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VVHA Spring Newsletter – 2007
Affordable Housing Impact Fees:
The Vail Town Council approved housing impact fees as part of its affordable
housing program. The ‘inclusionary’ and ‘commercial linkage’ fees apply to
new development in mixed-use commercial/residential zone districts. After
considerable public objection, the Council is holding off on adopting until
sometime in the future a “residential linkage” fee, which will apply in
residential districts. The Council will proceed without providing a
definitive plan and development standards to provide public housing
subsidies, despite the Homeowners Association requests and others, causing
community political divisions to harden. Commercial interests need low-cost
housing to meet labor needs while social equity interests desire housing
types that will attract working-class families.
Hardliners want retiring Vail workers to be
ineligible to occupy subsidized housing. It is likely that the political
conflict will spill over into the November Town Council election, with 5 of
7 seats open. Some analysts believe mega-sized developments could more
readily absorb these fees than smaller projects. Property tax increases to
fund affordable housing remain under discussion.
See www.vailgov.com
Vail Grand Boulevard Plan Evolving:
The Town of Vail unveiled a plan for improvements to the Frontage Roads,
staged to be timed with adjacent developments. It provides for $65 million
in lane widening, traffic circles, turn-a-rounds and beautification
improvements between the West and East Vail Interstate interchanges. Tax
Increment Financing (TIF) revenues derived from Lionshead and other
designated redevelopments along the Frontage Road will fund these
improvements. The plan is a result of the Association advocacy of a Grand
Boulevard that interconnects the North with the South Frontage Road with the
new $15 million Simba Run I-70 underpass linking the town centers of Vail
and West Vail via a central transportation corridor.
See VVHA website for link.
I-70 Vail Pass Lane Expansion Study Underway: Review/comment at
www.dot.state.co.us/westvailpass/
Lionshead Parking Structure Redevelopment:
The Town of Vail entered into a 120-day
negotiation period with the remaining developer, Open Hospitality Partners/Hillwood
Capital (OPH/Hillwood), after its competitor, East West Partners, withdrew.
Despite a report that the government would gain around $6 million in added
value from public facilities, some think it is not worth giving up control
of the site. To maintain public support, the TOV is looking for OPH/Hillwood
to finance the proposed redevelopment of the Timber Ridge employee and
affordable housing project. The project will not receive approval if the
developer cannot ensure demolished public parking be replaced by the opening
of ski season. The Council will not allow the project to commence until
Vail Resorts completes a new public parking structure in West Lionshead as
part of its new “Ever Vail” resort town center. All three entities are
feeling the pressure from timing their start dates, meeting the required
pace of development and market conditions. The Association is working to
ensure that the project is compatible with the surrounding residential
neighborhood and the design of the adjacent South Frontage Road is
consistent with its advocacy of the Vail Grand Boulevard plan.
See VVHA website for link
West Lionshead/Ever Vail Progressing:
Vail Resorts has launched “Ever Vail”, its namesake for the redevelopment of
West Lionshead. The $1 billion, 9 acre, one million square feet, mixed-use
commercial/residential resort town center, is proposed to use “green’
building technology and be built around a new mountain gondola. Zoning
approval still remains to be completed and outstanding planning details
resolved. The Association has worked with Town and company officials for
the past decade on West Lionshead master planning issues including a less
impacted public road route (West Forest Road) for snow cats. Recently, Glen
Lyon Subdivision property owners gave approval to a new mountain-side snow
cat route using Tract K located southeast of Glen Lyon office Building.
Association priorities also include advocacy of elements of the Grand
Boulevard Plan, skier drop off (to relieve congestion at Golden Peak), mass
transit station and public parking in conjunction with traffic circles,
roadway beautification and the new Interstate 70 Simba Run underpass.
See VVHA Website for link.
.Vail Village Development Progress
Report:
·
Vail Front Door: Discussion among affected parties is
expected to begin soon to prepare the operational guidelines for the
dispersed loading and delivery system serving Vail Village. Parking and
truck terminal completed by the start of 2007 ski season with remainder of
the project completed in 2008.
·
Manor Vail Lodge: Redevelopment and rennovation has
begun. With construction $100,000 is available to formulate a TOV plan for
walkway to Ford Park from the Vail Village Parking Structure to Manor
Vail.
·
The Willows in Bishop Park: Demolition in May.
The Association was able to achieve agreement, after initially being
rejected, for a pedestrian safety sidewalk
on Vail Road between the Vail Front Door bike
paths and the Willows. It can eventually be interconnected with Chapel
Bridge/Sonnenalp sidewalk.
·
Four Seasons Hotel and
Residences: Removal of groundwater (dewatering) underway,
earthwork and excavation permits in process, work expected to begin in May.
·
Crossroads/Solaris: Demolition is scheduled for May.
·
Apollo Park/Vail Mountain View: Demolition and
excavation has begun on the first phase of this condominium townhouse
project.
·
One Willow Bridge and Vail Plaza Hotel: Occupancy
summer 2007.
·
Ritz Carlton Residences and Lions Square North condo
redevelopment: Projects to begin in May.
TOV Community Survey on line: To participate see
www.vailgov.com or See
VVHA website for link.
Wildlife Proof Trash Containers: Deadline for all properties to have
wildlife proof outdoor trash containers is April 15th.
See www.vailgov.com
Amplified Sound Ordinance: The Vail Town Council will conduct
a public hearing to discuss extending the shut down of outdoor amplified
sound by one hour (11 p.m.) on weekends. The Association helped formulate
extensive sound studies and compromises, between residential and commercial
owners, that resulted in the amplified sound ordinance in the 1990’s.
Direct letters-of-concern to Town Council:
towncouncil@vailgov.com
Wildfire Emergency Evacuation Plan:
At the Association’s urging the Town of Vail has prepared an evacuation plan
to be followed by residents in the event of a catastrophic wildfire
threatening the community. The plan is part of a forest improvement effort
to enhance the growth of aspen trees, which serve as fire barriers, once
beetle kill timber has been logged and removed for several areas throughout
the community. The Vail Fire Department provides free wildfire defense
evaluations to homeowners.
See VVHA website for link.
Public Art Projects:
Seibert Circle Fountain project, partially funded
through private contributions, to be completed by July. The Town of Vail’s
$100,000 month long (3/24 – 4/22) public art installation of 3000 wind power
lighted plastic tubes on the Vail golf course has raised an issue of fiscal
accountability along with its intended aesthetic statement about the
community’s commitment to green energy.
See www.vailgov.com
Vail Recreation District Finance and Service
Plan: The Association has urged
District and Town of Vail officials to use moderation in the formulation of
a new financial and service master plan. Discussion between the two
entities about financing options to fund a $15 million backlog in renovation
of existing facilities and funding of an extensive multimillion-dollar
community recreation facility is underway. Elected officials are looking at
a
bond election to be scheduled for May 2008.
Colorado voters, who own property in the Recreation District, are eligible
to vote.
See VVHA website for link.
VVHA 2007 Membership Drive: The Association now provides assistance
to VVHA members who would like to encourage their associates and neighbors
to become VVHA members. The Association Membership Director will be
contacting the membership to receive their recommendations. (Contact:
membership@vail.net)
Happenings of note:
Bravo Summer Concert Season: June 24th through August 2nd.
Vail International Dance Festival: July 29th through
August 12th.
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