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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-04-18 Town Council Minutesj • VAIL TOWN COUNCIL - MINUTES TUESDAY, April 18, 2000 6:00 P.M. The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was held in the Town Council Chambers on Tuesday, April 18, 2000. The meeting was called to order at approximately 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT:Ludwig Kurz, Mayor Sybil Navas, Pro Tern Kevin Foley Diana Donovan Greg Moffet Rod Slifer STAFF ABSENT: Chuck Ogilby STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob McLaurin, Town Manager Tom Moorhead, Town Attorney Pamela Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager • SPECIAL MEETING 6:00-5:00 P.M. • In a continuing effort to seek input on the White River National Forest Plan, the council heard an overview of what has been called a "blended modified C: approach" proposed by Congressman Scott McInnis. The proposal, according to McInnis spokesman Mike Hess, has been endorsed by commissioners in Summit, Mesa and Garfield Counties and balances the needs of recreation and the ecosystem. The Council's reaction was mixed, although most said they supported one of the actions recommended in the blended plan, which is to include the 3,593-acre No Name area to the list of recommended wilderness areas. Diana Donovan stressed the importance of understanding the water issues in Alternative C, and was opposed to a ski portal in Minturn. She said she was in favor of roads closed unless posted open. As for logging, that industry was used to open up more roads, but no more roads are needed. Donovan also expressed that she is opposed to ski area expansion. Sybill Navas said the Forest Service should be accountable for past decisions and suggested a portion of the USFS permit fees raised in Eagle County be returned to the areas to help manage the forest. She also expressed that mountain bikers need to be treated the same as horses and hikers. Navas, as well as Slifer, are opposed to a corridor between Minturn and Vail. Greg Moffet expressed opposition to a ski portal in Minturn and offered support for allowing as many people to access the forest as possible. Kevin Foley said he is in favor of a modified version of Alternative D, but wants more understanding of the water rights. Ludwig Kurz said it would be critical for the Council to join in discussions with the Town of Minturn regarding a portal entry extending form Town of Minturn to Vail Mountain. Kurz asked whether there was one plan that worked better than the rest in regard to funding. 1 Apri1 18, 2000 Town Council Meeting Minutes • Brent Wilson said he would incorporate the Council's comments in a draft response to be reviewed at the May 2"d, evening meeting, and If accepted by the Council, the comments would be forwarded to the Forest Service prior to the May 91" deadline. Dick Woodrow, a retired employee of the Forest Service, said he was concerned about Alternative D, so he volunteered to work with Congressman McInnis on the White River National Forest Plan. He than reviewed the Management Summary - Eagle County handout with the Council and public. Mr. Woodrow said the Forest Service based each of the alternatives on the historic budget. Patsy Batchelder, a Vail resident, presented a recommendation for a modified Alternative D approach. She requested that additional wilderness area be protected around the Flat Tops and Red Table Mountain. She asked that mountain bikes be allowed on all trails open to horses and hikers except for in wilderness areas and that snowmobiles have access to Vail Pass, Holy Cross, Red and White Mountain. The things that she likes about Alternative D is that it provides the best protection for habitat on migration routes, allows more timber harvest, fire wood cutting, insect and fire control. Alternative D leaves 14,067 miles of Forest Service roads open to vehicle travel. The policy that roads will be closed to motorized vehicles unless posted was also good. Alternative D allows for ski area expansion within the ski area and is opposed to the corridor between Minturn and Vail. It leaves all current livestock grazing in place. It properly limits snowmobile use in sensitive areas and near the Tenth Mountain Division Huts. . Ron Jones, a resident since 1970, said he was disturbed about this new plan, as it is not based on scientific facts. He said he feels this plan is a rubber stamp for real estate development and ski area expansion and further destruction of the wilderness. Ski area expansion destroys the migrations paths and winter ranges. Mr. Jones said we need to consider future generations and he urged the Town Council to consider the environment. Jim Lamont, speaking on behalf of the East Village Home Owners Association, encouraged dialogue between the Vail Town Council and the Minturn Town Council to address the issue of a ski portal in Minturn. Jeff Berman, who lives in Boulder, speaking on behalf of Colorado Wild in Boulder, criticized the McInnis proposal. Mr. Berman said these plans only serve to meet the special interest of the ski, logging and off -road motorized vehicle industries. Jeff presented a diagram to the Council demonstrating the amount of recreation (all types) that occurred in the National Forest from 1984-1986. He showed that the number of hikers is eleven times that of off -road vehicle use. He said hikers are being pushed out of the area by motorized use. Many people will not go to Vail Pass to back country ski as there are snowmobiles every where. The different types of recreation need to be allocated in such a way that reflects the levels of various use. Alternative B and Alternative D slightly increase areas for non -motorized use. Alternative D should in the very least be the direction that the forest service should be moving. Alternative 1 is better, as it reflects changes on the forest as used by people. . Andy Wiesner, a resident of Vail, asked the Vail Town Council to prohibit what he called the 2 April 18, 2000 Town Council Meeting Minutes • "entering wedge," or an aerial tramway or gondola corridor to Minturn. Carl Fauland said Alternative D does not look bad. It is the least of what we can do for our forest. It looks like the wildlife loses and the ski area expansion wins again. He said Council needs to consider the possibility of development in the Gilman area. Sally Jackel, a Vail resident, said that Congress McInnis has one of the worst environmental records of anyone. REGULAR TOWN COUNCIL MEETING 8:00 P.M. The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation. There was no citizen participation. The second item on the agenda was the announcement of recipients for the Youth Recognition and Ambassador Awards. Sybil[ Navas introduced the recipients: Sean Meehan, Vail Mountain School - Vail Valley Exchange Youth Ambassador Award. Addie Robinson -Vail Youth Recognition Award Marissa Reigel - Vail Valley Exchange Youth Ambassador Award and Vail Youth Recognition Award from Battle Mountain High School. Sean Meehan and Marissa Reigel will be spending time this summer in Mr. Buller, Australia. Addie Robinson and Marissa Reigel received a scholarship for $1,000. The recipients are all juniors and were nominated by their school's faculty. The third item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda. Second reading of Ordinance No.7, Series of 2000, an ordinance repealing the establishment of Special Development District No. 30, Vail Athletic Club and amending the Official Town of Vail Zoning Map; and setting forth details in regard thereto. A proposed redevelopment plan for the Vail Athletic Club & Spa was recently approved by the Town of Vail. The plan was approved in accordance with the development standards prescribed for the Public Accommodation Zone District. The special development district designation is no longer needed. Rod Slifer moved to approve the second reading of Ordinance No. 7, Series of 2000, Greg Moffet seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. The fourth item on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance No. 6, Series 2000 repealing and reenacting Chapter 13, Employee Housing, Title 12 Zoning Regulations, Town Code in order to provide additional incentives for the creation of employee housing through out the Town of Vail; and amending Sections 12-6c-8 and 12-6d-8, Density Control, Title 12 Zoning Regulations, Town Code in order to reduce the minimum lot size requirement in the two-family and primary secondary residential zone districts from 15,000 sq. ft. to 14,000 sq. ft. ; and making other amendments in regard thereto. On June 15, 1999, the Community Development Department presented to the Town Council some potential revisions to the Town Code having impact on the provision of employee housing in the Town's duplex zone districts, Two -Family Residential and Two -Family Primary/Secondary Residential. The Town Council gave staff the direction to move forward with the concepts presented. The PEC has reviewed the proposal at its August 23, 1999, and September 13, 1999, meetings. The PEC recommended several modifications to the proposal, which have been incorporated into 3 April 18, 2000 Town Council Meeting Minutes • the proposal. The PEC recommended approval of the proposed changes with 2 minor modifications on September 27, 1999. The changes included allowing EHU's to be separated from the main structure if constructed in conjunction with a garage and removal of the provision that would have required both owners of a duplex to sign the application for an EHU. Those changes are included in the proposed text. On October 5, 1999, the Town Council gave staff direction to move forward with the amendments after the new Town Council was seated. There was general acceptance by the Town Council of the proposed amendments given at that meeting. The Council also wanted to incorporate a requirement for an EHU on large lots. This can be easily incorporated, however, staff was very concerned about doing this without proper analysis showing a nexus between large homes and impacts on employee housing. The staff had discussed this with several professionals in the field and they believe that an extensive analysis of neighborhoods needs to occur to show that large homes are different than smaller homes with respect to employee generation. On March 21, 2000, the Town Council directed staff to present an ordinance for these amendments. As part of the Vail Tomorrow and Common Ground processes, the community stated that the Town needed to improve its incentives for private developers to create Employee Housing Units (EHUs). Staff has identified some areas of the Zoning Regulations that may need to be modified in order to ensure that the Zoning Regulations are truly "promoting" employee housing rather than acting more as a disincentive. Diana Donovan said the measure was akin to "up - zoning" and would do little to provide employee housing. Kevin Foley voted against the ordinance, noting he would have preferred a three-month allowable rental unit vacancy period rather than five. Greg Moffet requested that additional wording be added to the Ordinance stating that the employee housing unit could remain vacant for 5 consecutive months rather a than 3 and change the square footage from 900 sq.ft. to 1200 sq. ft. Thomas Weber said employee housing is not necessarily affordable housing. There is no Town incentive to build employee housing. The only reason people do it now is because they want to. Greg Moffet moved to approve Ordinance No. 6, Series 2000, with the added condition that the employee housing unit could remain vacant for a period of 5 consecutive months and increased the sq. footage from 900 to 1200 sq. ft. Sybill Navas seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed 4-2, with Foley and Donovan opposing. The fifth item on the agenda was the second reading of Ordinance No. 8, Series 2000 - Supplemental Appropriation. The enclosed supplemental appropriation for $4.1 million is needed to fund incomplete 1999 projects (roll forwards): unanticipated expenditures (i.e., purchase of Creekside EHU's or the Water Park); projects that have changed in scope (i.e., way finding improvements); and projects that are funded by an unanticipated revenue ( i.e., grants). Greg Moffet moved to approve; Rod Slifer seconded. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0 The sixth item on the agenda was the Year of the Young Child Proclamation. Kevin Foley read the proclamation that coincides with a parade through the Town of Vail on April 24, 2000, by children from the Learning Tree and ABC early childhood education schools. The seventh item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report. Bob McLaurin noted the Town would receive $54,000 in future services from suppliers of the Town's new parking equipment as a settelment due to malfunctions which occurred earlier in the season. Kevin Foley moved to adjourn. Greg Moffet seconded. A vote was taken and the motion was 4 April 19, 2000 Town Council Meeting Minutes 0 passed unanimously, 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 8,45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Je' Ludwig Kurz, Mavyvo ATTESTS Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk Minutes taken by Beth Salter 0 E April 18, 2000 Town Council Meeting Minutes