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Memorandum
TO: Design Review Board r~-r Ki~"5b:>
FROM: Community Development Department 2;'-D 1-oR-s'"JL
DATE: June 19,2013
SUBJECT: Minor Exterior Alteration, 18th Hole Realignment, DRB130191
Applicant: Vail Recreation District c/o Scott O'Connell
Planner: George Ruther
I. FORWARD
The Vail Recreation District has requested the Design Review Board (DRB) review the
application for the proposed realignment of the 18 th Hole at the Vail golf Course. This
application is specific in the scope of work proposed. To assist the DRB and their
decision making, Staff recommends the parameters of the review be confined to the
following areas:
DRB130191, 18 th Hole Realignment
1. Landscaping
2. Design and placement of the proposed retaining wall
3. Limits of disturbance
Discussion on aspects of this project outside of the aforementioned areas or
discussions concerning other aspects of the Golf Course and its operations are
inappropriate at this time and outside the purview of the DRB. Due to the heightened
interest in golf course operations, staff is appreciative of the DRB's confinement of their
comments to areas appropriate for discussion.
II. PRO..IECT SUMMARY
The 18 th Hole Realignment is being proposed by the Vail Recreation District to address
several challenges that currently exist. These include errant golf balls hitting the club
house during play on the 18 th Hole and players on the hole being struck by golf balls
coming over the safety netting from the driving range. These safety concerns are
documented in the Golf Ball Trajectory Study performed by the Tanner Consulting
Group and included as an attachment to this memorandum. The Town Council voted
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unanimously 7-0 to proceed with the application for the realignment of the 18th Hole at
the regular July 17, 2012 meeting.
The project involves excavating areas of the existing 18th Hole to install new features
including bunkers, tees and greens. The project includes the removal of four (4) trees
near the proposed black tee box and the installation of thirty-two (32) new trees in the
vicinity. The black tee box also includes a retaining wall not to exceed four (4) feet in
height constructed out of the Rosetta Stone material used previously at the Vail Golf
Course. The new retaining wall allows the elevation of the black tee box to enhance the
hole’s experience.
The realignment of the 18th Hole will assist in providing a safe, enjoyable experience for
patrons and staff at the Vail Golf Club.
III. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
Vail Town Code
TITLE 12, Zoning Regulations (in part)
12-8B-2: PERMITTED USES:
The following uses shall be permitted in the OR district:
Bicycle and pedestrian paths.
Golf courses.
Interpretive nature walks.
Nature preserves.
Passive outdoor recreation areas and open spaces.
12-11-3: DESIGN APPROVAL:
A. Scope: No person shall commence removal of vegetation, site preparation,
building construction or demolition, dumping of material upon a site, sign
erection, exterior alteration or enlargement of an existing structure, paving,
fencing or other improvements of open space within the corporate limits of the
town unless design approval has been granted as prescribed in this chapter. The
addition of plant materials to existing landscaping, gardening and landscape
maintenance shall be exempt from this provision.
TITLE 14, DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS (in part)
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CHAPTER 14-6, GRADING STANDARDS
14-6-3: NATURAL FEATURES:
Grading that is detrimental to existing natural features is discouraged. Those areas of a
site that are determined to remain in a natural state shall be protected during
construction. A site specific construction disturbance plan shall be prepared, outlining
the areas to be disturbed and the methods and devices used to protect the remaining
portions of the site.
CHAPTER 14-10, DESIGN REVIEW STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
14-10-3: SITE PLANNING:
C. Removal of trees, shrubs, and other native vegetation shall be limited to removal
of those essential for development of the site, those identified as diseased or
those essential for creating defensible space. Mitigation may be required for tree
removal.
14-10-8: LANDSCAPING, DRAINAGE, AND EROSION CONTROL:
A. Various natural vegetation zones exist within the Gore Valley as a result of the
form and aspects of the land itself. The north facing slopes within the valley are
typically heavily wooded with spruce, pine and aspen and generally receive less
direct sunlight than the drier south facing slopes which typically consist of sage,
aspen and other vegetation tolerant of drier conditions. The valley floor which is
adjacent to Gore Creek consists of a wide variety of trees and shrubs adapted to
the relatively fertile soil and natural availability of water.
The goal of any landscape plan should be to preserve and enhance the natural
landscape character of the area in which it is to be located and serve as an aid in
fire prevention and protection. The landscape scale and overall landscape design
shall be developed so that new vegetation is integral with the natural landscape
and the inherent form, line, color and texture of the local plant communities.
Since the major objective of the landscaping is to help reduce the scale of new
structures and to assist in the screening of structures, the planting of large sized
plant materials is encouraged. Fire wise plant materials are encouraged due to
their ability to resist fire. Trees should be maintained through limbing and pruning
in order to prevent limbs from being too close to structures and other plant
materials. Special care should be taken in selecting the types of plants to use
when designing a landscape plan. Final selection should be based upon the soils
and climate, ease of establishment, suitability for the specific use desired, ability
to deter the spread of fires and the level of maintenance that can be provided.
New planting shall use plants that are indigenous to the Rocky Mountain alpine
and subalpine zones or are capable of being introduced into these zones.
A recommended list of plant materials, some indigenous to the Vail area, is on
file with the department of community development. Also indicated on the list are
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fire wise plant materials which are suitable for planting within the Vail area. The
minimum sizes of landscape materials acceptable are as follows:
Required trees:
Deciduous 2 inch caliper
Conifers 6 foot
Required
shrubs
#5 gallon container
Foundation shrubs shall have a minimum height of 18 inches at
time of planting.
B. Landscape design shall be developed to locate new planting in order to extend
existing canopy edges or planted in natural looking groups. Geometric plantings,
evenly spaced rows of trees, and other formal landscape patterns shall be
avoided.
C. Particular attention shall be given the landscape design of off street parking lots
to reduce adverse impacts upon living areas within the proposed development,
upon adjacent properties, and upon public spaces with regard to noise, lights,
and visual impact.
D. All landscaping shall be provided with a method of irrigation suitable to ensure
the continued maintenance of planted materials.
E. Whenever possible, natural drainage patterns upon the site shall not be modified.
Negative drainage impacts upon adjacent sites shall not be allowed.
F. Runoff from impervious surfaces such as roofs and pavement areas shall be
directed to natural or improved drainage channels or dispersed into shallow
sloping vegetated areas.
G. Slope of cut and fill banks shall be determined by soil characteristics for the
specific site to avoid erosion, and promote revegetation opportunities, but in any
case shall be limited to a maximum of two to one (2:1) slope.
H. Measures shall be taken to retain all eroded soil material on site during
construction, control both ground water and surface water runoff, and to
permanently stabilize all disturbed slopes and drainage features upon completion
of construction.
I. All plants shall be planted in a good quality topsoil mix of a type and amount
recommended by the American Landscape Contractor Association and the
Colorado Nurseryman's Association.
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J. All plantings must be mulched.
K. Paving near a tree to be saved must contain a plan for a "tree vault" in order to
ensure the ability of the roots to receive air. (Ord. 3(2007) § 5: Ord., 9-21-1999)
14-10-9: FENCES, HEDGES, WALLS, AND SCREENING:
A. Placement: The placement of walls and fences shall respect existing landforms
and fit into land massing rather than arbitrarily follow site boundary lines. Fences
shall not be encouraged except to screen trash areas, utility equipment, etc.
B. Design: Design of fences, walls, and other structural landscape features shall be
of materials compatible with the site and the materials of the structures on the
site. Retaining walls and cribbing should utilize natural materials such as wood
timbers, logs, rocks, or textured, color tinted concrete. No chainlink fences shall
be allowed except as temporary construction fences or as required for
recreational facilities.
C. Setbacks Observed: All accessory uses and structures except fences, hedges,
walls and landscaping, or ground level site development such as walks,
driveways, and terraces shall be located within the required minimum setback
lines on each site. Recreational amenities may be exempted by the design
review board if it determines that their location is not detrimental environmentally
and/or aesthetically.
E. Height Limitations: Fences, hedges, walls and landscaping screens shall not
exceed three feet (3') in height within any required front setback area, and shall
not exceed six feet (6') in height in any other portion of the site, provided that
higher fences, hedges, walls or landscaping screens may be authorized by the
administrator when necessary to screen public utility equipment. No barbed wire
or electrically charged fence shall be erected or maintained.
IV. SUBJECT PROPERTY
The subject property is located at 1775 Sunburst Drive, Unplatted.
V. REQUIRED ACTION
Pursuant to Section 12-11-4, Material to be Submitted; Procedure, Vail Town Code, the
Design Review Board shall approve with or without conditions, deny or table an
application for additional information.
VI. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
The Community Development Department recommends that the Design Review Board
approve DRB130191 based upon the evidence and testimony presented, and the
findings of fact listed below.
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The Community Development Department recommends the Design Review Board
makes the following motion:
Based upon a review of the Staff’s June 19, 2013 memorandum to the Design
Review Board, the evidence and testimony presented, and the finding of facts,
the Design Review Board approves, of a design review application for the
realignment of the 18th Hole at the Vail Golf Course and setting forth details in
regard thereto, based upon the conclusion that the Board’s determination meets
the guidelines and standards imposed by the requirements of the Vail Town
Code.
The Community Development Department recommends the Design Review Board
make the following finding of fact:
Based upon the review of the application to the Design Review Board, the
Board’s site visit to the subject property, and the evidence and testimony
presented, the Design Review Board finds that the proposed realignment of the
18th Hole comply with Title 12, Zoning Regulations, and Title 14, Development
Standards, Vail Town Code.
VII. ATTACHMENTS
A. Plans including Golf Ball Trajectory Study and Retaining Wall Schematic