Planning commish gives unanimous nod to Vail Resorts workforce housing, open space project

A proposed open-space and workforce housing project on Vail Resorts-owned land in East Vail received a unanimous nod of approval on Monday by the Vail Planning and Environmental Commission for a key zoning change. The PEC voted 6-0 to recommend approval to the Vail Town Council.

Here’s the press release from the Town of Vail:

PEC Votes to Approve Vail Resorts Rezoning Application in East Vail for New Employee Housing and Open Space

The Planning and Environmental Commission has voted 6-0 to forward a recommendation of approval to the Vail Town Council regarding a Vail Resorts proposal to change the zoning on a 23.3 acre parcel of land it owns in East Vail to allow for a future employee housing development and open space.

The property is located on the north side of I-70 at the East Vail interchange (Exit 180) and is proposed to be rezoned from its current zoning of Two-Family Residential (R) district to new zoning of Housing (H) district (5.4 acres on the western portion of the site) and Natural Area Preservation (NAP) district (17.9 acres on the eastern portion of the site.)

A public hearing on the rezoning took place on Monday, Sept. 11. The six PEC members voting in support of the application were Rediker, Kurz, Stockmar, Hopkins, Marie-Perez and Lockman. Gillette was absent. The rezoning application now goes to the Town Council for two readings of an ordinance.

No specific development plans or designs have been developed for any employee housing units on the site. Any future development on the site will require additional review at a public hearing(s) with the Planning and Environmental Commission. The architecture, site plan, and materials of any future new development will also require review by the Design Review Board.

The Housing zone district allows Employee Housing Units (EHUs), bicycle and pedestrian paths, communications antennas/equipment and passive outdoor recreation areas, plus other uses that are secondary and incidental to the primary use.

The Natural Area Preservation district is one of the most restrictive zone districts in town, and limits permitted uses to nature preserves. Conditional uses in the Natural Area Preservation district include equestrian trails, interpretive nature walks, parking (when used in conjunction with a permitted or conditional use), bicycle and pedestrian paths, picnic tables and informal seating areas.

A public hearing with the Town Council on this application has tentatively been scheduled for Sept. 19.

For more information, please contact Chris Neubecker at 970-479-2148 or cneubecker@vailgov.com.

Applicant Narrative with Maps
Wildlife Assessment
Geological Hazard Study
East Vail Subdivision Plans
East Vail Workforce Housing Parcel Minor Subdivision