HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-05-03 Town Council Minutes0
MINUTES
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 3, 1988
7:30 P.M.
regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was held on Tuesday, May 3, 1988, at 7:30
m. in the Council Chambers of the Vail Municipal Building.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Kent Rose, Mayor
John Slevin, Mayor Pro Tem
Eric Affeldt
Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal
Gordon Pierce
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mery Lapin
Thomas Steinberg
TOWN OFFICIALS PRESENT: Ron Phillips, Town Manager
Pam Brandmeyer, Town Clerk
The first order of business was the approval of the minutes from the April 5 and
April 19, 1988 meetings. Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal noted that at the April 5 meeting,
0it was Pepi Gramshammer, not Pepi Langegger, who entered the discussion on Ordinance
No. 8. She also questioned whether Mery Lapin opposed the ordinance. Gordon Pierce
made a motion to approve the minutes as presented, with those corrections, which
John Slevin seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously 5-0.
Council decided at this point to change the order of the agenda to place Ordinance
No. 13 first to accommodate the large crowd which had gathered for that item of
business.
The next item was Ordinance No. 13, Series of 1988, first reading, for supplemental
appropriations in order to approve expenditures. Mayor Rose read the full title
and then asked Charlie Wick to explain the ordinance, excluding the purchase of the
Holy Cross parcel. Charlie then detailed the breakdown of supplemental
appropriations. Eric Affeldt stated that in response to a town survey, an amount in
excess of $1,000,000 was allocated to road repair and restructuring. Mayor Rose
stated that road improvements in the Chamonix area of West Vail were completed
through a special assessment district; however, he added that special assessments
are not cost effective for future road improvements, and the West Vail bonds were
being paid off by the Town. There was no citizen discussion to the above. Mayor
Rose then brought up the issue of the purchase of of Holy Cross 1-and,the new.
interchange, and the signalization of that interchange. He gave a brief project
history and then asked Bob Moston and Rich Perske from the Highway Department in
Grand Junction to clear up any misconceptions about the project. Bob explained that
the Federal Highway Administration is responsible for funding and management of
interstate highways and their accesses. It is not possible to build the new offramp
without si_p als. He further added that if the project is not approved that federal
funds would be spent on other projects in District 3. It was also his opinion that
if the approved funds went back, new funds would not be attainable until
approximately 1995, if that, as federal road funding is decreasing annually. The
use of hand signals in place of electronic ones was discussed, but both Bob and Rich
felt that the traffic volume created a dangerous situation, especially in inclement
weather and at night where lights were more effective and safe. The possibility of
a third lane on the south frontage road was briefly addressed. Rich stated that the
Highway Department supports mitigation for that area when the time comes. In order
to expedite the issue, Mayor Rose then asked Council for their individual views on
the new interchange and signalization. John Slevin said he would not support it
because he felt the plan was just shifting the problem from the four-way stop to the
new interchange. He would support a plan for the use of hand signals. Gordon
Pierce agreed with John's viewpoint, and also said he would vote against it. Gail
Wahrlich-Lowenthal felt it was an issue of locals vs guests, and that she would have
to vote in favor of the local sentiment. Eric Affeldt stated that turning Vail into
the best resort possible is the top priority of Council, but because of the local
opposition to the plan, he was also going to vote against it. Knowing that the
•project was defeated, Mayor Rose then concluded that the defeat was only a
postponement of the signalization by the Highway Department, and that other
alternatives in the past have not been effective. He said because of surveys by
knowledgeable sources the problem is a very real one that will have to be dealt with
in the near future. He voted in favor of the project. Several citizens then made
statements to Council. Their comments and solutions included: buy the parcel for
open space; construct new interchange by the tennis courts on already Vail -owned
•property; address parking problems first; create traffic circles at busy
interchanges; and finally, Vail is becoming internationally known and the problem of
traffic congestion is a minor one at this time. A petition with 300 local
signatures opposing the new interchange was presented to Council. Ron Phillips
answered a question pertaining to the Real Estate Transfer Tax. Eric Affeldt then
made a motion to approve the ordinance with the exception of the $75,000 allowances
for the purchase of the Holy Cross parcel: $75,000 from the Capital Projects Fund
and $75,000 from the General Fund, making the total sum for appropriations
$2,749,770. John Slevin seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion
passed 4-1. Mayor Rose cast the opposing vote.
The third order of business was Ordinance No. 11, Series of 1988, second reading,
regarding no smoking policies for Town of Vail buildings and vehicles. Ron Phillips
briefly described the ordinance, including some additions suggested by Tom
Steinberg. Joann Mattio of Youth Services requested that a designated smoking
section be made at the Teen Center. She stated that she had some control over the
teenagers when they were inside, but that they were likely to use alcohol or drugs
when they went outside. In her opinion, approximately 50 percent of the teens
smoked, and the no smoking ordinance would only cause her to lose some control over
the teens and force them outside to get into possible trouble. While Council
sympathized with her plight, they strongly felt that the ordinance could not be
•changed to allow teenagers to smoke, when adults could not. Mayor Rose asked Ron tc
find a solution to this particular problem, possibly by sending a social worker to
help with the transition. He also explained that the words "designated smoking
areas" do not exist at this point for the Town, but are for future expansion of the
ordinance to private uses. He added that a recent survey of local citizens showed
that 89 percent do not smoke. Ron concluded the discussion stating that the Vail
Golf Course Clubhouse was not included in restricted areas at this time. Eric
Affeldt made a motion to approve the ordinance. John Slevin seconded the motion. P
vote was taken and the motion passed 4-1. Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal opposed the
ordinance because of the ramifications at the Teen Center.
The fourth item was Ordinance No. 12, Series of 1988, first reading, to clarify
design guidelines for duplex and primary/secondary developments. Mayor Rose read
the full title. Tom Braun explained the background, purpose, and specifics of the
ordinance. There was a lengthy discussion on the definition of common walls and
roofs, the presence of physical constraints, and detached garages caused by those
constraints. There was further discussion by the council and Tom about the role of
the Design Review Board. Kathy Warren asked questions relating to the Design Review
Board and terminology in the ordinance. Diana Donovan said the.Planning Commission
had reviewed the ordinance and that the language was as concise as possible. It was
decided that the Design Review Board should study the ordinance, when convenient,
•and give their recommendations and/or approval to Council when completed. Eric made
a motion to table the approval of the ordinance until the Design Review Board's
input is received. Gordon Pierce seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the
motion passed unanimously 5-0.
The fifth order of business was Resolution No. 9, Series of 1988, adopting a
recreational trails plan. Rick Pylman explained the changes made to the plan since
it was first presented 3/22. He presented Council with the "Recreational Trails
Master plan" report, dated May 1988, compiled by Winston Associates. Paul Kuehn of
Winston Associates briefly explained the report. He stated that one of the main
trails runs from the covered bridge to Ford Park, and that any improvements are cost
effective. Gordon said he would like to see the plan approved and supported its
implementation. He felt it would be a good marketing tool. A citizen asked if the
trails would be wide enough for pedestrian and skiers. Rick stated that specifics
for usage will be addressed after further study, but that stairs are planned to
discouraged bikers from using some paths. John Slevin commented on a possible
lighting system for pedestrian use at night. The issue of maintenance during the
winter months was also brought up. Gail Wahrlich-Lowenthal made a motion to approve
the resolution as presented. Gordon Pierce seconded the motion. A vote was taken,
and the motion passed unanimously 5-0.
The sixth order of business was a request for a sign variance by the Marriott Mark
• to allow one additional sign and 22 sq. ft. of signage above what is allowed under
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the sign code. Kristan Pritz, Senior Planner, showed Council pictures of the
proposed sign. She stated that the sign code will probably have to be changed in
the near future to accommodate larger buildings, and that the present guidelines
need to be better defined. Gordon Pierce made a motion to approve the request.
John seconded the motion. The request was approved unanimously 5-0.
There was no Citizen Participation.
Under the Town Manager's Report, Ron commented that $180,000 collected during April
for the Real Estate Transfer Tax was "phenomenal."
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kent R. Rose, Mayo
ATTEST:
•� me bran meyer, ow rk
Minutes taken by S. A. Schiffmacher for Brenda Chesman
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