HomeMy WebLinkAboutDevelopment Agreement 071806The CUALETC
at Vail llC
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July 9, 2008
The Town of Vail
75 South Frontage Road
Vail, Colorado 81657
Attention: Town Manager
CpPY
Re: g8, 2006 (the "Development
Agreement"), between the own of Vail (the "Town") and The Vail Corporation, dba
Vail Associates, Inc. ("Vail Associates")
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As the Town is aware, The Chalets at the Lodge at Vail, LLC ("CLV") is the successor in
interest to the "Property" as defined in the Development Agreement.
This correspondence is to address the status of paragraph 2(c) of the Development
Agreement concerning the so-called "Wildflower Alley." That paragraph 2(c) deals with the
possibility of employing the Wildflower Alley as commercial hand cart delivery access to Gore
Creek Drive. Wildflower Alley is to be used for hand cart access if the parties mutually
determine that such use is "feasible and advantageous."
The following summarizes the determinations reached by CLV in considering hand cart
use for Wildflower Alley:
• As provided under the Development Agreement, Vail Associates did complete a
topographic study to evaluate the potential for re-grading and re-constructing
Wildflower Alley for hand cart access. Those studies were completed by
professional civil engineers. The studies concluded that in connection with any
such re-grading and re-construction, the Wildflower Alley access would lend
itself at best to a grade of 8%-9%. A grade of this pitch would impose prohibitive
safety concerns and for that reason by itself renders hand cart access unfeasible.
• Aside from that specific safety concern, consideration must also be given to the
heavy historical pedestrian use that is made of the Wildflower Alley. That
pedestrian use, which should be preserved, would not mix well with commercial
hand cart use and would further exacerbate the safety risk. Hand cart access
would also entail the removal of existing steps within the Wildflower Alley
access, thereby turning Wildflower Alley into an elongated ramp. Pedestrian
users would find this sort of change objectionable.
137 BENCHMARK ROAD, POST OFFICE BOX 959, AVON, COLORADO 81620
(970) 845-2535 • FAX (970) 845-2792
• Hand cart access will further engender a significant noise factor that will disturb
the ordinary occupancy and enjoyment of the adjacent Lodge Apartment
Condominiums ("LAC") and their related amenities, including the LAC
swimming pool and related deck and patio areas. These facilities lie in close
proximity to Wildflower Alley (in fact, a portion of the Wildflower Alley runs
through LAC property). There is a strong and legitimate concern that many LAC
owners and guests would view hand cart use as essentially a nuisance, which
would create a significant public relations problem for the Town.
• LAC has indicated that it will not accept the hand cart use, and will not give the
requisite consent over its property for hand cart use.
The foregoing factors should satisfy the parties that Wildflower Alley hand cart access
would be neither feasible nor advantageous, and accordingly CLV believes that the parties
should not give further consideration to the hand cart use. CLV also believes that LAC will
support CLV in this outcome. If the Town has any concerns in this regard, please advise.
Very truly yours,
THE CHALETS AT THE LODGE AT VAIL, LLC
By: Vail Resorts Development Com any,
its Managing Member
By:
Name: Keith Fernandez
Title: President & COO - VRDC
cc: George Ruther, Director of Community Development
S. Jarvie Worcester
Natalie Mosesso, Esq.
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