HomeMy WebLinkAboutDean Variance 062711 Attachment F � ��
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June 20, 2011
� To Town of Vail Community Development
� Thank you to George Ruther for the E-mail update Ma.y 3 regarding Ord. �#5,
solar energy device regulations. I understood you recommended that solar
energy devices would only be permitted at or below the roof ridgeline of
Vail homes. We are sorry the Town Council chose to allow the panel to
extend a foot above ridgeline, The Ord. #5 was changed and is again
receiving a request to change it further by variance.
Warren Campbell told me by telephone that is it necessary to have a letter
` o� ro ,es in your office by June 21; I am enclosing a copy of our letter of
� �cto�ei�.C$, 2010 which ga,ve opposition to this variance. We are still
opposed to this panel being placed in our view of -the forest and mountain.
Because of this owner mounting the panel without permit, we know what a
distraction it will be, unless the final panel is even larger (the letter
� you sent the neighborhood just specified "higher than one foot above
building ridgeline").
This panel won't even be visible to the owner of 4918 Meadow Drive when they
are inside their home. Beside� us, the panel will be visible to others in
the neighborhood, and we have been asked to register opposition.
I know there must be some sympathy for this owner's expense in purchasing
the equipment needed, but hope this will not influence your decision.
We will E-mail Town Council further protest when we see it on their ag�nda,
and thank you for your consideration.
(Jim) and Jeannine Robbins C- �
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4948 E. Meadow Drive ,.�'(;�,,v�,�„g
P.O. Box 1127 ;
Jeannine day phone 476-1713 r
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� TOV Community Development Department October 18 , 2010
?5 south Frontage Road
� Vail CO 81657
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� Attn: Bill Gibson
Thank you for your letter regarding a review for variance of town code fo r placement
of solar panels above roof ridgeline at 4918 E Meadow Drive, side A. Thi s lot is
between our home and an amazing mountain. My husband and I have lived at 494$ E
Meadow Drive since spring 1979� We are full-time residents. There are r eal estate
ads selling homes with a beautiful view of distant mountains. Our home n ot only
has a wonderful distant view, but most of our back and side lot is adjace nt to BLM
', wetlands and forest, Only the home at 4918 E Meadow is between our front side Iot
; and this grand mountain. Living here is a dream come true, where we find sanctuary
� in the trees and the mountain.
In Ma,y 2009, as you know, the single family home located on the wetlands at 4918
E Meadow was removed and a large duplex was built. It is an attractive building;
however, earlier this summer a solar panel was installed on the south roof' of home
A, at the rear of the lot, adjacent to the mountain. It was mounted a fe w feet above
the roof ridgeline and was a very unpleasant distraction of our view of the trees and
the mountain. Our window was a frame around the panel and the view from our kitchen
was just plain annoying. It was also visible from our decks, especially the highest
one which is used daily in nice weather. Perhaps the potential buyer of side B
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might also be offended; will the opportunity to comment be given them?
The Town of Vail is considerate of us in Ea,st Vail; through lean times you resisted
selling the property of our fire station. These first respondPrs saved Jim' s life
,� in 2006 when he had no pulse and had quit breathing. Again the firemen came in 2008
when E-coli brought Jim down; also, the town keeps Bighorn Park immaculate and the
� dog park is much loved. We don't have a dog but share in others' joy. The pa,rk has
been there for our children and later� the grandchildren when babies--and now as
high school students. We have always had excellent snow removal on our streets,
free bus service, and a code to keep the neighborhood consistent; for instance,the
recent rule to keep solar panels below roof ridgeline. (It was good the first huge
satellite TV receiver in E. Vail hidden under a big, white yard umbrella didn't
'� "catch on" and receive approval for dozens of homes! � We are very thankful for all
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you have done for us.
Your letter was no surprise to the neighborhood as the frame for the panel was again
placed on the roof above ridgeline, and September 24 a truck delivered equipment
_ which might be part of this system; so we expected a request for variance. When you
do your site evaluation, we hope you will notice how close this roof is to the moun-
tain. Right now the sun is behind the mountain before 5 p.m. and as autumn progresses,
about 1:30 by that home. Is solar effective adjacent to conifers and the mountain?
We also hope you will envision the panels above ridgeline on other homes, as this will
surely reverse your recent code for others that request variance--from Ea,st Vail to
Intermountain. No doubt other homes were built adjacent to elevation without placing
the south roof in a more sun-friendly location on the lot.
We do not object to panels below ridgeline; certainly if effective on that lot, the
panels could help to heat the home, hot tub and driveway. However, it is just plain
� rude to mount this distra.ction above the roof for others to see daily, especially
� since it is not even visible to the owners of side A. Their "green" would impact our
� view of rg een; therefore, if we had a vote, it would be to oppose the code variance.
� Sincerely,
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