the windows come together,
with the same height, in the livingroom for the views of Aspen Mountain.
Blaich questioned what variance was being requested. Haas answered that
every second floor window was included in the request.
Buettow asked if there was a pedestrian trail adjacent to the houses. Hoefer
noted that there were different routes being discussed, one along the river and
one behind the house. Klein warned that the potential of the trail location on
this property had created some sensitive issues, and this variance should not
be denied based upon that issue. Hoefer agreed that should not be a
consideration in this deliberation.
Blaich questioned the change in the design (height and relationship of the
windows) for the development to be more salable or for the owner.
Winnerman replied that the original approvals were done and then this was
re-designed. He said one house was his own and the other was for sale with
the best possible views of Aspen Mountain for that future owner.
Moyer asked the square footage of each house. Winnerman replied
approximately 5800 feet. Moyer said the plans did not help and felt this
application was incomplete. Moyer asked the distance from the river.
Winnerman stated that there was a 15’ setback from the top of slope and at
least 50’ to the river bank. It was noted that there were many trees blocking
the viewplane from houses across the river.
Haas personally did not find the windows offensive, but said there was a
difference between fairness and generosity. He commented that windows in
the dormers were fair but windows along the entire west facade were for
marketability. He said there were views of more than just the mountain, also
views of the Roaring Fork River. Blaich asked if the variance could be
broken down. Haas replied that each window could have a separate variance
if the board so decided. Winnerman said that he did not know to whom the
fairness applied, but wanted to have the opportunity to do this because he
wanted to have the best possible views.
Sanchez questioned the real value of the increased window heights under the
roof eaves. He thought the view would be the soffit. Haas stated that
3
DESIGN REVIEW APPEALS COMMITTEE OCTOBER
9,1997
whether or not a variance was granted depended upon 1 of the 3 standards
being met and not whether or not the project was on the grid.
Buettow said there was a greater view potential with this re-design. He said
the Ordinance 30 was done because of objection to the 2 story palladium
windows exactly like what was drawn on these plans. Winnerman said the
ordinance was created because of west end homes. Blaich defended
Ordinance 30 in the west end and did not want to add exceptions to
Ordinance 30. He noted that the first design was better in his opinion.
Hirsch stated the property was in a very private section. She said that a
person having the opportunity to make some money on a project was not a
problem but the soffit view plane problems were real. Winnerman said if the
variance was granted, he would look into that change.
Johnston stated that he was frustrated because of the extremely incomplete
application. He noted that there are now 4 windows instead of 2 being
changed and the dormers change turned into the entire livingroom window
facade. Johnston said the livingroom windows were added with no gain
architecturally. He stated that form follows function.
Sanchez felt this an appropriate site to grant the variance. He had concerns
about the all the windows from an aesthetic and architectural point of view.
He felt the pop-up elements acceptable but raising all the windows was not.
Moyer said this was another anomaly of Ordinance 30. He said this was on a
private country road, not in a neighborhood and whether or not he liked the
architecture or not relevant was not with the issues. He agreed with the prior
comments and especially the fact the application was incomplete. Moyer
asked if they were turned down could they come back. He strongly suggested
they have a more complete proposal. Winnerman said the windows needed
to be ordered and time was money. He noted on Lot 2 there was no dormer
and it had lower windows (this was his house).
Winnerman wanted to design his house and the other houses he developed
and if ordinance 30 did not apply, then he should be allowed to build this, and
4
DESIGN REVIEW APPEALS COMMITTEE OCTOBER
9,1997
the variance should be granted. Winnerman apologized for his architect not
being present and not having the appropriate information.
Buettow commented this was the first time a full board was present, so Mary
Hirsch, as an alternate, was a non-voting member. Hirsch did not realize that
she could not vote. Klein asked for a straw vote from the board. Hoefer
noted the comments were heard and did not recommend a straw vote. He
said they had the option to continue prior to the vote.
MOTION: Gilbert Sanchez moved to approve the request for the
variance from the volume standard for 2 single family dwellings on
Lots 1 & 2, Kastelic Subdivision/PUD at 570 & 580 South
Riverside Avenue, adding the condition of approval for proof of
notice within 5 days of this meeting. Roger Moyer second. Bob
Blaich, Gilbert Sanchez and Roger Moyer approved and Dave
Johnston and Steve Buettow denied. APPROVED 3-2.
Meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
Jackie Lothian
Deputy City Clerk
The notice was delivered to the Assistant City Attorney on 10/14/97.
5
DESIGN REVIEW APPEALS COMMITTEE OCTOBER
9,1997
“WIN RIVER” RESIDENCES ON LOTS 1 & 2 OF THE KASTELIC SUBDIVISION/PUD (570 &
580 S. RIVERSIDE AVENUE) APPEAL OF THE “VOLUME” STANDARD (26.58.040(F)(12) ...... 1
6