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HomeMy WebLinkAboutbocc.res.049.2006 RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO, APPROVING THE ASPEN SKllNG COMPANY'S ASPEN MOUNTAIN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PLAN (JUNE 2006 - JUNE 2009) Resolution No.1:!t-2006 RECITALS I. The Aspen Skiing Company ("Applicant") has applied to the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners ("BOCC") for approval of a Construction Management Plan for Aspen Mountain for June 2006 - June 2009. 2. The 1997 Aspen Mountain Master Plan was adopted by the BOCC pursuant to Resolution No. 98-80. A condition ofthe approval requires the Applicant to submit a development/construction management plan to the BOCC for approval every 3 years. The BOCC approved the prior Construction Management Plans pursuant to Resolution Nos. 99-63 and 87-2003. 3. The BOCC considered the Construction Management Plan at a regular meeting on April 26, 2006. 4. The BOCC finds that the proposed Construction Management Plan complies with the requirements of Resolution No. 98-80, and covers all of the proposed elements for maintenance and construction on Aspen Mountain over the next three years. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the BOCC that it does hereby accept the Aspen Skiing Company's Construction Management Plan for the period of June 2006 to June 2009, subject to the following conditions: I. The Applicant and Pitkin County shall enter into a formal agreement regarding the plowing and maintenance of Summer Road prior to October I, 2006. 2. The Construction Management Plan shall be amended as follows, prior to recordation as an attachment to this Resolution: A. Development and Construction Schedule - Gondola Cabin Replacement: I) Amend the description to reflect that plowing of Little Annie Road may occur after May IS, if the County and Applicant determine that any excess snow or debris needs to be removed. If so, the County will remove the snow and debris in a timely fashion. B. Traffic Control: I) Specify that working hours for any traffic on Little Annie Road or Midnight Mine Road are limited to Monday through Friday 9AM to 5PM. No traffic shall commence up these roads before 9 AM and shall be off of these roads by 5 PM. In limited circumstances, traffic may commence up the roads at 8 AM, iNhe Applicant notifies all of the homeowners on the road. 2) Traffic Control plans shall be prepared by a Traffic Control Supervisor who is trained and certified in the means and methods of signing for and handling traffic in construction zones. C. Fire Protection: The Applicant shall submit welding plans to the Fire Marshal for review and approval. { Resolution No.(J/!-2004 Page 2 D. Road Maintenance and Dust Control: I) Dust control for Little Annie Road for major projects shall be mitigated by chemical treatment approved by the Public Works Department, if determined by the Public Works Department to be necessary. The chemical treatment shall be applied prior to the commencement of hauling on Little Annie Road. Watering the road is not adequate for major projects, but is acceptable for a one day period(s) with additional truck traffic. 2) The Applicant shall provide dust control on County roads as soon as possible, but no more than 24 hours after receipt of a request by the County. 3) Mud and debris tracked on to any paved County Road shall be cleaned from the road before the end of the workday. The cleaning shall be the responsibility of the applicant or their contractor. APPROVED AND ADOPTED on the 26th day of April, 2006. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO /1}f#~L' Mick Irelan , Chair f{tJ--{;6 By Date APPROVED AS TO FORM: ~ John Ely, . ...... ~ ~Orney/~ ~-- APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: -" ----------- ~. ) c~(,l ~ ~ C Owi~ ~~ C dy Houben, Community Development Director Case #074-04; PID #2737-30 J1- SNOWMASSTN Aspen Mountain Construction Management Plan Three-Year Plan June 2006 to June 2009 Submitted by: Aspen Skiing Company P.O.Box 1248 Aspen, CO 81612 March 1,2006 Revised per HOCC approval: May 8, 2006 3 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 expires June, 2006. The BOCC approved the 1977 Aspen Mountain Master Plan authorizing various mountain maintenance activities and 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 summer 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 County Community Development and 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 community also benefits from these improvements made to the County Road. 2 1 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, through 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 ~upervise 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 for general lift maintenance and repairs. During summer gondola operations an additional two-person crew is required Friday, Saturday, and Sunday using one truck. VEHICLE MAINT ANCE 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 1&2 Leaf. The crew has one truck and accesses the VMF via Summer Road. Occasionally large VMF deliveries require use of Little Annie Road. SNOWMAKING EOUIPMENT 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. 3 ./" --' Development and Construction Schedule This schedule outlines Aspen Skiing Company's major construction projects for Aspen Mountain for the three-year period from June 2006 to June 2009. The improvements included in this schedule are those approved in the 1997 Aspen Mountain Master Plan and successive Master Plan Amendments. PROJECT SCHEDULE Snowmaking Pipe Replacement June 2006 to September 2009 Gondola Cabin Replacement April 2006 to November 2006 Shadow Mountain Lift Replacement May 2007 to November 2007 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 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 earthmoving permit applications. Gondola Cabin Replacement Work will be done at the summit Gondola Terminal and will include replacement of all gondola cabins. This work will begin immediately after the 2005-2006 ski season. Interior modifications to the top and bottom gondola terminals will also be required. Cabin delivery to the summit will be done using snowcats over the snow from March 2006 through April 2006. The old cabins will be transported to the bottom via flat bed truck and trailer and will take place from June 2006 through August 2006. Approximately 40 trips will be required. In addition it is anticipated that the following construction traffic will need to travel the Little Annie Road between May 15 and June 30: · Dump Trucks 5 loads · Concrete Trucks 5 loads · Construction delivery trucks (20-foot flat-bed, dual axle) 10 loads 4 o Every effort will be made to minimize the number of trips on the Little Annie road. Because of the tight construction schedule needed to insure a July 1 st opening of the gondola it will be necessary to plow the Little Annie road to allow for deliveries of construction material by May ISth. We will coordinate with the Pitkin County Public Works department to open the road as soon as possible after May ISth. Beginning immediately after the ski season, (April 17th) we will begin plowing the Summer Road from the bottom to the top of Aspen Mountain. Once that road is passable we will send all construction traffic that can safely negotiate the road up the front of Aspen Mountain. From April 17th until one of the roads is passable, we will transport personnel and materials up the front of Aspen Mountain by snowcats. Shadow Mountain Lift 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, expected to be completed in June, 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. All construction traffic will utilize Summer Road. Helicopter activity will take place for 2 days and is addressed in the associated Earthmoving Permit. 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 number 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 Summer 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. 5 1 Little Annie Road Little Annie Road is not used as a primary access road for ASC maintenance and construction activities. Little Annie 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 summit of Aspen Mountain via Little Annie Road will follow the road to Little Annie Basin, and then use a cut-off road to the upper portion of Midnight Mine Road to the summit. Any reference to Little Annie 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 Annie 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 carriers 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 this 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. This Traffic Control Plan shall be prepared by a Traffic 6 't Control Supervisor who is trained and certified in the means and methods of signing for and handling traffic in construction zones. 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 personnel 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. Construction related traffic on Little Annie Road and Midnight Mine Road will be limited to Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. No traffic shall commence up these roads before 9 AM and shall be off of the roads by 5 PM. Under limited circumstances, traffic may commence prior to 9 AM with appropriate notification to residents of the road. 5. Speed limits on all mountain roads shall be posted and strictly enforced. 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. Advance 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. 7 r 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 Rubey 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 personnel 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 top of Aspen Street up Schuss Gulley road to the snowmaking control building. 2. Dust control for Little Annie Road for major projects shall be mitigated by chemical treatment as approved by the Public Works Department, when determined by the Public Works Department to be necessary. The chemical treatment shall be applied prior to the commencement of hauling on Little Annie 8 If} Road. Watering of the road for dust control has proven inadequate for major projects but may be appropriate for single-day periods of additional truck traffic. 3. ASC shall provide dust control on County roads as soon as possible, but no more than 24 hours after receipt of a request by the County. 4. Snowmelt on Little Annie Road shall be permitted to occur naturally unless a specific request to plow is submitted and approved by the County. 5. Any debris tracked off the mountain onto paved County or City streets by vehicles accessing the site will be cleaned by ASC or its contractors before the end of the workday. The cleaning shall be the responsibility of ASC or the contractor. 6. Grading of roads shall be provided only to maintain historical drainage and grades of existing roads. 7. If, due to weather or road conditions, the use of 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 currently 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 Aspen Mountain Incident Management Plan, (revised November 2005) and Aspen Mountain Gondola Evacuation Plan (1998) provide the framework for any large-scale medical emergency. In addition, the annual 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 personnel are available to respond to medical emergencies. ASC will maintain this support during winter and summer operations for all major construction projects. Fire Protection The Aspen Mountain Burning and Fire Suppression Plan is included in the annual Aspen Mountain Summer Construction Plan. An Aspen Mountain Fire Response plan has also been submitted with Pitkin County. ASC will ensure that the contractor and sub-contractor take 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). ASC shall submit 9 I( welding plans to the Fire Marshal for review and approval. 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 ADMINISTRA nON Steve Sewell Mountain Manager Joyce Hardy Administrative Assistant 920-0732 920-0751 ASC PATROL DISPATCH 925-8567 ASC SUMMER RANGERS Jim Cerise 920-0723 ASPEN/PITKIN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS Pitkin County Public Works Pitkin County Engineer Emergency 920-5310 920-5390 920-5206 911 The Mountain Manager or Summer 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. 10 (?-