HomeMy WebLinkAboutJorck Letter of support for variance.pdf March 1, 2018
Mr. Chris Neubecker, AICP
Planning Manager
Community Development Department
Town of Vail
111 South Frontage Road West
Vail, CO 81657
RE: Request for review of variances from Section 12-15-2, GRFA Requirements by Zone
District, Section 12-18-4 Uses, and Section 12-18-5, Density Control, Vail Town Code,
pursuant to Title 12 Chapter 17, Variances, Vail Town Code to allow for Gross Residential
Floor Area (GRFA) in excess of the amount permitted by lot area and zone district, located at
2014 West Gore Creek Drive Hamlet Townhouses 5 and 6, 2014 W. Gore Creek Drive, Vail,
CO, Parcels # 2103-114-18-008 & 2103 -114-18-009
Dear Mr. Neubecker:
We are the owners of Hamlet Townhouse 3 and Hamlet Chalet 1, located at 2014 West Gore
Creek Drive. I am also President of the HOA for the Hamlet. Holly Proctor and John Hutto
have presented the remodel planned for Hamlet Townhouses 5 and 6 to the Board of the
HOA as well as to other property owners and has received approval at all levels from the
Hamlet. We have received Notice from TOV regarding the request for review of variances as
it relates to the storage area under the deck on the west side of the property.
The request for variance is applicable to 225 square feet of storage to be built under the
deck. The natural grade of the site results in the deck being approximately 8' off the ground,
yet the zoning restricts the GRFA such that the height of the proposed storage is limited to 5'
with a 12 sf access door. The storage will not be heated and there will be no utilities installed;
it will only be used as general storage.
The Primary / Secondary zoning applied to the existing multi-family project in 1985 was, in
effect, erroneous, given the six buildings in place at the time, and results in tremendous
practical difficulty for the owners of the Hamlet due to its restrictions. It is our understanding
that the existing GRFA for Townhouses 5 & 6 is about 25% less than "allowable", however,
when taken into consideration as a `development site', the GRFA is deemed non-conforming.
Ms. Proctor is requesting an additional 225 sf(1.4% of the existing GRFA) to be located
under the deck.
Speaking as both a property owner and the Board President, it is in the best interest of the
entire complex and the community to provide storage that will enclose and secure general
household items. It is not practical or logical to restrict the height or access of the storage to
Mr. Chris Neubecker
March 1, 2018
Page 2
be in keeping with a zoning designation that is not even consistent with the overall property
itself. The TOV Design and Review Board reviewed and approved the project on the basis of
its design and it is only reasonable that the functionality of the storage area be maximized so
that the entire property benefits from this improvement to Townhouses 5 and 6. Alternatively,
Ms. Proctor could choose to leave the area unenclosed and stack and store household items
and equipment open to risks of vandalism, theft and/or weather damage.
This letter is written in full support of the variance requested so as to allow for an
improvement that is beneficial to not only Hamlet Townhouses 5 & 6, but the entire Hamlet
complex and West Vail as well. In approving this variance, the PEC ultimately provides for a
practical, secure improvement to the property which in no way deviates from the plan
previously approved by the TOV Design and Review Board.
Thank you for your consideration.
With regards,
de
Harry and Connie Jorck
Owner Hamlet Townhouse 3 and Hamlet Chalet 1
2014 West Gore Creek Drive, Vail, CO 81657
Cc: Holly Proctor and John Hutto