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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 it 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