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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPEC18-0013_approved documentsACTION FORM Planning & Environmental Commission (PEC) Department of Community Development 75 South Frontage Road West Vail, CO 81657 Tel: 970-479-2139 www.vailgov.com Project Name: Vail Nature Center 2018 Application Number: PEC18-0013 Application Type: Conditional Use Permit Date Applied: 03/22/2018 Project Description: The Farmhouse Building at the Vail Nature Center is in need of improvement or replacement in order to continue occupancy. This process will require several months of planning and design and public process. This application for a conditional use permit is to erect a temporary structures such as a yurt and sanolet enclosure on the site to accommodate the Vail Nature Center functions for period not to exceed 3 years. CONTACTS Contact Type: Applicant Full Name: Town of Vail (Todd Oppenheimer) Address: 1309 Elkhorn Drive Vail, CO 81658 Phone: 9704792161 Contact Type: Property Owner Full Name: TOWN OF VAIL FINANCE DEPT Address: Phone: None Contact Type: Property Owner Full Name: TOWN OF VAIL FINANCE DEPT Address: 75 S FRONTAGE RD W VAIL, CO 816575043 Phone: None Project Address: 841 VAIL VALLEY DR (210108100002) Job Site Location: Legal Description: Subdivision:UNPLATTED - FORD PARK NATURE CENTER Lot: No Data Block:No Data Parcel Number: 210108100002 BOARDS/STAFF ACTION Motion By: Lockman Action: Approved Second By: Kurz Vote: 5-0-0 Date: 04/23/2018 Conditions: - 1. This Conditional Use Permit shall lapse and become void if a building permit is not obtained and diligently pursued toward completion or the approved use has not commenced within two (2) years from the date of approval. Any conditional use which is discontinued for a period of two (2) years, regardless of any intent to resume operation, shall not be resumed thereafter; any future use of the site or structures thereon shall conform to the provisions of Title 12, Vail Town Code. - 2. The floor plan and site plan included as part of the permit application review by the Planning and Environmental Commission are illustrative only. The precise location of the Nature Center yurt within the site may be modified, however the size of the yurt may not increase without a modification to this permit. - Approval of this conditional use permit is contingent upon the applicant obtaining Town of Vail design review approval. - 4. Failure of the applicant to adhere to these conditions of approval may require review of this Conditional Use Permit, including a public hearing by the Planning & Environmental Commission, and may result in revocation of this permit. - 5. Upon the completion of the use of the yurt, or three (3) years from date of approval, whichever happens earlier, the Applicant shall remove the yurt and foundation and shall revegetate all disturbed soils with native vegetation. Planner: Chris Neubecker MEMORANDUM To: Vail Planning and Environmental Commission (PEC) From: Vail Department of Public Works and Transportation Date: April 23, 2018 RE: Narrative for Conditional Use Permit for Proposed Temporary Structure at the Vail Nature Center The Vail Nature Center (VNC) is a 7 acre section of Ford Park along the south side of Gore Creek across from the Ford Amphitheater and east parking lot. In 2015 the Town of Vail, Vail Recreation District and Walking Mountains Science Center completed the Vail Nature Center Interpretive Master Plan. This Master Plan is an internal planning document not requiring Town Council or PEC approval. The document outlined a series of enhancements and improvements to the programs, exhibits and facilities of the VNC. In September 2017, to further the recommended improvements to the facilities of the VNC, the Town of Vail hired Hopkins Architecture to perform an analysis of the VNC building, a nearly 80 year old farmhouse structure, and site; evaluate current planning documents related to Ford Park and the VNC (primarily and 2013 Ford Park Master Plan); and research how the users, local and guests, and staff currently feel about the VNC and how they envision it in the future. This work, the Vail Nature Center Study, was presented to the Vail Town Council and Vail Recreation District Board on March 20, 2018 and identified that the community and guests hold the VNC in high regard and appreciate the programs, activities and exhibits presented. However, most felt the facility would benefit from the upgrades identified in the VNC Interpretive Master Plan and/or even more extensive improvements. The analysis of the structure identified serious concerns regarding the structural characteristics of the building and other problems including rodent and insect infestations. These issues will require additional extensive planning, engineering and design to develop a plan for the future of the VNC. At this point, given the seriousness of the issues identified, it is in the best interest of the VNC program, users and staff that the building not be utilized until necessary improvements or replacement can be completed. The 2013 Ford Park Master Plan did not anticipate or consider possible modifications to the VNC facilities or programs. The language concerning the VNC and the Gore Creek Preservation sub-area, which includes the VNC, supports and recommends retaining and upgrading the VNC but also recommends against new buildings in this sub-area. The Walking Mountains Science Center (WMSC) currently operates the VNC from mid May through October each year. This application for a Conditional Use Permit to install Town of Vail Page2 temporary auxiliary structures in Ford Park at the VNC will allow the WMSC to continue the VNC programs until permanent improvements can be completed. The proposed auxiliary structures include a 27 foot diameter Yurt on a wooden deck and a wooden screen to house 2 accessible portable toilets and hand wash stations. It is anticipated theses structures will remain on site for up to a 3 year period. The proposed location of the temporary auxiliary structures is identified on the attached site plan. This proposal for temporary auxiliary structures is consistent with the 2013 Ford Park Master Plan in that it supports the continuation of the VNC program while the future improvements will be a direct renovation or replacement of the existing building and not constitute a new building within the Ford Park Gore Creek Preservation Sub-Area.