HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-07-15 Town Council MinutesMINUTES
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
July 15, 1997
7:30 P.M.
A r ular meeting of the Vail Town Council was held on Tuesday, July 15, 1997, in the Council Chambers of the Vail
M ipal Building. The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Robert W. Armour, Mayor
Sybill Navas, Mayor Pro-tem
Kevin Foley
Rob Ford
Michael Jewett
Paul Johnston
Ludwig Kurz
MEMBERS ABSENT:
TOWN OFFICIALS PRESENT: Bob McLaurin, Town Manager
Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager
Holly McCutcheon, Town Clerk
The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation, of which there was none.
Serbd on the agenda was Ordinance No. 13, Series of 1997, first reading of an ordinance repealing and reenacting
Ch er 18.71 (Additional Gross Residential Floor Area) of the Vail Municipal Code; amending section 18.04.130
(Definition of GRFA); providing for the consolidation of Gross Residential Floor Area requirements into one chapter
entitled "Chapter 18.71 Gross Residential Floor Area (GRFA)"; providing a new regulation allowing interior
conversions of existing single family, duplex, and primary secondary dwellings with no remaining allowable GRFA;
and amending Chapter 18.40 Section 18.40.020 Paragraphs B & C to allow interior conversions and 250 additions
in a SDD.
Mayor Armour read the title in full. Town of Vail Environmental Health Official, Russell Forrest and consultant, Tom
Braun presented the item and provided the following background:
The Vail Town Council, on April 15, 1997, directed staff to implement Alternative 1 after considering the various
alternatives to the existing GRFA policy. Alternative 1 involves keeping GRFA as a tool to control floor area but
would allow interior conversions for existing homes that have no remaining GRFA allowance. Alternative 1 would
only allow interior conversions for homes existing at the date of the approval of this policy by the Town Council. New
construction would not be eligible for interior conversions. In addition, staff would recommend consolidating the
numerous references to GRFA in the Zoning Code into one consolidated section. This would help to better
communicate current policy on GRFA to applicants.
ThW recommendation was for approval of Ordinance No. 13, Series of 1997 on first reading
Russell reviewed the steps that had been taken to date with regard to the alternative, and reiterated that the
ordinance would apply only to existing homes or homes that had received DRB approval as of August 5, 1997
(second reading of Ordinance 13, Series of 1997), that conversions must be for interior space that exists as of August
5, 1997, and that conversions cannot increase bulk and mass.
Russell then reviewed some minor changes which had been incorporated into the ordinance since its review at an
earlier work session.
Consultant Tom Braun told council members that he felt the new changes were a positive step in addressing the
GRFA issue, although incorporation of the procedures would create additional work for town staff .
Jim Lamont of the East Village Homeowners Association said he saw no reason why the ordinance could not apply
to all zone districts. He commented on the creation of disparities in the ordinance in two separate classifications. He
complained that individuals living in multi -family neighborhoods didn't understand why they could not convert interior
space as well. He said he and the East Village Homeowners were also in favor of coming up with design guidelines.
Sybill Navas moved to approve Ordinance No. 13, Series of 1997 on first reading, and Kevin seconded the motion.
Sybi hen commented that the absence of public input was a compliment to the process and to the efforts of Tom
anoWssell. GRFA has been a subject of much controversy, she said.
Mayor Armour reviewed the positive aspects of the ordinance and echoed Sybill's comments. He agreed that in spite
of the increased workload on Town of Vail staff, the new changes were for the better. A vote was then taken and
passed unanimously, 7-0.
Vail Town Council Evening Meeting Minutes July 15, 1997
Mayor Armour then congratulated Russell on the birth of his new son, William.
.Agenda item number three was Ordinance No. 14, Series of 1997, first reading of an ordinance making
Supplemental Appropriations from the Town of Vail General Fund, Facilities Maintenance Fund, Heavy Equipment
Fund, and Real Estate Transfer Tax Fund, of the 1997 Budget and the Financial Plan for the Town of Vail, Colorado;
anibuthorizing the expenditures of said appropriations as set forth herein; and setting forth details in regard thereto.
Mayor Armour read the title in full. Town of Vail Finance Director, Steve Thompson presented the item of
supplemental appropriations and explained that the largest majority was due to the RETT projects, which was $1.1
million, as that budget was not completed the prior year. The required Supplemental Appropriations were discussed
and approved by the Town Council on June 24, 1997, when the interim Financial Report was presented to the Town
Council. The majority of the $1.6 million of the required supplemental is for RETT projects, $1.1 million.
The staff recommendation was for approval of Ordinance No. 14, Series of 1997 on first reading.
Paul Johnston moved for approval, with a second from Rob Ford. A vote was then taken which passed unanimously,
7-0.
Next on the agenda was a report from the Town Manager which included an update on the TCI presentation
regarding proposed changes to the TCI Franchise Agreement, and TCI's proposal to eliminate the system upgrade
and provide enhanced channel capacity through a digital compression system. Bob McLaurin suggested setting up
a tour of the National Digital Center in Littleton or of other communities using the system.
Other:
Paul Johnston updated fellow council members of comments he'd heard from out of town guests that Vail is the hot
spOr the celebration of the 2000 New Year. He recommended the town begin preparing something special for
the ebration.
Kevin thanked the Vail Valley Foundation for organization the 97 Cycle Classic, the Vail Valley Arts Council for a
successful Arts Festival and congratulated Mike Moser who has retired from competitive mountain biking.
There being no further business, a motion was made for adjournment by Rob and seconded by Kevin. The meeting
was adjourned at approximately 8:00 p.m.
Respect Ily submitted,
Robert W. Armour, Mayor
ATTEST:
HoWcCutcheon, Town Clerk
Minutes taken by Holly McCutcheon
(*Names of certain individuals who gave public input may be inaccurate.)
f
Vail Town Council Evening Meeting Minutes July 15, 1997
Al
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TOWN OF VAIL
auth Frontage Road
r1, Colorado 81657
970-479-2100
FAX 970-479-2157
MEDIA ADVISORY
July 23, 1997
Contact: Suzanne Silverthorn, 479-2115
Community Information Office
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS FOR JULY 22
Work Session Briefs
Council members present: Armour, Foley, Johnston, Kurz, Navas
--Parking Discussion
During the last of three informational sessions on parking yesterday, the Council heard
from Arne Ullevig, a transportation consultant who assisted with the 1993 Vail
isTransportation Master Plan. While providing an historical overview of the master plan
work, Ullevig said Vail had been ahead of other communities in recognizing the need to
balance the supply and demand of parking using a philosophy called demand
management, which is a series of incentives or disincentives --regulatory by nature --
used to modify user behavior. He said the town of Breckenridge is just now coming to
terms with the philosophy and will likely implement paid parking on its surface lots in the
next few years. Within the next 10 years, he predicts most other ski resorts in the
region will adopt similar policies. Ullevig advised the Council to identify a management
philosophy, keep it simple, don't be afraid to make mistakes and avoid allowing
exceptions to the policy despite community pressure. Council member Sybill Navas
said the management philosophy has become more difficult in recent years because
the town not only needs to balance supply and demand, it also needs to encourage use
of the parking structures to help generate additional sales in the commercial core areas.
Jim Lamont of the East Village Homeowners Assn. advocated creation of private sector
incentives that would add existing private parking spaces to the pool of public parking
spaces. Last ski season, the parking structures filled 83 times (63 times in the Village
and 20 at Lionshead; there were 20 days when both were filled), which is triple the
number from the year before. Also yesterday, Ron Riley who operates several
restaurants in the Village, said that while Vail has enjoyed many positive years in the
past, things have changed. Now, he said, Vail is at a critical point in its future in
attracting customers due, in part, to down valley competition. He said it's important for
Vail to send a collective message that it doesn't take its customers for granted. A
parking policy, he said, should provide convenience, value, service, creativity and
flexibility. He said merchants should participate in a cooperative program, such as
coupons or vouchers. The parking discussions will now move to the TOV-VA
Community Task Force meetings for additional brainstorming during the next month.
For more information, contact Larry Grafel, public works/transportation director, at 479-
2173. (more)
L� RECYCLED PAPER
TOV Council Highlights/Add 1
--Learning Tree Lease
The Council voted 5-0 to renew terms of a lease for the Learning Tree building, which is S
located on Town of Vail property, for $1 per year for the next five years. The lease rate
coincides with the ABC School lease, which was approved in 1996. During discussion,
Councilmember Sybill Navas said the Learning Tree is a tremendous community asset
that fills a valuable child care need in Vail. Also yesterday, Councilmembers Bob
Armour and Ludwig Kurz suggested the town may want to consider asking Learning
Tree to provide a break on tuition for Vail citizens or property owners when its current
15 year lease expires in the year 2002. The lease, as currently written, gives priority to
applicants who live and work in Vail, but does not offer tuition discounts for those
applicants. For more information, contact Pam Brandmeyer, assistant town manager,
at 479-2113.
--DRB Review
During a review of the most recent Design Review Board meeting, Councilman Ludwig
Kurz shared an unsolicited comment he'd received about the Community Development
Department. He said the individual complimented the department for functioning in a
more user-friendly and convenient fashion.
--Information Update •
During an update on last week's Council request to explore the impacts of a ban on
large trucks from the commercial core areas, the Council approved a loading and
delivery problem statement and an action timetable, which calls for implementation of
an improved infrastructure management plan by Nov. 15. During discussion, Sybill
Navas expressed concerns about truck parking on Willow Bridge. Also, Ludwig Kurz
expressed disappointment that trucking firms have not been responsive to Vail's needs
in the past. He said Beaver Creek is experiencing the same problem and will also ask
for deliveries by smaller trucks. Kurz said there may be some synergy in working jointly
with Beaver Creek on the issue.
Announcements included: Vail Tomorrow Community Conference, 5 to 9 p.m., Sept.
17-18; Ron Braden, a Town of Vail employee, placed first last Saturday and Sunday
during the Courage Classic bicycle ride; and the ribbon cutting for the Dowd Junction
recreational path has been changed to the morning of Sept. 6,
--Council Reports
Responding to a comment by Kevin Foley, a member of the Eagle County Regional
Transportation Authority, the Council discussed possible options should Beaver Creek
choose to withdraw from its five-year funding commitment because of higher than
expected sales tax returns from the one-half cent transportation tax. Several members
suggested it would be appropriate to continue the Town of Vail's commitment, while
others wondered if it would make better sense to follow Beaver Creek's lead,
Mayor Bob Armour reported on a busy week: attendance at the Eagle Valley
Leadership Coalition in which the Vail Tomorrow Regional Cooperation Team made a
presentation, as well as an information discussion on Berry Creek Fifth; attendance at
(more)
TOV Council Highlights/Add 2
•the Vail Tomorrow World Class Resort Team meeting in which participants were asked
to share their formulas for personal success; a meeting with a Japanese delegation on
ski resort planning; and attendance at a check -passing ceremony sponsored by the
Dancing Bear in which $1,182 was contributed to the town to help fund construction of
the West Vail roundabouts.
--Other
Councilman Kevin Foley thanked everyone for their contributions in making the
Courage Classic bicycle ride through the West Vail construction area a flawless
experience.
Councilman Ludwig Kurz wondered if the Council would be interested in hearing a
presentation on the Stolport development project.
Mayor Bob Armour, who had received a letter of complaint from a Vail Commons
resident regarding a handicapped parking space, suggested the town buy the unit back
from the resident.
UPCOMING DISCUSSION TOPICS
• July 29 (5th Tuesday)
No work session
August 5 Work Session
Site Visit & Discussion of Ski Storage Zone Code Change
Site Visit Dobson Re: Lionshead Design Charette
PEC Review
Task Force Interviews
Alpine Garden Update & Vail Valley Foundation Presentation
August 5 Evening Meeting
Second Reading, Ordinance # 13 to Revise GRFA
Second Reading, Ordinance # 14, Supplemental Appropriations
Presentation by TCI Re: System Upgrade
Vail Tomorrow Presentation
AIPP Seibert Circle Design Approval
Appointment of Task Force Members
• Proclamation No. 3, Re: Mike Kloser
August 12 Work Session
PEC/DRB Review
Kaye Ferry, Re: Progress Toward Establishing a Long -Term Funding Mechanism for
Vail Valley Marketing Board and Distribution of TOV Business License Fee