PZC Packet 091405Planning and Zoning Commission
Special Meeting — 9/14/05
Town District Planning Principles
Goals and Policies
1. Goals and Policies
While each District -has specific Planning Principles, a number of overarching goals and
policies provide direction in the following topic areas community -wide:
• Regional Awareness
• Urban Form
• Land Uses
• Economic Development
• Housing
• Transportation
• Environment
• Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space
• Public Services, Facilities, Utilities and Government
• Community Character
Each topic area contains one or more goals and several specific policy objectives. Certain
goals and policies are more specific and timely than others; however, all goals and policies
contribute to the vision of the plan and its implementation.
Finally, certain policies interrelate to several topic areas (such as policies that are relevant to
both Land Use and Economic Development). Where this redundancy occurs, the policy will
cross-reference other goals or policies accordingly.
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Town District Planning Principles
Goals and Policies
A. Regional Coordination
Goal A.1: Collaborate with Eagle County, adjacent municipalities, and other
agencies to implement this plan and to ensure Avon's needs and
goals are being considered.
Policy A.1.1: Work with Eagle County, adjacent municipalities,
and other agencies on cooperative planning efforts,
including joint planning agreements to govern
review and action on development applications
within the Town's 3 -mile planning area
Policy A.1.2: Refer development submittals to Eagle County,
adjacent municipalities, and other agencies to ensure
that regional issues are identified and considered as
part of the public process.
Policy A.1.3: Review development submittals from Eagle County,
adjacent municipalities, and other agencies to ensure
that the town's issues are identified and considered
as part of the public process.
Policy A.1.4: Participate in agreements with Eagle County,
adjacent municipalities, and other agencies regarding
funding of facilities and revenue sharing.
Policy A.1.5: Work with Eagle County, adjacent municipalities,
and other agencies to coordinate efforts to address
regional issues related to such topics as the railroad
corridor, 1-70, trails, and the Eagle River.
B. Urban Form
Goal B.1: Maintain a compact community form.
Policy B.1.1: Enhance Avon's compact community form by
targeting future medium and high-intensity
development to infill locations within the Town
Center that are readily accessible to and otherwise
integrated with existing retail areas and transit
service routes.
Policy B.1.2: Require that development in the Town Center be at a
higher density and include vertically mixed uses.
Policy B.1.3: Locate uses that generate traffic near transit facilities
or shared parking facilities to minimize automobile
travel and re -parking multiple times within the same
area.
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Town District Planning Principles
Goats and Policies
Policy BAA: Encourage redevelopment and revitalization of
currently underdeveloped, outdated, rundown, or
otherwise dysfunctional areas.
Goal B.2: Provide a distinct physical and visual separation between Avon
f and its surrounding communities that preserves the natural beauty
L of the surrounding mountains and the Eagle River valley.
Policy B.2.1: Inventory, analyze and prioritize lands adjacent to
the developed portions of the Town, particularly
developable open space, steep slopes, drainage
corridors, ridgelines, river frontage and other
environmentally sensitive areas, for possible
acquisition and/or preservation as formal open space
or for other public purposes in order to maintain
Avon's visual identity.
Policy B.2.2: Maintain the Eagle River as a valued resource and
require development and redevelopment to be
compatible with the riparian environment.
Policy B.2.3: Encourage cluster style development in areas of less
density to promote creative and efficient site design,
avoid impacts on environmental resources, and
augment designated open space.
Policy B.2.4: Work with landowners to identify opportunities for
conservation easements or other permanent
protection tool.
Goal 6.3: Ensure that annexations provide an overall benefit to the
community and are in conformance with this plan's goals and
policies.
Policy B.3.1: Require all annexed lands to be master planned in
conformance with the Future Land Use Plan and all
existing design standards, and to clearly show
physical, visual, and functional connections to
existing development and Town facilities.
Policy B.3.2: Participate in planning efforts related to lands
outside the Town's corporate limits that may affect
the Town by maintaining open communications with
Eagle County, adjacent municipalities, and other
quasi- governmental agencies.
Policy B.3.3: Coordinate land use policies and regulations with
Eagle County, adjacent municipalities, and other
quasi- governmental agencies to make development
more consistent across political boundaries.
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C. Land Use
Town District Planning Principles
Goals and Policies
Policy B.3.4: Ensure that the conditions stipulated in all
annexation agreements, subdivision improvement
agreements and other subsequent commitments
between the Town and an annexor(s) clearly identify
the intent and/or purpose of the future disposition or
development of the annexed lands, provides a
sufficient level of specificity to assure that the
identified intent or purpose will be achieved, and
provides sufficient assurance that the proposed
annexation will support the Town's goals and
policies and benefiting both existing and future
Town residents.
Provide a balance of land uses that offer a range of housing
options, diverse commercial and employment opportunities,
inviting guest accommodations, and high quality civic and
recreational facilities that work in concert to strengthen Avon's
identity as both a year-round residential community and as a
Policy C.1.1: Ensure that proposed development and
redevelopment projects conform to the Future Land
Use Plan's designations and are of a scale and
intensity as appropriate for the planning district in
which they are located.
Policy C.1.2: Ensure each development contributes to a healthy
jobs/housing balance in the Town and surrounding
area.
Policy C.1.3: Focus lodging and guest accommodation in the
Town Center to take advantage of the proximity to
retail, commercial and other community services.
Policy C.1.4: Encourage the development of detailed District
Master Plans for each District. Once written,
immediate action should be taken to provide clear
and simple zoning that would allow the type of
development approved in the District Master Plan.
Policy C.1.5: Where no District Master Plan has been prepared,
flexible zoning such as Planned Unit Development
should be considered as an alternative to straight
zoning if it would allow a more efficient
development pattern. However, such flexible zoning
will only be allowed where it provides a benefit to
the community, is consistent with this
comprehensive plan, and is compatible with
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Town District Planning Principles
Goals and Policies
surrounding development. Variations from standard
zoning will be permitted only as needed to achieve
effective development and a clearly demonstrated
community benefit.
Policy C.1.6: Include sufficient land for public uses such as
schools, recreation, community facilities (such as
childcare), and government services near the people
who use them.
Policy C.1.7: Permit home occupations and live/work
opportunities where appropriate to reduce
traffic/commuting impacts in the community.
Policy C.1.8: Encourage development applicants to meet with
adjacent residents, businesses, and property owners
prior to and during design, planning, and application
phases. This will allow applicants to identify
concerns and propose strategies for addressing them.
Policy C.1.9: Require proposed development near the railroad
corridor, particularly in the Town Center, to
anticipate future transit and incorporate this potential
into building and site design. (Refer to Policy F.3.4)
Goal C.2: Ensure that Avon continues to develop as a community of safe,
interactive, and cohesive neighborhoods that contribute to the
L Town's overall character and image.
Policy C.2.1: Promote a wide range of residential uses including
large -lot single family and duplex, small -lot single
family and duplex, multifamily, and vertically
integrated residential (housing on the upper floors of
mixed-use commercial buildings).
Policy C.2.2: Require new residential development to provide a
variety of housing densities, styles, and price ranges
based upon the findings of a housing needs
assessment study. (Refer to Policy E.1.2.)
Policy C.2.3: Require pedestrian, bike, and automobile
connections, where appropriate, between proposed
and existing residential neighborhoods. The use of
multiple access connections, traffic calming devices,
and/or street design standards will be employed to
minimize cut through traffic.
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Town District Planning Principles
Goals and Policies
Goal C.3:Use mixed-use development to create a more balanced,
sustainable system of land uses.
Policy C.3.1: Require vertical and/or horizontal mixed-use
development to occur in those areas identified in the
Future Land Use Plan for mixed-use to enhance the
Town's ability to respond to changing market
conditions.
Policy C.3.2: Require retail for a prescribed minimum depth of 25
feet along the "Main Street" in the Town Center to
ensure an active street frontage and appropriate mix
of uses.
Policy C.3.3: Provide opportunities for temporary office and
service uses in ground floor retail space when
market demand is low, but retain permanent
designation as retail.
Goal C.4: Encourage sustainable commercial development that enhances i
Avon's overall economic health, contributes to the community's
image and character, and provides residents and visitors with
increased choices and services.
Policy C.4.1: Develop District Master Plans for the East Town
Center District identifying parcel configurations and
new automobile and pedestrian circulation
alignments to increase the district's viability.
Policy C.4.2: Require future commercial businesses, where
appropriate, to cluster buildings and to provide
publicly accessible amenities.
Policy C.4.3: Encourage neighborhood retail and service activities
in locations that are convenient to residential
neighborhoods. Require such development to
provide pedestrian connections to adjacent
development and to existing and proposed trail
systems.
Policy C.4.4: Encourage commercial developments to utilize
green planning and construction techniques (i.e.
LEED certification).
manufacturing uses that conform to existing plans and design
standards.
Policy C.5.1: Service commercial and light industrial uses,
including warehousing and light manufacturing,
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Goals and Policies
should be designed to support effective vehicular
access and circulation and allow effective screening
from adjacent uses and public ways.
Policy C.5.2: Permit accessory residential uses in association with
light industrial commercial development when
compatible.
Policy C.5.3: Require adequate infrastructure improvements
including safe access, utilities and controlled access
from collectors.
D. Community Image and Design
Goal DA: Ensure that development and redevelopment is integrated and
compatible with existing and planned adjacent development and
contributes to Avon's community image and character.
Policy D.1.1: Ensure that both the scale and appearance of
development and redevelopment responds
appropriately to adjacent development.
Policy D.1.2: Restrict large surface parking areas that directly abut
local streets. If a large surface parking area is
located abutting a local street, use berms, plant
materials of varying height, or other screening
materials to buffer and screen these parking areas.
Policy D.1.3: Create a unified and cohesive physical framework
and community image by ensuring compatible
building orientation, scale, massing, siting, street
alignments, streetscape furnishings, signage,
lighting, etc.
Policy D.1.4:
Policy D.2.1:
Policy D.2.2:
Policy D.2.3:
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Continue to update and enhance the Avon land use
regulations so that development is subject to a
thorough, rigorous set of development criteria
Beautify town with street trees, sidewalks,
landscaping and public art.
Design and maintain the Town's streets and
walkways as safe, attractive public spaces.
Ensure that development and redevelopment
adjacent to Interstate 70 maintains significant views
from the highway and features quality landscaping
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Town District Pianning Principles
Goals and Policies
and architectural design.
Policy D.2.4: Improve the streetscape along U.S. Highway 6 to
strengthen Avon's overall community image and to
stimulate future development and redevelopment by
providing a more attractive and cohesive street edge.
Policy D.2.5: Enhance `Bob" the bridge so that it becomes more
of an architectural feature and gateway to the
community.
Policy D.2.6: Coordinate with the Colorado Department of
Transportation to lessen visual and noise impacts
from I-70 on adjacent development within the Avon
community while preserving important views of
Avon from I-70.
,Goal D.3: Enhance the Town's image as a unique and distinct community
exemplifying quality development and conveying the town
character.
Policy D.3.1: Develop community gateways along the Avon's
major roadway corridors (as identified on the
Community Framework Map) that respond to and
strengthen Avon's community identity. Gateways
will delineate the Town's boundaries using
landscape, signage, and/or right-of-way treatments
that are applied consistently to create a unified
community image at the town's border.
Policy D.3.2: Strengthen Avon's community edge to distinguish it
from neighboring communities through the
continued preservation of open space.
Policy D.4.1: Require the use of the West Town Center Plan for
development and redevelopment in the district in
order to facilitate and implement the plan's key
components to include the "Main Street" concept.
Policy D.4.2: Use the development of an East Town Center
District plan to identify suitable sites for potential
infill and redevelopment, to define a new modified
street grid, to enhance the district's wayfinding
elements, and to develop an overall pedestrian -
circulation system connecting to the West Town
Center District.
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Policy D.4.3: Require development and redevelopment of existing
structures in the Town Center to include
architectural elements, site planning, signage, and
hardscape elements that encourage pedestrian
activity. Promote a pedestrian -friendly and inviting
Town Center environment that encourages residents
and visitors to frequent and remain in Avon's Town
Center for extended periods.
Policy D.4.4: Coordinate efforts between Avon's business
organizations to strengthen the Town Center as the
commercial and civic core of Avon. Focus
appropriate new civic and cultural facilities in the
Town Center.
Policy D.4.5: Ensure that pedestrian is prioritized over the
automobile in the Town Center.
Policy D.5.1: Evaluate development proposals to avoid or mitigate
adverse impacts on historical resources, including
adjacent neighborhoods, and to preserve, reclaim,
and compensate for the value of the impacted
historic resource.
Policy D.5.2: Support independent citizens groups who wish to
preserve or enhance historical resources and sites
throughout the Town of Avon.
Policy D.5.3: Develop the role of the Historic Preservation
Advisory Committee.
Develop new and continue to enhance existing cultural ft
events, and programs that strengthen Avon's community
Policy D.6.1:
Policy D.6.2:
Policy D.6.3:
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Support cultural activities oriented to families and
year-round residents, such as theater, concerts in the
park, school activities, etc.
Encourage, through partial funding or other means,
local festivals and special events.
Encourage development of civic and recreational
amenities that benefit existing neighborhoods.
Town District Planning Principles
Goals and Policies
E. Economic Development
Policy E.1.2: Conduct a retail analysis to identify specific
opportunities to increase retail expenditures within
Avon to reduce sales tax migration to other nearby
communities and to support a year-round retail mix.
Policy E.1.3: Facilitate the redevelopment of underutilized parcels
and promote a concentration of uses in the Town
Center. Balance the needs for additional floor area
and density with the needs to preserve view
corridors and maintain reasonable levels of mass and
bulk. Encourage shared access, circulation, and
structured/shared parking to unify redeveloped sites.
Policy E.1.4: Implement the Town Center West and Main Street
Public Improvements Project to include its "Main
Street" component. Require all development and
redevelopment in the Town Center to document
ways to meet or enhance the plan's overall
framework and intent.
Policy E.1.5: Enhance the Town Center area's pedestrian -
orientation by linking together the two Town Center
districts, the Confluence site, and the Nottingham
Station residential and commercial areas. Enable
pedestrians to easily circulate throughout the
commercial areas, including connections across
Avon Road and the railroad right-of-way.
Policy E.1.6: Develop the East Town Center District subarea plan
in a comprehensive manner to include the physical
form, circulation, and connectivity to surrounding
districts.
Policy E.1.7: Encourage future Village at Avon accommodations,
dining, and retail to be located adjacent to the Town
Center in order to strengthen Avon's status as the
regional retail trade center.
Policy E.1.8: Support sales -tax generating businesses, such as
restaurants and specialty retail stores, to locate in
key strategic locations within the Town Center.
Policy E.1.9: Identify and promote Avon's viable niche
opportunities to create a diverse and attractive Town
Center tenant profile.
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Goals and Policies
Policy E.1.10: Allocate Town resources, including but not limited
to Town staff support, to Town Center
redevelopment efforts and business retention and
development efforts.
Policy E.1.11: Provide excellent, high-quality public facilities in
the Town Center area including but not limited to
parks, Town Hall, sidewalks, streets, recreational
facilities, and library.
Policy E.1.12: Implement methods for better meeting Avon's
parking needs within the Town Center such as a
Town Center parking district and/or parking garage.
Policy E.1.13: Explore parking programs (paid, metered, and time -
controlled) to maximize the efficiency of the system
and to ensure that it meets the needs of visitors and
patrons as well as residents and employees.
,Goal E.2: Ensure the ability to fund and implement the necessary
development and redevelopment by encouraging strategic use of
town funds to leverage highquality private sector investment.
Policy E.2.1: Pursue economic development benefiting the Town
of Avon by using local, county, state, or federal
resources that are available including the
investigation into various incentive programs and
selection criteria. Community funds could he
applied to different projects based upon level of
projected public investment versus revenue returns
to the Town.
Policy E.2.2: Use the Capital Improvement Plan to fund key
public facilities that will catalyze private sector
projects.
Policy E.2.3: Encourage private investment in Avon through such
tools and strategies as Tax Increment Financing for
specific development proposals; General
Improvement District Bonds; expedited review
processes; public/private financing mechanisms;
applying for development and redevelopment grants;
and participation (cost and revenue) in delivering
infrastructure and services as appropriate and
advantageous to the Town and its economic
development efforts.
Policy E.2.4: Attract existing businesses within the region to
relocate to Avon by promoting its available
commercial land and buildings as well as its existing
infrastructure and its accessible location.
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Town District Planning Principles
Goals and Policies
Policy E.2.5: Address public economic and demographic
information requests, as well as coordinate business
attraction, retention, and reinvestment efforts
between Town departments. Utilize local data and
resources such as the Vail Valley Economic Council
and Eagle County Profile wherever possible.
Policy E.2.6: Continually review business taxation practices in an
effort to maintain Avon's competitive position in the
region, while maintaining a healthy fiscal structure.
Policy E.2.7: Investigate the potential costs and benefits of
establishing a vacancy assessment fee to discourage
long-term commercial/retail vacancies.
Goal E.3: Increase the number of visitors to Avon by enhancing our
_ attractiveness as a destination resort community.
Policy E.3.1: Promote effective transit and access with Beaver
Creek Village that may include a direct lift
conveyance, mass transit, trails, and pedestrian
connections.
Policy E.3.2: Strengthen the tourism potential within Avon by
working collaboratively with organizations
throughout the community to capitalize upon Avon's
unique recreational and cultural assets (i.e.
coordinated marketing efforts).
Policy E.3.3: Institute minimum density requirements for
development proposals in the Town Center and
enforce minimum density requirements for existing
land use approvals to achieve the needed critical
mass of accommodation units.
Policy E.3.4: Actively support marketing partnerships to promote
Avon as a tourist destination.
Policy E.3.5: Strengthen existing and develop additional cultural
and recreational attractions oriented toward both
local residents and visitors.
Policy E.3.6: Develop a joint visitor center with Beaver Creek on
the east day parking lot or other suitable location to
increase the effectiveness of providing information
about the Avon community, its businesses, and the
various special activities and events occurring within
the community.
Policy E.3.7:
Encourage increased use of the Town's website to
promote local tourist attractions. Monitor and
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Town District Planning Principles
Goals and Policies
maintain the website to provide both current and
general information about the Avon community, its
businesses, and the various special activities and
events occurring within the community.
Policy E.3.8: Ensure that the tourism and recreational attractions,
shopping and dining areas, parks, transit stops, trails,
and bicycle routes are coordinated within an
integrated wayfinding signage program oriented to
both pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Policy E.3.9: Identify and honor cultural and historic sites with
such elements as museums, interpretive parks,
markers, memorials, fountains, sculptures, statues,
signage, banners, informational kiosks, public art,
and flags.
Policy E.3.10: Encourage and facilitate the creation of new tourist
attractions relating to interesting, niche retail and/or
manufacturing operations. Examples include the
Leaning Tree Museum, Celestial Seasonings Tea in
Boulder, or the REI flagship store in Denver. Pursue
businesses that have a corporate philosophy in line
with Avon's (i.e. North Face, Snapple, and Trek
Bicycles)
Policy E.3.11: Seek opportunities to highlight and support local
artists, experts, and resources such as private
collections or specific hobbies as part of Avon's
overall cultural/heritage efforts.
Policy E.3.12: Coordinate advertising of local festivals and events
with window displays and special promotions by
area businesses.
Policy E.3.13: Seek marketing opportunities for local businesses
such as restaurants and lodging to capitalize on an
overall cultural/heritage community image rather
than a single venue or event.
Policy E.3.14: Encourage collaborative approaches between the
various community stakeholders, such as but not
limited to the Vail Valley Chamber and Tourism
Bureau, Avon Chamber of Commerce, Beaver Creek
Resort Company, Vail Resorts, Eagle County School
District, Town of Avon Parks and Recreation
Department, and Eagle County Library District to
enhance Avon's overall guest potential.
Policy E.3.15: Achieve greater use of existing facilities in the
community with an expanded schedule of events to
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Town District Planning Principles
Goals and Policies
strengthen the Town's year-round guest potential
and to provide an amenity for local residents.
F. Housing
Policy F.1.1: Require that infill residential development is
compatible in design, scale, and use with existing
neighborhoods.
Policy F.1.2: Initiate a housing needs assessment to understand
the housing needs of the community and establish
policies and programs that would address these
needs. Ideally, a housing strategy would result that
takes into consideration the unique opportunities and
constraints found in the community. Encourage
innovative designs that contribute to the quality and
diversity of the housing stock.
Policy F.1.3: Encourage private development to include a
diversity of housing types and prices within
developments.
Goal F.2: Provide an attainable housing program that incorporates both
rental and ownership opportunities for permanent and seasonal
residents that are attractive, safe and integrated with the
community. f
Policy F.2.1: Require that development, annexations, and major
redevelopment includes or otherwise provides for
affordable housing within the community.
Policy F.2.2: Require that affordable housing is integrated with,
rather than separated from, the rest of the
community.
Policy F.2.3: Encourage affordable housing be close to existing
development, serviced by transit, and close to
schools/child care.
Policy F.2.4: Require that affordable housing be maintained as
affordable in'perpetuity including price control
mechanisms that ensure units are affordable to
desired income levels.
Policy F.2.5: Establish a minimum dwelling unit size requirement
for designated affordable housing units that
effectively meets the residents' livability needs.
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G. Transportation
Goal G.1: Create an integrated transit system that minimizes dependence on
automobile travel with the Town by making it easier to use transit,
walk, ride bicycles, and utilize other non -motorized vehicles.
Policy G.1.1: Ensure that streets effectively accommodate transit,
pedestrian, bicycle and other modes of
transportation. Prioritize pedestrians, bicycles, and
transit over private vehicles when designing streets.
Policy G.1.15: Connect pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular
circulation systems with regional transit.
Policy G.1.2: Require that commercial, public and other uses that
generate significant employment and customer
traffic are served by transit and linked by pedestrian
and bicycle paths to minimize their dependence on
automobile travel.
Policy G.1.3: Ensure that commercial areas, in particular the Town
Center, are designed to minimize in -town
automobile travel by making it easier for people
arriving by car to park and conveniently walk to
multiple stores and businesses.
Policy G.1.4: Identify and participate in cost-effective transit
partnerships with local resorts and other
governmental entities to include aerial conveyances,
buses, and other transit services and facilities.
Policy G.1.5: Ensure that adopted roadway and intersection
standards have adequate provisions within the public
right of way to fully incorporate both auto and non -
auto modes.
Policy G.1.6: Track annual traffic counts, in particular the
prevailing ease of north -south travel to and through
Avon, to note year-to-year trends that could lead to
reallocating street vehicular and pedestrian capacity
needs.
Policy G.1.7: Investigate the feasibility and cost/benefit of a
Metcalf Road to West Beaver Creek Boulevard
pedestrian connection across 1-70, with possible
inclusion of public transittemergency vehicle access
or possibly general traffic use.
Policy G.1.8: Devise a public transit service plan that would
replace the current one-way loop system with a two-
way system utilizing new road links. Compare
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Town District Planning Principles
Goals and Policies
annual service hours and productivity (passengers
per vehicle -hour) estimates of the two alternative
service plans.
Policy G.1.9: Require development and redevelopment proposals
within the Town of Avon's transit service area to
provide all appropriate transit amenities such as
passenger shelters, waiting areas, pedestrian access,
and lighting.
Policy G.1.10: Develop a toolkit of traffic calming measures that
would be appropriate and acceptable to achieve the
desired balance between vehicular, pedestrian and
bike travel capabilities.
Policy G.1.11: Investigate the feasibility of implementing an
alternative fuel program for the Town's transit and
fleet vehicles to enhance air quality.
Policy G.1.12: Preserve a corridor for a funicular or other fixed
guideway transit mode to link the Village at Avon to
the Town Center.
Policy G.1.13: Develop a comprehensive town pedestrian
circulation plan and require all development
proposals to include it graphically on their plans,
specifically addressing ways each proposal
contributes to the concept and its implementation.
Policy G.1.14: Investigate alternative funding sources for
operations and capital improvements: federal/state
grants, public/private cost sharing opportunities, etc.
Policy G.1.17: Support a transit system that maximizes ridership by
providing frequent service even if higher subsidy
levels are required.
Goal G.2: Ensure that the railroad right of way corridor becomes an integral t
L part to the Town's mobility system. 5
Policy G.2.1: Ensure the preservation of the railroad right-of-way,
in its entirety, through and adjacent to Avon, if it is
abandoned.
Policy G.2.2: Provide safe and cost-effective, at -grade
pedestrian/bicycle crossings through the railroad
right-of-way, particularly between residential
neighborhoods and employment centers, shopping
centers, and schools.
Policy G.2.3:
Provide safe and cost-effective, at -grade crossings
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Town District Planning Principles
Goals and Policies
through the railroad right-of-way, particularly
between the Town Center and the Confluence site.
Policy G.2.4: Start a task force to investigate and advocate for a
regional reuse plan for the railroad right of way
corridor that fully investigates the potential benefits
and costs of developing a regional light mil transit
system.
Goal G.3: Facilitate the development of a conveyance linking the Town of
L Avon with Beaver Creek Village. l
Policy G.3.1: Investigate transport technology options that could
accommodate transit passenger as well as skier and
boarder use to directly link the Town Center with
Beaver Creek Village.
Policy G.3.2: Work cooperatively with the Beaver Creek Resort
Company and other appropriate entities to reach an
equitable arrangement for funding and operating the
conveyance.
Policy G.3.2: Develop a strong pedestrian connection between the
conveyance, parking, and the transit center.
Policy G.4.1: Develop alternative roads to more effectively
disperse and relieve traffic congestion in community
centers and on major roads.
Policy G.4.2: Require new roads in developing areas to tie into the
existing road network.
Policy G.4.3: Require multiple access points for all development
to disperse traffic and allow for safe evacuation if
necessary.
,Goal G.5: Encourage a "park once/shop many" environment
Policy G.5.1: Initiate a parking needs assessment and management
study for the Town Center, revising Town Code and
parking standards as necessary and effective to
create incentive for redevelopment.
Policy G.5.2:
Policy G.5.3:
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Ensure parking facilities are easily accessible by
pedestrian connections and have minimal visual
impacts.
Investigate the feasibility ofjoint development of
Town District Planning Principles
Goals and Policies
structured parking facilities in the Town Center area
to support private and public uses.
Policy G.5.4: Require that all development or redevelopment in
the Town Center incorporate structured parking or
contribute to a pay -in lieu program established to
develop joint private/public parking structures.
Individual underground parking structures should
share access and otherwise connect to adjacent
underground parking structures.
H. Environment
Goal H.1: Protect Avon's unique natural setting and its open spaces.
Policy H.1.1: Protect and capitalize on the Eagle River condor as
an important recreational amenity and riparian
habitat by implementing the Eagle River Watershed
Plan.
Policy H.1.2: Acquire or otherwise permanently protect
important/significant open space.
Policy H.1.3: Require development and redevelopment to
accommodate wildlife habitat, including deer and
elk migration routes, or otherwise mitigate loss of
habitat.
Policy H.1.4: Prevent visual degradation or degraded solar access
from development.
Policy H.2.1: Avoid development in environmental hazard areas
such as floodplains, steep slopes, areas with
extensive geologic hazards, wildfire hazard areas,
and areas with erosive soils.
Policy H.2.2: Require development and redevelopment to
minimize degradation of sensitive natural areas,
restricting development on steep hillsides.
Goal H.3 Protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens by
eliminating, reducing, or preventing air, water, light, and noise
pollution. .
Policy H.3.1: Reducing the number of air pollution sources to the
extent possible, such as limiting the number of
AVON Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan
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Town District Planning Principles
Goals and Policies
fireplace installations, reducing demand for
automobile trips, and reducing pollution from
existing sources through the use of alternative fuels,
scrubbers, and other technologies.
Policy H.3.2: Require appropriate control of fugitive dust from
disturbed sites in adherence to Avon's Building
Code as determined by the Building Department
Policy H.3.3: Protect water quality by following the Eagle River
Watershed Plan's recommendations.
Policy H.3.4: Ensuring that outdoor lighting does not create
undesirable light pollution and complies with the
"Dark Sky Ordinance" passed in 2004. Revisit the
ordinance 5 years after adoption to ensure it is
achieving the desired goals.
Policy H.3.5: Develop an educational campaign on noise pollution
to inform residents, employees, second homeowners,
and visitors of Avon's goals regarding noise.
resources to ensure
Policy H.4.1: Support regional and local efforts for recycling and
maintain support of regional recycling facilities.
Policy H.4.2: Require use of green building and energy efficient
appliances and building techniques and water
conservation approaches for new and existing
development.
Policy H.4.3: Conserve water through public education, supply
management, and demand management techniques,
requiring residential, commercial, and municipal
landscaping to be compliant with the water
conservation design guidelines adopted in 2003.
;Goal H.S: Protect and conserve unique, distinctive, or historic natural and
man-made features in recognition of their irreplaceable character I
and importance to the quality of life in the Town of Avon.
Policy H.5.1: Protect from destruction or harmful alteration
historically significant structures, archaeological
sensitive areas, and other landmarks as determined
by the Town. Preservation of these sites will be
protected through the planning of compatible
surrounding land uses. Proposals with potential
adverse impact will be dealt with on a case-by-case
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Town District Planning Principles
Goals and Policies
basis. Evaluation of impacts may be required as part
of the development review process.
Policy H.5.2: Require that proposed development applications
include an evaluation of potential impacts on
possible wildlife habitat and corridors, and wetland
areas. Construction of buffer zones may be required
to protect these areas. The size and dimensions of
such buffer zones and their vegetation will be
determined by the Town on the basis of reports
which may be required from the developer for the
particular habitat.
I. Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space
Goal 1.1: Provide an exceptional system of parks, trails, and recreational 7
programs to serve the year-round leisure -time needs of area lit
—residents and visitors.
Policy 1.1.1: Require new residential and resort developments to
incorporate recreational amenities that are accessible
to the public.
Policy 1.1.2: Continue to evaluate and acquire parcels or
RVD N Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan
Page 20
easements for open space, trails, and recreation.
Policy 1.1.3:
Integrate the Town's recreational trail system with
the regional trail systems (ECO Trails, USFS, and
BLM) wherever possible.
Policy 1.1.4:
Require new annexations and developments to
include or otherwise contribute to land for trails,
open space, and recreation purposes.
Policy 1.1.5:
Coordinate with Eagle County and other government
and non-profit agencies in planning, protecting, and
managing public open space, and in providing access
and linkage opportunities.
Policy 1.1.6:
Conduct a master plan study of Nottingham Park to
identify program enhancements to potential art,
cultural, and recreational facilities to better activate
and enhance this area as Avon's major recreational
and cultural center.
Policy 1.1.7
Develop a river front park that connects the Eagle
River to the Town Center and Nottingham Park.
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Town District Planning Principlesi
Goals and Policies
Policy 1.2.1: Participate in travel management planning by the
USFS to ensure that trail connections and trailheads
are meeting the town's needs.
Policy 1.2.2: Collaborate with other recreation providers such as
Western Eagle County Metropolitan Recreation
District and private homeowners association to
discuss joint use of facilities and coordinated event
planning.
J. Public Services, Facilities, Utilities and Government
Goal J.1: Utilize this comprehensive plan in all town dealings including
capital planning, the operationtmaintenance of facilities, and
programming of events.
Policy J.1.1: Consistently adhere to established policies and
regulations. .
Policy J.1.2: Analyze town spending to assure that the priorities
of this comprehensive plan are being considered for
implementation.
Policy J.2.1: Coordinate with special purpose districts regarding
service expansions and other development that could
affect the achievement of the districts goals and
objectives.
Policy J.2.2: Locate schools, parks, and other civic facilities,
along trails, pedestrian and bicycle connections, and
transit facilities.
Policy J.2.3: Ensure that annexations and new subdivisions
include or otherwise provide for community services
and facilities (i.e. schools, transit, fire, affordable
housing, etc.) based on the increased demand created
by those developments.
Policy J.2.4:
Policy J.2.5:
Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan
p4ge 21
Analyze the net costs of various types of growth and
development including long-term service provisions
and secondary impacts.
Encourage development of neighborhood and
community-based childcare facilities and include
0
Town District Planning Principles
Goals and Policies
youth in the programming of any community or
public facilities.
Policy J.3.1: Strive for increased transparency in government.
Policy J.3.2: Build awareness of upcoming events, planning
processes, and decisions.
Policy J.3.3: Use multiple means of communicating with the
public including radio, newspapers, mailings,
internet, email, churches, community centers, etc.
Policy J.3.4: Strive for bilingual communications to inform
Hispanic residents, employees, and visitors of town
business and information.
MMMM
Town of Avon Comprehensive Plan
UNPage 22
A. Regional Coordination
B. Urban Form
Goal B.2: Provide a distinct physical and visual separation between Avon and its surrounding{ communities that preserves the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains and the
Eagle River valley.
t
Goal B.3: Ensure that anexatio—nsprovide an overall benefit to the community and are in
I rnnfnr nnro with fhie nhn'e nnnle nnri nnlirioc
C. Land Use
J]
Provide a balance of land uses that offer a range of housing options, diverse
commercial and employment opportunities, inviting guest accommodations, and high
quality civic and recreational facilities that work in concert to strengthen Avon's
identity as both a year-round residential community and as a commercial, tourism
and economic center.
C.2: Ensure that Avon continues to develop as a community of safe, interactive, and
cohesive neighborhoods that contribute to the Town's overall character and image.
C.3: Use mixed^use d_ e-v_elopment to create a more balanced, sustainable system of land
uses.
CA: Encourage sustainable m
comercial development that enhances Avon's overall
economic health, contributes to the community's image and character, and provides
residents and visitors with increased choices and services.
C.S: Create incentives for
Community Image and Design
and manufacturing
existing and planned adjacent development and contributes to Avon's community
image and character.
D.2: Create communitygateways and st eeetscapes that reflect and strengthen Avon's
unique community character and image.
D.3: Enhance the Town's image as a unique and distinct community exemplifying quality
E.
F.
G.
as Avon's
center.
D.S: Ensure protection, conservation, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse of historically,
_ _ . -_
significant_ resources in Avon.
D.6: Develop new and continue to enhance existing cultural facilities, events and
Economic Development
E.2: Ensure the ability to _fund_and implement the necessary development and
redevelopment by encouraging strategic use of town funds to leverage high quality
private sector investment.
E.3: Increase the number of yisitors to Avori by enhancing our attractiveness as a
Housing
Goal F.1: Provide a diverse,_quality_housin_g inventory, to serve diverse economic segments
and age groups of the population.
Goal F.2: Provide an attainable housing program that incorporates both rental and ownership
opportunities for permanent and seasonal residents that are attractive, safe and
integrated with the community.
Transportation
Create an integrated transit system that minimizes dependence on automobile trave
with the Town by making it easier to use transit, walk, ride bicycles, and utilize other
non -motorized vehicles.
G.2: Ensure that the railroad_right of way corridor becomes an integral part to the Town's
mobility system.
G.3: Facilitate the development of a conveyance linking the Town of Avon with Beaver
Creek Village.
G.4: Provide a safe and efficient vehicular transportation system.
H. Environment
open_spaces.
H.2: Protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens through avoiding or adequately
mitigating environmental. hazards
H.3: Protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens by elfrr nating,,reducing, or
preventing,air W- 4er,,,light, and noise pollution.
HA: Conserve environmental resources to ensure the most efficient use of such
resources.
H.5: Protect and conserve unique, -distinctive, or historic natural and man-made features
in recognition of their irreplaceable character and importance to the quality of life in
I. Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space
Goal 1.1: Provide an exceptional system of parks, trails, and recreational programs to serve
the year-round leisure -time needs of area residents and visitors. i
Goal 1.2: Coordinate and collaborate with surrounding jurisdictions and agencies to develop i
seamless recreationalopportunities.___u_-_
J. Public Services, Facilities, Utilities and Government
of facilities, and programming of events.
— f ----
J.2: Ensure cost effective provision and developmerit of public facilities and_services'.