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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRB130205 Clock Tower View Enhancement Proposal DeniedTOWN OF VAIL "' 1309 Elkhorn Drive Public Works /Transportation Department Vail, Colorado 81657 970.479.2158 vailgov.com 970.479.2166 fax Project: Clock Tower View Corridor Enhancement Study Design Review Board Application August 3, 2011 Applicant: Town of Vail Project Description: The maturing aspen trees located to the west of the north end of the Covered Bridge have increased in height to the point where they are blocking the view of the Clock Tower from the designated view corridor point as well as the overlook area south of the entrance to the Ski Museum. Town Council has directed staff to create a proposal to open up the view of the Clock Tower. The proposal is as follows. View Enhancement Proposal: The view looking south from the Village Parking Structure is one of the defining images of Vail. It is much photographed and painted and is identified around the world as symbolizing Vail Mountain and the town of Vail. The proposal begins by breaking down the components of this iconic view. Viewed from the Village Parking Structure the Clock Tower is the primary focal point. It is a monumental element rising higher than the surrounding buildings with Vail Mountain as the back drop. As the viewer moves down from the structure the view changes. The Clock Tower begins to be obscured by the trees and the focal point of the view becomes the Covered Bridge. The aspen trees to the west of the north end of the Covered Bridge have both a negative and positive influence on the sequence of views experienced by those entering the Vail Village over the Covered Bridge. The height of the aspen trees negatively influences the view from the Village Parking Structure by blocking the view of the Clock Tower. Obviously, this is a summer time only condition. The presence of the aspen tree branches and leaves have a positive influence on the "post card" image of the Covered Bridge by framing the view and creating balance in the image. This is a year - round condition which changes slightly summer to winter. The aspen trees also positively influence the view of the Covered Bridge by blocking some of the view of Bridge Street and the buildings immediately south of the bridge. The scene beyond the bridge, if not partially screened by the leaves and branches, would create a busy, less organized image of the Covered Bridge. It is noteworthy to point out that the designer of the Vail Village, Eldon Beck, intentionally screened the view of Bridge Street from Slifer Square. The intention was to have Bridge Street revealed to the visitor upon exiting the Covered Bridge. The slight left hand curve of the street then pulls the visitor up the street to see what lies beyond the immediate field of view. The proposal seeks to remove the negative influences affecting the view of the Clock Tower while retaining the positive influences the leaves and branches have on view of the Covered Bridge. Multiple options were explored before arriving at the proposal. The first option explored was to do nothing. Allow the trees to continue to mature and, in several years, remove and replant them as they decline in health and vigor. This option does nothing to eliminate the winter season, negative influences of the tree on the view or and fails to enhance and retain the desired iconic image. The second option explored was to remove only one aspen tree (3rd tree to the right of the bridge) to partially open up the view of the Clock Tower from the designated view point and the Ski Museum overlook. This option only partially resolved the negative influence and would be short lived as the trees continued to grow. The third option, which is the proposal, eliminates the negative influences on the Clock Tower view and enhances the positive influence that leaves and branches have on the view of the Covered Bridge. The proposal includes the removal of 7 aspen trunks, of which 3 are the original planting and 4 are off shoots of the root system. In addition, 5 to 6 shrubs would be removed to allow removal of the root systems of the aspen trees. The existing Vail map would be removed and the boulder holding the Dobson Plaque would be shifted closer to the pedestrian pavement. In place of the aspen trees, a single Spring Snow Crabapple tree would be planted. In place of the shrubs, several flowering shrub roses, and spreading juniper bushes would be planted to fill out the planting bed and provide some screening of the view across the creek. The Spring Snow Crabapple was selected for it's arching form, spring profusion of white blossoms, and non - fruiting characteristic. Visitors to Vail (and all us locals) who visit during the right weeks in June would be treated to a spectacular image with the white blossoms framing the entry to the bridge and contrasting against the dark stained wood. Staff would seek out the largest Spring Snow Crabapple that could be obtained to create as much immediate positive impact as possible. With an approval of the proposal from the DRB and the Town Council, staff is prepared to complete the work immediately after the Labor Day holiday. The cost t of implementing the proposal is projected to be less than $10,000. List of attached images: 1. Existing conditions site plan 2. Planting plan for proposal 3. Photo of Existing View 4. Sketch of view without aspens 5. Sketch of view with crabapple 6. Sketch of proposal approaching Covered Bridge 7. 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