HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-06-23 Town Council Minutes•
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Tuesday, June 23, 1998
2:00 P.M.
Town of Vail Council Chambers
What follows will reflect motions and actions taken by the Vail Town Council at their regular
work session on June 23, 1998. All members were present with the exception of Kevin Foley
and Sybill Navas.
1. Item No. 5 was an appeal of a PEC decision denying a request for variances at 193 Gore
Creek Plaza Condominiums. The Council voted 4-1 (with Jewett in opposition) to
uphold the DEC's denial of a variance request for property owned by Rod and Beth Slifer.
The Slifers had requested that an 18 sq. ft. bay addition be approved to make room for a
round table in their dining room. In upholding the PEC's denial of the request, Council
members said they could find no "physical hardships, practical difficulties, or
extraordinary circumstances" that would enable the variance to be granted.
2. Item No. 9, the Public Works Tunnel Reconstruction Project. The original staff estimate
of $485,000 for the Public Works tunnel reconstruction which included lowering the road
so semi trailer trucks could access the Public Works facility rather than unloading on the
0 South Frontage Road; installing a six foot sidewalk, which is a requirement for a CO to
be issued for the employee housing; and drainage and utility improvements that will go
under the South Frontage Road. After three attempts at value engineering by Alpine
Engineering, the final bid from Viele Construction was $520,000. Because this bid
contained no contingency staff believed a contingency, plus making up the shortfall could
come from savings in other street capital projects as well as taking the final $10,000 from
fund balance. Bob Armour moved, with a second from Ludwig Kurz, to approve the
project at $550,000 total cost. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
3. Item No. 10, the Vail Village Overlay Rebid. Two bids were received with Elam
Construction bidding this overlay at $38,337, Bob Armour moved, with a second from
Mike Arnett, to approve this rebid. A vote was taken and the motion passed
unanimously, 5-0.
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75 South Frontage Road
Vail, Colorado 81657
970-479-2100
FAX 970-479-2157
MEDIA ADVISORY
June 24, 1998
Contact: Suzanne Silverthorn, 479-2115
Community Information Office .
VAIL TOWN COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS FOR JUNE 23
Work Session Briefs
Council members present: Armour, Arnett, Ford, Jewett, Kurz
--Discussion of Employee Generation
After hearing an overview on the employee generation tool (which could require developers to
provide housing for a percentage of additional employees generated by new development), the
• Council agreed to move forward in pursuing details of the concept. During the overview, Andy
Knudtsen, senior housing policy planner, identified five policy issues to be determined by the
Council. They are: 1) should new development be responsible for providing housing, in one form
or another, for the employees generated by the new development; 2) what options should be
made available to the developers to fulfill their housing requirement; 3) what percentage of the
total number of employees to be generated must developers house; 4) once the number of
employees has been determined, how many units must be required to accommodate the number
of employees; and 5) to what degree should the ordinance be tailored for specific uses, such as
different types of commercial or residential uses as compared to consolidating the categories to
.simplify the program. During discussion, Councilmembers favored an incentive/disincentive
approach that would make on -site housing the most attractive option for developers, while a
cash -in -lieu payment would be the least favored approach. Additional options could include
housing employees off -site within the town's boundaries, housing employees at downvalley
locations or buy -downs. During discussion, Councilman Ludwig Kurz said it was time to look to
all businesses --large or small --to get involved. He said he hoped a mechanism could be created
that would allow a group of small businesses to get together to provide housing. Kurz also said
he favored the cash -in -lieu approach as a "last resort." Councilman Michael Arnett reminded
fellow Councilmembers of the community survey showing strong support for employee
generation. He suggested finding a way that would enable existing businesses to master lease
seasonal housing on a first come, first -served basis. Kaye Ferry, an owner of the Daily Grind
coffee bar in Vail Village, said she was opposed to "another regulation" in the town. She also
expressed equity concerns regarding the multiplier ratio that would be used to determine the
number of employees that would need to be housed through employee generation. Her coffee
shop, for example, doesn't generate the revenues a bar or restaurant does, she said. Jim
Lamont of the East Village Homeowners Association suggested forwarding Knudtsen's report to
• Eagle County and other jurisdictions in the hopes that they, too, would follow suit. Next steps
include completion of an employee inventory within the commercial core area. Then Knudtsen
will return to Council with examples of how a multiplier formula might be used as the Council
begins to hone in on the five policy issues. For more information, contact Knudtsen at 479-2440.
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TOV Council Highlights/June 23, 1998/Add1
--Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan
In its continuing discussions on height and mass and development standards for the Lionshead
master plan, the Council reviewed six hypothetical redevelopment scenarios prepared by David
Corbin of Vail Associates (Corbin also serves on the Lionshead master plan team). The
scenarios included razing and rebuilding a three-story structure to four, five or six stories;
contrasting redevelopment by a third party developer compared to redevelopment by the
condominium ownership itself, as well as adding on to an existing building (without a tear -down).
The scenarios showed the difficulties in making a tear -down re -build project profitable or break-
even, even with a doubling of density. Corbin said a tear -down re -build project with a third party
developer would need to generate sales of as much as $900 per sq. ft. (more than triple the
current market) to justify such a project, or a tripling or quadrupling of existing density. Corbin
cited "unnatural land costs" from housing to purchase existing dwelling unit that contribute to the
difficulty. One scenario did offer some hope, however. By remodeling an existing building
(without the need for a complete tear -down), adding density and doing the project through the
condominium ownership, a profit margin would be created that would enable funds for the
remodeling of existing units as well as creation of new units. It was noted that the Antlers at Vail
has scheduled a work session with the Planning and Environmental Commission to pursue such
a scenario. Next steps in the master plan process include a review of revenue implications of the
building height scenarios, and approval of bulk, mass and height for the Lionshead Master Plan
at the Town Council's July 7, 1998 meeting. For more information, contact Dominic Mauriello,
project manager, at 479-2148.
--PECIDRB Review
During a review of the recent PEC and DRB meetings, it was noted the PEC voted 4-3 to extend
a conditional use permit for the Lionshead Children's ski school tent for another year. In voting to
extend the permit, the PEC stipulated it would not approve an extension request for another year.
--Discussion of Business License Fees by Vail 1 st
Representing a new organization called "Vail 1st," longtime businessman Joe Staufer presented
a request to reallocate Vail's business license fee. Staufer, backed by representatives from the
Vail Village Merchant Association and the Vail Village Commercial Property Owners Association,
asked that the $318,000 in annual Vail business license fees be used to promote Vail -based
events, training and other services which are geared towards increasing business in Vail. The
money is currently allocated to the Vail Valley Marketing Board and used for regional marketing.
As proposed, a 7-member board would be responsible for reviewing applications for business
license fee funds and making recommendations regarding those Vail -based disbursements.
Supporters said they're worried that downvalley competition has become a bigger threat to their
businesses than competition from resorts such as Telluride and Steamboat Springs, which is
why the marketing money should be redirected for Vail -based purposes. While West Vail
merchants tend to agree with keeping the marketing money focused on Vail activities, Howard
Gardner of the West Vail Liquor Mart, suggested using an existing organization to appropriate the
funds rather than creating another committee. The request from Vail 1st will be considered as
part of the Town Council's budget process, with an evening public session set for Tuesday,
August 4, 1998.
•
--Appeal of a PEC Decision Denying a Request for Variances at 193 Gore Creek Plaza
Condominiums
The Council voted 4-1 (Jewett against) to uphold the Planning and Environmental Commission's •
denial of a variance request for property owned by Rod and Beth Slifer.
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TOV Council Highlights/June 23, 1998/Add2
The Slifer's had requested that an 18 sq. ft. bay addition be approved to make room for a round
table in their dining room. In upholding the PEC's denial of the request, Councilmembers said
they could find no "physical hardships, practical difficulties or extraordinary circumstances" that
would enable the variance to be granted. Mayor Rob Ford noted the Council's interests in adding
flexibility to the town codes and said the Council could consider relaxing the hardship factor
(through a modification of the town's codes) should community members support such a move.
For more information, contact George Ruther in the Community Development Department at 479-
2145.
--Village Core Construction Update
The Council received an all -is -well report on the town's three construction projects in Vail Village.
For details, contact Larry Grafel, public works/transportation director, at 479-2173.
--Ford Park Managed Parking Update
During an update on the Ford Park summer parking plan, it was noted that a chip seal project is
being wrapped up this week at the lot. Striping will occur in time for the July Fourth holiday. The
July dates for $5 paid parking are: July 1, 3, 4, 5, 6; July 10-12; July 15; July 17; July 19; July
22; July 24; July 26; July 29 and July 31.
--Public Works Tunnel Reconstruction Project
The Council voted 5-0 to approve a $550,000 bid and funding package to reconstruct the Public
Works tunnel. The work by Viele Construction will include lowering the road so semi -trailer
trucks can access the Public Works facility rather than unloading on the South Frontage Road;
installation of a six foot sidewalk, which is a requirement for a certificate of occupancy to be used
for the employee housing; and drainage and utility improvements that must go under the South
Frontage Road. For more information, contact Greg Hail, town engineer, at 479-2160.
--Vail Village Overlay Rebid
The Council voted 5-0 to approve a $38,337 bid from Elam Construction for an overlay in Vail
Village. The town rebid the project after receiving confusing bid amounts. For more information,
contact Greg Hall, town engineer, at 479-2160.
--Information Update
Announcements included: a contract with Motorola for installation of the 800 megahertz system
has been signed; the water district has asked about Town Council interest in pursuing a sewer
treatment facility on 15 acres of town -owned land in Dowd Junction; a town budget workshop
meeting has been changed to July 21; the Common Ground open house is June 25 from 5 to 7
p.m.; efforts are underway to create an advertising campaign that would promote Fourth of July
safety in Vail; and utility and rent rebates have been extended to La Cantina and All Mountain
Sports (tenants in the Transportation Center) to offset construction impacts.
--Council Reports
Bob Armour will be attending the Colorado Municipal League and Colorado Association of Ski
Towns meetings in Breckenridge.
--Refinancing Discussion of a Portion of the Town of Vail's Debt
Councilmembers heard a presentation from Steve Jeffers, the town's bond advisor, on various
approaches (negotiated sale, competitive sale, or competitive -negotiated sale) to refinance a
portion of the town's debt. He said the town could refinance up to $7 million of its $24 million
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TOV Council Highlights/June 23, 1998/Add3
debt, which would free up between $2.5 million to $3 million between the year 2000 and 2005.
Councilmembers agreed to postpone a decision, pending the outcome of the Common Ground
process, which has recommended refinancing as one of five funding options for affordable
housing. For more information, contact Steve Thompson, finance director, at 479-2116.
--Other
Bob Armour inquired about color selection, process of approval, and installation of two skier
sculptures at the Vail Village Inn. Staff will investigate.
Ludwig Kurz, who attended Monday's Planning and Environmental Commission meeting on the
Vail Village Inn major amendment to a SDD, expressed concerns about the PEC's commitment
to a thorough review process. Kurz said he sensed the PEC members would rather rely on
Council to make the hard political decisions rather than rolling up their sleeves (PEC) to make
sound recommendations based on the town's codes, and regulations.
Next, Andy Knudsten, project manager for Common Ground, provided a brief update on the
process, including plans for this week's open house, as well as the June 30 special Council
meeting.
Lastly, Police Chief Greg Morrison said the department is still inquiring about the possibility of
helping to sponsor a late -night movie at the Crossroads theater on July 4 to give kids 21 and
under something to do after the fireworks.
UPCOMING DISCUSSION TOPICS
June 30 Special Evening Town Council Meeting, 7 p.m.
Common Grounds Conclusion
July 7 Work Session
DRB Review
Lionshead Master Plan Discussion
Discussion of Ordinance #9, re: SDD #22
Discussion of Marketing Bill
July 7 Evening Meeting
First Reading, Ordinance #9, re: SDD #22
First Reading, Ordinance #10, re: Design Review Trigger
First Reading, Ordinance re: Model Traffic Code
Marketing Presentation by Frank Johnson
Parking Discussion
Lionshead Master Plan
July 14 Work Session
PEC Review
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