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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-10-04 Town Council Minutes4- LJ MINUTES VAIL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 4, 1988 7:30 P.M. A regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was held on Tuesday, October 4, 1988, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Vail Municipal Building. MEMBERS PRESENT: Kent Rose, Mayor John Slevin, Mayor Pro Tem Eric Affeldt Michael Cacioppo Mery Lapin Tom Steinberg MEMBERS ABSENT: Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal TOWN OFFICIALS PRESENT: Ron Phillips, Town Manager Larry Eskwith, Town Attorney Mayor Rose stated there was an item further down the agenda to discuss changing the ordinance regarding changing the due date for sales tax. He commented if anyone was interested in speaking briefly on this item, to please do so then; the Council would • be changing the ordinance shortly. Colleen McCarthy, owner of the Baggage Claim, stated she had circulated a petition to change the sales tax due date, give the petition to Mayor Rose, and thanked Council for their fast action. Mike Cacioppo asked about penalties charged for late payments currently; Steve Barwick responded the funds would be returned. The next order of business was the approval of the minutes from the September 6 and 20, 1988 meetings. John Slevin questioned the second paragraph on the second page of the September 20 minutes, in that he thought Council had asked staff to work on the ordinance allowing the 250 square feet to total remodels and for small additions to existing residences; Mayor Rose agreed. Mery Lapin made a motion to approve the minutes with the included correction, and Tom Steinberg seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously 6-0. The third order of business was an information update on the proposed new Main Vail Post Office. Kristan Pritz gave brief background information on the proposal. Danny Swertfeger of Briner/Scott Architects explained how they arrived at the design and size of the building, and the challenge of the location. Kristan reviewed the zoning of the location. Staff felt the architects had done a good job, but had some concerns which she reviewed. She stated when the project was presented to the Planning and Environmental Commission, staff's four main concerns were: 1) adequate rockfall mitigation; 2) a retail facility in the Core area(s); 3) a bus stop adjacent to the facility; and 4) additional landscaping and berming. The Planning Commission's primary concerns were: 1) a retail facility in the Core area; 2) a bus stop adjacent to the facility; and 3) irrigation and additional landscaping. Dennis Grooms of the U.S. Postal Service responded to the concerns and stated their views on the bus stop, irrigation, the vinyl coated fence, and retaining wall. Eric Affeldt questioned why there was no provision for a satellite office in the Core area(s); Ernie Chavez, Vail's Postmaster, responded their main concern now was to build the facility which would cost approximately $4 million and wait and assess the need for a satellite office once they were in the new building. Mike Cacioppo asked if the Town offered some space next to Rick's Streetside Diner in the Lionshead Parking Structure, would they be able to reduce the size of the building and spend more money on a satellite location; Ernie said they would look at it, but could not promise anything at this time. Tom Steinberg commented not having the satellite office would encourage their competition. John Slevin asked how many people stop in for stamps, etc. Ernie stated about 15 percent, with five percent of that being tourists. Mayor Rose and Ernie Chavez discussed parking, the bus stop and snow storage. Ron Phillips commented on contract stations with existing businesses. Dennis Grooms remarked the Postal Service was concerned as much as the Council was, and they would take action if they began losing customers. Lou Meskiman questioned a pedestrian access from Valli Hi and the Red Sandstone area and that the Postal Service would cause problems for temporary help. Dennis responded with the Postal Service's problems and concerns. Peter Jamar commented on his concerns. Peggy Osterfoss remarked she would like a satellite office this winter, not later. Bill Fleischer commented on why he was in favor of the new location, and that private enterprise would take up the slack. Diana Donovan was concerned over safety issues. Kristan Pritz asked about moving the bike path a few feet for safety reasons, which Dennis agreed they would look into. Ella Knox asked about adding on to the current •facility, to which Ernie responded. It was noted that there was no official action to be taken by Council, just a summary of their ideas and concerns for informational purposes. Mayor Rose felt the Council would like to see 1) a bus stop, 2) a satellite office first and foremost, and he felt it was a good idea for the Town to work with the Postal Service on available space, and 3) pedestrian access. Ernie Chavez stated they would work with Kristan Pritz and the architects on the bus stop. The next topic discussed was the Born Free Express Quad Chair Lift sign variance request. Rick Pylman explained that Vail Associates was building a new chair lift to replace Chair 8 and this request was very similar to that used for signage for the Vista Bahn. He cited the requested signage and noted staff's recommendation was for approval. He then reviewed the criteria used in evaluating the request. Joe Macy, of Vail Associates, stated he concurred with the staff recommendation; the signage fitted well and looked good; and he hoped the Council would approve the 16 inch letters, not the 14 inch suggested by the Design Review Board. After a short discussion, Mayor Rose made a motion to approve Vail Associate's request for the 16 inch letters, per the following findings of fact: A. There are special circumstances or conditions applying to the land, buildings, topography, vegetation, sign structures or other matters on adjacent lots ,buildings, within the adjacent right-of-way which would substantially restrict the effectiveness of the sign in question; provided, however, that such special circumstances or conditions are unique to the particular business or enterprises to which the applicant desires to draw attention and do not apply generally to all businesses or enterprises. B. That special circumstances were not created by the applicant or anyone in privy to the applicant. C. That the granting of the variance will be in general harmony with the purpose of this title, will not be materially detrimental to the persons residing or working in the vicinity, to adjacent property, to the neighborhood, or to the public welfare in general. D. The variance applied for does not depart from the provisions of this title any more than is required to identify the applicant's business or use. John Slevin seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously 6-0. The next order of business was the Raintree Inn sign variance request. Rick Pylman explained the Raintree Inn wanted to amend the existing signage on the hotel, that they were no longer affiliated with Best Western, and had removed the Best Western signage. He stated staff's recommendation was for approval because these changes had actually lowered the amount of the variance request approved in 1985, and the technical aspect of the variance had not changed. Rick then reviewed the findings and staff responses. He commented staff felt this application did not amend the height or size, but changed the design. The Design Review Board voted to deny the request based on two sections of the sign code. Rick then answered questions of Council. B. J. Gibson, owner of the Raintree Inn, commented he wanted to make the sign more visible, and had had complaints that guests could not find the place. He then answered questions of Council. Larry Eskwith remarked if the Council wanted to deny the variance after they had granted one before in 1985, they would have to be based on paragraph C, that the granting of the variance would not be in general harmony with the area. If Council moved to approve the variance, they would have to find criteria in Section 16.360.70 of the Municipal Code. After some discussion by Council, Eric Affeldt made a motion to approve the sign variance per the criteria in Section 16.360.70 of the Vail Municipal Code. John Slevin seconded the motion. Mike Cacioppo explained he would have to abstain because of a conflict of interest. Ron Phillips explained why the sign code had not yet been revised for West Vail, and it had been budgeted for 1989 to review and revise the sign code. Diana Donovan remarked on her concerns, to which Mayor Rose responded. A vote was taken and the motion passed 3-2-1, with Mery Lapin and Tom Steinberg opposing, and • Mike Cacioppo abstaining. -2- Under Citizen Participation, Bill Fleischer of Vail Run Resort commented he had had several comments from guests that there were not enough park benches in the uptown area, and requested more outdoor seating outside of Rick's Streetside Diner and the Lionshead parking structure. He also requested that Vail Run be included in the bus system long range plans. They provide their own shuttle because they are on the •bus system, but they are the last stop and the buses were usually full by the time they stopped there. Diana Donovan mentioned to check on the paving in front of Ski Club Vail and bus stop there; the drainage was bad and a large puddle was there consistently. Mayor Rose commented the culverts were also gone. Tom Steinberg asked that the culverts at the west end of the soccer fields be checked on, because they had been crushed down and filled up. Ron Phillips replied staff would check into these problems. At this time, Kristan Pritz asked Council if they would like to meet with the Planning and Environmental Commission to discuss the 250 square foot ordinance. Council decided it would be a good idea to schedule the meeting shortly after the budget meetings. Ron Phillips reported the Town Marketing Committee would be holding a public meeting next Tuesday evening at the Westin Hotel at 7:00 p.m. to show the public what they had developed for marketing funds. He also commented he and Mike Cacioppo had attended a reception by Greyhound where it was announced Greyhound would be providing extra service from Denver Stapleton to Vail and Beaver Creek, and they had reached a final agreement to be the bus carrier sponsor for the World Alpine Ski Championships. Mery Lapin mentioned Mike Cacioppo had an interest in the TV Translator Committee, and suggested Mike take his seat on the committee because of Mike's background and interest. Mike replied he would take over for Merv. Lastly, Lou Meskiman complimented the Town for putting a pedestrian walkway from the Covered Bridge to Ford Park. 9 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. ATTEST: -24 Pamela A. ran meyer, Town Clerk Minutes taken by Brenda Chesman • 16 Respectfully submitted, Kent R. Rose, Mayor -3-