PZC Minutes 09-28-2005Town of Avon Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting
AVON Comprehensive Plan Special Meeting Minutes
C O L O R Alto September 28, 2005
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:35 pm.
II. Roll Call
All Commissioners were in attendance with Commissioner Buckner arriving late.
III. Additions and Amendments to the Agenda
There were no additions to the Agenda.
IV. Conflicts of Interest
There were no conflicts to report.
V. Consent Agenda:
There were no prior issues for Consent
VII. Comprehensive Plan Update
Description: Review the planning principles and recommendations within the
Low Priority Districts (Subareas) and work through Draft Plan Observation Summary as
it pertains to the Low Priority Districts.
Eric Heidemann outlined the remaining schedule of meetings. The plan is to get
through the rest of the plan in the two special meetings and one regular meeting. All of
the goals were collated into one document to simplify this portion of the review process.
Commissioner Green questioned Policy A1.2 and the literal interpretation of this policy
as it relates to (all ?) development submittals. The language "as deemed necessary by
staff' will be added to Policy A1.2.
Commissioner Struve requested that the language "from town boundary" be added to
the reference to the Town's 3 -mile plan at the end of Policy A1.1. All Commissioners
were in agreement.
Policy B1.2 was discussed and whether this density discussion was limited to just the
Town Center West, or to Town Center East as well. It was commented that Avon road
bisects the east and west Town Center areas in the current plan draft. The Commission
discussed where the "critical mass" can and should be located. Town Center districts
were defined to include the area between Chapel Square and Nottingham Lake.
Commissioner Green questioned building height allowance for the western portion of
the Village at Avon. Consensus was reached to strike "underdeveloped" from Policy
B1.4.
Policy B2.2 was discussed and it's literal meaning. The Eagle River Watershed Plan
was adopted by Town and this plan will be referenced in this Policy. Public access to
the Eagle River was emphasized by the Commissioners, and whether or not there
should be a statement in B2.
There was brief discussion on Goal B.3 — Annexations. Quasi - governmental agencies
should be called out with a list of all agencies that may be affected. This could help the
Town and developers to understand who reviews annexations. The Town's current
referral policy was reviewed and Tambi Katieb explained when we entertain referrals
from the county.
Policies in C.1 were discussed. Commissioner Struve would like Policy C1.5 altered
with the deletion of the words "effective development ". Policy C1.7 should be altered to
permit home occupation business "where no negative impact to the neighborhood" is
experienced. This reference to home occupations should also be added to Policy C.2.
Housing price ranges and the difference between `workforce' and high end housing was
contemplated. Should the Town legislate housing prices? Or do we let the free market
dictate housing prices? Commissioner Evans felt that the burden should not be on the
developer to provide these units. Rebecca recommended that the Commission revisit
this portion of the plan.
Policy C3.2 and the word 'retail' was discussed. The Commission asked if this definition
should be broadened to include all commercial uses. Commissioner Green asked if
Policy C3.2 and C3.3 should be combined. Consensus was that Policy C3.2 should be
moved to the specified subarea where "Main Street" is located so that if a developer
was doing a project on "Main Street" it would not be a burden to find all relevant
information. Policy C3.3 will stay in this section of the plan.
Commissioner Green brought up the LEED certification reference in Policy C.4.4. He
expressed that this policy was aimed at encouraging environmentally sensitive building
practices, and that new language be added to this policy to clarify the intent. The LEED
program might not be around forever and there shouldn't be this specific reference.
Community Image and redevelopment as it relates to adjacent properties was
discussed. Lot 12 was used as an example for where these policies would come into
play, as well as Main Street. Rebecca Leonard suggested the addition of a new Policy
to the front of Goal D.1 to reference other adopted or community plans. The Town
should encourage creative planning and forward thinking development, however, it must
be somewhat compatible with the adjacent development.
The Town should not attempt preserve views from Interstate 70. Consensus was to
strike D2.3, especially since it seemed to conflict with Policy D2.6. The Commission
would like the reference to Bob the bridge moved to the subarea plan where this bridge
is located.
Policies for Town Center should be moved to the appropriate subarea of the plan where
it is located. Within Policy D4.5, pedestrian should be plural and automobile should be
changed to vehicle. The Commission agreed that Goal D.5 should be stricken from the
plan all together, since the Town does not have any significant historical resources.
There was discussion on the Economic Development portion of the plan. Live /work
situations will go a long way if they are encouraged in this document. The parking
structure and its function were contemplated. A policy should be added to address the
potential for skier parking. Light Commercial land uses should be encouraged in the
Town where appropriate. Additionally, under Goal E.3, Policy E3.7 — the Town should
have links to websites where you can make hotel reservations from our homepage.
Within Policy E3.10, the specific examples (i.e. Snapple) should be stricken from the
plan. Policy E3.11 was discussed and whether this should encourage live /work
situations. The Avon Chamber of Commerce should be stricken from Policy E3.14
since it does not exist.
The Housing element was discussed at length. To what degree should the Town
regulate 'work force' or 'affordable /attainable' housing? Eagle County and the
Confluence were discussed as examples for when these policies will or have been
applied. Pitkin County's example of a tax on new large homes over a certain square
footage was mentioned. Rebecca brought up the jobs /housing balance that the County
discussed. Policy F1.1 will be stricken from this section of the plan. A detailed housing
needs assessment will need to be reviewed to fully understand the housing element
portion of the Comprehensive Plan.
Price control as it relates to 'work force' housing was taken out of the plan. The
minimum dwelling unit size (Policy F2.5) was discussed and there shouldn't be a strict
minimum number set in place. The policy should be one that establishes a 'dwelling
unit size requirement', not a 'minimum dwelling unit size.'
Existing streets that do not accommodate pedestrians should be required to when
redeveloped. Policy G1.7 should be more direct and concise to provide vehicular
access and a pedestrian connection between Metcalf Road and West Beaver Creek
Boulevard. Commissioner Evans felt that the language should be more action
orientated instead of words such as "investigate" or "develop" which do not get to the
goal of the policies.
Railroad Right -of -Way and crossings were discussed with respect to specific references
to properties. Conveyance versus Gondola connection between the Town and Beaver
Creek Boulevard were discussed. A Gondola was the preference for this connection.
The environment and Policy H1.4 should be stricken since the Design Guidelines
already require a solar study for development in the Town Core. Noise issues and how
to deal with it was discussed. Vail and mufflers on Jake brakes was used as an
example for how to address this issue. Policy G4.2 can benefit with similar language to
what was used earlier in the plan with reference to green building.
The Commission struck Goal H.5 and all references to the historical natural features to
be recognized within Avon. The environmental awareness references should be moved
to the appropriate area of the plan. Land swaps within Avon should be deterred, and
the trails and trailheads should be created and maintained through Forest Service
lands.
XII. Other Business
None
XIII. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Ruth Weiss
Community Development
APPROVED:
Terry Smith
Vice Chairman
Phil Struve
Secretary