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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019.08.15 OSTB Regular Minutes_S MINUTES OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS BOARD REGULAR SESSION August 15 2019 BOCC Meeting Room, 530 E Main St. Aspen CO, 81611 OSTB Present: Graeme Means Howie Mallory Amy Barrow Michael Kinsley Wayne Ives Dist. 1 Dist. 2, Chair Dist. 3 Dist. 4 Dist. 5 Not Present Staff Present: Gary Tennenbaum, Kim Arensdorf, Lindsey Utter, Jessie Young, Janet Urquhart Dale Will, Paul Holsinger, Leslie Lamont, Richard Neiley BOCC Present: George Newman Others Present: Marshall Hall Howie Mallory called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Michael Kinsley moved for the OSTB to approve as amended the 07/11/2019 OSTB regular and executive session minutes. Wayne Ives seconded. Motion passed(4-0) Land Use Referrals Jessie Young noted that the OST referrals for review are being submitted through the Growth Management Quota System(GMQS) within the rural area, and applicants are requesting additional residential floor area allotments to existing homes. 153 Whisperwind Way Paul Holsinger stated that the application is for GMQS allotment for an addition to an existing home along Snowmass Creek in Old Snowmass. The additional floor area requested would increase the rights on the property by 3,000 sq. ft., Holsinger said. Staff recommends supporting the applicant's dedication of a fishing easement within Snowmass Creek, he said. Staff also recommends to develop an access trail for public to get to the creek, and dedicate a spot for parking off Whisperwind Way. Holsinger noted that adjacent fishing easements are being reviewed by staff, and this allotment would enhance the larger portfolio of fishing easements along Snowmass Creek. The dedicated area would be a recreation and access easement, with no loitering or camping, Holsinger said. Amy Barrow entered at 9:20. 08/15//2019 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 1 of 5 Howie Mallory asked if there would be any foreseen impacts from the additional floor area requested. Holsinger explained that there would be no public viewing issues and no critical wildlife implications discovered. Mallory asked if applicants are typically choosing to go through the GMQS process instead of acquiring TDR. Amy Barrow noted that though the GMQS process the County can acquire a public benefit, rather than only receiving money for a TDR. Gary Tennenbaum explained that GMQS does offer more public benefits, however within the County code it is up to the landowner to choose either process. Wayne Ives asked for clarification on the GMQS scoring process. Young explained that the OSTB role is to approve or deny the application based on the extent to which the proposed development will contribute to the preservation of open space in Pitkin County. Community Development then drafts a score based on the OSTB's recommendations, she said. Board Action Below Helvetica Endeavors LLC—361 & 365 Hall Drive Young stated that staff has met with the applicant, Marshall Hall, and have visited the property, which is just up-stream of the Music School Campus, to evaluate the proposed Open Space and Trails easements. The applicant is requesting to increase the residential floor area by 6,000 sq. ft. Young explained that under the GMQS process the applicant is proposing to grant an easement 10' in width across its eastern property line, with connections to the Newman Flume platform at both ends, which may extend beyond the 10' offset from the property line. Additionally, the applicant is offering to donate $10,000 toward the Castle Creek Trail project to make up for the easement being located along the property line rather than following OST's preferred alignment following the flume, she said. The applicant is also proposing to construct the trail at their expense, which does provide access to the Music School. Young stated that the applicant is also offering river access easement along the existing driveway to the bridge, as well as a fishing easement extending 10' above the high water line on both banks of Castle Creek. Ives asked about the valuation of the trail easement through the Hall parcel in regards to potential trail alignments. Young explained that there are various alignments being identified and this provides another potential option. Michael Kinsley asked about the possibility of trail connection through Shadow Mountain. Young explained that there are trail easement gaps adjacent to this parcel that OST is working to fill. Tennenbaum noted that within this area there are potential future trail connections to Aspen Mountain. Mallory requested clarification on the allocation of the additional 6,000 sq. ft. Marshall Hall explained that they are trying to sell off one home in order to preserve the existing buildings. Leslie Lamont clarified that within the current application the additional square footage can only be added to the primary residence. 08/15//2019 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 2 of 5 Mallory asked what the legal trail connectivity to the Music School Campus is currently. Tennenbaum explained that OST has the ability to work with Music School on setting a specific alignment. He stated that the trail easement offers great potential for future connections, and there is also potential to connect through forest onto Open Space land. Barrow stated that the application offers many public benefits. Board action below 670 Johnson Drive Young explained that the applicant is requesting 3,000 sq. ft. of additional floor area for an existing home in the Starwood neighborhood. She explained that the applicant is not currently offering any benefits to the OST program. Tennenbaum stated that staff is recommending no action at this time,but will consult the OSTB in the event a OST benefit is discovered in the future. OSTB concurs with the staff recommendation to take no action. Marshall Hall and Leslie Lamont left at 10:00 a.m. Penny Hot Springs Steering Committee Appointments Lindsey Utter stated that OST is currently forming a Steering Committee to help develop the management plan for Penny Hot Springs. Utter described the planning process schedule to date, which included stakeholder group meetings and public outreach. In September the Committee will review the public comments from the survey, identify themes and develop short and long term strategies to address the themes. The Committee will meet in a day-long workshop to help develop strategies for the draft plan, and then again for another workshop the day after the public comments on the draft plan have been received, Utter said. She stated that CDOT will be heavily involved in the planning process, they will assist in recognizing what constraints are involved and help identify management priorities. Utter clarified that the Steering Committee will include the following appointed representatives: John Hoffman(West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway Commission), John Armstrong (Crystal River Environmental Protection Assoc.), Kate Hudson(Healthy Rivers and Streams Board), Andrea Stewart (Carbondale Chamber of Commerce), a representative from the Town of Carbondale Parks and Recreation Commission, and a representative of the Crystal Caucus. The OSTB will then need to select two Hot Springs users and one Crystal Valley resident from the received applicants. The OSTB commended Janet Urquhart for the construction of the Penny Hot Springs historical piece. The OSTB discussed the applicants' questionnaires and chose the following Steering Committee members: Jeff Bier representing a Crystal Valley Resident, and Zuleika Pevec and Michael Gorman representing Hot Springs users. 08/15//2019 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 3 of 5 Moore Open Space Draft Management Plan Utter explained the progress to date for the Moore OS Draft Management Plan, which included collecting comments from public surveys and hosting an open house and on-site community outreach day. Utter noted that the open house held with City of Aspen also provided excellent feedback on draft development. She explained that the Moore Open Space provides many public benefits, including existing use for single track trails and excellent connections for the Nordic system. The OST values include scenic views, native plant and wildlife habitat. Staff received 65 survey responses, of which roughly 40% of survey respondents said keep Moore Open Space as it is today, Utter said. She noted that among the survey responses there were requests to allow fat biking and dogs' off-leash on the groomed Nordic trail system. Utter described the biodiversity protection and maintenance within the draft Management Plan. OST will work with on-call consultants to monitor the property's vegetation and wildlife every five years. She explained that the Management Plan will also need to continue noxious weed management, while avoiding over-spraying for biodiversity protection. Utter stated that OST will work with adjacent landowners to maintain/enhance Open Space values. She noted that the City of Aspen holds a trail license agreement with the adjacent property owner to the west to allow for winter and summer use across the private property. OST supports COA's efforts to secure permanent trail access, Utter said. The County also holds a Nordic Trail Easement through the neighborhood to the north, OST will work with the landowners to understand if they are amenable to amending the Nordic trail easement to reflect historic trail uses outside of the Nordic season, Utter said. She stated that OST will also work with COA Parks and Open Space in planning a trail that follows Maroon Creek Road and utilizes the road right-of-way in order to realign the Maroon Creek/High School Trail. The COA Parks and Open Space Department has also expressed a future desire to connect a trail from the roundabout to Buttermilk along the south side of Highway 82, to which OST is open to collaboration, Utter said. Utter described the education, interpretation and enforcement within the draft Management Plan, mentioning the implementation of OST sign standards and interpretive signage for educational purposes. She described the commercial and special uses within the Plan, stating that commercial use is defined as for profit, and special use refers to non-profit. No commercial use is currently allowed on the Moore OS, Utter said. Mallory requested that the Plan reference minimal impact to Moore OS infrastructure for special uses. Utter stated that the language can be incorporated in the Plan. Barrow asked about access and trail alignment with the adjacent Crown parcel. Utter explained that OST currently supports COA's efforts to secure permanent trail access. Tennenbaum noted that OST will be updating management plans more frequently. BOARD AND STAFF COMMENTS 08/15//2019 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 4 of 5 Tennenbaum provided an update on the Castle Creek Trail, noting that construction has started, and the goal is to finish retaining walls and rock fall mitigation by this fall. He stated that the traffic control lights have been put in place, the light timing is being adjusted to accommodate heavy use times and emergency pull outs, while also keeping closures as small as possible. OST is working with PR Studio for public outreach and construction updates, he said. Castle Creek Road will be completely open for winter and the project is forecasted to be completed by mid- June, Tennenbaum said. Tennenbaum stated that the Wildin property acquisition closed, noting that the new property will provide an alternative bridge for Filoha Meadows access for educational tours. Ives asked about the County's future obligations with the Johnson's Bridge. Tennenbaum explained that the County needs to work with the Johnson's on participation and options regarding the Bridge. BOARD ACTION 153 Whisperwind Way Wayne Ives moved to accept the fishing easement and recommend the referral to the BOCC. Amy Barrow seconded. Motion passed (4-0). Helvetica Endeavors LLC—361 & 365 Hall Drive Michael Kinsley moved to accept the trail and fishing easements and$10k donation to the Castle Creek Trail and recommend the referral to the BOCC. Wayne Ives seconded. Motion passed (4- 0). EXECUTIVE SESSION The OSTB entered executive session at 11:45 a.m. in accordance with (CRS 24-6-402(4)(a)), (CRS 24-6-402 (4)(e)) and (CRS 24-6-402 (4)(b)) for the purpose of acquisitions, negotiations and attorney consultation. The OSTB adjourned the executive session at 1:00 p.m. ADJOURN The OSTB meeting of July 11, 2019 adjourned at 1:00 p.m. Ap roved: Attest: Howie Mallory, C air Kimberly Arensdorf Pitkin County Open Space &Trails Board Pitkin County Open Space &Trails Administrative Specialist 08/15//2019 OSTB Regular Session Minutes Page 5 of 5