HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.20090112Regular Meetin¢ Aspen City Council January 12 2009
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION .............................................................................................. 2
ANNUAL MEETING OF ASPEN PUBLIC FACILITIES ............................................... 2
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS .................................................................................. 2
CONSENT CALENDAR ................................................................................................... 3
• Resolution #1, 2009 -Posting Location for Meeting Schedule ............................. 3
• Resolution #2, 2009 -Designating Paper for Legal Notices .................................. 3
• Resolution #5, 2009 - EOTC 2009 %z% Transit Sales and Use Tax Budget.......... 3
• Minutes -December 1, 8, 2008 .............................................................................. 3
RESOLUTION #6, 2009 -Wheeler Phase I Architectural Services .................................. 3
ORDINANCE #1, SERIES OF 2009 -Historic Designation Aspen Athletic Club .......... 6
ORDINANCE #41, SERIES OF 2008 -Code Amendment Requiring Carbon Monoxide
Detectors ............................................................................................................................. 7
RESOLUTION #3, SERIES OF 2009 -Aspen Valley Hospital Conceptual PUD ........... 7
WILLIAMS RANCH SUBDIVISION -Wright Appeal ................................................. 14
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Regular Meetine Aspen City Council January 12, 2009
Mayor Ireland called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. with Councilmembers Johnson,
Kasabach and Romero present.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
1. Toni Kronberg requested Resolution #6, 2009, Wheeler Phase I Architectural
Services be pulled off the consent calendar. Ms. Kronberg submitted a letter to the
record regarding Lift One and a clarification on the standards for review. John
Worcester, city attorney, stated at the January 14`h meeting, the community development
director will present a total package of what is required for Council to address this
development. Ms. Kronberg said her resolution for 2009 is to reduce the amount of
automobile traffic on Aspen's streets and to try and get an aerial transportation system to
accomplish that.
2. Don Davidson told Council during the citizen's budget task force, they looked at
all the budgets, including the Wheeler Opera House. Davidson said during this process
they were told it was important to put money into the endowment to support the Wheeler
operations into the future. Davidson asked how this project impacts the endowment and
if a long term financial plan was done for the Wheeler fund. Davidson asked if this
project will require a new tax or extension of the Wheeler real estate transfer tax.
Davidson said these questions should be answered before Council decides to spend
$400,000 on architectural plans.
3. Elizabeth Milias noted it was only 6 weeks ago she talked to Council about the
deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning and asked for the city's help in preventing this
from happening again. Ms. Milias thanked the city staff for the quick turnaround in
enacting this code amendment.
ANNUAL MEETING OF ASPEN PUBLIC FACILITIES
President Ireland called the meeting to order at 5:20 p.m. with members Jack Johnson,
Jackie Kasabach, Dwayne Romero, Kathryn Koch and Don Taylor present. Ms. Koch
noted that the finance director, Don Taylor, automatically becomes a member of the
Public Facilities, as did Jackie Kasabach. There have been no communications. Don
Taylor said the lease for the parking garage will be paid in 2009.
Ms. Kasabach moved to approve the minutes of January 14, 2008; seconded by Romero.
All in favor, motion tamed.
Romero moved to adjourn the annual meeting of the Aspen Public Facilities at 5:25 p.m.;
seconded by Kasabach. All in favor, motion carried.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
L Councilman Romero thanked Steve Barwick, city manager, and Richard Pryor,
chief of police, as well as Daryl Grob, Fire Chief, Bob Braudis, Sheriff, RFTA and all the
Regular MeetinE Aspen Citv Council January 12, 2009
volunteers who helped with the incident New Year's Eve. Councilman Romero said he is
proud to be part of Aspen.
2. Councilwoman Kasabach announced the Thrift Shop needs warm winter clothing
and asked people to go through their closets to see if they have clothes to donate.
3. Mayor Ireland thanked the 190 public safety and city and county employees who
worked on New Year's Eve to keep the community safe.
4. Mayor Ireland thanked the organizers of Winterskol for a fun event. Mayor
Ireland said he is sorry the dark skies could not be pulled off and maybe it can be done in
the summer.
5. Steve Barwick, city manager, requested Council delete Resolution #4, Series of
2009, Sopris Engineers Contract Burlingame Phase I Storm Drainage from the consent
calendar.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilman Romero moved to adopt the consent calendar as amended; seconded by
Councilwoman Kasabach. The consent calendar is:
• Resolution #1, 2009 -Posting Location for Meeting Schedule
• Resolution #2, 2009 -Designating Paper for Legal Notices
• Resolution #5, 2009 - EOTC 2009 '/~% Transit Sales and Use Tax Budget
• Minutes -December 1, 8, 2008
All in favor, motion carried
RESOLUTION #6, 2009 -Wheeler Phase I Architectural Services
Gram Slaton, Wheeler Opera House, told Council the Wheeler Board and staff has done a
search for architectural services. This does not commit the city to break ground or to
build an expansion. Slaton said this fine is talented at both historic preservation and
sustainable design, two goals for the project. Slaton noted the $400,000 is in the adopted
2009 operating budget. This project does not commit any funds from the Wheeler
endowment Fund. Slaton said staff has been working on different financing scenarios
from 0 to 100 from the endowment and everything in between. Staff has looked at the
impact of this project on the Wheeler's finances and the long term health of the
community.
Councilman Romero asked the impact of deferring this contract in context of the
financial conditions. Slaton said this is a great opportunity; the recession will lower the
costs of construction in the valley for some time period. The recession will limit the
Regular Meetine Aspen City Council January 12, 2009
amount of construction going on in town, which may limit the impact to the commercial
core. Councilman Romero asked the impacts of deferring the design planning stage right
now. Slaton said the primary impact is that the arts groups will continue to be impacted
by a lack of space in town, a lack of rehearsal space in town, the Wheeler's office will
continue in an undesirable basement location. Councilman Romero said it is helpful to
review the drivers behind a master planning effort; the city felt like its facilities were not
matching up with community values and goals. Slaton said the plan is to hire an outside
theatre consultant to review this work as quality control, to look at cost controls, whether
timelines and budgets are realistic.
Councilman Romero asked about local participation. Slaton said the team is made up of
local, regional and national firms. Slaton said a firm with historic preservation and
theatre construction was needed. There were 28 applicants to the RFQ put out by the
city; the Wheeler Board identified 6 to review, all of whom had a mix of national,
regional and local participants. Slaton said the FMG team proposes to partner with
RowlandBroughton locally. Slaton noted Fisher/Dax is one of the most respected theatre
consultants nationally. Slaton said Resource Engineering Group was selected; they
articulated they would like to see this project be a zero sum carbon footprint. Two cost
estimating firms will also be involved.
Councilman Romero brought up the terms of maintenance for the Wheeler and the real
estate transfer tax and how funds will be kept separate. Slaton said for any money to
come from the RETT Wheeler fund, the issue will be put to a vote of the public. It could
be an extension of the RETT or a bond question. Staff is not determining what the
financing will be. Councilman Romero asked if approving this contract would defer any
smaller capital projects in 2009. Steve Barwick, city manager, told Council approving
this would not have any affect in the Wheeler or other budgets. Barwick said the money
cannot be spent twice; if the money is spent on the building expansion, it cannot be part
of the endowment. Barwick reminded Council the Wheeler fund is the most financially
healthy fund with over $25 million that can only be used for the Wheeler Opera House.
Councilwoman Kasabach asked about the needs assessment done for the master plan and
why the Wheeler Board decided to consider the expansion. Slaton told Council they have
surveyed all the arts groups; they all agree there is not enough space for rehearsal, not
enough performing spaces. Slaton reminded Council the Aspen Music Festival has
exclusive rights to the Wheeler for 10 weeks in the summer and there is no chance for
any other groups. Slaton said the lobby is undersized for the theatre capacity. Slaton
told Council a lot of arts groups need a space of between 50 and 300 seats, not a 500 seat
theatre. Slaton said a flexible space that can also be used for meetings and film and can
be rearranged during one day, which will be a civic asset.
Councilman Johnson said at the work session in August, Council requested the Wheeler
solicit support from the non-profit groups, which they have done. Councilman Johnson
requested a contact on the Wheeler board for the public when they have questions. Ron
Erickson, Wheeler Chair, said he will be contact person. Councilman Johnson stated this
Council committed to putting this issue to a public vote before ground is broken.
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Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 12, 2009
Councilman Johnson reported a criticism he heard was that there should be a public vote
before any money is spent on design, which leads to the conundrum that voters say they
cannot vote on something that they do not know about.
Councilman Johnson said the Wheeler board has gone back and forth on the issue of
endowment versus expansion. This proposal is from the 2151 Century Master Plan, which
is expansion. Councilman Johnson stated he will support this because this is the next
step. Councilman Johnson said both Bentley's and Valley Fine Art are locally serving
businesses and the Wheeler Board should give great consideration to preserving the uses,
if not the exact businesses. Councilman Johnson said he feels the uses are necessary.
Council asked Rowland/Broughton how much of the contract their firm will be. Sarah
Broughton told Council their firm's part of the contract will be about 20%. Councilman
Johnson said the more of the money for this contract that can stay in the valley, the better
off all will be. Slaton told Council the Wheeler staff and Wheeler Board had 3 public
meetings on this 215` Century Master Plan in March and April and they plan more public
meetings. Slaton noted one of the winning points of the FMG proposal was their answer
to how the community is involved in the process, including open houses, design
charettes, and tours of the Wheeler.
Mayor Ireland stated it has become apparent that the national economy is changing and
that Aspen and the nation have been over-taken by construction and real estate. Mayor
Ireland said Aspen needs to get back to the business of serving tourists, and the arts have
an important role in that business. Mayor Ireland said global warming may impinge on
Aspen's ability to serve skiers for 5 months and Aspen should protect its arts tourist base.
Mayor Ireland said to the extent the city can build a foundation that allows the arts to
flourish and to bring people here contributes to Aspen's sustainability. Mayor Ireland
noted the electorate will have control whether this is good for the community, the tourists
and the arts. Mayor Ireland agreed this is a catch-22 of putting this to the electorate
without-more information and it takes money to develop a presentation for the public.
Toni Kronberg suggested this question on the money to fund the design be put to the
voters. Ms. Kronberg said this master plan is in violation of the Aspen Area Community
plan, the land use plan and the historic guidelines. Ms. Kronberg noted there one cannot
build within 30' of a historic iconic building in Aspen. Ms. Kronberg agreed there is a
need for extra space but it may be better located at the former youth center.
Don Davidson said his comments are not expansion versus endowment but as sound
financial planning. Davidson said he supports the arts; however, the fact that expansion
will require a bond or extension of the tax ought to be part of the public information for
this contract. The cost of the project can be estimated and put into a long range plan so
all the information is available. Junee Kirk said a number of theatre spaces have been
built since 1979 so there is more practice space available, like the District Theatre, Hams
Hall, the Rio Grande room. Ms. Kirk said there should be more input from the public and
the arts groups before this contract is approved.
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 12, 2009
Marilyn Marks agreed with Davidson's comments. Ms. Mazks said she does not
understand the timeframe for finishing the plan and when the vote would take and when
the facility would be constructed. Slaton said ideally staff would like this on the
November 2009 ballot. Andrew Kole said there are advantages with going forward with
this project in this economic climate. Kole said there is a dearth of rehearsal space. Kole
noted this theatre will be 50 to 200 to 300 seats which can hold numerous types of
performances.
Pam Cunningham, Wheeler Board, told Council this selection process was extraordinazy.
Ms. Cunningham suggested staff make available the results of the 3 different surveys that
were conducted and these surveys explain the needs of the arts community. Councilman
Romero asked for the level of detail that would be available so that voters can make an
informed decision by November 2009. Slaton said that date is a target and the next
opportunity for a public vote would be November 2010. Slaton told Council the design
teams are aware of the city processes and their time frames and feel they can meet this.
Alexa Fitzpatrick, performer, said a space like this is needed; a flexible space for
different types of performances. It is a challenge to find space in Aspen. Ms. Fitzpatrick
urged Council to support this. Mayor Ireland said there are good arguments on both sides
and all questions need to be answered, like what does it look like and how will it be paid
for, before putting a question on the larger project to the voters.
Councilman Romero moved to adopt Resolution #6, Series of 2009, approving an
architectural contract for Wheeler Phase I; seconded by Councilman Johnson. All in
favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE #1, SERIES OF 2009 -Historic Designation Aspen Athletic Club
Jason Lasser, community development department, told Council this is a request for
voluntary designation of the Aspen Athletic Club building at Hyman and Original, built
in the 1970's.
Councilman Johnson moved to read Ordinance #1, Series of 2009; seconded by
Councilman Romero. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO.1, SERIES OF 2009
AN ORDINANCE OF THE ASPEN CITY COUNCIL APPROVING AN
APPLICATION FOR HISTORIC DESIGNATION REVIEW FOR THE PROPERTY
LOCATED AT 720 EAST HYMAN AVE (COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE ASPEN
ATHLETIC CLUB BUILDING), ASPEN ATHLETIC CLUB CONDOMINfUM &
DUVIKE CONDOMINIUM, CITY AND TOWNSITE OF ASPEN, COLORADO
Councilman Johnson moved to adopt Ordinance #1, Series of 2009, on first reading;
seconded by Councilman Romero. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Kasabach, yes;
Romero, yes; Johnson, yes; Mayor Ireland, yes. Motion carried.
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Regular MeetinE Aspen City Council January 12, 2009
ORDINANCE #41, SERIES OF 2008 -Code Amendment Requiring Carbon Monoxide
Detectors
Stephen Kanipe, building depaztment, told Council since first reading on December 8`h,
changes have been made to make the ordinance clearer and to re-emphasizes the intent to
require carbon monoxide detectors in places that provide a place for people to sleep;
single family houses, apartments, condominiums and hotels. There is a change about the
placement of the detectors; that carbon monoxide detectors be installed within each
sleeping area containing any fuel burning appliance such as a gas ]og, decorative gas
fireplace. Since this ordinance pazallels that adopted by Pitkin County, there is a section
to allow battery back up units for residences that are off the grid.
Councilwoman Kasabach asked about the public outreach. Kanipe said besides word of
mouth, the city's community relations officer will have information on the city's website.
Staff is working on a video to be webcast and shown on community television; banners
across Main street, tent cards in hotels, rack cards for advertising. Chris Bendon,
community development department, told Counci1300 carbon monoxide detectors were
donated and they will be distributed by city hall, North 40 and Basalt fire stations. Brian
O'Neil, representing the Elk's Lodge, told Council they will take care of getting CO
detectors to the senior citizens.
Mayor Ireland opened the public hearing.
Marilyn Marks asked how people will be referenced to the video. Sally Spaulding,
community relations office, told Council this video is still being edited and will be
streamed on the city's website as well as a separate, specific website. Bendon thanked
Marilyn Marks and Elizabeth Milias for getting the word out and their efforts on the code
amendment.
Mayor Ireland closed the public hearing.
Councilman Johnson moved to adopt Ordinance #41, Series of 2008, on second reading;
seconded by Councilman Romero. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Johnson, yes;
Romero, yes; Kasabach, yes; Mayor Ireland, yes. Motion tamed.
RESOLUTION #3, SERIES OF 2009 -Aspen Valley Hospital Conceptual PUD
Jennifer Phelan, community development department, told Council the posting and
publication are in order. There was a site visit last week with Councilmembers Romero,
Kasabach, Mayor Ireland, city and hospital staff. This is the first hearing on the master
plan for the Aspen Valley Hospital. The applicant is requesting conceptual PUD
approval for the expansion and remodel of the hospital. This is the second step of a 4
step process. The ls` step was at P&Z review; they recommended approval with
conditions. If Council approves this, it will go back to P&Z and to Council for final
approval. This is scheduled for at least 3 public hearings.
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 12, 2009
Ms. Phelan told Council the Aspen Valley Hospital lot is 19 acres and includes the
hospital, the ambulance barn, Whitcomb terrace and the CEO's residence. This property
is zoned Public and is located along Castle Creek Road. Ms. Phelan said the proposed
remodel includes the development of medical office space in additional to the remodel
and expansion of the hospital, as well as a new service road and phased development so
that the hospital can continue to operate.
Barry Mink, AVH Board and medical staff, told Council the hospital has been doing due
diligence and strategy for a new facilities for at least S years. The plan has had a lot of
input from the hospital staff. Mink said this is a good plan for patient care in the valley
for the next 20 to 25 years. Dave Ressler, CEO of the hospital, reminded Council this is
just the conceptual phase and there is a long way to go. In 2005, the Board had the AVH
staff reinstitute a needs assessment to determine whether the hospital could remain on its
existing site to accommodate the needs of the community for the next 20 plus years.
Ressler said the site is ideal. The hospital engaged a firm to conduct the needs
assessment and to meet with every deparhnent of the hospital to find out how they
foresee meeting the needs of the community while meeting contemporary standards of
design. The answer was the hospital can remain on the site and can accomplish
everything they need to on that site.
Ressler outlined the objectives of the project; the hospital has to meet contemporary
standards of design and function. This is not an extravagant facility. The board set a
time horizon looking 20 yeazs into the future for this design. The boazd directed the
designers to pare the design down and to make sure there was not additional space
beyond what the objectives aze. Ressler said the hospital needs to be good neighbors;
they are in a residential community and aze part of a larger community. They have been
sensitive to the impacts on the community, like noise, light and traffic. Ressler said this
plan is for an environmentally and energy efficient building.
Ressler stated the hospital exists for one reason only; to take care of patients. Their
mission is to provide extraordinary health care in an environment of excellence,
compassion and trust. Ressler told Council AVH is in the top 10% of hospitals in the
country for patient satisfaction. Ressler said this design incorporates contemporary
hospital designs. The plan includes office space for doctors for them to provide
immediate and accessible care. Ressler noted office space in town is getting harder to
obtain. Ressler said patients have to share rooms at the current hospital. Ressler told
Council the functionality of these plans is based on the needs assessment conducted by
the design team.
The project has been phased so the hospital operations will not be interrupted. Ressler
noted phase I, the obstetrical area, has already been completed. Ressler told Council the
hospital worked with an advisory committee with representatives from all different walks
of life. When the project was more refined, they had neighborhood meetings, at which
there were concerns raised and suggestions made. Ressler stated the intent is to enhance
and expand a public asset.
Regular Meetin¢ Aspen Citv Council January 12, 2009
Leslie Lamont went over the site plan, showed pazcel C which is 19.1 acres; parcel A is
the Shultz building and Mountain Oaks, parcel B is Twin Ridge neighborhood. Ms
Lamont noted all the development will be located around the current hospital building
which will preserve the open spaces of the site. The project includes significant site
improvements including a storm water management detention area to capture the runoff.
Ms. Lamont told Council they have worked with the city on the trails alignment. The
applicants are looking at snow storage and a snow storage route. A loop service road
through the property, using the existing access road to Whitcomb terrace, will be
constructed. This is being done for emergency access and the traffic to the hospital will
be separated with visitors using the upper access and staff and service vehicles using the
lower road. Ms. Lamont told Council they have worked with staff on the Doolittle Drive,
Castle Creek intersection. A parking garage is proposed for the project.
Russ Sedmak, Heery Design, said the needs analysis found that AVH is providing an
exceptional level of service in a physical plant about half the size it should be by modern
health care standards. These constraints affect the hospital's ability to meet the
increased demand for services. Sedmak told Council due to these space constraints, the
hospital is losing opportunities to maintain its mazket shaze and to grow the revenue base,
which is critical to keep up with the rising cost of providing health Gaze.
Sedmak noted the shift to out patient services has caused confusion for patients and
inefficiencies for staff. Sedmak presented pictures of Aspen Valley Hospital showing the
existing hospital and compared it to idealness in other locations. Sedmak said there is
staff overcrowding; patient confidentiality is compromised at AVH and infection control
is not optimum. Sedmak said these issues are now controlled by federal guidelines. The
bathrooms would all be upgraded to ADA accessible. The emergency room would have
glass doors for privacy and for infection control. The redesigned lobby would have more
privacy for people checking in.
Sedmak presented a slide showing the count of the net square footages of the core critical
services at AVH today, 54,000 square feet of net area not counting circulation corridors,
mechanical and electrical space, and storage. There is also a column showing the 20 year
need and a column illustrating the difference between the two. Sedmak reiterated these
aze net square footages and do not include gross square feet or the parking structure. The
107,500 net square feet plus the gross, amounts for the tripling of the facility. There is
space in the basement needed for long term use.
Sedmak showed a floor plan of the emergency room at AVH which serves 12 beds and a
plan of an emergency room in a contemporary hospital with shading outlining the
deficiencies between the two. Sedmak showed the space deficiency for patient rooms
which includes the need for ADA accessibility. Sedmak noted there are no ADA
accessible bathrooms at AVH except the public bathrooms. Sedmak said to reduce the
impact of this facility to the neighbor and the doubling of the facility; this site offers
potential to build the facility into the topography. Sedmak said that is a reason to do the
expansion around the existing site rather than replacing the hospital or spreading out
Regular Meetin¢ Asaen Citv Council January 12, 2009
throughout the 19.1 acre site. There are efficiency reasons for that and densifying this
makes a better aesthetic for the community.
Sedmak reiterated there is a need to phase the development and presented slides showing
the different phases and the addition to the obstetrics unit. Sedmak noted both the
program and the site drive this proposed plan; the applicants looked a saving groves of
trees and the views. Sedmak told Council second story construction is limited based on
the strength of the first floor. Sedmak showed computer generated images of the
proposed project driving up Castle Creek, up Meadowwood Drive, looking at the site
from the west and from Heather Lane. Sedmak told Council the view of the project has
been modeled for any surrounding neighbor who has requested it.
Phase 3 is the relocation of the emergency department, diagnostic imaging, the lab and
expansion of the surgery unit to locate same day surgery near the surgery rooms.
Currently same day surgery patients have to be wheeled through public hallways, which
does not meet the privacy and patient care standards. This also decreases efficiency and
costs the operation money. Sedmak stated co-location of services is important to
operations.
Sedmak pointed out the structure is stepped back to lower the impact of the building on
the Twin Ridge neighborhood. Sedmak noted the service yard and parking lot will be
moved to the back of the facility. The addition is being built into the hillside to take
advantage of the berm, which is over one-story tall. The 4`h phase is completion of the
lobby and restructuring those areas moved in phase 3. The helipad will be relocated to
the roof of the emergency department. Sedmak stated this is a safety factor; it is safer to
land helicopters on the roof than in an area that creates rotor wash.
Sedmak told Council health care is continually changing and the applicant had to set a
benchmark for a facility to live another 20 years. Sedmak said to be successful, this
master plan will have to be flexible so that it can be amended and changes to the building
can be made. Sedmak noted the hospital was built 30 years ago and the core services
have remained the same. Ressler said the applicants tried to reflect the values of the
community in this master plan. Ressler told Council the hospital will be tripling in size
from 77,500 gross square feet. If the parking structure is counted as square feet would
add another 76,000 square feet. The parking structure is an unoccupied service structure
of which 2/3 is below grade. Gideon Kaufinan, representing the hospital, told Council
building the parking structure below grade will preserve open space. Ressler said part of
this proposal is to add medical office space to the third floor.
Councilman Johnson asked the relationship between the hospital and Whitcomb Terrace.
Ressler said Whitcomb Terrace is an assisted living facility owned and operated by the
hospital. Whitcomb Terrace also houses the senior center, which is operated by Pitkin
County. Councilwoman Kasabach asked if Whitcomb Terrace is going to create a
separate master plan. Ressler said they have a task force looking at other properties
where there might be more room to accommodate a continuing care retirement
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ReQUlar Meeting Aspen City Council January 12, 2009
community. Councilman Johnson said the community is concerned about the future of
senior services and their relationship with the hospital.
Councilman Johnson asked what a "community hospital" means within the profession.
Sedmak said it meets the specific needs of the community without a lot of specialized
services where people are referred. Ressler said the applicants feels that services that
absorb excess capacity bring in additional revenues that can be put back into the facility.
Ressler noted Aspen's orthopedic group is highly regarded and people want to come here
for those services. Ressler said the hospital has state of the art imaging capabilities and
people may come here for those technologies.
Councilman Johnson asked the applicants what they meant about keeping up with
competitors and maintaining the market share, and who might be competitors of the
hospital. Ressler said their primary purpose is to serve the community and the hospital's
district is Pitkin County and visitors. Ressler said the hospital is being sensitive to the
mid-valley and patients from there. The current hospital is not geared to out-patient
services and this plan will move those services to the front of the building and make them
more accessible.
Councilman Johnson asked if the proposed plan will be more adaptable to future
techniques than the existing hospital. Sedmak said that is one of the goals and new
modalities and new technologies often require more space. Councilman Johnson asked if
there is a rule of thumb governing size of community relative to size of hospital. Ressler
said there is and the AVH is trying to absorb excess capacity with the seasonal
fluctuations. Ressler noted Pitkin County has an aging population, which requires
different services and more in-patient services. Ressler said the current hospital has 25
beds and this plan is for 40 beds.
Councilman Johnson said for the next meeting, it would be helpful to see the relationship
between what is proposed and the national accreditation standards and what parts of these
changes are being made to meet federal standards or accreditation standards.
Councilman Johnson asked what the applicants feel will happen in 20 years. Dr. Mink
said the progress of medicine is hard to predict; what is reasonable to assume is that this
current plan addresses flexibility, adaptability, space for new technologies and change of
demographics. The hospital is looking at sports medicine, sports science and improving
performance of athletics. Councilman Johnson asked if the hospital looks at sports
medicine and cosmetic surgery as a way to subsidize the rest of the operations. Ressler
answered it is not as much subsidization as enhancement with greater technologies that a
community this size could not afford.
Ressler said the hospital does provide outpatient services down valley. Councilman
Johnson asked if the national accreditation boards require certain services in order to be a
"community hospital" and to what degree does this plan duplicate what is available at
Valley View hospital. Ressler told Council the Joint Commission does not take a role in
rationing health care. Some states have a certificate of need process, which Colorado
does not have. Ressler said the hospital feels they are providing the needs for this
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Re¢ular Meetin¢ Asaen City Council January 12, 2009
community and does not try to be all things to all people. Ressler said there is not a
significant increase in scope of services. High risk, expensive procedures should not be
done in a low volume area.
John Sarpa, AVH Board, said the community expects a high level of medical service;
however, this is a community hospital first and the desire is to take care of community
members first. Sarpa said the applicants want the maximum flexibility in phasing this
redevelopment, what are the most critical things the hospital has to provide. This master
plan attempts to be as comprehensive as possible and to address the future. Councilman
Johnson asked what percentage of this expansion is dictated about expanding services for
plastic surgery and sports medicine. Ressler said it is very small; the surgical capabilities
are needed for other reasons. Ressler said there is nothing dedicated specifically to
plastic surgery.
Councilwoman Kasabach asked how many medical offices are planned for. Sedmak said
the mix of areas in phases II and III has not been laid out to specific details. The
applicants have calculated square footages based on the number of practitioners currently
on staff. Sedmak said the physical plant will not a]low that much additional space on
campus. Sedmak said they can accommodate the current demand for medical offices.
The master plan is focusing on core services and providing the best level of patient care.
Councilwoman Kasabach brought up the traffic impacts and medical offices, which may
exacerbate those traffic issues rather than having the offices spread out in town.
Councilwoman Kasabach said the community has also been discussing the needs for a
homeless shelter and a detox facility and would like to hear the applicant's comments on
those. Councilwoman Kasabach stated she is disappointed there is no employee housing
included in this plan. Ressler said the applicants need further analysis on traffic impacts
especially regarding the office spaces in order to determine the net results.
Ressler told Council the hospital participates in the homeless shelter coalition and
supports these efforts. The hospital also meets on the detox center with law enforcement
and others. Ressler said the issue is whether this community needs a detox center, which
is a societal and safety issue. Ressler said the question is whether those services belong
at the hospital. Ressler stated it is not the hospital's core competency to provide those
services and to mix those services with the patient population.
Ressler said the hospital needs more employee housing and are running parallel efforts to
increase housing inventory. The hospital is looking at expanding the number of housing
units at the Beaumont east of town. Ressler said the hospital has expressed interest in
being included at Burlingame. Councilman Romero asked if the hospital's planning
looked at the trade offs of on-site housing and has decided that is not an option. Ressler
said the charge to the design team was to do a needs assessment as it relates to the core
services of the hospital and to determine a plan to meet those needs. The scope did not
include looking at the housing opportunities on campus. Ressler told Council they have
not said there will be no housing on campus. The Board believes the Beaumont site
presents a cost effective means of adding affordable housing.
12
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 12, 2009
Ms. Lamont said the applicant requests direction from the city on how the employee
generation will be formulated. The hospital is an essential public facility and does not
fall within the strict guidelines of the code. Ms. Lamont pointed out the upper portion of
the meadow is critical to storm water detention and runoff; properties have to retain all
storm runoff on site and clean it before it is released. The meadow, which could be used
for housing, becomes part of the hospital's infrastructure.
Councilman Romero asked if the hospital has done an analysis on what housing they
need to provide. Ressler said this project is an accommodation of existing services the
hospital is already providing; they are increasing the space. Ressler said there is
population growth and an increase in demand for services, which will be the driver for
staffing needs. Councilman Romero asked the public outreach for the next 6 months.
Ms. Lamont reminded Council certain points are still being refined with staff, like the
intersection improvements, snow storage and storm water retention ponds. When these
are refined, the applicants will go back to the neighbors and show them the final
proposal.
Councilman Romero asked what critical comments have already been received. Ms.
Lamont said one is-the bus stop at Doolittle Drive and making it less chaotic; another is
to address noise and light. P&Z wants to see more detailed drawings of the parking
structure. Ressler said there were comments about the helicopter pad moving to the
second floor. Ressler said the hospital used the helicopter landing spot 40 times last year
and does not anticipate an increase in use. Ressler said they have employed a noise
analyst for this; however, the larger issue is safety of landing a helicopter and causing
airborne debris.
Councilman Romero asked about the medical office space and whether all doctors using
the hospital will move to the campus. Dr. Mink noted some physicians own their space
in town and would not move to the hospital. Dr. Mink said it is easier for future doctors
or those having trouble finding space, to have an on-campus location. Dr. Mink said
about 85% of the doctors are interested in this space. Sedmak told Council the design
team has looked at the mix of practice types in town to try and develop space in the
master plan. This space could have flexible examining rooms; not all doctors see patients
every day. Councilman Romero asked examples of community hospitals in the mountain
region. Sedmak said there is one in Salida and one in Routt county.
Councilman Johnson said from what has been presented at this conceptual stage, this
seems like a reasonable, rational application. Councilman Johnson said health care and
federal guidelines may overrule his concerns about private rooms. Councilman Johnson
stated his main concern is that this master plan may not go far enough and does not
address senior services. Councilman Johnson said whatever the hospital does not build,
like senior services, detox, employee housing, will have to come from the city, who
cannot deal with all the issues of the community. Councilman Johnson said he likes this
plan and agrees with using the under-utilized capacity as a revenue source.
13
Reeular Meetiue Aspen City Council January 12, 2009
Councilwoman Kasabach said she shares Councilman Johnson's concerns, especially the
scope of the plan.
Mayor Ireland said he is concerned about the role of the hospital in community health
caze; what will drive the growth and how to cope with it; the traffic and parking issues.
Mayor Ireland said analyzing a hospital in terms of client demands and how much money
can be made obstructs the vision of what a community health facility should be. Mayor
Ireland said the plan addresses how to take care of people who are sick but does not
address how to restrain the need for these services. Mayor Ireland said he will have to be
convinced about the need for private rooms, especially with the diminishing number of
people covered by health insurance. Mayor Ireland said the statement was made that
detox is not part of a hospital's core competency but if not at a hospital, where and who
takes caze of these people. The role of the hospital in community health care is
important.
Mayor Ireland said he does not subscribe to the maintaining market share model of the
hospital. Aspen does not control the rate of growth in the mid-valley, which will be
explosive. Mayor Ireland noted there has been zero growth at the hospital from Aspen
parents. Mayor Ireland said the roundabout is the Achilles heel; it is nearing capacity and
close to where it will be unable to function. Mayor Ireland said the number of people
required to serve town continues to come up from down valley and has to go through the
roundabout. Mayor Ireland said being able to expand this facility in another 20 or 25
years is very important. Mayor Ireland reiterated he has concerns about who we serve,
how we serve them, how they get into and out of the facility. Mayor Ireland said this is
everyone's hospital.
Mayor Ireland opened the public hearing
Melody Durham, nurse at AVH, told Council she has worked in several units of the
hospital and currently directs the cardiac rehabilitation unit, which is a new service within
the last 15 years. Two patient care rooms were taken up to create the cardiac rehab
facility. Ms. Durham noted a major focus of the cazdiac rehab unit is preventative health
caze. There is no waiting room. One of the goals is to offer more in terms of prevention.
Councilman Romero moved to continue the public hearing to January 26, 2009; seconded
by Councilwoman Kasabach.
WILLIAMS RANCH SUBDIVISION -Wright Appeal
Gary Wright, appellant and speaking for Gazy Kelly, Bob Morns and Susan Sparks, said
staff's memo does not relate the appellant's position or the issues. Wright said the code
that applies to the Williams Ranch subdivision, a 35 deed restricted units mixed with free
market units project, the issue is whether slope reduction should be applied to reduce the
FARs on the deed restricted houses and should the 500 square foot gazage exemption
granted by the PUD be allowed or should the current code apply. Wright reminded
Council this was a 4 year process which included Pitkin County and the federal
14
Regular Meeting Aspen City Council January 12, 2009
government; it was one of the first projects in the AH affordable housing zone district
where the developer received 15 free market lots subject to constructing 35 deed
restricted houses. Wright said no cash subsidies were provided and a park was dedicated
to the city. The Williams Ranch project went through afour-step process with the city.
Wright requested Council to allow the floor areas allowed under Ordinance #59, 1989,
and allow the same 500 square foot exemption for the garage. Wright noted there is a
restriction to the homeowners that only 10% cost of the original price can be recoverable
when sold. Anything over 10% does not get repaid. Wright said the homeowners should
be allowed to spend money on home improvements.
Mayor Ireland asked if the original PUD provided for the additional space. Wright said it
did. Mayor Ireland asked if that PUD expired. Wright said the vested rights expired.
Mayor Ireland said the subdivision was subject to rules of general applicability adopted
by Council, who adopted limitations to apply to this subdivision. Mayor Ireland said
Wright is arguing that the code should be changed to allow the garage exemption and that
slope reduction not apply. Mayor Ireland said this is a request for an appeal and the
standards are that the administration abused its discretion, exceeded its jurisdiction or
there was a denial of due process. Mayor Ireland asked if Wright is alleging this. Wright
said he is not.
Mayor Ireland said the standards for an appeal are clear and Wright wants Council to
adopt zoning to allow things that were previously allowed. Wright said it is within
Council's jurisdiction to find that for this deed restricted housing, it is appropriate to
respect what was done by prior Council. Wright said he thought staff had some
discretion in their interpretation and thought this was the appropriate process. Mayor
Ireland said without a showing of denial of due process, that the administration exceeded
its jurisdiction or abused its discretion, Council cannot hear this or they would be zoning
property without notice.
John Worcester, city attorney, gave Council a memorandum setting forth the standards
for this type appeal. Worcester said Wright's argument should be made in an PUD
amendment application because there is no argument that meets the standards of review
for an appeal. Wright admitted that those standards cannot be sustained. Worcester
recommended Wright file an amendment to the PUD. Worcester said the homeowners
will need a document to be recorded setting forth the dimensional requirements and the
only proper way to do that is to have an amendment to the PUD.
Councilman Johnson moved to approve Resolution #8, Series of 2009, affirming the
interpretation of the community development director; seconded by Councilwoman
Kasabach. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Johnson moved to adjourn at 9:35 p.m.; seco ed by Councilwoman
Kasabach. All in favor, motion carried. ~r ,~ ~/,
Kat}fr,~m S. Koch, City Clerk \
15