HomeMy WebLinkAbout20080109nordictrailAGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
REGULAR MEETING DATE: January 9, 2008
AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Resolution Adopting the Pitkin County Nordic Trails Plan
STAFF RESPONSIBLE: Dale Will
SUMMARY OF ISSUE: The Aspen-Snowmass Nordic Council drafted a Pitkin County
Nordic Trails Plan, outlining goals, vision and design guidelines for the nordic trail system.
The Open Space and Trails Board has accepted this Plan and recommends it for adoption by
the Board of County Commissioners.
BACKGROUND: The Aspen-Snowmass Nordic Council was established as anon-profit
organization in the early 1980s for the purpose of preserving and improving cross-country
skiing in the Aspen-Snowmass area. Over the years, ASNC grew its membership as it grew
the trail system. Today it oversees over 100 km of high quality nordic trails.
For many years, the ASNC was funded in large part through an intergovernmental agreement
between Pitkin County, City of Aspen and Snowmass Village, under which the three
jurisdictions served by the nordic trail system split the operating cost for the program. In
2006, the funding of this popular amenity came under the umbrella of the Open Space and
Trails Program. OST and ASNC now enjoy a partnership wherein the Nordic Council serves
as an advisory council to the OSTB, providing oversight of the nordic trails program.
Both the OSTB and ASNC, along with the City of Aspen, whose staff operates the nordic
program, felt that this new partnership between the Nordic Council and the County called for
the creation of a County Nordic Trail Plan. The ASNC undertook the project and conducted
numerous public meetings, created a focus group, collaborated with City and County staff
and reviewed relevant master plans documents. After producing an initial draft trails plan,
ASNC hired Design Workshop to take it through a public process and add polish. The final
draft was presented to the BOCC on December 121', 2007, and was well received. The final
draft presented for adoption has minor changes from what was presented at the December
12t1i meeting to remove the word "Master" from the title and to reflect input from the board.
KEY DISCUSSION ITEMS: ASNC hope that this Plan will become a reference
document for planners and for County staff. The Nordic Council intends to take this plan to
the three municipalities within Pitkin County for adoption if and after the BOCC adopts the
plan.
BUDGETARY IMPACT: none
RECOMMENDED BOCC ACTION: Approve the resolution to adopt the Trails Plan.
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RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF PITKIN COUNTY, COLORADO,
ADOPTING THE PITKIN COUNTY NORDIC TRAILS PLAN
RESOLUTION NO. -2008
RECITALS
WHEREAS, The Aspen-Snowmass Nordic Council (ASNC) was established over twenty
years ago for the purpose of preserving and improving cross-country skiing in the Aspen-
Snowmass area, and has a defined goal to provide seamless skiing experience with high
quality Nordic trail platforms connected to and within the community centers in Pitkin
County.
WHEREAS, in 2006, the Pitkin County voters approved inclusion of funding for nordic
program in the Open Space and Trails mission, and the ASNC serves as advisory council
to the Open Space and Trails Board (OSTB}, in its continued oversight of the nordic
system.
WHEREAS, the OSTB, ASNC and City of Aspen desired to create a comprehensive
Pitkin County Nordic Trail Plan to identify the Council's goals and vision for the nordic
trail system, and provide design guidelines and serve as a reference document for staff,
city and county governments, other interest agencies, and the general public.
WHEREAS, the ASNC has produced a final draft of the Pitkin County Nordic Trails Plan
after conducting an extensive public scoping process, involving focus groups, public
review of master plan documents and consultation with City and County staff.
WHEREAS, on December 6, 2007, the Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Board
accepted Nordic Trails Plan and recommended it for adoption to the Board of County
Commissions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Pitkin County, Colorado that The Pitkin County Nordic Trails Plan, dated is
hereby adopted and effective immediately. INTRODUCED, FIRST READ, AND SET
FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON DECEMBER I9, 2007.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PUBLISHED IN THE ASPEN TIMES WEEKLY ON
2007. (Use Sunday's date)
ADOPTED AFTER FINAL READING AND PUBLIC HEARING ON JANUARY 9,
2008.
PUBLISHED BY TITLE AND SHORT SUMMARY, AFTER ADOPTION, IN THE
ASPEN TIMES WEEKLY ON , 2008. (Use Sunday's
date)
ATTEST:
By
Jeanette Jones
Deputy County Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
By:
Jack Hatfield, Chairman
Date:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
John Ely, County Attorney
MANAGER APPROVAL
Hilary Fletcher, County Manager