HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-22 Town Council MinutesVail Town Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
6:00 P.M.
Vail Town Council Chambers
The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was called to order at approximately
6:00 P.M. by Mayor Dick Cleveland.
Members present: Dick Cleveland, Mayor
Mark Gordon
Farrow Hitt
Kevin Foley
Kim Newbury
Margaret Rogers
Not present: Andy Daly
Staff Members: Stan Zemler, Town Manager
Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager
Matt Mire, Town Attorney
The first item on the agenda was Citizen Input.
Packy Walker, general manager of the Lifthouse, expressed concerns about the
adequacy of skier drop-off locations in LionsHead.
Geoff Wright, general manager of Destination Resorts, also expressed concerns about
skier drop-off as well as loading and delivery problems in LionsHead.
Representing Montauk in LionsHead, Dimitri Souuorin also expressed concerns about
the lack of skier drop-off locations, which has caused unauthorized use of private
property as an alternative. Warren says the circumstance has led to heated exchanges
between property owners and skiers as property owners were attempting to police their
property.
The second item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report.
Colorado Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) Award Winners
Assistant Town Manager Pam Brandmeyer reported the Town of Vail has been
recognized for its award winning construction management programs by the Colorado
Chapter of the American Public Works Association. The town was recognized in two
categories: 1) Engineering/Construction Management for the Vail Construction
Inspection Team; and 2) Building Code Administration.
0 Non -Golf Course Facilities Lease.
Brandmeyer announced that in the near future staff would be bringing forward the first of
two Vail Recreation District (VRD) leases, the Non -Golf Course Facilities lease, at the
Feb. 5 meeting for Council review. The previous Council approved a draft Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) and draft Non -Golf Course Facilities lease on Nov. 6, 2007.
Terms of that MOU were: reference to five year budget joint funding obligations
(appropriated annually); 2007 funding commitments totaling $160,500; and that both
parties agreed "to use their best efforts over no longer than the next three months to
resolve the backlog of maintenance issues related to the Golf Course."
• Ever Vail Update
Community Development Director George Ruther reported the $1 billion Ever Vail
project will transform the 11-acre site, currently known as West LionsHead, into a
"green" multi -use resort village. The project will encompass approximately one million
square feet and include between 600,000 and 700,000 saleable square feet of
residential and commercial space. The site is currently occupied by Vail Mountain's
vehicle maintenance shop yard and warehouse, a retail and office complex and a former
gas station site. The new resort village plans call for 150-250 whole ownership
condominium units, 75-125 fractional ownership condominium units, a 100,000-square-
foot hotel, 100,000-150,000 square feet of commercial retail, office, and restaurant
space and a 100,000-square-foot mountain operations facility. The project will also
include a gondola to serve as the fifth base portal to Vail Mountain, a public park and a
new public parking structure and approximately 50,000 square feet of employee
housing. Ruther then explained the Simba Run underpass project would be considered
along with the Ever Vail project.
• LionsHead Parking Structure Redevelopment Update.
Ruther explained redevelopment of the parking structure continued in accordance to a
timeline developed in the fall of 2007. Vail Resorts still holds a deed restriction on the
property which ensures the property will always hold a parking component.
• North Day Lot Update.
Ruther clarified the LionsHead Redevelopment Master Plan required the site to have a
transportation component. "At this time there is no reason the applicant won't be able to
respond favorably to the Master Plan requirements."
1-70 Berm/Chain-Down Station Update.
Public Works Director Greg Hall described the Colorado Department of Transportation's
(CDOT) most recent plans for a chain -down area on 1-70 in the vicinity of Bald Mountain
Road. Neighborhood representative Rob Ford requested Council become more involved
in influencing where the proposed chain -down area would be located. Ford also
indicated the neighborhood's support for continuing the berm project.
The third item on the agenda was the Planning and Environmental Commission (PEC)
/Design Review Board (DRB) Update.
During a review of the most recent meetings of the PEC and DRB, Chief of Planning
Warren Campbell answered questions regarding the latest proposals to go before the
two boards. No specific items of interest were discussed.
The fourth item on the agenda was the Information Update.
There was none.
The fifth item on the agenda was Matters from Mayor & Council.
Foley announced the Eagle County Regional Transportation Authority (ECO) intended to
begin discussions regarding traffic flow on the upper deck of the Vail Village Parking
structure. He then recommended installing heat tape on the west side of the Vail Town
Hall roof to address ice buildup. Foley also questioned if CenturyTel was providing
adequate Wi-Fi service in the LionsHead area. He finished his comments by thanking
staff for installing a coat rack in the Council Chambers and also praised the town's
parking attendants and snowplow drivers for their diligent efforts during the recent storms.
Hitt questioned the town's ability to improve skier drop-off availability in LionsHead. "We
don't have any temporary relief for this winter?... It should truly be unacceptable... We
should not be content with the way things are right now... we need to consider in more
detail the ramifications that result from postponing developers mitigating agreements
such as the skier drop off that was to be in place prior to granting Temporary Certificates
of Occupancy (TCO's) for approved projects. This could have helped to alleviate the
traffic cluster Vail is experiencing at Concert Hall Plaza where skier drop off has been
combined with ECO buses, in -town buses as well as delivery trucks... We have too much
going on in such a little space." Newbury commented, "It seems like there are too many
uses in a small area over there." Cleveland said it may be time to have Vail Resorts
utilize their guest services staff to help facilitate skier drop-off.
Gordon complimented the Art in Public Places (AIPP) board as their recent public art
events (illuminated ice sculptures and Heavy Metal Weekend) had been very successful.
The sixth item on the agenda was an Update on the progress made on the Chamonix
Site Master Plan project.
Planner Scot Hunn reported that on Jan. 8, staff conducted a "kick-off' meeting with the
Council to: 1) Introduce the Consultant Team to the Council and to present a brief
overview of relevant, regional work by the Team (power point presentation); 2) Discuss
previous master plan efforts and current opportunities for the Chamonix Site; 3) Discuss
and clarify goals, objectives and "parameters" for the project; 4) Establish expectations
for the project and roles of Council, Staff and Advisory Committee; and, 5) Appoint
representatives to the Advisory Committee. On Jan.16, staff held a "kick-off' meeting
with the Chamonix Site Master Plan Advisory Committee to review the existing, adopted
master plan for the site and to discuss new opportunities apparent on the site. Also at
this meeting, the committee formulated recommendations for the parameters to be used
in the planning and design process. Gordon thanked Hunn for the update. Gordon
commented, "This is going to be a great location for family housing." During a pause for
public comment, advisory committee member Bob Armour said, "We really had a good
meeting ... All of the oars were pulling in the same direction." He then encouraged
Council to better utilize the Vail Local Housing Authority (VLHA). Hunn said the master
planning process should take four to six months. Council then agreed with the provided
list of ten goals and design parameters outlined in the memo provided in the Council
packet.
The seventh item on the agenda was a Timber Ridge Pro Forma Review.
Saying the need for additional employee housing in Vail is now reaching crisis
proportions, the Vail Town Council agreed to pursue a redevelopment agreement to
build additional employee housing on the town -owned Timber Ridge property. After
reviewing the proposal submitted by Open Hospital ity/H illwood Capital Partners, the
Council voted 5-1, Rogers opposed, to direct town staff to spend the next 45 days
negotiating a development agreement with the company that would include an equity
partnership by the town. Gordon moved to proceed with Newbury seconding. The
deadline for submittal of the agreement for Council review and final approval is March
18. Open/Hillwood has offered to purchase two-thirds of the site, or 6.2 acres, for $13.2
million. The proposal includes the construction of 316 employee housing units that would
accommodate 1,264 beds. Monthly rental rates are projected at $2,280 for a four -
bedroom unit. Representing Open/Hillwood, Mark Masinter summarized a letter of intent
for the proposed terms and conditions for the acquisition, development and operation for
the proposed employee housing. Applicant representative Jeff Cortwright commented,
"What this (pro -forma) is supposed to show is with the lower cost of construction (wood
framing) you are getting the most efficiency... You get the maximum number of units for
the lowest cost." Masinter continued, "From our prospective, it gives you a lot of
optionality... and it enables Vail Resorts to have some housing in place during the first
phase of construction ... This is not going to be a dorm ... It's going to be a project the
town can be very proud of ... We think there will be enough market demand that we will
not require reservation fees... If someone wants a reservation fee to lock in a long term
rental that's what we are going to do." During a pause for public comment, Vail Local
Housing Authority (VLHA) member Steve Lindstrom asked if Council had explored any
land -lease models. Gordon emphasized, "I want to see this property deed restricted for
the perpetuity of the use (work force housing)... Even if we sell the property we want to
make sure the use never changes." Kaye Ferry stated, "We want to make sure we don't
leave anything on the table with this deal... affordable housing needs increase every time
we have a new project come up in this town ... That site has to be maximized." Rogers
remarked, "We have just one opportunity to get this thing done right...I think it is
irresponsible to proceed with this project before knowing what our needs are... We don't
even know what the property is worth... No one in this room would sell a piece of
property without knowing what it is worth...We may very well have to subsidize it to get
what we need...I won't support this motion until we take a step back." In regard to
workforce housing, Hitt lamented, "Our other partner in town has not produced one
pillow of employee housing and have had three years to do so. We have a company who
is ready willing and able to start on Timber Ridge and begin construction in the near
future. We have businesses throughout town including our town government, hotels;
lodges and restaurants as well as other mom and pop businesses that cannot get
enough employees to operate ... The time to do something is now, not three years down
the road... Timber Ridge will be just one of many projects aimed at addressing our lack
of employee housing available in our town. We cannot afford to wait any longer." Zemler
confirmed an appraisal process for the property was underway. The motion passed, 5-1,
with Rogers opposed.
The eighth item on the agenda was a reading of Emergency Ordinance No. 2, Series
2008, An Emergency Ordinance Approving the Sale of Property owned by Town of Vail
4
Described as Unit #201-A, Alltair Vail Inn, Also Known as 4192 Spruce Way #201-A,
Vail, Colorado 81637.
Town Attorney Matt Mire announced that on Dec. 18, 2007 the Council released two
deed restricted employee housing units at the Bell Tower. On Jan. 3, 2008 the town
purchased Condominium Unit 201-A, Altair Vail Inn for a purchase price of $178,650.00
to be sold to a person currently listed on the town's master resale lottery list. The town
was under contract to sell the property on Jan. 24, 2008 to the designated purchaser.
This emergency ordinance was crafted to ensure the town met that closing date.
Newbury moved to approve the motion with Rogers seconding.
The ninth item on the agenda was Adjournment.
Newbury moved to adjourn with Foley seconding at approximately 7:30 p.m. The motion
passed unanimously, 6-0.
OW N
Dick Cleveland, Mayor
ATTEST:
Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk
Minutes provided by Corey Swisher.