HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-17 Town Council MinutesVail Town Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
4:00 P.M.
Vail Town Council Chambers
The regular meeting of the Vail Town Council was called to order at approximately 4:00
P.M. by Mayor Dick Cleveland.
Members present: Dick Cleveland, Mayor
Andy Daly
Kerry Donovan
Kim Newbury
Margaret Rogers
Susie Tjossem
Members absent: Kevin Foley
Staff members: Stan Zemler, Town Manager
Matt Mire, Town Attorney
The first item on the agenda was the Consent Agenda:
1) Approval of the April 4, 2011; and April 19, 2011, meeting minutes; and
2) Approval of the Community Gardens Agreement
Daly made a motion to approve the consent agenda and the motion was seconded by Tjossem.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 5-0. Rogers was not present at this time.
The seconded item on the agenda was the Town Manager Report.
Nina Timm, Housing Coordinator, informed the Council the Arosa Duplex, Units A & B were
awarded the LEED's Certification. Dave Mentz, one of the owners, said the process went
smoothly and commended all parties in getting this done. He thanked the Council for the
opportunity to own their own home in Vail. David Viele, with Viele Construction, said thanks to
all involved for having this project be the first LEED's certified building in Vail.
The third item on the agenda were the appointments of the applicants for the Local Licensing
Authority (LLA) and Vail Local Housing Authority (VLHA) vacancy appointments.
Dick Cleveland stated the applicants were interviewed at the work session. The Council voted
for three applicants to fill three vacancies for two year terms each on the LLA and two applicants
for two vacancies on the VLHA; one for a five-year term to May 31, 2016, and one to fill a
vacancy which term ends May 31, 2014.
Town Council Meeting Minutes
for May 17, 2011 Page 1
Newbury made a motion to appoint Jill Alfond, Ted Steers and Jamie Garrett to the LLA for two
year terms each, ending May 31, 2013; and the motion was seconded by Daly. A vote was
taken and the motion passed unanimously, 5-0.
Newbury stated the vacancy to appoint an applicant to replace Mark Ristow's vacancy was a
five-year term and Ethan Moore's position was for a three-year term to fill this vacancy as he no
longer met the qualifications to serve on the board. Newbury thanked both Ristow and Moore
for their years of service to the town.
Newbury made a motion to appoint Mary McDougall to a five-year term to the VLHA, which term
ends May 31, 2016; and John Rediker to the VLHA to fill a vacancy which term ends May 31,
2014, and the motion was seconded by Daly. A vote was taken and the motion passed
unanimously, 5-0.
Rogers joined the meeting at 4:28 p.m.
The fourth item on the agenda was first reading of Ordinance No. 13, Series of 2011, An
Ordinance Defining Electronic Personal Assistive Mobility Device ("EPAMD"); Establishing
Regulations Regarding he Operation of Such Devices in the Town of Vail; and Setting Forth
Details in Regard Thereto.
Matt Mire, Town Attorney, stated Electronic Personal Assistive Mobility Devices ("EPAMD")
have been operating in the town on a trial basis since June of 2009, and the Council now
wished to permit the operation of EPAMD'S on a permanent basis. Pursuant to Colorado law
this ordinance is required to permit the operation of EPAMD's over and upon the Town's
recreation paths.
Daly made a motion to approve on first reading, with the amendment of elimination of Section
Nine, and the correction of a typographical error on the second reading of the ordinance, and
Donovan seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
The fifth item on the agenda was second reading of Ordinance No. 12, Series of 2011, an
Ordinance Extending Amendments to Chapter 11-7, Other Signs, Sign Regulations, Vail Town
Code, to Establish Regulations for Informational and Directional Signs for Public Parking on
Private Property and Allowing the Administrator to Approve Said Signs Subject, to September 6,
2011, and Setting Forth Details in Regard Thereto.
George Ruther, Community Development Director, stated Ordinance No. 12, Series of 2011, is
intended to extend the effective date of Ordinance No. 2, Series of 2011, from May 3, 2011 until
September 6, 2011. No other change to the regulations is proposed. Extending the effective
date for an additional 125 days allows the town to explore opportunities for incorporating the
parking sign regulations into a larger signage and wayfinding initiative currently underway.
Daly made a motion to extend Ordinance No. 12, to November 21, 2011, and the motion was
seconded by Newbury. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
Town Council Meeting Minutes for May 17, 2011 Page 2
The sixth item on the agenda was Resolution No. 9, Series of 2011, A Resolution Approving an
Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the Town of Vail and the Roaring Fork
Transportation Authority; and Setting Forth Details in Regard Thereto.
Todd Scholl, Public Works Fleet Manager, stated per the vehicle plan, buses are to be replaced
every twelve years. The town purchased six buses last year. In 2009, the Roaring Fork Transit
Authority (the "RFTA') had a bid and award to purchase two hybrid buses. The Town of Vail
(the "Town") had a budget for the purchase of two buses in 2011. The town would like to enter
into an agreement with RFTA to utilize RFTA's bid and award to purchase the town's two buses
at the same or similar terms. The agreement would not require the town to purchase any bus
equipment. He requested the Council approve the IGA, and authorize the Town Manager to
sign an IGA with the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority in a form approved by the Town
Attorney.
Rogers asked if staff has looked into natural gas buses. Scholl said yes, however, there are
issues with high altitude natural gas, as well as other issues. Pumps, compressors and the bus
facilities changes to incorporate natural gas would require a lot of additional funding. Scholl
stated the town began purchasing hybrid buses in 2006.
Daly said there was an article in the Wall Street Journal that stated natural gas is running at this
altitude. Scholl said the RTD bus system in Denver is having issues at their altitude, which is
5,180 feet above sea level. The town is at a much higher altitude at 8,150 feet. Daly said this
topic deserves more research and information. Scholl said the turbo charges are an issue as
well. Cleveland stated the town staff has already researched this in depth in the past and there
are substantial costs to initially get in the infrastructure costs of beginning to use natural gas.
Newbury made a motion to approve Resolution No. 9, to approve the IGA, and authorize the
Town Manager to sign the IGA with the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority in a form
approved by the town attorney and the motion was seconded by Tjossem. A vote was taken
and the motion passed, 4-2. Daly and Rogers opposed.
The seventh item on the agenda was a discussion to purchase two hybrid electric buses from
Gillig Corporation.
Todd Scholl, Public Works Fleet Manager, said the Town Council is being asked to authorize
the Town Manager to enter into an agreement in a form approved by the Town Attorney. He
said the Town has $1,203,400 budgeted in the 2011 capital budget to replace two 1999
Neoplan low floor buses for the in -town shuttle with two hybrid low floor buses. Replacing these
two older buses with hybrids will give us a total of ten hybrid buses for the in -town shuttle. The
next hybrid bus purchase would not be until we replace the original hybrid in 2018. With the
Council approval of Resolution No. 9, the town would need to enter into an agreement with Gillig
Corporation for the purchase of the two low floor hybrid buses that the intergovernmental
agreement authorizes.
Newbury made a motion to authorize the Town Manager to enter into an agreement in a form
approved by the Town Attorney for the purchase of two hybrid electric buses from Gillig
Corporation for a total of $1,203,400; and the motion was seconded by Donovan. A vote was
taken and the motion passed, 4-2. Daly and Rogers opposed.
Town Council Meeting Minutes for May 17, 2011 Page 3
The eighth item on the agenda was a request to release the Type II Employee Housing Unit
(EHU) Restrictive Covenant between Arthur and Judith Axelrod and the Town of Vail for their
property at 1977 Circle Drive, Lot 25, a Re -Subdivision of Buffehr Creek.
Cleveland stated for the record, he is recusing himself on this item as his wife represents the
applicant. Cleveland left the room during the discussion of this item.
George Ruther, Community Development Director, stated the Council is being asked to release
the deed restriction. In the memorandum, a Type II EHU is being asked to be released. Ruther
reviewed the details of the memorandum regarding this EHU request. There was an error by
staff in changing the deed restriction from Type I to Type 11. The said there was some
responsibility by the owner as well. The applicant went from a nonconforming to a conforming
lot during the process. He went through the options the Council could consider for releasing the
Type II EHU. Ruther said while researching this file, there is one other property in the town that
had this issue and has similar circumstances. Ruther said the original intent was to have two
free units on the property.
Kathy Langenwalter, Peel/Langenwalter Architects, representing Arthur and Judith Axelrod,
requested a release from their EHU agreement with the Town of Vail. She said the applicant
wants to expand the secondary unit. She reviewed the August 1999 memorandum. She said to
have two units, they need to have an EHU. She said when the applicant went through the
process, at the same time, the Planning and Environmental Commission (PEC) was looking at
changing the square footage on April 25, 2000. She said the final Design Review Board (DRB)
application was submitted on April 27, 2000, and approved on May 3, 2000, with the condition
being a Type 1 EHU. She said the condition of approval was inappropriately placed and it
should be lifted. Langenwalter said she was unaware of the other process at the time. Gibson
discovered the timeline error and that the EHU was not required at the time of DRB approval.
He said the Gross Residential Floor Area (GRFA) question came up and the existing GRFA is
100 square feet less than the single family would have been. He said this was just bad timing.
Langenwalter said it was a glitch in timing of the application and a mistake was made. Daly
asked Ruther if the DRB would have known about this issue. Ruther said no, the staff should
have caught this. He said a year prior to the final review, they went to consent approval and
then came back a year later. The DRB never re -reviewed the application because there were
no changes.
Daly said the EHU should stay in place, and Donovan agreed with Daly. Langenwalter said the
conceptual review happened and the reality of a Type I EHU is assigned when the property
doesn't meet the lot size. Langenwalter said if they have to have an EHU, it should be an EHU
Type I and not Type II. Newbury clarified the applicant was sent the wrong EHU
documentation. Ruther said that was correct. Tjossem said the town needs to take
responsibility for our errors. Donovan said she doesn't want to strip away the EHU.
Langenwalter requested the applicant have the same rights as others did at the time of the
application, which was to have a secondary unit.
Rogers made a motion to release the Type II EHU with authorization from the town manager,
and the motion was seconded by Tjossem. A vote was taken and the motion passed, 3-2, with
Daly and Donovan opposed.
Town Council Meeting Minutes for May 17, 2011 Page 4
Newbury said she hates to lose an EHU but the applicant has a right to the release of this unit
The ninth item on the agenda was a dinner break at 5:15 p.m. Daly made a motion to adjourn
for a dinner recess and the motion was seconded by Donovan. A vote was taken and passed
unanimously, 6-0.
The meeting reconvened at 6:00 P.M.
The tenth item on the agenda was Citizen Participation.
Dwight Henninger, Vail Police Chief, stated there is a county wide tabletop exercise on
Thursday at Donovan Pavilion to go through a flood exercise and how the community will
respond county wide. Tjossem asked about a wildfire evacuation plan. Henninger said it was
on our website. If folks don't have a way to drive out, they can meet at the transportation center
to take a bus out. Cleveland thanked and acknowledged Tjossem for the flowers she provided
at the meeting this evening.
The eleventh item on the agenda was a public hearing on the proposed summer parking
management plan.
Cleveland stated the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has instituted a new
program for the summer. There will no longer be any free parking on the Frontage Roads as
costs and liability have begun to prohibit this practice.
Greg Hall, Public Works Director, discussed a proposed summer parking management plan
based similar to the town's winter parking plan where both parking structures fill prior to allowing
overflow parking to occur on the South Frontage Road. In the summer, based on how it was
managed, Ford Park would fill, then the overflow would move to the Village Transportation
Center (VTC), then on to the Lionshead Transportation Center (LTC).
Council directed staff to provide a plan on how the summer parking could be similar to winter
parking. The biggest concern was how to get transportation for guests from the LTC and VTC
to Ford Park.
Hall said that the Frontage Road was used 34 days last summer and seven days in the winter.
During the majority of the 34 days, there was available excess parking in the LTC. All the
Sunday Farmer's Market dates and during the Saturday of the Teva Mountain Games, the
Frontage Road has filled. In 2011, there are currently 41 paid parking days with four additional
potential paid parking days at Ford Park. The staff has calculated there are potentially 67 days
when the VTC can fill.
Hall stated that CDOT allows for parking on the Frontage Road if there is an emergency. He
asked when excess parking in the Lionshead parking structure is available, is parking on the
Frontage Road considered an emergency. He stated that if Council moves forward with a
managed summer parking plan, the plan should be implemented by the first weekend in June
for the Teva Mountain Games. He discussed some of the time frames for different special
events and how the town shuttles could run longer and more frequently. The in -town shuttle
Town Council Meeting Minutes for May 17, 2011 Page 5
would be used for most events. They would have strong express shuttles with either a five
minute or eight minute frequency and the town would run more buses at the end of the special
events. In the past, the maximum overflow of cars parking on the Frontage Road was
approximately 200 cars. He believes the town's bus service can accommodate this. He said
with the town's parking structures, Ski Club Vail parking, Manor Vail parking, Solaris parking
and the Passport Club garages (most of the private garages and parking are paid parking), the
town could keep most of the overflow parking off the Frontage Road.
Hall stated the town may be running empty buses, but there would not be overflow parking onto
the Frontage Road. He said staff could budget for the days they need additional buses, have
additional signage for the parking garages, start placing the signs up the day before an event
begins and during the event. He said the cost for signage would be between $5,000 and
$10,000. In addition, the parking garages would have to be monitored and have hosts to direct
guests to the express buses. The staff also would need approximately $52,000 for 8 minute bus
service and $78,000 for 5 minute bus service. He said funding would also be needed for two
security people to keep people off the Frontage Road, as well as funding for a communication
plan, radio and website ads, brochures, working with event promoters and providers, etc. He
said the cost would be around $160,000 plus to implement. Hall stated the town staff is
committed to making the summer managed parking plan happen.
Tjossem asked if express service would go from the LTC directly to Ford Park. Hall said it
would begin at the LTC, stop at the VTC and then go directly to Ford Park; for a total of three (3)
stops. In addition, the in -town bus provides service to Ford Park and the Ford Amphitheater via
Vail Valley Drive. The express bus would be on the Frontage Road. Rogers' main concern is
the buses leaving after an event and heading west bound and then having to enter into the VTC
turning left. Hall said staff would have to cone off certain areas and operate a dedicated bus
area and guest drop off. The town will have to make adjustments and improvements as the
process unfolds.
Tjossem asked about tennis player access to the Ford Park parking if it's a paid parking date.
Hall said everyone would pay on those dates, as they have in years past. Tjossem asked if
there will be an education timeframe to educate the guests. Zemler said staff is still discussing
this issue. Staff is concerned about first interactions with the Vail Police and Code Enforcement
Officers. The feedback he is getting is that if the town is implementing this program, just go
ahead and do it, as the Frontage Road is not a legal parking area already and folks aren't
supposed to park there. Cleveland asked if there will be staff or volunteers out at the Frontage
Road near Ford Park to tell people not to park on the Frontage Road. Zemler stated there
aren't enough people to inform everyone and staff can't intercept every person.
Hall said they could use private security with a vehicle, which would be an additional cost.
Tjossem stated the town needs to go over and above to make sure everyone does the best they
can as she wants to make sure the town is educating the guests and not making it a bad
experience for everyone.
Hall said there may be people that will still park on the Frontage Road. Tjossem suggested
valet parking. Hall said there weren't enough people to valet as people came to the park at the
same time. He said that the current cost of a parking ticket $26 per ticket.
Town Council Meeting Minutes for May
17, 2011 Page 6
Ceil Folz, President of the Vail Valley Foundation (VVF) and Jen Mason, Manager of the Ford
Amphitheater, were asked what the impact would be on their events and how they feel about a
new structure. Folz stated on a survey they have done the number one issue is parking. She
said what is currently happening is a problem, but a longer term solution is what staff and
Council are proposing now. She said the Teva Mountain Games would be a good time to try
this new system. She thinks this new plan could be a good thing. Folz stated the Ford
Amphitheater events are more time sensitive. Bravo and the Vail Intemational Dance Festival
start on time. She said if a Bravo concert starts at 6 p.m., a lot of folks come at 5:45 p.m. She
said if the new system is in place, but is not communicated well, there will be a lot of angry
people. She suggested a larger pedestrian/cart path. They could add more carts and more
bike racks at the park so people can bike there. She said Hot Summer Nights could be a test
time. She said if the town pulls the trigger on this program, do it hard, do it fast. She said to
work the kinks out and do this before Bravo and the Vail International Dance Festival begin.
Jen Mason said the number one complaint was accessibility to the amphitheater and this could
exacerbate the issue. She said it needs to be made more friendly and welcoming to guests.
She said the amphitheater doesn't have enough golf carts to move all the people. She said the
VVF is supportive but they want solutions that work so guests keep coming back. Bravo!
performing members are union and they have specific rules and times which are required as to
when they can perform and start their programs.
Tjossem said this goes back to the town testing and proving we can do this management plan.
Newbury said the guests are saying it's already a nightmare, and they don't have an express
bus to the park. She said don't assume the town will do a terrible job but that the town will
improve the guest experience. Parking in the VTC is easy. When guests know they need to get
to the LTC and where to catch the buses, this will make the process easier. She said the buses
need to practice moving 400 people to Ford Park.
Jeanne Reid -White with Bravo!, thanked the Council for paying attention to this issue. She has
lived and worked in Vail for 30 years. This will be Bravo's 24th Season and it opens with Ann
McDermott on June 26, 2011, and is free to the community. She said this concert will be a good
test for this program. She said summer is a completely different animal from winter. It is very
clear there are many different user groups. She asked to keep in mind that Bravo! only has 18
nights and the concerts begin right at 6 p.m. She said most of the overflow days are due to free
events that don't have structured parking such as the Farmer's Market. She stated their
organization has already mailed Bravo! tickets to over 1,000 people so far with the emphasis of
free parking at the VTC. They will include information on their website and research the parking
on the town's website. Staffing to greet guests and make sure the variable message signs
(VMS) are working is crucial. Educating the guests to park at the VTC and LTC and then Ford
Park is critical as well.
Newbury said the town can educate guests to use the express buses. Daly said a majority of
Bravo! patrons are less mobile and the need for paid, close -in parking becomes critical. Reid -
White said ADA parking spaces are in more demand. The town's ADA parking meets and
exceeds the federal requirements. She said Bravo patron parking has been a very valuable
fundraising tool. Valet parking is a possibility, if they can do 100 cars in 15 minutes. Cleveland
asked if Bravo! had looked at using Manor Vail paid parking. Reid -White said the complaints
are about crossing the wooden bridge into the lower bench of Ford Park. Their guests feel it is
Town Council Meeting Minutes for May 17, 2011 Pag
e 7
a little bit farther than from the upper bench of Ford Park. The path/road going down into the
lower bench has traffic on the path and access to the upper bench is important to them. She
said there are three six -passenger carts in operation at the Ford Amphitheater.
Jim Lamont, with the Vail Homeowners Association (VHA), said this is a complicated subject.
He said the VHA does not favor Frontage Road parking as parking on the street has never been
a permanent solution for this community. Secondly, this Council has spent hours more than
other Councils researching and analyzing the parking issues. Seeing the Council winnow down
to a series of approaches was very pragmatic and realistic to attain solutions. His said this
solution has long term merit. He said an investment in the infrastructure, expansion of the
number of carts, places to turn around for buses, and groups of people standing around need to
be addressed. Council needs to keep the community's feet to fire to have appropriate issues
addressed but they also need to give some time and latitude to give people time to change.
Daly suggested tabling this item to the next meeting and direct staff to meet and work through
details with additional community input. He said guest drop off and pickup at Ford Park needs
to be available. At the same time, the town needs to accommodate existing parking and have
bus movement through there with ease. He stated five minute intervals is a good place to start
and to look at the level of guest service staffing and bus crossover going westbound. Newbury
said she was not in favor of tabling this item. Tjossem said tabling this item will put it further
behind schedule and the town would lose testing this plan out at the Teva Mountain Games.
During the testing phase, keep announcing at the concerts to make sure the audience
understands the parking plan.
Rogers stated that the Teva Mountain Games are not being held in Ford Park and is not a good
test date. She said focusing on improving the guest experience is a key element. She said if
this is going to make it more difficult for guests and diminish the value of Bravo!, she is not in
favor of doing it. She said guests really need safe, secure bicycle parking as part of the plan.
Daly suggested Council make the decision to park on the Frontage Road if there are 400 people
waiting for a bus. He said the town needs to be able to take corrective action immediately as a
back up plan. Newbury stated the town needs to have someone at the entry of the parking
structures to tell people where the bus stop is and a community host to tell people the time of
when the bus is coming. Cleveland is optimistic that people will adapt. Council was in favor of
servicing the summer guests by using the five-minute interval bus service.
The twelfth item on the agenda was Resolution No. 10, Series of 2011, A Resolution
Authorizing the Town Manager to sign a contractual agreement for pre -development services
with Triumph Development LLC, to formulate potential cost and financial alternatives and create
a conceptual development program for the redevelopment of the Town of Vail municipal office
site, located at 75 South Frontage Road, in cooperation with the Vail Valley Medical Center, The
Steadman-Philippon Research Institute and the Steadman Clinic; and setting forth details in
regard thereto.
Zemler stated the town has been in discussions with the Steadman- Phil ippon group for several
months. George Ruther, Community Development Director, stated the Council has before them
Resolution No. 10, Series of 2011, a Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to sign a
contractual agreement for pre -development services with Triumph Development LLC, to
formulate potential cost and financial alternatives and create a conceptual development
Town Council Meeting Minutes for May 17, 2011 Page 8
program for the redevelopment of the Town of Vail municipal office site. The town's obligation is
one third of the expenses or approximately $33,000. $15,000 has been spent to date on a
massing model and other site feasibilities. The next step is how to work on the program and go
forward with a deal.
On May 3, 2011, representatives from the Vail Valley Medical Center, the Steadman Hawkins
Clinic and the Steadman-Philippon Research Institute made a presentation to the Vail Town
Council on plans to build a new world class medical facility in Vail. In doing so, the group seeks
to form a public/private partnership with the Town of Vail to explore opportunities for
constructing a new medical facility and municipal office complex on town owned land. The first
step in exploring this opportunity is to enter into a contract for pre -development services to
determine the feasibility of developing this partnership.
There was no public comment. Daly supports a three-way sharing of costs. Rogers is also in
support. Cleveland said there isn't any intent to have any funds from the conference center
funds as a part of this proposal.
Mark Prisant, Chief Financial Officer of the Steadman institute, thought if a conference center is
built it would be great to consider the facility for hosting medical conferences.
Newbury made a motion to enter into a contract for pre -development services to determine the
feasibility of developing the partnership, the motion was seconded by Rogers. A vote was taken
and the motion passed, 6-0,
The thirteenth item on the agenda was a discussion to award the streetscape design contract
for East Lionshead Plaza and Concert Hall Plaza projects.
Todd Oppenheimer, Vail's Landscape Architect, stated a Request for Proposal for streetscape
design services for the East Lionshead and Concert Hall Plaza was released on February 24,
2011. Thirteen firms responded with proposals. The proposal submitted by Mary Hart Design,
LLC, in the amount of $174,730, was determined to be the most favorable to the town. They
were selected due to their involvement with the Welcome Center project. And it was important
to have continuity, as well, as this firm was one of the lowest because they don't have to go
back and reinvent the wheel on the project. The cost was also less than the original cost
estimate.
Mary Hart, with Mary Hart Design, LLC said thank you for awarding the contract to her firm and
stated she has worked with the Welcome Center team and will have some of the same team
members working on this project.
Cleveland asked about the scope of work. Oppenheimer said they will be executing the final
design concept to balance the hard scape and soft scape areas, including sprucing up the
Concert Hall Plaza area and work that was built by 4240. The goal is so people don't go down
the bus lane and to bring the pedestrian part of Lionshead to the east of Lionshead Circle.
Daly asked if there was a mathematical error as the cost doesn't add up. Oppenheimer stated
there is a column missing on the documentation and there is an irrigation consultant cost that is
missing. He said the correct cost is $174,730.
Town Council Meeting Minutes for May 17, 2011 Page 9
Daly made a motion to approve the design contract for streetscape design services for the East
Lionshead and Concert Hall Plaza project to Mary Hart Design, LLC in the amount of $174,730,
and approve the IGA, and authorize the Town Manager to sign and enter into an IGA with Mary
Hart Design, LLC in a form approved by the Town Attorney, and the motion was seconded by
Rogers. A vote was taken and the motion passed, 6-0.
The fourteenth item on the agenda was a request to proceed through the development review
process with a proposal to re -construct and maintain existing private improvements (stairs and
deck) on the Town of Vail owned Gore Creek stream tract, Tract A, Vail Village Filing 5,
generally located adjacent to the Vail Trails East Condominiums at 433 Gore Creek Drive, and
setting forth details in regard thereto.
George Ruther, Community Development Director, said the Town of Vail development review
process requires all applications to have the authorization of the property owner. Since the
subject private improvements are located on Town of Vail owned property, the applicant must
obtain the Council's, as the town's representative, authorization before proceeding with
applications to re -construct and maintain the existing stairs and portions of the deck. He said
the applicant's representative, Steve Riden, Architect, had been called out of town and requests
that the Vail Town Council grant a continuance of this request to the June 7, 2011, public
hearing.
Rogers made a motion to continue this item to the June 7, 2011, public hearing, and the motion
was seconded by Donovan. A vote was taken and the motion passed, 6-0.
The fifteenth item on the agenda was a continuance of the Ever Vail project discussion. This
session will focus on addressing the public parking needs of the West Lionshead area and the
400 public parking space recommendation identified in the Master Plan. Town Staff has
identified five policy questions that must be answered by the Vail Town Council in order to
continue forward with the review of Resolution No. 6, Series of 2011.
George Ruther stated the last meeting focused on the parking plan for Ever Vail. The
discussion was specifically regarding Chapter 4 of the Master Plan for the entire Lionshead
study area and parking policies in the Master Plan. Ruther reminded the Council that each
application will be reviewed in a logical progression and a final vote on all five applications will
be considered at the end all the presentations. There are five policy questions that the town staff
wanted discussed. There was a PowerPoint presentation and discussion on parking spaces
needed at Ever Vail and Lionshead. The memorandum stated that a total of 1,000 parking
spaces will be needed; 700 are needed West of Vail Road and 300 spaces are needed East of
Vail Road.
Dominic Mauriello, with Mauriello Planning Consultants, and the applicant's representative,
stated the greatest number of skiers access Vail mountain east of Vail Road. He asked for
policy direction on the 700 spaces west of Vail Road and if that was the appropriate number.
Ruther stated yes, 700 is the appropriate number needed and of the 700 spaces, 400 spaces
are proposed in Ever Vail. Based on staffs review of the Lionshead Master Plan, there may be
more appropriate places to site 400 parking spaces in Lionshead. There are many opportunities
to be explored over the coming months.
Town Council Meeting Minutes for May 17, 2011 Page 10
Mauriello said the applicant has submitted a conditional use permit for Planning and
Environmental Commission (PEC) review and asked the Council to let PEC determine the
appropriate number of parking spaces for a gondola.
Further discussion ensued. Rogers wanted to make sure there is a clarifying statement that
bullet point #4 is in addition to the 400 spaces required. Daly said based on the transportation
master plan from five to seven years ago, they are now looking at needs for the next three to
five years. Ruther said yes the clock is ticking. Cleveland said the 400 parking spaces meet
the demand currently and he is supportive at looking at possibilities of relocating the parking
requirements to other areas. He said it was the applicant's responsibility to abide by the town
code and allow the PEC to determine the parking requirements. He said everybody needs to
play by the same rules and the current system works well.
Jim Lamont, Vail Homeowners Association (VHA), said he finds it a bit odd how Council is
approaching this topic. He said another school of thought is it appears that when there is a
portal, the forest service made the call. Now the town and VRI are in the determination
business. Now he sees the town saying to VRI via the master plan, we don't want that many
people parking there. Move some of those spaces to other places. He asked where the money
comes from to build on the Lionshead Parking structure or the Vail Village structure if we don't
want them to build at Ever Vail. If VRI wants to pay for more parking, they can. The town
should tell them where that could be. He said it was unfair to agree to a certain number of
parking spaces now and then the town changes the amount of parking needed later. He said
the town needs to define the number of spaces needed now and ask Ever Vail to add more
transportation between all the villages of Vail. He said there needs to be a compromise in this
area. WE need to find different ways to fund what the town needs.
Alex Iskendarian, representative of VRI, said a lot of communication has been done over the
last week. He said parking is a big issue and from his perspective, the master plan says 400
parking spaces are needed to be built at Ever Vail and those 400 spaces accommodate the
deficit. He said the transportation plan says something similar. He said the applicant has
worked over the years to bring the Ever Vail project to the Council that complies with the master
plan. These are decisions made with lots of discussion to create a plan that complies with the
master plan. He is concerned that now the applicant is hearing a different number of spaces that
may be required that is not part of the master plan. The applicant needs to get direction from
what the town wants through the planning process and documents and currently it states Ever
Vail needs 400 parking spaces. He said the town and Ever Vail need to be partners in this and
work collaboratively. If these discussions and the master plan say 400 parking spaces are
required, then that is what it is. He doesn't want to hear there are 400 spaces plus whatever the
Council says in the future. He said there is a fundamental fairness issue. How can the
applicant move some or all of the parking spaces without knowing where to move it.
Tjossem said there is a process and the PEC will be presented with a plan. She said it's the
PEC's job to review the plans presented and determine if 400 parking spaces are correct.
Newbury said all conditional use permits have to go through PEC. It is the applicant's job to
discuss the master plan at PEC and discuss the 400 spaces with PEC. She said parking has
always has been part of the Conditional Use process with PEC.
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Minutes for May 17, 2011 Page 11
Tjossem said Council can't give the applicant guarantees until they go through the process.
Rogers said the master plan has some inconsistencies. She said there are two different parts of
the master plan that affect this project. She supports the recommendations from staff. She
stated every applicant has to abide by the same process and rules. She is in favor of directing
staff in pursuing the four bullet points as recommended and clarified that bullet points number 2
and 4 are not in conflict. Let the PEC determine if more parking spaces are required above the
400 spaces.
Iskendarian said he wants to get to the long term discussion and he doesn't know how they can
get there. He asked if they can go to the PEC with a Conditional Use permit now. Rogers said
unfortunately it doesn't work that way as there is no way to determine the answer for this as
there is no zoning for the project now.
Ruther said they haven't gone through all the recommendations of the entire application. He
stated the changes in Chapter Four are minor and are for clarification. He said each time they
will present the Council with more information and make some significant changes. Other items
will be only for clarification. Daly said there is a way to address this issue. He said it would be
for VRI and the town to sit down and change the transportation plan specifically that changes
the long term strategic plan and new base access lift. The process could address long term
issues and near term satisfaction for VRI with immediate parking needs. Ruther said that could
be done. Iskendarian said his goal was to have certainty on the number of parking spaces that
will be required, here and now, and what Daly proposes doesn't allow for certainty either way.
Zemler asked Council if they want staff to research other ways to address this issue.
Mauriello said the policy the PEC has recommended is 400 spaces. He doesn't see why as an
applicant, he can't ask for a recommendation.
Cleveland asked for a show of hands from the Council on who supports the four
recommendations by staff. All six members approved staff recommendations and to pursue the
four bullet points as recommended.
Mauriello said they know what type of lift would be at Ever Vail and one of the documents the
PEC reviews is the master plan. Donovan made a suggestion to leave the expertise on the lift
to the experts. Zemler said staff is comfortable with that suggestion.
Donovan made a motion to continue all the public hearings on the request for the Major
Amendment, Ordinance Nos. 7, 8, and 9, Series of 2011, and Resolution No. 6, Series of 2011,
to the June 7, 2011, public hearing; and the motion was seconded by Daly. A vote was taken
and the motion passed, 6-0.
The sixteenth item on the agenda was adjournment.
Newbury made a motion to adjourn the meeting; and the motion was seconded by Donovan. A
vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Town Council Meeting Minutes_... .. 1
for May 17, 2011 Page 2
OF
SEAL
• Dick Clevela yor
Attest:
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or naldson, Town Clerk
Town Council Meetin
g Minutes for May 17, 2011 Page 13