Vail Town Council Meeting Highlights
This is an unofficial summary of the meeting produced by the Communications Department. To read the official minutes please click here. Minutes are posted once they are approved.
Council Members Present
Budget Retreat: Biszantz, Chapin, Coggin, Phillips, Seibert, Staufer (Davis absent)
Afternoon: Biszantz, Chapin, Coggin, Phillips, Seibert, Staufer (Davis absent)
Evening: Biszantz, Chapin, Coggin, Davis, Phillips, Seibert, Staufer (Biszantz late arrival)
Presentations/Discussion/Announcements
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Budget Retreat
- The 2026 budget process kicked off with the annual Town Council budget retreat. Staff first presented an update on strategic plan progress, with a publicly available dashboard scheduled to launch later this week. Town Council then heard a high-level preview of the town’s 2026 budget process and preliminary revenue projections. In addition to the Town Council’s strategic priorities, the budget will also prioritize the town’s ongoing operations, employees and the continued maintenance and safety of the town’s existing assets. Council was supportive of the approach and feedback will be used to create the 2026 draft proposed budget, which will be presented to the Town Council on Oct. 21. The final budget ordinance reading is scheduled for Nov. 18.
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Eagle River Water & Sanitation District Update
- General Manager Siri Roman and Director of Business Operations David Norris presented two key priorities currently being undertaken by the Eagle River Water & Sanitation District. First, the 2025 Excessive Water User campaign aims to significantly reduce water consumption among the highest residential water users within the District and Authority service areas to help reach a goal of a 400 acre-feet water savings by 2026. The second item discussed was how to fund mandated improvements at the regional wastewater treatment facility in Edwards. The district will need to bond to pay for the project, either through revenue bonds paid through increased rates, or general obligation bonds paid for through a mill levy increase. ERWSD will return with a request for a resolution in support of a ballot question to raise the mill levy.
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Update on Gore Creek Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Scores
- Gore Creek has been a 303(d) listed impaired waterway since 2012 for failing to meet state standards for aquatic life. Environmental Sustainability staff provided an update on what samples collected in 2024 show about the health of the aquatic ecosystem. Gore Creek continues to show gradual improvement in scores which indicates that the “Restore the Gore” management strategies are working. All sampling sites on Red Sandstone Creek had passing scores in 2024.
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Excise Tax Ballot Language Discussion
- Following the results of a voter survey regarding a potential Short-Term Rental (STR) excise tax, Town Council requested additional information before deciding whether to place the measure on the November 2025 ballot and finalizing ballot language. Council was supportive of a ballot question asking voters for a 6% STR excise tax, but without including bonding authority. The language will come back to the Town Council for final approval.
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Discussion of Ord. No. 14, Major Amendment to Special Development District No. 4, Vail Cascade, Known as Cornerstone
- The applicant is requesting a major amendment to Special Development District No. 4, Cascade Village, to allow for the development of a mixed-use project on the property known as the Cornerstone site. Questions and comments from previous meetings were reviewed. Council asked additional questions regarding loading and delivery and housing. A development agreement will be discussed at a future meeting. The ordinance passed on second reading, with Chapin and Staufer against.
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Contract Award with OpenGov Inc. for Community Development Permitting Software
- The town currently utilizes two legacy software platforms to manage contractor registrations, applications, payments, plan reviews, code violations and departmental reporting. The Community Development Department is requesting approval of a comprehensive, single-platform system that consolidates all related functions. The new system will be fully compliant with current ADA standards and will include multilingual capabilities. Council was supportive.
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Discussion of Ord. No. 15, Creating the Vail Village Inn (VVI) Zone District and Ord. No. 16, Rezoning 68 East Meadow Drive and 100 East Meadow Drive to VVI
- The applicant is requesting the town create the Vail Village Inn (VVI) zone district and apply that district to the properties located at 68 E Meadow Drive and 100 E Meadow Drive. The subject lots were developed under Special Development District No. 6, which was adopted in 1976. In 1984, a Minor Subdivision application was approved to separate 68 and 100 E Meadow. Since that date there have been nine major amendments to the SDD and roughly a dozen minor amendments. As a result of a court case in 2024 SDD No. 6 was invalidated and the underlying Public Accommodation (PA) zone district became the primary zoning for the site. The applicant’s proposal of a new zone district provides a straightforward development process for future applications, compared to the reestablishment of a special development district. Council was supportive.
Town Manager Report
- Town Manager Russell Forrest gave brief updates on two big Town of Vail capital projects underway including the renovation of Dobson Arena and the new Timber Ridge Village.
Actions as a Result of Executive Session
- Following the earlier executive session, motions were made to accept a donation from Vicki and Kent Logan toward programming at the Vail Art Studio and to direct staff to draft an agreement to assist with the purchase of a sprung structure to support the availability of ice during the renovation of Dobson Arena.
Public Comment
- Scott Wagner asked about neighborhood notification regarding a proposed rezoning action at Coldstream.
- Diane Carpenter expressed concerns with residents at Village Center being landlocked and without access in or out during events and festivals.
- Kevin Foley thanked the council for the pedestrian crossing in front of Safeway in West Vail.
- Alison Wadey of the Vail Chamber invited the Town Council to participate in the BB&B Charity golf tournament in September.
- Slade Cogswell thanked the Town Council for their support of a solution for sheet ice while Dobson Arena is being renovated.
- As part of the Cornerstone discussion, Janie Lipnick is concerned with a lack of a plan for loading and delivery, as well as the developer’s disregard for the neighborhood.
- As part of the Cornerstone discussion, Bobby Lipnick has concerns with the project, including massing, blocked views, a non-functional loading and delivery plan and dormitory-style housing.
- As part of the Cornerstone discussion, David Flowers thinks putting residences right up to a ski lift sets a bad precedence. He thinks the proposal is too dense. He does not think there are enough community benefits. He would like to see a master plan for the area.
- As part of the Cornerstone discussion, Scott Wagner, president of the Cascade Village Metro District, says the district is responsible for much of the infrastructure in the area. He expressed concerns with the plan for loading and delivery. He does not believe there will be any public benefits.
- As part of the Cornerstone discussion, Lorenza Chica listed ways the proposal does not conform to the town’s standards for approval.
- As part of the Cornerstone discussion, Mark Lessons says development has to meet codes in order to be approved.
- As part of the Cornerstone discussion, Robert Elkins expressed concerns with the applicant’s failure to comply with conditions of approval set forth by the PEC.
- As part of the Cornerstone discussion, Jaime of Liftside Condominiums says the developer has failed to collaborate with the neighborhood.
- As part of the Cornerstone discussion, Gabriela Lebrija says the redevelopment is needed but it has to be done correctly.
- As part of the Cornerstone discussion, Kathryn Hopping, an attorney representing the Cascade Village Metro District, says the town does not have jurisdiction to approve the redevelopment as the proposal includes changes to property not owned by the applicant.
- As part of the Cornerstone discussion, Carlos Cardenas expressed concerns with the plan for parking, as well as with loading and delivery and waste hauling. He also says the PEC’s conditions of approval have not been met.
- As part of the Cornerstone discussion, David Foster, representing owners in Liftside, asked why the required development agreement was not included in the packet and about the unknown effective date of the ordinance due to ongoing litigation. He also expressed concerns with the proposed density and compliance with the town’s comprehensive plan.
Actions/Decisions
- Approved the Acceptance of a Donation from Vicki and Kent Logan to Support Vail Art Studio Programming (6-0)
- Authorized the Town Manger to Draft and Enter Into an Agreement to Support the Purchase of a Sprung Structure for Ice (6-0)
- Approved Ord. No. 14, Second Reading, Major Amendment to Special Development District No. 4, Vail Cascade, to Allow for the Development of a Mixed-Use Development, Located at 1276 Westhaven Drive, Known as Cornerstone (5-2, Chapin and Staufer against)
- Approved Contract Award with OpenGov Inc. for Community Development Permitting Software (7-0)
- Approved Ord. No. 15, First Reading, Creating the Vail Village Inn (VVI) Zone District (6-0, Staufer abstained)
- Approved Ord. No. 16, First Reading, Rezoning 68 East Meadow Drive and 100 East Meadow Drive to Vail Village Inn (6-0, Staufer abstained)
Upcoming Town Council Meetings/Activities
- Vail Town Council Meeting, Aug. 5
- Community Picnic at Bighorn Park, Aug. 12
- Vail Town Council Meeting, Aug. 19
Resources
The Vail Town Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month. Join us for public comment at 6 p.m. Public hearing and comment opportunities are also noted on the agendas.
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