HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-05 Town Council MinutesVail Town Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 5, 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
Andy Daly
Mark Gordon
Farrow Hitt
Kevin Foley
Kim Newbury
Margaret Rogers
Farrow Hitt
Staff Members: Stan Zemler, Town Manager
Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager
Matt Mire, Town Attorney
The first item on the agenda was Citizen Input
Tommy Neyens asked for increased police presence in LionsHead. He then asked for
additional lighting on the north end of the LionsHead Mall.
The second item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report.
• Revenue Update
Budget & Financial Reporting Manager Kathleen Halloran provided the monthly revenue
Update. When all sales tax returns are received for the month of December, collections
for the month are expected to be $2.8 million, up 2% from December, 2006. Year-to-
date collections estimated at $18.9 million continue to exceed last year's year-to-date by
5.9%. For comparison, inflation as measured by the consumer price index was up 4.1 %
in December compared with the prior year. Use tax collections began as of January 1,
2008. For the month of January, collections total approximately $6,000. Construction
permit revenue currently totals $41.8K, down 75% from this time last year. The
decrease is due to a major project starting last year; there were no permit fees from new
major projects this January. RETT collections through January 28, 2008, total $118,000.
This amount is a large decrease from last year's January; however, the decrease is due
to the 2007 sales of Gore Creek Place residences. RETT collections for 2007 (including
cash received in January) now total $6.5M, or 9.5% higher than full year 2006. Major
redevelopment projects including Forest Place, Gore Creek Place, Manor Vail, One
Willow Bridge Road, Vail Plaza Hotel, and Westhaven at Cascade Village contributed
$2.3 million or 35% of the total in 2007 while only $844,500 or 14% of the total in 2006
consisted of major redevelopment projects. Meanwhile, RETT collections from property
transfers not related to major redevelopment projects dropped by 21 % in 2007
compared with 2006. Daly said he believed real estate transactions had dropped
dramatically and then asked how or if the RETT projections had been adjusted
accordingly. Zemler said Council would receive an update at the 02.19.07 regularly
scheduled Council Meeting.
New Year's Eve Update
Police Commander Susan Douglas reported arrests during the New Year's Eve holiday
have dropped significantly. Gordon said he believed some New Year's Eve rules
should be relaxed. There was a marked decrease in the level of violence and over
service of alcohol from prior years. Many bar owners thanked the Vail Police
Department for their efforts. Zemler clarified the amount of security used during the
event had also decreased.
• LionsHead Skier Drop-off & Loading Update
Douglas announced the LionsHead skier drop-off had been closely monitored. She
stated that loading and delivery seemed to be the largest cause of traffic congestion.
Hall announced the service elevator at the Arrabelle at Vail Square would soon allow the
structure's loading and delivery bays to open. LionsHead business owner Tommy
Neyens said he believed traffic congestion in the area was intolerable.
• Council Retreat Follow-up
Zemler reported Council had received a summary of the take-aways from the annual
Town Council retreat in their packets. Council suggested a few grammatical
clarifications be made. Next steps include returning to Council with a timetable listing
the priorities identified and key dates and milestones.
The third item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda.
a. Approval of 01.08.08 and 01.22.08 Minutes.
Rogers moved to approve the minutes with Foley seconding. The motion passed
unanimously, 7-0.
The fourth item on the agenda was an appeal, pursuant to Section 12-3-3, Appeals, Vail
Town Code, of the Town of Vail Planning and Environmental Commission's denial of a
variance request from Section 12-6C-6, Setbacks, Vail Town Code, pursuant to Chapter
12-17, Variances, to allow for an addition within the west side yard setback, located at
2570 Bald Mountain Road/Lot 33, Block 2, Vail Village Filing 13.
Gordon moved to remand the appeal to the 02.25.08 PEC meeting with Newbury
seconding. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
The fifth item on the agenda was the applicant, the LionsHead Center Homeowner's
Association, represented by Louis Bieker of 4240 Architecture, requested permission to
proceed through the development review process with a proposal to make improvements on
town -owned land in conjunction with a proposed redevelopment of the LionsHead Center
Community Development Director George Ruther announced it is the desire of the applicant
to apply for a design review application to make improvements on town -owned land,
pursuant to the recommendations of the Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan, in
conjunction with a proposed redevelopment of LionsHead Center. As a matter of procedure
the applicant must first obtain Council (i.e. property owner) approval before proceeding
through the town's development review process. "There will be a financial consideration for
the use of the property... There are some significant public improvements that would go
along with this property as well." Hitt expressed concern the project would create a "bottle
neck" for skier access. "Until we know more about the redevelopment of the LionsHead
Parking Structure, skier drop off, pedestrian traffic flows and a transit center, it would be
premature to lead the association into believing it is okay to proceed with plans for that site
when in reality that site may become an integral piece of a future plan." Newbury moved to
allow the applicant to proceed through the development review process with Gordon
seconding. Daly said he would like to visit the site and see what is being proposed.
Cleveland said he was skeptical that the town would give up the land. The motion passed
5-2, Daly and Hitt opposed.
The sixth item on the agenda the applicant, Vail Resorts Development Company,
represented by the Mauriello Planning Group, is requesting permission to proceed through
the development review process with a proposal to make improvements on town -owned
land in conjunction with a proposed redevelopment of the North Day Lot.
Ruther stated it is the desire of the applicant to apply for a major exterior alteration
application and design review application to make improvements on town -owned land,
pursuant to the recommendations of the LionsHead Redevelopment Master Plan, in
conjunction with a proposed redevelopment of the North Day Lot. As a matter of procedure
the applicant must first obtain Council (i.e. property owner) approval before proceeding
through the town's development review process. Rogers asked if the land was intended to
be sold. Ruther said the town would be responsible for any transit solutions occurring on
the property. "We see this as a very acceptable use for town owned land ... This would allow
for a better design overall." Hitt said he would prefer Vail Resorts build their project on their
own property, but would vote for the motion do to the reasoning offered by George Ruther
that by allowing this use of town land the impacts to the adjacent Landmark building would
be lessoned. Newbury moved to allow the applicant to proceed through the development
review process with Rogers seconding. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
The seventh item on the agenda was the current copy of the Ford Park Paid Parking
dates for the 2008 Summer Calendar.
The 2008 Managed Parking Calendar Schedule for Ford Park is attached. This calendar
has been compiled by the Ford Park User Committee. Staff is requesting Council review
and approval of the calendar for paid parking dates at Ford Park for the summer 2008
schedule. There are currently 37 days of paid parking requested as well as one
managed parking date. This calendar is subject to change as more events are added to
the various schedules of the user groups at Ford Park. Rogers moved to approve the
calendar with Foley seconding. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
The eighth item on the agenda was the first reading of Ordinance No. 3, Series of 2008,
an Ordinance amending Chapter 14-10, Design Review Standards and Guidelines, Vail
Town Code, in order to amend the wildfire roofing regulations requiring Class A roof
assemblies or Class A roof materials in the Town of Vail.
Planner Rachel Friede announced that on February 6, 2007, Council adopted Ordinance
No. 3, Series of 2007, an ordinance requiring Class A roof assembly or Class A roof
covering materials and banning wood shake and wood shingles for all structures within
the Town of Vail. The regulations remained vague regarding nonconforming structures
and multiple ownership scenarios, relying on the regulations regarding compatibility of
materials an nonconformity to guide decision -making. Following recent decisions by the
DRB to allow different roof covering materials under certain circumstances, Council
instructed staff to propose text amendments to the regulations in order to clarify
requirements and allow different roof covering materials under certain circumstances in
two-family and multi -family dwellings. On December 10, 2007, the PEC reviewed
proposed text amendments and recommended approval with modifications. On
December 12, 2007, Council held a work session on the proposed amendments.
Council members commented that they were in favor of the proposed text amendments,
and asked that the DRB be given some discretion in allowing compatible roofing
materials. Newbury said the ordinance was a good resolution for an on -going problem.
Newbury moved to approve the ordinance with Daly seconding. During a pause for
public comment, Lin Grubbs asked Council to reconsider language in the ordinance in
regard to averages. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
The ninth item on the agenda was a discussion of future infill development opportunities
on the south side of the Vail Transportation Center.
Ruther reported if Council determines future development on the south side of the Vail
Transportation Center is desirable, to direct staff to return to the Vail Town Council at a
future work session and recommend a proposed process for how the town should
proceed with such opportunities. The town was approached by a developer to construct
a mixed -use development on the south side of the Vail Transportation Center. The
proposed development would likely include a mix of retail, office, deed restricted
employee housing and on -site parking. Before proceeding any further in discussions
with the developer, staff believed it was important for Council to first determine whether
development on this portion on town -owned land is of interest to the town at this time.
Rogers said she was impressed by the project and the concept. "I think this is a
tremendous opportunity for the town ... I highly recommend we pursue this." Foley said,
I can't see why we wouldn't open this up to the development community." Hitt said he
had the confidence the applicant could provide what was promised. Daly said, "I think
this is a very innovative plan." Newbury encouraged revisiting the Vail Village Master
Plan. Gordon commented, "We definitely need community weigh-in on what occurs on
this land." He then asked staff to develop an action plan on this project as soon as
possible. Representing the Vail Village Homeowner's Association, Jim Lamont said he
was concerned the project had not been publicly disclosed. "We need to have a public
discussion on how public land is developed." Axel Wilhemson said the project was a
phenomenal idea and encouraged Council to pursue it. Rick Holmitz of Kelly Liken
Restaurant spoke in support of the project. Alpine Bank representative Mike Glass also
spoke in support of the project. "Some additional commercial is certainly something we
look forward to." Former Council Member Greg Moffet encouraged Council to not
encumber the project. " I like the idea of a project that just hits the bulls -eye." The
applicant Steve Vrostick explained how the proposal matched the goals of the
community. Zemler encouraged consistency (similar to LionsHead parking structure
redevelopment proposals), as well as transparency. " I think we need to establish some
criteria ... I think I would be remiss in my responsibility if I did not encourage an RFP
process." Ruther explained there is a need to update the Vail Village Master Plan.
Foley and Newbury encouraged revisiting the Vail Village Master Plan. Newbury moved
to direct staff to provide an amendment to the Vail Village Master Plan as refers to the
Vail Village parking structure with Foley seconding. The motion passed unanimously, 7-
0.
The tenth item on the agenda was adjournment.
Foley moved to adjourn with Newbury seconding at approximately 7:55 p.m. The motion
passed unanimously, 7-0.
Dick Cleveland, Mayor
ATTEST:
{
4
Lore i Donaldson,
Town Clerk
Minutes provided by Corey Swisher.