HomeMy WebLinkAboutVail Nature Center greenhouse_102009MEMORANDUM
TO : Vail Town Council
FROM: Community Development Department
DATE: October 20, 2009
SUBJECT: INFORMATION UPDATE: Vail Nature Center Greenhouse
This is an information update only, and is not a Town Council agenda item.
The Vail Recreation District is proposing to construct a 176 sq . ft . solar powered geodesic dome
greenhouse at the Vail Nature Center located at 841 Vail Valley Drive . The proposed
greenhouse has a 15 foot diameter and will be approximately 9 feet in height. The proposed
greenhouse will be used for gardening exhibits and numerous educational programs by the Vail
Nature Center. A vicinity map (Attachment A) and the Vail Recreation Districts description of
the project (Attachment B) have been attached for reference .
The proposed greenhouse was reviewed and approved through the Vail Recreation District's
public review process .
In accordance with Title 12, Zoning Regulations, Vail Town Code, the Planning and
Environmental Commission reviewed and approved a conditional use permit for the proposed
greenhouse at its June 22, 2009 public hearing. This action was reported to the Vail Town
Council at its July 7,2009, public hearing.
In accordance with Title 12, Zoning Regulations, Vail Town Code, the Design Review Board
reviewed and approved the New Construction Design Review Application for the proposed
greenhouse at its July 1, 2009 public hearing. This action was reported to the Vail Town
Council at its July 21, 2009 public hearing .
The Vail Town Code does not require the Vail Town Council 's review of the Vail Recreation
District's proposed greenhouse at the Vail Nature Center . However, a resolution from 1987
titled "A Resolution for the Preservation and Maintenance of the Vail Nature Center" sets forth a
policy that "Substantial changes to the building and grounds must be reviewed by the Town
Council and other applicable Town review agencies". Resolution No. 27, Series of 1987, has
been attached for reference (Attachment C).
Staff has determined that the new greenhouse is not a "substantial" change to the buildings and
grounds of the Vail Nature Center and does require separate Town Council review . Staff made
this determination based upon the following factors:
• The proposed greenhouse is located within the Vail Recreation District's lease area of
the Vail Nature Center.
• The proposed greenhouse replaces an existing greenhouse at the Vail Nature Center.
• The proposed greenhouse was reviewed and approved by the Vail Recreation District
through its public review process.
• The proposed greenhouse was reviewed and approved by both the Planning and
Environmental Commission and the Design Review Board at their respective public
hearings in accordance with Title 12, Zoning Regulations, Vail Town Code.
• The actions of both the Planning and Environmental Commission and the Design
Review Board were reported to the Town Council at its public hearings .
• Staff believes the proposed greenhouse is consistent with the purposes and policies
outlined in Resolution No. 27, Series of 1987, as follows :
RESOLUTION 27, SERIES OF 1987, PURPOSE
Whereas; the Vail Nature Center is located on seven (7) acres of ground along the
south bank of the Gore Creek, in the south section of Ford Park, and
Staff Response: The Vail Recreation District's proposed greenhouse will have no effect
on the size or location of the Vail Nature Center.
Whereas; the Vail Nature Center is a valuable resource to the Town of Vail in that
it provides the Town with a natural preserve, an interpretive center, self-guided
trails and environmental and educational programs, and
Staff Response : The Vail Recreation District's proposed greenhouse is intended to
increase the Vail Nature Center's value to the Town of Vail. The proposed greenhouse
will be located in close proximity to the west of the existing interpretive center for
improved solar access and for minimal impacts to the existing nature preserve . The
proposed greenhouse is intended to replace the existing greenhouse attached to the
east side of the interpretive center that is in a state of disrepair. The proposed
greenhouse will not affect any self-guided trails. The proposed greenhouse is intended
to expand and enhance the environmental and education programs offered at the Vail
Nature Center.
Whereas; the Vail Nature Center serves as an educational tool and example to
demonstrate preservation and conservation of the natural environment, and
Staff Response: The Vail Recreation District's proposed greenhouse as an educational
tool and a demonstration of high altitude gardening, energy efficiency, solar power,
green construction and other opportunities for the preservation and conservation of the
natural environment.
Whereas; the Town Council of the Town of Vail is desirous of establishing general
policies to maintain, preserve and enhance the appeal of the Vail Nature Center.
Staff Response : The Vail Recreation District's proposed greenhouse is intended to
maintain, preserve, and enhance the appeal of the Vail Nature Center by replacing an
existing structure that is in a state of disrepair with a new structure that creates the
potential for a wider variety of educational programming and increased visits.
RESOLUTION 27, SERIES OF 1987, POLICY GUIDELINES
1. The seven (7) acres designated as the Vail Nature Center will be preserved in
their natural state as an example of the Gore Valley's natural history.
Staff Response: The Vail Recreation District's proposed greenhouse will be located in
close proximity to the west of the existing interpretive center for improved solar access
and for minimal impacts to the existing nature preserve .
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2. The Center will remain accessible only via the foot paths (4 self guided trails).
Vehicle access will be prohibited with the exception of delivery of items too
cumbersome or heavy to be manually delivered to the Center.
Staff Response: The Vail Recreation District's proposed greenhouse will not alter access
to the Vail Nature Center.
3. The Policies and Procedures manual of the Vail Nature Center addresses in
detail the goals and objectives of the Vail Valley Nature Center and the
maintenance record for the grounds and facility. Staff procedures for appropriate
care, preservation and maintenance of the Center's building and grounds are
listed in detail in this manual.
Staff Response: The Policies and Procedures Manual of the Vail Nature Center is a Vail
Recreation District organization document identifying staff procedures for the Vail Nature
Center facility. The Vail Recreation District ensures compliance with the policies and
procedures of the Vail Nature Center.
4. Substantial changes to the building and grounds must be reviewed by the Town
Council and other applicable Town review agencies.
Staff Response: In accordance with Title 12, Zoning Regulations, Vail Town Code, and
the policies outlined in Resolution No. 27, Series of 1987, the Planning and
Environmental Commission reviewed and approved a conditional use permit for the
proposed greenhouse at its June 22,2009, public hearing.
The Planning and Environmental Commission's action was reported to the Vail Town
Council at its July 7,2009, public hearing.
In accordance with Title 12, Zoning Regulations, Vail Town Code, and the policies
outlined in Resolution No. 27, Series of 1987, the Design Review Board reviewed and
approved the New Construction Design Review Application for the proposed greenhouse
at its July 1, 2009 public hearing.
The Design Review Board's action was reported to the Vail Town Council at its July 21,
2009, public hearing.
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Attachment A
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, Attachment B
Vail Nature Center
841 Vail Valley Drive
Vail, CO 81657
June 9, 2009
TO: Design Review Board
Department of Community Development
75 South Frontage Road
Vail, CO 81657
Growing Dome Geodesic Greenhouse
I. Introduction
Thisyear, the Vail Nature Center celebrates its 35th year of operation. We wish to mark this historic season with
a project that conveys the Vall Nature Center's continued relevance to environmental education and outdoor
recreation while creating the potential for a wider variety of programming and increased visits.
II. Objective
To install a Growing Dome Greenhouse at the Vail Nature Center. A Growing Dome is a geodesic dome
greenhouse which enables year-round high-altitude gardening without (or with minimal) consumption of fossil
fuels. This greenhouse space would serve as an innovative, hands-on educational space with an interesting
"Iook" to attract visitors to the Vail Nature Center.
III. How this project meets VNCgoals and mission
• The current greenhouseis not largeenoughtouseasan exhibit or educational space;a Growing Dome
is large enough for approximately 12 people to walk through with wall and floor space for displays and
posters (in addition to garden space).
• The greenhouse can be used to educate on a large variety of topics including high-altitude gardening,
organic gardening, local food, hydroponics, what plants need, and solar energy. It can be used as a
vehicle to teach about global issues such as carbon footprints, water shortages, and food production.
,
• The VNCalready has an excellent hydroponics unit that needs to be displayed I
• The innovative design of the greenhouse itself serves an educational purpose; people can learn about
energy efficiency, solar power, and green construction by learning how the Growing Dome functions.
• The Growing Dome would be an interactive and hands-on exhibit; something the Vail Nature Center
prides itself in and visitors love. Gardening creates possibilities for children's activities (Camp Eco Fun
especially) and volunteerism.
• The Growing Dome is unique and interesting-looking, which may make the Vail Nature Center more
appealing from a marketing perspective and attract more visitors who see it from afar. A greenhouse
also offers the appeal of growing gardens that change on a daily and annual basis. It would invite
questions, which would engage visitors more closely with staff who could In turn communicate about
other VNCprograms.
• The current greenhouse is in disrepair and is in a bad location for growing. We would like to fix-up the
existing greenhouse and use it for the less "attractive" gardening stages, l.e. starting seedlings and
mixing fertilizer/compost.
IV. Specifications (size, location, etc)
Growing Domes come in many sizes; we feel we only need one large enough to serve as an exhibit space. The
desired Growing Dome specifications are:
!J.~• yn. diameter
17~ . 9'
• ~are feet of floor space an~1
• Location: south side of existing outdoor garden beds in open field. No tree or shrub removal required.
Should not change character of area or diminish any vistas.
• Built to withstand harsh, high-altitude winters, including wind, hail, and snow
• Photovoltaic (solar) panel which automatically opens window vents at preset temperatures and can be
used to run water pumps for a hydroponics system or cooling fans.
• Will not require external power source or emit light or create emissions.
• Does not require a concrete foundation andisdesigned to beeasily disassembled. Sitsonagravelbase.
• Can be installed by 2 people, but is a good "volunteer day" project.
• No effect on vehicular traffic, utilities, or other public facilities.
A lIttique combination of se~n features moke the Growing Domer>'
the II10St energy-efficient greenhouse on the mar-leet today!
Tem!"'rarure activated vents
Insulated Door
(nor Shown)
More information available at http://www.geodesic-greenhouse-kits.com/.
V. Planof action/Upkeep
• The Vail Nature Center has staff and volunteers who are Willing and able to install the Growing Dome,
and we may be able to arrange for a Growing Spaces staff member to help supervise and help for free.
• Current VNC staff and volunteers are already maintaining a regular garden and hydroponics garden; they
would continue to maintain the Growing Dome through the fall with the possibility of winter gardening.
• The Growing Dome is built to handle large loads of snow and therefore would require only minimal
winter maintenance.
Growing Spaces, LLC. "Greenhouse Kits of the Future. H 2009. Growing Spaces, LLC. 25 May 2009 http://www.growingspaces.com.
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Vail Nature Center Greenhouse Proposal
Aerial view of proposed greenhouse location
Yellow st ake will be the center
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Attachment C
RESOII11'IOO 00. 27
series of 1987
. " ~ ' ~ ..,.,.....-.. .
WHERE'AS; the Vall Nature center is located on seven (7) acres of grcurx:l
alorg the ~._~ of the Gore creek, in the south section of Ford Park, am
WHERFAS; the Vail Nature center is a valuable resan:oe to the town of vau
in that it provides the Town with a natural preserve, an :interpretive center,
self~ded trails am enviromnental am educatialal p:t'OgIall1S, arxl
WHEREAS; the Vail Nature center serves as an educational tool am exanple to
derronstrate preservatioo am conservation of the natural environment, arxl
WHEREAS; the Town cnmcll of the Tawn of Vail is desirous of establi.shirg
general policies to maintain, preserve am enhance the aweal of the Vail Nature
center.
tKM, 'llIEREFORE, be it resolved by the Town o:uncll of the TcMn of vail,
that:
'!he followi.n:J policies shall establish general guidelines for the
maintenance, enha.noement am i'uture develcpnent of the Vail Nature center:
1. '!he seven (7) acres designated as the Vall Nature center will be
preserved in their natural state as an exanple of the Gore Valley's
natural history.
2. '!he center will remain accessible only via the foot paths (4 self
guided trails). Vehicle access will be prohibited with the exception
of delivery of items too a.nnbersome or heavy to be manually delivered
to the center.
3. '!he R:>licies and Procedures manual of the vail Nature center addresses
in detail the goals am objectives of the Vail Natu.re center am the
maintenance record for the 9roorrls am facility. staff procedures for
awrepriate care, preservat.Ion and ma:intenanoe of the center's l::W.lcli.n]
am 9roorrls are listed in detail in this manual.
4. SUbstantial changes to the b.rlldirq am 9roorrls nust be reviewed by the
TcMn co.mcil and other awlicable TcMn review agencies.
!NrnOI:lJCEI), READ,
~A.~Ul.J
Town Clerk
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APf'R)VEI) AND AOOPl'ED, this,~f'(j .'---ck, ;x:. ~H--