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
Biszantz, Chapin, Davis, Foley, Langmaid, Phillips, Staufer
Presentations/Discussion/Announcements
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Winter Revenue and Economic Update
- Council heard an update outlining what the town is hearing from local businesses and the potential revenue impacts of a mild winter. The session was informational only, staff will return with updates and requested actions if needed.
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Timber Ridge Employee Housing Opportunity Discussion
- Staff presented two potential opportunities to create ownership options for town employees at Timber Ridge Village, including a targeted employee home ownership program enhancement for Timber Ridge homes and a buy-down program to align affordability with employee wages. Council was supportive of exploring both options.
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West Lionshead Supplemental Budget Request and Reimbursement Agreement
- The West Lionshead project and a potential Downtown Development Authority (DDA) will require the town to retain consultants, with those costs to be reimbursed by East West Partners under an agreement not to exceed $400,000. Additionally, the town is seeking to evaluate a potential expansion of the district beyond West Lionshead, which would be funded using $125,000 in 2025 Civic Area Master Plan savings. Council was supportive.
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Discussion on Ord. No. 28, Series of 2025, Establishment of a New Special Development District No. 44, Lunar Park
- The applicant is requesting approval of a new Special Development District to allow for the development of a multi-family project located at 442 South Frontage Road East. The Planning and Environmental Commission has forwarded a recommendation of denial. During their Nov. 4, 2025 meeting, Town Council members expressed concerns with the proposal not meeting required review criteria. The updated application presented addressed some of those issues; however, several members asked to see more refinements and voted to remand the project to the Planning and Environmental Commission.
Town Manager Report
- As part of the Town Manager Report, Mike Foster from Triumph Development gave an update on the construction schedule and home sales at Timber Ridge Village.
Actions as a Result of Executive Session
- There were no actions as a result of executive session.
Public Comment
- Ian Grask announced an upcoming housing forum presented by Habitat for Humanity on Jan. 22. He also asked about opportunities to support small local businesses with the Northwest Loan Fund as well as within upcoming proposed redevelopment projects.
- Tim McMahon apologized to those who were working at the Vail Public Safety Communications Center during a recent incident in which he was involved. He asked about the possibility of a “No U-Turn Sign” at the intersection of Village Center Drive and the South Frontage Road. He asked for a count of the number of Flock cameras in town and who is able to access the data.
- Jonathan Levine mentioned speeding near the Vail Transportation Center. Also, he is unhappy with the town’s transportation permit fee, the process that established it and insurance requirements.
- As part of the discussion on Ord. No. 28, Braden List of Vantage Point has concerns with inconsistencies in the application of height and scale requirements for development in town.
- As part of the discussion on Ord. No. 28, Tim McMahon asked for a clarification on how height is calculated.
- As part of the discussion on Ord. No. 28, Howard Willard of Vail Mountain View Residences says the variances proposed are excessive. He requested a tabling or a remand to the Planning and Environmental Commission to allow more time for an agreement to be finalized between the developer and the neighbors.
- As part of the discussion on Ord. No. 28, Ian Grask asked about the potential of environmental impacts along Gore Creek to affect building permits. He also encouraged the council to consider the housing benefits of the proposed development.
- As part of the discussion on Ord. No. 28, Dan Wolfe says the amount of density and Gross Residential Floor Area proposed are not compatible with the neighborhood.
- As part of the discussion on Ord. No. 28, Michael Dardick of Vail Mountain View Residences says he is in favor of a good redevelopment of Apollo Park. He asked that time be given to allow for an agreement to be finalized between the developer and the neighbors.
- As part of the discussion on Ord. No. 28, Lisa Widmier of Vail Mountain View Residences asked if a study has been done on prices paid by current employees and timeshare owners.
- As part of the discussion on Ord. No. 28, Laura Willard of Vail Mountain View Residences says she is happy the project is residential and hopes the town wants to preserve the river path to the Ford Park area. She also expressed concerns with where delivery and emergency access will occur.
Actions/Decisions
- Approved Dec. 2, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes (7-0)
- Approved Dec. 16, 2025 Town Council Meeting Minutes (7-0)
- Approved West Lionshead Supplemental Budget Request and Reimbursement Agreement (7-0)
- Approved Resolution No. 1, Making Findings on the Appeal and Affirming the Decision of the Design Review Board Regarding 543 East Lionshead Circle (6-0, Phillips abstained)
- Remanded Ord. No. 28, Series of 2025, First Reading, Establishment of a New Special Development District No. 44, Lunar Park to the Planning and Environmental Commission (4-3, Biszantz, Davis and Phillips opposed)
Upcoming Town Council Meetings/Activities
- Ski/Ride Outing with Electeds, Jan. 9
- Vail Town Council Meeting, Jan. 20
- Vail Town Council Meeting, Feb. 3
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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