HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-06-30 Town Council Minutes•
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Town Council Special Meeting
Common Grounds
June 30, 1998
7:00 P.M.
A special meeting of the Vail Town Council was held in the Town Council Chambers on
Tuesday, June 30, 1998. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Rob Ford, Mayor'
Ludwig Kurz, Mayor Pro -Tern
Bob Armour
Michael Arnett
Kevin Foley
Michael Jewett
Sybill Navas
Bob McLaurin, Town Manager
Pam Brandrneyer, Asst Town Manager
Tom Moorhead, Town Attorney
The first item on the agenda was the Welcome and Overview of the facilitation process by Judi
Anderson -Wright.
Judy explained the facilitation process for this evenings special meeting. The time limits for
each person to speak will be limited to four minutes, three minutes for comments and one minute
for wrap up. She also requested that as each person sign in and speak clearly so everyone can be
heard.
The second item on the agenda was a historical perspective by Mayor Rob Ford.
Mayor Rob Ford thanked the audience for coming to tonight's meeting. He said this issue and
debate is not new and has been around for many years. He explained the many years these
concerns have been around, the projects involved, concerns and issues on past housing projects,
and outcomes.
He explained that at the last Town Council retreat the most important, critical issue to agreed
upon by Council to address was the affordable housing issue. To be fair, open, honest and to
reach the community has been the Council's goals. He expressed that Vail must remain
competitive or it will die. Vail's tax increases are less than Gypsum's. The Real Estate Transfer
Tax (RETT) funds used for this process will be from the Vail Golfcourse funds. He also stated
the sense of community has diminished.
The third item on the agenda was the review of the Common Ground process and
recommendation by Andy Knudtsen and Russell Forrest.
Andy Knudtsen, town planner, explained the Vail Tomorrow process and the Common Ground
process which proceeded over the past few months. He stated how the specific uses and sites
were chosen through the process and how the Town of Vail survey stated the issue of housing
was listed as the number one issue facing the Town. He also explained the meetings that were
held for Common Ground in April and June. He also took pictures of each site and placed them
upon the walls in the Council Chambers for public view.
Russ Forrest, Community Development Director, explained the funding process, and used survey
results to explain what community needs and desires were for housing and also the Common
Ground meeting results. He also spoke about open space and park uses in the process. He
explained where funds could be used for housing and how funds could be generated and
preferred funding packages.
Andy went through the themes that came from the workshops (orange sheet attached) and
explained there were four other themes that were recent additions to the nine themes. The next
steps would be to acquire open space and be kept as dedicated open space, park sites would be
designed, Phase I housing sites would go through the development review process.
The fourth item on the agenda was community comments with Judy Anderson -Wright,
facilitating.
Judy reiterated to newcomers to the meeting the ground rules and time limits for the presentation.
In addition a request was made that if the speakers were employers in Vail, to please state how
many employees they have and how many units they provide for their employees.
Kate Carey said Council was doing a great job in moving this issue forward. She is in favor of
affordable housing, has been a resident since 1985 and feels Town of Vail needs additional
housing.
Flo Steinberg stated it's very important with so many people at the meeting that everyone
identify themselves. She feels those who live in Vail should have a say in the process. She said
it feels like deja vu that some people stated they were not involved with Vail Commons and
didn't have a stay and now it's happening again. She is in favor of Common Grounds to
maintain the community.
Chas Bernhardt, a resident representing the Intermountain Homeowners Association and Citizens
for Controlled Growth said the Association stands in firm opposition of using open space
property for housing and they are ready to go to legal resources to uphold this stand. He also
stated that a low response of the survey by the community shouldn't be used to sacrifice open
space and they want this issue to go to the vote of the people. He personally contacted 232
people in the neighborhood and only two people were proponents of housing in the
Intermountain neighborhood. There are other options and open space should be used as open
space.
Council member Mike Jewett stated that the Homeowner Association representatives should
have eight minutes to speak.
Judy reiterated that the group had voted to have a limit of four minutes. Another vote was taken.
The group came to consensus that representatives of associations had an additional three minutes
to speak.
Chas Bernhardt continued and read from newspaper articles regarding open space.
Mar Lorimer, a West Vail resident since 1972 said having a housing problem doesn't mean it is a
government problem. She does not feel it is a given that government should do something about
housing.
Frank McKibben, President of Vail Board of Realtors (over 500 members) and representing the
Board of Realtors. The Board of Realtors have an overwhelming mandate to Council that neither
RETT funds nor open space should be used for employee housing. This does not mean they are
against employee housing. If there was a vote of the people to use funds, they would support it.
Rob Levine, representing Lions Square Lodge, has 25 employees. In 1989 he ran for Town
Council, lack of affordable housing was major issue then and it is now, it will not go away. How
many acres of open space does the Town of Vail own?
Staff reported that the Town of Vail owns 1,200 acres of open space.
Rob asked how many acres would be used for housing?
Staff said a total of 19 acres would be used for housing.
Rob stated that it was clearly appropriate to allocate 19 acres of open space for housing.
Dave Schneglburger, stated he was not a NIMBY. He has been an owner since 1961 in East
Vail. He would like every employee housing issue and open space issue go to a vote of the
people, piece by piece. He has a real problem with social engineering and for sale housing is
social engineering. He also stated that the Town shouldn't give things to people just because
they live here and doesn't think tax dollars should be used to give people a piece of the Vail pie.
Kirsch Sanders, a resident for 32 years and owns several Matterhorn units. She said her renters
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are not seasonal employees, her average rent is 441 S/bedroom, and she has 46 bedrooms.
Matterhorn is one of the few genuine areas with affordable homes. She was told Donovan Park
would be open space when West Vail was annexed into the Town.
Paul Rondeau, a resident of Vail and also owns rental property. He wants to come up with a
"middle ground" idea, take all the proposals and break it down by area and parcel. Would like
the density of the lower bench of Donovan Park lower and TimberRidge have an additional 160
units. The town should have a specific methodology to score each neighborhood and area.
Ghigui Hoffman, a resident for 22 years and property owner. She stated that turn -over is high for
her businesses. If there is to be economic diversity, there is a need for seasonal employees and
there is a need for seasonal housing. She urges Council to vote yes on Housing.
Jan Strauch, lives in Intermountain, stated Chas Bernhardt didn't speak for him as an
Intermountain Resident. He was not represented or approached and applauds Council in their
efforts and is supportive of Resolution No. 9. He stated every hard decision ever made ends up
just like this and listed the past big issues the Town of Vail Council's have had to deal with. He
stated 53% of the taxpayers are not represented here, they are the tourists. The Town needs
services for them to come back to Vail. He said this was a town charter issue and it does not
need to go to a vote of the people. He wants Council to vote yes.
• Richard Leslie, second homeowner, congratulated the people at the meeting interested in making
the town better. He also supported Council's efforts to meet and tackle the affordable housing
issue. He also stated the community should congratulate itself for using the process. He stated
this is a unique process. He is in favor of the Council to vote for this, and now.
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Dawes Wilson, has been in Vail 24 years, and is a beneficiary of "social engineering". He
bought a Vail Commons unit and stated if he hadn't been able to buy this, he would have had to
move. Without the affordable housing he would have had to move away. He supports the
decision to press forward and enable other locals to stay here.
Chuck Ogilby, owns 13 rental units and is a Vail Housing task force member. He stated two
active Vail Housing task force members are gone because they couldn't afford to live here
anymore. He applauded Paul Rondeau for coming up with a fresh idea. He stated the task force
came up with other ideas such as inclusionary housing. These ideas need support and he is in
favor of the plan since other ideas have not been supported.
Jeff Gorsuch, local resident and business owner, participated in the Common Grounds process.
He feels that the issue is the expedited process and not enlisting the community for site specific
recommendations for this process. He is in support of employee housing and said the Bald
Mountain area residents are in a corner and wants a two-way dialogue. He also wants acceptance
and consensus for housing, but not at all costs. He wants Council to keep the process and
dialogue going.
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Sue Mason, lives in East Vail. She acknowledges she will have some employee housing in her
backyard. She is a member of guest services and they are very short of employees. She is in
favor of neighborhoods having input on density. If there are no employees, there will not be any
guests. No guests, no mountain, then we all have to leave too.
Kent Rose, a Vail resident, wants more affordable housing. He wants the process to move
forward and doesn't feel 19 acres out of 1,200 acres is not a sacrifice. He said the funding of
sales tax is not fair. The most fair is dipping into RETT funds and said this should not go to a
vote of the people. Council should make up their own minds and vote on the issue for
themselves.
Jim Morter, local resident and business owner (26 year resident), said Council should move
forward with Common Grounds vote. Council should take the effort of participants of Common
Grounds and move forward and is not in favor of the Town Charter being changed. (He also
wished Pam a happy birthday.)
Dave Cole, a resident since 1972, is not an opponent of affordable housing, but doesn't know if
this process is the way to go. There was no mandate in the past for employee housing. His
opinion is that this study should be slowed down and look at other sites in Town. He is against
using RETT funds or lands unless it's put to a vote of the people. Wants the Council to look at
funding from other sources, took at the business community and set up a special tax district for
• business and commercial areas. He thinks it is unreasonable to put the burden on residential
property owners.
Kerry Donovan, a resident for 19 years, stated she does not want to use open lands for employee
housing.
Paul Johnston, a resident and recovering council member, said the Council can do something
about housing and open space. Council needs to step up, take the heat and move ahead with
Common Grounds. He said Mike Jewett was voted in to make decisions, and he needed to make
them.
Council member Mike Jewett felt the last comment was a personal attack.
Paul Johnston didn't feel it was a personal attack.
Joe Joyce, owner of two businesses, and has been in the Vail Valley since 1989. He currently
lives in Eagle -Vail. He said he wants Council to move forward on this issue, Vail has to move in
the right direction. He has seen a drastic change in the last year and if we don't move now, this
issue will be discussed a 100 years from now. He said 97% of Eagle County is open space, while
3% is developable land. He encouraged the Council to vote yes.
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Michael Staughton, a resident since 1974, has 75 employees, and owns S different units. He
agreed with Kent Rose, and urges the Council to move forward with vote.
Pat Barrett, a 14 year resident in Matterhorn, says he is not against employee housing but feels
the process has been rushed and was done during the off-season. He feels that extreme amounts
of seasonal housing is disproportionate in the Matterhorn area versus other areas of Vail.
Greg Amsden, is an Intermountain resident. He said densities are swayed, 55-75% is proposed
to be located in West Vail and wants council to table issue until densities are looked at more
closely. He wants the same scrutiny for town parcels as private developments and supports
employee housing. He said RETT should not be used for employee housing and felt public trust
would be blown if this is done. There are still existing ways to use the RETT funds for open
space and parks and until that is exhausted, RETT should not be used.
Kathy Langenwalter, a 22 year resident, said we don't agree all the time and it was good to
disagree. She felt the density is too high.
Marianne Malloy, a second home owner since 1980. She said she would hate to see a
"TimberRidge" in other areas of Vail. She is in favor of other employee housing but not the high
density. Look into possible planned communities, where they don't own the land but own the
building, is in favor of owner occupied units. Lower Donovan might be a mixed use
. neighborhood.
Valerie Fauland, a resident for 18 years. She has a deed -restricted unit with their home. The
renter they had didn't meet the required hours. She came to the town for help, but didn't get help
on this problem. She said homeowners deserve Donovan Park and it should be kept a park.
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Cindy Burkes, an Intermountain resident since 1983. Says the residents were promised a certain
amount of open space and a quality of life. There needs to be lower density. Bigger is not better.
Compromise is needed. Open space and parks should have safe access, it is important to protect
the children. She feels parks and open space very important, and feels employee housing is
necessary.
Charmayne Berhhardt, a resident of West Vail for 22 years, stated it is not good to take public
land for private uses.
Darwin McCutcheon, a business owner, said most of his employees had to work several jobs and
had more jobs open than employees to fill them. He said Vail needs affordable housing and said
service to guests is being sacrificed because of the lack of housing. Employees living down
valley want to stay down valley. He is in support of moving forward and felt there was plenty of
opportunities for the community to get involved in the process. Vail is running out of time to
compete with other resorts. He urged the Council to go ahead.
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Farrow Hitt, a Matterhorn resident, stated that a lot of hard work has gone into this process. 14C
is opposed to parts of the plan, is not against employee housing, and is supportive of Council.
He opposes Donovan Park being used for housing and opposes 480 seasonal employee housing
units at Donovan Park. Other recommended areas of Matterhorn haven't been heard.
Alice Parsons, a Matterhorn resident for 27 years and has had rental housing for 26 years, said no
one has addressed the type of housing employees want. Employees really want a one bedroom or
studio. She has told the Planning Department this in the past and would like to reinstate
employees in lodging facilities as in the past.
Gena Whitten, a 10 year resident, wants Council to keep open space and parks and does not
support using RETT funds for housing. She feel the quality of service has gone down and there
is an employee housing problem. Wants Council to look at other funding sources.
Sally Jackle, is a resident of Matterhorn. She asked Council to table the plan unless three
changes are made; reduce the number of units (particularly rental units), fairly allocate units
around town and don't use Donovan Park for employee housing. She also requested that if this is
a phased development, there needs to be a mechanism so this is not waylaid during the process or
more density is added at the end of phases if the need has changed.
Judi Anderson -Wright announced that Council has decided to table the density segment of this
• resolution tonight.
Dennis Linn, an owner in Bald Mountain, feared that 5 or 10 years from now the bigger the
business, more employees. When does growth of businesses stop? How much bigger and
grander are we going to be.
A question from the audience was, "What will be addressed tonight if density is not in the
resolution?"
Russ Forrest stated the funding is what is being voted on tonight.
Flo Habernicht, a resident of Vail, stated Apollo Park was employee housing at one time and
now it is a time share project. She said TimberRidge is not a good place to live and does not
want this type of housing in Matterhorn. Matterhorn units have quite a few employee housing
units already.
Jeb Jennings, a Realtor and 20 year resident of the Vail Valley, said time and consideration is
necessary for open space and parks to stay that way. RETT should be used for open space and
not housing. He questioned if there is there a housing crisis when Vail Commons was not filled
on the first lottery. He wants this to go to a vote.
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Jerry Sibley, a resident and landowner since 1968, wants to see the town progress. RETT has
always been for open space and it needs to restricted for open space and open space needs to be
protected. Acknowledges the need for employees but feels the issue needs to be solved without
using open space. Wants to see some kind of trust started so that in the future open space cannot
be messed with by future Town Councils. He said the Lower Bench of Donovan Park is a
concern. This type of construction would not be acceptable in any other area of Town. There is
a need to even things out in Town as far as number of units spread throughout town. He re-
emphasized the need for a trust for open space.
Paul Hymers, a resident of Glen Lyon for 8 years, is opposed to the resolution as it stands now.
When Council zones land it creates a trust to the community and when you change the zoning, it
impacts the community and their trust. He attended Common Ground meetings and was
involved in the Vail Tomorrow process. Cautioned the Council in taking a shortcut to the
conclusion and feels there was a rushed judgement to this process. He is against using RETT
funds and the type of housing should be changed.
James Johnson, an Eagle County Commissioner, stated the Council needs to go forward on the
housing issue. He stated most families are moving down valley and Vail needs to keep its sense
of community. He asked Council to move more slowly and involve the neighborhoods in
decisions of housing in their neighborhoods.
. Dick Cleveland, a west Vail resident, supports affordable housing and supports appropriate
structures that fit the neighborhood and zoning. His concern is density, and leaving density out
of the resolution. if you do that there is no basis for the financial part of the resolution without
the density. He is opposed to seasonal housing and thinks it is a private sector issue. Vail
Associates shows supply and demand requires them to address that issue. He wants neighbors
that are year-round residents.
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Stan Cope, a manager of several businesses in Town and a property owner has been involved in
the public process. He wants a community where people want to live and raise a family, he
needs more housing for his employees. TimberR.idge is here but it is outdated and needs to be
brought up to par for employee housing.
Holly Cole, a Vail Commons resident, has lived in Vail for 24 years, said if you could build more
low density units like Vail Commons it would be great.
Ron Mitchell, has lived in the area since 1981. He rented for 16 years, and became a one
bedroom condominium owner because of assistance programs. He is not excited about
additional housing, and says he found over 100 units available in February in the newspaper. He
wants open space to stay open space.
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Judy Snow, a resident since 1966 asked why Vail Associates can't use land on the mountain for
seasonal housing and use buildings that are already in place for adding studios, apartments, etc.
Mary Jo Bernato, a representive for the Glen Lyon area residents, stated the residents are
concerned about using open space and parks for housing, the density, and the time needed to
review proposals. She said if you take the density issues to the community, then take the funding
sources to the community too. She asked that the Council table the whole process since the
density was tabled and take it to a vote of the community. She stated that as it stands the
Council is taking away the opportunity for community input.
Pete Feistmann, a resident of Buffehr Creek, stated that the Council has received extensive public
input through the Common Ground and Vail Tomorrow process. He said the primary
responsibility is with employers. He asked what additional housing responsibility will employers
have in the future. He said do not take open space away for employee housing. Let employers be
responsible for uses of sites. He supports taking this to a public vote.
Suzanne Sibley -Mueller, a Matterhorn resident and in the Vail area since 1976. She said she has
raised her children here, owns several businesses and has employee housing. She said
government does not belong in their business. She would like to share living in Vail with others
but wants the promise of keeping open space enforced and keep them open spaces.
• Diana Donovan, a Vail resident and business owner since 1965. She said she has employees, and
has problems keeping employees that want to work 40-hour weeks, and will always have
employee problems. She wants to keep Donovan Park a park. The Council made a promise to
the community when they became a council member to uphold the codes, regulations and plans
of the Town. The Open Lands Plan is one of the plans adopted by the Town. She read from the
Open Lands Plan which stated that Donovan Park is designated open space. She stated the trust
of the community will be broken if this resolution is passed.
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Karen Scheidigger, a resident since 1969, stated she collected and submitted a petition with over
100 signatures opposing housing at the Town of Vail manager property and Hud-Wirth property.
She wants Council to honor the zoning of these spaces. The Town should not be involved in the
development of the last properties in Vail and opposed RETT funds to be used for this process.
Ginny Culp, a resident for 19 years, said she doesn't believe the Town can pass the resolution for
funding without a process of what to do with it and density is an issue.
Art Kleimer, a 22 year resident, said the "Dream" is being shattered. He said Council's breaking
of promises has brought the community together. No one is opposed to affordable housing but
feels the burden should be properly shared with the entire county. There needs to be a united
solution throughout the county to solve this issue. He felt the timing is inappropriate and several
significant players not here to participate.
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Ronald Jones, a West Vail resident, said the proposal affects him so much that he had to speak
out. He feels there are many opportunities to buy existing property. He asked the Council when
is enough growth enough?
Kaye Ferry, a business owner and resident, and President of the Vail Village Merchant
Association Said she supports the Council and wants the Council to adopt the resolution. She
said process has been ongoing for two years, through the Vail Tomorrow and Common Ground
process. She said everyone had a chance to participate. She urged the town council to remember
why they were elected - for housing issues.
Ann Essen, a property owner since the 1980's in East Vail. She wants to help others be able to
afford to live in Vail and wants other homeowners to help support housing. There is very little
land left and RETT is losing it's purpose. She said RETT is becoming a park's budget. She
expressed that if Vail loses its quality service reputation, ratings will go down, and so will
housing values. She asked Council to act now and is supportive of the resolution.
Josef Staufer, resident and owner, has been here since the first winter of 1963. He said housing
has always been an issue. He is in support of housing in his neighborhood, he has worked all his
life and it hasn't affected neighborhood values. He feels it is important that we go on with the
process. He said open space is not the right way to go but doesn't feel that residents corning in at
the eleventh hour is appropriate when the process has been going on for two years. He also
stated the Council can only respond to those who have voted and responded to the survey. He
wished private enterprise could solve the problem but doesn't feel this will happen now. He
doesn't support this issue going to the vote of the community.
Dave Corbin, a resident of Edwards, does a lot of business in Vail. He has participated in the
Vail Tomorrow process and other processes. The housing issue does not end in Vail. He feels
the attacks on Council and staff are unfair. He reminded Council that this process has been going
on for 2 years and this decision is only a part of the process. There will be many opportunities to
make more decisions in the future. He said density and other decisions should be done on a site -
by -site situation. This resolution is just a beginning. An additional 129 acres of open space will
be acquired through this process. He commended Council and staff for this resolution.
Hermann Staufer, a business owner, and resident since 1964. He said he understands the
concerns of West Vail residents. He said Vail is not number one any more, if you can't provide
the services, we will continue to drop in the ratings even further. He urged Council to support
the resolution, take the heat and do what they were voted in to do and to take a stand that
employee housing will be solved.
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• Mike Wasmer, came to Vail in 1982, and owned a unit in Vail in 1994 and he works in Vail
everyday. He admires the courage of the Council to make a difficult decision. He asked what
do we want the community to be about and stated Vail has one of the highest ratios of open space
in the country. The town needs to balance open space and smart growth. He requested the Town
Council to move forward in their commitment to affordable housing.
A question was asked of how many people took part in the Common Ground and Vail Tomorrow
process. A show of hands showed most of people in room had participated.
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Judy asked if there was any further comments. There was a second round of speakers addressing
the Council.
Jeff Gorsuch addressed the Council again and stated the issue is not necessarily affordable
housing. He felt there is a need to get other Eagle County residents and communities involved
and feels the concerns are that people that care about the community have a right to last minute
opinions. He urged the Council to table the resolution.
Ghigui Hoffman said the Vail Valley Centre near Avon may become a problem. with 4,000 jobs
added to the valley housing issues.
Jerry Sibley asked if anyone is interested in getting a "trust" started for open space to meet with
him after the meeting.
Ginny Culp stated that if the Town is obtaining 129 acres of open space, use those acres for
housing units and said that Tract C may be where housing should be built.
James Johnson, Eagle County Commissioner, said this issue should be addressed valley -wide and
that Vail issues are being pushed on the down valley communities. Housing is being forced
down valley and if you can't solve the employee issues here, it will go down valley.
Judy acknowledged and thanked the group for adhering to the ground rules and for attending the
meeting.
Andy Knudtsen addressed the issue of taking density out of the resolution should this be tabled.
He stated the siting and uses would be addressed with the resolution. Funding could be broken
down. He also explained that lowering densities will not affect funding.
The fifth item on the agenda was Council discussion and decision.
Council member Mike Arnett addressed the issues. He expressed that this is a county -wide
problem but we cannot shuffle it down valley any longer and need to address it now. Council
realizes that densities need to be and will be evaluated on a site -by -site basis. The funding
source is necessary now. He stated RETT funds being used would be the portion for paying off
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the Vail Golfcourse. He explained there are six open spaces to be included in Phase I. The town
has 1,100 acres of open space and will use less than 2% of open space to solve a housing issue.
Everyone in the room is committed to help.
Council member Sybill Navas asked Tom Moorhead, Town Attorney about covenants in
neighborhoods.
Tom Moorhead stated covenants to Tract A, have municipal services on this tract. Tract A may
be dedicated by owner for public uses. Tract A was conveyed without restrictions and does not
limit development on Tract A.
Andy Knudtsen stated that the additional 130 acres to be purchased will complete the open lands
plan and that there are currently 385 dedicated open spaces in Town which does not include Ford
Park or the Vail Golfcourse.
Council member Bob Armour stated he was involved in the Vail Tomorrow process and stated
that everyone was concerned with housing, the community survey conveys the same concern. He
also commented the Vail Tomorrow process won a Governor's Smart Growth award. There
were lots of people involved in the process. The process is not perfect and it isn't easy. He
understands that density and open space are issues. He also acknowledges that some of the
housing will be ok and some will not be ok, that density needs to be refined and addressed
• neighborhood by neighborhood. As for funding, he said the RETT funds limited to the
golfcourse amount is appropriate and there are good starts in other funding areas. If we have
private partners, we could limit Town of Vail funds. No housing at all is not an acceptable
solution. He explained that with this resolution in place it will be a beginning.
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Council member Sybill Navas, stated she has been wrestling with this issue for a long time. She
acknowledged that almost everyone has been supportive of housing but other issues are a
concern. She agrees that housing is a problem, the community survey supports this issue, the
lack of employees is an issue, quality of services and creating an environment that people choose
to live, are all issues. She stated we need to commit to work together to solve the issue. The
citizens Vail has do care. She is asking the community to put aside personal issues to see the
bigger picture. The resolution will allow the ability to pursue funding, and maintain the integrity
of individual neighborhoods. She said the RETT funds of $340,000 be used, which is balance of
the Vail Golf course funds and should be used as a last resort.
Mayor Rob Ford thanked everyone for attending the meeting. He expressed that the community
should leave the meeting with an understanding that government has to go on. He said one part
of the process was to be fair, open, and honest with community and the Council embarked upon
the best process to get the community involved. He stated he wants continued community
participation and he heard everyone's concerns on the density issue. The density will be solved
on a local neighborhood level. The is not the end all, this process will continue. He
acknowledged that open space and dedicated open space should be in a trust program.
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• Council member Mike Jewett made a presentation to Council. He thanked everyone for their
participation in process. He stated the issue was not housing. He said the real issue is the
commitment to the process. He said the Council cannot approve the resolution without all the
facts. His goal was to stall or slow the process and wants to table the resolution for at least a
month. He explained that he didn't feel the Town included organizations or associations in the
process. He said the Council needed to work with more groups, and there needs to be a vote by
the people on any change of RETT, and allow a vote on the final plan. He wants to form a Town
Charter review commission. There are too many conflicting issues and groups have a right to
due process. He explained reasons why he wanted a charter review commission. He is in
support of housing, but wants this to go to a vote of the people. He is opposed to a taxing district,
there needs to be smaller units and lower density. He wants to continue the process and said
funding from employers is critical. He is voting against approving the resolution..
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Ginnie Culp asked if the decisions were predetermined before the meeting.
Council member Ludwig Kurz stated the presumption of the outcome by Council member Mike
Jewett is his supposition. He said the issue is housing not the process. He thanked everyone for
their commitment in being at the meeting. He stated that most other resort communities are
talking about the same issue of housing. This community is at a crossroads of remaining or
being the best. He acknowledged there are other issues that need to be addressed in the process.
The ability to provide world class service is key in retaining good employees and to be short-
sighted would be detrimental to the economic vitality of this community. In regard to comments
made about the promise to solve the housing issue; the promise to address the housing issue was
the promise. The Town needs to work with the business community to help solve this issue. The
process did not come out of nowhere it is not a railroad job. This is not the case. He reiterated
that the process has been on going for quite a while and working with the neighborhoods and
community will help solve some of the issues and benefit everyone in the long run.
Council member Kevin Foley stated this is the highest turnout of community members the
Council has ever had in the room and that stayed in the room. He thanked the Council and staff
for their hard work as well as the members in the audience. He said there is a lot of work to be
done, there are a lot of concerns, especially density. He would like to see Vail set an example for
other communities in Eagle County that we can work this out.
Council member Sybill Navas made a motion to approve Resolution No. 9, with the
recommendation to prioritize RETT funding., ranking funds to be used only if absolutely
necessary and not to exceed $340,000. The motion was seconded by Council member Bob
Armour.
Council member Sybill Navas commented on the remark of the Council making up their minds
ahead of time. She said the Council should be respected for the time put in to this issue and
process. The meeting tonight was to look to the community to help make a decision and that the
Council was listening to the community comments and concerns.
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A vote was taken, and the resolution passed, 6-1, Council member Mike Jewett opposed.
The meeting adjourned at 11:40 p.m.
OFF,,
Respectfully submitted,
8BA"L
L.'O
Ludwig Kurz
Mayor Pro -Tern
ATTEST:
CV611ILL& -
Lorelei Donaldson
Town Cleric
14
75 South Frontage Road
Vail, Colorado 81657
970-479-2100
FAX 970-479-2157
MEDIA ADVISORY
July 1, 1998
Contact: Suzanne Silverthorn, 479-2115
Community Information Office .
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS FOR .TUNE 30
Special Evening Meeting Briefs
Council members present: Armour, Arnett, Foley, Ford, Jewett, Kurz, Navas
--Consideration of Common Ground Recommendation
After hearing from 59 citizens during more than four hours of testimony, the Council voted 6-1
(Jewett against) to approve a resolution adopting the Common Ground plan for housing, parks,
open space, sites for community facilities and a funding plan to provide for the improvements.
The plan was modified yesterday to reflect community concerns that have been expressed since
• publication of the recommended plan. The most significant change was a decision to remove all
references to density in the plan. Density decisions on the 12 housing sites will now be made
during the development review process. The resolution states the town will use criteria such as
"compatibility of the density of adjacent development, traffic and parking constraints, impacts to
neighborhood services and the ability to cost effectively achieve the town's housing goals" in
determining density of the future housing projects. Aiso yesterday, Council established an intent
to use no more than $340,000 a year --the amount equivalent to the soon -to -be retired golf
course mortgage payment --to be sunset in the year 2006 from the Real Estate Transfer Tax as
one of five funding sources for the plan --but only if the RETT funds are "absolutely necessary"
after the four other funding sources have been exhausted. The other funding sources include
refinancing the town's debt; proceeds from the sale of two town -owned sites on Willow Way and
Beaver Dam Rd.; continued use of the town's housing fund; and revenues generated by the sale
of land acquired through the TOV/USFF land exchange.
Specifically, the plan will add 130 acres of open space, four new parks, 12 housing
developments, as well as three sites for community facilities over the next eight years.
During discussion last night, public reaction was mixed and fairly balanced. Some -called for a
public vote on the plan, while others said that although the plan wasn't perfect, the Council
should move ahead. There were density concerns and questions about the town's housing role,
as well as criticism of the business community for not doing more to help solve the problem.
Some called upon the town to preserve its open space, while others argued that using 19 acres
of the town's 1,100 acres of open space was a small price to pay to bring more affordable
housing into Vail.
Six of the seven councilmembers opted to move forward, noting the multiple opportunities
ahead for public participation in establishing densities for the housing sites. The dissenting vote
from Michael Jewett came after Jewett suggested tabling the plan for a month and/or taking it to
a public vote.
The plan adopted last night now serves as a conceptual document that will guide a series of
implementation steps. Each housing and park site will undergo a development review process.
The open space sites will be processed for protected designation status, while discussions on
(more)
Z� RECYCLED PAPER
TOV Council Highlights/Add 1/7-1-98 0
appropriate uses for the community facility sites will begin soon. Also, an ordinance to consider
a change in the allocation of the RETT funds will be prepared.
For more information, contact Andy Knudtsen, project manager, at 479-2440.
UPCOMING DISCUSSION TOPICS
July 7 Work Session
Bond Refinancing Discussion
DRB Review
Lionshead Master Plan
Discussion of Ordinance #9, re: SDD #33
July 7 Evening Meeting
First Reading, Ordinance #9, re: SDD #22
First Reading, Ordinance #10, re: Design Review Trigger
Marketing Presentation by Frank Johnson
Parking Discussion
Lionshead Master Plan
July 14 Work Session
PEC Review
Discussion of Marketing Bill
July 21 Work Session
DRB Review
Budget Meeting (noon to 5 pm)
July 21 Evening Meeting
Second Reading, Ordinance #9, re: SDD #22
Second Reading, Ordinance #10, re: Design Review Trigger
1997 Audit Report
AIPP Slide Lecture by Professor Erika Doss
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