HomeMy WebLinkAboutEver Vail Submittal Update Letter 110309 � VAI L R ESORTS�
EXTRAORDINARY RESORTS • EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCES'"
�
November 3, 2009
Town of Vail
c/o Warren Campbell, AICP
75 South Frontage Road
Vail, Colorado 81657
Re: Ever Vail Submittal Update
Dear Town Council, Planning and Environmental Commission, and Town Staff:
Vail Resorts Development Company has submitted updated application materials for
the Ever Vail project based on changes to the project site, the recent approval and
submission of the South Frontage Road pians to Colorado Department of Transportation
(CDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), input received in community
meetings, and the outcome of a two-day planning retreat spent with Town staff to
understand and refine comments. After over two years in the process with the Town we
have refined the project accordingly.
Two major milestones have occurred since last reviewed by the Town submittal:
� 1 . The approval of the location of the new South Frontage Road. This preliminary
approval is a significant step in the Ever Vail review process as it sets the site
boundaries and defines the north property line for the project. VRDC has been
working with the Town Staff, CDOT, and FHWA to ensure that there is adequate
width for the road section desired and to ensure that future I-70 expansion plans
are not constrained by the relocated Frontage Road. As you all know, this new
Frontage Road is a vast improvement over the existing road as it includes
medians, turn lanes, a separated recreation path, overflow parking lane, etc.
While the final CDOT approval process continues, all signs point to a positive
outcome.
2. The Glen Lyon Office Building (GLOB) site has been incorporated into the Ever
Vail Project. Vail Resorts Development Company is currently under contract to
purchase the GLOB site. This is a major addition to the Ever Vail project, allowing
for additional Gore Creek frontage and vastly improving the coordination and
planning on the west side of Red Sandstone Creek. The result allows for
underground rather than above grade parking as previously proposed. There
are covenants on the GLOB site that restrict uses to primarily residential and
restrict the height and square footage that can be developed there. This
additional property provides the opportunity to properly master plan the entire
West Lionshead area.
In addition to these major milestones, other changes have been made to the Ever Vail
� plans based on the input we received from the Town and the public. The plans now
include:
Vail Resorts Development Company •970 754 2535 •vrdc.com
Post Office Box 959, 137 Benchmark Road •Avon, Colorado 81620
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�, • A 13,000 sq. ft. facility devoted to children's programming. This facility, run by the
Vail Recreation District, includes an iconic indoor/outdoor climbing wail, along
with children and family activities focused on after ski programs during the winter
months. During the summer months, the Vail Recreation District will base an
enhanced day camp program and drop-in activities from here.
• A children's ski school space that accommodates the DEVO program currently
housed at Golden Peak. The DEVO program and accessible ski school base are
served by approximately 50 short-term drop-off parking spaces included within
the skier parking facility.
• A new outdoor amphitheater that focuses on the natural environment of Red
Sandstone Creek.
• An approximately 4,000 sq. ft. dedicated meeting space over looking the
confluence of Red Sandstone and Gore Creeks.
The plans continue to include
the extensive list of uses and � " ��; w "
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amenities as previously � ,,,�:y,.' � �
conceived. There is still a Rock - ; }
Resort Hotel with 120 rooms and �� � `'
' _ �y:�?;
associated conference and ���-� .., w° ��` �j'��' �
� meeting rooms of over 8,000 sq. •t �,. i � e ,.
ft. along with a 20,000 sq. ft. �� ~�i �-�� �
F'
..�:.� j - v if�A"' ). _� ,�a } � 1 f .
destination spa. Ever Vail will �� � � n� � � i _-±
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have a 14,000 sq. ft. specialty � � �� � = Tr "
market, along with 38,000 sq. ft. *,. t - : :.� •3 , �`
of general retail. Ever Vail is �r�`�"�, �,: ` ,,,� = �'{; S �• '
=�;+: • � ��
envisioned with 6 restaurants, �"`, � ., " �, ,�- �r _ , � �,
from high-end dining to casual �� .�Wo
family dining. From a residential
standpoint, we are now proposing 358 condominium units with approximately 537,000
sq. ft. of GRFA. In addition, there will be 48 employee-housing units, both for-sale and
rental units, meeting 80% of our requirement on-site. A portion of the employee units will
be restricted to lower income families pursuant to the LEED ND program, well beyond
the requirements of the Town of Vail. We will be increasing the amount office space
that will be displaced by development, allowing for local businesses to continue
operating in Vail.
We also remain committed to providing 400 day-skier parking spaces as outlined in the
Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan to alleviate parking currently occurring on the
Frontage Road and to accommodate the shifting demand for parking as a result of the
new gondola. An additional 300 parking spaces are open to the public for skier and
retail parking. The project has 1,551 total parking spaces for all uses including private
� residential, office, and employee parking displaced from other locations in Lionshead.
� Ultimately, Ever Vail is about the mountain. A new gondola will be provided, helping to
alleviate congestion at the other mountain portals and creating a much-needed fifth
portal. Along with the gondola comes a brand-new, state-of-the-art, completely
subterranean mountain operations facility with direct access to the snowcat bridge
and access road up Tract K.
The details of the project are provided �`� ' � '� �
in the plan sets and written materials . � ; ' �
and studies provided with the project. � � �� ���i�i1 �
We look forward to presenting and ' � 3 �,�� �� '�'
reviewing this project with the Town �`'�`' �� � � � ��
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over the next eight months. '�� $;� ;��� �j.
Sincerely, ° r �'��� _�
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Keith Fernandez, President �-x��.� .='�� '' . �` - � .i
Vail Resorts evelopmentCompany � �.,H�A,� - - ��r����r.,.a
John G rnsey, o-Presi nt
� Vail R sorts M untain Di ision
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