HomeMy WebLinkAboutPEC 022309 draft 021809_2MEMORANDUM
TO: Planning and Environmental Commission
FROM: Community Development Department
DATE: February 23, 2009
SUBJECT: A request for a final recommendation to the Vail Town
Council for proposed amendments to the Vail Village Master Plan, pursuant to Section VIII-C, Adoption, Extensions, and Amendments, Vail Village Master Plan, to amend Sub-area #4, Transportation
Center, to allow for mixed-use development on the Vail Village Transportation Center site, located at 241 East Meadow Drive/Parts of Tracts B and C, Vail Village Filing 1 (a complete
description is available at the Community Development Department upon request), and setting forth details in regard thereto. (PEC080015)
Applicant: Triumph Development, LLC, represented
by Rick Pylman
Planner: Nicole Peterson
____________________________________________________________________________
I. SUMMARY
The applicant, Triumph Development, LLC, represented by Rick
Pylman, is requesting a final recommendation to the Vail Town Council, for proposed amendments to the Vail Village Master Plan, to allow for mixed-use development on the Vail Village
Transportation Center site.
The Transportation Center site is currently owned by the Town of Vail. Any future development proposals on the site will require permission from the Town
Council to proceed. This application is not for a specific development; instead the request is to amend the Vail Village Master Plan to allow future mixed-use development on-site.
Staff
recommends that the Commission forwards a recommendation of approval to the Town Council for the proposed amendments based on criteria and findings stated in Section IV of this memorandum.
II. DESCR
IPTION OF THE REQUEST
The proposed Vail Village Master Plan amendment, stated in the attached draft Resolution No. 6, Series of 2009 (Attachment B), includes:
Revised Section VI.
Illustrative Plans – Additional language under the Land Use Plan, Public Facility/ Parking category that allows mixed use development on the Transportation Center site.
Revised Section
VII. Vail Village Sub-Areas – Addition of development goals under Sub-Area #4, Transportation Center.
Revised Exhibits that illustrate the Transportation Center site as one consistent
development site that allows mixed use development. Exhibits include:
A. Transportation Center (#4) map
B. Land Use Plan, Vail Village Plan
C. Open Space Plan, Vail Village Plan
D. Conceptual Building Height Plan, Vail Village Plan
E. Building Height Profile, Vail Village Plan
F. Action Plan, Vail Village Plan
III. BACKGROUND
The Transportation Center site
is approximately 5.2 acres (Includes a portion of the Vail Valley Drive Right-of-Way) with approximately 900 linear feet (0.17 mile) of frontage on East Meadow Drive. Currently, the
site consists of the Vail Village Transportation Center, parking structure and a planted buffer that provides visual screening and structural support to the south side of the parking
structure. The site is across the street from the Tyrolean, Mountain Haus, Vail Mountain Lodge, Slifer Plaza, Austria Haus, Village Center and Solaris.
On December 8, 2008, the Planning
and Environmental Commission held a work session to discuss the proposed amendments. The PEC requested more information about the potential building bulk and mass. Winston Associates,
on behalf of the applicant has prepared a 3D digital model that will illustrate possible bulk and mass of development on the Transportation site, which will be presented at the PEC meeting
on February 23, 2009.
IV. CRITERIA AND FINDINGS
Staff believes the proposed Vail Village Master Plan amendments are consistent with the Town’s goals, policies and objectives for the
reasons listed below.
Conditions have changed:
Vail Village Improvements
Since the Plan’s adoption in 1990, and amendments in 1995 and 2005, there have been both private and public
improvements to Vail Village. Specifically, improvements have been made to the Austria Haus and its streetscape, the current construction of Solaris, and the Village wide upgrades to
the streetscape and public plazas, which now exhibit the need to improve the pedestrian experience in this area.
The existing East Meadow Drive streetscape from Vail Center Road to
Vail Valley Drive is a weak link and a poor edge to the Vail Village streetscape and ultimately is a deterrent to the pedestrian shopping and walking experience in Vail Village. The
existing planted buffer is un-usable to the public and deters from the vibrant character found on the south side of East Meadow Drive and throughout Vail Village. To facilitate improved
pedestrian shopping and walking experience and to encourage activity and interest on East Meadow Drive, Staff believes this site is appropriate for mixed-use development including residential
and commercial uses.
For comparison purposes, the Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan, adopted in 1998, includes detailed plan recommendations (Section 5.2) that encourage mixed use
on the Lionshead Parking Structure site for the following reasons: 1) To energize and visually upgrade the area by enhancing pedestrian activity; 2) Create potential for a stimulating
retail environment; and 3) Presents the opportunity for employee housing conveniently located adjacent to the Lionshead pedestrian core. Staff has used the language from the Lionshead
Redevelopment Master Plan as a source for the proposed amendments to the Vail Village Master Plan due to the similarity in the sites, and thus the relevance for future long-range planning
strategy.
Employee Housing
Employee housing has become a more critical issue since the adoption of the Plan. The Transportation Center site is large enough to accommodate a significant amount
of housing that could include a variety of home sizes and price points. The amendment will allow residential uses on site and foster the opportunity to bring local working citizens
back into Vail Village, which would bring much desired vitality into the Village in the shoulder seasons.
The plan is in error:
While the current Vail Village Master Plan is not in
error, Staff believes the plan would be more comprehensive with the proposed amendment. Currently the Vail Village Master Plan does not address future mixed-use development on the site
nor does it address the potential redevelopment of the Transportation Center, which Staff believes should include a mixture of uses to encourage employee housing and commercial uses
along East Meadow Drive to effectively extend the vibrant, active character of the Vail Village.
The amendment is in concert with the Vail Village Master Plan:
The addition of mixed
uses to the site including residential and commercial, will add activity and interest to the East Meadow Drive streetscape. Future infill development or redevelopment incorporating
mixed uses will provide a sense of arrival as guests exit the parking structure. Today, upon exit from the parking structure main exit, it feels as though the Village does not start
until one has crossed over the covered bridge.
Staff believes the proposed amendments will provide clear and specific guidance for any future infill development or redevelopment
of the site. The proposed amendments will adopt recommendations that are in concert with the plan. The applicant has submitted a narrative that addresses each of the six major Vail
Village Master Plan goals in context with the proposed amendment (Attachment C) for the Commission’s review.
V. STAFF RECOMMENDATION
The Community Development Department recommends
that the Planning and Environmental Commission forward a recommendation of approval to the Vail Town Council. Should the PEC choose to forward a recommendation of approval, the Community
Development Department recommends the Commission pass the following motion:
“The Planning and Environmental Commission forwards a recommendation of approval of the draft Resolution
No. 6, Series of 2009, for amendments to the Vail Village Master Plan, with the following findings:
(1) That conditions have changed since the Vail Village Master Plan was adopted
(2)
That the proposed amendments, to allow future mixed use on the Transportation Center site are in concert with the Vail Village Master Plan.”
IX. ATTACHMENTS
Vicinity Map
Draft Resolution
No. 6, Series of 2009
Applicant narrative
ATTACHMENT A: VICINITY MAP
DRAFT
RESOLUTION NO. 6
Series 2009
A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE VAIL VILLAGE MASTER PLAN, PURSUANT TO SECTION VIII-C, ADOPTION, EXTENSIONS, AND AMENDMENTS, VAIL VILLAGE
MASTER PLAN TO ALLOW FOR MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT ON THE VAIL VILLAGE TRANSPORTATION CENTER SITE, LOCATED AT 241 EAST MEADOW DRIVE/PARTS OF TRACTS B AND C, VAIL VILLAGE FILING 1 AND SETTING
FORTH DETAILS IN REGARD THERETO.
WHEREAS, on January 5, 2005 the Vail Town Council adopted the updated Vail Village Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, Section VIII-C of the Vail Village Master
Plan outlines a procedure for amending the Plan; and
WHEREAS, on February 23, 2009 the Planning and Environmental Commission heard and gave recommendation to the Vail Town Council of
___ of Resolution No. 6, Series of 2009; and
WHEREAS, the Vail Town Council finds that the Vail Village Master Plan amendment is in keeping with the goals, objectives, and policies
prescribed by the Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Vail Town Council finds that the Vail Village Master Plan amendment is in the best interest of the Town as it promotes the coordinated and harmonious
development of the Town; and
WHEREAS, the Vail Town Council finds that the amendment to sub-area #4, Transportation Center, to allow for mixed-use development on the Vail Village Transportation
Center site, facilitates the orderly and comprehensive development of the Vail Village.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
VAIL, COLORADO, THAT:
Section
I. Text Additions and Deletions
The Vail Town Council hereby approves the Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan amendments, as illustrated by text additions stated in bold italics and
deletions in strikethrough.
Section II. Exhibits
The Council hereby approves the Vail Village Master Plan amendments, as illustrated by the following maps and figures attached to this
resolution as exhibits:
A. Transportation Center (#4) map
B. Land Use Plan, Vail Village Plan
C. Open Space Plan, Vail Village Plan
D. Conceptual Building Height Plan, Vail Village Plan
E.
Building Height Profile, Vail Village Plan
F. Action Plan, Vail Village Plan
Section III. Chapter VI, Illustrative Plans shall be amended to read as follows:
Public Facility/Parkinq: The only property in this category is the Town-owned parking structure and
adjacent surface parking lot. Existing uses include: public and charter bus parking, transportation facilities and a limited amount of office and retail activity. Potential changes
to the character of these uses would be the introduction of other public purpose activities such as a visitor center, performing arts center, etc. Mixed use development, including residential,
commercial and office uses shall be appropriate in accordance with the goals, objectives and action steps set forth in this Master Plan.
Section IV. Chapter VII, Vail Village Sub-Areas
shall be amended to read as follows:
TRANSPORTATION CENTER (#4)
The only existing facility within this sub-area is the Vail Village Transportation Center (TRC). The TRC serves as the
transportation hub of the Village and the entire community. There is potential for future expansion of the parking structure eastward along with other ancillary development potential...
Foremost among these is development over the expansion of the parking structure.
The primary purpose of this sub-area is to provide public parking and to serve as the primary multi-modal
transportation center for the entire Village area. The priority of any expansion to this facility should be to maximize the amount of additional public parking available at this site.
An important consideration in future expansion of the TRC is the view corridors as depicted in the Building Height Profile.
The existing improvements on site include the Vail Village
Transportation Center, parking structure and a planted buffer that provides visual screening and structural support to the south side of the parking structure. Any infill development
on the site shall replace and address the structural support that the planted buffer provides. Any infill development on the site shall not interfere, restrict, hinder or alter current
operations of the existing transportation center/ parking structure and/ or the redevelopment of said structure. Any infill development shall seamlessly integrate with the existing
Vail Village Transportation Center.
The goals for development in this sub-area are as follows:
Provide for a year-round, world-class guest experience at the vehicular entryway and
transportation hub of Vail Village
Improve the existing pedestrian ways with public spaces that add activity, interest and vitality
Encourage a wide variety of activities, events, and
street life
Meet parking demands
Concentrate transit activity at the periphery of the Village to minimize vehicular traffic in pedestrianized areas
Improve streetscape circulation corridors
Enhance
new development and redevelopment through public improvements by private developers working in cooperation with the Town
Encourage a variety of new commercial activity
Encourage development
of affordable housing