Council Briefs

Timeshare ordinance passes unanimously

As can so often be the case in town government, approval of a liquor license (in this case for the Inn at Crested Butte) took more time than final approval of what had been a much-discussed and often controversial ordinance.

 Timeshare ordinance passes unanimously
As can so often be the case in town government, approval of a liquor license (in this case for the Inn at Crested Butte) took more time than final approval of what had been a much-discussed and often controversial ordinance.
In fact, after months of sometimes heated discussions, the ordinance dealing with “timeshare” projects in Crested Butte took less than three minutes to deal with at the Town Council meeting Monday night, contained virtually no discussion, and was passed unanimously. The council voted 7-0 in favor of the ordinance with no sign of a “magic wand,” as noted by Town Council members in previous meetings, swaying the council vote.
That fractional-ownership ordinance had generated significant discussion since last winter as several council members voiced the desire to have timeshares act more like hotels. Council members Dan Escalante, Reed Betz and Billy Rankin had persistently wanted the ordinance to require a percentage of rooms in timeshare projects always available for rent. That was not included in the ordinance, and after more than nine months of discussions and several re-writes, the ordinance was approved.

Payment in lieu for new parking spaces could increase
If you are thinking about constructing a building to house a business and want to pay the town’s payment in lieu of parking fee instead of providing on-site parking, you might want to hurry. The council is moving toward raising the fee from $9,600 per space to $20,000 per space by 2011. Town staff brought the issue to the Board of Zoning and Architectural Review (BOZAR), which recommended raising the fee immediately to $18,000, given current costs of real estate in Crested Butte. The idea behind the fee is to accumulate money so the town can purchase public parking areas. The fund has been utilized to purchase some parking in recent years, most recently several spaces behind the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum.
Mayor Alan Bernholtz applauded the effort of the staff and BOZAR but felt such a quick hike would be too harsh. “Almost doubling that fee would be a hard pill for business to swallow,” he commented.
Councilman Skip Berkshire agreed. “That was the first thing that struck me as well,” he said. “It would severely impact someone thinking of opening a business.”
Crested Butte design review and preservation coordinator Molly Minneman, along with BOZAR member Melissa Belz, contended that the fee actually made it better for businesses since they could then have more space for structure dedicated to business instead of parking.
“I hear what you are saying but it can be particularly tough on small businesses,” said Bernholtz. “And I’d like to see us come up with a more concrete plan to spend that money. We need to be able to explain to people what the town does with that money.”
The council agreed to begin gradually raising the fee so that in three years it will be $20,000. An ordinance will be drawn up to that effect and discussed at the next several meetings.

Multiple ordinances set for public hearing
The council agreed to set several ordinances for public hearing at their next meeting. One would exempt the United States Forest Service from the town’s watershed regulations. The exemption was requested by the Forest Service, and while exempted from obtaining a watershed permit when the USFS does work in the area, the agency must notify the town in detail about work they plan to do.
Another ordinance set for public hearing would repeal regulations overseeing newspaper racks on Elk Avenue. One amends the town code to come into line with state statutes when it comes to fining underage drinkers, and another renumbers provisions in the town noise ordinance. And council also gave final approval to an ordinance allowing directional “open house” real estate signs in town during certain days of the week. There was no public comment on any of these ordinances but they will be up for public hearing in early September.

Council hears Mountain Express plans and considers RTA resolution
Berkshire informed the council that the Mountain Express is moving ahead with trying to secure a line of credit in case it needs money during what could be a cash-flow shortfall early next year. He also said the new bus barn construction was proceeding with the hope of being up and running before the snow flies. Berkshire reported that Mountain Express ridership was up 28 percent for July.
He also asked the council to consider approving a resolution in support of the upcoming Rural Transportation Authority ballot issue during the November general election. The ballot question would re-authorize the RTA. A committee to get the ballot initiative approved is being headed by former Mt. Crested Butte mayor Chris Morgan, who asked for official council support for the initiative. While no one on the council wanted to make it a habit, they agreed to consider such a resolution of support. As stated by councilman Rankin, “I think this one is super-appropriate.” The council will see a resolution at their first meeting in September.

Annexation meetings to start Monday
The council will meet next Monday to begin work sessions on the proposed Foothills annexation. The proponents will kick it off and outline their various development options. That will be followed by town planner John Hess’ analysis of their primary proposal as it stands under the Crested Butte Area Plan. Town manager Susan Parker will then facilitate a discussion of council concerns with the annexation proposal. The meeting starts at 6:05 p.m. and the public is invited.