HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-05 Agenda and Supporting Documentation Town Council Evening Meeting Agenda
VAIL TO W N C O U N C IL R E G U L AR ME E TIN G
Evening Agenda
Town Council C hambers
6:00 PM, November 5, 2019
Notes:
Times of items are approximate, subject to c hange, and cannot be relied upon to determine what time C ounc il will
consider an item.
Public comment will be taken on each agenda item.
Citizen participation offers an opportunity for citizens to express opinions or ask questions regarding town
services, policies or other matters of community conc ern, and any items that are not on the agenda. Please
attempt to keep c omments to three minutes; time limits established are to provide efficienc y in the c onduct of the
meeting and to allow equal opportunity for everyone wishing to speak.
1.Introduction of new Town Manager Scott Robson (5 min.)
2.Citizen Participation (10 min.)
3.Consent Agenda (5 min.)
3.1.Resolution No. 44, Series of 2019, A Resolution Approving a Third
Amendment to Development Between the Town of Vail and Sonnenalp
Properties
Staff Recommendation: Approve, approve with amendments or deny
Resolution No. 44, Series of 2019.
3.2.Gore Valley Trail - Lionshead Realignment Feasibility Analysis Contract
Award
Background: The Gore Valley Trail is the primary recreation path through
Vail and is managed by the Town and passes through Vail Corporation
owned property in the Lionshead area. The route of the recreation path
through the Lionshead ski base area creates conflicts with other uses in the
area and creates safety concerns. Please see attached aerial image. The
purpose of the feasibility analysis is to identify possible opportunities and
costs for the realignment of recreation path to reduce conflicts and improve
user safety. Staff released a Request for Proposal for professional services
with 3 firms responding. The range of fees in the 3 proposals is $79,900 to
$103,600. The firm Otak presented considerable experience on recreation
path projects with similar challenges for a proposed fee of $86,641. The
Town and Vail Corporation have agreed to share the cost of the feasibility
analysis. Vail Corporation will reimburse the Town $20,000 to pay for a
portion of the fees.
Staff Recommendation: Authorize the Town Manager to enter into a
Professional Services Agreement with Otak in the amount of $86,861 for the
Gore Valley Trail-Lionshead Realignment Feasibility Analysis.
4.Any action as a result of executive session (5 min.)
November 5, 2019 - Page 1 of 114
5.Town Manager Report (5 min.)
6.Action Items
6.1.Resolution No. 41, Series of 2019 - A Resolution of the Vail Town Council
Adopting the 2018/2019 Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
15 min.
Presenter(s): Matt Gennett, Director of Community Development
Action Requested of Council: Approve, approve with modifications or Deny
Resolution No. 41, Series of 2019.
Background: Starting in mid-December 2018, staff and the town's planning
consultant team have gathered community feedback on ideas for futures
improvements to town-owned properties in the Civic Area and presented this
in-put to the Council in a series of public meetings. The properties included
in the study area are the Lionshead Parking and Transportation Center,
charter bus lot, Dobson I ce Arena, Lot 10, Vail Public Library, Middle
Creek Parcel, and Vail Municipal Complex.
7.Adjournment
7.1.Adjournment 6:40 pm estimate
Meeting agendas and materials can be acc es s ed prior to meeting day on the Town of Vail webs ite
www.vailgov.com. All town c ouncil meetings will be streamed live by High F ive Ac cess Media and available
for public viewing as the meeting is happening. T he meeting videos are als o posted to High F ive Ac cess Media
website the week following meeting day, www.highfivemedia.org.
P leas e c all 970-479-2136 for additional information. S ign language interpretation is available upon reques t with
48 hour notification dial 711.
November 5, 2019 - Page 2 of 114
VA I L TO W N C O UNC I L A G E ND A ME MO
I T E M /T O P I C: Resolution No. 44, S eries of 2019, A Resolution Approving a T hird Amendment
to Development B etween the Town of Vail and S onnenalp P roperties
AC T IO N RE Q UE S T E D O F C O UNC I L: A pprove, approve with amendments or deny
Resolution No. 44, Series of 2019.
S TAF F RE C O M M E ND AT IO N: A pprove, approve with amendments or deny Resolution No. 44,
S eries of 2019.
AT TAC H ME N TS:
Description
Resolution No. 44, Series of 2019
November 5, 2019 - Page 3 of 114
11/1/2019
C:\USERS\TNAGEL\APPDATA\LOCAL\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\INETCACHE\CONTENT.OUTLOOK\SSUMUZ2A\SOLAR VAIL
3RD AMEND-R110119.DOCX
RESOLUTION NO. 44
SERIES 2019
A RESOLUTION APPROVING A THIRD AMENDMENT TO
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF VAIL AND
SONNENALP PROPERTIES, INC.
WHEREAS, the Town and Sonnenalp Properties, Inc. (“Sonnenalp”) entered into
a Development Agreement dated October 25, 2017, recorded at Reception No.
201720427 (the "Development Agreement"), under which the Developer was permitted
to develop the Property for rental employee housing;
WHEREAS, on January 16, 2018, the Town and Sonnenalp entered i nto an
Amendment to Development Agreement, recorded at Reception No. 201804629 (the
"First Amendment");
WHEREAS, on July 5, 2018, the Town and Sonnenalp entered into a Second
Amendment to Development Agreement, recorded at Reception No. 201812373 (the
"Second Amendment"); and
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to amend the terms of the Development Agreement
again.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE
TOWN OF VAIL, COLORADO THAT:
Section 1. The Town Council hereby approves the Third Amendment to
Development Agreement in substantially the same form as attached hereto , and
authorizes the Town Manager to execute the Third Amendment on behalf of the Town in
a form approved by the Town Attorney.
INTRODUCED, READ APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of November
2019.
_____________________________
Dave Chapin, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Tammy Nagel, Town Clerk
November 5, 2019 - Page 4 of 114
11/1/2019
C:\USERS\TNAGEL\APPDATA\LOCAL\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\INETCACHE\CONTENT.OUTLOOK\SSUMUZ2A\DA 3RD
AMEND-A110119 (002).DOCX
THIRD AMENDMENT TO DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
THIS THIRD AMENDMENT TO DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (the "Second
Amendment") is made this ______ day of _______________, 201 9 (the "Effective
Date"), by and among the Town of Vail, Colorado, a Colorado home rule municipality
with an address of 75 South Frontage Road, Vail, Colorado 81657 (the "Town"), the Vail
Local Housing Authority, a local housing authority with an address of 75 South Frontage
Road, Vail, Colorado 81657 (the "VLHA"), and Sonnenalp Properties, Inc. a Colorado
corporation with an address of 20 Vail Rd., Vail, CO 81657 ("Developer") (each
individually a "Party" and collectively the "Parties").
WHEREAS, the Parties entered into a Development Agreemen t dated October
25, 2017, recorded at Reception No. 201720427 (the "Development Agreement"), under
which the Developer was permitted to develop the Property for rental employee
housing;
WHEREAS, on January 16, 2018, the Parties entered into an Amendment to
Development Agreement, recorded at Reception No. 201804629 (the "First
Amendment");
WHEREAS, on July 5, 2018, the Parties entered into a Second Amendment to
Development Agreement, recorded at Reception No. 201812373 (the "Second
Amendment"); and
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to amend the terms of the Development Agreement
again as set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises and
covenants contained herein, the sufficiency of which is mutually acknowledged, th e
Parties agree as follows:
1. Town Contribution. Section 2 of the Development Agreement is hereby
amended to read as follows:
2. Town Contribution. For completion of the Development in accordance
with the Approved Plan and this Agreement, the Town shall pay Developer
$4,030,000 (the "Town Contribution"). The Town Contribution is based on a per
Unit price of $65,000 (for 62 Units). The Town Contribution does not include the
3 deed restrictions referenced in Section 5.f. hereof, which already existe d on the
Property. If the Approved Plan includes less than 65 Units, the Town
Contribution shall automatically be reduced accordingly, on a per-Unit basis. The
Town Contribution shall also be reduced by the actual amount of any grant
received by Developer from any other source.
November 5, 2019 - Page 5 of 114
2
11/1/2019
C:\USERS\TNAGEL\APPDATA\LOCAL\MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\INETCACHE\CONTENT.OUTLOOK\SSUMUZ2A\DA 3RD
AMEND-A110119 (002).DOCX
2. Prior Deed Restrictions. Section 5.f of the Development Agreement is hereby
amended to read as follows
f. Existing Deed Restrictions. There are 9 existing deed restrictions on the
Property. Developer shall exchange the 6 of the 9 existing deed restrictions on
the Property to other locations in the Town, pursuant to the procedure set forth in
the Vail Town Code, as amended. The other 3 deed restrictions have been
fulfilled by the provision of the 65 Units set forth in Section 1 hereof.
2. The remainder of the Development Agreement, including all Exhibits, as modified
by the First Amendment and the Second Amendment, shall remain unchanged and in
full force and effect.
WHEREFORE, the Parties have executed this Second Amendment as of the
Effective Date.
TOWN OF VAIL, COLORADO
________________________________
Scott Robson, Town Manager
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Tammy Nagel, Town Clerk
VAIL LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITY
________________________________
Steve Lindstrom, Chair
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Secretary
DEVELOPER
________________________________
STATE OF _______________ )
) ss.
COUNTY OF _____________ )
The foregoing instrument was subscribed, sworn to, and acknowledged
before me this ______ day of ___________, 201 9, by _______________.
My commission expires:
(S E A L) ______________________________
Notary Public
November 5, 2019 - Page 6 of 114
VA I L TO W N C O UNC I L A G E ND A ME MO
I T E M /T O P I C: Gore Valley Trail - L ionshead Realignment F easibility A nalysis Contract Award
B AC K G RO UND: The Gore Valley Trail is the primary recreation path through Vail and is
managed by the Town and passes through Vail Corporation owned property in the L ionshead area.
The route of the recreation path through the L ionshead ski base area creates conflicts with other
uses in the area and creates safety concerns. Please see attached aerial image. T he purpose of
the feasibility analysis is to identify possible opportunities and costs for the realignment of
recreation path to reduce conflicts and improve user safety. Staff released a Request for Proposal
for professional services with 3 firms responding. T he range of fees in the 3 proposals is $79,900
to $103,600. The firm Otak presented considerable experience on recreation path projects with
similar challenges for a proposed fee of $86,641. The Town and Vail Corporation have agreed to
share the cost of the feasibility analysis. Vail Corporation will reimburse the Town $20,000 to pay
for a portion of the fees.
S TAF F RE C O M M E ND AT IO N: A uthorize the Town Manager to enter into a P rofessional
S ervices Agreement with Otak in the amount of $86,861 for the Gore Valley Trail-L ionshead
Realignment Feasibility Analysis.
AT TAC H ME N TS:
Description
Memorandum
November 5, 2019 - Page 7 of 114
To: Vail Town Council
From: Todd Oppenheimer
Date: November 5, 2019
Subject: Gore Valley Trail - Lionshead Realignment Feasibility Analysis Contract Award
I. PURPOSE
Staff is requesting approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Otak for a
feasibility analysis for the realignment of the Gore Valley Trail through the Lionshead ski
base area.
II. BACKGROUND
The Gore Valley Trail is the primary recreation path through Vail from the connection
with the Dowd Junction trail in the west and the Vail Pass trail in the east. The
recreation path is managed by the Town and passes through Vail Corporation owned
property in the Lionshead area. The route of the recreation path through the Lionshead
ski base area creates conflicts with other uses in the area and creates safety concerns.
Please see attached aerial image.
The purpose of the feasibility analysis is to identify possible opportunities and costs for
the realignment of recreation path. Realignment of the recreation path is intended to
reduce conflicts and improve user safety.
Staff released a Request for Proposal for professional services with 3 firms responding.
All 3 firms would be capable of performing the work and have experience with the Town.
The range of fees in the 3 proposals is $79,900 to $103,600. The firm Otak presented
considerable experience on recreation path projects with similar challenges for a
proposed fee of $86,641. The Town and Vail Corporation have agreed to share the
cost of the feasibility analysis. Vail Corporation will reimburse the Town $20,000 to pay
for a portion of the fees.
III. PROJECT BUDGET
The Gore Valley Trail Realignment project is budgeted at $50,000 for 2019 in the Real
Estate Transfer Tax Fund. The total proposed fee of $86,861 will be payed for from this
project and supplemented with a $20,000 reimbursement from Vail Corporation. The
November 5, 2019 - Page 8 of 114
remaining $16,861 will use savings from the 2019 Recreation Path Maintenance project
budget. The next supplemental budget discussion is scheduled on December 3, 2019.
IV. STAFF RECOMMENDATONS
Staff recommends approval of the Professional Services Agreement with Otak in the
amount of $86,861 for the Gore Valley Trail - Lionshead Realignment Feasibility
Analysis.
V. ACTION REQUESTED BY COUNCIL
Staff requests that the Council authorize the Town Manager to enter into a Professional
Services Agreement with Otak in the amount of $86,861 for the Gore Valley Trail -
Lionshead Realignment Feasibility Analysis.
Town of Vail Page 2
November 5, 2019 - Page 9 of 114
VA I L TO W N C O UNC I L A G E ND A ME MO
I T E M /T O P I C: Resolution No. 41, S eries of 2019 - A Resolution of the Vail Town Council
A dopting the 2018/2019 Town of Vail Civic A rea P lan
P RE S E NT E R(S ): Matt Gennett, Director of Community Development
AC T IO N RE Q UE S T E D O F C O UNC I L: A pprove, approve with modifications or Deny
Resolution No. 41, Series of 2019.
B AC K G RO UND: S tarting in mid-December 2018, staff and the town's planning consultant team
have gathered community feedback on ideas for futures improvements to town-owned properties
in the Civic A rea and presented this in-put to the Council in a series of public meetings. T he
properties included in the study area are the L ionshead P arking and Transportation Center, charter
bus lot, Dobson I ce Arena, L ot 10, Vail P ublic L ibrary, Middle Creek P arcel, and Vail Municipal
Complex.
AT TAC H ME N TS:
Description
Staff Memorandum
Resolution No. 41, Series of 2019
Civic Area Plan
November 5, 2019 - Page 10 of 114
TO: Vail Town Council
FROM: Community Development Department
DATE: November 5, 2019
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 41, Series of 2019, A Resolution of the Vail Town Council
Adopting the 2018/2019 Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
Applicant: Town of Vail, represented by 4240 Architects & Braun Associates, Inc.
Planner: Matt Gennett
I. SUMMARY
The applicant, Town of Vail, represented by 4240 and Braun Associates, Inc., is
requesting approval Resolution No. 41, Series of 2019, a resolution adopting the
2018/2019 Civic Area Plan (the “Plan”).
The Vail Civic Area Plan is intended to define a vision for what this place can be and to
provide a framework, or a path forward, for how Vail can create a Civic Area. This plan is
about “place making”. It is about the facilities, buildings and programing to be found in the
civic area. But it is also about the “places in between”, and how outdoor gathering places,
pedestrian linkages and a connection with nature can be used to create a place with
character, spirit, and soul.
II. BACKGROUND
Starting in mid-December 2018, staff and the town’s planning consultant team have
gathered community feedback on ideas for future improvements to town-owned
properties in the Civic Area and presented this input to the Council in a series of public
meetings. The properties included in the study area are the Lionshead Parking and
Transportation Center, charter bus lot, Dobson Ice Arena, Lot 10, Vail Public Library,
Middle Creek Parcel, and Vail municipal building complex.
The outreach generated responses from hundreds of participants who have provided
input through a series of online surveys hosted by the Town over the past eight months
at EngageVail.com. In addition, many different stakeholder groups have shared their
ideas including adjacent property owners, identified stakeholder groups, members of town
boards and commissions, representatives from the Eagle River Youth Coalition, as well
as facility managers and users.
November 5, 2019 - Page 11 of 114
Town of Vail Page 2
The master plan document includes key themes expressed during the three community
engagement phases which have been incorporated into the plan. These primary themes
have included a desire for better mobility, a multi-purpose community events center, a
new and improved Dobson Ice Arena, additional community meeting and recreation
spaces, the potential for a second sheet of ice, enhanced public and natural spaces, and
the recognition of the library as a highly valued community asset with expansion potential.
The information received through this robust public engagement process and the ensuing
dialogue has been presented to the Council in seven updates and was used to refine the
concepts and corresponding images throughout each step of the process. All of the
information gathered to date has been taken into consideration by the project team to
form the scenarios that merited further exploration. The results of these efforts have been
distilled down to three options for the Civic Area Plan study area.
III. SUMMARY OF PLAN GOALS
The goals for the Civic Area Plan were defined early in the planning process and are as
follows:
Engaging the community to understand their thoughts, goals and opinions for the
Civic Area.
Understanding the context of and lands within the Civic Area, while identifying and
evaluating issues and opportunities relative to the potential use of these lands.
Preparing a plan that is viable, economically feasible, reflective of community goals
and responsive to the sites and surrounding neighborhood.
Defining strategies for decision making and the implementation of improvements
within the Civic Area.
IV. PLAN CHANGES
During review of the Plan by Town Council and the Planning and Environmental
Commission (PEC), several changes were suggested. In response to these suggestions,
the following changes have been made to the Plan since last presented to the Council on
October 1:
Added the date and reception number to cover
Refined the narrative on civil engineering and deleted reference to the Alpine
Engineering memo in the appendix
Added the environmental report and traffic letter to appendix
Slight modifications to the traffic narrative
Added captions to illustrations where helpful
Add a bullet on water use/conservation to sustainability section
Added reference to zoning section regarding the need for a potential zone change
at the municipal and charter bus lot
Added to the introduction to sustainability section regarding future studies during
futures steps in planning and design
November 5, 2019 - Page 12 of 114
Town of Vail Page 3
Reformatted headings in Chapter 4. Major headings include Next Steps, Funding
Alternatives, Sustainability and Other Considerations (Environmental Conditions
of site, zoning, parking, civil engineering and traffic.
Added clarifying language pertaining to project design and how determination of
the architectural character of the Civic Area will be made in subsequent planning
and design phases.
Added clarifying language to the Lionhead Parking Structure building wrap that if
a building is not constructed efforts should be made to include outdoor spaces
along East Lionshead Circle that will add vitality and interest to the street.
V. 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 Master 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;
Staff finds that conditions have changed in the following manner since the adoption of the
Vail Land Use Plan on November 18, 1986 and last amended on January 28, 2009:
o Significant population growth in Vail and in Eagle County
o Increased summer visitation
o Development of regionally-oriented recreation facilities in down-valley
communities
o On-going redevelopment in Vail that has increased the density and intensity
of use on many properties
2) How is the original plan in error?
Staff does not find that the Vail Land Use Plan is in error. In order to remain relevant and
consistent with the changing conditions and goals of the community, the plan needs to be
updated on a consistent basis, including this type of subarea plan adoption.
The adoption of the Civic Area Plan achieves the original objectives and is consistent with
the purpose of the Vail Land Use Plan. The Civic Area Plan also furthers the goals of the
Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan by defining direction for what that plan referred
to as the Vail Civic Center.
3) How the addition, deletion, or change to the Vail Land Use Plan is in concert with
the plan in general.
Staff finds that the identified purpose and goals of the Civic Area Plan are consistent with
the stated goal and objectives of the original and proposed Vail Land Use Plan.
November 5, 2019 - Page 13 of 114
Town of Vail Page 4
VI. PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REVIEW – OCTOBER 14, 2019
On October 14, 2019, the PEC continued the noticed public hearing on the 2018/2019
Civic Area Plan with direction to the project team to make the following modifications to
the plan:
1. Change the order of topics addressed by Guiding Principle (page 12-14).
The four topics have been reorganized by moving Sustainability from the
fourth topic to the second topic.
2. Guiding Principles/A Place for Community/Architecture and Design (page 12).
Add two new sentences to the end of existing section on Architecture and Design
(new text in italics):
The Civic Area has the potential to be a showcase of design excellence with
aesthetically compelling architecture, and site and landscape design that
effectively blends the built and natural environments. The design of
buildings and outdoor spaces should acknowledge our climate and include
features that provide shelter from the sun, rain and snow. Buildings should
include state of the art technology and energy savings measures that will
maximize building efficiency and minimize ongoing operating and
maintenance costs.
3. Potential Uses for the Lionshead Parking Structure Building Wrap (page 38).
Refine bullet #2 to expand potential range of uses, under The Approach (refined
text in italics):
Alternatives for the use of this building include but are not limited to retail,
community space for non-profit organizations, maker or incubator space,
etc., workforce housing or free-market housing. The potential for small,
ground level retail or restaurant space that could provide opportunities for
local, start-up businesses should also be explored.
4. Charter Bus/Dobson Options 1, 2 and 3 (page 41)
Provide an “at a glance summary of the three options for Charter Bus/Dobson
Area:
Add a text box with a bullet point summary of the program elements for each option
(in italics):
Option #1
New ice arena with modest expansion for potential new recreation uses.
Arena used primarily for skating with special events like historic use.
Multi-purpose events facility at Charter Bus Lot.
Small theater for arts, community use and potentially Council Chambers.
Small building for community use.
Option #2
New, larger ice arena designed to serve as a multi-use facility. Primary use
of building would focus on special events.
Utilitarian, second sheet of ice at Charter Bus Lot.
November 5, 2019 - Page 14 of 114
Town of Vail Page 5
Small theater for arts, community use and potentially Council Chambers.
Small building for community use.
Town Hall to provide space for Administration, Community Development
and other uses.
Option #3
Major renovation of Dobson. With expansion, arena could accommodate
new recreation uses. Arena used primarily for skating with special events
similar to historic use.
Multi-purpose events facility at Charter Bus Lot.
Air-rights for Public/Private partnership development of condominium/hotel.
Small building for community uses to be provided in Building Wrap at LHPS.
Note: all options include outdoor plaza space, west entry to Dobson and the
potential for additional parking at the Lionshead Parking Structure.
5. Sustainability Action Plan/#3 Ecosystem Health (page 69)
Refine bullet #1 to reference Restore the Gore (edits in strikethrough and italics):
Coordinate with the Town’s Sustainability Department on the restoration,
enhancement, and protection of the Middle and Gore Creek corridors. to ensure
that the goals and objectives of Restore the Gore are implemented in subsequent
project planning and design for the development of parcels proximate to Gore
Creek and Middle Creek.
6. Chapter 4/Next Steps (page 56)
Add statement that after the completion of Next Steps in evaluating the Municipal
Building Site and Charter Bus Lot/Dobson Arena sites, that an addendum to the
Plan be prepared that summarizes the Town’s decisions on improvements to be
made to these sites.
Add new, second paragraph under Next Steps (in italics):
Completion of the Next Steps outlined for the Municipal Building Site and Charter
Bus Lot/Dobson Arena sites will provide more clarity regarding the type, extent and
design of improvements in these areas. Following this work an addendum to this
Plan should be prepared that summarizes and documents this work, the research
compiled, alternatives considered, and decisions made on improvement to be
implemented.
VII. PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
On October 28, 2019, the Planning and Environmental Commission, by a unanimous vote
of 6-0 (Hopkins absent), voted to recommend approval of the 2018/2019 Civic Area Plan
to the Vail Town Council, with the following findings:
“Based on the evidence and testimony presented, the Planning and
Environmental Commission finds:
1. The 2018/2019 Civic Area Plan was developed with extensive
community input and participation by the Planning and Environmental
Commission; and,
November 5, 2019 - Page 15 of 114
Town of Vail Page 6
2. The 2018/2019 Civic Area Plan is consistent with the applicable elements
of the Vail Comprehensive Plan and furthers the goals and development
objectives of the community.”
VIII. RECOMMENDED MOTION
“I move to approve Resolution No. 41, Series of 2019, A Resolution of the Vail Town
Council Adopting the 2018/2019 Town of Vail Civic Area Plan, with the findings found on
page six of the staff memorandum.”
IX. ATTACHMENTS
A. Resolution No. 41, Series of 2019
B. 2018/19 Civic Area Plan
November 5, 2019 - Page 16 of 114
1
10/31/2019
S:\COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT\BOARDS\TOWN COUNCIL\RESOLUTION NO. 41, 2019 11-5.DOCX
RESOLUTION NO. 41
SERIES 2019
A RESOLUTION OF THE VAIL TOWN COUNCIL ADOPTING THE
2018/2019 TOWN OF VAIL CIVIC AREA PLAN
WHEREAS, on November 18, 1986, the Vail Town Council adopted the Vail Land
Use Plan, via Resolution 27, Series of 1986;
WHEREAS, the 2018/19 Civic Area Plan addresses and responds to the goal
statements regarding general growth and development contained in the Vail Land Use
Plan;
WHEREAS, the Vail Town Council identified the creation of the Civic Area Plan as
a priority in its 2018-2020 Vail Town Council Action Plan and directed staff, through the
Town Manager, to initiate a community engagement process as part of the establishment
of the 2018/19 Civic Area Plan;
WHEREAS, to foster thorough public input, the EngageVail.com platform was
launched in December of 2018, and open house events and stakeholder meetings were
held throughout 2018-19;
WHEREAS, the 2018/2019 Town of Vail Civic Area Plan (the "Plan"), includes goal
statements that the Plan achieves through the incorporation of key themes established
via the community engagement process and three options for attainment of the vision for
the civic area;
WHEREAS, the Plan includes recommendations for implementation intended to
create a revitalized, vibrant, and environmentally sustainable community center in the
heart of Vail that will foster cultural and economic growth; and,
WHEREAS, on October 28, 2019 the Planning and Environmental Commission
unanimously moved to forward a recommendation of approval of the 2018/2019 Civic
Area Plan to the Vail Town Council.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE
TOWN OF VAIL, COLORADO:
Section 1. Having reviewed the Plan and considered the recommendation of
the Planning and Environmental Commission and Town staff, the Town Council finds as
follows:
a. The Plan meets the above-referenced goals and objectives.
b. The Plan is consistent with the Vail Comprehensive Plan and the
priorities of the Vail Town Council Action Plan.
November 5, 2019 - Page 17 of 114
2
10/31/2019
S:\COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT\BOARDS\TOWN COUNCIL\RESOLUTION NO. 41, 2019 11-5.DOCX
Section 2. Based on the foregoing findings, the Vail Town Council hereby
adopts the 2018/2019 Civic Area Plan.
INTRODUCED, READ, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 5TH DAY OF NOVEMBER,
2019.
______________________________
Dave Chapin, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Tammy Nagel, Town Clerk
November 5, 2019 - Page 18 of 114
An Element of the Vail Comprehensive Plan
Adopted on November 5th, Resolution # 41, 2019November 5, 2019 - Page 19 of 114
Vail Town Council
Dave Chapin, Mayor
Jen Bruno, Mayor Pro Tem
Travis Coggin
Kevin Foley
Kim Langmaid
Jen Mason
Greg Moffet
Vail Planning and Environmental
Commission
Brian Stockmar, Chairman
Ludwig Kurz
Rollie Kjesbo
Pam Hopkins
Brian Gillette
Karen Marie Perez
John Ryan Lockman
Town of Vail Staff
Matt Gennett
Tom Kassmel
Suzanne Silverthorn
Braun Associates
Tom Braun
Nick Braun
4240 Architecture
Lou Bieker
DJ Gratzer
Russell & Mills Studio
Craig Russell
Trestle Strategy Group
Danica Powell
Marine Siohan
Economic & Planning Systems
Andrew Knudtsen
Tim Morzel
Alpine Engineering
Gary Brooks
Kimley Horn
Curtis Rowe
Watershed Environmental
Daiva Miselis
Acknowledgments November 5, 2019 - Page 20 of 114
I. INTRODUCTION.......................................................... Introduction Goals of the Civic Area Plan The Civic Area and Context How Plan will be used
II. OVERVIEW OF THE PLAN......................................... The Vision Guiding Principles The Study Area The Planning Process and Community Engagement
III. VAIL’S CIVIC AREA.................................................... Introduction Municipal Building Site The Civic Hub Vail Public Library Lionshead Parking Structure Lot 10 Charter Bus/Dobson Ice Arena Public Spaces and Connectivity
IV. IMPLEMENTATION.................................................... Next Steps Funding Options Sustainability Other Considerations
V. APPENDIX................................................................... Preliminary Traffic Assessment Civic Area Plan Environmental Review
0202030508
Table of Contents
747583
5656616870
262630323436384052
1010111521
November 5, 2019 - Page 21 of 114
2 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
I. INTRODUCTION
The Town of Vail exemplifies the contemporary ideal of a resort community
in the American West. A resort at its core, Vail is also home to over 5,000
permanent residents who embody a mountain lifestyle fostered by small-town
values and enhanced by boundless recreational and cultural opportunities.
Coupled with these “core locals”, Vail is also a seasonal home to thousands
of second-home owners and annually welcomes tens of thousands of guests in
Vail’s hotels, lodges and vacation homes.
Vail was originally developed as a ski resort
and to this day the outdoors and recreation
define much of what this community is all
about. Bordered by national forest lands
that define the physical limits of the Town,
these lands offer an array of summer and
winter recreation opportunities. The crown-
jewel of these federal lands is Vail Mountain
itself, one of North America’s largest ski
areas and widely regarded as one of the
best ski mountains in the world. Recreation
trails, Gore Creek, Ford Park and many
neighborhood parks further reinforce the
way the community values of the outdoors
and recreation.
Vail hosts a myriad of cultural and special
events throughout the year, many of them at
the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. Bravo!Vail,
the Vail Dance Festival, Vail Jazz Festival,
Vail Film Festival, and the Whistle Pig and
Hot Summer Nights concert series are
mainstays of the community’s cultural scene.
Throughout the year special events such as
the GoPro Games, Taste of Vail, Oktoberfest,
PinkVail, and the Burton Open bring an
unparalleled level of activity and vibrancy to
the streets of Vail Village and Lionshead.
Vail Village and Lionshead are idyllic,
pedestrian-oriented villages that also provide
the Town’s primary portals to Vail Mountain.
Connected by the Town’s transit system, the
majority of the Town’s lodging facilities are
located in these two villages. Anchored by
their restaurants, shops and galleries, Vail
Village and Lionshead are Vail’s two main
activity centers.
Vail is a vibrant, active town and is widely
acknowledged as one of the worlds’ premier
mountain resort communities. The Town’s
amenities provide wonderful venues for the
community that are integral to the fabric
of Vail and are foundational to what makes
Vail a special place. Built upon a world-class
reputation and travel destination, Vail has
an opportunity through the outreach, vision
and implementation defined by this Civic
Area Plan to enhance its investment in the
community.
November 5, 2019 - Page 22 of 114
Introduction | 3
Goals of the Civic Area Plan
Notwithstanding its villages, infrastructure,
and facilities, Vail is lacking a central place
for community, a true civic place that is
designed for and used by residents, second
homeowners and guests to gather, to
connect, to collaborate, and to exchange
ideas; a place that will foster and strengthen
the community.
There is no prescribed formula for the
elements that create a civic area. A civic area
could be a single building or be comprised
of multiple buildings within a defined district.
They are often located in a prominent,
central area of a community with strong
connectivity to other neighborhoods and
activity centers. They may be created or
may evolve organically over time. Public-
purpose buildings often anchor a civic area,
and outdoor features and gathering spaces
are commonly used to animate these areas
and to link buildings and uses. Whether
the use is for government, culture, athletics
or events, civic areas provide a place for
community engagement.
The Vail Civic Area Plan is intended to define
a vision for what this place can be and to
provide a framework, or a path forward, for
how Vail can create a Civic Area. This plan
is about “place making”. It is about the
facilities, buildings and programing to be
found in the civic area. But it is also about
the “places in between”, and how outdoor
gathering places, pedestrian linkages and a
connection with nature can be used to create
a place with character, spirit, and soul.
Vail’s Civic Area is not a new idea. While
referred to as the Vail Civic Center, the
Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan
(LHMP) contemplates a civic complex
anchored by the Vail Public Library, Dobson
Ice Arena and the Charter Bus Lot. The
LHMP makes no recommendations as a
specific development program for the
Charter Bus Lot, but does identify uses
suggested during the master planning
process that include a performing arts
center, conference center, recreation center
and a second ice rink connected to Dobson
Ice Arena. During the LHMP process the
community “expressed a strong preference
for a locally relevant development serving
the local community as well as destination
visitors”.
November 5, 2019 - Page 23 of 114
4 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
Vail’s Civic Area will create a new activity center that will compliment Vail
Village, Lionshead, and Ford Park. Vail’s civic area represents a transformational
opportunity for the Town to create a truly unique and vibrant place.
The goals for the Civic Area Plan were
defined early in the planning process and
involved:
• Engaging the community to
understand their thoughts, goals
and opinions for the Civic Area.
• Understanding the context of and
lands within the Civic Area, while
identifying and evaluating issues
and opportunities relative to the
potential use of these lands.
• Preparing a plan that is viable,
economically feasible, reflective of
community goals, and responsive
to the sites and surrounding
neighborhood.
• Defining strategies for decision-
making and the implementation of
improvements within the Civic Area.
November 5, 2019 - Page 24 of 114
Introduction | 5
The Civic Area and Context
The Civic Area includes seven sites that
comprise a total of 10.9 acres. Some of these
sites are comprised of multiple parcels and
with the exception of the Municipal Building
site, all sites are contiguous. Each of these
parcels is owned by the Town of Vail.
There are a number of existing community
facilities in the Civic Area that serve a civic
purpose. These include Dobson Ice Arena,
Vail Public Library, Lionshead Parking
Structure, the Visitor’s Welcome Center, and
the Municipal Building.
A more detailed analysis of the sites within
the Civic Area is provided in Chapter 2.
November 5, 2019 - Page 25 of 114
6 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
The Civic Area is strategically located
between Vail’s two main activity centers,
Vail Village and Lionshead. The Civic Area
presents an opportunity to create a new
activity center, albeit one with a different
focus, that will compliment Vail Village
and Lionshead, while strengthening the
connection between them.
Vail Village and Lionshead are linked by
the Town’s primary pedestrian and transit
corridor that runs along West Meadow Drive
and East Lionshead Circle. This corridor
runs directly through the Civic Area. People
moving between Vail Village and Lionshead,
be it by foot, bike or bus, will interface
directly with the Civic Area. By doing so,
the Civic Area will reinforce the fabric of
Town, creating a new activity center mid-way
between Vail Village and Lionshead.
Other key contextual features of the Civic
Area are Gore Creek and Middle Creek.
These creeks surround the Civic Area and
present opportunities to integrate Civic
improvements and uses within these natural
features.
“We have been blessed with past Town Councils who made many decisions that have
been foundational in shaping the fabric of our town and in making Vail a world-class resort
community. Some of these decisions, such as acquiring Ford Park, or building facilities like
Dobson Ice Arena and town parking structures may well have been considered bold at that
time. The Civic Area Plan provides a vision for implementing improvements that will be
transformational to our Town and in doing so further the legacy of our past leaders.”
— Dave Chapin, Mayor
November 5, 2019 - Page 26 of 114
Introduction | 7
Municipal Building Site
Lot 10
Vail Public Library
Dobson Ice Arena
Charter Bus Lot
Lionshead Parking Structure
Middle Creek Parcel
“...this Plan will implement the Town’s long-standing goal to create a true
civic place. the Civic Area will reinforce the fabric of Town, creating a new
activity center mid-way between Vail Village and Lionshead”
Municipal Building Site
Lot 10
Vail Public
Library
Dobson Ice
Arena
Charter Bus
LotLionshead
Parking
Structure
Middle
Creek Parcel
November 5, 2019 - Page 27 of 114
8 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
How the Civic Area Plan will be used
This master plan defines a vision for the
Civic Area that evolved during a year-long
planning process. The vision was defined
in large part from input provided during
extensive outreach to the public and to
community stakeholders. The Plan is a
guiding document for the community and
Town Council to use in defining specific steps
toward creating the Civic Area. Specifically,
the Civic Area Plan identifies:
While this Plan defines goals for the Civic
Area, it is important to note that as a master
plan, this document has limitations. The Plan
is visionary, and it is aspirational. But it is not
a detailed development plan. At a high level,
the Plan defines goals and opportunities,
and it defines challenges or considerations
that will need to be better understood and
then addressed during future steps in the
planning and design process. The Plan can
be considered a road map to the Town’s
goals for the Civic area, with the caveat that
the exact route used to get there will be
determined after more study, planning, and
design subsequent to the adoption of this
Plan.
The Civic Area Master Plan represents an
initial step in the process of creating the
Town’s Civic Area. It provides a framework,
or a path forward for how the Town can
move toward the creation of Vail’s Civic
Area. The Plan is advisory in nature. It is
a guiding document that will be used over
time by current and future Town Councils
over the next many years. Chapter 4 outlines
an overall approach to implementation, the
need for subsequent studies, analysis, and
detailed design, and potential phasing and
funding strategies.
• Goals for improvements and
facilities within the Civic Area.
• Potential outdoor spaces and
gathering places to create “a place”.
• Ways to connect with nature
and the outdoors.
• Issues, challenges, and
opportunities to be considered
during subsequent steps in the
implementation of the Civic Area.
November 5, 2019 - Page 28 of 114
Introduction | 9November 5, 2019 - Page 29 of 114
10 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
II. OVERVIEW OF THE PLAN
The vision for Vail’s Civic Area is to establish a new place in Vail, a
vibrant activity center for residents and guest of Vail. The area will have
a strong “sense of place”. Buildings and outdoor spaces will be designed
to acknowledge their setting, to capitalize on views, and to allow users to
perceive and interact with the Civic Area while always being reminded they
are in Vail. With Middle Creek and Gore Creek as a focal point, buildings
and improvements will have a strong connection with nature. This new
place will provide a gathering place for the community and serve as the civic
heart of Vail.
The Vision
Anchored by Vail Village to the east and
Lionshead to the west, Vail’s Civic Area will
create a new activity center that will add to
the fabric of the community by bridging the
gap between Vail’s two iconic villages. This
will be a place that is unique to Vail. It will
be a place with a focus on civic engagement,
a place with facilities and programs that will
draw a broad range of users and groups. Be
it for education, for recreation, or to attend
a performance, special event or community
gathering. Venues in the Civic area will be
the catalyst bringing people together by
hosting these and other activities.
The Civic Area will be open and inviting to
all, a place where people of all ages and
backgrounds are welcome. It will be a place
that is appropriately scaled to its setting,
the size of buildings will not compromise
the potential for engaging public outdoor
spaces. The Civic Area is where residents
and guests will gather to mingle, to engage,
to collaborate, and above all to enjoy Vail.
November 5, 2019 - Page 30 of 114
Overview | 11
The Guiding Principles
The following principles define the vision
for Vail’s Civic Area. These principles will
be used to guide decision-making during
subsequent steps and in the planning and
design of the Civic Area.
VAIL’S “CIVIC HUB”
Vail’s Civic Area will serve as the community’s
primary activity center that is designed for
and used by residents, second homeowners
and guests to gather, connect, collaborate,
and exchange. Vail’s Civic Area is a mixed-
use place that will foster and strengthen
community.
A welcoming place
The design of improvements along with the
activities and programing to be offered at
the Civic Area create a welcoming, inclusive
place that is open to locals and guests, of all
ages, income levels, and backgrounds.
Public buildings and spaces
Provide buildings, facilities and
improvements that meet the diverse needs
of the community, be it for the arts, culture,
education, athletics or commerce.
PLACEHOLDER IMAGE
November 5, 2019 - Page 31 of 114
12 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
Engagement and collaborations
Strengthen Vail’s sense of community
by providing venues and supporting
programing that will foster engagement,
collaborations and explorations.
Connectivity
The Civic Area’s location along Vail’s main
east/west pedestrian and transit corridors
and its location between Vail Village and
Lionshead presents an opportunity to
strengthen the connectivity between these
two activity centers.
SUSTAINABILITY
Buildings and uses within Vail’s Civic Area
will enhance economic vitality and exemplify
the community’s values for environmental
stewardship and sustainability.
Collaborations and Partnerships
Collaborate with the private sector and
other local organizations in the programing,
administration, and operation of
improvements within the Civic Area.
Environmental stewardship
Incorporate renewable energy resources in
the design and construction of new buildings
improvements that conserve energy and
water, and minimize waste and carbon
emissions, manage buildings and events to
be “zero waste”.
Housing
Strengthen Vail’s sense of community by
providing opportunities for the development
of workforce housing.
Financial considerations
Utilize sound financial analysis and decision-
making with respect to both capital
expenditures and on-going maintenance and
operations costs.
A PLACE FOR COMMUNITY
The Civic Area will provide locations for
existing, expanded and new facilities for
the arts, culture, commerce, athletics, and
education. These facilities will provide
a catalyst for community engagement,
exploration, and collaboration.
Architecture and design
The Civic Area has the potential to be
a showcase of design excellence with
aesthetically compelling architecture, and
site and landscape design that effectively
November 5, 2019 - Page 32 of 114
Overview | 13
blends the built and natural environments.
The design of buildings and outdoor spaces
should acknowledge our climate and include
features that provide shelter from the sun,
rain and snow. Buildings should include
state of the art technology and energy
saving measures that will maximize building
efficiency and minimize ongoing operating
and maintenance costs.
Indoor and outdoor spaces
Facilities will be designed to be integral with
the outdoors and designed to create spaces
that allow users to interact in formal and
informal settings.
Multi-use
When feasible, buildings and spaces will be
designed to accommodate a variety of uses
and in doing so, increase the utilization of
buildings, facilitate collaborations between
different user groups and add to the vibrancy
throughout the Civic Area.
Complimentary to Vail Village and
Lionshead
Improvements to and the future use of
the Civic Area will have a decidedly public
purpose. While distinctly unique from Vail
Village and Lionshead, the Civic Area should
complement Vail’s other established activity
centers.
THE OUTDOORS AND
NATURE
A focal point in the design of the Civic
Area is the creation of public spaces for
the community to enjoy the outdoors and
to provide venues for informal gathering
and events. Improvements to Gore Creek
and Middle Creek that enhance, embrace
and protect these corridors should be
implemented.
Outdoor gatherings
Public spaces should be designed to be
integral with indoor spaces, to capture
views and solar opportunities, and to
reinforce pedestrian corridors by creating
gathering places and areas for activity and
engagement.
Public Art
Coordinate with the Art in Public Places
board to identify opportunities for
integrating art into outdoor spaces.
November 5, 2019 - Page 33 of 114
14 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
Gore Creek and Middle Creek
Encourage the restoration of the Gore
Creek stream tract and riparian habitat
and implement landscape improvements
to limit access into this corridor. Explore
opportunities to return Middle Creek to a
more natural, organic condition and provide
limited opportunities for access to enjoy this
water course.
Streets as linear parks
Enhance the West Meadow Drive and
East Lionshead Circle pedestrian corridor
with safe walkways, landscaping, lighting,
seating and gathering places to create a
safe, welcoming, aesthetically pleasing,
and animated linear park. An underlying
goal of these improvements is to reinforce
the connection between Vail Village and
Lionshead.
PLACEHOLDER IMAGE
November 5, 2019 - Page 34 of 114
Overview | 15
The Study Area
Town of Vail owned lands that comprise the Civic Area total 10.9 acres. Below are descriptions
of these lands and other site and development related considerations.
Municipal Building Site
Lot 10
Vail Public
Library
Dobson Ice
Arena
Charter Bus
LotLionshead
Parking
Structure
Middle
Creek Parcel
November 5, 2019 - Page 35 of 114
16 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
Municipal Building Site – 2.1 acres
A variety of municipal services, including Administration, Finance, Community Development,
Vail Police Department, the Council Chambers and a recycling center are located on this parcel.
The site is zoned General Use.
The site is bound by Interstate 70 and the South Frontage Road. The South Frontage Road
presents a barrier between the Municipal Building Site and the rest of Vail. Planned upgrades
to the South Frontage Road include a roundabout to be located at the western end of the
parcel. Access for any new development at this site will likely be from this new roundabout.
The Community Development and Administration buildings are 45 years old. Building
deficiencies are significant and include items such as the roof, HVAC and electrical systems,
ADA compliance, inadequate parking and poor energy efficiency. For these and other reasons,
the Town has explored the demolition and redevelopment of these buildings.
Lot 10 – 0.5 acres
Lot 10 includes a portion of the Gore Creek Trail, and a parking lot on the northern third of the
property that for many years has been used by Library Staff. The parking lot is approximately
12,000 square feet in size and is integrated with Vail Health’s adjoining parking lot. For the past
few years, much of this parking lot has been used by Vail Health for construction staging during
the redevelopment of the campus. The site is zoned General Use.
Land immediately to the north of Lot 10 is part of the Evergreen Lodge site. The Lionshead
Redevelopment Master Plan contemplates the redevelopment of the Evergreen Lodge. If or
when this occurs, the Master Plan suggests a pedestrian corridor be developed along the south
side of the site that would connect Lot 10 with the South Frontage Road and the Municipal
Building Site.
Middle Creek is located immediately west of Lot 10. This portion of Middle Creek is located
on a parcel of land owned by the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District. This creek corridor
is currently overrun with vegetation and the creek appears to have been channelized. It could
benefit from reclamation.
November 5, 2019 - Page 36 of 114
Overview | 17
Vail Public Library – 0.9 acres
The Vail Public Library provides many community services and hosts a wide variety of adult and
youth programs. The Library’s Community Room is actively used for meetings and events. The
Library’s location on the in-town bus route makes it accessible to both residents and guests.
The site is zoned General Use.
The Middle Creek corridor defines the eastern boundary of the site. Located on a separate
town-owned parcel, the Gore Creek corridor defines the south side of the Library. While
these two creeks contribute to the Library’s idyllic setting, the creek banks have been heavily
impacted by human use and are in need of restoration. The Gore Creek Recreation Trail runs
along the south side of the Library.
Middle Creek Parcel – 0.5 acres
Located immediately south of the South Frontage Road, this narrow parcel is just 60’ wide and
includes the Middle Creek corridor. The site is zoned Natural Area Preservation.
Other than for the possibility of a recreation trail, this parcel has no development potential.
This creek corridor is currently overrun with vegetation and the creek corridor appears to have
been channelized. It could benefit from reclamation.
PLACEHOLDER IMAGE
November 5, 2019 - Page 37 of 114
Charter Bus Lot – 1.4 acres
This site is located immediately east of the
Lionshead Parking Structure and extends
from the South Frontage Road to East
Lionshead Circle. The entry portal to the
parking structure is located on the Charter
Bus Lot site. Other than this entry there are
no other improvements on this site. The
Charter Bus Lot provides a critical location
for snow storage (from the parking structure).
The site is also used for short-term parking
by buses, large RV’s and semi-trucks
(typically in Vail to service special events).
The site is zoned General Use.
18 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
While the majority of the site is relatively flat,
there is a grade change of approximately
20’ at East Lionshead Circle. At the
eastern terminus of East Lionshead Circle,
a private drive extends to the north that
provides access to the Vail International
Condominiums.
The LHMP identifies the Charter Bus Lot as
the focal point for creating the “Vail Civic
Center complex”. While the LHMP does not
recommend a specific development program
for the Civic Center, it describes a vision for
the area is to create a cohesive center for
the Vail Public Library, Dobson Ice Area and
the Charter Bus Lot, to provide an eastern
terminus of Lionshead, and to create a place
that will better connect Vail Village and
Lionshead.
Restrictive covenants on portions of the
Charter Bus Lot currently limit the use of this
parcel to parking and associated uses. Any
other land uses would require modification of
these covenants.
November 5, 2019 - Page 38 of 114
Lionshead Parking Structure – 3.6 acres
The Lionshead Parking Structure includes +/-1100 public parking spaces used primarily for
skier parking and to support the Lionshead area. Other uses on this site include the Lionshead
Welcome Center, the Grand View Room, Imagination Station, a regional transit stop and a stop
for local hotel shuttle vans. The site is zoned General Use.
Restrictive covenants on the property currently limit the use of this parcel to parking and
associated uses. Any other land uses would require modification of these covenants.
The Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan (LHMP) identifies the land south of the parking
structure to be considered for the development of retail or office space on the ground floor
and workforce housing on upper levels. The objectives of this development are to energize
the street, to potentially provide for locally accessible retail space and to provide local housing
proximate to Lionshead.
The Lionshead Parking Structure was built in the early 1970’s. Given the age of the structure,
the Town has evaluated the condition of the garage and periodically implements improvements
intended to extend the functional life of the structure. It is anticipated that periodic
maintenance will be an ongoing effort and with proper maintenance, the structure will be
serviceable for many years.
Dobson Ice Arena – 1.9 acres
Managed by the Vail Recreation District, Dobson Ice Arena provides a venue for many local
youth and adult skating programs such as the Vail Mountaineers Hockey Club and the Skating
Club of Vail. Dobson Ice Arena hosts many skating-related events each year and periodically
is used for corporate or other special events. The arena’s location on the in-town bus route
makes it accessible to both residents and guests. The site is zoned General Use.
The arena was constructed in 1979 and the condition of the building is commensurate with its
age. Building deficiencies include the condition of skylights and storefront windows, cooling
tower and refrigeration systems, ice coolant lines, domestic water, air handling systems, and
non-compliance with ADA and energy code standards.
Overview | 19November 5, 2019 - Page 39 of 114
20 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
Adjacent Parcels of Influence
There are a number of parcels immediately
adjacent to the Civic Area that may directly
or indirectly influence opportunities the
Town may have within the Civic Area. These
parcels of influence include:
Vail International
This development is adjacent to the Charter
Bus Lot, Dobson Ice Arena and the Middle
Creek Parcel. Access to Vail International is
from East Lionshead Circle, located between
Dobson Ice Arena and Charter Bus Lot.
Vail Health Campus
The Vail Health campus is located
immediately adjacent to Lot 10.
Evergreen Lodge
The Evergreen Lodge is located adjacent to
Lot 10 and to the Middle Creek stream tract.
Redevelopment plans for the Evergreen
Lodge include a pedestrian connection
between the South Frontage Road and Lot
10. This future connection has the potential
to establish better connectivity to the
Municipal Building Site.
Middle Creek Stream Tract
The Middle Creek corridor is located in two
parcels, one owned by the Town and the
other by the Eagle River Water and Sanitation
District (ERWSD). Coordination with ERWSD
will be necessary in order to address the
entire creek corridor.
Coordination with each of these landowners
will be necessary to understand areas of
mutual interests, areas of concern and how
potential collaborations could mutually
benefit both parties.
November 5, 2019 - Page 40 of 114
Overview | 21
The Planning Process and Community Engagement
Vail’s Civic Area Plan was developed over the course of a year-long
planning process that included five main steps:
Evaluation of the study area to
understand site characteristics,
relationship to surrounding uses,
opportunities and constraints, etc.;
Public and stakeholder engagement
to understand the community’s
perspective on the Civic Area, issues
and concerns to be addressed, and
goals for improvements within the study
area;
Identification of potential ideas and
opportunities for improvements and
the testing of various master plan
alternatives;
Understanding the potential order of
magnitude project costs and funding
opportunities that may be available to
implement the project, and;
Preparation of a draft plan followed by
formal review of the Plan by the Vail
Planning and Environmental Commission
and the Vail Town Council.
November 5, 2019 - Page 41 of 114
Community Engagement
The planning process for the Civic Area was driven in large part by community engagement.
The effort to reach out to the community was robust and was done throughout the entire
planning process. Community engagement activities and programs involved the following:
• A community “kick-off” meeting was held at the outset of the project to
inform the community of the scope and goals of the project.
• Formation of a Process Steering Committee made up of two
representatives from the Town Council and the Planning Commission to
help with the engagement program and overall planning process.
• Due in large part to EngageVail, the level of community engagement for
the Civic Area Plan dramatically exceeded what has been done for any past
planning process in Vail.
• EngageVail.com, a web-based program was created to keep citizens
informed of the planning process, upcoming meetings and other project
information and also provided a forum for participants to provide input
on the Plan. EngageVail was used for three “windows of engagement”.
Windows of engagement involved presenting project information and then
surveying the community on their thoughts and perspectives. 746 people
registered with EngageVail and the site had 9,000 visits during the planning
process. EngageVail generated input from 715 citizens.
• Direct outreach and meetings with neighboring property owners,
interested citizens, stakeholders and community groups including but not
limited to Town of Vail departments, Vail Recreation District, Vail Economic
Advisory Council, Commission of Special Events, Vail Local Marketing
District Advisory Council, and the Eagle River Youth Coalition.
• Town staff attendance at Town Picnics, the annual town meeting and other
events to provide information on the Plan.
• Informal “pop-ups” to share the plan with the community.
• Seven work sessions with the Town Council during which public comment
was taken. 22 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan November 5, 2019 - Page 42 of 114
Overview | 23
The Planning Process
The Civic Area Plan evolved primarily in
response to community engagement and
input from the Vail Town Council. This
process involved a pattern of reaching out to
the community, preparing ideas in response
to input received, testing and refining ideas
with the Town Council, and then reaching
out to the community to share more refined
information and ideas. During the course
of this planning process, there were three
windows of engagement with the community.
The process involved:
Engagement Window #1
During this initial step of community
outreach, information regarding the goals of
the project and the study area was provided
on EngageVail.com. Community input was
prompted by asking fairly general questions
about issues and concerns with existing
conditions and goals for what the Civic Area
could be. Via EngageVail, 367 participants
provided comments. 11 key takeaways were
derived from this input.
11 Key takeaways from Window #1:
• Improve and expand parking and
accessibility throughout;
• Improve pedestrian access, safety,
aesthetics;
• Improve community green spaces,
integrate local art;
• Upgrade Dobson Ice Arena: expand its
uses (evaluate the need for a second sheet
of ice/multi-use), improve its aesthetics;
• Keep the Vail Public Library where it is; link
it with Dobson Ice Arena;
• Improve the Municipal Complex aesthetics,
or relocate/redevelop the site;
• Better utilize the Charter Bus Lot;
• Implement a community facility with flexible
space for multi-function events, community
gatherings, performing arts, recreation;
• Support the active community with outdoor
recreation spaces;
• Explore housing opportunities;
• Advocate public-private partnerships within
the civic area.
November 5, 2019 - Page 43 of 114
24 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
Follow up
Following Window #1, the project team
prepared generalized plans and diagrams
of potential improvements in response to
community input. Ideas were prepared for
the Vail Public Library, Dobson Ice Arena,
Lionshead Parking Structure, Charter Bus Lot
and the Municipal Building Site. These plans
and diagrams were then presented to the
Town Council for their review and comment.
Engagement Window #2
Information provided to the community in
Window #2 included a summary of what
was heard during Window #1 and the
generalized plans and diagrams of potential
improvements that were prepared in
response to community input. Participants
were asked to respond to a question
regarding how these potential improvements
responded to community input. The general
theme of input from this round of community
engagement was:
Vail Public Library – support for the potential
expansion and enhancement of this facility,
and the need to address library parking and
improve pedestrian access to the library.
Dobson Ice Arena – support for the
renovation or redevelopment of the arena,
create a west entry to the arena, and the
need to address arena parking.
Lionshead Parking Structure - support for
the expansion of parking and improving
the walking experience along East
Lionshead Circle with landscape/streetscape
improvements and a new building along the
south side of the structure.
Charter Bus Lot – acknowledgment that the
site is currently underutilized and support
for the development of civic-oriented
improvements.
Vail Municipal Building – support for the
redevelopment of the municipal building,
creating a site for private development or
workforce housing, and potentially moving
the South Frontage Road to better integrate
this site with the rest of Vail.
November 5, 2019 - Page 44 of 114
Overview | 25
Follow-up
Engagement Window #2 indicated a
general level of community support for the
improvement ideas that were presented. In
response, the project team further studied
each of these ideas and prepared alternative
concepts for what the Civic Area Plan could
be. This information was presented to the
Town Council and the community over the
course of four work sessions. During this
process “order of magnitude” cost estimates
were prepared, and potential funding
opportunities were discussed with the Town
Council. As a result of these work sessions,
specific goals for improvements and an
overall vision for the Civic Area began to be
defined.
Engagement Window #3
Diagrams depicting potential Civic Area
improvements that advanced from the
series of Town Council work sessions were
shared with the community in Window
#3. These improvements were presented
in context with the 11 key takeaways
from community input during Window
#1. Participants were asked which ideas
were most appealing to them and which
they felt were priorities for the community.
Improvements most frequently mentioned
were improvements to Dobson, a second
sheet of ice, creating outdoor space and
streetscape improvements, a multi-purpose
community facility at the Charter Bus Lot and
redevelopment of the Municipal Building site
with workforce housing.
Follow-up
During the course of Window #3 an outline
of the Civic Area Master Plan was presented
to the Town Council. A key element of this
outline were the goals, or the “big ideas” for
each of the sites within the study area. With
Town Council’s endorsement of these big
ideas and the general direction of the Plan,
work to prepare the full plan was initiated.
November 5, 2019 - Page 45 of 114
26 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
III. VAIL’S CIVIC AREA
The vision for Vail’s Civic Area is to create a new place, a new center for
gatherings, special events, culture, recreation, education, and activities that
will become a focal point for the community of Vail. Buildings and facilities
will provide venues for this engagement and outdoor spaces will serve to
connect them and create a unified, cohesive place.
Introduction
The plan for the Civic Area is not about any
single building or group of buildings, nor
is it about any single user group or activity.
Rather, it is about “the whole place” that the
Civic Area will become. It is about how the
Civic Area can help link Lionshead and Vail
Village by shortening the distance between
them. It is about how the design of buildings
and outdoor spaces will be integrated, and
how they will blend with nature and their
surroundings. It is about how various user
groups, locals, and guests will use these
buildings and spaces. Above all, the Civic
Area is about bringing people together
to be entertained, to be active, to learn,
and to engage, interact, and explore. The
Civic Area will be a place people will visit
for a specific purpose, it will be a place that
people will visit just to be there, and it will be
a place people will happen upon, to discover,
and then enjoy.
This chapter describes the place that the
Civic Area is envisioned to be. It describes
ideas, opportunities, and challenges. The
chapter is about placemaking, how the
composition of buildings, spaces, and
activities and programing will create Vail’s
Civic Area.
The vision for the Civic Area is described
based on its three main components:
Municipal Building Site
While an integral part of the Civic Area, the
Municipal Building Site is isolated by the
South Frontage Road and for that reason is
described separately from the rest of the
Civic Area. A number of important municipal
services are located at the site, albeit in
aging, outdated buildings. If some of these
functions were to be re-developed and
consolidated on the site, or were re-located
to the Charter Bus Lot, a development site
could be created for some other use such
as workforce housing. While physically
removed from the rest of the Civic Area,
the Municipal Building site is integral to this
planning process.
The Civic Hub
The term “Civic Hub” is derived from the
LHMP which referred to this area as the
location for the development of Vail’s “Civic
Center”.
November 5, 2019 - Page 46 of 114
Vail’s Civic Area | 27
Six key sites – Vail Public Library, Lot 10,
Middle Creek Parcel, Dobson Ice Arena,
Lionshead Parking Structure and Charter
Bus Lot comprise the Civic Hub. While
this area currently includes a number of
important community assets, it has great
potential to become a more cohesive, vibrant
activity center. With the development
potential afforded by the Charter Bus Lot,
the Civic Hub presents the opportunity
for Vail to implement change that will be
transformational for the community.
Public Places and Connectivity
Buildings will be instrumental to the success
of the Civic Area, but the public outdoor
spaces and connectivity between buildings
and outdoor spaces are critical to creating
the “place”. Outdoor spaces and safe,
efficient, enjoyable connectivity is essential
to the success of the Civic Area. Improving
connectivity between the Civic Hub and
the Municipal Building Site, the connectivity
between buildings and uses within the Civic
Hub and connectivity with the Civic Hub to
Vail Village and Lionshead are discussed
below.
Civic Hub
Municipal Building Site
November 5, 2019 - Page 47 of 114
Descriptions and explanations of plans for
the Municipal Building Site, the Civic Hub
and Public Places and Connectivity address
the following topics:
The Big Idea
The overall vision and goals for
improvements within the site or area.
The Approach
Alternative approaches for how the
vision and goals for these areas can be
implemented.
Design and Planning Considerations
Opportunities, challenges and other
planning and design considerations related
to potential improvement ideas that will
need to be better understood and ultimately
resolved during subsequent stages of the
planning and design process.
Next steps
Additional study, analysis, and design
subsequent to this master planning effort
that will be necessary to support future
decision-making regarding specific plans for
Civic Area improvements.
Sections below describe the three main
components of the Civic Area. The plans,
diagrams and sketches of potential buildings
and improvements are intended to provide
inspiration and a vision for what Vail’s
Civic Area can be. The primary purpose of
these sketches is to demonstrate the role
of plazas and public spaces that can be
created between buildings. While these
images convey a vision for the Civic Area,
they are not intended to recommend a
specific design or architectural solution. As
its own activity center, architecture within
the Civic Area should have its own unique
identity. Whether the design of buildings
is inspired by the precedents of Vail Village
or Lionshead, architecture in the Civic Area
should convey the sense that one is in
Vail. Decisions on specific improvements
for the Civic Area, and the design of these
improvements, will be determined after
further engagement with the community,
extensive study and analysis of potential
ideas, and more detailed architectural and
landscape design. These next steps are
more fully discussed in Chapter 4.
28 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan November 5, 2019 - Page 48 of 114
Vail’s Civic Area | 29November 5, 2019 - Page 49 of 114
30 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
Municipal Building Site
THE BIG IDEA
• In order to address the aging structure
and poor aesthetics, demolish and
replace all or portions of the Municipal
Building.
• Re-locate all or some existing town
operations to create a development
parcel on the site that will allow for
other uses that may include workforce
housing.
• Evaluate design options for improving
the pedestrian crossing of South
Frontage Road.
• Evaluate the feasibility of re-locating
South Frontage Road to integrate the
site with the rest of town.
DESIGN AND PLANNING
CONSIDERATIONS
• If town offices are re-constructed on the
Municipal Building Site, identify interim
locations for municipal operations
during construction.
• Identify creative design or management
strategies to address parking
NEXT STEPS
• As a part of evaluating the Charter
Bus Lot, determine the feasibility and
desirability of re-locating municipal
functions to the Charter Bus Lot.
• Complete schematic design studies to
understand the development potential
of this site and review and confirm
previous programmatic square footages
for a new Town Hall.
• Determine the preferred use of any
development parcel that may be
created at this site.
• Explore P3 opportunities for the re-
development of the Municipal Building
Site.
THE APPROACH
• Town-funded initiative, or public/private
collaboration with a development
partner. Potential public/private
ventures could involve the town
contributing land for a workforce
housing project or some other
private development (see page 66
for explanation of Public Private
Partnerships).
• Enhance funding opportunities for Civic
Area improvements with Downtown
Development District (DDA) and/or
land lease revenues (see page 63 for
explanation of DDA).
• Potential scenarios for creating a
development parcel on the site:
o Consolidate Community
Development offices with other town
departments in a new town hall,
creating a development parcel at the
west end of the site.
o Re-locate all or portions of town
hall operations (excluding the Police
Department), to the Charter Bus Lot,
creating a larger development parcel
at the west end of the site.
o Re-locate the Police Department to a
new facility at Public Works or other
available sites, allowing the entire site
to be available for other uses.
o Move Council Chamber functions to a
new community theater at the Charter
Bus Lot.
requirements for any workforce housing
that may be constructed on the site.
• Understand the opportunities and
constraints of a bridge or tunnel
pedestrian crossing versus at-grade
crossing of South Frontage Road.
• Design any new improvements to
comply with the helicopter flight path of
the neighboring Vail Health emergency
helipad.
• Continue to explore the design, benefits
and cost implications of re-locating
South Frontage Road.
November 5, 2019 - Page 50 of 114
Vail’s Civic Area | 31
Images depict how the South Frontage Road could be re-located and massing
studies for the potential pre-development of the Municipal Building Site.
Municipal Building Site
November 5, 2019 - Page 51 of 114
32 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
The Civic Hub includes the majority of land within the Civic Area. With the Vail Public Library,
Dobson Ice Arena and Lionshead Parking Structure, the facilities in this area already play an
important role for the Town and its residents and guests. Located on the Town’s primary
pedestrian and transit corridor between Vail Village and Lionshead, the Civic Hub is readily
accessible. Middle Creek and Gore Creek provide a delightful setting and the opportunity for
the area to integrate with nature. While existing facilities are valuable community assets, they
were developed independently with little attention given to how they can work together to
create a thoughtful, unified place. The condition was identified in the LHMP:
The Civic Hub
“The goal of this site is to create a single, cohesive civic center from the three
disparate components (the library, the area and the bus parking lot), using
coordinated architectural character and linked public spaces. The new concentration
of civic uses can help to connect Lionshead and Vail Village and will become the
eastern anchor of Lionshead, connected to the Lionshead pedestrian core by the
parking structure and the redeveloped East Lionshead Circle”
— From the Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan
The Civic Hub is brimming with opportunity and the Charter Bus Lot is the key to stitching the
existing pieces of the Civic Area together. Anchored by the development of the Charter Bus
Lot, the Civic Hub will become the focal point of Vail’s Civic Area.
This area represents Vail’s opportunity to make changes and improvements that will be
transformational to the Town’s future. The balance of this section describes how the sites within
the Civic Hub – Vail Public Library, Lot 10 and the Middle Creek Parcel, Lionshead Parking
Structure, the Charter Bus Lot, and Dobson Ice Area can be improved to become the heart of
Vail’s Civic Area.
November 5, 2019 - Page 52 of 114
Vail’s Civic Area | 33
Lionshead
Parking
Structure
Dobson Ice
Arena
Vail Public
Library
Middle Creek
Parcel
Charter Bus
Lot
Lot 10
November 5, 2019 - Page 53 of 114
34 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
Vail Public Library
THE BIG IDEA
• Add a second floor to the building to
provide space for expanded Library
programs and/or other community use.
• Enhance the south lawn to create spaces
for outdoor programing.
• Implement site and landscape
improvements to enhance and protect
the Gore Creek and Middle Creek
corridors.
• Improve the safety and aesthetics of
the existing pedestrian corridor from
the Lionshead Parking Structure to the
Library.
• Improve parking availability for users of
the Library.
THE APPROACH
• Town-funded initiative.
• Potential improvements to the Library
can each be designed and implemented
independently for the others.
• Second floor expansion is dependent
upon defining a need for space and a
funding source.
DESIGN AND PLANNING
CONSIDERATIONS
• As an element of the site evaluation and
design studies for Dobson Ice Arena,
identify solutions for improving the
safety and aesthetic of the pedestrian
corridor from the Lionshead Parking
Structure to the Library.
• If or when a second level to the building
is pursued, design the building to
complement and maintain the unique
character of the existing building.
• Explore opportunities to integrate
educational opportunities into work
to be done to improve the Gore and
Middle Creek corridors.
NEXT STEPS
• Work with Library staff to identify the
Library’s long-term space needs that
could be accommodated by a second
level addition.
• Work with Library staff to identify the
potential for outdoor programing
that could be accommodated by
improvements to the south lawn.
• Evaluate the potential need for
community space that could be
accommodated by a second level
addition.
• Coordinate with the Town’s
Environmental Sustainability
Department on enhancements and
design improvements to Gore Creek
and Middle Creek.
• Identify programs to improve library
user’s experience such as additional
remote book drop-off locations and
management changes at the Lionshead
Parking Structure to ensure parking
availability for Library users during
periods of peak parking use.
November 5, 2019 - Page 54 of 114
Vail’s Civic Area | 35
DOBSON
ARENA
EL = 8,135’-6”
BUS ROUTE
8,138’-4”
BUS ROUTELIBRARY
SECOND
MOUNTAIN V
I
E
W
S
CREEK VIEW
S
SOUTH
LAWN
LEVEL 02 - 8,148’-10”
LEVEL 01 - 8,136’-10”
COMMUNITY /
FLEX
+/- 4,000 sf
BOH +
RESTROOMS
PRE-FUNCTION /
GALLERY
CAFE
OUTDOOR
TERRACE
OUTDOOR
TERRACE
VERTICAL CIRCULATION
• PROGRAM POTENTIAL - 8,000+ sf @ level 02
-COMMUNITY MEETING SPACE
-SMALL EVENT SPACE
-CAFE
-OUTDOOR TERRACE WITH VIEWS TO SOUTH LAWN AND
BOTH CREEKS
-USE OF EXISTING VERTICAL CIRCULATION
-OUTDOOR TREE HOUSE TO AID IN ACTIVE LEARNING
• REMOVE AGING SKYLIGHT AND RE-PROGRAM
-PRE-FUNCTION FOR EVENTS
-REVOLVING GALLERY
COMMUNITY ROOM CAPACITY (@4,000 SF)
• STANDING COCKTAILS 570 OCCUPANTS
• SEATED LECTURE 265 OCCUPANTS
• SEATED BANQUET 180 OCCUPANTS
STUDY - SECOND LEVEL
GORE CREEK
MOUNTAIN +
CREEK VIEWS
MOUNTAIN +
CREEK VIEWS
OUTDOOR
TERRACE
MIDDLE
CREEK
SOUTH LAWN
CONNECTION
CREEK
VIEWS
SOUTH
LAWN
DOBSONPOTENTIAL GREEN ROOF
OR SOLAR ARRAYEXPANDED
VERTICAL
CIRCULATION
VAIL PUBLIC LIBRARY
1
1
2
2
REMOVE LEAKING SKYLIGHT AND REPLACE
WITH PITCHED ROOF STRUCTURE
CREATE OUTDOOR TERRACE WITH
MOUNTAIN/CREEK VIEWS
BIRDSEYE VIEW
N/S SECTION VIEW
Vail Public Library
Streambank restoration along Gore Creek.
Outdoor program area on Library south lawn.
November 5, 2019 - Page 55 of 114
36 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
Lot 10 and the Middle Creek Parcel
THE BIG IDEA
• Replace the existing parking lot with a
new outdoor public space.
• Design and animate this public space
to make it an appealing destination for
pedestrians along the Town’s primary
pedestrian corridor between Vail Village
and Lionshead.
• Restore and enhance the Middle Creek
corridor and integrate this creek with
Lot 10 improvements.
THE APPROACH
• Town funded initiative
• Potential for design and funding
collaborations with Evergreen Lodge,
Vail Health and Eagle River Water and
Sanitation District (ERWSD).
• Various alternatives for the design and
use of this outdoor space (i.e., a place
for public art, whimsical elements like
a children’s treehouse, hardscape and
landscape improvements, seating areas,
food carts).
DESIGN AND PLANNING
CONSIDERATIONS
• Coordinate with the Evergreen Lodge
on how their improvement plans could
integrate with improvements to Lot 10.
• Identify locations to replace existing
Librarian parking on Lot 10, alternatives
could include dedicated spaces within
the Lionshead Parking Structure, or at
the Municipal Building Site.
• Coordinate with ERWSD on their Middle
Creek parcel to allow for the entire
creek corridor to be addressed.
• Coordinate with the Town’s
Environmental Sustainability
Department on Middle Creek
restoration and enhancement and how
educational opportunities could be
incorporated into this project.
• Evaluate how the existing abutments for
the old Hwy 6 bridge over Middle Creek
can be maintained and made a part of
landscape improvements.
NEXT STEPS
• Initiate a community design process for
improvements to Lot 10 to determine
how this space can be used, design
features, etc.
• Initiate dialogue with neighboring
property owners on improvements to
Lot 10.
• Coordinate with the Environmental
Sustainability Department on
improvements to Middle Creek.
November 5, 2019 - Page 56 of 114
Vail’s Civic Area | 37
Lot 10 and the
Middle Creek
Parcel
Walkway along Middle Creek.
Park/public open space development of Lot 10.
November 5, 2019 - Page 57 of 114
38 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
Lionshead Parking Structure
THE BIG IDEA
• Improve the walking experience
along East Lionshead Circle between
Lionshead and the Civic Hub.
• Implement landscape and streetscape
improvements to provide a safe and
aesthetically pleasing pedestrian walk.
• Animate the street with the construction
of a “building wrap” along a portion of
the south side of the Lionshead Parking
Structure with ground level retail or
community uses that will create activity
and interest along the street.
• Potential for workforce housing on the
upper two levels of the building wrap.
• Continue maintenance programs
to extend the functional life of the
Lionshead Parking Structure.
THE APPROACH
• Town funded initiative or pubic/private
collaboration with a development
partner. A potential public/
private venture could involve the
Town providing land and air-rights
development for the upper levels of
the building in exchange for developer
providing ground floor space to the
town.
• Alternatives for the use of this building
include but are not limited to retail,
community space for non-profit
organizations, maker or incubator space,
etc., workforce housing or free-market
housing. The potential for small, ground
level retail or restaurant space that
could provide opportunities for local,
start-up businesses should also be
explored.
DESIGN AND PLANNING
CONSIDERATIONS
• The appropriateness of the building
wrap needs to be considered in
context with the entire Civic Hub,
to ensure sensitivity to the overall
level of development in the area and
that adequate outdoor spaces are
maintained along East Lionshead Circle.
If it is determined to not construct this
building, streetscape design along the
Lionshead Parking Structure should
include outdoor space capable of
accommodating gatherings, public art
or artist in residency programs, food
carts or other features to add interest
and animation to the street.
• A building wrap along Lionshead
Parking Structure must be designed to
not preclude the future demolition and
reconstruction of a new parking garage.
• Building design and scale of the wrap
to be compatible with neighboring
properties, the wrap should not exceed
three levels.
• Identify the need to modify restrictive
covenants that may limit the use of this
property.
• Address incremental parking
requirements from the development of
the building wrap.
NEXT STEPS
• Define the potential need for
community uses and determine the
preferred use(s) of the building wrap.
• Complete schematic design to better
understand the development potential
of this site.
• Explore opportunities for public/private
collaborations for the development of
the building wrap.
• Prepare schematic designs for
streetscape improvements to East
Lionshead Circle.
November 5, 2019 - Page 58 of 114
Vail’s Civic Area | 39
Lionshead Parking Structure
East Lionshead Circle streetscape enhancements.
Building wrap at south side of Lionshead Parking Structure.
November 5, 2019 - Page 59 of 114
40 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
Charter Bus Lot and Dobson Ice Arena
The Charter Bus Lot and the adjoining
Dobson Ice Arena are the most critical sites
to creating the Civic Hub. While separate
parcels, due to their adjacency and their
potential to accommodate facilities and
provide outdoor spaces that can unify the
entire area, they are evaluated as one site.
The Charter Bus Lot and Dobson Ice Arena
have great potential to define the Civic
Area. There are however, many issues and
challenges with the development of these
sites that will need to be resolved. There are
also alternatives for how to most effectively
implement the goals for this area. These and
other considerations are addressed below.
THE BIG IDEA
• Create a place with synergy between
facilities and outdoor public spaces.
• Provide ice facilities sufficient to meet
the needs of Vail’s skating community.
• In order to address Dobson Ice Arena’s
obsolescence and poor aesthetics,
either demolish and replace the building
or complete a major renovation of the
arena.
• Provide a multi-purpose events facility
capable of accommodating large
gatherings, conferences, banquets,
community events, concerts, and
celebrations.
• Provide community spaces that may
include a small theater for performing
arts and community gatherings, offices
for non-profit organizations, business
incubator space, or space for other
community uses.
• Develop outdoor public places
within the Civic Hub - capable of
accommodating small intimate
gatherings to large scale community
events.
• Incorporate mixed-uses within the Civic
Hub that promote interaction and add
to the vibrancy and energy of the place
THE APPROACH
While ambitious, the goals for the Charter
Bus Lot and Dobson Ice Arena will be
transformational for the Town. There are,
however, many approaches for how these
goals can be realized. This is primarily due
to the multi-use potential of some facilities.
For example, an ice arena can provide a
skating facility, and if properly designed, can
host concerts, conferences or other types of
special events. An events facility designed
for multiple purposes can accommodate
a range of activities that could potentially
include ice facilities. Equally important to
the design of these facilities is the manner in
which they are managed to meet the various
needs of the community.
Final decisions on the type, arrangement,
and design of facilities to be developed at
Charter Bus Lot and Dobson Ice Area can
best be made following additional research,
evaluation, and design work that will be done
subsequent to this master planning process.
Efforts to be addressed subsequent to this
Plan are described in Chapter 4.
Three potential approaches for the
development of the Charter Bus Lot and
Dobson Ice Arena are outlined below. These
options are not recommendations. They are
intended to convey the range of different
ideas for how this site can be developed to
address the goals for the Civic Hub. While
each option addresses the big ideas describe
above, each does so in different ways. The
elements of the Civic Area that can be
accommodated at this site will also influence
improvement plans for the Municipal Building
Site and the idea of the building wrap at the
Lionshead Parking Structure.
November 5, 2019 - Page 60 of 114
Vail’s Civic Area | 41
Vail Public
Library
Dobson Ice
Arena
Lionshead
Parking
Structure
Charter Bus
Lot
Option #1
• New ice arena with modest expansion
for potential new recreation uses.
Arena used primarily for skating with
special events similar to historic use.
• Multi-purpose events facility at Charter
Bus Lot.
• Small theater for arts, community use
and potentially Council Chambers.
• Small building for community use.
Option #2
• New, larger ice arena designed to
serve as a multi-use facility. Primary
use of building would focus on special
events.
• Utilitarian, second sheet of ice at
Charter Bus Lot.
• Small theater for arts, community use
and potentially Council Chambers.
• Small building for community use.
• Town Hall to provide space for
Administration, Community
Development and other uses.
Option #3
• Major renovation of Dobson. With
expansion, arena could accommodate
new recreation uses. Arena used
primarily for skating with special events
similar to historic use.
• Multi-purpose events facility at Charter
Bus Lot.
• Air-rights for Public/Private partnership
development of condominium/hotel.
• Small building for community use to be
provided in Building Wrap at LHPS.
Potential development programs for the
three options for the Charter Bus Lot and
Dobson Ice Arena are summarized below.
Note that outdoor public spaces, a west
entry to Dobson and the potential for
additional parking are elements of each
option.
November 5, 2019 - Page 61 of 114
42 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
• A new Dobson Ice Arena to include a west entry to better interface with the Charter Bus Lot and a modest expansion in size that could
potentially accommodate other recreational programing. The arena would be used primarily for skating and would also host other special
events at a frequency similar to its historic use.
• Multi-purpose events facility with its main entry and pre-function space at the southwest side of the Charter Bus Lot and a large, multi-
purpose events space and smaller multi-purposes spaces located partially below grade.
• A small theater for performing arts, community use, and to potentially serve as the Town Council Chambers.
• A small community building along the north edge of the upper plaza to help to frame the Civic Plaza.
• An elevated public outdoor plaza (above the multi-purpose events space) to link the pre-function space with the small community theater
and a public outdoor plaza along East Lionshead Circle to link the multi-purpose events facility with Dobson Ice Arena.
• Potential for additional parking at the north side of the Charter Bus Lot.
Option #1
November 5, 2019 - Page 62 of 114
Vail’s Civic Area | 43
Option #1
Charter Bus Lot/
Dobson Ice Arena
Public plaza between Charter Bus Lot and Dobson Arena.
Public plaza between Charter Bus Lot and Dobson Arena.
November 5, 2019 - Page 63 of 114
44 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
• A new, larger Dobson Ice Arena designed as a multi-use facility that would accommodate ice use and host a variety of special events
including large gatherings, conferences, banquets, community events, concerts, and celebrations. The building would include a new west
entry to better interface with the Charter Bus Lot. The use of this new facility would focus primarily on special events.
• A utilitarian, dedicated sheet of ice located below grade at the south side of the Charter Bus Lot. The need for this sheet of ice is due to the
new Dobson Arena being used primarily as an events facility.
• A small theater for performing arts, community use, and to potentially serve as the Town Council Chambers.
• Town Hall to provide space for Administration, Community Development and other town offices.
• A small community building along the north edge of the upper plaza to help frame the Civic Plaza.
• An elevated public outdoor plaza (above the sheet of ice) to link the Town Hall building with the small community theater and a public
outdoor plaza along East Lionshead Circle to link the multi-purpose events facility with Dobson Ice Arena.
• Potential for additional parking at the north side of the Charter Bus Lot.
Option #2
November 5, 2019 - Page 64 of 114
Vail’s Civic Area | 45
Option #2
Charter Bus Lot/
Dobson Ice Arena
Elevated plaza at Charter Bus Lot.
November 5, 2019 - Page 65 of 114
46 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
• A major renovation and expansion to Dobson Ice Arena to include a west entry to better interface with the Charter Bus Lot. The arena would
be used primarily for skating and would also host other special events at a frequency similar to its historic use. Expanding the arena could
allow for new recreational programing.
• Multi-purpose events center with its main entry and pre-function space at the southwest side of the Charter Bus Lot and a large, multi-
purpose events space located partially below grade.
• Air-rights development for a potential public/private venture to develop a condominium/hotel above the multi-purpose events center. DDA
and/or land lease revenue from this development to subsidize the cost of Civic Area improvements.
• An elevated, public outdoor plaza (above the multi-purpose events center) to link the pre-function space with the condominium/hotel
building and a public outdoor plaza along East Lionshead Circle to link the multi-purpose events facility with Dobson Ice Arena.
• Space for various community uses located in the building wrap at the Lionshead Parking Structure.
• Potential for additional parking at the north side of the Charter Bus Lot.
Option #3
November 5, 2019 - Page 66 of 114
Vail’s Civic Area | 47
Option #3
Charter Bus Lot/
Dobson Ice Arena
Pedestrian corridor between Dobson Ice Arena and Vail Public Library.
November 5, 2019 - Page 67 of 114
48 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
DESIGN AND PLANNING
CONSIDERATIONS
• Goals for this area could include many
buildings and uses. It will be critical for
the future design and planning of this
area to ensure that the level and type
of development does not exceed the
practical carrying capacity of the site.
• The design and scale of buildings
should be sensitive to and compatible
with neighboring properties.
• Outdoor spaces should be sized relative
to the use and program of surrounding
buildings and the anticipated number of
people they will draw to the Civic Hub.
• The existing access drive to Vail
International presents a barrier to the
unified design of improvements at the
Charter Bus Lot and Dobson Ice Arena.
Coordinate with Vail International on
the feasibility of providing a new access
point to their development that would
reduce traffic. If this access is to be
maintained, consider how it can be
sensitively integrated into the design of
the public plaza.
• The hotel shuttle stop at the west end
of the Lionshead Parking Structure
generates a large volume of traffic on
East Lionshead Circle and the turn
around adjacent to the Charter Bus Lot
conflicts with the development of a
public plaza in this location. Evaluate
alternatives for eliminating this conflict.
Options could include moving the turn
around to the west, re-locating the
shuttle stop, or routing shuttle traffic
from West Meadow Drive.
• New buildings adjacent to the
Lionshead Parking Structure must be
designed to not preclude the future
demolition and reconstruction of a new
parking garage.
• Identify the need to modify covenants
or plat restrictions that may limit the use
of these properties.
• Address incremental parking
requirements from any new
development of these sites. Evaluate
management strategies for how
dedicated parking spaces can be
provided in the Lionshead Parking
Structure for Library and arena users.
November 5, 2019 - Page 68 of 114
• Ensure adequate access from South
Frontage Road can be provided for
service/delivery functions to the multi-
purpose events center. Design and size
loading facilities commensurate with
the needs of the multi-purpose events
center.
• Include a new west entry in Dobson
Ice Arena to better link this facility with
development of the Charter Bus Lot and
the Lionshead Parking Structure.
• Consider the potential for additional
recreation uses within Dobson Ice
Arena when evaluating potential
redevelopment scenarios.
• When addressing the parking demand
of new development within the Civic
Area, consider how multi-modal
access, management and operational
strategies, the Civic Hub’s proximity to
the Lionshead Parking Structure, and
future innovations like smart cars and
self-parking cars may affect the need
for, design of, and amount of additional
on-site parking that may be needed.
• Development of the Charter Bus Lot
will eliminate a critical snow storage
area used for the Lionshead Parking
Structure. Work with the Public Works
Department to identify alternatives for
managing snow removal.
• Development of the Charter Bus Lot
will eliminate the use of this site for the
short-term storage of RV’s, buses and
large trucks. Evaluate the feasibility of
alternative parking locations such as the
West Vail Fire Station or North Frontage
Road West, the Public Works facility
or the Soccer Field parking lot at Ford
Park.
• The reconstruction or renovation
of Dobson Ice Arena will eliminate
ice during the construction process.
Identify potential locations for
a temporary sheet of ice during
construction.
Vail’s Civic Area | 49November 5, 2019 - Page 69 of 114
• Study design alternatives for how other
potential uses and improvements at the
Charter Bus Lot can be accommodated
(i.e. test the fit and relationship of other
ideas such as the community theater,
town hall and community space). The
purpose of this effort is to determine
the most appropriate mix of uses and
level of development for the site.
• Based on schematic designs, prepare
updated cost estimates and alternative
funding strategies for these potential
improvements.
• Based on the results of the five steps
above, finalize the development
program and design plans for the site.
NEXT STEPS
• Complete a comprehensive market
and economic analysis for potential
improvements envisioned for the
Charter Bus Lot and Dobson Ice Arena.
The focus of the market analysis will
be to understand market potential, the
anticipated level of utilization, and to
determine optimal sizing and program
elements of these facilities. The focus
of the economic analysis will be to
understand the potential direct and
indirect economic benefits of these
facilities and to estimate ongoing
operation costs.
• In conjunction with the market and
economic analyses, complete schematic
design alternatives for ice and multi-
purpose event facilities. The goal of this
effort is to understand how alternatives
for the desired building programs can
be achieved and to better understand
the multi-use potential of various
facilities.
• Based on the finding of steps above,
determine the preferred design and
programmatic approach for ice and
multi-purpose event facilities. Prepare
schematic design plans for this preferred
approach.
50 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan November 5, 2019 - Page 70 of 114
Vail’s Civic Area | 51November 5, 2019 - Page 71 of 114
52 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
The Places, Public Spaces and Connectivity
The buildings and improvements described for the Civic Area will provide venues for
community gatherings and other activities. The use of these buildings will be the main catalyst
for attracting people to the Civic Area. They are, however, just buildings. Public plazas, parks
and pedestrian corridors, the spaces between the buildings, are what will make Vail’s Civic area
a special place. These outdoor spaces will link buildings within the Civic Area and they will
strengthen the connection of the Civic Area with Vail Village and Lionshead. The importance of
these outdoor spaces cannot be overstated, they are essential to the success of the Civic Area.
Small park at Lot 10
Streetscape improvements along
East Lionshead Circle
Enhance outdoor spaces
at Vail Public Library
Public plazas to link
buildings and uses
Streetscape improvements
to improve connection to
Vail Public Library
Walking path along
Middle Creek
November 5, 2019 - Page 72 of 114
Vail’s Civic Area | 53
THE BIG IDEA
• Reinforce Vail’s primary pedestrian
and transit corridor with streetscape
improvements to East Lionshead Circle
and West Meadow Drive, and with the
development of parks and public plazas
along this corridor.
• Integrate public plazas with the design
of buildings to encourage the use and
THE APPROACH
• Town funded initiatives.
• Pursue potential collaborations with
Eagle River Water and Sanitation
District, Evergreen Lodge and Vail
Health on Lot 10 and Middle Creek
improvements.
enjoyment of the outdoors and to create
synergy between buildings.
• Establish a pedestrian walk along
Middle Creek that is designed to
protect the creek while allowing access
to it.
November 5, 2019 - Page 73 of 114
PLANNING AND DESIGN
CONSIDERATIONS
• Ensure that the design of outdoor
spaces is integral to the design of
buildings.
• As part of the design of Dobson
Ice Arena, evaluate alternatives for
improving the walking experience
between the Lionshead Parking
Structure and the Vail Public Library.
• Consider the building wrap along the
Lionshead Parking Structure to animate
the street and bring activity to East
Lionshead Circle.
• Identify alternatives for eliminating
the shuttle bus turnaround at East
Lionshead Circle.
• Evaluate the feasibility of reducing
Vail International traffic from access
point between the Charter Bus Lot and
Dobson Ice Arena.
• Ensure the pedestrian connection
between Lot 10 and the South Frontage
Road is implemented as part of the
redevelopment of the Evergreen Lodge.
• If or when the Municipal Site is
redeveloped, evaluate alternatives
for at-grade and/ or grade-separated
pedestrian crossing of South Frontage
Road.
NEXT STEPS
• Initiate a community design process
for improvements to Lot 10 and the
Middle Creek corridor, coordinate with
neighboring property owners.
• If or when design work is initiated for
the Charter Bus Lot and Dobson Ice
Arena, involve landscape architects early
in the design process to ensure public
spaces and potential improvements
to the corridor between Dobson Ice
Arena and the Vail Public Library are
addressed.
• Prepare a schematic design for
streetscape improvements along East
Lionshead Circle.
54 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan November 5, 2019 - Page 74 of 114
Vail’s Civic Area | 55November 5, 2019 - Page 75 of 114
56 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
IV. IMPLEMENTATION
This chapter addresses implementation and other considerations relative
to the Civic Area Plan. As a master plan document this Plan is visionary
and it defines the Town’s goals for the Civic Area. This Plan represents just
the first step in the process of creating the Civic Area. Information below
summarizes follow-up steps that will need to be addressed for each site,
provides recommendations on the sequence of subsequent planning and
design work, summarizes the potential order of magnitude costs for Civic
Area improvements and potential funding alternatives, and discusses a
number of other topics related to the development of the Civic Area.
Next Steps
Chapter 3 describes potential improvements
that could be developed within the Civic
Area. It also outlines the next steps
necessary to implement these improvements
or to make final decisions on the type and
nature of future improvements. These next
steps, recommended sequences of work
and other considerations for each of the
Civic Area sites, are discussed below. It is
assumed that with direction from the Town
Council, the Community Development and
Public Works departments will coordinate
these efforts.
Completion of the Next Steps outlined for
the Municipal Building Site and Charter
Bus Lot/Dobson Arena sites will provide
more clarity regarding the type, extent and
design of improvements in these areas.
Following this work an addendum to this Plan
should be prepared that summarizes and
documents this work, the research compiled,
alternatives considered, and decisions made
on improvement to be implemented.
VAIL PUBLIC LIBRARY
POTENTIAL TIME-LINE FOR ACTION
Improvements to the Vail Public Library could
be implemented independently from other
Civic Area improvements. If a second level is
to be pursued and if this space is envisioned
to accommodate community use, it will
be important to coordinate this effort with
community space that may be developed at
the Charter Bus Lot or the building wrap at
the Lionshead Parking Structure.
NEXT STEPS
• Work with Library staff to identify the
Library’s long-term space needs that
could be accommodated by a second
level addition.
• Work with Library staff to identify the
potential for outdoor programing
that could be accommodated by
improvements to the south lawn.
• Evaluate the potential need for
community space that could be
accommodated by a second level
addition.
• Coordinate with the Town’s
Environmental Sustainability
Department on enhancements and
design improvements to Gore Creek
and Middle Creek.
• Identify programs to improve library
user’s experience such as additional
remote book drop-off locations and
management changes at the Lionshead
Parking Structure to ensure parking
availability for Library users during
periods of peak parking use.
It is anticipated that any efforts to pursue
the addition of a second level or to make
improvements to the south lawn would be
made if or when initiated by Library Staff.
November 5, 2019 - Page 76 of 114
Implementation | 57
LOT 10 AND MIDDLE CREEK PARCEL
POTENTIAL TIME-LINE FOR ACTION
Improvements to Lot 10 and the Middle Creek Parcel could be implemented independently
from other Civic Area improvements. It will, however, be beneficial to coordinate the design of
these improvements with the design of streetscape improvements to West Meadow Drive and
East Lionshead Circle. Improvements to Lot 10 could be implemented as early as the fall of
2020, when Vail Health vacates Lot 10.
NEXT STEPS
• Initiate a community design process for improvements to Lot 10 to determine how this
space can be used, design features, etc.
• Initiate dialogue with neighboring property owners on improvements to Lot 10.
• Coordinate with the Environmental Sustainability Department on improvements to Middle
Creek.
LIONSHEAD PARKING STRUCTURE
POTENTIAL TIME-LINE FOR ACTION
While improvements along the south side of the Lionshead Parking Structure could be
implemented independently from other Civic Area improvements. If or when development of
a building along the south side of the structure is pursued, uses within the building will need to
be coordinated with plans for the Charter Bus Lot. Options for the Charter Bus Lot may include
the development of space for community use. If this use is provided at the Charter Bus Lot, it
would likely preclude the need to provide it in the building wrap. Decisions on uses for the
building wrap should be made after development plans for the Charter Bus Lot are finalized.
While streetscape improvements to East Lionshead Circle would most efficiently be made
in conjunction with the development of the building wrap, the design and installation of
streetscape improvements could occur prior to development of the building wrap. This would,
however, require careful study to understand if or how the future construction of the building
wrap would impact streetscape improvements.
November 5, 2019 - Page 77 of 114
58 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
It will be important to coordinate the design of streetscape improvements to East Lionshead
Circle with the design of other streetscape, park and public plaza improvements throughout the
Civic Hub.
NEXT STEPS
• Define the potential need for community uses and determine the preferred use(s) of the
building wrap.
• Complete schematic design to better understand the development potential of this site.
• Explore opportunities for public/private collaborations for the development of the building
wrap.
• Prepare schematic designs for streetscape improvements to East Lionshead Circle.
CHARTER BUS LOT/DOBSON ICE ARENA AND THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING SITE
The Charter Bus Lot and Dobson Ice Arena present the greatest opportunity for change
within the Civic Area and improvements to these sites will “drive” the overall planning
process for the Civic Area.. Along with their potential for change, however, these sites also
present many challenges that will need to be addressed during the design and planning
process. These sites also present the greatest number of alternatives for how improvements
can address the goals of this plan.
There is a very direct relationships between potential improvements at the Charter Bus Lot/
Dobson site and at the Municipal Building Site. This Plan suggests the idea of some town
services being re-located to the Charter Bus Lot. The reasons for re-locating town services
are twofold – government services are a foundational civic function that may have a place
within the Civic Area. Municipal services at the Charter Bus Lot would also draw people
and activity to the new Civic Hub. Secondly, moving municipal services would create a
larger parcel at the Municipal Building Site that could accommodate some other use. Future
planning and design of these two sites needs to be closely coordinated.
November 5, 2019 - Page 78 of 114
Implementation | 59
The next steps for defining improvements to be made to the Charter Bus Lot, Dobson Ice
Arena and Municipal Building Site include:
Charter Bus Lot and Dobson Ice Arena
• Complete a comprehensive market and economic analysis for potential improvements
envisioned for the Charter Bus Lot and Dobson Ice Arena. The focus of the market analysis
will be to understand market potential, the anticipated level of utilization, and to determine
optimal sizing and program elements of these facilities. The focus of the economic
analysis will be to understand the potential direct and indirect economic benefits of these
facilities and to estimate ongoing operation costs.
• In conjunction with the market and economic analyses, complete schematic design
alternatives for ice and multi-purpose event facilities. The goal of this effort is to
understand how alternatives for the desired building programs can be achieved and to
better understand the multi-use potential of various facilities.
• Based on the finding of steps above, determine the preferred design and programmatic
approach for ice and multi-purpose event facilities. Prepare schematic design plans for this
preferred approach.
• Study design alternatives for how other potential uses and improvements at the Charter
Bus Lot can be accommodated (i.e. test the fit and relationship of other ideas such as
the community theater, town hall and community space). The purpose of this effort is to
determine the most appropriate mix of uses and level of development for the site.
• Based on schematic designs, prepare updated cost estimates and alternative funding
strategies for these potential improvements.
• Based on the results of the five steps above, finalize the development program and design
plans for the site.
November 5, 2019 - Page 79 of 114
60 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
Municipal Building Site
• As an element of the site evaluation and design studies of the Charter Bus Lot, determine
the feasibility and desirability of re-locating portions of town municipal functions to the
Charter Bus Lot.
• Complete schematic design plans sufficient for understanding the potential of
development sites at the Municipal Building Site that could be created be re-locating
municipal services. This design work will be necessary to determine the desired land uses
at the Municipal Building Site, evaluating the potential for public/private partnerships and
generally understanding the potential opportunities of re-locating municipal services.
• Determine the preferred use of any development parcel that may be created at this site.
• Explore P3 opportunities for the re-development of the Municipal Building Site.
The efforts above should be completed in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. The
concurrent evaluation of both sites will be necessary. A potential sequence for this work is:
1. Fundamental to making decisions on specific improvement plans for Charter Bus Lot
and Dobson Ice Arena is to define how to most effectively address the Civic Hub goals
for ice and multi-purpose event facilities. An understanding of market and economic
considerations and exploring design opportunities to understand the multi-use potential
for these facilities will be necessary. Initiating these studies is the first step in this process.
2. Complete schematic design plans sufficient for understanding the potential of
development sites at the Municipal Building Site that could be created be re-locating
municipal services. This design work will be necessary to determine the desired land uses
at the Municipal Building Site, evaluating the potential for public/private partnerships and
generally understanding the potential opportunities of re-locating municipal services.
3. After a preferred program and approach to the design of ice and event facilities is defined,
complete an overall conceptual plan for these facilities. Following the completion of this
plan, prepare alternative plans that evaluate how other uses identified in the three options
for this site (i.e. community space, town services, small theater, air-rights development)
could be accommodated at the Charter Bus Lot.
4. Evaluate the pros and cons of alternatives for the Charter Bus Lot and the opportunities at
the Municipal Building Site. Based on this evaluation make final decisions on improvement
plans and funding strategies for these sites.
November 5, 2019 - Page 80 of 114
Implementation | 61
Funding Options
Plans for the Civic Area outline ideas for many buildings and site improvements. While these
ideas may be considered bold or ambitious, they have the potential to be transformational for
Vail. Potential costs of Civic Area improvements and potential funding approaches have been
evaluated. Through a combined approach of Town funding, phasing, and creative public/
private partnerships, the implementation of improvements identified in this Plan is feasible.
ESTIMATES OF POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENT COSTS(Order of Magnitude)
Vail Public Library
8,000SF second level $7,000,000
Lionshead Parking Structure
20,000SF 3-level Building Wrap $10,000,000
Dobson Ice Arena
Demo and construct new 45,000SF arena $35,000,000
Demo and construct new 55,000SF arena $42,000,000
Municipal Building Site
Demo and construct new 27,000SF town hall $25,000,000
(Admin and Com Dev, 75 parking spaces)
Charter Bus Lot
50,000SF Multi-purpose events facility/support space $55,000,000
7,500SF theater and Council Chambers $4,000,000
6,000SF community space $3,000,000
Utilitarian ice rink $15,000,000
240-space parking structure $42,000,000
Streetscape and Lot 10 improvements $6,000,000
POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENT COSTS
Order of magnitude estimates of potential costs for
improvements contemplated by this Plan have been prepared.
These estimates are based on assumptions of building type and
a general understanding of site conditions. These estimates are
not based on the design of improvements. As such they provide
only a relative idea of possible project costs. In addition to hard
construction, cost estimates include design fees, FFE (furnishings,
fixtures, and equipment), construction management and cost
contingencies. Estimates are in 2019 dollars.
It is recommended that further detailed cost estimates be
prepared after design work for these improvements is completed.
It is likely that updated cost estimates will vary considerably from
the order of magnitude estimates provided below. It should be
noted that the Town may not bear the cost of all improvements
listed below. For example, the cost of all or portions of the
building wrap at the Lionshead Parking Structure may be done
via a public/private partnership. The Town’s direct project costs
will be refined during subsequent steps in the planning and
design process.
November 5, 2019 - Page 81 of 114
62 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
FUNDING OPTIONS
The implementation of the improvements
in the Civic Area will require investment on
the part of the Town. To understand the
financial options available to the Town, a
comprehensive review of potential funding
sources was completed. As shown in the
chart to the right, there are many different
sources that could be utilized, ideally in
some combination that maximizes the
opportunities and minimizes the financial
burden on the community. In the scenarios
that were evaluated for the plan, not every
potential source of funds were tapped.
The intent is to select the most relevant
and effective source for a given project,
recognizing that it will vary over time.
Potential Funding Sources
For each source, a detailed evaluation was
completed to document the process of
formation and the corresponding revenues
that would be available. The purpose was
to provide direction on which sources
generated the greatest level of proceeds and
offered the most value relative to the efforts
to establish them. As part of this process,
the team tested each revenue source and
grounded them in the local context to ensure
the estimates reflected realistic proceeds.
As shown in the chart, a ‘High’ score in terms
of the amount of proceeds is a positive
indication. Regarding the level of effort
for adoption, a ‘Low’ level of effort is most
compelling.
November 5, 2019 - Page 82 of 114
Implementation | 63
In terms of the anticipated proceeds, the revenue stream for each option was estimated
annually over a 30-year planning horizon and discounted by 5 percent to establish a present
value estimate. Currently, tax-exempt municipal debt can be underwritten at lower rates,
generating higher net proceeds. Recognizing that these tools may be implemented over an
extended period of time, a 5 percent discount rate is an appropriately conservative approach
for estimating proceeds.
Description of Potential Funding Sources
The most relevant funding sources are described in greater detail below.
A. Urban Renewal Authority
The existing Vail Reinvestment Authority has a remaining life of 11 years. It generates
approximately $5.7M annually. While it has existing obligations for these funds that
approximate $1.2M, the balance of $4.5M annually provides capacity to fund additional
projects. Bond proceeds that could be made available of approximately $35M would be
based on a relatively short amortization period of 10 years. These funds, if not expended
in or around the Lionshead redevelopment area by the expiration of the district, will be
redirected to existing taxing authorities. Because this urban renewal authority (URA) exists,
no action is required of the Town related to this funding source.
Town Council expressed interest in forming a new URA to cover properties in the Civic Area
Plan. In the event a DDA (see below) lacked support from the community and immediate
property owners, the Town could move forward with a second URA. To do so, it would
have to comply with the parameters of Senate Bill 1348. While complex, Council members
reported that the policy goals and intergovernmental cooperation was sufficiently high
to suggest it would be viable. The funding potential form a newly formed URA would be
comparable to that of the DDA concept modeled below.
B. Downtown Development Authority
A DDA has the potential to capture and redirect the property taxes associated with new
development within a designated DDA boundary. A DDA can be formed with a positive
vote of at least 50 percent of electors within a proposed district. It must, among other
criteria, reflect a concentration of governance and commerce for a given community, which
given the location of the existing and proposed improvements, would meet this test. Once
formed, the district redirects the property tax associated with any new development that is
November 5, 2019 - Page 83 of 114
64 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
incrementally higher than the existing tax base. Similar to a URA, none of the existing Town
of Vail revenue sources are affected. Moreover, given that any publicly-owned site within
the study area that is publicly owned today and has a base of zero, the potential increment
from a new commercial development for example would result in substantial incremental
property taxes generated. A DDA can capture increment for 30 years, before the base is
reset. These proceeds can be used to service debt, and based on the potential increment
within the study area, the proceeds are listed in the previous table.
The revenue estimates from a DDA range from $13.1M up to $30.9M. The wide range
reflects different assumptions about the amount of development that could occur and be
captured for tax increment. In some scenarios, the relevant sites have been programmed
at densities that are comparable to existing development on surrounding sites and include
condominium and hotel facilities. Market research conducted regarding the depth of
demand for more condominium product showed reasonably strong interest, particularly
at luxury price points. Demand for additional hotel product was mixed, and all research
indicates that a large set of condominiums are needed to offset the otherwise substantial
interest carry on new hotel properties. The range of development types and sites involved
results in net proceeds for debt service ranging from $1.1M to $2.7M and corresponding
bond proceeds ranging from $13.1M up to $30.9M.
C. Public Improvement Fee
A PIF is a fee applied to the sales of goods and services that is enforced by a private
agreement between a development entity and its future tenants. It is often collected in
conjunction with sales tax and local municipalities remit the proceeds to the developer
(after deducting a service fee). The PIF is often used to service debt related to public
improvements, although because it is a private agreement there is wide latitude in terms of
its potential applications. No election is required for these fees, given that it is administered
as a private agreement. Typically, PIFs are negotiated at time of entitlement, with the
local government recognizing the formation of a PIF in conjunction with proposed public
improvements. In some cases, revenues from PIFs are combined with other sources, such as
Metropolitan Districts, to address a broader set of public improvement needs.
The PIF proceeds have been estimated using the current annual lodging activity of $235M
and assuming a range of 40 to 60 percent of lodging properties will opt into the program
and apply a rate of 1.5 percent for the PIF. The resulting annual revenues range from $1.4M
November 5, 2019 - Page 84 of 114
Implementation | 65
to $2.1M, and if bonded over a 30 year period would generate proceeds ranging from $16.3
to $24.5M.
D. Dedicated Sales and Lodging Tax
A dedicated sales and lodging tax could be established to cover costs related to the
proposed improvements. Either revenue source would require a vote of the public. The
lodging community has expressed interest in a multipurpose events center of sufficient
scale to attract meeting business that cannot be served by existing conference facilities. The
revenues would also be dedicated in this case to service debt and could be sized to cover
operating expenses as well.
The proceeds are based on the current Town of Vail level of activity for sales tax and lodging
tax, which are $677M for sales and $235M for lodging. The incremental tax that has been
modeled builds on the existing rates of 4.0 and 1.4 percent, respectively, and ranges from
0.25 percent to 0.5 percent for sales tax and 1.0 percent to 1.5 percent for lodging tax.
Based on these assumptions, the proceeds range from $1.7M to $3.4M annually for the
additional sales tax and $2.4M to $3.5M for additional lodging tax. The bond proceeds,
assuming a 30 year amortization period, range from $19.6M to $39.1M for sales tax and
$27.2M to $40.9M for lodging tax.
E. Land Lease/Land Sale
The Town of Vail’s land holdings represent significant development potential. The Town
could partner with a private developer by putting the land under a proposed project.
By doing this, the Town could either monetize the asset in the form of a land sale or
could generate revenue in the form of lease payments over an extended period of time.
Alternatively, it could incent the project by discounting the cost of land, if the improvements
required a form of public finance and achieved an identified public policy goal.
The focus of the land lease has been the current Municipal Site, assuming that 91,476 square
feet of land area would be made available for new development and that the existing
uses would be relocated. The valuation for this parcel, assumed at $16M, reflects the best
estimate from high-level residual land analysis and comps using assessor data. Based on
the analysis, it is assumed to be a conservative number. Applying industry standards for
projecting revenue streams from long-term leases, a range of 8 to 12 percent has been
applied to the value to determine the annual payment, which were then loaded as inputs to
project bond proceeds of $18.5M to $27.8M.
November 5, 2019 - Page 85 of 114
F. Public Private Partnership/Joint Development
It should be noted that the term Public Private Partnership addresses a form of development
in which the private sector invests with the Town on a project. For this analysis, this concept
was tested as a hotel or hotel/conference center or condo/hotel that would be constructed
on Town owned land. The revenue streams derived from this type of project included land
lease revenue (or hypothetically, land sale revenue). More significantly, the Town could
create a Downtown Development Authority or create a second Urban Renewal Authority.
Both tools enable the Town to capture the property taxes paid on the increment. In some
cases, the proposed developments were substantial in terms of the net Assessed Valuation,
which in turn, generated reasonably high revenues to the Town and the associated body
established to collect the revenues (DDA or URA). For this analysis, the Town of Vail would
not be a direct partner in a real estate project, but would rather create revenue streams
generated by the project to be captured by one of the other mechanisms listed in this
section.
G. Current Town Reserve
The Town of Vail, consistent with its internal policies, maintains a prudent reserve. Currently,
aggregate Town reserves range from $60M to $70M, a portion of which is restricted and a
portion is not. Town staff believes that a use of $10M of these reserves would still provide
sufficient cushion in the event future revenues are weak and/or unforeseen fiscal conditions
require the use of reserves. It should be noted that during the economic contraction as
part of the 2007 recession, the Town reduced its overall budget in response to declining
revenues, but it did not tap its reserve funds.
H. Town of Vail Bonding
Research provided by Town staff shows a history of the Town bonding to fund
improvements. For the approximately 20-year time period starting in 1970, the Town issued
15 bonds. Examples of these improvements include the purchase of Ford Park and Katsos
Ranch, and the construction of parking structures, Vail Public Library, Dobson Ice Arena and
the Lionshead Mall. Town staff believes that the Town could dedicate $3.5M to $4.5M in
debt service for a bond issue, without reducing its ability to maintain all operations that it
currently conducts. Using similar assumptions regarding bonding potentials, the proceeds
from this could range from $34.7M up to $52M.
66 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan November 5, 2019 - Page 86 of 114
Implementation | 67
Town Council Ranking
Decisions on funding improvements will be made by future Councils when more information in
on project design and costs has been prepared. During this planning process funding options
presented to the Town Council were informally ranked in terms of High Support, Moderate,
and No Support. As shown on the table to the right, five sources were ranked “High,” three
were ranked “Moderate/Low,” and the option that included a land sale was eliminated, as the
Council stated a preference for a long-term land lease.
Potential revenue sources strongly supported by the Town Council are indicated on the table
below. While these sources could theoretically generate over $200M in proceeds, it has been
assumed that different sources will be tapped for different uses, and over the course of the
implementation of the Civic Area Plan, future Councils will select specific sources (or portions
of specific sources) that best align with a given project under consideration. Another $50M
was identified that had Moderate/Low support of the Council. The Council did not support the
sale of Town lands. As noted previously, any future development scenario is likely to involve a
combination of different funding sources.
Next Steps
The Town of Vail is in a unique position to fund improvements identified by the Civic Area Plan.
It has financial resources that reflect the strong market and fiscal base of the community.
To the extent there is interest in pursuing revenue streams that involve private development,
there is potential upside in the form of new revenues that can be established by tapping market
forces. The Vail brand is strong—the Town and ski mountain reinforce decades of consistently
superior experience for the guest and resident. There may be potential for the Town to partner
with private development that would generate revenue to fund Civic Area improvements.
Alternatively, the Town could pursue more traditional sources of funding, such as a dedicated
lodging and/or sales tax. This would give the Town a strong basis from which to move forward.
Cultivating support within the community for these tools will be an important next step to
increase the potential approval by the voters.
Both courses of action are worthwhile and merit continued evaluation. As the concepts within
this Plan are refined, additional work should be completed to understand the depth of market
support, the costs for construction as well as operations, the fiscal benefits (in the form of
additional sales and lodging taxes), and the next economic benefits to the community. There
are many ways to evaluate each of the projects within the overall study area, with fiscal and
economic viability being just one of many perspectives. Because the economic viability is a
foundational issue, additional study is warranted. November 5, 2019 - Page 87 of 114
Environmental Site Conditions and Sustainability
ENVIRONMENTAL SITE CONDITIONS
A report addressing environmental resources and existing conditions of the Civic Area has been
prepared. The report identified opportunities, constraints and considerations associated with
these natural resources. Specifically, this report addressed:
• Surface water conditions and potential site-specific improvements to the streamside
habitat,
• Regional ground water supply flows tributary to Middle and Gore Creeks,
• Floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas,
• Atmospheric conditions,
• Geologic conditions,
• Biotic conditions including wildlife: threatened, endangered and sensitive species,
• Vegetation,
• Waste, noise, odors, and visual considerations.
There are no environmental conditions that would preclude development within the Civic Area.
This report was prepared by Watershed Environmental Consultants and a copy of this report
can be found in the appendix of this Plan.
SUSTAINABILITY
The Town of Vail is committed to the stewardship and protection of our unique mountain
environment. The Civic Area has the potential to set a new standard and become a show-case
for sustainable development in a mountain resort community. The Town of Vail’s Environmental
Sustainability Strategic Plan outlines six major goals. The topics addressed by these goals are
listed below, along with potential initiatives specific to the Civic Area that could further each of
these goals. Decisions on sustainability programs for the design, construction and operation
of the Civic Area will be made during subsequent steps in the design and planning process.
68 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan November 5, 2019 - Page 88 of 114
Implementation | 69
1. Solid Waste Stream Diversion and Recycling
• Implement zero-waste programs as part of the operation and management of all facilities.
• Provide readily accessible recycling bins throughout the Civic Area.
• If or when the Municipal Site is redeveloped, provide a suitable location for the community
recycling facility.
2. Project Efficiency
• Design and construct buildings for maximum energy efficiency.
• Design buildings to be easily adaptable to future generations of power grids/systems.
• Minimize water use with efficient indoor plumbing systems and outdoor irrigation systems.
3. Ecosystem Health
• Coordinate with the Town’s Sustainability Department to ensure that the goals and
objectives of Restore the Gore are implemented in subsequent project planning and design
for the development of parcels proximate to Gore Creek and Middle Creek.
• Design any new buildings or improvements proximate to the Middle and Gore Creek
corridors to not impact natural riparian areas or the overall health of these ecosystems.
• Incorporate best management practices for erosion control and the collection, retention,
and treatment of storm water.
4. Sustainable Economic and Social Development
• Utilize sustainably sourced construction materials.
• Design improvements within the practical carrying capacity of the Civic Area balancing
building mass, scale and form with open space, vegetation and sunlight.
• Where feasible, incorporate the development of workforce housing into the Civic Area.
5. Public Education and Communication
• Where possible, assist with the development of the Gore Valley Trail Interpretive Plan to
promote education of ecosystem health and water quality.
6. Transportation
• Continue to encourage use of the town’s public bus system and other multi-modal means of
transportation that reduce the use of private automobiles.
November 5, 2019 - Page 89 of 114
ZONING
With the exception of the Middle Creek Parcel (zoned Natural Area Preservation), all parcels
within the Civic Area are zoned General Use (GU). The purpose of the GU district is to “provide
sites for public and quasi-public uses which, because of their special characteristics, cannot be
appropriately regulated by the development standards prescribed for other zoning districts..
The general use district is intended to ensure that public buildings and grounds and certain
types of quasi-public uses permitted in the district are appropriately located and designed to
meet the needs of residents and visitors to Vail, to harmonize with surrounding uses, and, in the
case of buildings and other structures, to ensure adequate light, air, open spaces, and other
amenities appropriate to the permitted types of uses”.
Any new building or site improvement within the GU District requires Planning and
Environmental review of a proposed “development plan”. Site development standards for the
development of GU-zoned properties are prescribed by the Commission as an element of their
review.
The majority of all uses contemplated by the Civic Area Plan are allowed in the GU District.
Workforce housing is a Permitted Use. Public and private parks, public and quasi-public indoor
community facilities, public buildings and grounds, public parking structures, public theaters,
meeting rooms, and convention facilities are all permitted in the GU District with approval of a
Conditional Use Permit.
This Plan suggests the possibility of air-rights development at the Charter Bus Lot and
Municipal Building Site that could include private development such as a condominium or
condominium/hotel. This type of use would necessitate a change to the GU zoning.
70 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
Other Considerations
November 5, 2019 - Page 90 of 114
PARKING
The Town’s zoning regulations require on-site parking for most of the land uses contemplated
by this Plan. There is the potential to add additional parking at the north side of the Charter
Bus Lot. This parking would necessitate re-construction of the entry to the Lionshead Parking
Structure. One, two, or three trays of below grade parking could be provided. Each tray could
include approximately 80 spaces, meaning up to 240 spaces could be provided. Vehicular
access to these new parking stalls would be via the existing LHPG ramps and circulation
patterns.
The Civic Hub’s proximity to the Lionshead Parking Structure creates an opportunity to
potentially utilize this existing parking resource to in part address parking requirements of the
Civic Hub. The Civic Hub’s central location to Vail Village, Lionshead, and to the Town’s in-town
bus route also provide great potential for multi-modal access, meaning less parking demand for
the project. The impact of management programs and new innovations such as smart cars and
self-parking cars should also be considered. These and other considerations will be evaluated
during the detailed planning and design of the project.
Implementation | 71November 5, 2019 - Page 91 of 114
72 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
CIVIL ENGINEERING
Detailed civil engineering plans will be completed during future design phases of the project.
Civil plans will include water, sewer, and other utility plans and the design
of grading and drainage plans. Drainage will be an important consideration in the Civic Hub
area given its proximity to Gore and Middle Creeks. It will be essential that drainage plans
implement best management practices and implement recommendations of Restore the Gore
so as to not adversely affect these water courses. Coordination with the Town’s Environmental
Sustainability Department during subsequent design processes will be necessary.
In order to identify any “big picture” issues with providing utility services in the Civic Area, an
initial evaluation of existing water and sewer services was completed. This evaluation involved
coordination with the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District and focused on existing
sewer and water service capacities within the Civic Area and whether they can accommodate
future water and sewer needs. This evaluation was coordinated by Alpine Engineering. Key
conclusions from discussion with the District include:
• Based on current information and assumptions on proposed uses, it is expected that
existing water and sewer systems are adequate to serve the project.
• Some portions of the sewer main located south of the Vail Public Library may be
undersized. A Collection System Master Plan is slated for 2020. This study will include
assumptions for development of the Civic Area.
• Based on available information, the location and depth of water and sewer lines within the
Civic Area are adequate, as part of detailed design these lines will need to be surveyed to
confirm line locations.
• Existing water and sewer lines run between the Charter Bus Lot and Dobson Ice Arena.
If these lines remain in place, easements and access to these lines will need to be
maintained. While it may be possible to re-located these lines, more detailed design will
be necessary to determine if this is feasible.
• At the time development is proposed, payment of water and sewer tap fees will be
required and discussions with the District will be necessary to determine if water rights
dedications will be required.
November 5, 2019 - Page 92 of 114
Implementation | 73
TRAFFIC
A detailed traffic analysis will be completed after development plans and programs for improvements at the Civic Area have been refined. This
analysis will be prepared as an element of the Town’s review of specific development plans. The purpose of this analysis will be to understand
how traffic generated by the development can be accommodated by the surrounding road system.
An initial analysis has been completed to understand potential traffic considerations of the development scenarios contemplated by this Plan.
A new roundabout is planned as part of improvements to be made to the South Frontage Road. This roundabout is located at the west end of
the Municipal Building Site. Access to any new development at this site will be from the roundabout or by a separate right-in/right-out access
point, east of the roundabout. There are no capacity or service issues anticipated with this new access point.
Access to the Charter Bus Lot is expected to be provided by a shared access point with the Lionshead Parking Structure off of South Frontage
Road. Extensive improvements are planned for the South Frontage Road with construction schedule for 2021. Improvements to be made to this
intersection include the addition of multiple turn lanes and a new roundabout just east of this intersection proximate to the Evergreen Lodge and
Vail Health. As part of the planning and design of these improvements, a traffic analysis was completed for the entry/exit at the Lionshead Parking
Structure. This analysis found that the existing access point operates at a Level of Service (LOS) “F” for exiting vehicles during the PM peak hour.
With the construction of South Frontage Road improvements, coupled with a restriction of northbound left-out movements during peak PM
travel periods, the Lionshead Parking Structure/South Frontage Road intersection will provide a substantial increase in capacity and will provide
acceptable traffic operations (LOS “C” or better) for the type and intensity of new development contemplated by the Civic Area Plan. The key to
providing acceptable level of service at this intersection is the new roundabout. The roundabout will allow exiting vehicles wishing to travel west
on South Frontage Road to exit east and turn around at the roundabout (making it possible to restrict northbound left-out movements).
A more detailed traffic analysis will be completed when more is known about the future development of the Charter Bus Lot. This analysis will
consider the type and intensity of new development, how the traffic patterns of these uses relate to peak skier traffic, how multi-modal programs
can be implemented to potentially minimize site generated traffic, and other considerations.
This initial evaluation was completed by Kimley/Horn. A report summarizing their findings is found in the appendix of this plan.
November 5, 2019 - Page 93 of 114
74 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
APPENDIX
1. Preliminary Traffic Assessment, by Kimley Horn
2. Civic Area Plan Environmental Review, by Watershed Environmental Consultants
November 5, 2019 - Page 94 of 114
Appendix | 75
October 1, 2019
Town of Vail
1309 Elkhorn Drive
Vail, CO 81657
Attn: Tom Kassmel
Town Engineer
Public Works Department
Re: Lionshead Parking Structure Access
Traffic Evaluation Letter
Vail, Colorado
Dear Mr. Kassmel:
At the request of the Town of Vail, we have reevaluated the Lionshead Parking Structure Access along South Frontage Road to
provide further information on vehicle level of service operation. This analysis was conducted in association with work previously
performed by Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. as part of the Lionshead Transit Center traffic evaluation conducted in 2010.
The Lionshead Parking Structure Access intersection along South Frontage Road was recommended to be improved with an
eastbound right turn deceleration lane, westbound left turn deceleration lane and an acceleration lane along eastbound South
Frontage Road for free right turn exiting movements from the parking structure as part of the Transit Center project. In addition, it
was recommended that a left turn acceleration/refuge lane be constructed along westbound South Frontage Road to accept
northbound left turn exiting movements. This will allow a two-stage left turn for traffic exiting the parking structure. This
acceleration lane along westbound South Frontage Road will allow n orthbound left turning traffic exiting the parking structure to
first find a gap in eastbound traffic along the Frontage Road and then turn left into the acceleration lane to merge or wait for a gap
in westbound Frontage Road traffic.
Based on the previous traffic evaluation with these described proposed improvements, it was determined that the northbound left
turn exiting movement from the Lionshead Parking Structure Access to westbound South Frontage Road would operate at LOS D
November 5, 2019 - Page 95 of 114
76 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
with an average vehicle delay of 27.5 seconds per vehicle during the afternoon peak hour in 2025 (original level of service table
attached). Therefore, this level of service is above the desired threshold of LOS C. Given that, any future development
contemplated in the Civic Area Plan that utilize this access will likely require the completion of the planned 2021 frontage road
improvements which include the Vail Health Roundabout, left and right turn lanes entering the parking structure, and a free right
acceleration lane exiting the parking structure (See attached). These improvements along with a restriction of NB lefts out of the
parking structure, will allow the intersection to provide a substantial increase in capacity and will provide acceptable operations for
the types of development contemplated in the Civic Area Plan. It will require all exi ting traffic at peak times to exit to the right
(eastbound), but those vehicles intending to go westbound on the frontage road could utilize the new Vail Health roundabout just
200 yards to the east, to go westbound along the South Frontage Road. If you have any questions or require anything further,
please feel free to call.
Sincerely,
KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
Curtis D. Rowe, P.E., PTOE Vice President
10/01/2019
November 5, 2019 - Page 96 of 114
Appendix | 77
Lionshead Parking Structure Access & South Frontage Road
2025 Traffic - Level of Service Results
# Free Movement with Eastbound Right Turn Acceleration Lane
Scenario
Movement
AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour
Delay
(sec) LOS
Delay
(sec) LOS
Existing Intersection Configuration
Eastbound Approach
Westbound Approach
Northbound Approach
0.0
5.9
28.0
A
A
D
0.0
2.6
538.4
A
A
F
With CDOT Improvements
(WB Left, EB Right, NB Left & NB Right)
Eastbound Approach
Eastbound Through
Eastbound Right Turn
Westbound Approach
Westbound Left Turn
Westbound Through
Northbound Approach
Northbound Left
Northbound Right
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.0
10.2
0.0
23.7
57.2
12.2
A
A
A
A
B
A
C
F
B
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.1
9.7
0.0
117.3
288.8
26.8
A
A
A
A
A
A
F
F
D
With CDOT Improvements Plus WB Left
Acceleration Lane
Eastbound Approach
Eastbound Through
Eastbound Right Turn
Westbound Approach
Westbound Left Turn
Westbound Through
Northbound Approach
Northbound Left
Northbound Right
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.0
10.2
0.0
14.8
22.2
12.2
A
A
A
A
B
A
B
C
B
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.1
9.7
0.0
27.0
27.5
26.8
A
A
A
A
A
A
D
D
D
With Recommended Turn Lane
Improvements (Plus EB Right Accel Lane)
Eastbound Approach
Eastbound Through
Eastbound Right Turn
Westbound Approach
Westbound Left Turn
Westbound Through
Northbound Approach
Northbound Left
Northbound Right #
0.0
0.0
0.0
3.0
10.2
0.0
5.7
22.2
0.0
A
A
A
A
B
A
A
C
A
0.0
0.0
0.0
1.1
9.7
0.0
9.5
27.5
0.0
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
D
A
November 5, 2019 - Page 97 of 114
78 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
OverallPlan 118 West Sixth Street, Suite 200Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
970.945.1004 www.sgm-inc.com
Engineer:
Drawn By:
Sheet Subset:
Structure
Numbers
18
____
____
Subset Sheets:
No.:
Code:
Sheet Number:
No Revisions:
Revised:
Void:
Date Comments Init.Rev.Print Date: 5/15/19
Last Modification Date: 6/6/2017
Quality Control: DJC
Drawing File Name:
SGM Project No.: 2017-237.001
Graphic Scale
In Feet: 1" = 100'
0 50 100 200
-
-
-
Project No./CodeAs Constructed
Autocad Ver. 2016 Scale: As Shown Units: English
Overall 1 of 1
---
---RGN
AWA
November 5, 2019 - Page 98 of 114
Appendix | 79
SignStripePlan 118 West Sixth Street, Suite 200Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
970.945.1004 www.sgm-inc.com
Engineer:
Drawn By:
Sheet Subset:
Structure
Numbers
97
____
____
Subset Sheets:
No.:
Code:
Sheet Number:
No Revisions:
Revised:
Void:
Date Comments Init.Rev.Print Date: 5/15/19
Last Modification Date: 6/6/2017
Quality Control: DJC
Drawing File Name:
SGM Project No.: 2017-237.001
Graphic Scale
In Feet: 1" = 40'
0 20 40 80
-
-
-
Project No./CodeAs Constructed
Autocad Ver. 2016 Scale: As Shown Units: English ---
---
SS 4 of 6
RGN
AWA
November 5, 2019 - Page 99 of 114
80 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
SignStripePlan 118 West Sixth Street, Suite 200Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
970.945.1004 www.sgm-inc.com
Engineer:
Drawn By:
Sheet Subset:
Structure
Numbers
98
____
____
Subset Sheets:
No.:
Code:
Sheet Number:
No Revisions:
Revised:
Void:
Date Comments Init.Rev.Print Date: 5/15/19
Last Modification Date: 6/6/2017
Quality Control: DJC
Drawing File Name:
SGM Project No.: 2017-237.001
Graphic Scale
In Feet: 1" = 40'
0 20 40 80
-
-
-
Project No./CodeAs Constructed
Autocad Ver. 2016 Scale: As Shown Units: English ---
---
SS 4 of 6
RGN
AWA
November 5, 2019 - Page 100 of 114
Appendix | 81
SignStripePlan 118 West Sixth Street, Suite 200Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
970.945.1004 www.sgm-inc.com
Engineer:
Drawn By:
Sheet Subset:
Structure
Numbers
99
____
____
Subset Sheets:
No.:
Code:
Sheet Number:
No Revisions:
Revised:
Void:
Date Comments Init.Rev.Print Date: 5/15/19
Last Modification Date: 6/6/2017
Quality Control: DJC
Drawing File Name:
SGM Project No.: 2017-237.001
Graphic Scale
In Feet: 1" = 40'
0 20 40 80
-
-
-
Project No./CodeAs Constructed
Autocad Ver. 2016 Scale: As Shown Units: English ---
---
SS 5 of 6
RGN
AWA
November 5, 2019 - Page 101 of 114
82 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan
SignStripePlan 118 West Sixth Street, Suite 200Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
970.945.1004 www.sgm-inc.com
Engineer:
Drawn By:
Sheet Subset:
Structure
Numbers
100
____
____
Subset Sheets:
No.:
Code:
Sheet Number:
No Revisions:
Revised:
Void:
Date Comments Init.Rev.Print Date: 5/15/19
Last Modification Date: 6/6/2017
Quality Control: DJC
Drawing File Name:
SGM Project No.: 2017-237.001
Graphic Scale
In Feet: 1" = 40'
0 20 40 80
-
-
-
Project No./CodeAs Constructed
Autocad Ver. 2016 Scale: As Shown Units: English
SS 6 of 6
---
---RGN
AWA
November 5, 2019 - Page 102 of 114
Appendix | 83
Civic Area Plan
Environmental Review
Town of Vail, Colorado
January 18, 2019
www.landplanco.com
Civic Area Plan
Environmental Review
Town of Vail, Colorado
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
I. Project Introduction 1
II. Hydrologic 3
Surface Water & Assessment 3
Groundwater & Assessment 5
Floodplains, Wetlands and Riparian Areas & Assessment 6
III. Atmospheric & Assessment 8
IV. Geologic & Assessment 10
V.Biotic 11
Wildlife & Assessment 11
Vegetation & Assessment 13
VI. Waste, Noise and Odors 16
VII. Visual 16
VIII. Land Use 17
IX. Circulation and Transportation 18
X. Population 18
XI. References 19
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
1. Properties included within the project site 1
2. Emission estimates for Eagle County 9
3. List of Sensitive, Rare and Imperiled Species Potentially Occurring
near the Project Site 12
4. Noxious Weed Property Assessment Results 14
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
1. Project site vicinity map 1
2. Middle Creek confluence with Gore Creek,
directly below project siite and Vail Library 3
3. Impervous areas (purple and black) within the project site 4
4. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
mapped 100-year floodplain 7
5. Civic Area Plan site, looking south along Middle Creek
towards Dobson Arena.17
November 5, 2019 - Page 103 of 114
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 1 of 20
January 18, 2019
I. Project Introduction:
The project site includes nine parcels, which total approximately 12.133
acres of land within the Town of Vail. The improvements associated with
the site include the Lionshead parking structure, East Lionshead Circle,
Dobson Ice Arena, Vail Public Library, the Municipal Complex and
adjacent areas. The project site or study area is identified in Figure 1.
Table 1 lists the properties comprising the project site.
Figure 1. Project site vicinity map
Table 1. Properties included within the project site
Parcel No. Size (acres) Identifying feature
210106407003 0.03 East Lionshead Circle road around parking
structure
210106407012 5.229 Lionshead parking structure
210106407004 0.730 Northeast of Lionshead parking structure
210106407005 2.710 Dobson Arena and Vail Library
210107101022 0.358 Middle Creek near confluence with Gore Creek,
east of Dobson Arena
210106407009 0.463 West Meadow Drive, footpath and medical center
parking
210106407006 0.559 Middle Creek from culvert under Frontage Road,
downstream to northern boundary ERWSD property
210106400004 0.134 Western municipal building
210106400003 1.920 Eastern municipal building
Total 12.133 ac
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 2 of 20
January 18, 2019
The Town is engaged in a master plan process, the Civic Area Plan (Plan),
for the project site. The purpose of this Environmental Review is to inform
the planning process. Following is a background summary of
environmental resources and a general assessment of existing conditions.
The assessment identifies opportunities, constraints and considerations
associated with the natural resource.
The project site is generally oriented on a south-facing slope, situated
south of Interstate-70 and north of Gore Creek at an elevation of
approximately 8,160 feet above sea level. South Frontage Road borders
the project site to the south of the municipal complex and to the north of
Lionshead parking structure.
The majority of the site is developed with structural improvements
described above, including roadways, paved and unpaved footpaths
and parking. Open areas of the site are mostly along the bed and both
banks of Middle Creek. Additional open space and landscaping occur
along the footpaths and areas adjacent to the structures.
Climatic data was obtained at station VAIL, COLORADO - 058575, located
at 8,220 feet above sea level, 39°38’ latitude and 106°22’ longitude. This
station is northeast of the project site. The recorded mean annual
precipitation is 22.4 inches and the mean annual temperature is 37.8°F,
both values were averaged over 27 years of record (Western Regional
Climate Center, 2018). Precipitation is relatively evenly distributed
throughout the year, with slightly higher amounts occurring in April, July,
and September.
A site visit was conducted on January 9, 2019, snow cover somewhat
limited observation. Natural resources were generally characterized on
the project site. A literature review was conducted to assist in
characterizing the natural resources of the area. Numerous data sources
were consulted including but not limited to:
• CDPHE, Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC).
• Colorado Department of Natural Resources (CDNR).
• Town of Vail, Eagle River Flood Hazard Area Delineation.
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE),
Air Pollution Control Division (APCD).
• U.S. Geologic Survey, Scientific Investigations Reports.
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Natural Diversity Information
Source (NDIS) maps.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
• Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP).
84 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan November 5, 2019 - Page 104 of 114
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 3 of 20
January 18, 2019
II. Hydrologic:
Surface Water
Middle Creek is the primary surface water feature on the project site. The
Creek originates around 10,000 feet within the Gore Range and flows
southwest for approximately 3.3 miles to its confluence with Gore Creek.
Middle Creek enters the project site where a culvert daylights south of
Interstate-70 and South Frontage Road. The Creek flows south through the
site for about 390 feet, continues for about 220 feet on the neighboring
Eagle River Water and Sanitation District (ERWSD) property, and reenters
the site for another 180 feet near its confluence with Gore Creek. The
total length of Middle Creek on the project site is about 570 feet or 0.1
miles within two segments.
Figure 2. Middle Creek confluence with Gore Creek, directly below project siite
and Vail Library
Hydrologic records for Middle Creek from the U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) are not available. The hydrology of Middle Creek is dominated by
the annual cycle of snowmelt runoff. Peak streamflow resulting from
snowmelt occurs in May, June, or July each year, followed by lowest flows
throughout the fall and winter months. The watercourse is somewhat
incised, steep and includes numerous overflow channels within a relatively
limited floodplain.
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 4 of 20
January 18, 2019
One storm water drain flowing directly to Middle Creek was observed
within the project site, on the left bank behind the Vail Library. This storm
water drain was noted during the site visit, others might exist. A utility pipe
crossing Middle Creek occurs near the same area. The top of the pipe is
exposed along the creek bed.
Surface Water Assessment
The majority of the site includes impervious surfaces such as structures,
roads, parking lots and paved footpaths. Pollutants can accumulate on
these impervious surfaces and transport as runoff during snowmelt or
intense rain events. The pollutants can flow to Middle and Gore Creeks as
overland flow or through stormwater drainage. The pollutants might
include nutrients, deicing salts, sediment, dissolved metals, or herbicides
and pesticides, which negatively affect water quality.
Figure 3. Impervous areas (purple and black) within the project site (Town of
Vail).
Ecosystem health, including improving water quality is a priority of the
Town. The Town has comprehensive plans to address the causes of water
quality degradation including the Environmental Sustainability Strategic
Plan and the Gore Creek Strategic Action Plan (GCSAP). The plans
provide an extensive list of strategic actions for implementation within the
Gore Creek watershed in order to improve water quality.
Strategic actions include:
• Education and Outreach,
• Best Management Practices,
2 Drainage from Impervious Surfaces The effects of land use practices are multiplied by the amount of impervious surface coverage in the watershed, and the location of particular activities relative to Gore Creek or connected stormwater infrastructure. Increases in the amount of hardened, impervious surfaces such as roofs, roads, parking lots, and pedestrian walkways are one of the most visible impacts of urbanization. Pollutant deposition on these surfaces results from vehicle traffic, airborne deposition, building maintenance, road maintenance, and many of the other activities described above. Due to low surface roughness
characteristics and a lack of infiltration, snow melt and intense precipitation events intercepted by
impervious surfaces rapidly mobilize accumulated pollutants, moving them towards Gore Creek
and its tributaries. Transport of the generated runoff to rivers and streams occurs via the town’s
stormwater drainage infrastructure or as sheet flow across the land surface. Both pathways are capable
of delivering water loaded with excessive sediment, nutrients, hydrocarbons, dissolved metals,
detergents, bacteria pathogens, and complex organics like pesticides and herbicides directly to
receiving waters (3).
Figure 1-1. Impervious areas (indicated in purple) in many parts of Vail are well connected and occur in close proximity to Gore Creek and its tributaries.
Appendix | 85November 5, 2019 - Page 105 of 114
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 5 of 20
January 18, 2019
• Rules and Regulations,
• Data Collection and Research,
• Site Specific Projects.
Potential site-specific improvements to the streamside habitat might
include:
• Maintain or improve vegetated buffers along Middle and Gore
Creek.
• Locate snow storage for existing parking lots and paved footpaths
away from Middle Creek.
• Maintain existing stormwater controls.
• Locate stormwater infrastructure and investigate potential for
improvements.
• Restore the function of the streamside environments along portions
of Middle Creek.
The Town’s implementation of the strategic actions and continued
commitment to current initiatives for improving water quality is critical,
and should be part this Plan effort.
Groundwater
Regional groundwater supply flows through unconsolidated alluvium and
is tributary to the surface waters of Middle and Gore Creek. The
predominant groundwater flow direction is southwestward, but varies by
local surface topographic influences. A site-specific examination of
subsurface conditions has not been performed as part of this study.
The project site overlies the Eagle River watershed valley-fill aquifer
(ERWVFA). The ERWVFA is documented by the USGS as having a high
tendency for groundwater contamination (Rupert et al., 2009). Because
the project site is near a groundwater recharge area, the groundwater of
the site is classified as groundwater that was recharged by infiltration of
surface water, also considered young water. Young water that was
recently recharged has a high probability of contamination of
anthropogenic (caused or produced by humans) compounds that are
released into the environment.
Data from groundwater-sampling sites (#9 and #10) established for use in
the cited study were reviewed. Site #9 is located approximately 0.8 miles
southeast of the project site and Site #10 is located approximately 0.25
miles southwest of the project site. Both sites are representative of
subsurface conditions of the site.
The depth to the water table at Site #9 is 13.08 feet and at Site #10 is 27.12
feet below the land surface. Probability mapping based upon the
groundwater samples identified a high probability of detecting elevated
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 6 of 20
January 18, 2019
volatile organic compounds (VOC) concentrations. Probability mapping
indicated that the areas near the project site have a high probability of
groundwater contamination if a spill should occur.
Groundwater Assessment
Based upon probability mapping of the regional groundwater study, the
area near the project site has a high probability of groundwater
contamination if a spill should occur. Volatile organic compound (VOC)
contamination of groundwater is a concern. Factors commonly
associated with VOC contamination include septic systems, urban land
use, proximity to hazardous waste sites, and gasoline storage and release
sites.
If a spill were to occur on the land surface or into the local surface water,
contaminants could be transported to the groundwater through the same
pathways as the young groundwater recharge uses. Pollution prevention
is essential to minimize risk of groundwater contamination.
Any land use activities having the potential to release a spill should
develop a site-specific pollution prevention plan. The Plan should specify
Best Management Practices (BMP’s) such as, creating containment areas,
restricting use of herbicides and pesticides, minimizing surface runoff, or
improving vegetated buffers along waterways.
Floodplains, Wetlands and Riparian Areas
Floodplains
The project site is situated upon the valley floor of Middle Creek and the
Gore Creek corridor. Areas of the project site are included within the
mapped floodplain, Zone AE associated with Middle Creek. The mapped
Zone AE are areas that have a 1% probability of flooding every year; or,
known as the 100-year floodplain.
Areas within the mapped Zone AE or 100-year floodplain are considered
to be at high risk of flooding. No structures occur within the mapped 100-
year floodplain. Physical improvements within the mapped floodplain are
limited to stream crossings and trails.
86 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan November 5, 2019 - Page 106 of 114
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 7 of 20
January 18, 2019
Figure 4. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mapped 100-year
floodplain.
The Vail 2010 Flood Assessment (River Restoration.org, 2011) evaluated
flood impacts from a significant flood event that occurred within the Town
in June of 2010. Middle Creek experienced flooding, but not as significant
channel scouring occurred as compared to other south aspect tributaries
(Booth Creek, Pitkin Creek and Bighorn Creek) to Gore Creek. According
to the assessment, this is likely due to the slightly lower elevations of the
upper basin of Middle Creek.
Localized bank erosion, clogged culverts, trampled understory and a
narrow riparian zone were described in the Flood Assessment. Site-
specific measures have been implemented by the Town to mitigate
habitat conditions.
Wetlands and Riparian Areas
Riparian wetlands exist adjacent to the aquatic habitat of Middle Creek.
The riparian wetlands occur as a narrow band along both banks. A
spring-fed wetland exists south of the Vail Library. The wetland is adjacent
to the riparian area of Gore Creek. A bridge for the pedestrian path
spans this wetland.
A wetland delineation identifying the exact boundary of the wetland
resources was not conducted as part of this review. Any future impacts to
areas adjacent to the Creeks should be reviewed for compliance with the
Clean Water Act (CWA).
A narrow riparian area exists adjacent to Middle and Gore Creeks. Trees
and large shrubs such as narrowleaf cottonwood, willow, alder,
serviceberry, wild rose and pine characterize the riparian area. An
N
Dobson
Arena
Lionshead Parking
Structure
Vail Valley
Medical Center
Vail
Library
FEMA mapped
Zone AE or
100-year floodplain
FEMA mapped
Zone AE or
100-year floodplainMiddleCreekG
o
r
e
C
r
e
e
k
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 8 of 20
January 18, 2019
understory of grasses and forbs is evident, however species identification
was difficult due to snow cover. Several encroachments within the
riparian area exist. These include parking lots, paved footpaths adjacent
to and across the creek, landscaping and snow storage. The riparian
area is limited to the approximate edge of the 30-foot stream setback
from Middle Creek.
Floodplains, Wetlands and Riparian Areas Assessment
Existing development adjacent to the lower reach of Middle Creek has
limited the natural capacity of the creek to migrate. As a result, more
sediment supply from the upstream canyon is delivered to the main
channel of Gore Creek (Flood Assessment, 2011).
Sediment and debris being transported through Middle Creek can
accumulate over time and clog stream crossings or damage banks.
Additionally, the area along the lower reach of Middle Creek includes
parking lots, paved footpaths and public spaces. Trampling of stream
banks and vegetated understory can be a problem in high pedestrian
traffic areas such as behind the Vail Library and Dobson Arena.
Constraints on setbacks to private parking lots have left minimal treatment
area for snow plowing, with snow pushed to the top of the streambank on
several properties.
A robust riparian corridor is critical to the health of Middle and Gore
Creeks. Protection of areas within the stream setback and active
management of the channel and riparian areas is recommended
whatever future redevelopment plans are considered. Periodic
monitoring and channel maintenance may need to be performed such
as, removal of sediments at culverts, removal of log debris jams,
streambank stabilization, protection of utility installations and
revegetation.
Any proposed development within the project area should design
drainage to incorporate stormwater improvements where possible. BMP’s
such as those prioritized by the GCSAP should be implemented by any
future development studied by this Plan, as applicable. Continued
application of BMP’s for an improved riparian corridor is encouraged.
III. Atmospheric:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Air Pollution Control
Division (APCD), Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
(CDPHE) has established air quality standards and regulations to protect
public heath and the environment of the State. The National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS) include standards for six principal pollutants,
Appendix | 87November 5, 2019 - Page 107 of 114
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 9 of 20
January 18, 2019
which are called “criteria pollutants”. The six criteria pollutants include
Carbon Monoxide (CO), Lead (Pb), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Ozone
(O3), Particle Matter (PM) or particle pollution, and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2).
The project site is located in the ‘Central Mountains’ region for State Air
Quality Planning purposes. The EPA and APCD classifies areas that violate
the NAAQS for one or more of the criteria pollutants as non-attainment
areas or areas where ambient air concentrations of any designated
pollutants are less than that specified in the NAAQS. According to
the most recent Criteria Pollutant Area Summary Report, Eagle County is
not classified or included in any non-attainment areas (APCD and EPA,
2018). The project site is in an attainment area for all NAAQS.
The Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory for Eagle County was reviewed
(APCD, 2018). Emissions of air pollutants in Eagle County, reported in Tons
per Year (TPY), were estimated, Table 2. The major sources of air pollutant
emissions are from vehicles, wood burning, railroad, road dust and
construction.
Table 2. Emission estimates for Eagle County (APCD, 2018)
Total
Carbon
Monoxide
Total
Nitrogen
Oxides
Total
Sulfur
Oxides
Total
Particulate
Matter
Total
Volatile
Organics
Total
Benzene
Tons
Per
Year
(TPY)
17,865
2,630
27
2,803
2,386
64
Source
Vehicles
63%
Non-‐Road
18%
Woodburning
13%
Other
6%
Vehicles
55%
Railroad
19%
Non-‐Road
15%
Other
11%
Point
Source
33%
Woodburning
25%
Vehicles
17%
Railroad
19%
Other
6%
Road
dust
62%
Construction
13%
Woodburning
16%
Other
9%
Vehicles
41%
Woodburning
26%
Non-‐Road
16%
Other
17%
Woodburning
41%
Vehicles
41%
Non-‐Road
18%
No Air Quality Index (AQI) monitoring sites exist in the vicinity of the project
area. The nearest AQI monitoring stations include two sites in Aspen,
approximately thirty-nine miles straight-line distance southwest of the
project site. Records received on December 21, 2018 indicate a “good”
AQI for particle pollution (PM2.5, PM10) and Ozone (O3).
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 10 of 20
January 18, 2019
Atmospheric Assessment
The areas around Vail remain in attainment of all air quality standards.
However, increase in natural gas combustion associated with population
and visitor growth can cause an increase in emissions, especially Carbon
Monoxide and PM10.
For over twenty years, the Town has made efforts to improve air quality by
prohibiting the construction of wood burning fireplaces and incentivizing
the conversion to cleaner fireplaces. Additionally, BMP’s, which minimize
dust and equipment exhaust generated during construction, have been
employed. Further efforts to minimize vehicular traffic will help to maintain
good air quality.
Emissions monitoring may be useful information for the Town; however,
monitoring is often prohibitively expensive. If site conditions are
anticipated to change dramatically, an air quality model could be
employed to estimate the impacts of various development scenarios on
air quality of the project area.
The CDPHE regulates and permits numerous activities such as, land
clearing, use of an incinerator, certain gaseous and oil-fired appliances,
and open burning. The Town should consult with the CDPHE if any of
these activities may take place.
IV. Geologic:
Much of the Town of Vail includes bedrock, which consists of poorly
exposed Minturn Formation, which originated during the Pennsylvanian
period 290 to 330 million years ago. The formation consists of beds of
sandstone, siltstone, shale, conglomerate, limestone, and dolomite.
Numerous landslides, some of which are still active, cover the bedrock.
Deposition of younger sediment formations above the Minturn Formation
continued more recently, approximately 66 to 290 million years ago. Then,
a period of uplifting began along old fault lines of the area. The Gore
Range Uplift to the north and the Sawatch Range Uplift to the southwest
developed. Associated with the period of uplift was intense erosion.
Seismic considerations near the project site include the existing, old fault
lines; Spraddle Creek fault zone, the Gore Creek fault zone and a series of
synclines. These types of fault zones are typical conditions for
mountainous areas in central Colorado. Historic accounts of earthquake
activity in the Vail area exist.
The Town has produced Official geologic hazard maps including: the
Avalanche Hazard Map, the Debris Flow Hazard Map and the Rockfall
88 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan November 5, 2019 - Page 108 of 114
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 11 of 20
January 18, 2019
Hazard Map. The project site was not included within any of the mapped
hazard areas for avalanche, debris flow or rockfall.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the area near Vail includes limited
mineral resources with low development potential. The possibility of
economic deposits of metalliferous ores (metal) is remote and deposits of
any aggregate, sand or gravel is limited. Limestone deposits are also
limited in economic potential.
Geologic Assessment
The processes of erosion and deposition are very active in the region.
These geologic processes and others continue to affect the landforms of
the area.
Detailed geologic site assessments are necessary during the preliminary
planning stages of any development proposal within the project site. Site-
specific geologic studies may provide recommendations to mitigate
potential geologic hazards.
V. Biotic:
Wildlife
The region around the project site is home to many large game wildlife
species. Some of the wildlife with greatest implication includes American
elk (Cervus elaphus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), black bear (Ursus
americanus), mountain lion (Felis concolor), moose (Alces alces), and river
otter (Lontra canadensis).
The habitat of greatest wildlife value on the project site includes the
aquatic and riparian areas of Middle and Gore Creek. The aquatic
habitat includes the wetted area of the creeks. The riparian areas are
limited to approximately the width of the stream setbacks, 30 feet from
Middle Creek and 50 feet from Gore Creek. The riparian areas include
wildlife habitat for most wildlife species.
The majority of the project site includes developed land with high intensity
human activity, diminishing potential wildlife value. Aside from the
riparian areas, limited forage and protection is available to wildlife on the
project site. Many culverts can present obstacles to north–south
movements, particularly under Interstate 70 to the project site.
Nesting sites for migratory birds could occur in large trees near the creeks
although none were identified during the site visit. The intensity of
proximate activity does not afford high value for nesting.
Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Wildlife
The following agencies, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), U.S. Fish and
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 12 of 20
January 18, 2019
Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and the Colorado
Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) track threatened, endangered,
sensitive, rare and imperiled wildlife species and utilization. Existing data
from these agencies was reviewed in order to determine the potential
threatened, endangered, sensitive, rare and imperiled wildlife species
utilization of the project site.
Thirty-five species of special concern are identified as having potential
distributions in the vicinity of the project site. This list was narrowed to a
total of 18 species that have been identified as having the potential of
occurring on or near the project site. The following table lists the identified
species.
Table 3. List of Sensitive, Rare and Imperiled Species Potentially Occurring
near the Project Site
Scientific Name Name
MAMMALS
Corynorhinus townsendii pallescens Townsend's big-eared bat
Euderma maculatum spotted bat
Gulo gulo Wolverine
Lontra canadensis River otter
Lynx Canadensis Canada lynx
BIRDS
Accipiter gentilis northern goshawk
Aegolius funereus boreal owl
Amphispiza belli sage sparrow
Asio flammeus short-eared owl
Bucephala islandica Barrrow’s goldeneye
Centrocercus urophasianus greater sage grouse
Cypseloides niger black swift
Falco peregrinus anatum American peregrine falcon
Grus canadensis tabida greater sandhill crane
Haliaeetus leucocephalus bald eagle
Plegadis chihi white-faced ibis
AMPHIBIANS
Bufo boreas boreas boreal toad
Lithobates pipiens northern leopard frog
Most of the wildlife species identified in table above have habitat
requirements that are not found on or near the project site. Four of the
listed animal species could potentially be present near the project site,
these include: river otter, black swift, American peregrine falcon, and
bald eagle. These species and others may pass-through or utilize the area
for some function during their life cycle. However, all of the identified
wildlife species are likely to find limited usable habitat on the project site
and are not favorable toward areas of high human activity such as the
Appendix | 89November 5, 2019 - Page 109 of 114
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 13 of 20
January 18, 2019
project site.
Wildlife Impacts Assessment
The aquatic and riparian areas adjacent to Middle and Gore Creek
provide the richest wildlife habitat on the project site. These areas include
several pedestrian crossings and access points. Protection or
enhancement of the riparian habitat should be prioritized.
Aside from the riparian areas, the project site supports limited wildlife
habitat and utilization due to the developed area and intensity of human
activity. However, wildlife residing in nearby areas utilize and cross the
project site at times.
The potential for human-wildlife conflict is a concern within the Town. As a
result, the Town has wildlife protection measures, which require the use of
wildlife-proof refuse containers, define appropriate refuse disposal,
prohibit feeding wildlife and provides penalty assessment and
enforcement.
Additional guidelines to lessen the potential for wildlife-human conflict
may include:
• Feed pets indoors or in a fully enclosed run only.
• Bear-resistant techniques should be employed if composting food
waste.
• Hummingbird feeders should be located off the ground,
inaccessible to bears.
• Barbeque grills, if outdoor, should be cleaned of food waste.
• On a construction site, food waste and construction waste should
not be intermingled in the same debris box.
• Cats, small dogs and small children should be confined or
personally supervised.
• Deer-hardy plant materials should be used in landscaping to resist
damage.
Any development proposal within the project site should minimize
obstruction to wildlife movement along or through the area. No large
barriers such as fences or retaining walls should be created in a way to
disrupt wildlife movement.
Vegetation
The majority of the project site includes impervious surfaces from
improvements including the parking structure, Dobson Arena, the Vail
Library, two municipal buildings, roads, and paved footpaths. Small areas
of vegetation exist between the structures as lawn, landscape and
stormwater detention areas. Numerous large trees exist throughout the
site.
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 14 of 20
January 18, 2019
A narrow riparian area exists adjacent to Middle and Gore Creeks. Trees
and large shrubs with an understory of grasses and forbs characterize the
riparian area. The limits of riparian area exist at the edge of development.
Several encroachments exist, including parking lots, paved footpaths
adjacent to and across the creek, landscaping and snow storage.
Over the last three years, the Town performed a noxious weed evaluation.
Limited observations of Canada thistle were noted on the two Middle
Creek properties in 2016 and 2017. However, observations made in 2018
noted no weeds present. Additionally, limited numbers of Canada thistle
and Oxeye daisy plants were observed near the Lionshead parking
structure. The following table summarizes observations from the Town’s
noxious weed monitoring effort on properties within the project site.
Table 4. Noxious Weed Property Assessment Results
Parcel No. Identifying feature Noxious Weed Evaluation
210106407003 East Lionshead Circle road Did Not Evaluate
210106407012 Lionshead parking structure Evaluated 2018, Weeds Present:
• Canada Thistle < 10 plants
• Oxeye Daisy < 10 plants
210106407004 Northeast of Lionshead parking
structure
Did Not Evaluate
210106407005 Dobson Arena and Vail Library Evaluated 2016, No Weeds Present
Evaluated 2017, No Weeds Present
210107101022 Middle Creek near confluence
with Gore Creek, east of Dobson
Arena
Evaluated 2016, Weeds Present:
• Canada Thistle 10 plants to
10% of parcel area
Evaluated 2017, No Weeds Present
Evaluated 2018, No Weeds Present
210106407009 West Meadow Drive footpath and
medical center parking
210106407006 Middle Creek from culvert under
Frontage Road, downstream to
northern boundary ERWSD
property
Evaluated 2016, Weeds Present:
• Canada Thistle 10 plants to
10% of parcel area
Evaluated 2017, Weeds Present:
• Canada Thistle 10 plants to
10% of parcel area
Evaluated 2018, No Weeds Present
210106400004 Western municipal building Evaluated 2016, No Weeds Present
Evaluated 2017, No Weeds Present
Evaluated 2018, No Weeds Present
210106400003 Eastern municipal building Evaluated 2016, No Weeds Present
Evaluated 2017, No Weeds Present
Evaluated 2018, No Weeds Present
90 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan November 5, 2019 - Page 110 of 114
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 15 of 20
January 18, 2019
Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Vegetation
The USFWS has identified two federally listed threatened plant species as
potentially occurring in Eagle County, the Ute ladies’ tresses orchid
(Spiranthes diluvialis) and Penland alpine fen mustard (Eutrema penlandii).
Potential suitable habitat for Ute ladies’ tresses orchid includes wide
floodplains with associated wetlands. The project site does not contain
suitable habitat for Ute ladies’ tresses orchid.
Potential suitable habitat for Penland alpine fen mustard includes alpine
environments centered near the Mosquito Range. The project site does
not contain suitable habitat for Penland alpine fen mustard.
The CNHP has documented 14 priority species of plants to occur within
Eagle County. None of the identified priority species are federally
recognized under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). All of the 14 priority
plant species have habitat requirements, which are not found within the
project site. No site-specific evaluation for potential suitable habitat of
tracked species was employed for this study.
Vegetation Assessment
The majority of the site includes impervious area. The limited areas of
landscaping, trees, and riparian areas serve valuable ecological
functions. It is recommended that the total vegetated area of the site not
be diminished.
Protection or enhancement of riparian areas is recommended.
Enhancements might include:
• Create snow storage away from the riparian, stormwater and
aquatic resources.
• Reduce the amount of impervious surface within the riparian area.
• Limit pedestrian access within the riparian area to minimize
trampling of vegetation and compaction of soils.
Other recommended BMP’s for vegetation include, but are not limited to:
• Minimize site disturbance.
• Avoid impacting mature trees.
• Reseed or replant Town recommended landscape material at the
earliest practical time after any disturbance.
• Refrain from using herbicide and pesticide in proximity to any water
bodies or stormwater facilities.
• Install and maintain erosion control measures during and after any
site disturbance.
• Monitor and maintain vegetation.
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 16 of 20
January 18, 2019
VI. Wastes, Noise and Odors:
No specific analysis for wastes, noise and odors was conducted, however,
the Town of Vail has specific waste reduction challenges that it continues
to address though several initiatives. The Town manages an extensive free
recycling program in Vail and requires all special events to incorporate
recycling in their event planning. The Town coordinates with Eagle
County Landfill and waste haulers in materials recovery and curbside free
recycling, hazardous waste management and special events to recycle
electronic equipment.
A stated goal of the Town is to reduce the amount of Town of Vail landfill
contributions by 25% by 2019 (Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan,
2009).
The Vail Civic Area Plan project is not anticipated to generate significant
adverse effects from solid or liquid wastes or from objectionable/noxious
odors. Temporary noise impacts to existing residences surrounding the
project site will include construction traffic and construction should
redevelopment of public buildings occur as a result of the planning effort.
It is anticipated that noise emissions associated with construction activity
may have the potential to produce short-term effects.
VII. Visual:
The site is at the western gateway to the Town of Vail and visible from
adjacent public ways. The Lionshead parking structure is highly visible,
however screened by landscaping. Auto access to the study area is
visible from the frontage road and Interstate 70.
The project is visible from many public points of view, including Interstate
70 and the South Frontage Road. Areas lower on the project site along
Middle Creek (Vail Library, Dobson Arena) are less visible due to the
difference in elevation and mature vegetation adjacent to Middle Creek.
Appendix | 91November 5, 2019 - Page 111 of 114
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 17 of 20
January 18, 2019
Figure 5. Civic Area Plan site, looking south along Middle Creek towards Dobson Arena.
The project is in the Town core and not located on any ridgeline or unique
geographic feature. In the immediate area, the greatest visual impact
will be from redevelopment of those portions of the study area closest to
the interstate (Town Hall, Parking Structure, Middle Creek).
Mature tree cover of Middle Creek provides a visual break from the built
environment. Mitigation of visual impacts associated with any civic
redevelopment can be achieved numerous ways, such as through
architecture, massing, roof forms and landscaping.
VIII. Land Use:
The proposed Vail Civic Area Plan will study how the Town can best use
lands in the defined study area to meet community needs and goals.
With few exceptions along Middle Creek, the Town study area is fully
developed and located in the Town core providing essential services
(municipal government, recreation and parking uses).
Potential impacts to land uses in the study area are considered minimal
since the properties are currently accessible, serviced by public utilities,
and fully developed. Any proposed redevelopment or intensification of
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 18 of 20
January 18, 2019
land uses to serve municipal purposes is not anticipated to significantly
alter existing land use patterns.
IX. Circulation and Transportation:
Circulation through the study area is primarily from the South Frontage
Road (West), East Lionshead Circle and West Meadow Drive. The
Lionshead parking structure contains approximately 1,000 parking spaces
that serve commercial and municipal uses (including Dobson Arena and
the Vail Library). The parking structure includes a transportation center
that has local and regional bus transfers, and Vail offers free transit
services for both In Town and Outlying areas such as Sandstone and the
golf course neighborhoods. There is a convenient sidewalk and trail
system in the study area directly connecting existing areas of the Civic
Plan; the exception being the Municipal/Government offices on the north
side of South Frontage Road, which must be crossed at designated
crosswalks that do not directly adjoin the Vail Library, parking structure or
Dobson Arena.
X. Population:
The project site is within the core of Town. The Town of Vail population
estimate is 5,483 with 6,938 total housing units with 1,409 owner-occupied,
1,429 renter occupied and occupancy of 40.91%.
The Town of Vail winter occupancy in the 2015/16 season was estimated
at 58% on average. Summer occupancy was estimated at 30%
(Destimetrics LLC, 2016).
92 | Town of Vail Civic Area Plan November 5, 2019 - Page 112 of 114
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 19 of 20
January 18, 2019
XI. References:
Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Resources. 2018.
http://water.state.co.us/Home/Pages/default.aspx
Colorado Geological Survey 2018. http://coloradogeologicalsurvey.org/
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CDOW) 2018. Threatened and Endangered
Species List.
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/SpeciesOfConcern/ThreatenedE
ndangeredList/LisOfThreatenedAndEndangeredSpecies.htm.
DestiMetrics, LLC. 2016. Town of Vail Summer 2016 Economic Indicators
Summary.
Eagle County and The Eagle River Watershed Council. 2013. Eagle River
Watershed Plan.
Kingery, H., editor 1998. Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas. Colorado Bird
Atlas Partnership and CPW. Denver, CO.
Lotic Hydrological, LLC, Land Planning Collaborative/Watershed Environmental
Consultants, Inc. and Alpine Engineering, Inc. 2016. Gore Creek Strategic
Action plan.
Natural Diversity Information Source. 2018.
http://ndis.nrel.colostate.edu/index.html.
Reed, B.R. 1988. National List of plant Species that occur in wetlands; Colorado.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. St. Petersburg, FL.
River Restoration.org. January 27, 2011. Vail 2010 Flood Assessment.
Rupert, M.G., and Plummer, L.N. 2009. Boundary of the Eagle River watershed
valley-fill aquifer, Eagle County, North-Central Colorado, 2006 – 2007: U.S.
Geological Survey Data Series 458, online only.
Rupert, M.G., and Plummer, L.N. 2009. Groundwater quality, age, and
probability of contamination, Eagle River watershed valley-fill aquifer,
North-Central Colorado, 2006 – 2007: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific
Investigations Report 2009-5082, 59p.
Stubbendieck, J., Hatch, S.L., Butterfield, C.H. 1997. North American
Range Plants, Fifth Edition. The University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln,
Nebraska.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2018.
http://www.epa.gov/air/index.html
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2018. Colorado Field Office County
List. http://www.fws.gov/mountain-
prairie/endspp/countylists/colorado.pdf
USDA, NRCS 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov/plants).
National Plants Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70874-4490 USA.
Civic Area Plan, Environmental Review Page 20 of 20
January 18, 2019
USDA, USGS 2017. Surface Water data for USA: Monthly Streamflow
Statistics (http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/monthly). Reston, VA 20192.
Western Regional Climate Center 2018. (www.wrcc.dri.edu). 2215 Raggio
Parkway Reno, Nevada 89512.
Appendix | 93November 5, 2019 - Page 113 of 114
VA I L TO W N C O UNC I L A G E ND A ME MO
I T E M /T O P I C: A djournment 6:40 pm estimate
November 5, 2019 - Page 114 of 114