Vail council approves Evergreen guidelines

Board: Vail Town Council, Tuesday, regular meeting.

Present: Kevin Foley, Greg Moffet, Jenn Bruno, Kim Langmaid, Jen Mason, Dick Cleveland, Mayor Dave Chapin.

Issue: A master plan amendment that applies to the Evergreen Lodge.

How they voted: 6-1 to approve, with Cleveland dissenting.

What this means: The amendments to the plan provide a guide for owners of the lodge when they decide to submit a development application. The plan changes envision a combination of condos and smaller hotel rooms, as well as a land exchange with Vail Valley Medical Center.

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That exchange will allow the Evergreen to build toward Meadow Drive on the south side of the property, and gives the medical center better access to South Frontage Road on the north side of the parcel. The exchange — expected to be finalized this year — also allows the medical center to locate its proposed helipad building farther away from neighboring buildings.

What’s next: Waiting for owners of the Evergreen to submit a development application. That isn’t expected in the near future.

Issue: East Vail Fire Station renovation plans.

Who they talked to: Fire chief Mark Novak and town facilities manager John King.

What they talked about: The East Vail fire station was built in 1980 and hasn’t been upgraded since. Current plans call for an extensive renovation and addition to the facility. And, of course, estimated project costs have increased significantly.

The town a couple of years had set aside $1.5 million for the project, but current estimates indicate that price has risen by roughly $1.1 million.

What they did: The council approved a contract with Pierce and Associates to design the facility and provide more solid cost estimates.

Vail Daily Business Editor Scott Miller can be reached at 970-748-2930, smiller@vaildaily.com and @scottnmiller.