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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-21 Adopting the 2019 Update to the Public Works Master Plan RESOLUTION NO. 21 Series of 2019 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2019 UPDATE TO THE PUBLIC WORKS MASTER PLAN, AND SETTING FORTH DETAILS IN REGARD THERETO. WHEREAS, the Town of Vail in the County of Eagle and State of Colorado is a home rule municipal corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Colorado and the Town Charter; WHEREAS, on February 1, 1994, the Vail Town Council adopted the Public Works/ Transportation Master Plan, via Resolution 5, Series of 1994; WHEREAS, since approval of the Master Plan, 25 years have passed and a new master plan is needed to guide the future growth of the Public Works site and to plan for other community needs, including employee housing and solar energy production; WHEREAS, the 2019 Public Works Master Plan will ensure that the Town of Vail is planning for and accommodating the growing demand for high quality public works services, including snow removal, streets maintenance, improvements to local parks, and operation of a free bus system to serve the growing population and increase in visitors; WHEREAS, the 2019 Public Works Master Plan identifies opportunities for increasing the amount of employee housing at Buzzard Park, adding solar panels on new and existing buildings as well as installing utility grade solar within the Public Works site; WHEREAS, the 2019 Public Works Master Plan includes recommendations for protecting environmentally sensitive lands to ensure that environmental and wildlife impacts from development are evaluated prior to making decisions on any new development; and WHEREAS, on April 22, 2019 the Planning and Environmental Commission forwarded a unanimous recommendation of approval of the amendment to the Town Council. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF VAIL, COLORADO: Section 1. The Town Council hereby finds: a.) The 2019 Public Works Master Plan meets the following goals and objectives: To provide a roadmap forward which guides the development of this site while remaining aware of anticipated costs and allowing for flexibility in the future. Priorities: 1. Streets and Parks Building expansion 2. Housing opportunities which may be available at the site 3. Solar opportunities to help offset Town of Vail energy consumption 4. Frontage Road turn-lane and improvements to support expansion 5. Snow Dump/Storage expansion 6. Site utility upgrades b.) The Plan is consistent with the Vail Comprehensive Plan, and the mission of the Vail Town Council Action Plan 2018-2020: Grow a vibrant, diverse economy and community and preserve our surrounding natural environment, providing our citizens and guests with exceptional services and an abundance of premier recreational, cultural and educational opportunities. Section 2. The Vail Town Council hereby adopts the 2019 Public Works Master Plan. Section 3. This resolution shall be effective immediately upon adoption. INTRODUCED, READ, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of May 2019. _.A4 OP le •9, / save Chapin, ay+r, T n of Vail "110 k4 c"(), " ATTEST: ��QP O°� CRATE 1 ' / bcP `( Tow rk C.t k coy : Tammy Nagel, Town Clerk (11 TOWN OF VAIL ' Memorandum TO: Vail Town Council FROM: Community Development Department DATE: May 7, 2019 SUBJECT: Resolution No. 21, Series of 2019, a resolution adopting the 2019 Update to the Public Works Master Plan, and setting forth details in regard thereto. (PEC19- 0006) Address: 1309 Elkhorn Dr., Unplatted Legal Description: Section: 9 Township: 5 Range: 80 PCLIN N1/2NE1/4- N1/2NW1/4 Applicant: Town of Vail, represented by Victor Mark Donaldson Architects Planner: Chris Neubecker I. SUMMARY The applicant, Town of Vail, represented by Victor Mark Donaldson Architects, is requesting approval Resolution No. 21, Series of 2019, a resolution adopting the 2019 Update to the Public Works Master Plan (Plan). The purpose of the Plan is to provide a summary of the immediate needs and the long term use of the Public Works site. The Plan will provide a roadmap to guide future development and use of the site, while helping the Town to understand the possible costs and impacts of future development, and allowing for flexibility in implementation of the Plan. II. DESCRIPTION OF REQUEST The applicant, Town of Vail, represented by Victor Mark Donaldson Architects, is requesting approval of the 2019 Public Works Master Plan via adoption of Resolution No. 21, Series of 2019. The purpose of this meeting is to accomplish the following tasks: 1. Present the Vail Town Council with a review of the Plan and changes that have been made during the PEC review of the Plan. 2. Obtain public input on the Plan including any revisions to the Plan that may be suggested by members of the community. 3. Determine any changes to the Plan that are recommended by the Town Council. 4. If no changes are required by Town Council, to request approval of a resolution adopting the 2019 Public Works Master Plan. III. BACKGROUND 1979 — Construction of the first Public Works Facility in the current location, based on a programming study completed in 1976. Spring, 1993 —Town of Vail hired Morter Architects, RNL Design and Fleet Maintenance Consultants to complete a space needs analysis and master plan for the Public Works complex. January, 1994 — Completion of the Public Works Facility Master Plan June — September, 2018: Interviews with key stakeholders and consultants for the Public Works facility, including Public Works employees (Administration, Fleet, Streets, Facilities, Transit, Electrical, and Carpentry), residents of Buzzard Park, technical consultants (Traffic Engineers, Structural Engineers, Electrical System Engineers, and Mechanical System Engineers), Town Manager, Housing Director, IT Director, Chief of Police, Fire Chief, and the Vail Recreation District. Based on interviews with key stakeholders, Victor Mark Donaldson Architects developed a series of space needs and other functional needs to consider for the Public Works facility, which should be considered for the future of this site. The architects also documented existing conditions at the site, which includes Buzzard Park housing, Administration Building, Bus Garage, Fleet Maintenance, Greenhouse, Outdoor Storage areas, Snow Dump, and surrounding lands, including the hillside to the north of the existing buildings. The architects weighed the needs of the Town and the Public Works Department with opportunities and constraints of the site, including available land, topography, functionality, site access, solar orientation, zoning, Geologically Sensitive Areas (Rockfall and Debris Flow), utilities, and wildlife habitat. On March 25, 2019, during a work session, the Public Works Master Plan was introduced to the PEC. Victor Mark Donaldson Architects and Greg Hall, Public Works Director, presented the concept of the Plan, and the reasons for updating the Plan. On April 22, 2019 the Planning and Environmental Commission held a public hearing on the Plan. The PEC voted 5-0 (Hopkins and Lockman absent) to recommend that the Vail Town Council approved the Plan. Town of Vail Page 2 IV. SUMMARY OF PLAN GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Purpose The purpose of the Public Works Master Plan is to provide a summary of the immediate needs and the long term use of the Public Works site within the Town of Vail. The Plan will provide a roadmap to guide future development of the site, while helping the Town to understand the possible costs and impacts of future development, and allowing for flexibility in implementation of the Plan. Main program elements of the Plan include: • Employee Housing • Public Works Administration • Transit • Fleet Maintenance • Streets & Parks • Facilities Maintenance • Solar Energy Systems • Snow Dump/Storage • Site Parking Timeframe The timeframe for this Master Plan is 20 years. This duration allows for the Town to identify known needs and plan for reasonably anticipated needs for the future, within a horizon that can be estimated or predicted at this time. Priorities for the Plan Following are the priorities of the Public Works Master Plan: 1. Streets and Parks building expansion 2. Housing opportunities which may be available at the site 3. Solar energy opportunities to help offset Town of Vail energy consumption 4. N. Frontage Road turn-lane and improvements to support future expansion 5. Snow Dump/Storage expansion 6. Site utility upgrades V. PLAN CHANGES During review of the Plan by the Planning and Environmental Commission, several changes were suggested by Commissioners. The following changes were made to the Plan after the work session on March 25, but before the public hearing on April 22, 2019: • Section 2.4 - Added language on wildlife issues •:• Closing of recreation trails in winter Town of Vail Page 3 •:• Prohibiting dogs on site •:• Recommendations for detailed wildlife studies based on specific development proposals and designs • Section 2.6 - Added language on zoning of Town owned property in unincorporated areas of Eagle County ❖ A small portion of the site is within unincorporated Eagle County •:• Resource Zoning • Section 4.1 - Added language on use and installation of solar panels, and Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging stations •:• On-grade solar broken into zones (East, West and Central) •:• Layout of buildings reflects possible new structures • Section 4.17 - Strengthened language on the timing for adding turn lands on N. Frontage Road East and widening 1-70 underpass at Elkhorn Drive ❖ Traffic capacity is linked to housing development ❖ Housing beyond 24 additional units expected to require underpass widening •:• Additional bus stop recommended if housing is increased on site • Section 5.1 - Phasing dates added • Section 5.2 - Cross section of site (through new buildings at west) added to plan ❖ Plan recommends avoiding development on steep slopes VI. CRITERIA The Public Works Master Plan, an element of the Comprehensive Plan, will need to be adopted by the passage of a resolution by the Vail Town Council. Amendments to, or adoption of new elements of, the Comprehensive Plan must address the following review criteria: Adoption of a Master Plan The adoption of an amendment or update to a master plan needs to be in concert with the Town of Vail's Comprehensive Plan. The adopted master plan shall support, strengthen, and further the development objectives of the Town. To ensure consistency with these objectives, the following factors for consideration are applied. 1) How conditions have changed since the original plan was adopted; Conditions have changed in the following manner since the adoption of the 1994 Public Works Facility Master Plan: • Population growth in Vail and in Eagle County • Increased summer visitation • Increased staffing and vehicle fleet Town of Vail Page 4 • Increased and improved transit service • Loss of space along roads to store snow • Ever-increasing challenges with establishing workforce housing in Vail • On-going redevelopment in Vail that has increased the density and intensity of use on many properties • Significant declines in wildlife populations • Increased energy use, including the implementation of snow melted roads and sidewalks • Gore Creek is listed as an impaired stream by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 2) How is the original Plan in error? The Public Works Master Plan is not in error, but is 25 years old. The Plan needs to be updated to remain relevant and consistent with the changing conditions and goals of the Town and community. Many of the goals of the 1994 Plan have been implemented, and a plan for future growth is needed. 3) How the addition, deletion, or change to the plan are in concert with the master plan in general. The proposed Public Works Master Plan will update an old master plan document and set the stage for the needs of the Town over next 20 years. The new Plan addresses many of the same goals and issues faced by the Town in 1994, including the identification of programming needs and additional space for such needs, the desire to upgrade facilities, the goal of providing for additional employee housing, and the need to increase outdoor space for snow dumping. In addition to these goals, the proposed Plan incorporates the goal of planning for on-site solar energy production to offset some of the Town's own energy use. Following are several ways in which the Plan update is in concert with the master plan, and the Town's comprehensive plan: Land Use • Adoption of this Plan helps to ensure that this advisory land use document is updated and current. • The Plan identifies a method and phasing plan for upgrading existing facilities and constructing new facilities. • The proposed additional growth will be in an existing developed area. • The Plan helps to address environmental sustainability as a priority of the community. Town of Vail Page 5 Environmental Sustainability • The Plan identifies sites for future utility grade solar energy production to offset some Town's energy use. • The Plan recognizes the area to the north and east of the existing buildings as Bighorn sheep habitat, and seeks to balance the operational and functionality needs of the Town with the community's desire to protect and enhance habitat for wildlife. Housing • The Plan helps to advance the Town's goal of acquiring 1,000 additional resident housing deed restrictions by the year 2027. • The Plan identifies land and design options for potential new employee housing. • The Plan helps the Town to provide housing to keep pace with the demands for a variety of housing types, and to upgrade the Town's supply of employee housing. Transportation • The Plan identifies space needs for maintenance of the Town's existing and planned bus fleet to ensure that residents, workers and visitors have access to an excellent public transit system. • The Plan identifies infrastructure improvements, including turn lanes on N. Frontage Road and the widening of the 1-70 underpass bridge at Elkhorn Drive upon the expansion of employee housing within the Public Works site. Community Services • The Plan will help the Town to improve its services including transit and streets maintenance. • The additional facilities identified in the Plan will help the Town to keep pace with the needs of peak periods. Following are ways in which the Plan update is not in concert with the master plan, and the Town's comprehensive plan: • Additional housing is proposed in areas of High Severity Rockfall, which is discouraged in the Land Use Plan, Goal 5.1 VII. PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION The Planning and Environmental Commission recommends that the Vail Town Council adopt the 2019 Public Works Master Plan. During the meeting of April 22, 2019, the PEC made a recommendation to include the following revisions to the Plan, which have been incorporated into the version presented today: Town of Vail Page 6 • Solar Panels: Add language about potential build out scenarios, and payback time for adding solar panels. (Section 4.1 — Solar Opportunities) • Housing: Add discussion about options for financial assistance or participation by the Vail Local Housing Authority (VLHA), and note that their involvement in housing projects at the Buzzard Park site may be helpful from a financing perspective. (Section 4.8 — Public Works and Housing Site Plan) • Housing: Add language recognizing the tradeoffs with the construction of employee housing on land that may be needed in the future for Public Works operations. The PEC indicated that there are other potential locations for housing within the Town, but not other sites for Public Works operations. (Section 4.8— Public Works and Housing Site Plan) The PEC's recommendation is based upon the review of the proposed amendments and the criteria outlined in Section VI of the staff memorandum to PEC dated April 22, 2019 and the evidence and testimony presented throughout the public hearing process. The PEC has determined that conditions have changed since the Plan was adopted and that the Public Works Master Plan, as proposed, is in concert with the adopted goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan in general. Should the Vail Town Council choose to approve Resolution No. 21, Series of 2019, a resolution adopting the 2019 Update to the Public Works Master Plan, staff recommends the Town Council pass the following motion: "The Vail Town Council approves Resolution No. 21, Series of 2019, a resolution adopting the 2019 Update to the Public Works Master Plan. This motion is based upon the Planning and Environmental Commission's review and recommendation of approval of the proposed Plan, as amended over the course of the public hearing process and the finding that the applicant has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Town Council that conditions have changed since the original adoption of the 1994 Public Works Facility Master Plan and that the requested additions, deletions, or changes to the Plan are in concert with the adopted development objectives, as outlined in Section VI of the staff memorandum to the Planning and Environmental Commission dated April 22, 2019." VIII. ATTACHMENTS A. Resolution No. 21, Series of 2019 B. Public Works Master Plan C. Appendix to Public Works Master Plan D. Staff Memo to the Planning and Environmental Commission, April 22, 2019 Town of Vail Page 7