HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-18 Town Council MinutesVail Town Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
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 Andy Daly.
Members present: Andy Daly, Mayor
Kerry Donovan
Kevin Foley
Ludwig Kurz
Greg Moffet
Margaret Rogers
Susie Tjossem
Staff members: Stan Zemler, Town Manager
Matt Mire, Town Attorney
Pam Brandmeyer, Assistant Town Manager
Lorelei Donaldson, Town Clerk
The first item on the agenda was Citizen Participation. Jim Lamont, representing the Vail
Homeowners Association, stated he appreciated Council's emergency alert system discussion
at the work session. He requested they look into a simple alert system and how it can be used
for wild fire notification in isolated areas of the community and how an additional system can be
tagged on to the first system (i.e., Eagle County alert system). He agreed that $400,000 is too
much to spend for the system presented at the work session.
Shirley Welch, a Vail resident, stated Susie Tjossem had asked her to do a book over two years
ago for the 50'" Anniversary celebration. She handed out her book, Images of America, Vail the
First 50 years to each of the Council members and the Town Manager, Stan Zemler.
Mike Cacioppo said he disagreed with the assessment of the emergency alert system. He
recalled when he was on the Town Council many years ago; a vehicle came through town with
a tank on it. The Russians were doing maneuvers in the U.S. The former Vail Police Chief, Ken
Hughey, stated the town didn't have anything to defend against a tank. Cacioppo said he is not
just interested in a fire alert system. He is interested and in favor of any kind of danger alert
system for police, fire, roads and parks and recreation, in that order. Cacioppo said he thinks
there may be increased terrorist attacks in the future.
Kevin Foley expressed condolences to the family of Mark Ristow and Matt Mire for their losses.
The second item on the agenda was the Town Manager Report. Zemler stated that speed
management and issues will be presented at the October 16 meeting.
Town of Vail September 18, 2012 meeting minutes Page 1
The third item on the agenda was a presentation from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
regarding Bark Beetle mitigation strategies, life safety and hazardous fuel accumulations.
Mark Miller said the scaled down version of the alert system presented at the work session
could cost around $250,000. Another option that could be considered was a rapid readiness
alert system where guests could sign up to be on it for a day. He said there are less expensive
alert systems and he will investigate.
Miller introduced Dave Neely, District Ranger with the Eagle/Holy Cross District and Ross
Wilmore, the East Zone Fire Management Officer (UCR); and Matt McCombs, Deputy District
Ranger.
Dave Neely said he is a new resident of Vail and is looking forward to being a Vail constituent.
He stated their first priority is protecting human life against falling trees. He reviewed the power
point presentation which included past, present and future strategies and direction for bark
beetle and wildfire mitigation. He said much work has been completed by the USFS over the
last 10 years relative to pine beetle mitigation in and around the Town of Vail (TOV), including
Vail Mountain. The power point showed the progression of ecological and social tolerance and
the realities of living in the Wild land Urban Interface (WUI). He explained the various types of
cutting and remedies for areas and said this will be based on what they see at the time they
enter a particular site. They are in the comment stage of the Piney Project Area as it is being
resubmitted. He said living in these systems is like living in hurricane areas in Florida or flood
areas in Louisiana. Nature is part of the system. The quality of life we enjoy is part of this
system. In his experience, he hasn't seen a better interaction between all the entities involved
anywhere. He has been in exercises to simulate responses to incidents that could happen and
feels very good on how they are positioned on the response part. Protection of human life is
always their highest priority.
Wildfires will be managed for multiple objectives. When it is favorable, they will be using fuels to
manage the fires. There has been and will continue to be a very positive relationship and
collaborative effort between the USFS and the TOV relative to wildfire mitigation and hazardous
tree removal.
Neely said it was important to discuss pertinent limitations in mitigation efforts, risks and
benefits associated with logging vs. managed fire strategies. They requested Council provide
direction to the USFS as to what they are comfortable with in regard to mitigation efforts and to
discuss issues, options, trade-offs and future collaboration efforts.
Further discussion ensued. Daly asked if roadless areas near Vail make it a tremendous risk
area. Neely said under the Colorado Roadless Rule, they have ability to do wild land treatment
in roadless areas. The slope stability in the Intermountain area and near Dowd Junction is the
least stable in the area. Cutting into this area may make it more susceptible in stability versus a
fire issue. They are actively focused on reaching out to communities.
Ross McComb reviewed the Intermountain fire above Stephens Park in August 2009. He said
several agencies responded and worked well together. He said there were 70 people from
different agencies who initially attacked the one acre fire. So the importance of fires in the Vail
area is taken seriously.
Town of Vail September 18, 2012 meeting minutes Page 2
Daly asked if other areas have used this fire as an exercise for their fire response. McComb
said there was a fire in Summit County in March 2012 and a fire in Eby Creek, Eagle, earlier this
summer. He said this was the first time working with the National Guard and they helped
tremendously. They are working on identifying and integrating National Guard services into
their system.
Donovan asked about the red slurry fire retardant being safe for the environment. McComb said
it was a great question. There was a lawsuit brought against the USFS because they used this
product. They are restricted from using this within 300 yards of streams and they have
identified species that may be affected by the retardant and where they live. They have to
report instances if any areas are affected accidentally.
Neely said that question leads into the broader conversation of tradeoffs and values and
decision making to protect human life, infrastructure and letting nature take its natural course.
Other tools or courses they could do are managed wild fire or a prescribed wild fire burn.
Tjossem asked if they have assessed the hiking and biking trails throughout the Vail valley and
if they have prioritized working on them.
Neely said they can have a conversation about this but they can't make all areas safe for guests
using the wilderness. They have prioritized clearing within 100 feet near roads and removing
trees as they fall. Daly thanked them for the informative presentation.
Jim Lamont, Vail Homeowners Association, asked if the hierarchy of what needs to happen
came out of the Governor's office after last summer's fires. McComb said they are talking about
two different things. There was a reorganization of the fire services that were placed inside the
Department of Public Safety and the Division of Emergency Management. The wild fire
response agency was removed from the USFS. The second question is how individual incidents
are managed. It boils down to the incidences and the way they are managed and which
agencies have jurisdictions. Each agency's line officers are also brought together as an incident
management team. They have discussions on what type of team they need and what strategies
are to be employed, which agency is in charge, etc. Lamont said the Colorado Springs fire
brought to everyone's attention the question when it switches from local to the federal level
agencies. McComb said each entity that manages a fire has a voice in the decision making
process and how they will work together.
The fourth item on the agenda was an update on the Vail Golf and Nordic Clubhouse
Renovation Project.
Tom Braun, with Braun Associates representing the town, said they were going to focus on
neighborhood issues, project design, driving range netting, site and landscape design, tents for
"bonafide community events" and architecture design with a presentation from David Tanner
about golf course design.
Daly said bus access and parking lot access was to stay the same.
Zemler said the last meeting left people with confusion on the netting and safety circumstances
and the approach. The VRD is doing some mitigation on this and there have been a series of
discussions. VRD agreed there needs to be dual tracks. The real solution is to address the
Town of Vail September 18, 2012 meeting minutes Page 3
netting and create a safe environment for the grill and the entry point of carts and the
clubhouse. There was confusion about ball flight from the driving range and ball flight down the
fairway. The town is encouraging VRD to do a dual track and to pursue next steps. He said
height and visibility of netting will be addressed. David Tanner has been working with the VRD
and the town for awhile and will contribute his expertise to the discussion on netting and ball
flights.
Dave Tanner, with Tanner Consulting Group, stated he is from Valley Springs, California, lives
on a golf course and started his company in 1985. His company has been asked to participate
in ball trajectory studies since 1991. Over the years, there was very little data from golf ball
companies regarding statistics on ball flight at the time. Netting has been an issue. They have
done ball trajectories studies with golf courses all over the world on ball trajectories. They also
worked with the Professional Golf Association (PGA) and other golf courses. They do a lot of
design review and participate as experts in court proceedings. When they looked at this project,
it is challenging when the golf course is already there. However, golf courses tend to change
which is a standard in the industry. There are also better golfers today as well as equipment
changes. The improvements in equipment have made them better, but property doesn't move.
As he looked at the driving range, the statistics show the majority of impacts happen within 180
yards on the right hand side. Looking at the current clubhouse situation, the driving range is too
close to the clubhouse. It is traditional to have the driving range close to the clubhouse but the
problem is the 180 yard danger zone. The average swing is 90 miles per hour (mph) in Vail.
He went into further detail of golf swing speed averages, where the balls go, the net poles and
the netting. He said there are options of straight netting along a straight line of existing netting
or to use a baffle design of netting. There could be three sections of netting: 100 feet, 80 feet
and 120 to 130 feet. By angling in, it's like a back stop and gives them some openings
between. Landscaping can be added between the baffles for relief. The life expectancy for
netting is about 10 years. Netting is the least expense of the project. Poles and cables will be
the most expensive. The 18th green was also a concern in its current location. Most golf
courses today have much larger setbacks and they are on larger acreage. The setbacks from
the parking lot and property lines are tight. They looked at locations for a new 18th hole and
moving it to where they have placed it is in a wider space. He said they can shorten the hole
and adding a putting green or chipping area makes sense. Adding baffle netting gives relief,
adds landscape and can help with the safety issue. He has been involved with court cases with
seven different fatalities on other golf courses and said being hit by balls does very serious
damage. He said this design is a positive step forward.
Daly asked Tanner about the reason for moving the existing green, stating it is a hazard to the
parking lot and clubhouse due to the green placement. Tanner said the hazard is due to
changes in equipment. He said in a new country club, there wouldn't be less then a 200 foot
setback. He said the new design is attractive and the finishing hole should be what the golfers
remember.
Hall said the price from the last meeting is less than one third of the cost as stated previously
using three baffles instead of four.
Zemler asked Hall what happens next. Hall said there will need to be a final foundation design,
soils tests, calculation of wind loads, firm up prices and come back to Council and then go to
Design Review Board. Tanner said the color is a satin black finish which holds up well to UV
Town of Vail September 18, 2012 meeting minutes Page 4
rays. They have tried green and end up painting them black. Once poles are installed, the
color tends to disappear. Also the lower 10 feet can be removable for snow loads in winter.
Daly said there was significant concern about moving the 18th green and shortening it from a
Par 5 to a Par 4. As they look at rebuilding the clubhouse and adding 2,000 square feet to it,
there is a concern of the Council on risk management and safety. He asked if Council and the
VRD should consider leaving the green where it is or is it foolhardy and asking for tragedy to
strike. Tanner said they would be asking for a tragedy by keeping the 180' hole where it is. At
the new tee location, the hole could stay a Par 5 and a final shot onto the green would be a
short iron shot which is more controllable.
Kurz asked if there were two poles per baffle. Tanner said there were three poles per baffle,
with fifty feet on center and a total of 100 feet in length for the baffle. Tjossem asked in regard
to the studies of hazards: what was more hazardous, a driving range or driving down the
fairway. Tanner said the driving range due to varying levels of expertise and lots of balls being
hit. He said someone always tries to purposely drive the ball over the net.
Raul Hamlin stated he thought there was a misconception. He said the end of the shot or the
last 30 yards are the ones where the curvature takes place and would affect the clubhouse.
Tanner said by moving the hole back, thus shortening the approach shot, the turn point is when
people are trying to get on the green in two strokes and spraying into the clubhouse area.
Trees do not protect anyone from the balls. A lot more public is entering from the parking lot
and the proximity would be much safer than where it is currently.
Donovan asked if this was a short or long Par 5. Tanner said the new change is still a fairly long
Par 5 but a bit shorter than what is there now. Compared to other courses, it's still a long Par 5.
They don't worry about the golf professionals or the super star golfers. They worry about the
golfers that have the drinks and try to put it in another county. That shot is hardest to control
and more dangerous. By shortening it, it makes it easier to control the shot. Donovan asked if
shortening the course makes the 18th hole less memorable. He said the course is rated a 71
and will remain a 71. He said he has seen the plans and this particular green is being
enhanced, making it a larger surface. This particular green is currently a small surface and
wears out more. This will make it more manageable for the maintenance staff.
Art Abplanalp, representing the property owners near the golf course, said he has played this
course and shots going into the parking lot are due to people not knowing what golf club to use
and has nothing to do with technology. The balls go into the parking lot because people shoot it
there. He said this is going to be a Par 4 not a Par 5 and will not be rated a 71. He said he
believes Tanner was brought in to tell the Council and public what they want to hear. He said
Council should listen to their community and not this outside person.
Tanner said he is coming up on 28 years of experience and has specialized in golf safety and
been an expert witness in many trials. He said it's nice to be involved in a project that hasn't
been involved in a lawsuit prior to trying to make it better. He said he disagreed with Abplanalp,
and that the tees will be set back and this hole will still be a Par 5 and not a Par 4.
Town of Vail September 18, 2012 meeting minutes Page 5
Malia Norbrega, representing the Vail Golf Course Townhomes, asked what studies have been
done and if the rest of the golf course has been studied for safety issues. Tanner said he wasn't
asked to do the rest of the course, just the 181h hole and driving range.
Stephen Connolly said the safety issue is a tough one. He said moving the 18th hole will also
create issues. He asked what will happen when equipment advances again. Daly said there
wasn't any discussion about safety until a comprehensive look was done and until the
clubhouse remodel came to light. Tanner said golfers are moving around the course by foot
and on a cart versus people sitting at the clubhouse or attending a wedding and sitting still.
They become more of a target. Their studies are improving all the time and are upgraded as
new equipment gets better. Some of the older golf courses by themselves are fine on 80 acres.
This course is 105 acres and it has become to some to be considered stagnate. However,
Augusta changes their golf courses all the time, moving bunkers, moving greens around, taking
bunkers away and improving them for safety and for technology. They can only deal with what
is in front of them today to make this a safer facility.
Steve Blanchard said he is not a golfer but said he doesn't understand why it's only focused on
this hole. If they are talking about the safety of golfers, then shouldn't they be looking at the
whole golf course?
Tanner said there is certainly some known risk when playing golf. There is the term "fore" which
golfers use when a ball is hit toward someone and for etiquette. The rest of the golf course has
been in play for many years and there haven't been repetitive shots being hit. The problem is
that more people will be where they could be hit. This will help to prevent them from being hit.
Sam Maslak said the risk being created is due to expanding the golf clubhouse.
Tanner said the fact there will be improvements doesn't change the risk. The risk is already
there. The golf course industry has taken a 40% hit in downturn. He lives on a golf course and
enjoys it. He thinks adding a community space will be a wonderful asset. This area is such a
picturesque place for everyone and adding this space to a golf course clubhouse is
commonplace. An expansion of the clubhouse and modernization is badly needed. The final
outcome is that events could be held there and the improvements will make it a safer facility,
which was the goal from the beginning.
Braun said four applications will be submitted. He reviewed the power point presentation in
further detail.
Pedro Campos, landscape architect with Zehren & Associates, said there were three goals he
had for this evening: to demonstrate current design improvements; the design response from
input received from the public; and that this clubhouse isn't just about golf but has a Nordic ski
component which has been dismissed and needs to be addressed as it is in use from November
through April of each year. He asked the public to consider the Nordic component since they
are trying to achieve multiple uses for the clubhouse. He reviewed the power point presentation
about the past ideas and how it has now evolved to what is being proposed. From day one,
they wanted to capture the views, separate the uses, concentrate on golf and Nordic staging, as
well as other components including the baffle netting. They are working to keep the 181h hole
outside of the 200 foot danger zone per David Tanner's analysis.
Town of Vail September 18, 2012 meeting minutes Page 6
David Baum, with Zehren and Associates, continued the power point presentation to discuss the
current building design and what they are proposing. He said golf, Nordic and event user
groups currently all use the building and come in at the same entry point. One of the things they
want to do is have a separate, dedicated the entry for each group. They are increasing the
sound coefficient and mitigating sound and light going into the neighborhood and down lighting
will be utilized. All spaces will be improved safety -wise with the baffled netting feature.
Braun said they plan on coming back for continued discussion of next steps at the October 2nd
meeting. They will follow-up and continue to update information from the September 18th
meeting, review the operations plan, parking management plan and scale of the facility.
Zemler said there are discussions on the economic evaluation of the building. Hall said the next
step is to submit an application to PEC next week.
Daly said they wanted to extend to this discussion to the October 16`h meeting.
Tjossem asked Tanner which was more dangerous for safety, the driving range hazard or the
fairway hazard. Tanner said the driving range. He said safety is the reason for moving the
green. Tjossem wanted clarification on why they want to move the 18`h hole. Tanner said the
driving range netting is what fixes the driving range issue. The clubhouse improvement and
people being at the clubhouse is another safety issue as massing of people at the clubhouse is
a safety issue when it is close to the 180' hole. She asked if this was theoretical versus real.
Tanner said the designer is very good at his work. He said statistically, they know what will
happen if the 18th hole isn't moved.
Tjossem asked Campos about the schematic regarding sense of play and a path near the patio
for a wedding. Campos said it was a walking path and an access path and not a golf cart path.
They are keeping as many trees as they can that are currently there. This area is more
unstructured.
Kurz asked about screening so it's compatible with everything else and limiting use to just
weddings. If it's screened so heavily, they will lose the view of Gore Range and photo opts.
Campos said they would have to go north and east to the golf grill for the photo opts.
Mike Cacioppo said the plan he has seen tonight is terrific. He objects to the opponents using
"adding an event center" as this plan is not adding an event center. It's already been an event
center for years and has held many events. They are improving the event center space that is
there now. He said moving the 18th green is a terrific improvement and moving the green away
from the homeowners should be terrific as well. The baffled netting will allow for additional
terrific improvements. He doesn't care what par the 18d' hole is as long as everyone plays by
the same rules. He said all Town of Vail tax payers have paid for these improvements and they
all need to be taken into consideration. The conference center funds were transferred to these
projects to keep heads in beds. All of these improvements will do that.
Raul Hamlin said event center was the term he thought the Town of Vail used to push the
project. He said it's still a good idea but it has gotten out of hand. Why go through all the
expense of oving the green if there is a conflict and it is limited forjust 60-200 people. He said
they need to look at the economic part of this as well as the golfers concerns.
Town of Vail September 18, 2012 meeting minutes Page 7
Daly said an economic study is being done.
Stephen Connolly said this isn't only about golf but golf is the economic generator for the VRD.
This will impact all the VRD services if they get it wrong so we have to be careful. He thought
the view was supposed to be of the Gore Range and not the neighborhood. Sound inside being
mitigated is good but what about outside sound. They need to look at unintended
consequences. Determining the size of the whole building is what should be looked at first.
Design as close to the footprint of what is there now. The community space there is already at
120 people so adding space to accommodate 200 isn't that far to go.
Colin Callahan said his family has a home on Sunburst Drive. He reviewed what he thought
was happening with the plan. He said Donovan stated the green isn't being moved to improve
the clubhouse. They are moving the green because of safety issues identified prior to this
process in 2009. Council was informed about the safety issues of the 18th hole and the
clubhouse remodel simultaneously.
Callahan asked if the existing foundation is being used to save money.
Zehren has done studies out there and they have been trying to reuse as much of the current
building as possible to be cost effective. The expansion of fourteen feet would be a new
expansion. They need to get in with a structural engineer to see if keeping the foundation as it
currently is, is feasible and possible.
Daly said a homeowner has asked to flip the grill and the community space. Dave Baum said
the background information they used stated it was important to keep those uses separate and
by flipping it, it didn't allow for that.
Art Abplanalp, representing several adjacent property owners to the golf course, said the town
has received a lot of comments from the neighbors and community. He said it was 66 to 4
against relocating the 18t' hole. He said moving the 18t' hole was driven by the configuration of
the clubhouse renovation. He referred to a design by a local architect that was drafted and
configured on the north side and this worked for the neighbors. He said moving the events
center on the north side does separate the users and does keep it from the neighborhood side
of the building. When you look at the town's mission statement, destroying the 18' hole doesn't
support the mission and values of the town. There were about a half dozen issues that still
need to be addressed from a workshop that was done. It's becoming evident that the use of the
facility is going to be a greater problem then before. The neighborhood said they are entitled to
peace and quiet. He said the neighbors don't want more than four events a month. He said this
is in direct opposition of the profit and loss analysis. He said the safety matter on the 18t' green
is nonexistent. Spending a million dollars is not a good use of public funds. Donovan said the
public should go on to the VRD website for the VRD master plan, backup information and
review the study and plan from 2010.
Jim Lamont said he was in the dark. He asked Abplanalp about the building plans that were
created for the neighborhood from a different architect to show a different project design using
the north half for use of an events facility. Lamont said it would be helpful if the public has full
disclosure of what was submitted to Council from the neighborhood. He wants the plan at the
next meeting for public review. Donovan said the architect said it was confidential and to talk to
Town of Vail September 18, 2012 meeting minutes Page 8
Abplanalp to get it. Lamont said this should come from the Council. Daly said they will make
sure the plan is at the next meeting since a lot of people haven't seen that plan.
Lamont asked Pedro about the placement of the community center where windows and sound
baffling can be built where greater security can be given to the neighborhood and community
event users that can be handled with sound screening for outdoor sound. He sees efforts are
being made by consultants and staff to address issues the neighborhood. Some progress has
been made. There is a concern that is not being listened to. From a policy standpoint about
when a redevelopment project is done to this extent, usually all of the earlier sins are corrected.
He said there should be some degree of area for a setback required from the property line and
separation from neighbors. He said they could angle down the retaining wall roof structure and
add grass and trees on the south side of the parking lot so neighbors see landscaping and the
golf course doesn't lose parking spaces.
Daly asked Pedro Campos to check if that section of the parking lot meets setback
requirements. Braun said the parking requirements said it needs to be a 10 foot setback. This
wall is considered a nonconforming legal use so they will leave it as is currently.
Rogers said she would like to see what the cost would be. Braun said he would look at it as an
alternative.
Steven Blanchard asked if the kidney shaped area could be moved to the east instead of south
which keeps it farther away from neighbors. He asked if the community space would require
additional parking. Braun said the PEC would have to determine if additional parking would be
required. Rogers said the Council can call up and overrule PEC decisions. Blanchard said the
houses are closer on Sunburst than residences near Donovan Pavilion. Noise from events is a
big concern. He said regardless of objections, the most important criteria seem to be
generating income that is greater than the golf and neighborhood concerns. He said the
obvious solution is to keep the community space the same size as it is now and leave larger
events to the Donovan Pavilion.
Daly said a look at the economic side will be looked at in four weeks and invited the public back
to that meeting.
Moffet said he keeps going back to the ballot language which was approved by the voters in
Vail. He read into the record the ballot language from the 2011 Town of Vail election which
included "expansion and improvement of the clubhouse at the Vail Golf Course and Nordic
Center, including multi -use community space." He said this ballot language and project was
passed by Vail voters 801 versus 122.
Donovan asked if at a future meeting, staff could show the Council how the outdoor spaces
could be used in winter.
As there was no further discussion on this item, a five minute break was taken at 9:12 p.m.
The fifth item on the agenda was the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District (ERWSD)
request for a utility easement on Tract C along Potato Patch Drive.
Town of Vail September 18, 2012 meeting minutes Page 9
Tom Kassmel, Engineer with the Town of Vail introduced Todd Fessenden with the ERWSD to
discuss the easement.
Kurz recused himself on this item as he sits on the ERWSD board.
Todd Fessenden said they are asking Council for permission on their plan to design the repairs
in the Potato Patch area. He reviewed the PowerPoint presentation. He said the ERWSD is
planning on upsizing the water lines that run along Potato Patch Drive next year. In order to do
so, they must realign portions of the sanitary sewer main. This project will be an extremely
challenging project due to the narrow width and access constraints along Potato Patch Drive. In
order to reduce some of the construction time and impact to the residents, as well as cost,
ERWSD is requesting to run a portion of the sanitary sewer main through Tract C, which is
owned by the Town of Vail, in order to short cut one of the long switchbacks along Potato Patch
Drive. He asked them to review and approve the requested easement with the condition that a
restoration plan be approved by the Public Works Department and the Design Review Board.
Daly said the general conclusion was to provide the easement with the caveat to do what they
say they are doing including planting 12-foot trees and vegetate the area with a guarantee on
the revegetation, as well as winter snow shedding and avalanche issues since its over a 60%
slope. Fessenden said the only thing that could be a challenge is to get the trees and
vegetation to take on the steepness of the slope. The Council expectation is to come back with
a landscape plan and a geodic study that says this makes sense. Fessenden said they hope to
proceed with their design with a landscape plan. Council was not opposed to approving this
easement. Donovan asked why they would consider doing this on a slope this steep.
Fessenden said it was a much shorter section to cut and there will be unknowns, however, this
section is fairly short. The ERWSD wants to reduce long term maintenance. When weighed
out, this is not ideal but is a better, more do -able project and saves two weeks construction time.
The sixth item on the agenda was first reading of Ordinance No. 11, Series of 2012, 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 review, to
November 19, 2013, and setting forth details in regard thereto.
Warren Campbell, Chief Planner, said he applicant requests the Council approve Ordinance No.
11, on first reading. Ordinance No. 11 is intended to extend the effective date for temporary
regulations allowing informational and directional signs for public parking on private property
from November 19, 2012, until November 19, 2013. No other change to the regulations is
proposed. Extending the effective date of these regulations will allow the town to explore
opportunities for incorporating these signs into a broader guest services enhancement program
which includes signage and wayfinding enhancements.
Donovan said there was language on directional signs but is there language staff can turn to for
the rest of the signage. Campbell said they can add additional language.
Moffet made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 11, Series of 2012, on first reading and the
motion was seconded by Rogers. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
Town of Vail September 18, 2012 meeting minutes Page 10
The seventh item on the agenda was second Reading of Ordinance No. 10, Series of 2012, an
ordinance amending Chapter 12-22, View Corridors, and Section 14-10-3C, Site Planning, Vail
Town Code, pursuant to Section 12-3-7, Amendment, Vail Town Code, to allow for the
maintenance of adopted view corridors impacted by vegetation, and setting forth details in
regard thereto.
Warren Campbell, Chief Planner, said staff was back for second reading of the ordinance and
that the language preventing the topping of trees is already in the code and already addresses
it.
Rogers made a motion to approve second reading of Ordinance No. 10 based on the findings in
the memorandum, and the motion was seconded by Tjossem.
Jim Lamont, representing the Vail Homeowners Association, said one of the view corridors
being discussed that needs manicuring is the view of the Clock Tower and mountain near the
Ski Museum. He said if we top trees is that acceptable for aspens.
Campbell said this includes the topping of any trees in any of the view corridors. That has not
been acceptable for any trees. He said an application to the PEC will need to be submitted and
reviewed at the time of the submittal.
Moffet said he wants the language in the ordinance.to specifically state "topping of the trees." It
needs to be explicit. Campbell said the review process bas been around for a long time and it
would be addressed on a case -by -case basis. "At& wouldn't allow any topping of trees during
the process or feel it is appropriate. Further discussion ensued. Campbell stated the DRB has
not allowed topping of trees in the past.Foley said it was in the memorandum twice. Moffet
said the memorandum is not the law. He said someone could interpret that differently.
Donovan said the town would be presenting these proposals and if a staff member proposes
they top a tree, there are bigger problems. Rogers said every possible scenario can't be in place
and DRB is there to help enforce this process.
Jim Lamont said if the public wants to opine on the subject, they can go to the DRB meetings or
appeal to Council. And Council will decide if topping is allowed. Campbell said the appeal
process would be in place to be used.
A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0.
The eighth item on the agenda was a request to continue the major subdivision and Ordinance
Nos. 7, 8 and 9, Series of 2011, for Ever Vail to the November 6, 2012 public hearing.
Warren Campbell, Chief Planner, requested the major subdivision and Ordinance Nos. 7, 8,
and 9, Series of 2011, for Ever Vail be continued to the November 6, 2012 public hearing.
Moffet made a motion to continue the major subdivision and Ordinance Nos. 7, 8 and 9, Series
of 2011, for Ever Vail to the November 6, 2012 public hearing and the motion was seconded by
Donovan.
Town of Vail September 18, 2012 meeting minutes Page 11
Daly said he suggested they don't go past Nov. 6t' as they are not making process. Further
discussion ensued regarding timing and continuing the project.
Campbell said they are continuing these ordinances and resolution as they are working on the
DIA and a conditional use of the gondola and put the parking to rest. If they don't continue this
project they would have to start over. Further discussion ensued.
A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-1, with Foley opposed.
The ninth item on the agenda was adjournment.
As there was no further business, Moffet made a motion to adjourn and the motion was
seconded by Foley. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously, 7-0. The meeting
adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Respectful) bmitted,
Attest:
Andrew P. Daly, Mayers f
Lo4lei onaldson, Town Clerk C��,R�,�A-966)60
Town of Vail September 18, 2012 meeting minutes Page 12