· Resolution
#31, 2008 – Adoption of Pitkin County Nordic Trails
· Resolution
#26, 27 - 2008 – Contract Awards for Clarifier Covers
· Resolution
#32, 2008 – Castle Creek Water Hydroelectric Improvements
· Resolution
#33, 2008 - Contract Castle Creek Underpass Improvements
ORDINANCE
#11, SERIES OF 2008 – Clarifying Definition of Maintenance for Wheeler Opera
House
ORDINANCE
#12, SERIES OF 2008 – 612 West Main Establishment of TDRs
ORDINANCE
#13, SERIES OF 2008 – Interfund Loan
RESOLUTION
#53, SERIES OF 2007 – Smuggler Racquet Club Affordable Housing Conceptual
Development
ORDINANCE
#10, SERIES OF 2008 – Extension of Commercial Mix/Historic Interiors
ORDINANCE
#3, SERIES OF 2008 – Fire Station COWOP
ORDINANCE
#6, SERIES OF 2008 – Establishment of TDRs 827 Dean
ORDINANCE
#8, SERIES OF 2008 – Code Amendment Wildlife Protection
ORDINANCE
#1, SERIES OF 2008 – 434 East Cooper Subdivision (Bidwell Building)
Mayor
Jannette Whitcomb, environmental health department, explained to Council these awards are given to city employees who use methods other than driving to get to work. Brent Stapleton, street department carpools; Lisa Boucher, finance, takes the bus; and Frank Arenella, recreation center, walks. They save money and keep carbon dioxide out of the air.
1. Junee Kirk
suggested postponing consideration of the Bidwell building as the Historic
Preservation task force has just starting meeting. Ms. Kirk said the HP task force is going to
examine historic resources block by block.
Mayor
2. Toni
Kronberg congratulated Council on forming task force’s to review and comment on
important public issues like historic preservation, finance and lift one. Ms. Kronberg said the music school is in
review process with Pitkin County and suggested for employee mitigation they be
allowed to work with city staff and look at things like a 3rd story
on Marolt housing. Ms. Kronberg said
staff has told her the outside swimming pool at the ARC will not have a public
process as it is an amendment to the PUD.
Mayor
3. Marilyn Marks brought up Ordinance #13, interfund loan and asked how the fund will be repaid, what the financial assumptions are and do these relate to the bond issue. Ms. Marks asked what happen if there is not a bond issue in a timely fashion.
4. Bill Wiener asked Council to consider readdressing the infill code amendment in light of what has been lost in the community. The infill amendments made building denser and higher.
5. Mike Maple
encouraged Council to approve the engineering contract for the trail under the
Castle Creek bridge. Maple noted there
may be tough decisions about the proper alignment for the trail and crossing
deed restricted open space and the entrance to
1. Councilman Romero thanked community members who volunteered for the 22nd annual disabled veterans activities. There were over 400 disabled veterans participants and the community demonstrated a willingness to extend a hand.
2. Councilman
Romero noted he has heard comments from
3. Councilman Skadron thanked the Aspen Skiing Company for an outstanding ski season.
4. Councilman Skadron extended sympathies to the Westfeld family.
5. Mayor
Ireland thanked the Ski Company for extending the season and for a great job of
mountain grooming. Mayor
6. Mayor
Ireland noted some
7. Mayor
Ireland said he met with the CEO of the Telluride Ski Company. Mayor
8. Mayor
Ireland said he is happy
9. Councilman Skadron announced the Historic Preservation task force has elected Bill Stirling as chair and Tom Todd as vice chair. They have agreed on meeting dates and their ground rules.
10. Councilman DeVilbiss noted RFTA is working on a bond/sales tax issue for the November election. Dan Blankenship will be at the EOTC meeting April 17th to explain the issues and to get feedback.
11. Mayor Ireland
said he went to the CDOT transportation advisory meeting and was informed there
will be $100 million less funding for CDOT.
This is due to the decline in state sales tax revenue, the change in
distribution – the legislation changed the way the sales tax is
distributed. Mayor
12. Mayor Ireland
said he and staff addressed the ACRA annual meeting and discussed how to get to
reasonable time to get a building permit, affordable housing and
13. Mayor Ireland said the Lift One COWOP has gotten underway with a good group of members.
14. Mayor Ireland said he went to the RFTA annual party and thanked the drivers for their work over the winter.
Councilman Skadron and Councilman Romero requested
Resolution #30, Property Acquisition Lot C Stage Road Burlingame be
pulled. Mayor
Resolution #30,
Series of 2008 - Property Acquisition Lot C Stage Road
Councilman Skadron asked what the negotiated process was used and who was on the negotiating team. Stephen Ellsperman, parks department, told Council staff met with the owners in 2006 about the trail and open space. The negotiations were friendly and on-going. Councilman Skadron asked if there is a current market value. Ellsperman said the market value and how to put a value on the land was discussed. This land does have restrictions on it. Ellsperman said the price offered from the owner was to cover their costs. The Open Space Board discussed an appropriate price and felt this was an important acquisition and an appropriate price. Ellsperman noted the Open Space Board was formed to negotiate open space purchased on Council’s behalf.
Councilman Skadron asked if appraisals are legally required.
Jessie Boyce, Open Space Board, told Council the board feels the housing authority should have gotten open space as part of the original approval. Boyce said the Board would like to keep people off Deer Hill and to offer some other open space for passive recreation. Barwick said staff could get an opinion of value in about a month.
Councilman Romero pointed out lot C is a component of the
Bar/X subdivision and is designated as a cultural/arts facility so it cannot be
sold as a free market lot. Councilman
Romero said he, too, is concerned that a park was not part of the final
Burlingame Bar/X approval. Mayor
Mayor
Resolution #33, Series of 2008 – Contract Castle Creek Underpass Improvements
Mayor
Councilman Skadron moved to approve the consent calendar as amended; seconded by Councilman DeVilbiss. The consent calendar is:
All in favor, motion carried.
Gram Slaton, Wheeler Opera House, told Council staff has wrestled with the issue of funding to support the arts and available from the Wheeler funds. Slaton said this ordinance makes language clear on what is legally funded from the Wheeler and what is not. Councilman Romero said the Wheeler RETT is to provide on-going maintenance of the Wheeler and to fund arts groups up to $100,000, and asked what the struggle is with the term “maintenance”. Slaton said the RETT was first passed in 1980 and the original language was vague as the thought was there would never be $100,000 extra for arts. Slaton told Council the RETT revenues have gone from $200,000 to over $2 million. Slaton said he wants to clarify what funds would be legally available sources for arts funding. Councilman Romero asked if this is consistent with the original voter intention. Slaton said as far as staff can tell, this is. Slaton said programming at the Wheeler is subsidized by the RETT; the lease spaces are a revenue stream for the arts groups.
Councilman DeVilbiss moved to read Ordinance #11, Series of 2008; seconded by Councilman Romero. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 11
(Series of 2008)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO AMENDING SECTIONS 23.48.060 (c) AND (g) TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD “MAINTENANCE”AS IT RELATES TO THE WHEELER OPERA HOUSE REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX FUND (RETT) AND CLARIFYING APPROPRIATE EXPENDITURES FROM SAID FUND.
Councilman DeVilbiss moved to adopt Ordinance #11, Series of
2008, on first reading; seconded by Councilman Romero. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Skadron, yes;
Johnson, yes; Romero, yes; DeVilbiss, yes; Mayor
Councilman Romero moved to read Ordinance #12, Series of 2008; seconded by Councilman DeVilbiss. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE
N0. 12
(SERIES OF 2008)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE ASPEN
CITY COUNCIL ESTABLISHING SIX (6) HISTORIC TRANSERABLE DEVELOPMENT RIGHT
CERTIFICATES IN 250 SQUARE FEET OF FLOOR AREA INCREMENTS FOR THE SENDING SITE
OF 612 WEST MAIN STREET, LOTS O AND P, BLOCK 24, CITY AND TOWNSITE OF ASPEN, PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO
Councilman DeVilbiss moved to adopt Ordinance #12, Series of
2008, on first reading; seconded by Councilman Romero. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Johnson, yes; Romero, yes; DeVilbiss, yes;
Skadron, yes; Mayor
Mayor
Councilman Johnson moved to read Ordinance #13, Series of 2008; seconded by Councilman Skadron. All in favor, motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 13
(Series of 2008)
AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING AN INCREASE IN THE WHEELER FUND OF $8,000,000.
Councilman Skadron asked how the 4.61% rate paid on the interfund loan compares with the rates obtained from the third party in the short term borrowing scenario. Don Taylor, finance director, said if the city were to borrow from a third party, the interest rate would be less. By borrowing interfund, the Wheeler endowment fund can be made whole to the interest rate they would have earned from investments in government securities. This is the rate of the city investment portfolio. Steve Barwick, city manager, said the Wheeler endowment fund will be paid back the same rate as the city’s investment portfolio.
Councilman Romero asked why the repurchase agreement line of
credit was not used.
Councilman DeVilbiss moved to adopt Ordinance #13, Series of
2008, on first reading; seconded by Councilman Skadron. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Johnson, yes;
Romero, yes; Skadron, yes; DeVilbiss, yes; Mayor
Mayor
Councilman Romero moved to continue Resolution #53, Series of 2007, to July 28, 2008; seconded by Councilman DeVilbiss. All in favor, motion carried.
Mayor
Councilman DeVilbiss moved to continue Ordinance #10, Series of 2008, to April 28, 2008; seconded by Councilman Skadron. All in favor, motion carried.
Mayor
Councilman DeVilbiss moved to continue Ordinance #3, Series of 2008, to April 28, 2008; seconded by Councilman Romero. All in favor, motion carried.
Sara Adams, community development department, told Council there is a single family residence, chalet style in the R/MF zone at 827 Dean. The owner is requesting 4 TDRs leaving 286 square feet on the property for development. Ms. Adams provided information in staff’s memo on where TDRs can land. Ms. Adams told Council review criteria have been met and this is appropriate preservation tool for this property.
Mayor
Mayor
Mike Maple agreed TDRs are a good historic preservation tool; however, they are not without impact. Maple said this is transferring the impact from one site in town to another site.
Mayor
Councilman Skadron moved to adopt Ordinance #6, Series of
2008, on second reading; seconded by Councilman Romero. Roll call vote; Councilmembers DeVilbiss, yes; Johnson, yes; Romero, yes;
Skadron, yes; Mayor
Richard Pryor, Chief of Police, noted this amends two provisions of the wildlife protection ordinance. The first changes “wildlife proof” to “wildlife resistant”, which will allow a wider range of containers. Pryor pointed out all the trash containers will be marked to a particular residence. Kevin Wright, Department of Wildlife, pointed out these containers are self-closing, which should help. The ordinance has a clause that if a container fails, it has to be repaired or replaced. Wright told Council these containers are tested and have to pass a test of 30 minutes of continuous activity by a bear trying to get into it.
Mayor
Councilman Johnson suggested instructions or an explanation
be added to the containers especially to help out visitors and second home
owners. Pryor told Council the police
department will be offering more education and enforcement. Steve Johnson said they have the capability
of hot stamping on the container. Mayor
Mayor
Toni Kronberg said the ordinance does not address
enforcement and is there enough staff in the city to enforce and ticket people. Mayor
Mayor
Councilman Johnson moved to adopt Ordinance #8, Series of
2008, on second reading; seconded by Councilman Romero. Roll call vote; Councilmembers Romero, yes;
Skadron, yes; DeVilbiss, yes; Johnson, yes; Mayor
Ms. Phelan told Council the proposal meets the land use code provisions in place at the time of submission. The building is 41’. The maximum floor area is 3:1 and this building is under that allowance at 2.61:1 or 23,500 square feet of floor area. Three affordable housing units are proposed, which exceeds the required mitigation. The employee housing is required by the free market component of the project because there is a credit for the commercial square footage. Ms. Phelan pointed out engineering states the construction plan is deficient; however, it is preliminary. Ms. Phelan said there will be encroachment into the mall. The current code allows encroachment into the mall in off season only.
Ms. Phelan said this meet the subdivision review criteria
and staff recommends approval. Ms. Phelan
handed out an amended ordinance with minor changes. Ms. Phelan noted the building is going for a
silver
Councilman Skadron asked if the potential commercial uses was discussed further with the applicant. Ms. Phelan said in discussions with the attorney, there could be deed restriction on the uses but those have to be voluntary. There have been no negotiations with the applicant. Tricia Aragon, city engineer, noted the city’s code does not allow encroachments on the mall during the summer and winter seasons. This building would need to encroach year round and would need a variance to do so.
Councilman Skadron asked if the subdivision review have separate criteria for scrape and replacement versus new construction. Ms. Phelan said the only area that addresses mitigation requirements is in the growth management quota system, not the subdivision review criteria. Councilman Skadron asked if redevelopment requires less mitigation than a new development. Ms. Phelan said the growth management section of the code allows a credit for existing net leasable or existing residences. Any new development above that has to be mitigation.
Councilman Skadron brought up the view plane, which was
discussed at P&Z, and asked if this building is in violation of any
designated view planes. Mitch Haas,
representing the applicant, said HPC reviewed the Wheeler view plan and found
there were negligible impacts on the view plane towards
Councilman DeVilbiss noted restaurants are a permitted use in the commercial core zone; the memorandum says the applicant will need to expand on any anticipated uses and what does that mean. Ms. Phelan said the applicants do not know who the tenants will be after the remodel. Councilman Romero asked about the affordable housing assessment. Ms. Phelan said concerns from the housing authority are that employees associated with the building are in the affordable housing units and one’s job is terminated, that their housing lease cannot be terminated so employment is not tied to living space. When projects are condominiumized, there are homeowners’ dues and the housing authority is concerned that the affordable housing homeowners are not asked to bear a higher burden than the affordability of their unit. Ms. Phelan said this method to determine the assessments, using the assessor’s value to create percentage, has been used by the housing office for about a year.
Jody Edwards, representing the applicant, said the
assessment can be taken care of in the condominium documents and the housing
authority wants these assessments done not based on the number of units but
based on valuation. Mayor
Mayor
Haas pointed out this is a prominent corner site and one
that is worthy of an important building and not the place for a timid
design. The
Haas said this site is not on the inventory of historic sites and structures but it is in the historic overlay district. Haas noted in the surrounding neighborhood, there is a mix of uses including retail, restaurants, lodging, offices and residences. Haas listed the current existing tenants. Haas said there are no residences on the property currently. This building fronts the mall; Guido’s building is 85’ across the mall. There are 3 rows of pedestrian walkways separated by 2 rows of trees, irrigation, and seating along the mall. Wagner park is one block to the west and Rubey park, the transportation center, is one block to the south. The existing building is 2 stories of office and retail uses on a 9,000 square foot lot.. The building has a flat roof with eave overhangs. There is a sunken courtyard with access to the basement space.
Haas told Council the applicant and HPC feel the existing
building does not enhance the street scape as described by the historic design
guidelines or the commercial design guidelines adopted by the city. The existing building is setback from the
property line and does not create a uniform building front. Haas said access to the building and to
spaces is difficult and many spaces do not meet the
Haas said there will be commercial tenants on the ground
floor; the first floor will also be retail uses including an entrance on the
Haas told Council the existing building has a parking deficit of 9 spaces; the municipal code allows one to carry forward a deficit. The code requirement for this would be 10.5 spaces; the effective requirement would be 1.5 spaces including the deficit. This proposal has 11 parking spaces. Haas pointed out the code at the time has no parking requirement in the commercial core for either free market or affordable housing units. The applicants have provided no spaces for the residences.
John Rowland, architect, told Council one of the design
principles for this project was to respect the historic patterns of
Green and sustainable building practices will be used. They proposed to reduce the storm water runoff by the green roof system. Water efficiency will be achieved by using the most sophisticated technology available. They building will use high performance glazing, day lighting as much as possible, renewable energy sources and high performance heating and cooling systems. Rowland said they will attempt to send as little construction materials to the land fill as possible. Rowland said they will use the best, most environmentally friendly products they can. Innovative design is how one can get extra points and they would like to work with the city to monitor the building and to not permit furniture and fixtures that off-gas.
Rowland said this building is talking to its neighbors. The project is consistent with all the city’s
guidelines. Rowland showed a video
flyover using sketch up to illustrate how this building will fit into the
neighborhood. Rowland showed the
location of the affordable housing units on the model, on the 2nd
floor facing north to the alley and east to
Rowland showed an exhibit, 3 story building comparisons; the proposed new building at 39’; the Elks at 47’; the Hotel Jerome at 48’; the Wheeler Opera house at 59’ and the Independence Square at 42’. Another exhibit, pedestrian and open spaces within a ¼ mile radius illustrated all the open spaces within a 10 minute walk of this site, including Wagner park and the mall. Rowland told Council they studied all the buildings within the neighborhood and the heights of those buildings, exhibit titled vicinity maps with neighboring buildings.
Rowland presented the site plan showing the building coming out to the sidewalk to meet the historic design guidelines. Rowland showed the basement floor plan with 11 parking spots plus storage for all units plus mechanical; the proposed level 1 floor plan with opportunities for window fronts, recessed entries. The proposed 2nd floor has 3 affordable housing units, open space, sky lights. The affordable housing units are larger than required by the guidelines. Rowland told Council 16% of the roof is proposed to be a green roof with succulents to defer some of the storm water runoff, which will be absorbed into the building. The green roof protects from temperature fluctuations and adds insulation values. Rowland passed around green roof board #15 and Elevations #16. The model is a 1:50 scale of the proposed building and surrounding buildings.
Haas told Council the view plane review standards have been
amended and they now state “minimal impact”.
Story poles were erected and HPC looked at those. Haas said the view plane to
Haas reiterated this project provides housing for 5.25 FTEs in 3 different types of units and a mix of incomes. One unit is 1 bedroom, category 2, over 700 net livable square feet; a studio, category 2, is 530 square feet and a two bedroom category 4, 1010 square feet. The units have storage spaces, private laundry facilities. The total net livable for affordable housing exceeds the 30% of net livable free market space. These units are all above grade. The units are integrated with the residential and commercial spaces in the building. Haas said counting all the net livable space comes to 95% of square footage, which is higher than the typical 85%. There is a net reduction in FTE generation. Haas told Council the code requires mitigation for free market units at 1800 square feet of affordable net livable space. The proposed plan contains 2,241 square feet of net livable affordable space, which is 125% of the requirement.
Haas said there was not a growth management competition; however, the applicant presented the best project and achieved 40 points in the affordable housing section of the competition; one reason is because they are 25% over the amount of affordable housing provided and 15% over on the net livable square footage of the units.
Haas noted because of the location of the affordable housing units and the mix with commercial, the applicants wanted to have some level of control over the tenants and therefore they are proposed as rental units. Haas told Council they met with the housing board who agreed and supported rental units with the caveat that occupancy is not tied to employment; if there is violation, these units will revert to sales and will go through the lottery.
Haas said on the pedestrian amenities, the code states that if less than 10% of the existing site meets the requirement for pedestrian amenity space, then one is allowed a cash-in-lieu payments. Haas noted the existing site is below 10% that meets the standards for open space; the sunken courtyard does not count and the covered walkways are not open to the sky and do not count. This was discussed with HPC and based on their guidelines, this building should be pushed out to the corner and engage the pedestrian. The building fronts on a mall. The applicants felt setting the building back would create second row seating behind the mall benches. The recently adopted design standards require the same thing. Haas noted this building was cited as a building that erodes the street edge and should not be a precedent to follow.
The HPC guideline 13.8 states to maintain the facades at the sidewalk edge and to place as much of a façade of a building at the property line as possible. The commercial design standards state the HPC will decide whether, where and in what form public amenity space will be required. HPC wants the building to engage the pedestrian.
The commercial design standards state that corner buildings anchor the street block and setbacks within the commercial area should reinforce the objective of enhancing the urban character.
Haas stated the proposal complies with and is fully consistent with the preponderance of the goals and objectives stated in the Aspen Area community plan. The proposal falls within the 2% allowable growth rate, is within .5% free market residential annual growth rate. The guidelines talk about bringing the middle class back to the community and about discouraging sprawl. This project includes affordable housing, in the center of town, in a high quality building. The location is within walking distance of the transportation center as well as walking distance to shopping.
Haas noted community plan consistency and compatibility with neighborhood have been addressed. Another standard states a proposed subdivision shall not be designed to create spatial patterns that cause inefficiencies, duplication or premature extension of public facilities and unnecessary public costs. Haas said the affordable housing units address spatial concerns. Haas said this project reduces the number of FTEs by 3.6; credit to the existing building’s FTE generation is allowed by the code in recognition that the existing FTEs have no new net effect and do not provide unnecessary costs and have not been mitigated.
Haas noted Council asked if there would be an exclusionary provision for real estate and time share sales offices. The applicants have not agreed to specifically exclude any business; however, the code precludes real estate on the ground level. Council also asked about including medical offices in the building. Haas said the burden for providing space for medical offices should not fall on one applicant. Haas said there is a philosophical disagreement whether the city or landlords should be deed restricting affordable space. How would a neighboring businesses with the same use compete with a similar business in deed restricted space.
Haas said the construction management plan is very
temporary; there are not even construction drawings. Haas stated if the CMP does not meet the city
standards, the project will not get a building permit. Haas told Council several of the tenants have
relocation clauses; however, it is early to look for space for them to
relocate. There are options for tenants
to extend their leases. The LEED energy comparison
was provided showing their building will be at least 87% more energy efficient
than the existing building based on base line for
Councilman Skadron asked how the construction might impact neighboring businesses. Haas said they have not studied this; however, the goal will be to get this built as quickly as possible. Haas said some portion of the building will be constructed off site. The city will review the CMP very thoroughly.
Mayor
Junee Kirk pointed out the Red Onion is 32’ and is the
largest building along Cooper. This proposed building is 42’ and the Red Onion
should stand by itself as the most prominent building on that block. The Volk building across the street to the
east gave 1/3 of their lot as pedestrian amenity. The Volk building is 25’ to 32’ high; the Guido’s
building to the south is 30’ to the peak.
The
Phyllis Bronson said she appreciates the emphasis on green
building; however, she is concerned about the impact of getting the building built.. The free radical particulates from carbon
combustion are huge contributing factor to health problems in
Toni Kronberg agreed this is the most prominent corner in
Mayor
Councilman Romero asked what method was used to determine
the building heights by the applicant.
Rowland told Council staff provided these height calculations.
Councilman Johnson asked what cues were taken from the
Thompkins building for this design.
Rowland said the chamfered corner entry, bringing the building to the
sidewalk and the recessed entry on
Councilman Johnson asked about the materials. Rowland said the majority of the façade will be red brick with some sandstone. Haas noted final review at HPC includes material selections and the materials are submitted as part of the record. Councilman Johnson asked which spaces will be condominiumized. Haas said the residences will be condominiumized and the commercial spaces will stay under the ownership of the developer. Councilman Johnson asked if the real estate company can relocate to their space. Bendon said there is a prohibition against that and unless there is a provision made for them to be on the first floor, it will not be allowed.
Councilman Johnson asked if there is roof top access. Haas said there is a deck but it only available to the corner residence, which does not have a deck. Councilman Johnson said he feels the existing building is worthy of historic preservation; however, that is not the issue at this hearing. Councilman Johnson said this design references a building once on this site and the design is successful. Councilman Johnson said he has concerns about how this building will be built and used. Councilman Johnson requested a memo from staff about how representations about building materials and building practices get to be a condition of approval. Councilman Johnson said he has problems with roof top access, with free market owners selecting tenants for the affordable housing. Councilman Johnson stated he has a problem with parking, the number of parking spaces is generated by commercial uses but the spaces could be devoted to the free market units, which defeats the purpose of adding parking.
Councilman DeVilbiss said an issue is whether this project complies with the AACP. This corner has been used as open space for 40 years. Councilman DeVilbiss noted the building across the street to the east is an example of a developer with a community conscience. Councilman DeVilbiss asked why the developer will not commit to a restaurant. Haas said the space will be available to any type of use allowed in the commercial core. Haas said deed restricting any space is untried, it has not had a public process to vet the concept, to decide what the concerns are and how they should be addressed. Deed restricting space may create an unlevel playing field.
Councilman DeVilbiss asked why the applicants will not commit to medical offices. Haas said the developers are creating spaces that people can choose to negotiate a lease for and the developers do not want to include someone at the exclusion of everyone else.
Councilman Romero recapped the applicants are stating they will allow approved uses in the commercial core zone district in their new building. Haas agreed they are not precluding anything that is not precluded by zoning nor are they setting aside any spaces. Councilman Romero asked about relocation intent for the existing tenants. Councilman Romero asked about the control and reasoning for rental units rather than sales units and is there a first right to employees of the new commercial tenants. Haas said they would be willing to have that as a condition.
Councilman Romero said he appreciates the reference to
historic designs and to compliance with the historic design guidelines. Councilman Romero said he likes making a
commitment to LEED silver certification.
Councilman Romero agreed the CM plan will be a challenge as will be minimizing
the impact on the neighbors and their business needs as well as being
respectful to the community and their enjoyment of the space.. Councilman Romero agreed with solidifying the
representations on materials. Councilman
Romero noted this project is 210’ from
Councilman Skadron said he is struggling with the subdivision criteria and if this proposed subdivision is consistent or not with the character of existing land uses in the area. Councilman Skadron concluded this does meet the subdivision review criteria, that the mixed use is consistent with the land uses in the area. Councilman Skadron said he would prefer this building is less prominent with the historic buildings with which it is juxtaposed. Councilman Skadron said this building meets many city goals and he can support the building.
Councilman Skadron said he appreciates the plan does not use all the allowable floor area, that it is below the allowable height limit, that the free market floor area is less than possible, and the quality of the affordable housing and the LEEDs certification. The building is within the growth rate of growth management. Councilman Skadron said this building will raise the standard for commercial core development. Councilman Skadron said although he does not like big buildings, the applicants have presented a building within the codes.
Mayor
Mayor
Mayor