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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPEC results_102212Page 1 PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION October 22, 2012 1:00pm TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS / PUBLIC WELCOME 75 S. Frontage Road - Vail, Colorado, 81657 **Order and times of agenda items are subject to change** MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT Susan Bird Luke Cartin Pam Hopkins Michael Kurz Bill Pierce Henry Pratt John Rediker 20 minutes 1. A request for the review of amendments to a conditional use permit, pursuant to Section 12-16- 10, Amendment Procedures, Vail Town Code, to allow for the redevelopment of the Vail Golf Course Club House (i.e. accessory buildings, permanent and temporary, and uses customarily incidental and accessory to permitted or conditional outdoor recreational uses, and necessary for the operation thereof, including restrooms, drinking fountains, bleachers, concessions, storage buildings, and similar uses), located at 1775 Sunburst Drive/Lot 3, Sunburst Filing 3 and Unplatted Parcels (a complete metes and bounds description is available at the Community Development Department Office), and setting forth details in regard thereto. (PEC120036) Applicant: Town of Vail, represented by Greg Hall Planner: Bill Gibson ACTION: Tabled to November 12, 2012 MOTION: Kurz SECOND: Cartin VOTE: 6-0-1 (Pierce recused) Bill Pierce recused himself from items 1, 2, and 3 on the agenda due to conflict of interest. He disclosed that he is the architect for the temporary clubhouse buildings project and is a member of the Fall Ridge home owners association that has voiced its support for the clubhouse remodel. Commissioner Pratt disclosed that he has had previous clients that are involved in the law suit, but he has not been in contact with them nor has any financial interest in these applications. Therefore, he will participate in the hearings for these applications. Commissioner Hopkins disclosed that she is currently working on the Vail Library renovation which is a Town project. Matt Mire, Town Attorney, asked Pam Hopkins if she had any financial interest in these applications. Commissioner Hopkins stated that she does not have any financial interest in these applications, she can be impartial, and will participate in the hearing of these application. Bill Gibson provided an overview of the applications and the desired outcomes of the hearing today. Tom Braun, Braun and Associates, representing the applicant, gave a presentation on the existing and proposed uses in the club house, the applications that have been submitted, and Page 2 the plan documents that will be submitted. Pedro Campos, Zehren and Associates, representing the applicant, gave a presentation on the site and design as contemplated. He added that his presentation would include a highlight of those areas that have been addressed in order to respond to neighbor concerns. He discussed the various elements of the proposal including the clubhouse building and patio, parking lot, driving range netting, golf skills teaching area in the current location of the 18th green, etc. Tom Braun concluded the presentation by highlighting the request for a conditional use permit to apply to a defined area adjacent to the club house. He covered the items he expects to provide within an anticipated operational plan in conjunction with the conditional use permit. He provided an image depicting the allowable and proposed building height. He discussed parking for the proposed uses and an anticipated parking management plan for the facility. Commissioner Kurz stated that he felt the bus turn around would be beneficial for what he believes will be an increase in shuttle traffic to the site. He felt that an increase in building height is appropriate. He asked what makes this facility so unique that notification would be sent to adjacent property owners about events when notice is not sent to neighbors about events held at Donovan pavilion? He clarified that what is being proposed does not appear to be an event center, but instead it appears to be a banquet room similar to those found at other golf courses. Commissioner Bird recommended adding a seating area on the western elevation of the building for the Nordic users. Commissioner Rediker asked what other properties in town are currently zoned Outdoor Recreation District. He wants to understand the potential impacts of uniformly increasing building height in this zone district and the impacts of amending height by a different method. Bill Gibson identified some of the other properties currently zoned Outdoor Recreation District and stated that a map of all the properties in this district would be provided at a future hearing. Commissioner Cartin agreed with Commissioner Redikers concerns about understanding the impacts to other properties if building height was amended in the Outdoor Recreation District. He asked about the potential of rezoning other portions of the golf course that are currently not zoned Outdoor Recreation District. He requested that the proposed outdoor lighting details also be presented at a future hearing. Commissioner Pratt asked for the background on how the applicant arrived at the proposed 200 person banquet size? Tom Braun stated that it was a function of many variables including recommendations from the recreation sub-committee. He noted that a 200 person banquet room could accommodate most cocktail parties and weddings. Commissioner Pratt noted concerns that the banquet room of the clubhouse, plus pre-function areas, plus the patio and lawn areas could accommodate a stand-up event much larger than 200 people. Tom Braun noted that these are all one combined use area and are not intended as cumulative use areas. Bill Gibson entered the additional written public comment received after publication of the staff memorandum into the record. Page 3 Commissioner Pratt asked that a digital copy of this additional public comment be emailed to the Commissioners. Sam Maslak, resident of Sunburst Drive, stated that he believes the project is a massive increase in scale that is out of proportion. He highlighted the incompatibility of the proposal with the neighborhood since there will be a five-fold increase in meeting room space size. Additionally, today the meeting room is only used occasionally, but it will be used four times per week as proposed. He is concerned that this project will result in tents, bleachers, and port-a- potties outside the clubhouse. He is concerned that the additional 11 parking spaces being proposed will not be enough. He noted that the current parking is insufficient and today the lot is full. Gretchen Busse resident of Sunburst Drive and representing various Golf Course Townhome owners, stated that it was felt that the increase in activity was inappropriate. She supports a new clubhouse, Nordic center, and grill; but the proposal expands and embellishes the clubhouse too much. She inquired as to where the snow would be stored on the site. She noted that parking on the south end of the parking lot is too close to existing houses. Pedro Campos noted that snow management and removal would be addressed. Gretchen Busse identified concerns about traffic and noise and current parking overflow. She highlighted safety concerns when parking occurs on Sunburst Drive. She expressed concern about changes to the plans for the 18th green from an event pavilion, to a parking lot, and now to a putting area on the site. What assurance does she have that the 18th green will be preserved. Art Abplanalp, attorney representing ten (10) property owners stated that his clients support a remodel of the club house, but that is not what is being proposed. He provided a comparison of existing meeting room areas and the proposed increases. He believes this proposal is for an event center with a golf shop and not for a golf course clubhouse. He spoke to why he believes the conditional use permit does apply to the 18th green. If the 18th green is relocated, he believes a blank check would be given to the Town Council for a future pavilion if a conditional use permit includes an area adjacent to the club house. His clients believe the parking lot rezoning is appropriate, the text amendment for height could be appropriate if it does not result in an additional building story, but more details are needed. He recommended the any additional building height only apply to roof elements or should only apply to golf course clubhouses. He referenced that 80 golfers and homeowners object and have sent the town letters. His clients object to a conditional use permit that will turn the golf club house into a mini Donovan Park Pavilion. He suggested a redesign to have the banquet facility to the north side of the building above the existing cart barn so it will be further from the residential neighbors. The objections of the community and a proposed alternative plan submitted by the neighbors have not yet been responded to by the applicant. He noted his clients concerns about the existing overflow parking and what will occur if events with 200 people are allowed. He does not believe these guests will take buses or shuttles. He asked that the Planning and Environmental Commission send a message to the Town Council regarding the promises made prior to the election and to look at the project again to ensure to that there will be a world class golf course clubhouse and not an accessory to an event center. Joe Batcheller, resident of a Golf Course Townhomes inquired as to improvements in the plan for pedestrian and bicycle user in the area. He suggested that a separate sidewalk, striped bike lane, shared bicycle markings, and methods for controlling vehicular speeds. He also asked what the logic was behind keeping the existing building and foundation. He compared saving the existing foundation to putting a new Lexus on top of an old Pinto chassis. Page 4 Laurie Mullen, member of the Vail Economic Council and Vail Local Marketing District, and owner of West Vail Liquor Mart noted that the proposed clubhouse will serve the same purposes as it does today, but with an upgraded building. She stated that the proposed remodel will better serve locals and visitors, and requested that the Commission not allow a few neighbors to block the project. She stated that hole 18 is not iconic, instead what is iconic is the view of the Gore Range from the clubhouse. Skip Thurnaurer, Vail Local Marketing District, spoke to the use of the conference center fund to meet the initial goal of the tax which was to increase stays and visitation in Vail. Use of the conference center funds to renovate the clubhouse was the first choice of their members. He noted that the existing clubhouse is not of the world class of Vail and an improved aesthetic will be good in general and good for the neighbors. Alfred Montano, representing 1925 Sunburst Drive, read a letter from the property owner Rufino Vigil outlining his objection to the relocation of the 18th green and converting the clubhouse into an event center. The letter was made a part of the record. Tom Braun, spoke to the numerous community open houses and Town Council work sessions which have involved the public. He noted that the applicant has made efforts to address comments that have been heard, but it may just be that the solutions are not acceptable to the neighbors. He spoke to several specific questions raised. He clarified that the retaining wall and parking spaces on the south end of the parking lot exist today. He said they will speak to the reasoning for locating the banquet room and patio on the south side of the building and not above the existing cart barn at a later hearing. He spoke to the ability of the applicant to remove the defined conditional use permit area as it was felt that it addressed a concern of the neighbors and would clearly define the impacts of the uses being proposed. Commissioner Kurz spoke to his concern about the neighbors feeling they haven’t been involved in the process, even though public input has been allowed and continues to be allowed. He supports expanding the conditional use permit area outside the building. The parking management plan will be important, and as a biker of Sunburst Drive, he understands the traffic concerns that have been raised. Commissioner Rediker believes the proposed conditional use permit area provides the additional control on the operation of the clubhouse that this project warrants. He likes the idea of a parking management plan and spoke to making shuttles a requirement for certain events and uses. He spoke to the additional information that is needed for considering any building height increases. He supports the amendment of the conditional use permit to achieve the goals of the project. Commissioner Bird stated that she agreed with Commissioner Rediker. She stated that parking is a concern and spoke to how overflow skier parking in this lot disrupts Nordic and event parking. Commissioner Hopkins, stated that this is her first presentation project and she added that she believes it is important for the Commission to balance the concerns of neighbors and take into account negative impacts to property values. With regard to the conditional use permit can the owners bring forward suggestions on noise, lighting, hours, etc. to make the project a better neighbor? She asked if the clubhouse patio gets adequate west sunlight for wedding events. She asked why the existing building foundation was being saved and why the 18th green was being relocated. She agrees with the concerns about bicycles and traffic, and asked if an alternative bike path route was available. Page 5 Commissioner Cartin agreed with the concerns raised about pedestrians and bicycles. He commented that the relocation of the 18th green is separate from the clubhouse remodel. The relocation of the 18th is under the purview of the Vail Recreation District and not a matter for the Commission. He supports rezoning the parking lot to the Outdoor Recreation District. The upcoming operations plan and parking management plan are his key concerns. Commissioner Kurz commented that is was good to hear Laurie Mullen’s perspective during public comment. He spoke to the increased revenue from the project and a project such as this will be beneficial to providing continued high level of services. He reminded everyone that this is a public golf course and not a private country club, there are no county club rights associated with the houses along the golf course, and the golf course needs to be managed for the benefit of the whole town. Commissioner Pratt noted that the proposed parking lot configuration appears well thought out. He respects the concerns of the neighbors and stated that it appears suspicious that the 18th green is being relocated which raises concerns that tents will be put there in the future. He believes rezoning the parking lot is a no-brainer. He does not believe the increase in building height should be zone district wide, but instead should be limited in scope. The height should be kept low and 33 feet should not be expected because the neighboring residential allows 33 feet. He is concerned about providing adequate parking and increasing the landscaping buffer between the parking lot and the first home adjacent. He is also concerned about bike and traffic. He also concerned that requiring the use of shuttles for events will not be very guest friendly. 20 minutes 2. A request for a recommendation to the Vail Town Council for a zone district boundary amendment, pursuant to Section 12-3-7, Amendment, Vail Town Code, to allow for a rezoning of the Vail Golf Course parking lot from the General Use District to the Outdoor Recreation District, located at 1775 Sunburst Drive/Lot 3, Sunburst Filing 3, and setting forth details in regard thereto. (PEC120037) Applicant: Town of Vail, represented by Greg Hall Planner: Bill Gibson ACTION: Tabled to November 12, 2012 MOTION: Kurz SECOND: Cartin VOTE: 6-0-1 (Pierce recused) 20 minutes 3. A request for a recommendation to the Vail Town Council on prescribed regulation amendments, pursuant to Section 12-3-7, Amendment, Vail Town Code, to allow for amendments to Section 12-8B-7, Height, Vail Town Code, to increase the allowable building height within the Outdoor Recreation District, and setting forth details in regard thereto. (PEC120039) Applicant: Town of Vail, represented by Greg Hall Planner: Bill Gibson ACTION: Tabled to November 12, 2012 MOTION: Kurz SECOND: Cartin VOTE: 6-0-1 (Pierce recused) 45 minutes 4. A request for a recommendation to the Vail Town Council, pursuant to Section 12-3-7, Amendment, Vail Town Code, for prescribed regulations amendments to Title 12, Zoning Regulations, and Title 14, Development Standards, Vail Town Code, to require restoration of watercourses and riparian areas, and setting forth details in regard thereto. (PEC120011) Applicant: Town of Vail Planner: Rachel Dimond ACTION: Recommendation of approval with modifications Page 6 MOTION: Rediker SECOND: Cartin VOTE: 6-1-0 (Pierce opposed) 1. That the proposed language be modified to reflect the changes discussed in the public hearing and made as a part of the motion. The applicant shall forward the revised language to the Vail Town Council. Rachel gave a presentation per the staff memorandum. She discussed the challenges of having private improvements removed from public land. The proposed language provides staff an additional tool to get improvements removed and restoration of public property. Commissioner Kurz inquired as to the impacts of properties some distance from the creek that drain to the creek. He was supportive of the proposed language and suggested becoming more aggressive. He added that it appears there needs to bigger hammers provided to staff to affect the changes. That placement of the creek on the impaired stream list was a flair gun not a red flag that something needs to be done. Commissioner Rediker agrees with Kurz and believes that there needs to be greater language to allow the Town to go after violators of public property. Maybe the language should be expanded to tents on property or property needing a building permit but not Design Review application. He made a suggestion regarding the addition of language in subsection A referencing D that the addition of landscaping on public property is not except from Design Review approval. Commissioner Bird agrees with Kurz and Rediker. She inquired as to the town’s ability to enforce these regulations on those portions of the stream located outside the Town boundaries such as in Intermountain. Rachel Dimond responded that those portions of stream not within the Town boundaries are under Eagle County jurisdiction and their regulations. She added that in the past the Town has called the County to bring their attention to concerns and they have typically been addressed. Commissioner Pratt stated that this applies only to town-owned stream tract. He also inquired as to the dated for the effect of a one-time exclusion. Rachel Dimond clarified the one-time exclusion and added that it does not apply to an application on a property with stream tract encroachments. Commissioner Cartin thinks this is a good first step, but future regulations need teeth to cause changes resulting in improved the stream health. Commissioner Hopkins had nothing to add. There was no public comment. Commissioner Rediker made a motion with modifications Commissioner Pierce spoke to the impact of a singular unit wanting a window in an HOA and the need to take corrective action before anyone can make an improvement. This was his reason for voting in opposition as he felt that a single owner should not need to take the corrective action. Warren Campbell reminded the Commission that an application by a single unit owner in a multi- family development had the H.O.A. as a joint applicant. 5 minutes Page 7 5. A report to the Planning and Environmental Commission on the administrator’s approval of an amendment to an existing conditional use permit, pursuant to Section 12-16-10, Amendment Procedures, Vail Town Code, to allow for the continued use of a private parking lot, located at 934 South Frontage Road/Unplatted, and setting forth details in regard thereto. (PEC120034) Applicant: Vail Resorts Development Company, represented by the Mauriello Planning Group Planner: Warren Campbell Warren Campbell summarized the administrative action. There was no public comment. There was no Commissioner comment. 6. A request for the review of conditional use permits, pursuant to Section 12-9C-3, Conditional Uses, Vail Town Code, for a healthcare facility and a public building and grounds, to allow for the redevelopment of the Town of Vail municipal site with a medical research, rehabilitation, and office building and a municipal office building located at 75 and 111 South Frontage Road West/ Unplatted, and setting forth details in regard thereto. (PEC120012) Applicant: Vail MOB, LLC, represented by Triumph Development and Town of Vail, represented by Consilium Partners, Vail Planner: Warren Campbell ACTION: Tabled to November 12, 2012 MOTION: Cartin SECOND: Rediker VOTE: 7-0-0 7. A request for the review of a variance from Section 12-6G-6, Setbacks, Vail Town Code, pursuant to Chapter 12-17, Variances, Vail Town Code, to allow for the construction of a garage within the setbacks, located at 4192 Columbine Way/Lots 25 & 26, Bighorn Terrace, and setting forth details in regard thereto. (PEC120027) Applicant: Anne Upton, represented by Pierce Architects Planner: Bill Gibson ACTION: Tabled to November 12, 2012 MOTION: Cartin SECOND: Rediker VOTE: 7-0-0 8. A request for the review of a conditional use permit, pursuant to Section 12-7I-5, Conditional Uses, Generally (On all levels of a building or outside of a building), Vail Town Code, to allow for a ski lift and tow (gondola), located at 934 South Frontage Road/ Unplatted, and a request for a conditional use permit, pursuant to 12-8B-3, Conditional Uses, Vail Town Code to allow for a ski lift and tow (gondola), located at 830 Forest Road/Unplatted and setting forth details in regard thereto. (PEC120035) Applicant: Vail Resorts Development Company, represented by the Mauriello Planning Group Planner: Warren Campbell ACTION: Tabled to December 10, 2012 MOTION: Kurz SECOND: Cartin VOTE: 7-0-0 9. A request for a recommendation to the Vail Town Council for a prescribed regulations amendment, pursuant to 12-3-7, Amendment, Vail Town Code, to allow for amendments to Title 12, Zoning Regulations, to amend the development review process, and setting forth details in regard thereto. (PEC120010) Applicant: Town of Vail Planner: Rachel Dimond ACTION: Tabled to December 10, 2012 MOTION: Kurz SECOND: Cartin VOTE: 7-0-0 Page 8 10. Approval of October 8, 2012 minutes ACTION: Approved MOTION: Kurz SECOND: Cartin VOTE: 4-0-3 (Bird, Rediker, Cartin abstained) 11. Information Update 12. Adjournment ACTION: Approved MOTION: Kurz SECOND: Cartin VOTE: 7-0-0 The applications and information about the proposals are available for public inspection during regular office hours at the Town of Vail Community Development Department, 75 South Frontage Road. The public is invited to attend the project orientation and the site visits that precede the public hearing in the Town of Vail Community Development Department. Please call (970) 479-2138 for additional information. Sign language interpretation is available upon request with 24-hour notification. Please call (970) 479-2356, Telephone for the Hearing Impaired, for information. Community Development Department Published October 19, 2012, in the Vail Daily.