HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19970422Aspen City Council Work Session April 22, 1997
HINES/HIGHLANDS WATER SERVICE AGREEMENT
Stan Clauson, community development director, told Council since they reviewed
the development and adopted Resolution #26, a housing related mitigation issue has
come up and has been discussed by the housing board and planning staff. The issue
is housing summer music festival students in the dormitory accommodations to be
provided for seasonal employees. Clauson told Council the dormitory has always
been part of the housing mitigation strategy and the mitigation requirements.
Clauson said in the detailed submission it became clear the dormitory was to be
used during ski season for seasonal employees and during the off season to house
music students. The housing board and staff agree that housing music students at
the Highlands is not a bad idea but if the dormitory is not available year round for
employee housing, it should not be counted for employee mitigation. This remains
an issue.
Bob Daniel, representing Aspen Highlands, said when they were in the general
submission process with the BOCC there was a community need to deal with
seasonal housing for the Music Associates. Daniel said the Ski Company feels that
seasonal housing is one of the greatest needs they have. While the applicants were
in the process, the demolition of the Grand Aspen became an issue and the
applicants were asked to look at short term housing by the BOCC. The applicants
came up with a dorm concept, which the BOCC liked and which was incorporated
as a condition of approval at general submission. The comments from the housing
authority regarding their concern about this issue was a surprise to the applications.
Robert Harth, Music Associates, told Council over the last 8 years he has tackled a
lot of issues. The single largest threat to the music festival is housing. Harth
pointed out the Aspen used to have the only music festival in Colorado; now there
are 10 festivals competing for artists. The housing situation is critical for the MAA;
they will lose 150 beds after next season. Harth reminded Council they granted the
Grand Aspen 3 extra years before demolition in order to give the MAA time to plan
for their housing needs and the loss of the 150 beds at the Grande Aspen.
Harth said the MAA has been working with the Hines group on this dorm concept
as well as working with the City and housing authority to develop housing on the
Burlingame property. Harth agreed that year round employee housing is critical for
the community. Harth said seasonal housing is also important. Marolt housing is
full year round. The MAA wants to stay a vibrant force in the summer economy
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Aspen City Council Work Session April 22, 1997
and in the cultural community in Aspen. Harth told Council the MAA gets more
demands each year from students as it is harder for them to find housing. The MAA
hopes to lower and keep their enrollment at 900 students. Harth noted fewer
students means fewer programs for the music festival; the school drives the festival.
The students comprise 80 percent of the performing body. Harth said the MAA
would like to maintain the caliber and scope of activities by maintaining the current
student enrollment. The one thing that will keep students from coming is lack of
housing. The MAA had more student applications this year than ever. Harth said
this opportunity for housing seems to work naturally with the Skiing Company.
Harth said it is important for both winter and summer for this dorm to go through.
Councilwoman Waggaman said housing these students is a valid need. Councilman
Marolt said he considers music students as employees; they are providing cash flow
and business and creating a demand for Aspen’s product. Councilman Marolt said
they are as important as any other employee. Councilwoman Waggaman said if the
music students are 80 percent of the orchestra which bring in the tourists, they
provide a service - music.
John Worcester, city attorney, said he feels the best argument is that by providing
for music students, it takes pressure off other areas of housing. The 900 students
have to be housed somewhere. Worcester said he feels this dorm is a perfect
marriage between two needs - ski employees and music students.
Mayor Bennett noted the County has already improved this as part of the general
submission and he is inclined to leave it in the hands of the county.
Amy Margerum, city manager, summarized Council’s points. Staff will proceed
with finalizing the water service agreement negotiations and will bring it back to a
regular Council meeting. The ordinance will contain a statement that the city finds
the project in substantial compliance with the Aspen Area Community Plan as well
as meeting the other criteria. Staff will draft a letter to the BOCC with a
recommendation from Council that they find the project consistent with the AACP
and would like the Board to consider (1) the RFTA recommendations, (2)
agreement on the temporary intersection improvements at Maroon Creek, (3) the
incorporation of the 4 points in Stan’s memo, and (4) that Council finds that the use
of the dormitory housing for MAA students is acceptable.
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Aspen City Council Work Session April 22, 1997
Mayor Bennett said he would like to see improvements as soon as possible;
however, they should be consistent with the long term plan so as not to waste
money.
Kathryn S. Koch, City Clerk
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