HomeMy WebLinkAboutaspen.ski.co.management.planREADING ON RESOLUTION OF THE PITKIN COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS APPROVING THE ASPEN SKIING COMPANY'S ASPEN
MOUNTAIN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PLAN THREE YEAR PLAN;
JUNE 2003 TO JUNE 2006
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
REGULAR SESSION DATE: Wednesday, July 9, 2003
AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Aspen Skiing Company Construction Management Plan
STAFF RESPONSIBLE: Bud Eylar, County Engineer
Description of Issue: The Aspen Skiing Company's 1997 Aspen Mountain Master ?lanrequired
that a 3 year Construction Management Plan (CMP) be submitted to detail all proposed
maintenance activities and capital projects. The plan was to cover proposed projects, generalized
schedules, hours of work, possible staging areas, employee mountain access, equipment and
material access plan, traffic control, maintenance and rehabilitation of roads, safety and
emergency response plan and any unusual activities such as proposed helicopter usage. The
approval of the Aspen Mountain Master Plan required that the CMP be updated every 3 years for
3 year increments.
Each year, individual large projects submit more comprehensive CMPs. Also, each project would
be required to obtain any permits that may be required to accomplish the work at hand. Further
these individual CMPs may be subject to additional staff and public review.
Requested Action: The Board of County Commissioners authorize the Chairman to sign
Resolution # 2003- __ accepting the Aspen Skiing Company's Aspen Mountain
Construction Management Plan for June 2003 to June 2006.
Attachment: Aspen Skiing Company 3 year CMP
A RESOLUTION OF APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO APPROVING THE ASPEN SKIING COMPANY'S
ASPEN MOUNTAIN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PLAN
THREE YEAR PLAN; JUNE 2003 TO JUNE 2006
Resolution # 2003-
RECITALS
1. The Aspen Skiing Company is required to update its Aspen Mountain Construction
Management Plan every three years. This requirement is spelled out in the adopted Aspen
Mountain Master Plan.
2. The Aspen Skiing Company has submitted the 2003 to 2006 version of the Aspen Mountain
Construction Management Plan for the County's review and approval.
3. The Aspen Skiing Company submittal complies with the conditions o£the Aspen Mountain
Master Plan Conditions of approval.
4. The Aspen Skiing Company's Aspen Mountain Construction Management Plan covers all of
the proposed elements for maintenance and construction in 2003.
NOW, TI[ERE FORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners, of Pitkin
County, Colorado that it hereby authorizes the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners
to sign the Resolution # 2003- accepting the Aspen Skiing Company Aspen Mountain
Construction Management Plan for the period o£June 2003 to June 2006
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS DAY OF ,2003.
Board of County Commissioners
of Pitkin County, Colorado
By:.
Jack Hatfield, Chairman
Date:
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By: By:
Jeanette Jones John Ely
Deputy Clerk and Recorder County Attorney
Approved as to Content: By:
Hilary Fletcher Smith
By: County Manager
B.W. Eylar
County Engineer
Aspen Mountain
Construction Management Plan
Three Year Plan
June 2003 to June 2006
Submitted by:
Aspen Skiing Company
P.O.Box 1248
Aspen, CO 81612
June 26, 2003
Introduction
Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) submits for approval to the Board of County
Commissioners (BOCC) the renewal of a Three-Year Construction Management Plan for
Aspen Mountain. The previous CMP expired November, 2002.
The BOCC approved the 1997 Aspen Motmtain Master Plan authorizing various
mountain maintenance activities m~d improvement projects with the condition that a CMP
be provided to manage the maintenance and construction traffic on roads accessing
Aspen Mountain. This three-year CMP provides updated information regarding:
1) Mountain Maintenance Crew access requirements,
2) A Development and Construction Schedule for projects anticipated during the 3-year
period
3) Specific Access and Traffic Control Management
4) Emergency Response Plan
In addition to this 3-year CMP, Pitkin County Community Development annually
receives a copy of the Aspen Mountain Summer Construction Plan submission to the
USFS. This document summarizes all smnmer construction activities. Also, Earthmoving
Permit applications are typically submitted annually for specific projects which include
construction management plans as well.
Lastly, we feel we have worked successfully during the past three years with Pitkin
Comity Community Development amd the neighboring residential community to address
sensitive mountain access concerns - access which is critical to ASC maintenance and
construction crews. In addition, Aspen Skiing Company has made considerable
investments for Summer Road improvements for its own crews. We feel the entire
co~rLmunity also benefits from these improvements made to the County Road.
Mountain Maintenance Activities
The CMP addresses anticipated normal levels of maintenance on Aspen Mountain.
Maintenance activities at the ski area generally have been, and are expected to be,
consistent from year to year. Although ASC considers the traffic created by these crews
to be incidental and necessary for the proper operation of a ski area, it is included in this
plan to provide a comprehensive assessment of construction traffic on Aspen Mountain.
ASC employs a variety of summer work crews during summer operational and non-
operational periods. Due to the limited seasonal access of terrain and roads, the majority
of all maintenance traffic created by these crews is generated in the months of June, July,
August and September. Summer work crews operate on a four-day workweek, Monday
through Thursday. Normal maintenance operations are directed from the Aspen Mountain
Administration Building.
For the past three years, all crews primarily access Aspen Mountain via Shadow
Mountain Road, leading from the top of Aspen Street, though the Shadow Mountain Base
Area to Summer Road. Brief descriptions of each crew and their anticipated vehicle
usage are listed below. In addition to those vehicles listed below, the General Manager.
the Summer Trails Manager and the Summer Project Coordinator each utilize a vehicle to
supervise crews and make site visits on the mountain.
SUMMER TRAILS CREW
The Summer Trails Crew is responsible for the maintenance of all ski trails. This includes
dead tree removal, erosion control and brushing. This crew uses Shadow Mountain Road
to Summer Road. The crew uses three to four trucks per day.
LIFT MAINTENANCE CREW
During non-operational periods this crew consists of ten to twelve people utilizing three
to four trucks, four days a week. The crew is responsible general lift maintenm~ce and
repairs. During summer gondola operations an additional two person crew is required
Friday, Saturday and Sunday using one truck. '
VEHICLE MAINTANCE CREW
This crew consists of two people, and provides maintenance for various vehicles. The
Vehicle Maintenance Facility (VMF) is located at the summit adjacent to l&2 Leaf. The
crew has one truck and accesses the VMF via Summer Road. Occassionally large VMF
deliveries require use of Little Annie Road.
SNOWMAKING EQUIPMENT CREW
This crew normally operates with four to six people. They are involved with the repair
and construction of all snowmaking equipment, including line replacement, equipment
storage and maintenance. This crew also provides support for various infrastructure
repairs and improvements. The crew utilizes one or two trucks a day and base their
operation from the Snowmaking Control Building which is accessed from Summer Road.
Development and Construction Schedule
This schedule outlines Aspen Skiing Company's major construction projects for Aspen
Mountain for the three-year period from June 2003 to June 2006. The improvements
included in this schedule are those approved in the 1997 Aspen Mountain Master Plan
and successive Master Plan Amendments.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
Ajax Express (Lift #3) Rebuild June 2003 to November 2003
Sundeck Remodel August 2003 to December
2003
Snowmaking Pipe Replacement June 2003 to September 2005
Summer Road Grading June 2003 to July 2003
Gondola Cabin Replacement June 2004 to October 2004
Ski Patrol Building Construction April 2005 to December 2005
FIS Lift No. 6 Replacement June 2005 to October 2005
This schedule represents the anticipated development on Aspen Mountain over the next
three years. Unanticipated changes in market and business conditions may require that a
revised construction schedule be submitted.
In addition to this 3-year CMP, Pitkin County Community Development receives a copy
of the Aspen Mountain Summer Construction Plan submission to the USFS. Earthmoving
Permit applications are also typically submitted annually for specific projects which
include construction management plans as well.
Project Summary
Ajax Express (Lift #3)Rebuild
This project includes removing the old loading/unloading terminals and installing new
terminals. Tower line machinery will also be replaced. The existing tower tubes and
foundations will remain and the new line machinery will be installed on the existing
tower tubes.
Occasional large truck traffic will be required on Little Annie Road. All other
construction traffic will utilize Summer Road. Helicopter activity will take place for 2
days and is addressed in the associated Earthmoving Permit.
Sundeck Remodel
The BOCC recently approved an Aspen Mountain Master Plan Amendment approving
the Sundeck Remodel. The project includes enlcosing the restaurant's southwest deck and
remodeling the interior dining rooms.
Occasional large truck traffic will be required on Little Annie Road. All other
construction traffic will utilize Summer Road.
Snowmaking Pipe Replacement
Snowmaking pipeline replacement has occurred each summer for the past few years. The
existing 25-year-old pipe is extremely corroded and is at risk of failing during the
snowmaking season. For projects on the upper portion of Aspen Mountain, pipe
deliveries will arrive via Little Annie Road. This activity will take place annually and
will be addressed in related earthrnoving permit applications.
Gondola Cabin Replacement
The work will done at the summit Gondola Terminal and will include replacement of all
gondola cabins. This work is anticipated after the summer operating Season. Interior
modifications to the top and bottom gondola terminals will also be required. Cabin
delivery to the summit will be via Little Annie Road and 30-40 semi loads will be
anticipated over during August and September.
New Ski Patrol Building and Freight Cabins
A 2,000 square foot ski patrol headquarters building will be built near the existing
building. ASC cannot accurately predict the schedule or workforce projections at this
time but will submit a separate construction management plan, developed in conjunction
with the General Contractor at the time of Building Permit applciation.
FIS Lift No. 6 Replacement
This lift will be replaced and relocated as outlined in the Aspen Mountain Master Plan.
The project will essentially be constructed in two phases. The first phase is expected to be
in completed in Jmle, consists of demolishing the old towers and lifts and setting the new
foundations. An outside crew of six people will be required, with two Aspen Mountain
maintenance crew support personnel.
Access and Traffic Control Plan
Aspen Mountain has three main access roads (refer to the attached Aspen Mountain
Vicinity Map) into the USFS Ski Area Permit Boundary. Each access road has separate
conditions and use limitations that affect its ability to be used for access for certain
construction projects. The complexity and size of a construction project, in conjunction
with the nun~ber of trips and size of vehicles required to complete a project, are all factors
in a plan that, out of necessity, create variations in the use of each road.
Summer Road
Summer Road will remain the primary access road for most minor construction projects
as well as equipment and facilities maintenance on Aspen Mountain. Unless deemed
unsafe ASC directs all personnel to access Summer Road via the Shadow Mountain Road
(Schuss Gully Road). Access via Schuss Gully Road is not intended for access by the
general public.
ASC employees do not access Smnmer Road via Original Street through the Aspen Alps
which is not capable of supporting heavy equipment traffic. This route is controlled by a
gate located at the base of the mountain adjacent to the Aspen Alps and remains the
primary General Public access.
Summer Road historically has been and is currently maintained, with prior approval by
Pitkin County, by ASC. It is normally plowed by the ASC and is open to the summit
starting around late May to early June, and remains open until around the end of October.
The County maintains the authority to open and close General Public access to Summer
Road.
Little Annie Road
Little Annie Road is not used as a primary access road for ASC maintenance and
construction activities. Little Am~ie Road is a Public road that passes through Rural and
Remote Zoning. All traffic control plans reflect the sensitive nature of this backcountry
road.
ASC continues to demonstrate, within each specific plan, a reasonable and practical effort
to control and mitigate the impacts of construction traffic on Little Annie Road. Access to
the smranit of Aspen Mountain via Little Amfie Road will follow the road to Little Annie
Basin, and then use a cut-off road to the upper portion of Midnite Mine Road to the
summit. Any reference to Little Amfie Road in this document refers to this route. No
construction traffic will use the upper portion of Little Annie Road that follows
Richmond Ridge to the summit of Aspen Mountain.
Development will continue to be scheduled to avoid Little Annie Road use until natural
snowmelt has occurred. Larger projects that require an utmost utilization of the limited
building season are allowed exceptions when approved as part of a construction
management plan. An existing gate located at Little Annie Basin controls access.
Midnight Mine Road
Midnight Mine Road is a County Road. The lower portion of this road is considered to be
the tertiary access road. Due to steep grades and hairpins curves, the lower portion of this
road is not considered safe for larger trucks. The road is acceptable for and will be used
by smaller construction vehicles. Limited use of this road will help keep this road clear as
an alternate route if the lower portion of Little A~mie Road or Summer Road becomes
inaccessible.
Silver Queen Gondola
ASC will continue to provide access via the Silver Queen Gondola for employees and~
contractors where practical. ASC has installed 4 freight carries on the gondola to haul
small equipment and supplies to the Aspen Mountain summit. This activity in intended to
incrementally reduces construction vehicle traffic on the access roads.
Traffic Control
The Traffic Control Plan in ti-tis section is intended to be a guideline for all construction
projects on Aspen Mountain. The primary concerns of the guidelines are safety of
construction personnel and the general public as well as traffic mitigation on Little Annie
Road. If a project has special conditions or specific requirements a separate Construction
Management and Traffic Control Plan (CMTCP) shall be submitted for approval. The
following guidelines have been implemented for the past 3 years and continue to be key
elements of this plan:
1. Larger projects shall require that a separate CMTCP be provided by the general
contractor and submitted by ASC to the Pitkin County Community Development and
the County Engineer.
2. Larger projects shall develop a plan that distributes and routes, within reasonable and
practical efforts, construction traffic through all roads.
3. The ASC shall provide transportation support for construction persolmel via the
Gondola or vehicle shuttles when deemed appropriate for specific projects.
4. The limits for working hours of any project shall be Monday to Saturday 7:00 a.m. to
7:00 p.m., except for interior work. Requests for extended working hours will require
the approval of the Community Development Department.
5. Speed limits on all mountain roads shall be posted and strictly enfomed. The posted
speed limits are as follows:
Summer Road: 10 mph
Little Annie Road 15 mph (outside of the Rural and Remote Zone)
Little Annie Road 10 mph (inside of the Rural and Remote Zone)
Midnight Mine Road 15 mph
6. Larger projects shall require that the contractor establish vehicle size guidelines for
all mountain roads. Deliveries and vehicles not able to negotiate any of the access
roads shall stage loads at designated staging areas located either at Buttermilk
Mountain or at the Shadow Mountain Base Area.
7. Any planned road closures due to construction traffic shall be approved by the
County Engineer
8. Advm~ce temporary traffic control signage shall be provided by the contractor and
shall follow local and state safety standards. All traffic control plans shall be
submitted to the County Engineer for review and approval
9. The ASC will provide barriers, fencing and/or flag personnel at hazardous areas and
at restricted areas to control recreational travel.
Transportation and Parking
Due to limited parking near the base of Aspen Mountain, ASC supports the use of
alternative transportation for its employees and contractors. ASC will assist any
contractor in providing information to its employees regarding HOV parking incentives
and mass transit. The Ruby Park Transit Center is located within a block from of the base
of Aspen Mountain providing excellent transit service for the entire Roaring Fork Valley.
The Rio Grande Parking structure also provides close access to the base of the site as well
as HOV incentive parking.
ASC has limited parking at the base of Aspen Mountain. The company controls two
parking lots at the Shadow Mountain Lift base facilities. There are a total of.
approximately 30 parking spaces in both lots. Of these, there are approximately 20 spaces
available for daytime use by construction personnel. Additional parking can be
accommodated during summer operational and non-operational periods directly above
· the base facilities. Under certain conditions ASC can provide a limited number of parking
spaces at The Little Nell Hotel. Out of necessity, trade and service vehicles shall park at
construction Sites. The contractor shall take measures to limit parking at construction
sites to a minimum. For larger projects, a site parking and staging plan shall be submitted.
A staging area with limited parking is also available at the snowmaking control building.
Trade vehicles, service vehicles and certain heavy equipment traveling through the City
shall take routes to the site that travel outside the core downtown area. ASC shall
provide, if required for larger projects, transportation to the site for construction
persom~el using alternate transportation or those traveling in non-essential vehicles. The
Gondola will be made available for construction personnel working on or near the
summit of Aspen Mountain. ASC will ensure no staging or access to the Gondola takes
place through the Aspen Alps Park, located between The Little Nell Hotel and the Aspen
Alps.
Road Maintenance and Dust Control
ASC will maintain all access roads described in the Access and Traffic Control Plan.
Maintenance shall include keeping the road clear of construction debris and natural
objects. The ASC shall also provide dust control for construction traffic. Any
unanticipated improvements to the access roads will be reviewed and approved by the
County Engineering Department. The following shall be used as a guideline for
construction projects using the access roads on Aspen Mountain.
A complete Fugitive Dust Control Plan is also submitted with each Earthmoving Permit
application.
1. Dust control for Summer Road shall be mitigated by water as needed from the gate at
the Aspen Alps to the snowmaking control building.
2. Dust control for Little Annie Road shall be mitigated by water as needed to Little
Annie Basin gate.
3. Snowmelt on Little Annie Road shall be permitted to occur naturally unless a specific
request to plow is submitted and approved by the County.
4. Any debris tracked off the mountain onto City streets by vehicles accessing the site
will be cleaned by ASC or its contractors.
5. Grading of roads shall be provided only to maintain historical drainage and grades of
existing roads.
6. If, due to weather or road conditions, the use water for dust mitigation becomes
ineffective, or if the increased trips required to mitigate dust with water becomes
disputable, ASC requests that magnesium chlOride be allowed as a dust control agent
for the above referenced areas. County approval is required prior to magnesium
chloride application.
Emergency Response Plan
ASC cm'rently has two emergency plans that are approved by the Pitkin County Sheriffs
Office. These plans have been developed to work with the Pitkin County Disaster Plan.
The Mountain Disaster Plan (Revised March 25, 1998) and Aspen Mountain Gondola
Evacuation Plan (1998) provide the fran~ework for any large-scale medical emergency. In
addition, the ammal Aspen Mountain Safety Plan will be distributed to all employees and
contractors.
During summer operations the ASC provides Summer Ranger Medical support. Fully
equipped and trained persom~el are available to respond to medical emergencies. ASC
will maintain this support during winter mad summer operations for all major construction
projects.
Fire Protection
The Aspen Mountain Burning and Fire Suppression Plan is included inthe annual Aspen
Mountain Summer Construction Plan. An Aspen Mountain Fire Response plan has also
been submitted with Pitkin County.
ASC wilt ensure contractor and sub- contractor takes appropriate measures to prevent
fires. Any welding or cutting in the field must be conducted in an area that is free of dried
grass or brush and that appropriate fire fighting tools are on the site and readily available.
(Fire extinguishers, Indian pumps, shovels and pulaskis). A Fire Truck is located at the
top of Aspen Mountain at the Vehicle Maintenance Facility.
If a fire breaks out the contractor must notify ASC personnel immediately either by radio
on designated channels or at 920-0723 and the Aspen Mountain Fire response plan will
be initiated.
Road closures - In the event of a road closure either by natural events or accident the
Area Manager shall be notified immediately. Aspen Mountain Personnel contact
telephone numbers shall be posted at the job site. The Area Manager shall be responsible
for assessing the incident for further action and provide the overall direction and
communication.
The following telephone numbers shall be posted at all construction sites:
ASC ADMINISTRATION
Steve Sewell Mountain Manager 920-0732
Joyce Hardy Administrative Asst. 920-0751
ASC PATROL DISPATCH 925-8567
ASC SUMMER RANGERS
Jim Cerise 920-0723
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ASPEN/PITKIN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS 920-5310
Pitkin County Public Works 920-5390
Pitkin County Engineer 920-5206
Emergency 911
The Mountain Manager or Sunnner Ranger on duty shall use the following guidelines for
communication of road closures.
1. The Area Manager shall be responsible for notifying the Sheriffs Office of any road
closures that require outside assistance or that cause more than one half-hour delay.
2. ASC shall work with the contractor to notify construction personnel of any road
closures.
3. Signs shall be posted as soon as possible indicating any closures.
4. The construction hot line shall be updated by the Area Manager and provide
information on location of closures, alternate routes and schedule for opening routes.
5. Pitkin County Public Works Department shall be notified of any significant road
closures.
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