HomeMy WebLinkAboutScenario Evaluation 072009Comparison to Master Plans
Planner’s Staff
July 20, 2009
Lionshead Transit Center Scenario Evaluation
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LRMP Relevant Sections
3.8.1.3 West Lionshead Circle
3.8.1.4 Lionshead Place
3.8.2.1 Lionshead Pedestrian Core
3.8.3 Transit
3.8.4 Service and Delivery
3.9 Parking
3.10.2 Vehicular Streetscape
3.10.3 Pedestrian
Streets and Retail Mall
4.1 Underlying Physical Framework of Lionshead
4.1.1 Lionshead Master Plan Concept
4.4.1.1 View Corridors
4.6.2.2 Road Improvements
4.6.3.2 West (Current)
Entrance
4.5 Public Transportation
4.7.3.1 West End of Lionshead Parking Structure
4.8.1.3 Charter Bus Parking Lot
5.1 Vail Civic Center
5.2 South Face of the Lionshead Parking Structure
5.3 Lionshead Tourist Information Center
5.5 East Lionshead Bus Drop-off Area
5.6 West Face of the Parking Structure
5.7.1 Expansion of Ground Floor Retail Space
5.7.6 Service and
Delivery
5.8.1 Build-to-lines
5.8.2 Ground Level Retail Expansion Opportunities
5.8.6 Plazas and Nodes
5.8.8 Pedestrian/ Retail Connection to West Lionshead Circle
5.9 North Day Lot
6.1 Primary Pedestrian Mall
6.3 Primary Pedestrian Walk
6.5 Vehicular Pedestrian Retail Street
7.1 Landscape Area
7.2 Site Coverage
7.3 Setbacks
8.3.3 Redevelopment Prioritization and
“Triggers” (Renewed and expanded retail frontage)
9.1 Project Prioritization
9.1.1.1 North Day Lot Transit Center
9.1.1.2 The East Lionshead Pedestrian Portal
9.1.1.3 The West Lionshead
Pedestrian Portal
9.1.1.4 Public Space Improvements in the Pedestrian/ Retail Core
9.1.1.5 Sidewalk and Streetscape Improvements
9.1.1.6 Development on the South Face of the Parking
Structure and East Lionshead Circle Streetscape
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LRMP Relevant Figures/ Maps
Figure 4-6 – Potential turning movements at intersection of East Lionshead Circle and South Frontage Road
Figure 4-7 – Transit Route Termination at East Lionshead Pedesrian Portal
Figure
4-8 – Potential Transit Point Parallel to South Frontage Road
Figure 4-10 – Intersection of Lionshead Place and West Lionshead Circle
Figure 4-11 – East Lionshead Service and Delivery
Facility
Figure 4-14 – West Lionshead Parking Structure Opportunities
Figure 5.6 - East Lionshead Pedestrian Portal
Figure 5.7 – Lionshead Arcade, Vail 21, Lifthouse Lodge, Lionspride
and Redeveloped Parking Deck
Figure 5-7a – Alternative Redevelopment Opportunity at Lionspride Building Site
Figure 5-11 & 5-12 – West Lionshead Mall Pedestrian Connections
Figure 5-13
& 5-13a– Proposed North Day Lot Transit Center
Figure 6-1 – Lionshead Pedestrian Mall Conceptual Retail Expansion Section
Figure 6-6 – East Lionshead Conceptual Streetscape Section
Map
E Existing Vegetation
Map G Existing Vehicular Circulation
Map H Existing Pedestrian Circulation
Map I Existing Parking (and loading)
Map P Master Plan Framework Pedestrian Mall
Map
Q Master Plan Framework Pedestrian Walks and Paths
Map S Master Plan Framework Build To Lines
Map U Master Plan Framework Vehicular Roadway Improvements
Map V Master Plan Framework Parking
and Delivery Opportunity Areas
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LRMP Relevant Sections
3.8.1.3 West Lionshead Circle
3.8.1.3 West Lionshead Circle West Lionshead Circle (see figure 3-10) functions primarily as the access route to Lionshead Place, several lodging facilities,
and the Vail Associates core site. In addition the road carries a significant amount of service and delivery traffic and serves as a transit route for the Town of Vail bus and the Eagle
County regional bus.
a. Transit
There are two Town of Vail transit stops on West Lionshead Circle, the first located in front of the Marriott and the other at Concert Hall Plaza.
According to the traffic study (see appendix A), only eight percent of the total traffic entering Lionshead – and only two percent of passengers on the Town of Vail bus - used the Concert
Hall Plaza stop. The Town of Vail Public Works Department has recommended that the transit stop at Concert Hall Plaza be discontinued.
b. Service and Delivery
Two service and delivery
areas are accessed from West Lionshead Circle, one at the Concert Hall bus-stop and the other in the alley between Concert Hall Plaza and the Landmark Townhomes. The delivery vehicle
staging behind the Landmark Townhomes is ad-hoc and illegal, as this is a designated emergency vehicle access lane. Both areas occasionally back up and cause trucks to stage temporarily
on West Lionshead Circle.
Concert Hall Plaza is intended to be the western portal into the Lionshead mall, but the pedestrian paths along West Lionshead Circle are fragmented and the
point of entry is unclear. A partial sidewalk runs along the south side of the street in front of the Marriott but it is not continuous. The gradient is difficult in places, and pavements
are often icy in winter. There is no pedestrian crosswalk at the intersection of West Lionshead Circle and Lionshead Place. Dark and compromised by stairways, the passage through Concert
Hall Plaza is seriously deficient as a pedestrian and retail environment. Very few pedestrians from west Lionshead ever make the connection through Concert Hall Plaza to the mall.
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LRMP Relevant Sections
3.8.1.4 Lionshead Place Lionshead Place, a cul-de-sac spur off West Lionshead Circle, is short but heavily utilized. As the vehicular access point to the Vail
Associates core site,
Lionshead Place functions as lodging access, service and delivery access, a transit stop, skier drop-off, and a heavily used pedestrian corridor. It is also an important portal to the
Gore Creek open space corridor.
a. Lodging Access
Lionshead Place provides access to the Marriott, Montaneros, Antlers, Lion Square Lodge, and the Vail Associates core site. Although
the road adequately handles current traffic loads its visual appearance is inconsistent with that of the front door to a high quality lodging neighborhood. Motorists going to the Lion
Square Lodge must pass through the VA service lot to get to the lodge’s entry and parking.
b. Transit
The Lionshead Place cul-de-sac is the drop-off location for the Eagle County regional
transit service. Shuttle vans and skier drop-off traffic also stop in the cul-de-sac. Problems with this location for the regional bus stop include the lack of proximity to connecting
Town of Vail transit, the distance buses must travel from the main arterial road and the additional traffic on a cul-de-sac that is already heavily used.
c. Service and Delivery
The
majority of truck traffic on Lionshead Place is going to the Vail Associates core site. The core site has an internal service yard but the high volume of deliveries means that trucks
often have to stage along the access road or outside the Vail Associates property. This creates conflicts with the lodging traffic and with pedestrians walking along Lionshead Place
to the ski yard.
d. Pedestrian Access
Lionshead Place is the second most heavily utilized but worst functioning and least inviting pedestrian corridor in Lionshead. The high volume
of pedestrian traffic is generated by the west Lionshead lodging properties (the Marriott, Vail Spa, and the Enzian). Seeking
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the shortest route to the ski yard, skiers staying
in these properties bypass the out-of-the-way Concert Hall Plaza and take Lionshead Place instead, even though there is no continuous pedestrian walkway on either side of the street.
In the absence of sidewalks and crosswalks, pedestrians tend to cross the street anywhere, creating a very dangerous conflict with private vehicles, delivery vehicles, and the regional
transit bus. Past the cul-de-sac, pedestrians must walk along the core site access road (where there is no separation between pedestrians and vehicles) and into the ski yard by way of
a narrow, icy pathway along the north end of Lion Square Lodge (see figure 3-11). An additional circulation problem is the lack of a pedestrian connection between the main Lion Square
Lodge building (phases 1-3) and the Lion Square Lodge north building. These buildings are on opposite sides of Lionshead Place, and there is no delineated pedestrian crossing between
them.
e. Skier Drop-Off
Lionshead Place handles a significant volume of private skier drop-offs. This traffic adds one more layer of conflict to the traffic generated by transit,
lodging, service and delivery, and pedestrians.
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3.8.2.1 (in part) The primary entry points are the east Lionshead bus drop-off, the Concert Hall Plaza bus drop-off, and Lionshead Place.
3.8.3 Transit The only portion of the in-town
shuttle route where buses must bypass the pedestrian environment and return to the South Frontage Road is in the core area between the East Lionshead transit stop and Concert Hall Plaza.
This interruption in the dedicated shuttle circuit forces buses to make several left turns to get on and off the frontage road, frequently causing delays in the transit schedule. To
resolve the problem, the planning team explored the concept of punching an internal transit route through the pedestrian core or reserving a corridor for future transit needs. Both of
these ideas met with extreme resistance from residents and business owners alike. Although there may be no physical solution to this problem, the issue of how to connect the east half
of Lionshead to the west half must be considered a priority in all future transportation and transit planning for the Town of Vail.
3.8.4 Service and Delivery
A detailed discussion
of the existing service and delivery system is contained in appendix A. For a discussion of how existing service and delivery areas affect the streets where they occur, see the individual
street descriptions above.
3.9 Parking
The ground rules of the Lionshead master plan state that future redevelopment will not cause a net loss of parking. An assessment of existing
parking conditions is discussed in this section. For additional parking information on a town-wide basis, please refer to the Town of Vail carrying capacity analysis and the Master Transportation
Study.
3.10.2 Vehicular Streetscape Visual quality is as important to vehicular streets as it is in Lionshead’s pedestrian core. Many streets are characterized by deterioration of
concrete curbs, gutters, and sidewalks, the lack of consistent landscaping treatment, and the poor quality of adjacent retaining walls and site furniture (see figure 3-19). There is
no unifying design or streetscape image tying Lionshead together.
3.10.3 Pedestrian Streets and Retail Mall
In several areas of the pedestrian core, the lack of connection between
the retail storefronts and the pedestrian street is a significant problem (see figure 3-20). Caused primarily by grade changes, intrusive planting beds, and the excessive dimensions
of public spaces, these separations have the cumulative effect of reducing the viability and success of the retail environment. In the existing Lionshead mall there is a need for more
unified design concepts, materials, and paving patterns in pedestrian areas. There is also an urgent need for maintenance and repair, especially of paving, walls, site furniture, and
the spaces connecting buildings to the pedestrian environment (see figure 3-21).
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LRMP Relevant Sections
CHAPTER 4:MASTER PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS - OVERALL STUDY AREA
This section of the master plan addresses issues that affect Lionshead as a whole. These issues – and recommendations to address
them - should be considered in all planning and policy decisions as Lionshead redevelops.
4.1 Underlying Physical Framework of Lionshead
The Lionshead resort area (that portion of
the study area north of Gore Creek) is a mixed-use urban environment with several discernible land-use sub-areas, or “hubs” (see Map N). Although the hubs overlap somewhat, there is
no consistent and comprehensive pedestrian connection between them. The primary goal of the master plan is to create a visually interesting and functionally efficient pedestrian environment
that connects the hubs to create a cohesive and memorable resort environment.
4.1.1 Lionshead Master Plan Concept
Two primary pedestrian streets form the backbone of Lionshead’s physical
plan: an east-west corridor connecting Dobson Ice Arena with the west end of Lionshead and a north-south corridor connecting the proposed north day lot transportation center with the
ski yard. The circulation system and new retail and lodging components will follow the underlying pattern set by these corridors (see Map T) and the entry portals associated with them.
4.4.1.1 View Corridor One This view corridor (see figure 4-1) is seen from the west end of the Lionshead parking structure, standing at street level at the main pedestrian exit and
looking southwest toward the gondola lift line. This view fulfills the following criteria:
a. It fosters civic pride and is central to the identity of Lionshead
b. It is taken from
a commonly used, publicly accessible viewpoint. This area is the primary point of entry for pedestrian traffic from the parking structure and is also the primary Lionshead transit stop.
c. It is potentially threatened by redevelopment in the foreground of the view.
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LRMP Relevant Sections
4.5 Public Transportation An efficient transit system is critical to the character and environmental quality of any pedestrian-oriented resort. Goals identified by the master plan regarding
transit include:
4.5.1 Connection to West Lionshead
West Lionshead consists of the Vail Associates Service Yard, Holy Cross site, Vail Professional Building site, Cascade Crossings
site, Glen Lyon Office Building site, former gas station site and the Eagle River Water and Sanitation site. Because it is an area of potentially significant growth, it is important
that it be fully integrated into the Town of Vail transit system. The West Lionshead properties are at the outside edge of the acceptable walking distance to the ski yard (1200 feet).
With a mixed use development in the area which integrates a ski portal, retail space, office space and residential development, transit service to this area and interconnections to other
portals will be critical to develop in the future. In addition, the update of the Vail Transportation Master Plan shall provide direction on the ultimate location of a Lionshead Transit
Facility along with needed interconnections between ski portals, regional transit stops, and other transportation modes. The addition of a ski lift in this area would make this area
more viable to redevelopment as it would be within the acceptable walking distance of a lift (1,200 feet).
4.5.2 Maximum Efficiency and Utilization
The following recommendations are
made to enhance the efficiency and functionality of the Lionshead transit connections in anticipation of future redevelopment in the area:
4.5.2.1 Relocate the Regional Transit Stop
It is recommended that the Lionshead regional transit stop, currently located at the Lionshead Place cul-de-sac, be relocated to the proposed North Day Lot, the Lionshead parking structure,
and West Lionshead. This will provide a Lionshead connection between the regional transit system and the Town of Vail transit system. In addition, visitors and employees coming to Lionshead
by regional bus will arrive at a defined portal instead of the current "back door" on Lionshead Place. Finally, this will remove the large regional buses from West Lionshead Circle and
Lionshead Place. It may be possible to locate elements of a regional transit stop in the West Lionshead area in conjunction with a new ski lift and parking facility. However, given its
location on the periphery of Lionshead, this area may not be the most viable location for a regional transit stop. Notwithstanding the above, facilities for skier drop-off, private shuttle
vans and Town of Vail in-town buses should be included in the design of the ski lift and parking facility. In 2006, the Town of Vail initiated an update of the Vail Transportation Master
Plan. In addition, the Town initiated a development competition for the Lionshead Parking Structure redevelopment, which would include a transit facility. It is anticipated that the
Transportation Master Plan update along with the conclusion of the Lionshead Parking Structure redevelopment process will provide direction on the ultimate location for a Lionshead Transit
Facility and/or the type of transit facilities that may be necessary in West Lionshead.
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4.5.2.2 Eliminate the Concert Hall Plaza Stop
The existing bus stop at Concert Hall
Plaza is underutilized and is too close to the transit stop at the Marriott. The elimination of the Concert Hall stop will free up space needed to implement a meaningful redevelopment
of Concert Hall Plaza and create a better western portal to the Lionshead core.
4.5.2.3 Create a New Stop at the North Day Lot Transportation Center
A new Town of Vail transit stop
at the proposed dispersed transportation center on the north day lot will replace the existing stop at Concert Hall Plaza. Likely to be on the west Vail transit routes, this stop will
coordinate with the regional bus stop and deliver west Vail transit riders to the newly created north Lionshead pedestrian portal.
4.5.3 Addressing Existing Problems
4.5.3.1 Vehicle-Bus
Conflicts
Potential conflicts between vehicular traffic and transit buses should be addressed as streets are redesigned and engineered. Conflicts are most likely at intersections, transit
stops, and any location where vehicular traffic could back up and block the bus lane.
4.5.3.2 Dobson Ice Arena Stop
There are periodic conflicts between pedestrians and buses at the
Dobson/ public library bus stops. This problem is particularly severe when events at Dobson ice arena bring large numbers of pedestrians into the bus drop-off area. Potential solutions
include the reconfiguration of the Dobson drop-off area and the creation of a secondary bus stop at the western end of Dobson arena. A west Dobson transit stop would operate in conjunction
with the potential development of a Town of Vail civic center on the existing bus/RV lot, as well the utilization of the west entry to the arena as the primary access for special events.
(The latter would greatly reduce the pedestrian-bus conflicts occurring today in front of Dobson arena.)
4.5.3.3 East Lionshead Circle and South Frontage Road Intersection
The intersection
of the South Frontage Road and East Lionshead Circle is a severe problem for Lionshead transit service. The first problem with this intersection is the steep approach gradient, making
it difficult in severe weather for the bus to turn onto the South Frontage Road. The second issue, often exacerbated by the first, is the left turn movement across traffic onto the frontage
road. There is no easy solution to this problem. Reduction of vehicular traffic on East Lionshead Circle would decrease competition for openings in the frontage road traffic, but this
is only a partial solution. Other mitigating measures could include the following:
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a. Gradient
Reduction of the gradient at the intersection can be accomplished by lowering
the entire intersection or by increasing the approach gradient of East Lionshead Circle. Either would create a level platform where buses can wait to make a left turn into traffic.
b.
Roundabout
The construction of a roundabout at this intersection would slow traffic on the frontage road, ease the left turn movement from East Lionshead Circle, and reduce the stacking
of westbound vehicles waiting to make a left turn onto East Lionshead Circle. However, the spatial requirements of a roundabout, as well as its proximity to the eastbound lane of I-70,
will make this solution difficult.
c. Signalization
Traffic signals are extremely unpopular in Vail (there are none at present). However, a special use signal triggered only by approaching
transit buses might be considered to facilitate their movements.
d. Acceleration and Deceleration Lanes
As shown in figure 4-6, there is the opportunity to create westbound and eastbound
acceleration and deceleration lanes. With a dedicated left turn lane and westbound acceleration lane, buses will have less
competition for breaks in traffic and will only be required
to cross the eastbound traffic lane.
e. Removal of Transit from the Frontage Road
The frontage road section between East and West Lionshead Circle is the only portion of the Town
of Vail in-town transit route on the frontage road. Frontage road traffic and the difficulty in making left turns cause frequent delays in transit service. The route could be modified
in several ways:
• Create a parallel transit lane on the south side of the South Frontage Road (see figure 4-8). Although physically feasible, this alternative would require the acquisition
of land from adjacent lodging properties currently used for parking, an action these property owners would likely resist. A dedicated transit lane would also exacerbate conflicts at
intersections and lodging driveways.
• Create a new underground transit corridor between the North Day Lot and East Lionshead Circle. This option should be pursued with the cooperation
of property owners when and if the properties in this area redevelop.
• Terminate the in-town shuttle bus route at the East Lionshead drop-off (see figure 4-7). If done, this action
may necessitate increasing the frequency of service on the West Vail routes serving Lionshead.
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4.5.3.4 Concert Hall Plaza
It is recommended that the existing Concert Hall Plaza
transit stop be eliminated.
4.5.4 Future Considerations
The average life span of a Town of Vail transit bus is approximately twelve years. Given the evolving and changing nature of
transit systems, new transit technologies and opportunities should be considered. Several future technology issues warrant consideration by the master plan:
4.5.4.1 Alternative Local
Transit Systems
One complaint with the existing Vail transit system is the noise and exhaust associated with diesel buses. As the existing bus fleet ages,
alternative technologies
such as electric people movers and light rail should be considered.
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4.6.2.2 Road Improvements to Handle Increased Traffic Volume The potential expansion of the Lionshead bed base and the corresponding increases in traffic volumes will necessitate traffic
mitigation measures. Increased road width, acceleration/ deceleration lanes, and perhaps roundabouts may be required in conjunction with new development. These improvements are described
in the traffic impact study, attached as appendix A. It is important to note that the potential widening of the frontage road depicted in the overall masterplan graphic is not necessarily
the best or required solution. It is a potential solution but the final design of road improvements will need to consider not only the traffic volume requirements but visual impacts
and community preferences as well.
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4.6.3.2 West (Current) Entrance As the eastern connection appears unfeasible, it is recommended that other measures be undertaken to de-emphasize the current (west) entrance to East
Lionshead Circle as a vehicular portal into Lionshead. The only traffic entering East Lionshead Circle at this point should be service vehicles, buses, and local residents. Signage,
road width, and other roadway design modifications should be utilized to discourage traffic from entering at this point. These measures are important to reduce conflicts between vehicles
and pedestrians at the crossing from the parking structure and to reduce the outgoing traffic that competes with the buses for the left-turn movement onto the South Frontage Road.
4.6.3.3
Main Lionshead Pedestrian Portal
This congested and confused pedestrian portal is the area most in need of corrective action. It is recommended that vehicular traffic through this crossing
be removed or greatly reduced and that skier drop-off, local and regional shuttle vans, and service and delivery vehicles be removed from this location. The area would then be dedicated
to two primary uses: a pedestrian connection between the parking structure and Lionshead and a transit stop for the Town of Vail in-town shuttle.
4.6.3.4 Visual Improvements
As an
important link in the transit connection between Vail Road and the east Lionshead pedestrian portal, East Lionshead Circle plays an important role in setting the visual tone and character
for people arriving from Vail village. Toward that end, any architectural additions to the south face of the parking structure should comply fully with the architectural design guidelines,
and the pedestrian walkway should create a consistent visual character connecting Dobson Arena with the east Lionshead pedestrian
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portal. In addition, it is recommended that
the Town of Vail coordinate with the adjacent residential properties to provide a visually consistent vegetative screen on the south side of East Lionshead Circle.
4.6.3.5 Pedestrian
Sidewalks
A new, more intensively developed pedestrian walkway is recommended along the south face of the parking structure to connect the main Lionshead pedestrian portal with the
Dobson/ Civic center pedestrian plaza. This walkway will provide access to the potential new retail face of the parking structure and permit unimpeded pedestrian flow between the two
ends of the parking structure (see figure 6-6). Given the long and linear nature of this façade, a covered arcade across the walkway, as suggested during the master plan public input
process, may help to break it up. If covered, the walkway should be wide enough to accommodate the flow of pedestrian traffic along the retail face and designed as an integral element
of the building.
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4.7.3.1 West End of Lionshead Parking Structure A non-structured central facility serving the east side of the Lionshead pedestrian core could be built at the west end of the Lionshead
parking structure. This facility (see figure 4-11) could serve up to 8 vehicles at a time in four double stacked parking bays. Although it would be visible and difficult to screen, it
does provide a new location for existing East Lionshead service vehicles, removing them from the flow of traffic and the pedestrian crossing between the parking structure and the pedestrian
mall. This could be a cost-effective solution that could be implemented prior to the construction of a major service and delivery center on the north day lot. Issues associated with
this location are:
a. Snow Removal
This location is currently utilized as snow storage space for the top deck of the parking structure. Because the proposed service facility will occupy
almost the entire west end of the site, snow storage here would no longer be possible, resulting in significant annual snow removal costs.
b. Visual Mitigation
Visual mitigation measures
will be necessary to screen the truck parking and to treat the exposed western end of the parking structure. In addition, this facility should be screened from adjacent properties.
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4.8.1.3 Charter Bus Parking Lot The charter bus parking area on the east end of the Lionshead parking structure is the proposed location for a future Vail civic/community center. The
property is extremely valuable to the community, and its current utilization as a parking lot is not its highest and best use. Alternate locations for charter bus parking include the
Ford Park parking lot and a down-valley site. A drop-off point for the buses will still be necessary and is recommended as a component of the proposed transit center on the north day
lot.
5.1 Vail Civic Center The proposed Vail civic center complex is comprised of the Vail public library, Dobson Ice Arena, and the existing charter bus parking lot at the eastern
end of the Lionshead public parking structure (see figure 5-1). At this time, municipal priorities for the development program on this site are uncertain, but potential alternatives
are described below.
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5.2 South Face of the Lionshead Parking Structure The linear strip of land on the south face of the Lionshead parking structure (see figure 5-1) should be considered for the development
of retail and office space on the ground level and housing for locals on the upper levels (see figure 6-6). The planning objectives of this potential development are threefold. First,
it would energize and visually upgrade East Lionshead Circle by enhancing pedestrian activity on the street. Second, it creates the potential for a locally accessible retail environment.
The Town of Vail should consider retaining ownership of the ground level retail/office space and making it available to local entrepreneurs and businesses, much in the same way that
deed restricted locals housing is provided in the Vail Commons. Finally, this site presents an opportunity to locate locals/ employee housing conveniently adjacent to the Lionshead pedestrian
core.
Retail back doors and entrances to the residential units in the new development will be accessed from the parking structure, and any private parking associated with these uses
will be in the parking structure. Some of the building’s service and delivery needs may handled interior to the parking structure, but most will be accommodated in the facility proposed
on the west end of the parking structure. East Lionshead Circle would only be used in short-term overflow situations. Because of the narrow depth and small square footage of the commercial
space, it is not anticipated that it will generate the need for larger delivery trucks.
Because the garage is a non-mechanical self-ventilating structure, any new vertical development
must be offset a minimum of ten feet from the face of the existing structure. The effect of adjacent development on the ventilation of the parking structure must be thoroughly evaluated.
5.3 Lionshead Tourist Information Center
The Lionshead Tourist Information Center is currently located just west of the entry to the Lionshead parking structure and is accessed directly
off the frontage road. If the entrance to the Lionshead parking structure is relocated as shown in figure 5-1 this existing facility will need to be relocated. Potential locations for
the center include the Future Vail Civic Center, the parking structure, and West Lionshead.
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5.5 East Lionshead Bus Drop-off Area This area is an essential pedestrian connection between the Lionshead parking structure and the Lionshead retail mall. The master plan recommends
the removal of service and delivery activities, skier drop-off, and shuttle vans from this area in order to make pedestrian crossing safer. Other improvements include:
5.5.1 Pedestrian
Connections
The pedestrian corridor between the parking structure and the Lionshead retail mall should be direct and unobstructed (see figure 5-6). A small volume of vehicular and transit
traffic will continue to cross this area, but the space should be redesigned to make it clear that these vehicles are subordinate to pedestrians. Its design should suggest that cars
are intruders in a pedestrian space rather than that pedestrians are crossing a vehicular road (as is the case today). Techniques to accomplish this goal include the elimination of grade
separations at the pedestrian crossing, paving patterns that differentiate the pedestrian crosswalk from the vehicular lanes, and bollards that delineate vehicular crossing lanes (see
figure 5-6). Landscaping may be appropriate in this plaza, but it must not impede the flow of pedestrian traffic between the parking structure and the core.
5.5.2 Transit Stop
The
transit arrival and drop-off points should be relocated slightly to the east of their present location to remove the existing conflict with pedestrians crossing from the parking structure.
Figure 5-6 delineates the proposed east- and westbound bus stops. It shows a single bus lane in each direction and a turnaround with a 50-foot radius. In order to maintain the pedestrian’s
dominance in this area, westbound traffic leaving East Lionshead Circle should share the transit lane and should be required to stop and wait if the bus is picking up or dropping off
passengers.
5.5.3 Potential Building Infill Site
When the skier drop-off and service and delivery functions are removed from the transit drop-off area, the transit stop may be reduced
in size, yielding a site suitable for infill development. This property, owned by the Town of Vail, presents several opportunities. First, it will enable the creation of a strong gateway
into the retail core and better definition of the pedestrian corridor that connects it to the parking structure. Second, it brings the retail edge closer to East Lionshead Circle, reducing
the distance between the parking structure and the retail environment. Finally, it is an opportunity to generate revenue for the Town of Vail to help fund the public improvements detailed
in the Master plan.
5.6 West Face of the Parking Structure
In order to remove service vehicles from their current location in the pedestrian crosswalk area, a service and delivery
facility should be developed at the western end of the Lionshead parking structure (see figure 4-11).
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5.5 East Lionshead Bus Drop-off Area This area is an essential pedestrian connection between the Lionshead parking structure and the Lionshead retail mall. The master plan recommends
the removal of service and delivery activities, skier drop-off, and shuttle vans from this area in order to make pedestrian crossing safer. Other improvements include:
5.5.1 Pedestrian
Connections
The pedestrian corridor between the parking structure and the Lionshead retail mall should be direct and unobstructed (see figure 5-6). A small volume of vehicular and transit
traffic will continue to cross this area, but the space should be redesigned to make it clear that these vehicles are subordinate to pedestrians. Its design should suggest that cars
are intruders in a pedestrian space rather than that pedestrians are crossing a vehicular road (as is the case today). Techniques to accomplish this goal include the elimination of grade
separations at the pedestrian crossing, paving patterns that differentiate the pedestrian crosswalk from the vehicular lanes, and bollards that delineate vehicular crossing lanes (see
figure 5-6). Landscaping may be appropriate in this plaza, but it must not impede the flow of pedestrian traffic between the parking structure and the core.
5.5.2 Transit Stop
The
transit arrival and drop-off points should be relocated slightly to the east of their present location to remove the existing conflict with pedestrians crossing from the parking structure.
Figure 5-6 delineates the proposed east- and westbound bus stops. It shows a single bus lane in each direction and a turnaround with a 50-foot radius. In order to maintain the pedestrian’s
dominance in this area, westbound traffic leaving East Lionshead Circle should share the transit lane and should be required to stop and wait if the bus is picking up or dropping off
passengers.
5.5.3 Potential Building Infill Site
When the skier drop-off and service and delivery functions are removed from the transit drop-off area, the transit stop may be reduced
in size, yielding a site suitable for infill development. This property, owned by the Town of Vail, presents several opportunities. First, it will enable the creation of a strong gateway
into the retail core and better definition of the pedestrian corridor that connects it to the parking structure. Second, it brings the retail edge closer to East Lionshead Circle, reducing
the distance between the parking structure and the retail environment. Finally, it is an opportunity to generate revenue for the Town of Vail to help fund the public improvements detailed
in the Master plan.
5.6 West Face of the Parking Structure
In order to remove service vehicles from their current location in the pedestrian crosswalk area, a service and delivery
facility should be developed at the western end of the Lionshead parking structure (see figure 4-11).
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Scenario 1A
Current Titles 12 and 14 lack comprehensive coordination with one another and other Town documents and clear, consistent language throughout as a result of numerous reactive, specific
amendments over the years.
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