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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