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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-06-14 Town Council MinutesMINUTES SPECIAL MEETING BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN .OF VAI L JUNE `P4, 1972 • A special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Vail was convened at 2:15 p.m., June 14; 1972, in the Conference Room of the Vail Municipal Building. Mayor John A. Dobson and the following Trustees were present: Richard Bailey John Donovan C. E. Ted Kindel Joseph Langmaid Josef Staufer Gerry White Also present were: Terrell Minger, Town Manager Lawrence B. Robinson, Town Attorney Mayor Dobson informed the Board of Trustees of the background information leading to the request for a clarification of the definition of "floor area" found in the Zoning Ordinance, and the request by Mr. Fitzhugh Scott on behalf of Mrs. Nancy Rich for a floor area ratio variance. Mayor Dobson explained that the design for the proposed building at Three Willow Place started some time in 1970 and that plans were first submitted early in 1971. This first design had an F,A,R. of 1.50:1..00 For which, Mr. Scott wanted a variance. This variance was denied on March 18, 1971. Mr. Scott then redesigned the building with an F.A.R. of 1 .00:1 .00 which met the zoning requirement; however, the Architectural Control:Board disapproved this design as it was not alpine in character. The building was redesigned a third time and plans were submitted and approved by Architectural Control in . August 1971 and preliminary plans were submitted to the Building Department and I.C. B.O. in February, 1972. Final plans for the third design (the one in question) were submitted to the Building Department on May 15, 1972. The contractor applied for a building permit on June 7, 1072, and was informed that there were problems with both setbacks and floor area ratio. Hyder Con- struction, the contractor, appeared for a preliminary hearing before the. Board of Zoning, Appeals and Examiners on June 8.1 They were informed that the Board could not grant an F.A.R, variance and that this could be done only by IV the Board of Trustees. Mr. Scott, Mrs. Rich and Gordon Pierce then met with Mayor Dobson and Larry Robinson to discuss the problems and to seek solutions. Mayor Dobson then called a special meeting to determine the facts. Calculations were presented by the Building Department which indicated that the F.A.R. was approximately 1 .45:1 .00. Mr. Scott and Mr. Pierce then asked that the Board of Trustees be advised of the problem and that a clarification be made of the definition of Floor area. Scott's office had calculated it with the interpretation of "habitable space." (See minutes of special meeting of June 12, 1972.) After a brief discussion, Trustee White made a motion that the Board of Trustees accept the Building Department's interpretation and calculations for floor area ratio; that the building as designed be declared unacceptable under the Zoning Ordinance; and that a building permit be denied. The motion was seconded by . Trustee Kindel and approved unanimously by the Board. The next item on the agenda was the necessity of determining conceptually how to proceed in solving the parking. problem. Discussions with Vail Associates ,have produced the information that some additional: parking' is being built at:Lionshead but that there is no further land available frcm this source. Contact has been made with the owners of the Antholz property (Manor Vail Co.) and. they are willing • to lease or sell land but must be informed of a decision soon. An approximate figure would be 3 million dollars For the entire property. This would be about 15 to 20 usable acres. Trustee Staufer presented some aerial photos and letter suggested various alternative approaches. His opinion was that acquiring the land was more important than providing parking spaces. Trustee White • concurred that buying land was in the best interests of the Town but that it will not solve the parking problems. Mayor Dobson cautioned that Were parking provided in that area, the possibility exists that a major lift complex might be constructed. It is debatable whether the taxpayers should pay for day -skier parking. In regard to Mr. Bisenius' calculations that 700 cars could be,parked in the main lot, these figures are in error. In order to accommodate more than 400 to 450, it would be necessary to do away with the green mall and cut into the bank. Some parking For the forthcoming winter might be available in the area behind the Bank site. A discussion of whether the Antholz property is too. far away and whether running buses would solve the problem ensued. One suggestion was that the entire area south of Gore Creek would heed to be blocked off; in this way the traffic congestion resulting From people taking a chance on finding a space would be avoided. Mayor Dobson suggested negotiations be opened with Manor Vail Co.. For a one-year lease; that the lease -term Figures and expenses neces- sary be determined. As an aside, it was noted that it is not desirable for indi- vidual board members to enter into negotiations. More detail on purchasing was desired by Trustee Bailey. Also, it might be possible to include an option to buy if the arrangement were satisfactory. In view of the Pact that Vail Associates might go ahead with lift,development if parking were available, Trustee Donovan suggested that a joint purchase be recommended. A Further question would be whether additional lifts and trails are of benefit to the Town. Trustee Donovan suggested: 1. Kaiser Morcus be contacted about his lots; 2. Mr. Hibberd be contacted about the unused portions of the area where the bus station was formerly located; 3, overnight parking by guests .of the Mountain Haus, Wedel Inn, Poor Richards, etc. be eliminated, especially as many of these cars are rental vehicles; 4. if overnight parking must be provided, locate it in the Antholz property; and 5. negotiate for the acre owned by Mr. Miller next to the Antholz property. Mr. Minger suggested there are many problems being dealt with as one; there is the core area parking. problem; the out -lying area parking problem; the potential problem of another lift, the problem of providing green belts. In some ways, it is not a viable alternative to have peo- ple using the downtown area bused; the day -skier, for example,. can be shuttled only to a certain point at which Vail becomes not worth the trouble. Trustee Staufer suggested that lodges be required to pay for spaces in the main parking lot; the remainder of the parking would be available on a two-hour basis, except for spaces reserved for the day skier. The questions of how much of the main lot should be paid parking, what types of individuals should be encouraged to park where, were next discussed. From this discussion, it seemed even more apparent that the first public meeting should be devoted to a definition of the problem. Mr. Minger expanded this to mean that the problem is less factual than philosophical. The things to be done are: 1 . to get Firm information 'from the Manor Vail Co.; 2. to consider the suggestions Mr. Donovan brought forward; 3. to set up a meeting and synthesize the figures. A fourth item proposed was to set up a meeting with Vail Associates. Developments outside of the Town of Vail must also be considered as it will be necessary to decide how access to the core will be provided for these people. It was noted that unless access were provided Fringe and strip shopping areas are a likely result. Of course, perhaps it is not desirable for business in the core area to increase. Trustee White clarified that the proposals now being discussed are not designed to increase the number of cars in the core but rather to provide adequate parking for those already there. The discussion ended with a reiteration of the thought that open space and buying land are different questions from that of parking, but that both could be accomplished if it were so decided. Such a move would not necessarily bring in more people but perhaps improve the quality of lire For the current Vail population. The Board will be kept posted on any developments. Page 2 Mr. Minger distributed to the Board copies of a thank you letter from Francis Brofos and also copies of Stewart Udall's book, 1976: Agenda for Tomorrow. He reported that Mr. McGuire, head of the Forest Service, would hopefully make statements indicating the future policies of the Forest Service when he is in Vail for the Symposium. An additional matter on which the Board should be informed is a proposed bus line covering the valley and Minturn/Redcliff area. The application has been submitted to the PUC by Hans Weibel and Stu Brown and the hearing will be in Vail.on June 23. The PUC has requested a statement from the Town. Trustee White contributed that once a license has been issued for a territory, the only way another can be acquired is to show. that a need exists which is not being fulfilled. Trustee White moved the. Board make a favorable statement; Trustee Staufer, seconded; this was agreed upon. ' Mr. Minger suggested it was necessary to make a decision as to whether to proceed with the tot lot and landscaping project. He explained that the wood is treated to avoid splintering and decay and also that the equipment currently at the site will be scattered about Town: Trustee Kindel inquired about the obstacle course currently located there, it could be moved to Golden Peak. Trustee White moved the project be undertaken with funds allocated of $10, 000; Trustee Bailey seconded; approval was unanimous. It was reported by Mr. Minger that he is in the process of hiring an engineer. His duties and salary will be divided between the Town. and the 3 special districts. He will be in charge of the public works, builging and sewer departments. Mr. Minger's question was whether the Board has any objections. or feelings on the matter. Trustee Staufer asked if this man.would replace Ken Richards. On day-to-day matters, totally; of course; there will still be work to be done on contract. The Board was in favor of this idea, A second personnel matter is the hiring of an assistant for Mr. Bernstein, the finance director, Mr. Minger indicated this would be done. In regard to landscaping, Seibert Circle will be done far in advance of the Tenth Mountain meeting. Additional projects Mr. Minger would like to undertake are the Manfred Schober Plaza and the stream tract there; both of these are now Town property. However, he is hoping for contributions from the people involved. The Trustees had some suggestions for areas that should be done. These included: 1 . the alley between the Copper Bar and the Casino, the possibility exists that Vail Associates could force, as a result of a contractural agreement, Cramerus Associates to provide a heated sidewalk in this alley; 2. the bank behind the main parking lot; 3. the stream tract from the Blue Cow to Lionshead, Mr. Minger indicated that some work is planned for this along with the installation of two picnic areas and possible bicycle and foot paths; 4. the stream tract between the Red Lion and the Mill Creek court building; 5. the walk -way between the Tivoli and the Kindel residence, this could be asphalted. and. is wide enough to be plowed in the winter; 6. Poor Richards and the Short Swing; however, the only possible entity that could require them to landscape would be architectural control. Mr. Minger indicated that the Town is going to topsoil all of the bad shoulders and seed them. As Mr. Hoffman has left, a man has been .hired to supervise the crew, who is in turn supervised by Mr. Burnett. Mr. Benway is doing the technical planning; however, Mr. Minger would talk to possible job applicants. The Town has been in touch with Mr. Prosence, the Highway Depart - meet district engineer regarding the interstate scars. Mr. Minger, reported that at Lionshead some of the developers are against the greenbelt and equipment is damaging it,. Mr. St ruble has been instructed to require the developers to erect fences to protect the area. A more long-term solution would be to amend the zoning ordinance to require a 25-foot.setback from the greenbelt. It was also suggested that those involved in Apollo Park be required to dig out the trees along the stream. Trustee Kindel inquired about posting Gore Creek for 'fly --fishing only. Trustee White reported that the Recreation District has ordered some signs as well as Trout Unlimited. Page 3 Mr. Minger reported that Andre would like to erect a chestnut and ice cream stand. The architectural control committee has denied his request. Thus, he wants to put it on Town property. There was general agreement that it cannot be placed on Town property. In regard to the liquor license transfer for Ichiban, Mr. Minger explained that as it is only a transfer on a license the Town has been instructed to award there are no grounds on which to deny it. Trustee Bailey moved the license for Ichiban at Vail be granted; Trustee Langmaid seconded. Trustees Staufer, Bailey and Langmaid voted for approval; Trustees Kindel and White abstained as they were absent at the presentation; and Trustee Donovan abstained for technical reasons. Trustee Donovan reported that he is thinking of meeting with George Thurston to ask him to bury the electric lines in advance of a decision on the franchise. There was some discussion of the political advisability of Mr. Donovan retaking the request; it was agreed that he should be very careful to impress upon Mr. ..a y Thurston that he is not speaking as a Trustee. rJ -7, Trustee Langmaid inquired regarding the TV committee to which he and Mayor Dobson were appointed. Mr. Minger explained that the franchise requires zj review of the rates in about 6 months. At that time, many matters can be brought before Cable TV. Trustee White suggested that a notice be put in the paper stating that complaints can be sent to the committee. _, As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p. m. • Town ler lh Page 4