HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-04-15 Town Council MinutesMINUTES
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
April 15, 1997
7:30 P.M.
A regular meeting of the Vail Town Council
was held on Tuesday, April 15, 1997, in the Council Chambers of the Vail
Mu al 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
Tom Moorhead, Town Attorney
Holly McCutcheon, Town Clerk
The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation. There was none.
Selod on the agenda was the Consent Agenda which consisted of the following items:
A. Approve the Minutes from the meetings of March 4 and 25, 1997.
B. Ordinance No, 7, Series of 1997, second reading, an ordinance amending Section 15.02.030(C) of the Municipal
Code of the Town of Vail to Provide for the Adoption of an Annual Elevator Inspection Fee.
Paul moved to approve the Consent Agenda with a second from Sybil]. A vote was taken and approved unanimously,
7-0.
Agenda item number three was Ordinance No. 4, Series of 1997, second reading, an ordinance establishing Special
Development District No. 35, Austria Haus, and providing for a development plan and its contents; development
standards; and other provisions; and setting forth details in regard thereto. Applicant: Sonnenalp Properties, Inc.,
represented by Gordon Pierce. Mayor Armour read the title in full.
Town of Vail Project Planner, George Ruther presented the item and referred to a memorandum prepared by the
Community Development Department staff dated April 15, 1997, to the Vail Town Council and the memorandum dated
April 14, 1997, to the Planning and Environmental Commission (PEC). On April 14, 1997, the PEG received the
proposed changes to the applicant's request for the establishment of Special Development District No. 35, Austria Haus,
located at 242 East Meadow Drivelon a part of Tract C, Block 5-D, Vail Village 1st Filing.
G* stated the ordinance had been modified since an earlier work session review to include a change to a condition
pertaining to an exchange of land between the parties, and that the staff recommendation was for approval of Ordinance
No. 4, Series of 1997, on second reading. George explained staffs analysis of the 9 criteria for an SDD and noted that
PEC approval had been granted on April 14, 1997 with two conditions, 6-1, Galen Aashlen voting in opposition.
Architect Gordon Pierce gave a detailed review of the project, and presented comparative photographs of existing
buildings in the town, emphasizing the appropriateness of his design in the context of the surrounding buildings. He also
presented new design proposals, which had been changed pursuant to requests from the PEC. Loading and delivery
plans were reviewed as well as a requirement to include an additional 16 on -site underground parking spaces. Mr. Pierce
said the building's GRFA had increased slightly but didn't alter the overall size of the building from what was previously
presented, and noted that the building had been moved back an additional 7 feet_
Input was received from the following individuals:
Local attorney, Ross Davis said that although the project was beautiful, the size of the proposed structure would be a
68% increase over what regular zoning ordinances would allow.
Resident and longtime council member Tom Steinberg expressed his opinion that condominium units were not being
redeveloped and felt that timeshare units would only compound the problem. He cautioned that the project was too
mas ve and in 20 - 30 years would need to be redeveloped. Mr. Steinberg noted that once the project was developed
an#d, the owners stood to make $9 million dollars, twice the going rate in Vail.
Resident Jim Slevin expressed his concern over the mass and bulk of the building.
Cynthia Thornburgh, an employee of the applicant, read a letter from Roger Lessman addressed to Mayor Armour,
indicating a strong support for the Sonnenalp project.
Vail Town Council Evening Meeting Minutes April 15, 1997
Joe Stauffer was also concerned about the percentage of increased GRFA for the project
Ken Wilson, a Vail resident expressed his concern regarding an employee housing deed restriction associated with the
project.
Amy Cassidy said she felt the applicant had addressed all prior concerns of Council, and urged Council approval of the
pro's
Gail Ferry felt the project fit comfortably on the site, was an enormous enhancement to Vail's retail experience, and stated
the project should be judged on its own merit. She urged Council's approval for the project.
Sue Dugan said she was in support of the project, but felt that there were miscommunications between Council and staff.
Jim Lamont of the East Village Homeowners Associations suggested the developer to reapply for a rezoning on the
property, as he felt the SDD process was inappropriate.
Vail and Beaver Creek Realtor, Jacky Northbroker criticized the process the applicant had gone through, and expressed
her support for the project.
Vail resident Flo Steinberg noted her feeling of Council and staff miscommunications. She said she was opposed to the
project because of it's mass.
Town Manager Bob McLaurin told Council members that discussions regarding the Sonnenalp project were initiated 8-9
months prior and that town staff had done an excellent job in bringing forward the best project for the site.
Discussion among council members included:
Att0gh the design for the Austria Haus building was exceptional, Rob Ford said the Vail Town Council had never
approved a building which departs so dramatically, a 91% increase, he said, from the underlying zoning. He felt that
Council input was not received until very late in the process.
Sybil[ too was concerned over the extent the GRFA had increased from the underlying zoning, and stated she was
disappointed that the project had come back larger.
Paul Johnston said the size of the building seemed to fit nicely in the location, and that SDDs were designed to give the
Town Council latitude in decision -making. If the process is to be redesigned, Johnston suggested consideration of a
moratorium on SDDs during the interim.
Ludwig Kurz said he thought the message was clear that there was a problem with potential precedent setting and was
surprised to see the project come back larger than before. He said that he could not in good conscience support the
project.
Kevin Foley agreed, and was expecting to see a scaled down version of the project at second reading.
Mayor Armour said that he was very concerned about setting a precedent, and suggested a rezoning of the property
miObt
be more appropriate. He said he blamed himself for Council not outlining their desires more specifically.
enen moved to deny Ordinance No. 4, Series of 1997, on second reading and Kevin Foley seconded the motion.
Mike Jewett said he was baffled by the turn of events. He said he felt the applicant had addressed the seven conditions
required, and if other council members had wanted the applicant to scale the project down, they should have been
specific in making it a condition of approval. He then asked his fellow council members to reconsider their positions.
Johannes Faesseler expressed his extreme disappointment. He said in 1984 Council approved an SDD for a building
on the same site which was significantly larger than his project. He said that in denying the Austria House project future
redevelopment was in jeopardy.
Rob called the question with a second from Sybill. A vote was then taken to call the question which passed, 6-1, Mike
Jewett voting in opposition. The motion to deny Ordinance No. 4, Series of 1997 on second reading was then voted on
and approved 4-3, Mayor Armour, Paul Johnston, and Mike Jewett opposed.
A short break was then taken and the meeting resumed at approximately 10:20 p.m.
Fourth on the agenda was Ordinance No. 8, Series of 1997, second reading of an Ordinance Establishing a Traffic
Offense for Failure to Provide a Complying Policy or Certificate of Self-insurance,
To ttorney, Tom Moorhead presented the item, stating that at the direction of Council a proof of insurance ordinance
haden prepared which was consistent with that provided in the State Model Traffic Code. Tom explained the purpose
of the ordinance was to enable violations of this ordinance to be prosecuted in the Town of Vail Municipal Court, as
opposed to County District Court. The staff recommendation was for approval of Ordinance No. 8, Series of 1997, on
second reading.
Sybill moved to approve Ordinance No. 8, Series of 1997 on second reading with a second from Paul. A vote was then
Vail Town Council Evening Meeting Minutes April 15, 1997
taken and passed unanimously, 7-0.
Item number five was a review of existing Gross Residential Floor Area (GRFA) policy and possible alternatives. Town
of Vail Environmental Health Officer Russell Forrest and Consultant Tom Braun presented the item and provided the
following background:
The&I Town Council had directed staff to evaluate the existing GRFA system and determine whether this is an effective
anropriate tool for regulating mass and bulk when compared to other alternatives. The purpose of this presentation
is to review the analysis for three alternatives to the existing GRFA policy for single family, duplex, and primary/secondary
type structures only. This presentation is intended to describe: how to implement each of these alternatives; what homes
might look like under each alternative; and to identify considerations that would need to be evaluated for each alternative.
On March 10th, the PEC, in a 4-3 vote, recommended alternative 1 with several conditions. Staff would like to ask for
Council's preferred alternative. Once Council decides on a preferred alternative staff will begin the implementation
process. This could include additional research to answer questions relating to the preferred action and would include
developing proposed code revisions.
The following alternatives were then presented:
Alternative 1 - Keep GRFA and allow Interior Modifications;
Alternative 2 - Keep GRFA but do not include basement space;
Alternative 3 - Eliminate GRFA, modify site coverage to ensure homes would not significantly increase in size.
The staff had the following three recommendations:
1) Implement new design guidelines regardless of the preferred alternative;
2) Out of the three alternatives, staff is recommending Alternative 3 "Eliminate GRFA" and modify site coverage
3} Isto prevent homes from becoming significantly larger; and
If Alternative 1 should be chosen, then staff recommends that it apply only to existing homes built before the
date this policy would go into effect.
Russell stated that the PEC recommendation was for Alternative 1, which would apply to future construction. Tom Braun
stated that based upon input received from the community, the majority supported some form of Alternative 1, there was
no support for Alternative 2, and limited support for Alternative 3.
Those who commented on the issue and preferred Alternative 3 included Pat Dauphanias, Eric Larsen, Ken Wilson,
Suzanne Dauphinaus, Ross Davis, and Sue Dugan. Ms. Dugan also presented the Colorado Department of Motor
Vehicle's driver's license instruction book as an example of a simple and comprehensive guide for designing new GRFA
guidelines.
PEC member Diane Golden urged Council to follow the staff recommendation of implementing Alternative 3.
Jim Lamont of the East Village Homeowners Association felt that after many years of using GRFA Alternative 1 would
be a safer step.
Mike Jewett moved to direct staff to look further into Alternative 3. Paul Johnston seconded the motion.
C d members discussed the alternatives, and most were not comfortable with getting rid of GRFA completely. Mike
Jewe then called the question and a vote was taken, which failed, 3-4, Sybill Navas, Ludwig Kurz, Kevin Foley, and
Mayor Armour voting in opposition.
Sybill moved to direct staff to explore Alternative 1, and Ludwig seconded the motion. A vote was then taken and
passed, 6-1, Mike Jewett voting in opposition.
Item number six on the agenda was a report from the Town Manager. Bob McLaurin said he had nothing to add.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Sybill and seconded by Paul for adjournment. The meeting was
adjourned at approximately 11:15 p.m.
Respec y submitted,
LZ
Ro ert W. Armour, Mayor
ATTEST:
A
Holly McCutcheon, Town Clerk
Minutes taken by Holly McCutcheon
(*Names of certain individuals who gave public input may be inaccurate.)
Vail Town Council Evening Meeting Minutes April 15, 1997
d
TOWN OF PAIL
South Frontage Road
al, Colorado 81657 MEDIA ADVISORY
970-479-2100
FAX 970-479-2157 April 16, 1997
Contact: Suzanne Silverthorn, 479-2115
Community Information Office
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS FOR APRIL 16
Work Session Briefs
Council members present: Armour, Foley, Ford, Jewett, Johnston, Kurz, !Navas
--Austria Haus Site Visit and Discussion
In preparation for the evening meeting, the Council reviewed the Austria Haus Special
Development District proposal with the applicant. Please see evening meeting briefs
for more details.
--PEC Review
During a review of Monday's Planning and Environmental Commission meeting, the
Council heard a brief update on the Lionshead Redevelopment Master planning
process which was presented Monday during a joint meeting of the PEC and Design
Review Board. In all, 173 ideas have been brainstormed by the public for improvement
and/or changes to Lionshead. In early April, the ideas were presented at a public forum
and published in the local newspapers for evaluation by the public. Preferences from
more than 200 individuals were documented through the outreach. The information has
now been categorized and is scheduled to be presented to the Town Council at the
April 22 work session. There, the Council will be asked to review the materials and the
Stage 3 alternatives analysis schedule and either forward the entire wish list items to
the project team for more thorough evaluation or modify the list. In preparation for the
meeting, Community Development Director Susan Connelly asked the Council to review
a list of 20 items that appear to be of particular interest or concern to the public, For
more information, contact Connelly at 479-2140.
--Discussion of Locals Housing Purpose, Framework, Strategies and Priority Actions
Senior Housing Policy Planner Andy Knudtsen presented an overview of proposed
high, medium and low -priority actions for inclusion in the town's upcoming work
• program for locals housing. In presenting the list of 16 actions from which to choose,
Knudtsen said he would return to the Council in another month to bring closure to the
list. in the interim, he said the Council would hear a variety of other ideas regarding
housing from the Vail Tomorrow process, Lionshead redevelopment process, the Eagle
County housing policies, the Leadership Coalition and the annual TOV community
survey. During discussion yesterday, the Council expressed interest in finding out how
it might facilitate completion of "the Ruins" project near Cascade Village. "The Ruins"
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L,S� REMLEDPAPER
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TOV Highlights/Add1
development project, approved by the town in 1995, requires the developer to build 17
employee housing units in addition to its market -rate condominiums. The Council also
stressed the importance of maintaining the 198 rental housing units at Timber Ridge for
the future. For more information, contact Knudtsen in the Community Development
Department at 479-2440,
--Information Update
Updates included: notification of a liquor license application for La Cantina;
a report from the Colorado Geological Society regarding the Booth Falls rock fall is
forthcoming; the annual TOV employee breakfast is April 17; Vail Tomorrow community
conference is April 16 and 17.
--Other
At the suggestion of Kevin Foley, the Council agreed to place the parking -pay -in -lieu
program on an upcoming council agenda for discussion. The discussion will include the
program's purpose and how the policy is to be applied.
Evening Session Briefs
Council members present: Armour, Foley, Ford, Jewett, Johnston, Kurz, Navas
--Citizen Participation
There was no citizen participation.
--Consent Agenda
The Council voted 7-0 to approve the meeting minutes of March 4 and March 25 and an
ordinance amending the Municipal Code to provide for the adoption of an annual
elevator inspection fee.
--Austria Haus Special Development District
After hearing testimony from the applicant and nine other members of the audience, the
Council voted 4-3 (Jewett, Johnston, Armour against) to deny second reading approval
of a Special Development District (SDD) for the Austria Haus. On March 25, the
Council voted 5-2 (Ford and Armour against) to approve the redevelopment on first
reading with seven conditions. Last night, Councilmembers Navas, Kurz and Foley said
they thought those conditions would result in a smaller building, It didn't. In complying
with the conditions, including one to require 16 additional parking spaces to be placed
underground on -site, Gordon Pierce, representing the applicant (Sonnenalp Properties),
said the building's GRFA (gross residential floor area) grew slightly, but didn't alter the
overall size of the building from what was presented previously. Pierce spent most of •
his presentation emphasizing the appropriateness of his design in the context of the
surrounding buildings. However, Councilman Rob Ford said it would be more
appropriate to evaluate the proposal in the context of how it relates to the underlying
zoning for the site. Never, he said, has the Town Council approved a building which
departs so dramatically from the underlying zoning, The greatest historical departure,
he said, has been a 33% increase in building size granted to the Vail Athletic Club,
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TOV Council Highlights/Add2
whereas the Austria Haus proposes a 91% increase. Ford said the town should "hold
the line on overdevelopment." In voting against the motion to defeat the SDD,
Councilman Michael Jewett said he was baffled by the turn of events. He said he felt
the applicant had addressed the seven conditions required previously. And if other
councilmembers had wanted the applicant to scale the project down, they should have
been specific in making it a condition of approval. He said it wouldn't be fair to turn the
project down since the applicant had met the conditions. Also last night, Mayor Bob
Armour said he put the blame on himself for not facilitating clarification from the council
at the beginning of his term regarding redevelopment limits that could be used as a
framework for staff. Most Councilmembers said they wanted to rework the SDD
process so applicants wouldn't find themselves in a position of denial on second
reading. But Councilman Paul Johnston said SDDs are designed to give the Town
Council latitude in decision -making. If the process is to be redesigned, Johnston
suggested consideration of a moratorium on SDDs during the interim. The Austria
Haus redevelopment proposal included 22 member -owned fractional fee club units with
21 lock -off units, plus 28 hotel rooms, an on -site manager's residence, and 4,649
square feet of new commercial retail space. For additional details, please contact
George Ruther in the Community Development Department at 479-2145 or watch the
gavel -to -gavel coverage of the meeting on Channel 5 Vail Valley Community Television.
Call 949-5657 for a schedule listing.
--Ordinance No. 8, Proof of Insurance
The Council voted 7-0 on second reading to approve an ordinance establishing failure
to provide a certificate of insurance as a municipal traffic offense. The ordinance allows
violators to be cited in municipal court rather than county court. Municipal Judge Buck
Allen and Vail Police Chief Greg Morrison had recommended the action. For more
information, contact Town Attorney Tom Moorhead at 479-2107.
--GRFA (Gross Residential Floor Area)
By a vote of 6-1 (Jewett against), the Council directed staff to explore the impacts of
having time limits for what has become known as "option 1" in the GRFA discussion:
Keep GRFA, but allow for development of interior space in existing homes. The
Council had directed staff to evaluate the existing GRFA system and determine if it is
an appropriate tool for regulating mass and bulk when compared to other alternatives.
Two other alternatives were evaluated, Option 2 would keep GRFA, but would not
count basement space. Option 3 would eliminate GRFA. During public input last night,
most of those who spoke encouraged the Council to select option 3, saying it would
simplify the system without abuses in mass and bulk. For more information, contact
goRussell Forrest in the Community Development Department at 479-2146.
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TOV Council Highlights/Add3
UPCOMING DISCUSSION TOPICS
April 22 Work Session
DRB Review
Report on Vail Tomorrow Conference
Year-end Financial Report
European Tour/Slide Show on Loading & Delivery
Review Sound Ordinance
Berry Creek Fifth Multi -Purpose Building
April 29
No Meeting
May 6 Work Session
PEC Review
Eagle County Housing Policies
Site Visit & Discussion, Gasthof Gramshammer Nonconforming Use
May 6 Evening Meeting
PEC/DRB Review
Joe Russell 15 Year Anniversary
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0
u
TOWN OF PAIL
?uth Frontage Road
T2iCi, Colorado 81657
970-479-2100
FAX 970-479-2157
MEDIA ADVISORY
April 23, 1997
Contact: Suzanne Silverthorn, 479-2115
Community Information Office
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS FOR APRIL 22
Work Session Briefs
Council members present: Armour, Foley, Ford, Jewett, Johnston, Kurz, Navas
--Sound Review Ordinance
During a discussion of the amplified sound ordinance in preparation for the upcoming
summer season, the Council directed staff to schedule a work session in June to visit
• with the 96 amplified sound permit holders and others impacted by noise in the
commercial core areas. The upcoming discussion will address issues such as:
• appropriate decibel levels;
• the appropriateness of exterior amplified "canned" sound in which no other
ancillary activities occur;
• how to ensure interior sound doesn't extend beyond the premise location after
10 p.m. due to open windows and doors.
During an overview yesterday, Town Attorney Tom Moorhead said two citations were
issued during last summer's "sound season." One was issued to Pepi's and the other
to the Red Lion,as a result of readings in excess of the permitted decibel levels. The
matters were resolved in Municipal Court by deferred judgments. As a result of several
problems last summer in which interior sound emitted from open windows and doors
after 10 p.m., Moorhead suggested modifying the noise ordinance to include within the
definition for "exterior amplification" any amplification which is interior but permitted to
extend beyond the premise location due to open windows and doors. The
recommendation will be discussed in more detail at the June work session. The town's
sound consultant, Howard McGregor of Engineering Dynamics in Englewood, CO, also
will be asked to attend the meeting. Comments from the audience yesterday included
. representatives from Garton's who said they oftentimes close their windows to minimize
neighborhood impacts. The Garton's representatives also asked Councilmembers not
to reduce the current decibel levels outlined in the ordinance, saying it would be
difficult to measure because of conflicts with ambient sound. Also, Jim Lamont of the
East Village Homeowners Association thanked Moorhead for his leadership in reducing
the contentiousness of the issue over the last two years. As a result, Lamont said there
is more respect among those who are impacted and more equitable enforcement.
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CQ RECYCLEOPAPER
TOV Council Highlights(Addi)
--Year-End Financial Report
Finance Director Steve Thompson presented the year-end financial report for 1996,
Overall, he said the town is in good financial shape with healthy fund balances. Also,
he said sales tax growth of 4.7 percent over 1995 was comparable to other area ski
resorts. Overall, the town's revenues exceeded the 1996 budget by 7.45 percent and
exceeded the 1995 revenues by 6.18 percent, which is close to twice the inflation rate.
Town Manager Bob McLaurin said the town may have turned the corner on sluggish
sales tax collections due to the work of the Community Task Force in creating joint
marketing programs to boost non -peak periods.
Councilman Kevin Foley asked for an update on the "park free after 3" program which
was initiated March 1 through April 20 this year. Thompson said parking revenue
collections were down $96,000 during the six -week program compared to the previous
year, while transactions were up 21 percent. A detailed analysis and discussion of the
parking program has been scheduled for the July 8 work session. For a copy of the
year-end report, please call 479-2115.
--Information Update
Councilmembers were invited to join Andy Knudtsen, senior housing policy planner, on
a tour of the Commons development this week or on May 6. Also, Councilmembers .
were informed that a lease between the town and a new restaurant in the
Transportation Center, La Cantina, has not been signed. La Cantina has applied for a
liquor license on the premises. However, the license application cannot be presented
by the Liquor Board until a lease has been signed. In addition, Jonathan White, from
the Colorado Geological Society, will present a report on the Booth Falls rock fall at the
May 6 worksession meeting.
--Loading and Delivery Update
Councilman Ludwig Kurz, Town Manager Bob McLaurin and Public
Works/Transportation Director Larry Grafel presented a slide show representing
-examples of loading and delivery techniques in Europe. The three, along with Police
Chief Greg Morrison, traveled to Sestriere, Italy in January to view the World Alpine Ski
Championships, From there, they visited eight other pedestrian villages in Italy, Austria
and Switzerland to learn more about loading and delivery methods. Examples include
the use of small carts, underground transportation systems and underground tunnels.
Yet their findings illustrated no true pedestrian villages in Europe, McLaurin said. The
slide show will be taken on the road soon as part of a citizen involvement effort to reach
consensus on a long-term solution to Vail's loading and delivery issues, McLaurin said.
That work began earlier this month with a series of focus group discussions in which
participants were asked to define the magnitude of the problem. In presenting the
focus group findings, Larry Grafel said there was agreement on components of the
problem (noise, size of trucks and vehicle speeds) and agreement that the current
system should be tweaked. However, he said there was disagreement on the
magnitude of the problem. Counciimember Sybill Navas, who participated in one of the
focus groups, said most participants reacted from a personal perspective rather than
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TOV Council Highlights(Add2)
taking an overall view of Vail's future success. Councilmember Paul Johnston
advocated limiting the size of the trucks as a possible next step. Jim Lamont of the
East Village Homeowners Association said the town should provide leadership in
addressing a long-term solution. Loading and delivery has been an ongoing issue
since Vail's founding, Grafel said. A Vail Transportation Master Plan, released in 1993,
suggested a short-term plan along with further analysis of five alternatives fora long-
term solution. Those include: subsurface tunnel system; small vehicular subsurface
tunnel system; close -in centralization; remote centralization; and decentralization.
McLaurin said the town was prepared to work with the community during the summer
to make some headway on a long-term solution. For a copy of the focus group
summary, please call 479-2115.
--Vail Tomorrow Conference Update
Town Manager Bob McLaurin provided a brief update on the Vail Tomorrow
Conference which resulted in the endorsement of 40 actions, many of which will be
presented to the Town Council for consideration. Please refer to the news release
issued April 18 for more information.
--Seibert Circle Design Development
• The Council agreed to move forward with a recommendation by the Art in Public Places
(AIPP) Board to host a dialogue between artist Jesus Moroles, Pete Seibert and other
members of the community regarding the Seibert Circle art project. Although
Councilman Paul Johnston said the effort would probably prove to an exercise in
futility, others, including Councilmembers Sybill Navas, Ludwig Kurz and Kevin Foley
remained optimistic that a compromise could be reached. Moroles will return to Vail on
April 29. For more information, contact Nancy Sweeney, AIPP coordinator, at 479-
2344.
--BerryCreek 5th Site Use
In preparation for an upcoming meeting of the Eagle County Recreational Authority
(Berry Creek Fifth), the Council agreed to offer to share the cost of retaining a
consultant to work on a plan for upgrading the site's equestrian facilities, including the
possibility of a multi -purpose building, with the other landholders. Also, Paul Johnston,
the Council's representative on the authority, will probe the authority's interest in
moving forward with construction of a spur road to access the property, estimated at
$165,000. When Johnston asked if the Town of Vail was interested in contributing to
the spur road, reaction from the Council was mixed. While Johnston, Michael Jewett
• and Ludwig Kurz favored a cost -sharing approach, Sybill Navas, Rob Ford and Bob
Armour said they were concerned the action would provide minimal direct benefit to
Vail.
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TOV Council Highlights(Add3)
--Other/Austria Haus
Prompted by a letter from developers of the Austria Haus notifying the town of their i
intention to reapply for a redevelopment proposal, Councilmembers were asked to give
direction to town staff regarding parameters for the project. Council direction included:
limiting the height of the building to 48 feet; adhering to the creekside setbacks;
retention of 10,100 sq. ft. of accommodation units; retention of 4,649 sq. ft. of retail
space; reducing the mass of the building by eliminating 5,000 sq. ft. of the gross
residential floor area (GRFA); and a rework of the loading and delivery plan. George
Ruther, town planner, told the Council yesterday that two applications had been filed:
one for a Special Development District; another for a rezoning to a new zone district
called PA-1. At the suggestion of Councilman Rob Ford, the Council agreed to hear
the pros and cons of each application method at the May 6 work session. Following the
presentation, the Council will determine which application-- SD D or rezoning --it will
review. After that, the application will be heard by the Planning and Environmental
Commission on May 19 with corresponding updates to the Town Council.
Councilmembers said they doubted the development review process would be
completed by June 22 as the developers have asked. They said their decision -making
authority shouldn't be impacted by such a deadline. For more information, contact
George Ruther in the Community Development Department at 479-2145.
--Council Reports
Kevin Foley agreed to follow up on a meeting next week regarding the Beaver Creek
Performing Arts Center. Foley also said the Transportation Authority discovered it had
ended service to Beaver Creek prematurely at the end of ski season, leaving some
people who work late stranded during the transition in service.
Michael Jewett asked for information regarding an initiative petition effort by the East
Village Homeowners Association in the Fall of 1993. The group failed to collect the
necessary signatures to petition the town to significantly alter the Special Development
District process by requiring a vote of the people under certain circumstances.
Ludwig Kurz passed along some compliments to the town. He said people have
noticed an improvement in the collection of trash along the interstate and frontage
roads. Also, he said the West Vail Interchange construction meetings with the
neighborhood appear to be going well.
Kevin Foley asked that an employee suggestion to include the Town Council more fully •
in employee recognitions be pursued, possibly in the form of an annual event.
Bob Armour reported on his attendance at the Vail Tomorrow community conference
and the night skiing meeting hosted by Vail Associates.
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TOV COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS(ADD4)
UPCOMING DISCUSSION TOPICS
10` April 29
No Meeting
May 6 Work Session
PEC Review
Eagle County Housing Policies
Site Visit and Discussion of Gasthof Gramshammer Change of Nonconforming Use
Public Works Housing Project
SDD & PA-1 Zone District Discussion
Jonathan White Booth Falls Report
May 6 Evening Meeting
Gasthof Gramshammer Request for Change of Nonconforming Use
Lionshead Wish List and Introduction of Stage 3
May 13 Work Session
PEC/DRB Review
• Joe Russeil 15 Year Anniversary