HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-08-17 Town Council MinutesVail Town Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
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
Kevin Foley
Kim Newbury
Kerry Donovan
Susie Tjossem
Margaret Rogers
Andy Daly
Staff Members: Stan Zemler, Town Manager
Matt Mire, Town Attorney
Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager
The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation.
Mery Lapin asked to be put on the Town Council agenda in regard to a proposed
parcel realignment.
Jason Weingast with Active Energies, Inc. provided Council with examples of
solar panel installations. He then encouraged Council to reconsider solar
installation zoning regulations.
The second item on the agenda was the Town Manager's Report.
Town Manager Stan Zemler announced Corey Swisher would be leaving the
Town Manager's Office after providing six years of service.
The third item on the agenda was an appeal, pursuant to Section 12-3-3,
Appeals, Vail Town Code, of the Town of Vail Design Review Board's (DRB)
denial of a design review application.
Rachel Friede with Community Development reported that on May 12, 2010, the
applicant submitted a design review application for a fence. On June 2, 2010, the
Design Review Board (DRB) held a hearing on the application. The application
was tabled to the June 16, 2010, meeting after members provided input on the
fencing. At the June 16, 2010 DRB hearing, the applicant proposed a reduced
fence area with additional landscaping. The DRB again commented that the
fenced area was too large and tabled the application to the July 7, 2010, DRB
hearing. At the July 7, 2010, hearing, the DRB denied the Futernick application
(4-0-0, Plante absent) with the finding that the fence did not meet the
requirements and guidelines of the Vail Town Code, including Section 12-10-9,
Fences, Hedges, Walls and Screening, Vail Town Code. On July 26, 2010,
Miriam Futernick, the applicant, filed an appeal to the Vail Town Council of the
DRB's decision. Miriam Futernick asked Council to consider allowing a fence for
protection and privacy. DRB member Tom Dubois explained the determination
for the denial of the fence. Vail Homeowner's Association representative Jim
Lamont spoke against allowing the fence. Foley said he did not mind a fence
although he opposed the use of wire and mesh. Rogers said she did not believe
the applicant had extenuating circumstances. She said she would vote to uphold
the decision. Cleveland congratulated the DRB for upholding the town code.
Newbury moved to uphold the decision with findings from the staff memo with
Rogers seconding. The motion passed 5-2 with Foley and Daly opposed. For
more information, contact Rachel Friede at 970-479-2440.
The fourth item on the agenda was the Holy Cross Energy Easement.
Town Engineer Tom Kassmel reported the Town of Vail and the Vail
Reinvestment Authority are moving forward with the construction of the
LionsHead Transit Center Phase I Improvements, which includes a 1200 square
foot building along the South Frontage Road, north of the LionsHead Parking
Structure. In order to construct this building, multiple utilities must be relocated.
Holy Cross Energy must be relocated to the south of the proposed building and
will require an easement between the proposed building and the LionsHead
Parking structure. Kassmel asked the Council to direct staff to enter into a Holy
Cross Energy Underground Right of Way Easement and Trench, Conduit, and
Vault Agreement. Daly moved to grant the easement with Rogers seconding.
The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
The fifth item on the agenda was a request to proceed through the development
review process with a proposal to construct private improvements on the Town of
Vail owned Eaton Plaza, a Part of Lot C, Block 5C, Vail Village Filing 1, generally
located adjacent to the Hong Kong Cafe Building at 250 Gore Creek Drive
Town Planner Bill Gibson said as the property owner, the Town Council may
approve, approve with conditions, or deny the applicant's request for property
owner authorization to proceed through the town's development review process.
On June 1, 2010, the Vail Town Council denied a similar request by Four
Seasons representative T.J. Brink. Since that time, the applicant revised the
proposed sketch plan in hopes of addressing the prior concerns of Council.
Should Council choose to approve the applicant's request, staff recommended
Council adopt the following conditions:
1. This approval is contingent upon the applicant obtaining Town of Vail
design review approval for this proposal.
2. The applicant shall preserve and protect all existing trees for the duration
of all construction activities.
3. The applicant shall modify the proposed plans to maintain the existing 10'-
9" wide pedestrian path located immediately south, and in alignment with, the
existing Wall Street stairs.
4. Prior to construction, the applicant must execute a license agreement for
the use and maintenance of Town of Vail property in a form acceptable to the
Town Attorney.
The applicant Dave Gorsuch asked Council to approve the request. He noted
the project had recently been modified. Foley moved to approve the request to
proceed through the development review process with no conditions with
Newbury seconding. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0. For more
information, contact Bill Gibson at 479-2173.
The sixth item on the agenda was a LionsHead Transit Welcome Center Update.
Town Engineer Tom Kassmel and 4240 project architect Lou Bieker asked for
design direction from Council for the LionsHead Transit Welcome Center. The
LionsHead Transit Center design team presented programming options for the
LionsHead Transit Welcome Center at the June 15th Council session based on
previous Council input. After further discussions with Council on the 15th, the
program was reduced to a total of -8000 square feet laid out throughout a two or
three story building. The design team was directed to come back with
architectural renderings of both the two and three story options to better
understand the massing and contextual appearance. The purpose of this item
was to present an update to the Council on the progress of the schematic design
and provide architectural renderings of the two and three story options. Three
design scenarios are being reviewed for the Welcome Center: 2-story structure,
3-story w/ mezzanine and hybrid 3-story w/exhibit space. Tjossem said the
center did not function as a beacon to get people off the highway. She then
asked if Vail Recreation District programming would mesh with the intent of the
information center. Rogers said she was in favor of having a high ceiling in the
welcome center. Tjossem and Rogers expressed a need for a gathering space.
Both were very pleased that a hybrid option had been developed. Zemler asked if
the town would have to create parking to meet demands created by a new space.
Daly noted, "This could be a more visible and identifiable location...I think this is
going to be the cheapest space we are ever going to find...I would support us
moving forward with a hybrid alternative." Newbury noted, "It would be a really
good move toward an entrance and exit to LionsHead." Foley and Cleveland
said people waiting for buses should have protection from the environment.
Cleveland commented, "I think the information center needs to be more
important... That is an important part of this project and I think it is getting lost."
During a pause for public comment, Vail Homeowner's Association
representative Jim Lamont asked for a business plan for any major public
expenditure. "We have not recently analyzed our information systems." Zemler
then urged caution, "The more we put in there, the more unaffordable it gets for
non-profit users." He then noted staff would hone in on specifics in terms of
programming and user groups. Council asked for more detail from potential user
groups on how the space would be used and what they would be willing to pay
for that use. Bob Lazier, owner of commercial space in Lionshead, asked that
any improvement "make a statement" for Lionshead. Kassmel encouraged
Council to make a decision so the project could be completed in 2011. Rogers
said she would like to hear more input from the LionsHead merchants. Zemler
encouraged more discussion about functionality and said staff would explore
technology options. For details, contact Tom Kassmel at 479-2235.
The seventh item on the agenda was second reading of Ordinance No. 14,
Series of 2010, An Ordinance making supplemental appropriations to the Town
of Vail Capital Projects Fund of the 2010 Budget for the Town of Vail, Colorado;
and authorizing the expenditures of said appropriations as set forth herein; and
setting forth details in regard thereto.
Finance Director Judy Camp introduced the item. Daly moved to pass the
ordinance on second reading with Newbury seconding. The motion passed
unanimously, 7-0. For more information, contact Judy Camp at 479-2119.
Adjournment
Foley move to adjourn the meeting at approximately 8:30 p.m. with Daly
seconding. The motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
Dick Cl nd Mayor
Attest:
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or ei Donaldson, Town Clerk