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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-11-21 Town Council Minutes0 0 a MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING TOWN COUNCIL FOR THE TOWN OF VAI L NOVEMBER 21, 1973 A special meeting of the newly -elected members of the Town Council for the Town of Vail was convened at 7:40 P.M„ November 21, 1973, in the Council Room of the Vail Municipal Building. The following councilmembers were present: John Dobson John Donovan Kathleen Klug Joseph Langmaid Josef Staufer Thomas Steinberg Gerry White A lso present were: Terrell J. Minger, Town Manager Larry B. Robinson, Town Attorney The first order of business was the swearing in of the new Town Council by Mr. Robinson. Councilman Donovan moved that Mr. Dobson be appointed Mayor and Mr. White be, appointed Mayor Pro-Tem. Council- man Langmaid seconded; Councilmembers Steinberg, Staufer, Donovan, Langmaid and Klug voted in favor; there were no votes against; the motion carried and the appointments were approved. The Council then convened as the Local Liquor Licensing Authority and the following licenses were reviewed; Bridgewater Inn, Inc.; K & R Casino, Inc.; Clock Tower Inn; Cokan Enterprises, Inc.; Holiday Inn of Vail, Holly Vail, Inc.; La Pinata, Inc.; Left Bank Restaurant; Lodge at Vail; Manor Vail Condominium Association; Nelson -Fick, Inc.; Pistachio's; Purcell's; Red Lion Inn, Inc.; Riley Vail Corporation; St. Moritz Tavern LTD.; Vail Metropolitan Recreation District; Vail Valley Enterprises, Inc.; Golden Peak Restaurant; Lionshead Terminal Restaurants; Harvest Table; High Country, Inc; and Toph's Downstairs. The Town Clerk verified that all Liquor License applications were in order. Mayor Dobson asked for questions or comments. A list of violations during 1973 was given to the councilmembers. `Mr: Langmaid moved to approve all license renewals; Mr. Donovan seconded; Messrs. Dobson, White, Steinberg, Donovan, Staufer, Langmaid and Ms. Klug voted in favor; there were no votes against; the motion carried and the 1974 license renewals were approved. As there was no further business, the liquor licensing authority adjourned at 8:05 PM. The Mayor then expressed his sense of honor and appreciation for being re -appointed Mayor for the Town of Vail. He then introduced Mr. Eldon Beck to the audience. Mr. Minger explained that this meeting would be a continuation of previous meetings on the subject of Bighorn annexation with the purpose of discussing environmental impact and restrictions in planning for the area, Mr. Beck then explained the topographic maps and diagrams which are to be used in the formation of a land use plan. INSTAAR had supplied Mr. Beck's firm with avalanche data as a reference for planning buildable land areas. He commented November 21, 1973 Page 3 Some parts along the roadway are too steep for building. The next step for planners would be in this area. He suggested small group meetings in December to discuss this and to continue community dialogue and then proceed with a Land use diagram. A member of the audience asked how close .to the covenants Beck would be Likely to stay. Mr. Shapiro asked Mr. Robinson what the legal view would be if there were a conflict between the Town of Vail zoning regulations and the ECDC covenants. Mr. Robinson replied that restrictive covenants would be enforced by civil action. if zoning were more restrictive than the covenants, then the covenants could not override. Past violation of restrictive covenants would not allow License in the future. Undeveloped land outweighs developed land. Mr. Donovan noted that at some point in the near future a vote will have to be taken to determine annexation desirability. Mr. Welch, president of the Vail East Property Owners' Association, urged that the question of annexation be determined as soon as possible. He commented that the lack of turnout at this meeting was ;thelack of interest of the property owners of the area. Messrs. Riley and Shapiro expressed the desirability of forming small interest groups. A discussion ensued concerning the best method of getting the•smalt groups together. Mr. Welch commented that continued dialogue between the Town and the developers would provide many answers to the questions now,,being asked. A member of the audience stated that the present covenants should be followed closely so that the home owners would be reasonably assured of having the land remain in its intended use. Jay litter requested that those who do not agree with his use plan as a developer of the land make themselves known to him so that a dialogue might ensue. The key to the process is knowing the intentions of the de- velopers, with the crux of the issue revolving around density in certain areas. A member of the audience commented that since neither the developer nor the resident is a planner, they could not solve the problems alone since some areas in Bighorn are not even covered under the protective covenants. Ms. Carmody asked at what stage the meetings between the Town and the Bighorn developers were; Mayor Dobson noted that preliminary meetings had taken place and that Mr. Beck was consulted as a first step. He re- quested that Mr. Welch set up meetings with home owners and Mr. Riley set up meetings with developers, Mr. Beck asked for the Bighorn meetings to be set up in two weeks from this date over a two-day period. He would request better information from INSTAAR by that time in order to provide further accuracy in the matter and the determination of logical land use planning on a -tentative basis. Mr. Welch expressed his concern over the quality of building development and materials used. Mr. Beck asked for documented intent of the developers in relation to the four major categories of land use. When thd," ecessary information is assembled, meetings can be set up. This information was requested by November 28, 1973. December 6, 7, 8 or 7 and 8 are tentative dates for these meetings. The, Mayor announced that a public hearing would take place on Monday, November, 26, for the purpose of presenting the L974 Budget for the Town of Vail to the public. Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, F2 osa he Jeffrey Town Clerk November 21, 1973 Page 2 on the interdependence of the entire valley and expressed the opinion ; that Bighorn represents a unique living experience. Regarding the legal aspect of the development, he noted that questions would fall into four categories: (1) density; (2) the role of commercial development; (3) the retention of open space; O trail systems and transit systems. The I-,70 will affect the area in sound as well as sight. With regard to the four, categories, Mr. Beck made the following comments: (1) Low density would be more favorable than high density, with the answer to the density question falling between the two extremes. (2) A range of minor commercial businesses would be helpful to the community, There would be no economic feasibility for a highly commercial enterprise. Physical characteristics must be considered. (3) Mr. Beck questioned the desirability of a broad range of recreational facilities and re-emphasized the fragile character of the area. The audience was then requested to comment on the subject. Mr. Ron Riley asked about the validity of the documentation in the INSTAAR study. Mr. Beck replied that he has only received notes on the final report, and must await Further information. Mr. Riley then queried the relationship between theory and reality in this situation. Mr. Beck was of the opinion that we must rely on INSTAAR's ability to determine potential hazards. Mr. Minger commented that these findings are preliminary and the INSTAAR group would be available to explain their findings in detail. Hazard potential must be determined in relation to building in the area. Mr. Minger felt that the avalanche areas must be viewed to exist as a potentia t hazard and then evaluated with other characteristics of the area. Mr. Abe Shapiro asked whether property that is known to be avalanche area would be allowed to be built on. He inquired as to the provisions made for property owners who might not be allowed to build. Mayor Dobson stated that these are all considerations to be dealt with but that we cannot get answers immediately. A member of the audience commented that continued wrong usage of land makes a problem even greater^ and potentially hazardous land should not be built upon. Mr. Riley asked what kind of living units Mr. Beck would like to see in Bighorn.. Mr.. Beck replied that the impact would be bad on a low density area if other parcels of land were allowed to be high density. A 'final decision can be made by taking certain areas that show a. dominant pattern'and determine the particular logic. Definite values must be assigned to various areas to determine the logic in land use planning. Mr. Welch stated that an I--70 interchange is planned for Pitkin. He asked what the planned use would be for the adjacent land. Mr. Beck stated that the value of the land must be protected in an area such as this. The audience was again asked what they would like to see done in Bighorn. Councilman Steinberg commented that the developers must get together to use the land for recreational purposes. Mr. Welch Felt that the areas around the interchange should be kept clear so that the visual impact would be minimal, and that the geographical location should be assessed so that any commercial services would service the residents rather than travelers on the freeway. More than the 50% of the residents of that area are 'absentee' owners. Mr. Beck was asked where he would recommend 40 putting a commercial center, and he replied that from the Interstate east would be the place to consider but not all the way to the east end.