HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-02-20 Town Council MinutesVAIL TOWN COUNCIL - MINUTES •
TUESDAY, February 20, 2001
7:00 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was held in the Town Council Chambers on
Tuesday, February 20, 2001. The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Ludwig Kurz, Mayor
Chuck Ogilby
Diana Donovan
Rod Slifer
Kevin Foley
Sybill Navas, Mayor Pro-Tem
Greg Moffet (arrived late)
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob McLaurin, Town Manager
Tom Moorhead, Town Attorney
Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager
Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk
The first item on the agenda was citizen participation. There was no citizen's participation.
The second item on the agenda was a discussion on the ABC/Learning TreelMountain Bell
Support, Commitments, and Funding.
Mayor Ludwig Kurz, stated there was a worksession this afternoon to discuss the Mountain Bell
site and future options of the site. Every member of Council is in agreement to make sure the
facility and service of the present schools will be continued either on site or elsewhere. Council
has given direction to staff that the Learning Tree and ABC school is included in future planning
discussions. He also stated they had several phone calls and e- mails requesting Town Council
support of continuing service of the schools. He said there has been, no question there is Town
Council support for the schools.
Moe Mulrooney, Director of the Learning Tree, introduced Crickett Pylman, also a Director of
the Learning Tree, and Cindy Allward and Christy Grimms, Directors of the ABC School. She
said they want to make a proposal to the Council. The educators want early education at the
forefront of any plans made for this site. She said the Learning Tree and ABC vision of the
schools was to provide high quality childcare for the valley. She gave a historical background
of each school. They currently pay $1 per year for the lease space and thanked the Council for
that. Their programs extend to outdoor education on the land surrounding the schools. As
directors of the schools, the next phase of their vision is to restructure and combine both
schools. And this is a wonderful opportunity to begin again. The schools belong to the
community not just the parents of the children who go to the schools. They are asking for
continued community support as well as Town Council support.
Cindy Allard, Co -director of ABC school, gave Council a wish list of what the schools wanted
from the Town of Vail. One is a commitment to continue to support an early childhood
education facility within Town of Vail limits. She stated the schools are non-profit and provide a
1 Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001
valuable service. The second commitment is for the town to finance all construction and related
expenses. She said it is the only feasible way the relocation will work. The third item is to
provide the schools with a definitive site for relocation of both schools, the Mountain Bell site is
their first choice. Next, they want a guaranteed uninterruption of school service; a definitive
budget, town school relocation committee to be formed and a town/school lease at the same
price or go up to $2 a year.
Christy Grimms, Co -director of ABC School, highlighted additional wish list items they are
requesting. They would like a firm schedule for project and a timeline, they need a 4,500
square foot facility, a 99-year lease term at $2lyear, no interruption of service, additional
construction money including carpet and cleaning, so they can keep it a "homey" environment
for the children.
Council member Kevin Foley asked if more students would be accommodated by the larger
square footage.
Moe Mulrooney stated both schools presently accommodate 44-48 students and the new
school could accommodate up to 60 additional students. Their waiting list is huge,
approximately 60 children per year. The reason they wouldn't get much larger is because it
would be difficult to find qualified staff to accommodate a large increase in size. And they want
to keep the coziness they have now.
Mayor Ludwig Kurz asked what the current square footage of each school was at this time
. Moe said the Learning Tree has approximately 1,500 square feet and ABC School has
approximately 2,500 square feet.
Council member Sybill Navas asked about possibly putting infant care at Bright Horizons and
how would they feel to have an infant care facility attached to theirs but not necessarily
operated by them. There has been discussion that this would be an appropriate solution that
they be all located together.
Moe said they are not in the business of infant care. The best possible program that they could
make would be to collaborate and form one program that worked together and to pull the
resources together. They don't have the expertise and would need to find people with expertise
in that area. The infant/toddler program has much greater needs. They try to promote home
infant care so as not to spread germs.
Council member Chuck Ogilby said they received a lot of a -mails stating that they didn't want to
put the schools on the same site as housing. He asked them to go through the process of
putting the schools on the Mountain Bell site.
Moe explained the directors and boards of the schools looked at three possible sites; Donovan
Park, the west end at the Red Sandstone Elementary School and the east or west end of the
Mountain Bell site. She said the schools are not a recreational entity and it wouldn't be a good
fit on the Donovan Park site; the Red Sandstone facility had some good points but the site is
too difficult to access for drop off and pickup and more expensive to build there; and the
. Mountain Bell site seemed the best site available. The schools are very willing to work with the
2 Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001
Town to look at additional site inquiries but they need lots of nature and beauty around the
isschools that they are accustomed to having for the last 24 years.
Council member Diana Donovan said something could be worked out. She stated she doesn't
think the town could or should pay for the whole thing nor is it an appropriate thing to do. She
said there are other opportunities in town and grants and other funding that can be had and
they can all work together to find a solution. She also stated that she didn't think any
displacement would be necessary.
Council member Greg Moffet said this isn't a private enterprise this is a community school. The
boards are made up of parents of children who attend the schools and dedicate time to the
schools. He stated this was exactly the thing that municipalities tax for. He said it is unrealistic
that the schools couldn't make it during relocation without municipal support they can't make it
alone. He stated that we should bend over backwards to keep these schools here and make it
as easy as possible for the schools to stay.
Council member Rod Slifer stated the Council is supportive and it would be hard not to support
this, but agreed with Diana that we can get funds from other sources and the community would
have some skin in the game, and raise some dollars from the community and not rely solely on
municipal support.
Moe said the timing is the most frightening because the time is so short, they spend a lot of
time in the classroom and they don't have the time and luxury to fundraise over and above what
they are doing now.
• Council member Greg Moffet stated the schools don't break even on tuition now and they need
to fundraise every year to break even through fundraising at the Christmas Fair and Casino
Night. He said if they didn't do the fundraising, they would have to raise the fees and it would
be a stretch for most families. He said ABC has volunteer requirements for parents and
suspects that Learning Tree does as well.
Council member Sybill Navas stated her daughter is a graduate of both schools and private
care from Cindy Allard and is supportive of a commitment to keep them up and running. She
explained that the value to the community that the schools provide is important. She stated that
she didn't think the town should cover everything. She said as she looked at the wish list,
family participation should be there. She said the larger items are not of issue, but the moving
expenses should not be part of the expenses, that should be done by the families who
participate in the schools. She feels that the schools should get the community to donate paint
and carpet. She feels the there is a happy medium that can be achieved. She said also they
should get the families involved in moving the schools to a new location. She shared their
concern about the timeline and wished they all knew the timeline but felt the Council couldn't
make any further promises at this time. She said the Council was committed to making this
transition as smooth as possible.
Council member Kevin Foley asked when Casino Night was this year.
Moe stated it is set for Friday night, April 6', 2001, and the town is a 'blue chip' contributor to
that event.
Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001
• Council member Chuck Ogilby said he didn't have anything to add.
Bob McLaurin, Town Manager, said the town could work with cost estimators and run their wish
list through them and get the budget dollars for them. The policy issue of what level the town
can fund cannot be solved tonight. He said as the town proceeds with the Mountain Bell site
they will continue to keep them informed and work with them to continue to support these
programs.
Mayor Ludwig Kurz, said the last time this discussion was around, approximately 14 months
ago, there was serious discussion regarding fundraising. He said he didn't see any effort in
their proposal for fundraising. He expects to see some fundraising and contributions from other
sources in the future. The overall support is strongly there, we just need to figure out how to
get it done.
Moe said they see the commitment from the town and when they know this is what they need to
do, they will search at other avenues of funding as the time goes on. What they need to know
is the timing and do they need to restructure and when.
Bob McLaurin said the questions couldn't be answered right now. He said the commitment the
town can make is to keep them in the loop and as soon as the town knows something the town
will keep them apprised.
Russ Forrest said they could engage a cost estimator and they could work with the schools and
• find out what the costs may be at a goal setting meeting.
Council member Sybill Navas asked Russ for a best guess estimate about when a decision
would be made on this project.
Russ stated a preliminary approval could be done by late summer early fall and have
construction start in the year 2002. He said it is reasonable to have a basic project through the
process by early fall.
Mayor Ludwig Kurz said there is a level of urgency to this project and the town will not drag
their feet and will move forward with the project and keep the schools informed and in the loop.
Mayor Ludwig Kurz thanked everyone for their comments.
A five-minute break was taken at 7:30 pm.
The third item on the agenda was a discussion on Donovan Park.
Todd Oppenheimer, Landscape Architect for the Town of Vail, stated the design group is there
listen and get feedback from the Council, what concerns the Council and community have and
answer as many questions as possible. They are scheduled for preliminary discussions with
Design Review Board (DRB) tomorrow. He stated he had broken down the costs so Council
could see where the costs are at this time.
• 4 Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001
Otis Odell, of Odell Architects, explained through the breakdown of the project and gave a
snapshot of where the project is as of tonight. He said that two weeks ago they were in front of
Council, and had a $10,350,000 budget and had asked for a higher budget. The design team
was told by Council that the budget was $10,350,000. He explained this has some economic
impacts. He reviewed a site plan, which included a 6,200-6,500 square foot pavilion. He stated
surface parking would impact the building site and reduced overall parking spaces from 150
and there could be 130-135 parking spaces. He stated any Phase Two development would
be impacted and they felt 150 spaces are necessary to accommodate future parking. It would
reduce Phase Two building from 12,000 square feet to approximately 9,000-10,000 square feet.
From a design standpoint, surface parking was not as desirable as structured parking as
overall site coverage. There would be a budget savings of approximately $400,000 to
$500,000. The impact to the schedule would be a delay of approximately 4-6 weeks. The
Council and public are the client and this presentation is a preview and update of what DRB will
be looking at tomorrow.
Scott Smith, from Sasaki, gave an update on the budget allocation. He stated there are some
key programmatic issues. One is the flexibility of the space and using it as a multi -use space.
They have worked with different scenarios, from use by small groups to larger groups that
would use the pavilion. The building doesn't lean one way or another to serve the purpose of
any one group but will serve the purpose well for each type of use. He reviewed the pavilion
design on the site and how it was integrated into the landscape. He said one of the concerns of
the new site is moving the building 60-70 feet from its current location and losing some of the
view and integration with the surrounding landscape. He stated they simplified the building. He
• said the entry area could be used for smaller functions. He explained the pavilion space has
been reduced 800 square feet and will be able to set up a banquet style event and serve 144
people at tables, seat up to 200 people for movies, and approximately 150-160 people with
stadium -style seating. In summing up, he said the building is more efficient, and the building
fits better into the site.
•
Council member Greg Moffet said that one point early in the process, they talked about leaving
the parking structure as is without an upper deck. Does this program better with this option,
take off the top deck, live with 90-110 spaces and add the top deck at the time of a second
phase being developed.
Otis said 90-100 parking spaces would be under the necessary amount of parking spaces
needed for Phase One and there would be a wall unbroken that would be a difficult design
element to deal with in the interim.
Council member Sybill Navas asked for further information about the surface parking size.
Otis stated he didn't know what it was at this time but could research it.
Todd Oppenheimer, said the surface parking didn't increase the paved area very much.
Chris Squandra explained that changing the parking effects the pavilion site and the building
would lose proximity to entry into the pavilion.
5 Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001
• Todd said instead of changing the program, maybe they should consider not paving it.
Council member Greg Moffet he is adverse to paving and allowing the parking dictate the
building location. He said the building needs to be sited and then make the parking work
around it. He stated the second deck is expensive and we may need to forego that to get this
thing built.
Council member Rod Slifer said he has gotten a lot of feedback from the community and said
the overall budget was too high. He said there are lots of things in the community that are
needed and people are saying it is too much to spend at Donovan Park. He agrees with Greg,
and said we should be building a surface parking lot and designing it so that it's one level. He
said you could build a deck on it later if necessary. He stated a gravel parking lot is not an
option and work on the wall. He said parking costs early on were $2 million and said if the
parking was one level, the savings could be more. He said the architectural style is too
contemporary and not appropriate for the site. He would like to see the building look like
something coming from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He said the increased amount of glass from
the first plan was too much. He is worried about light and solar gain during an event,
particularly in the winter. He has a problem with the roof structure and roof design. He stated
the roof is currently designed to be supported by posts outside of the building, and is too
expensive. He stated this detail is too expensive and would like the building support the roof.
He wants more cost reductions in the building. He said they need to take more money out of
the building and reduce the overall cost. He said the building might need to be shrunk down to
match the supporting parking spaces available.
• Council member Chuck Ogilby said the zinc -type roof could be changed to save money and be
more compatible for this area. He agrees with Rod about the light and solar gain concern. He
likes the structure, it is bold and would give off a very grand feeling when you are in it. He is in
favor of having ground surface parking now and building the structure later.
•
Chris stated they are making accommodations for sun protection to block light with shutters and
shades. He said the concern of making the parking larger is having to force the building further
west and turned differently.
Further discussion ensued regarding the glazing and sunlight impacts.
Council member Kevin Foley said the square footage does not add up.
Otis stated it is gross square footage versus net square footage.
Council member Kevin Foley said the cost is $400 square foot.
Todd said they talked with the construction management team and stated they were involved in
the Avon Library building. He said if you took the cost of that building and escalated the cost
seven years, when it was built, it would be around $350-400 square foot to build today. He said
this design is a step above that design as far as quality of design and that's the cost.
'] Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001
Todd said visually, what it does from the Frontage Road, with a parking deck, by tiering the
parking down, you look over the top of the parking and may see the last row of cars. He said
they added $100,000 for landscaping between Frontage Road and building parking to buffer the
view.
Council member Chuck Ogilby asked if the structure was built at a later date, how would that
effect the first phase now and what could they do to mitigate the impacts?
Chris stated there are two issues, one is an engineering issue with the wall. The wall would be
high and the use of landscaping to mitigate the height issue.
Otis said the number of parking spaces and having adequate parking would be an issue as well
as escalation of costs is another issue.
Council member Sybili Navas asked if the wall doesn't have to be as tall if there is no parking
structure.
Todd explained the wall doesn't have to be that high. He said the structural engineers felt that it
was not prudent, given the height of the wall that is needed, to attach a pre -cast concrete
structure to it. When you separate two tiers out there is an overall shorter wall.
Council member Sybill Navas asked how tall will the upper tier wall be with the second
scenario.
iTodd stated the upper tier would go from approximately 13 to 15 feet for the upper wall and
drop down between 10-20 feet between walls and then have 4-5 foot high landscape walls.
Council member Rod Slifer asked if you take the old footprint without the deck, would the wall
be about 25 feet high versus 15 feet.
Todd said it would be 25 feet at the highest point. Also, added expense and utilization of
special construction techniques would have to be used.
Further discussion on parking scenarios was discussed as well as wall heights.
Council member Greg Moffet said the design team needed to go back and mitigate the wall with
the understanding if there is a Phase Two, there will need to be a deck built at that time and
limit the parking to 100-110 spaces.
Chris said the reason people build parking structures is because the land is more expensive
than the value of the parking deck. You would lose another half acre of land by using surface
parking versus a parking deck.
Council member Chuck Ogilby said if there is landscaping in front of the wall. What would it
take?
Chris stated he didn't know at this time what it would take.
•
6 Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001
Council member Sybill Navas said in addition the building is designed to accommodate multiple
uses.
Council member Kevin Foley asked what the size of the Eagle Vail pavilion was and said he is
getting same questions as Rod that this building is too expensive in Donovan Park, when there
are other needs in the community.
Someone mentioned they thought the Eagle Vail pavilion was approximately 2,200 square feet
plus the decks.
Todd stated the comments the design team heard for direction was that the building should be
world class and although the Eagle Vail Pavilion is functional it is not world class and this
building accommodates more people and is bigger.
Council member Greg Moffet stated if this building was being built in Ford Park the cost
wouldn't be as much of an issue. He stated it is time to invest in this neighborhood and in a
high-class manner also.
Todd said the pavilion is only a fraction of the project. He said Donovan Park is multi -use; the
turf grass is multi -event use, there is a picnic facility, and restrooms. It is a 12-acre park that
has a pavilion in it.
Council member Sybill Navas said we are running the risk of reducing the usage of the park by
shaving the budget and it doesn't outweigh the cost of reducing uses. She is still concern about
• the parking, why would we reduce parking when we need it to save a few dollars. She stated
this is a very large project, it isn't just a pavilion, it is a combination of facilities and it needs the
appropriate parking. She stated that they should look at the issues of parking that Ford Park
has and try to avoid that at Donovan Park. She said a large part, more than 25% of the costs
are for professional fees and contingencies. Other costs, based on community comments,
include mitigation of impacts to the Matterhorn intersection area due to traffic and parking
issues on the Frontage Road. She agrees with Greg on cost of project should be Vail quality no
matter what part of town it is in.
Todd asked the Council if he could bring back the parking issues and address them next week
because he needs to do additional research. He said he would bring back a comparison of the
amount of paved area that the current scenario has versus if they didn't do a parking structure.
He stated that Ford Park has parking issues that are an ongoing source of frustration and that
the park has a parking structure within easy walking distance. He wants to research the
parking demand more thoroughly. Donovan Park would not have that luxury of additional
parking availability. He also wants to bring back illustrations of what the wall would look like
without the parking structure. He wants to bring more ideas back next week on the parking
issues and then finalize the discussion at next weeks meeting.
Mayor Ludwig Kurz said he leans closer to Sybill and Greg's comments in regard to the overall
program and likes the project as it is for its boldness and interest. However, the town needs to
be fiscally responsible and reduce costs wherever they might be. He said there are costs in the
project that can reduce the cost; the roof size could be one, the support structure for the roof
• could be changed. In terms of the numbers, in all ten items, at least save 10% on each item.
8 Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001
• He also stated that with good planning, chances are, that a large part of the $1.1 million
contingency could be saved and not spent and they would all feel more comfortable.
Council member Diana Donovan said she would like to have them divide the infrastructure
costs between the pavilion, parking, site costs, soccer field, etc. She would like to see a more
detailed breakdown. She doesn't like the way the park looks with two levels of surface parking
and compromises the way the pavilion looks and impacts the park. She thinks it is short-
sighted to cut back on the parking now. She said the large room is not designed for small
community group use. The way the front door accesses the lobby, it would be hard to have a
small meeting in that space. She said there needs to be another access to get in to the large
room so the smaller area can have a meeting without impact from the large area so both areas
can be used simultaneously and independently. She stated she doesn't like the architecture
and the design materials for the metal roof. She wants the newspapers to put a picture in the
newspaper on this pavilion so they can get community feedback. She wants to know what the
maintenance costs and fees to use the facility are going to be.
Council member Sybill Navas said if the use of the large room is used as well as the small
room there is an access problem with restrooms as well.
Further discussion ensued about the use of both spaces.
Council member Chuck Ogilby said Council needs to give direction to Todd and the design
team for the parking. He said he hadn't heard support to the two -level parking structure. He
has heard keep it like it is or build just one tier. He hasn't heard support for splitting it and is it a
• waste of Todd's time to research a two-tier system.
Council member Sybill Navas said if the parking structure is not built, she has a concern with a
25-foot wall. She said they would need a two -level parking surface if we needed to mitigate the
25-foot wall if the parking structure is not built.
0
Todd explained the wall scenario and stated that surface parking has merit to it and want to
bring back visuals for the Council to review. He stated there are still CDOT and Corp. of
Engineering site questions that need to be addressed and the contingency cost may need to
coverthese.
Council member Rod Slifer said there are some retaining walls in Batchelor Gulch and
Mountain Star that are at least 25 feet high, that the design team could review. He didn't like
the roof material and would like a site plan with deck areas on it because they were significant.
Council member Diana Donovan said not to forget parking isn't just for the pavilion, it will be for
the soccer and other tournaments and possible skier parking in winter. She said there won't be
any Frontage Road parking in this area, it's too dangerous. She also stated she hopes
everyone appreciates how far they have come on this project even though she hates it.
Todd said joint parking uses are a concern. He said that is a concern at Ford Park now. He will
try to get parking generation numbers for Council.
Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001
• Guy Ayrault, a Matterhorn resident, stated the design team has done a spectacular job laying
out the site thus far. He says he feels that this discussion of paving more of the site is a great
leap backward. He said this parking takes a large swath out of the useable park site and
moving the building by 70 feet is a huge mistake. We need to remember this is a park, if
something has to go, put the pavilion in Phase Two, but build the park.
Mayor Ludwig Kurz said there was agreement that movement of the building to that degree was
not acceptable or a good option and the design team doesn't feel this is a good option either.
He asked Todd if they gave good direction and asked if there was agreement to save 10% of
the costs across the board as a target.
Todd said they would be looking at saving money throughout the project. He said he and
George Ruther are driving them to keep the cost down. There are so many decisions to be
made and they can't promise a 10% cost savings of the $10,350,000 but they are working hard
to have a good product with the best possible cost savings.
Council member Sybill Navas said if 40 parking places on half an acre of land is a bargain for
$500,000, especially if it compromises the whole site plan in the process, she doesn't see the
value in it.
Otis Odell explained that it is important to recognize that Phase One of this project has gone
out to bid and they have received hard bids for the project and it's extremely competitive. He
said the train has left the station and construction is scheduled to begin around the first of April
• on some of the site work. He said there is a figure of about $150,000 to $180,000 of savings
realized by their diligent and proactive approach to bidding this project in phases. It is a
demonstration of their commitment to the town and community to give them value, save money,
and have the best project for the value and dollars.
Mayor Ludwig Kurz thanked the design team for their presentation.
The fourth item on the agenda was first reading of Ordinance No, 3, Series of 2001; Creation
of the Housing Zone District, an ordinance amending the Town Code, Title 12, Chapter 6 to the
Town of Vail Zoning Regulations to allow for the addition of Article I. Housing (H) District;
amending Chapter 4, Districts established; amending Section 12-15-2: GRFA Requirements by
Zone District; amending Title 12 Sign Regulations, Chapter 4, Sign Categories, Section 11-4A-
1: Signs Permitted in Zoning Districts and Setting forth details in regard thereto.
Allison Ochs, Town Planner, said the proposed Housing Zone District that the Council has seen
numerous times. She said there was some concern earlier in the day with the addition of day
care as a conditional use. What is stated currently in the code is public and private schools and
educational institutions. There are two options, change it to public and private schools including
daycare facilities or cleanup the municipal specifically to the definition section, to define day
care facilities.
Mayor Ludwig Kurz asked if there is agreement in adding those three words. All Council
members were in agreement.
• Allison said there were no further changes. The purpose of the Housing Zone District is
10 Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001
• intended to provide adequate sites for deed restricted employee housing and the words "deed
restricted" were added to the purpose statement as requested by Council at the last meeting,
otherwise everything stayed the same. She stated there was discussion regarding whether a
free marketing dwelling unit should be a conditional use in this zone district and this ordinance
has kept that in as originally proposed.
Council member Diana Donovan stated all the Council has done is created another special
development district for housing. She said there is another way to accomplish this exact same
thing. She said with all the examples staff has given them there are many ways to get
affordable housing with many approaches. She said the town is giving away the farm and this
will negatively affect the community as a whole.
Council member Greg Moffet said he is in favor of the ordinance as drafted. He said he would
like to think that subject to Planning Commission approval, a conditional use in this zone district
would be used by private developers who would take projects through that otherwise wouldn't
create affordable housing. He said the town needs to have incentives for private developers to
build or convert projects to affordable housing. He stated that the last ordinance made it to
difficult for developers to use.
Council member Diana Donovan asked what deed restricted issues Greg was talking about.
Council member Greg Moffet said there were restrictions that if you don't keep the units
occupied there are sanctions.
• Council member Diana Donovan said there are other communities that do this without
incentives so why do we?
Council member Sybill Navas said she was opposed to this ordinance with the inclusion of the
free market dwelling units because there were no restrictions on height, mass, and other areas.
Council member Rod Slifer made a motion to approve Ordinance No.3, on first reading, with the
changes and inclusions that Allison made from the work session, and Council member Greg
Moffet seconded the motion.
Council member Chuck Ogilby stated originally he wasn't in favor of the 30% free market units,
but he has to entrust future Councils and the Planning and Environmental Commission to make
housing viable in this community in the future. He will vote in favor of the approval of this
ordinance.
Jim Lamont, representing the East Village Homeowners Association, said he has watched this
ordinance evolve over the past two years. He wanted two things to be considered between .15t
and 2"d reading. One is how will the town be protected concerning the Timber Ridge project
and how do we create incentives that allow this zone district to be applied to other
circumstances. He says the town has antiquated master planning, and the'town needs to have
language included that if this is imposed for different properties, a master plan should be done
for the area in which this district be imposed. Some of the areas may be good for some
commercial development, if you go into established neighborhood, such as Pitkin Creek. A
• master plan requirement may be necessary so neighborhoods have some degree of assurance
11 Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001
that it will go through a planning process and give additional protection to property owners and
neighborhoods in the overall master planning process. Special Development District's should
be applied to larger projects. Some could construe this ordinance as a floating zone district.
Council member Sybill Navas asked Tom Moorhead a question of legality in creating a zone
district without a piece of land.
Tom Moorhead, Town Attorney, said this is exactly the process used when they changed all the
land in the open zone district. The town created the zone district first and subsequently added
properties into the zone district later. He said this is not a floating zone district. He stated that
it is anticipated there would be some properties this ordinance may pertain to.
Mayor Ludwig Kurz asked Rod, since he made the motion to approve, if he would entertain
modifying his motion and adding master plan issues to it.
Council member Rod Slifer said he wanted his motion to stay the same. He said in Section
12.6.1-11, the development plan required covered a lot of these issues. He said staff should
respond to Jim's additional concerns.
Council member Kevin Foley said this is a start.
A vote was taken and passed 5-2, Council members Sybill Navas and Diana Donovan were
opposed.
• The fifth item on the agenda was first reading of Ordinance No. 6, Series of 2001.
Timber Vail Subdivision; an ordinance amending the Official Town of Vail Zoning Map and
rezoning of the proposed Lot 1 and 2, Timber Vail Subdivision from Residential Cluster Zone
District to Single -Family Residential Zone District; and setting forth details in regard thereto.
Mayor Ludwig Kurz said they went through this ordinance at the work session and asked if
there were any further comments or questions.
Council member Greg Moffet made a motion to approve on first reading, Ordinance No. 6,
Series of 2001, subject to the following findings: 1) that the proposal is consistent with the
town's development objectives, development standards for adjacent properties and provisions
and content of the single family residential district regulations and 2) that the proposed zone
district is compatible with and suitable to adjacent uses consistent with the town's land use plan
and zoning regulations appropriate for the area. Council member Chuck Ogilby seconded the
motion.
A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
The sixth item on the agenda was second reading of Ordinance No. 4, Series of 2001;
"Parking Pay -in -Lieu" Policy. An ordinance amending Chapter 12-10, Town of Vail Code (Off -
Street Parking and Loading); with specific regard to the "Parking Pay -in -Lieu" Policy application
and fee structure; and setting forth details in regard thereto.
• Brent Wilson, Town Planner, stated there have been no changes from first reading.
12 Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001
iMayor Ludwig Kurz stated he was not at that the February 0' meeting but understands the
issues.
Council member Diana Donovan said the town has already reduced parking requirements by
30%and feels that takes care of most of the small businessman. She said the commercial
property owners should have responsibility of parking fees. She said ultimately the burden
would fall on the residential taxpayer.
Council member Greg Moffet made a motion to approve on second reading, Ordinance No. 4,
Series of 2001, and Council member Sybil[ Navas seconded the motion.
Council member Chuck Ogilby asked if they need to make a finding.
Brent said the ordinance is the same way as it was three weeks ago and is covered.
Council member Kevin Foley said he concurs with Diana regarding placing the burden on the
residential property owner. He says over the past few months he keeps hearing how we are in
financial dire straits, and it makes more sense to collect from the commercial property owners,
$6,000 per space than giving it away for free.
Mayor Ludwig Kurz reiterated he was not here on first reading and is torn. The town has come
a long way to ameliorate this issue. He would like to see them keep a part of the pay -in -lieu.
• He was hopeful that some of the money being saved would be used on the project, and he
doesn't see this necessarily happening.
Council member Diana Donovan asked what the budget is on the parking pay in lieu.
Bob McLaurin, Town Manager said he would have to break it out of the parking revenue
budget. He said the town budgets it very conservatively. In the past it has been considered
unanticipated revenue.
Brent stated in the last five to six years the revenues averaged between $350,000-$475,000.
Council member Chuck Ogilby stated the town is trying to revitalize the core area and he sees
they are adding a burden of housing in future and the two big needs are revitalization and build
housing and will balance themselves out in the end.
A vote was taken and the motion passed, 4-3, Council members Kevin Foley, Diana Donovan
and Ludwig Kurz were opposed.
The seventh item on the agenda was a discussion of the Purchase of Waterfalls in East Vail
for Open Space (Lots 15 & 16 in the Bighorn Subdivision, Second Addition).
Russ Forrest, Director of Community Development, stated they would like to have council
approve the purchase of Lots 15 & 16 for open space. Lot 16 was identified in the
• Comprehensive Open Lands Plan as a high priority for acquisition because it was in a red
13 Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001
• avalanche zone, provided access to a water fall, and could provide access to a potential south
trail. Since this application was submitted, staff and the Eagle Valley Land Trust have been
working with residents to purchase lots 15 & 16 as open space. The Eagle Valley Land Trust
has entered into a contract with the developer contingent upon the Land Trust raising $365,000
and the Town of Vail raising $250,000 for a total purchase price of $615,000. The land trust, as
of this date, has raised $295,000. The Trust is requesting that the Town increase its total
commitment by $60,000 for a total of $310,000. The Town of Vail would own the land and the
Eagle Valley Land Trust would have a conservation easement on the land as proposed. The
town would enter into a contract with the land trust. These lots were identified as a high priority
action in the open lands plan. The town has the resources in the budget. This is consistent
with other land transactions and was a high priority acquisition.
Council member Greg Moffet asked if they needed a motion to approve the additional funds.
Russ said yes they needed authorization.
Council member Diana Donovan asked if they would need to rezone the property to open
space.
Russ stated they would need to rezone to natural area preservationlopen space.
Council member Sybill Navas said would they need to rezone if there was a natural
preservation conservation easement.
. Council member Diana Donovan stated that the town would want to have the highest protected
zone district.
•
Council member Kevin Foley asked when this land could be purchased.
Brad Udall, Eagle Valley Land Trust, stated that the closing is could be set as early as March 2,
2001.
Mayor Ludwig Kurz asked if they are spending too much money for this property.
Brad Udall said comparables on open space are difficult to ascertain. However, he gave a
scenario of a comparable lot on Glen Falls Lane in East Vail, on .41 acre, was $750,000.
Across the street from these lots, a lot sold for $500,000 two years ago.
Council member Diana Donovan made a motion to approve the expenditure of Real Estate
Transfer Tax (RETT) funds of $310,000 to purchase Lots 15 & 16 Bighorn Subdivision, Second
Addition, and Council member Rod Slifer seconded the motion.
A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
14 Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001
Tom Steinberg, representing the Eagle Valley Land Trust, thanked the Council for their
purchase. He said Brad is leaving and suggested they name it the Udall Falls.
Brad said he thought that Martha B. Wilson Park might be a good name.
Mayor Ludwig Kurz said they would take that under advisement.
The eighth item on the agenda was the Planning and Environmental Commission (PEC)
appointments.
George Ruther, Town Planner, stated there are three positions for PEC open for 2-Year terms
and one position is open for a 1-Year term.
Mayor Ludwig Kurz said they would readvertise for the vacancy for the one-year position on the
PEC.
Council member Greg Moffet made a motion to appoint John Schofield, Chas Bernhardt and
Doug Cahill to two-year terms to the PEC and Council member Sybill Navas seconded the
motion.
Council member Chuck Ogilby referred to Doug Cahill's letter of why he wanted to be
reappointed to the PEC. Doug said the town would see some exciting changes and success
and shaping of some of these projects are important to him.
• Mayor Ludwig Kurz thanked the members for reapplying for the positions and having done a
very substantial job in their positions.
Council member Kevin included thanks to all the volunteer board members of the town.
A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
The ninth item on the agenda was a request by Vail Resorts to Utilize the Bike Path from
Forest Road West to Cascade Village and from the LionsHead Skier Bridge to
West Forest Road.
Mayor Ludwig Kurz said this was discussed at a previous worksession and permission was
granted for the rest of the ski season and they are ratifying that decision.
Council member Kevin Foley made a motion to approve and ratify the utilization of the bike
paths from Forest Road west to Cascade Village and from the Lionshead Skier Bridge to West
Forest Road through the end of the 2000-2001 ski season with further review to follow and
Council member Chuck Ogilby seconded the motion.
A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
Council member Kevin Foley stated he wanted Vail Resorts to continue to look at other
alternatives to get the snow cats and snowmobiles on other paths.
15 Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001
Council member Rod Slifer said another option might be to move the maintenance facility on
forest service land.
The tenth item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report.
Bob McLaurin, Town Manager, said there were a couple of items that needed discussion.
Pam stated the Ford Park Management Plan was approved and at that time there were many
projects outlined to be completed. The current council has changed its current strategy on
other parks and removed all funding for Ford Park modifications, except for the trash
compactor. That was scheduled for the year 2002 at a cost of $105,000. During this time the
amphitheater has come forward with their major redevelopment and one of the things that
needed to be accomplished was to move all trash from the lower bench and move it to the
upper bench. At this time they are requesting $48,000 for a trash enclosure to move it to upper
bench of Ford Park and have it come out of the original $105,000 budget.
Council member Kevin Foley asked if this was a recycle enclosure.
Pam said it is only a trash enclosure. There was a plan to realign the Frontage Road and
parking lot and put in accel/decel lanes, but it is very costly, and has been put on hold. This
could have included a trash compactor but we do not have that space so now it is just a trash
enclosure and will complete our commitment to the Ford Amphitheater and the other Ford Park
• users.
Council member Rod Slifer asked where the trash enclosure was located.
George Ruther, Chief of Planning, stated the trash location is currently set in the northwest
corner, and is adjacent to tennis courts. The management plan shows the location at the
southwest corner of the parking lot. They are getting the trash enclosure staked and are going
to do a site visit with the Design Review Board. Currently they have the trash enclosure on the
northwest corner.
Bob McLaurin stated the funds would be a supplemental request and would be funded in 2001.
Pam said they were matching construction materials with what is currently there and it will be of
high enough caliber and consistent with current materials.
Bob McLaurin said next request from Jim Heber of Dobson Ice Arena is regarding ice time at
Dobson Ice Arena in which the town management agreement allows the town to designate time
for community events during the year. They are requesting the town refrain from encouraging
community requests at this time due to the closure of the ice arena in the next few months.
The next item is for Council to consider a request to have the Rocky Mountain Planning Group
assess the council contribution process and criteria.
Bob stated the 'special guest shopping' survey conducted to determine if Town of Vail
is
businesses were given first priority with guest requests, if staff at the information booths strove
16 Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001
to keep guests in the Town of Vail and to measure overall guest experiences in the town. If the
Council had further questions, they could get a detailed survey report from Pam.
Bob asked, with Council permission, they would like to move forward on the new smart bus
technology system, which allows passengers to know the arrival time of the next bus.
Mayor Ludwig Kurz asked if the concern out there now worth a $250,000 investment.
Bob said it would be a great amenity for our guests. It would be the first in Colorado, first on
the western slope, and the first ski town to have it on their bus systems.
Council member Kevin Foley said the in -town shuttle bus service needs to come up a couple of
notches and this would be a good way to monitor the schedules of the buses.
Council member Diana Donovan asked if it could be vandalized.
Bob stated nothing is vandal proof but in Boston and San Francisco they have tried to make
them vandal proof. It will be a great amenity for our guests to know when the next bus arrives.
As there was no further business, a motion was made by Council member Greg Moffet to
adjourn the meeting and Council member Kevin Foley seconded the motion. A vote was taken
and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
• The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
Res p fully submitted
Ludwig Kur
Mayor
EST Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk
1is (3fi
Minutes taken by Lorelei Donaldson
•
17 Vail Town Council Meeting Minutes February 20, 2001