HomeMy WebLinkAboutNature Center MemoPKOYO 9 - OZ/67 Page 1 of t
Bill Gibson - Vail Nature Center Greenhouse
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From: Bill Gibson
To: George Ruther
Date: 10/1/2009 11:39 AM
Subject: Vail Nature Center Greenhouse
Attachments: ford park management complete.pdf
George,
Through its own public hearing and review process, the Vail Recreation District decided to pursue the
construction of a new greenhouse at the Vail Nature Center. The VRD subsequently submitted three
development applications to the Town of Vail for review: a conditional use permit application on June 3, 2009; a
new construction design review application on June 15, 2009; and a building permit application on July 28,
2009.
The proposed new greenhouse at the Vail Nature Center is a "season/structures or uses to accommodate
educational, recreational or cultural activities" conditional use in the General Use (GU) District. The new
greenhouse is also a "botanical gardens" and an "environmental, educational, and historical centers"
use allowed by the April 14, 1997 Final Report, Ford Park Management Plan. Neither the General Use District
nor the Ford Park Management Plan prohibit the proposed greenhouse use.
Goal #1, Preserve and Protect Ford Park; Objective 1.2, Refine Criteria for Evaluating Future Development
Proposals, of the Ford Park Management Plan includes Action Step 1.2.1:
a) Create additional development guidelines for underground, low visual impact type structures, enhanced
landscaping, and full and complete impact mitigation.
This Action Step has not been completed and the Ford Park Management Plan does not include any additional
development guidelines for 1) underground 2) low visual impact type structures 3) enhanced landscaping or 4)
full and complete impact mitigation.
Therefore, the adopted Ford Park Management Plan does not prohibit new structures, such as the proposed
greenhouse, from being constructed at Ford Park, including at the Vail Nature Center.
Resolution No. 27, Series of 1987 addresses the management of the Vail Nature Center. Pursuant to this
resolution, the Town Council adopted four policies to "establish guidelines for the maintenance, enhancement,
and future development of the Vail Nature Center": Policy #4 was that "substantial changes to the buildings or
grounds must be reviewed by the Town Council and other applicable Town review agencies":
In accordance with Title 12, Zoning Regulations, Vail Town Code, and the policies outlined in Resolution No. 27,
Series of 1987, the proposed greenhouse was reviewed by the Planning and Environmental Commission, the
Design Review Board, and the Town Council. The PEC approved a conditional use permit for the proposed
greenhouse at its June 22, 2009 public hearing; and this action was reported to the Vail Town Council at its July
7, 2009, public hearing. The Town Council did not "call up" (appeal) this PEC decision, so the action became
final. The DRB approved the New Construction Design Review Application for the proposed greenhouse at its
July 1, 2009 public hearing; and this action was reported to the Vail Town Council at its July 21, 2009 public
hearing. The Town Council did not "call up" (appeal) this DRB decision, so the action became final.
Having obtained the required conditional use permit and design review approvals, the Vail Recreation District
submitted a building permit application for the proposed greenhouse to the Town of Vail for review. The VRD is
currently obtaining additional information and making plan corrections in response to the Town of Vail Building
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Team's correction letter dated August 5, 2009. The Town of Vail will issue a building permit for the proposed
greenhouse once the VRD has adequately responded to every correction item identified in this letter.
(A pdf copy of the April 14, 1997 Final Report, Ford Park Management Plan has been attached for reference)
Sincerely,
Bill
Bill Gibson, AICP
Town Planner
Town of Vail
p:970-479-2173
f: 970-479-2452
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