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HomeMy WebLinkAboutbocc.packet.07232014 - Aspen Valley RanchTO: MEMORANDUM Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting — July 23, 2014 THEW: Cindy Houben, Community Development Director FROM: Suzanne Wolff, Senior Planner RE: Aspen Valley Ranch — Clarification of Trail Alignment for the Physically Challenged SUMMARY: On June 11, the BOCC granted approval to various amendments to the land use plan for Aspen Valley Ranch. In finalizing the language of the Resolution following the hearing, staff and the Applicant differed in our understanding of the approved alignment of the trail for the physically challenged. Therefore, we are requesting clarification from the BOCC. APPLICANT: Aspen Valley Ranch LLC REPRESENTATIVE: Glenn Hom LOCATION: Off of Upper River Road STAFF COMMENTS: In the letter dated July 11, the Applicant presents the two trail options for the physically challenged (attached). • Trail Option 1: It was the Applicant's understanding that the BOCC approved use of the new trail from the parking lot/trailhead across West Ranch and along the toe of the slope on Homestead 1. Then when the main trail proceeds up the hill, a separate trail for the physically challenged would follow the toe of the slope to Aspen Valley Ranch Road. The trail for the physically challenged would then follow Aspen Valley Ranch Road through the Agricultural Facilities Parcel and past the historic buildings, until it re -joins the hillside trail on the valley floor on the north side of the Bourg potato cellar and then through the Werk Cook parcel (refer to Figure 1 attached to the July 11 letter). The grades will always be less than 5%. • Trail Option 2: It was staff s understanding that the BOCC required the Applicant to provide access for the physically challenged from Upper River Road along Aspen Valley Ranch Road from the entrance to the ranch and through the Agricultural Facilities Parcel. The Applicant notes that there is no public parking at the entrance to the ranch. The initial 300 +/- lineal feet along the road has a grade of 6-7%; after that the grades would be less than 5%. RECOMMENDATION: Staff is requesting clarification from the BOCC on the alignment for the trail for the physically challenged in order to finalize the Resolution approved on June 11. July 11, 2014 Davis Horn letter provided separately. 000001 CrrLo Davis Horn4-is- PLANNING & REAL ESTATE CONSULTING July 11, 2014 Suzanne Wolff AICP Pitkin County Community Development Department 130 South Galena Street Aspen, Colorado 81611 Re: Aspen Valley Ranch — Clarification of the Alignment of Trail for the Physically Challenged Dear Suzanne: We represent the Souki Family (Applicant) in this matter. As you know, we have completed our review of the Board resolution which approves the Aspen Valley Ranch (AVR) land use plan amendments and there is one issue which needs clarification; the alignment of the Trail for the Physically Challenged. Various people left the June 11th Board meeting with differing opinions regarding the final alignment. The issue has been placed on the Board of County Commissioners July 23 agenda for clarification from the Board. We are anxious to clarify this issue so the resolution can be finalized There are two trail options which are depicted on Figuresl and 2 and described below. Trail Option 1 (Figure 1) • The Red Canyon Trail and the trail for the Physically Challenged would begin on the same alignment at the parking lotltrailhead located on Upper River Road across from the West Ranch housing. • The common trail would cross the West Ranch parcel and then turn north toward Triangle Peak along the west side of Homestead 1. Grades would be less than five percent. ALICE DAVIS AICP S GLENN HORN AICP 215 SOUTH MONARCH ST. • SUITE 104 • ASPEN, COLORADO 81611 • 970/925-6587 • FAX: 970/925-5180 adavis@rof.net ghorn@rof.net 000002 • The common trail would turn east at the toe of the slope of Triangle Peak on Homestead 1. The common trail alignment will be four to five feet wide and follow an old irrigation ditch at the edge of the irrigated meadow. Grades will be less than five per cent. • There would be a split in the common trail on the east side of Homestead 1. ➢ The Hillside Trail would proceed up hill to the bench above the Ranch at grades between five and eight percent. > The Trail for the Physically Challenged would follow the toe of the slope for 350 +1- lineal feet to the Aspen Valley Ranch Road at grades of less than five percent. • The Trail for the Physically Challenged would then follow the AVR Road passing the Bourg Homestead, the Bourg Barn and the Bourg Potato Cellar until it merges with the Hillside Trail on valley floor on the north side of the Bourg Potato Cellar. Grades would be less than five percent. • The merged trails would proceed on the valley floor crossing the Werk Cook Parcel to the Red Canyon Trail located on land owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Grades would be less than five percent until the Trail reaches Red Canyon. Trail Option 2 (Figure 2) • The Trail for the Physically Challenged would begin at the intersection of Upper River Road and the AVR Road. There is no parking lot at this location. The parking lot is located 2,200 +1- lineal feet downvalley of this point on Upper River Road. • The Trail for the Physically Challenged would proceed uphill on the AVR Road for 300 +/- lineal feet. The grades on this section of the Road vary between approximately six and seven percent. • The Trail for the Physically Challenged levels off north of the entry and follows the Road until it joins the Hillside Trail on the north side of the Bourg Potato Cellar. Grades would be less than five percent. • The merged trails would proceed on the valley floor crossing the Werk Cook Parcel to the Red Canyon Trail located on land owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Grades would be less than five percent until the Trail reaches Red Canyon. Trail Option 1 is superior to Trail Option 2 because it provides a better trail experience for the physically challenged hiker as compared to walking on a road. All grades would be less than five 000003 percent. Trail Option 1 features a direct connection to the trailhead from the parking lot. Under Trail Option 2, the physically challenged hiker would have to be dropped off at the intersection of Upper River Road and the AVR Road and climb a steep grade at the AVR Road entry. In the alternative, a physically challenged hiker could walk from the parking lot on Upper River Road to the AVR Road. Thank you for your assistance with the AVR land use application and placing this trail clarification issue on the Board of County Commissioner's July 23 agenda. Please contact me if you need any additional information. Sincerely, DAVIS HORN INCORPORATED e GLENN HO AICP 000004 300005 HILLSIDE TRAIL Trait Option 2 (Figure 2) J ASPEN VALLEY DOWNS 000006