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Government Tracker: Cascade turns tennis to parking

Board: Vail Town Council, Tuesday evening meeting.

Present: Kevin Foley, Greg Moffet, Kim Langmaid, Jen Mason, Dick Cleveland and Mayor Pro Tem Jenn Bruno.

Absent: Mayor Dave Chapin and Town Manager Stan Zemler were attending the annual meeting of the Colorado Association of Ski Towns.



Issue: Continuing Chamonix discussions.

Who they talked to: Alan Nazzaro, town housing manager, and Steve Lindstrom, Vail Local Housing Authority Board chairman.

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What they talked about: The continuing talks about a proposed for-sale workforce housing project in West Vail drew several comments from Lindstrom, an original member of the housing authority board.

Lindstrom urged the council to take a very long-term view the of units — which will probably start construction this year.

“We need to get across to owners that the first buy is not the end of the story,” Lindstrom said, adding that appreciation has to be capped tightly enough that the homes remain affordable decades in the future.

What’s next: The council will probably award a contract for utility and street improvements in February. Meanwhile, talks will continue about unit sizes and pricing.

Issue: Final approval of Ordinance 2, Series of 2016, regarding establishing zoning for religious facilities.

How they voted: 6-0 to approve.

What this is: According to a staff memo, the ordinance specifies town zone districts in which religious institutions can be operated. Exceptions include residential and a handful of other zone districts.

Why it is important: According to the memo, the ordinance defines areas of town that are suitable for use by religious organization. It also brings the town into greater compliance with the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.

Issue: A brief discussion of early changes at the Vail Cascade Resort & Spa.

Who they talked to: Town planner Chris Neubecker, private land planner Dominic Mauriello.

What they talked about: Neubecker was asked about a staff approval of a request by the Cascade to convert the existing indoor tennis courts at the athletic club into roughly 75 new parking spaces.

Moffet asked how the project might affect large events, including the annual Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival.

Mauriello, who’s working for the hotel’s new owners, said changing the tennis courts to parking “doesn’t preclude future events.”

What’s next: Construction will start this year.


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