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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-07-02 Town Council Minutes0 0 MINUTES REGULAR MEETING TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF VAIL 2 JULY 1974 The regular meeting of.the Town Council of the Town.of.Vaii,, Colorado, was convened at 7:35 P.M., July`2, 1974, in :the . Council. Room of the Vail Municipal Building._ Mayor John Dobson and the-.fbklowing councilmembers were present: Josef Staufer Kathy Klug Tom Steinberg John Donovan Gerry. White - Joseph Langmaid Also present were: Terrell J. Minger,""Own Manager Gene A. Smith, Town Attorney Ordinance.No. 9, Series of 1974,.AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING DELIVERY, SERVICE,, AND OTHER COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES FROM USE OF STREETS., IN ZONING DISTRICT COMMERCIAL CORE 1,BETWEEN 11:00 A.M. AND 2:00 P.M. DAILY FROM JULY.24., 1974 THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 1974, AND AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL TRAFFIC CODE AND THE TOWN CODE OF VAIL, was introduced on first.reading.' Councilman White moved to.approve the ordinance; Councilman Steinberg seconded,the motion; the vote.was unanimous_,in favor; and the motion carried. The Town Clerkwas then instructed . to publish Ordinance.No. 9 as,approved on first reading-., Ordinance No.. 10, Series of 1974, AN ORDINANCE MAKING.A SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION FROM THE GENERAL FUND'% OF THE 1974 BUDGET AND FINANCIAL PLAN FOR THE TOWN OF'VAIL,. COLORADO, was introduced on first reading. Councilman Staufer moved to approve the ordinance on first reading; Councilman Donovan seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous in favor; and the motion carried. The Town Clerk was then instructed to publish Ordinance No. 10 as..approved>on first reading. Ordinance No. 11, Series..of.1974, AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE CREATING A CONSERVATION TRUST FUND, FOR THE TOWN.OF VAIL, COLORADO, PURSUANT -TO HOUSE,BILL`NO. 1084 ENACTED. BY THE_ 1974 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, was introduced on first.reading. Councilwoman Klug moved to approve the ordinance;' Councilman Langmaid seconded the. motion;.the vote was unanimous in favor; 'and the motion carried. The Town Clerk was then instructed to..publish Ordinance No..11 as approved. Resolution No. 15, Series of 1974, a resolution for the development of the Vail Nature Centre and the transfer of part of an appropriation,.wasintroduced by the town manager. He explained that the appropriation.was for $12,000.00 to. be used in the rehabilitation of the.Antholz building. Councilman Steinberg moved to approve the.resolution; Council- man Langmaid seconded the motion; the vote was unanimous in favor;.and the motion carried. 11 town of veil N box 100 office of the town manager vail, colorado 81657 (343) 476-5613 July 12, 1974 Town Council Planning Commission Town of Vail, Colorado P.O. Box 100 Vail, Colorado 81657 As you know a joint meeting of the Council and the Planning Commission is scheduled for tomorrow, July 16, at. 2 P.M. to discuss the Commercial Core problems. Because of the . great concern regarding Tracts A and B at the present time, I am requesting that the matter be discussed tomorrow instead. I know you have all given the matter considerable thought already, but am taking the liberty of outlining some of the problems and still unanswered questions as I see them, and trust it may be helpful as background information for our meeting: This summer the recreational fields around the Golden Peak area have been used by more people, and have offered more exciting events for both participants and spectators than ever before. Far more townspeople and guests than ever before have become aware not only of the fields them- selves, but even more of the magnificent open view to the east along the golf course, and beyond to the majestic Gore Range. There is suddenly a great fear that the so-called Northwoods development to be constructed by Vail Associates immediately to the east of the playing field will seriously impare the incomparable sweeping view to the east, and limit expansion of recreational facilities in that direction. In order to understand what courses of action can be taken to limit or eliminate the development proposed, if that is the wish of the people today, it is necessary to understand the history of the land involved. The land belongs to Vail Associates. In August of 1972 the land was zoned HDMF. • Page 2 Several months ago Vail Associates came to the town, to the Planning and Zoning Commission and eventually, through extensive public hearings, to the people and to the council. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the project, and the Council, with only Councilman Gerry White dissenting, approved the project. Vail Associates began preliminary excavation in early summer, has suspended it temporarily, but plans to begin work there again within 30 to 60 days. Since the formal approval of the project, the company has undoubtedly invested in extensive planning, design and marketing efforts in connection with the project. Interest in pur- chases of units has apparently been most encouraging, and estimates of the profitability of the venture are high. Paradoxically perhaps, the area's value as a development site in many ways parallels its value as continued public open space and recreational area. The developers through a period of many months have negotiated with the town and have received approval for the project. Although there were serious misgivings expressed by various town officials during the period before approval, there was little or no objection expressed by the people in the various forums provided, and the decision of the Town Council was undoubtedly sound in view of the legal constraints under which it was required to operate, primarily in the area of the pertaining zoning of the land. If the town is to maintain its credibility for rational and legal action, then it certainly must acknowledge that the developers have received approval to proceed with the project as planned. If we are to be sensitive to current wishes expressed by many townspeople - some in official positions - some not, we must learn and assess the exact nature of these concerns and the extent to which they are held by the people. • If it can be demonstrated, quickly and definitely that serious or irreparable harm will be done to the town if this project does proceed, then it is the responsibility of the town government to do all in its power to eliminate or limit this harm. The town government's immediate task is to analyze the threat of harm as objectively as possible, and with the vital aid of public opinion, assess its importance to Vail's future - aesthetically, environmentally and economically. We must establish the priority of limiting or eliminating this development in the overall list of needs and priorities which we have already established. 0 Page 3 What are the specific questions we must answer in order to make this assessment? 1. What land and how much development is involved? Note: the developer has already acknowledged that he will continue to take no action on Tract A (zoned residential) anticipating possible purchase of this tract by the town. It is less clear as to the developers` intentions regarding the soccer field. It has been our understanding that this area would remain in its present use. Although no development is planned there, there have been reports that the Ski School has proposed changing the terrain for instruction purposes, thereby rendering it useless as a playing field. The success of this area as a multi -purpose summer facility has been proved beyond question. It must remain useable as such, and improved in all possible ways. If our option to purchase Tract A remains available, and if it can be established with Vail Associates that the soccer field remain (preferably deeded to the town), then the problem is narrowed to the Tract B development. What are the questions to be answered here? a. What will be the adverse effect upon the view to the east from the soccer field area? Note: An important aid will be composites of photographs of the existing view and models of the proposed development. These should be accomplished at once. What else do you think would be helpful? b. If the Northwoods development were not to take place, it would have to be purchased by the town. A realistic estimate of this amount must be as- certained. What will it be? c. Can the town afford such an amount? If so, how? d. What effect would the purchase of this property have on the ability of the town to proceed with the development of facilities on the Antholz property? Page 4 e. The Town of Vail and Vail Associates are close to a major transaction regarding land acquisitions etc. of great importance to the town, which have been worked out over a long period of time, and with apparent good faith and good intention evinced by both parties. Would these transactions be endangered by any action taken by the town in connection with the Northwoods development? Note: The Council and Planning Commission should review and understand this situation completely. it would seem obvious that the town's - or Vail Associates' ability or desire to complete these negotiations will be affected by negotiations regarding Northwoods. While many other questions regarding the Northwoods problem undoubtedly exist, I believe the ones I have out- lined are vital, and ask you to give them as much thought before the meeting as possible. It is the responsibility of the town council, after hearing the opinions of the townspeople, and the advice and counsel of the Planning Commission, to adopt a policy regarding the Northwoods development, and then to implement it promptly. Time is very much of the essence. The purpose of this special meeting will be to establish an orderly, objective and prompt procedure for handling this situation. Please be sure to attend. John A. Dobson Mayor E