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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRobyn SmithPlanning and Environmental Commission (PEC) Application The Planning and Environmental Commission (PEC) is a seven-member volunteer board. The PEC is responsible for the review and determination of requests for variances and conditional use permits, and recommendation to Town Council on special development districts, subdivisions, rezonings, various Town of Vail proposed plans and other community matters per the Town Charter and ordinances. The PEC meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 1 p.m. in the Vail Municipal Building. Name of Applicant * Phone Number * Email * Is the Town of Vail considered your primary residence?* Proof of Residence * Are you a registered voter in the Town of Vail?* Section 3-2-6 of the Vail Town Code prescribes the function of the PEC. According to the Town Code, The PEC shall have the following function and duties: a. Make and adoption of master plans for approval by the Town Council, b. Review and recommend zoning regulations and subdivision regulations to the Town Council, c. Review and approve environmental impact reports and mitigation measures as required by the Zoning Regulations, review and comment on programs and studies of environmental issues, d. Conduct research of environmental issues, e. Make recommendations to the Town Council for control of pollution and the protection of the environment, Advise the Town Council on appropriate actions when air and water quality standards are violated, and f. Consider other matters pertaining to the Commission and to act in an advisory role to the Town Council. Given the above prescribed role of the PEC, what makes you uniquely qualified to serve on the Commission?* Robyn Smith 9175967618 robyn@embuzi.com Yes No OwnershipRecord.png 164.34KB Smith_Robyn_DL_2023.jpg 2.38MB Yes No PEC Responsibilities 5000 Characters Max My professional, educational, and personal background make me uniquely qualified to serve as a commissioner. The roles, responsibilities, and skills required for PEC closely parallel those in my current career: As Owner & CEO of Embuzi Consulting (2015-Present) I help businesses discover problems, and deliver solutions to the people affected. I specialize in identifying organizational goals and key results, and creating systems to produce those key results efficiently. That work is accomplished by planning, designing, building, analyzing, and iterating. As Vice President of CanvasCamp (2015-Present) I work extensively with code, as well as engineers, architects, and developers. I analyze complex systems and employ code within a defined environment of rules and roles to produce a desired result. This work requires technical comprehension and precision, in addition to a broader understanding of results and real-world impacts to stakeholders. I am comfortable working in both realms, and it is my responsibility to bridge the gap between the two. I am good at it. The goals and values of Vail's PEC closely parallel those in my educational, volunteer, and personal experience: As an Economic Development & Sustainable Community-Based Tourism volunteer for United States Peace Corps (2012-2014) I became fluent in the language and concepts of stewardship. The intersectionality of society and its dependence on economy, environment, and culture inspired me to get involved in Vail’s Destination Stewardship initiative. I hope to continue to contribute as a commissioner. I have a formal education in the principles of democracy and fairness which would be relevant to service on a quasi-judicial citizen advisory board. I obtained a Bachelor of Arts from University at Albany in 2006; I was a dual major in Philosophy & Criminal Justice. My course of study included ethical theory, critical reasoning, logical arguments, the social contract, environmental ethical responsibility, social and political philosophy, public policy, statistics, and the organization and management of a government entity. I have always been a deep thinker, fast learner, and hard worker; I completed highschool in 3 years instead of 4. In 2018 I was selected to participate in Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Women Afield program. This experience ignited a passion to learn about and positively contribute to the conservation of Colorado’s land, water, and wildlife. I was a panelist at CPW’s Partners in the Outdoors Conference (2019) - and continue to volunteer my time to advocate for conservation at every opportunity. Culturally I am a ski town girl through and through. My parents owned a small ski area in New York. I was raised by a ski community. I married into another ski family. I’ve lived in Vail proper for approximately 7 years, plus 2 more in Avon. I am never leaving. Vail is my home, and ski folk are my people. I moved to the Vail Valley in 2014 in a wheelchair after breaking both of my feet and my spine in a rock climbing accident. I did not have a positive prognosis for full recovery. Steadman and Howard Head made me whole again. I quite literally owe my quality of life to Vail’s world class workforce. Within the past 3 years I have personally experienced the full spectrum of the present housing crisis - from being unhomed by a sudden sale of a cherished West Vail single family home, to being fortunate enough to wildly overpay for the only run down rental available. I have also personally experienced the leading example of the solution to that housing crisis. In 2021 my family lost and then won Vail’s housing lottery. By purchasing my current home in Chamonix I took a scarce resource for my own benefit - as a conservationist I believe it is my responsibility to contribute to the restoration and replenishment of the resource. All of the above experiences make me uniquely qualified to serve as a skilled citizen representative on Vail’s Planning and Environmental Commission at this moment. Please provide an example from your past which demonstrates your qualifications and explain why you are interested in serving on the PEC?* 5000 Characters Max I carefully review and thoughtfully consider Planning and Environmental issues as they relate to the Town of Vail. I listen intently to the facts presented and opinions of participants. I ask thoughtful questions. I make recommendations to the council. I encourage others to meaningfully participate in the public process. I do this currently. Now is a particularly exciting time to serve on PEC in light of the Town Council’s 2023 strategic priorities. I believe that I can positively contribute my time and expertise as a professional, and my perspective as a citizen, to represent and further community goals by: - Providing insight to complement the judgment of the council & staff. - Enhancing forums for dialog & public hearings. - Aiding in the ascertainment of facts & the discernment of views. - Broadening the base of participation in the processes of self-government. Over the last 9 months I have… - Completed a full day course in Board Services offered by Vail Valley Partnership (October 2022) - Completed 8 hours of self-guided study offered by the Urban Institute on various subjects related to the structure of laws, policy, institutions, and people that produce the built environment. - Watched every meeting, and reviewed every packet for both PEC and Town Council, including attachments and reference material. - Participated - heavily - in Vail’s Destination Stewardship plan - Thoughtfully reviewed (almost) all of Vail’s Master Plans including: West Vail Master Plan, Civic Area Master Plan, Ford Park Master Plan, (1985 through 2013), Vail 20/20, Open Lands Plan (1994 & 2018), Land Use Plan (1986) - Become adept at navigating Vail’s various publicly accessible records systems, including, but not limited to, plat maps, permits, meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions, governing and advisory documents, and various parallel reference material. (These skills are not necessary for a commissioner, as all of the relevant material to be considered are formally introduced into the record provided by staff. I mention these skills only to demonstrate my appreciation for accurate references to source material and historical context exists, and pre-dates my intent to serve.) The PEC meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Meetings begin at 1:00 pm and typically adjourn by 5:00 pm. PEC members shall be appointed to a 2 year term. Attendance at meetings is critical as it provides a broad representation on matters before the PEC and promotes a fair and equitable development review process. Please describe your availability to attend PEC meetings for the duration of your term and identify any conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of your employment, personal and/or professional relationships or financial interests in the Town of Vail.* Vail is a small community and everyone seems to know each other in one form or another. Please describe your abilities to act in a quasi-judicial role and provide at least one example where you had to make and unpopular decision on an issued based upon a set of criteria or other certain considerations.* Resume (optional) Letter of Interest (optional) 5000 Characters Max - I have both the personal and professional flexibility to make time to attend all meetings - and do the homework. - I have no personal, professional, or financial interests that would conflict with my service on PEC. a.) I do not, and have not, worked with/for any business or in any business sector that deals with the sale, purchase, development, or management of real property. b.) I do own a home in Vail, however, my home is deed restricted and appreciation capped. I have no financial interest in any other property. c.) My West Vail neighborhood is zoned Housing, and the land use is Chamonix Master Plan - which likely insulates me from any conflicts related to Phase 1 of the West Vail Master Plan. - My interest in serving is to positively contribute to the continued economic success of our community, the happiness of our people, and the conservation of our natural environment - all of which I do personally and directly benefit from. The PEC is often asked to act in a quasi-judicial (like a judge) on development applications. Decision making is guided by review criteria and findings of fact. The review criteria are prescribed by the Vail Town Code. 5000 Characters Max From 2006-2012 I worked for CitationAir by Cessna in whole aircraft management. I managed private jets and I served as the primary point of contact for the aircraft owners. One of my roles was to serve as the interpreter, messenger, and enforcer of federal rules and regulations that frequently resulted in the cancellation/delays/changes of critical and costly plans. I am well practiced at disappointing the wrong people for the right reasons - professionally and efficiently - with my communications and actions being subject to potential legal review. This experience has informed and enhanced my conflict resolution skills throughout my career. The goal of any conflict resolution is to achieve commitment, not consensus. Commitment is achieved by listening to the stakeholders, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the impacts, citing the data and source material used to come to a conclusion, and conveying the decision in transparent, honest, and direct fashion. In this way, effectively managed conflict can produce a better result and strengthen stakeholder relationships. I find conflict/resolution to be an important component of the success of every project, and every organization. Discovering and addressing conflicting stakeholder interests is the point of a citizen oversight board. I look forward to it.