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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-07-20 Town Council MinutesMINUTES REGULAR MEETING VAIL TOWN COUNCIL 20 JULY 1976 The regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Vail, Colorado, was convened before a full -house crowd in excess of 200, at 7:30 P.M., on Tuesday, July 20, 1976, in the Vail Municipal Building Council Chambers. Mayor John Dobson and the following councilmembers were present: Josef Staufer John Donovan Kathy Klug Bill Heimbach Bill Wilto Bob Ruder Others present included: Terry Minger, Town Manager Larry Rider, Town Attorney go Stan Bernstein, Finance Director ORDINANCE No. 18,. Series of. 1.976, amending the Zoning Ordinance, Article 14, regarding offstreet parking and loading, to allow limited changes of use, and ORDINANCE No. 19, Series of 1976, comprehensively amending the Zoning Ordinance, were introduced on first reading. Mayor Dobson declared the public hearing on both ordinances open and then requested a motion to postpone action on them until the next regular meeting in order to spend more time discussing Site 24. Councilman Heimbach moved to table both ordinances until the first meeting in August; Councilman Donovan seconded the motion; all present voted in favor; and the motion carried. RESOLUTION No. 11, Series of 1976, approving the Town of Vail/State Highway Department contract regarding the I-70 Overpass, was introduced by Terry Minger. He explained that this resolution had to be dealt with tonight and that it authorized him to sign the contract whereby the Town would accept $283,220 in Federal funds as approximately 80% of the cost of the overpass. Councilman Donovan moved to approve the resolution; Councilman Staufer seconded the motion; all present voted in favor; and the motion carried. • With regard to Vail Associates' request for resubdivision of Tract E, Vail Village llth Filing, Diana Toughill explained that the resubdivision would be for residential lots and that the Planning Commission had unanimously recommended approval. Councilman Wilto moved to approve the resubdivision; Councilman Donovan seconded the motion; all present voted in favor; and the motion carried. THE VAIL CENTER PROJECT Mayor Dobson introduced the presentation regarding the Vail Center Project on Site 24. He briefly outlined the design process involving staff, Council, and consultants, and hoped that the Vail Center would bring the community together spiritually. Mr. Minger stated that he hoped through the presentation to answer several rumors regarding height, cost, how to pay for the structure, etc. He mentioned that the Vail Center was a continuation of the Vail Plan and briefly reviewed the design criteria for the ice arena/conference center/multi-purpose facility. He stated that three alternatives would be .addressed during the__presentation:_ . _ the catenary design (one building), a traditional approach; and the catenary with an adjacent_ smaller building to house a convention center. He then introduced ---- Jim lamont who discussed the concept as it relates to the Vail Plan. Mr. Lamont discussed the projected future growth of Vail and the need for the multi -purpose facility as well as other neighborhood recreational facilities. He stated that the Vail Center would serve as a link between the original Vail and newer Lionshead areas Minutes/Regular Meeting 20 July 1976 Page Two • The Mayor then introduced Eldon Beck, Royston, Hanamoto, Beck & Abey, who addressed the landscape concept of the project. He explained the Vail Plan concept of Town -wide landscaping and Town -wide recreational facilities. He stated that he wanted to see the same effect on Site 24 as at the Transportation Center. He added that he had no detailed landscaping plan for Site 24 as ,yet and would not develop one until the architectural plan was established. The Mayor introduced Dale Sprankle, Ernest J. Kump Associates, who discussed the architectural concept. Mr. Sprankle began by going over the site plan. He stated that site restrictions and covenants left only the area near the Vail International building for locating a structure. He addressed the cost increases required to make the facility multi -purpose in order to house con- ventions, etc. He stated that the bus route had been re-routed through the center of the site, then explained the catenary model. He stated that the catenary structure would be a permanent building, not a tent -type structure, and explained the building scale in relation to neighboring buildings. He stated that the highest spire would be 65 feet high; the next highest would be 55 feet high, and the saddle between the spires would be 30 feet high, but that an ice arena is a large space and would need a large building to house it. He added that a rectangular structure would be far bulkier. He stated that the building would be cut into the site as much as feasible and that the ice • would be 16 feet below grade. He pointed out that there would be no entrance on the Vail International side of the building and that the area between the two buildings would be landscaped. Mr. Sprankle then reviewed the charts he had posted regarding the estimated cost of each of -the three_alter ative_. _ _ approaches. Plan I would cost about $4,170,000 less the $350,000 anonvmous _. Plan LLII would cast about $3,4 __. less__the $350.000; and Plan III with__ gift, - two structures rather than one, would cost about�4,274,000 less the $350,000. The Mayor then introduced Randy Brandmeyer of the Vail Resort Association who discussed the results of a poll the VRA had conducted of its member businesses. Mr. Brandmeyer stated that of 111 businesses polled, the majority of them preferred the multi -purpose concept of two buildings, one the arena and the other a conference center to be located on Site 24, and the added that the VRA strongly endorsed Plan III.. The Mayor next introduced Stan Bernstein, Finance Director, to discuss the financing plan for the project. Mr. Bernstein had prepared a financial analysis and explained it page -by -page with the audience. He stated that the Town of Vail could definitely afford_ an additional $3-4 million bonded indebtedness__,..--_ and that with the potential banquet revenues of Plan III, the Town would be • assuming little financial risk on the project, The Mayor next introduced Daniel Herrington, Boettcher & Company, to discuss the bond issue. Mr. Herrington explained that he would address two questions: 1. How much additional debt could the Town of Vail afford:. and 2. Could that debt be successfully marketed? He stated that in answer to the first question, the Town could easily afford $6-7 million additional debt. In answer to the second question, he stated that it would be possible for Vail successfully to market $4 million right now and that he felt the gondola accident would not hamper Vail's ability to generate skier dollars. The time was 9:55 P.M., and the Mayor announced a twenty -minute recess. The meeting was reconvened at 10:15 P.M., and Mr. Minger explained Plan III in more detail, stating that it included a smaller, 20,000 square foot facility to complement the ice arena. He added that the smaller building would be used to cater and house conventions, and for the performing and participating arts. The Mayor then opened the floor for questions and comments. There were many questions regarding revenue sources and cost of operation and several statements of support for the multi -purpose, two buildings concept of Plan III. Bob Kendall asked if the December 31 deadline set by the anonymous donor for having the ice ready could be met, and Mr. Minger stated that it could. Pat Carmony felt that by building a convention center the Town would be competing with the lodges and existing convention facilities, and he felt that would be wrong. There was a question whether there could be two questions on the bond election Minutes/Regular Meeting 20 July 1976 Page Three • ballot - one for the ice arena portion and the other for the convention center. Mr. Minger stated that there could be two questions.. Jim Bartlett of Vail Associates felt that Mr. Bernstein's projections were reasonable but suggested creating a surplus fund in case of a bad year. Ted Kindel suggested finishing the ice first then re-evaluating the bond election when a few unknowns were resolved, like the proposed County sales tax. There were several questions regarding the catenary structure itself. Mr. Martin Shore, speaking on behalf of several Vail International owners suggested moving the facility to the southern end of Site 24 so as not to interfere with Vail International's views. He also stated that according to an existing Town of Vail/Vail Associates agreement regarding site restrictions, the height of any building would be. limited to 35 feet, and he asked the Council not to exceed that limit. Mr. Sprankle stated that the height of the spires could not be lowered if the catenary design was to be retained and that the northerly location on the site was preferable. He added that alternative forms for'the building, such as a rectangular form, would be more restrictive of Vail International's view corridors than the catenary. He stated that the 35 feet would be measured as an average height from the highest point to the lowest. David Gorsuch asked if such a structure had ever been built in snow country and what contractor was capable of building it. Mr. Sprankle answered that he had complete confidence in the engineering and that it was not a complicated building construction -wise even though few contractors have dealt with it. George Knox, Jr. stated that he did not want to see a convention. center on Site 24 and asked the Council just to build an ice arena, and several others agreed. The Mayor stated that the three plans under consideration seemed to answer most of the community's needs, but added that the Council will continue to look for solutions. In response to a question from Roger Tilkemeier regarding the project"s zoning, Mr. Minger stated that a special development district would have to be established and that the parking would be handled by the existing Lionshead lots. In response to a question from Lou Meskeman, Mr. Sprankle stated that $1,200,000 would be required just to cover the ice, without the additional amenities. Many present urged the Council to hold a special referendum to determine just what the Town's citizens really want prior to a bond election. Mr. Rider stated that a referen- dum would be possible. The Mayor then asked for comments from the members of the Council: Councilman Wilto felt the community and the Council needed to continue to work together; Councilman Ruder felt that the Council was sensitive to the public's feelings; Councilman Staufer favored a referendum; Councilman Donovan felt a year round facility was necessary to help the summer economy; Councilwoman Klug supported Plan III incorporating the convention center; Councilman Heimbach recommended two separate questions on the ballot. Is Mayor Dobson wrapped up the evening by commending the design team for its hard work and made a plea for community cooperation and compromise. With no further business, Councilman Donovan moved to adjourn at 12:30 A.M. a r ATTEST: l G.del` /Z/ own C:erk