Land Trust and town council promise a more open relationship

Moving ahead in a field of hugs

Agreeing that better communication is in order, the Crested Butte Town Council and the Crested Butte Land Trust met Monday night, February 2, to talk. The discussion ended with a promise for more dialogue.

The meeting was requested by the council. Mayor Alan Bernholtz wanted to touch base and reset the parameters of the partnership. A significant portion of Land Trust funding is funneled through the town by the real estate transfer tax.
“We have always had a good relationship,” said Bernholtz. “We don’t have a lot of money at the moment but that can change when real estate picks up again. If the proposed annexation happens, there could be a lot of money in the open space fund.”
Land Trust president Jeff Hermanson agreed that the town and the Land Trust had a special partnership.
“We relish this relationship with the town,” he said. “We all have a common goal and the priority is open space in the valley. It is a big amenity. We don’t have any secret agenda. For example, overall, we are big proponents of public access on the properties we purchase. But some of the deals come with restrictions, especially those near ranches where public access would cause conflict. Wherever we can create trails, we want to do it.”
Bernholtz said he has always been a supporter of the Land Trust and noted the results of the organization had been “fantastic.” But he continued, “The Niccoli situation was a trying time for the relationship between the town and the Land Trust. It was a controversial period but we want to bring it back and let you know we appreciate the Land Trust and I want to keep the relationship good. The Niccoli deal caused some uncertainty but let’s move forward in a positive fashion.”
The Niccoli parcel, located between the west border of Crested Butte South and Highway 135 caused some controversy at the time of the purchase. The Land Trust adamantly pursued the purchase of the land three years ago and the town of Crested Butte donated about a million dollars to the project.
Land Trust board member Keith Bauer asked Bernholtz to elaborate on the “uncertainty.”
“It was a tough time between the council and the Land Trust,” Bernholtz replied. “Everyone took heat on whether it was the right project to do. But let’s not look back and revisit the past. Let’s look forward.”
Looking forward, councilman Dan Escalante said providing access to the public on property purchased by the Land Trust with Crested Butte open space funds was a priority. “Public access is an important issue for me,” he said.
“We agree,” responded Hermanson. “We want public benefit and public access.”
Councilman Billy Rankin said he has backed the Land Trust even when getting heat. “I’ve stood up for the Land Trust when I’ve heard the rattle on the street,” he said. “It seems to me the last couple of projects have included conservation developments and that troubles some people.”
A conservation development essentially allows the Land Trust to sell off a portion of a purchased property for development, while keeping the majority of the purchase as open space.
“It is a tool in our belt,” admitted Hermanson. “Because of the community’s insatiable appetite for open space, we look at ways to try to generate money without compromising a property. Take the Niccoli property, for example. What if we bought it and didn’t sell off a piece of the homestead? We could sit on it and spend the next year trying to fundraise to cover the cost or we could look at the next project.”
The Land Trust is currently going through the Gunnison County planning process in an effort to slice out just over three acres of the original homestead site and sell it.
“The last couple of projects we have done have been smaller and we didn’t use a conservation development or town money,” said Land Trust director Ann Johnston.
“Perhaps as one of the largest donors of the organization, we could get regular updates on what is transpiring with the Land Trust,” suggested Bernholtz. “What if a member of the council sat as an ex-officio [non-voting] member of the Land Trust board?”
Hermanson said he would take the suggestion to the Land Trust retreat in February for discussion.
“We can definitely do a better job communicating with you,” admitted Johnston.
“Our heart is in the right place, but we need to be better communicators,” said Hermanson.
“The confession is there, the desire is here. Let’s move in that direction,” suggested Bernholtz.
The mayor and backcountry guide also emphasized that he would be less than supportive of using town funds in the future for a project that didn’t include public access. He also was blunt about not being a “fan” of conservation developments. “I am concerned with our backcountry trails being pushed further away from town. Trails are moving further and further back. It’s a big concern for me. Crested Butte is unique in how we have preserved the open feeling and access.”
“We are sensitive to trailheads as well,” said Hermanson.
Bauer said the Land Trust board had “spent hours discussing the same issues.”
“Well, it sounds like we are all on the same page,” said Bernholtz. “We’re just short of a hug here.”
Councilman Skip Berkshire applauded the Land Trust. “I’ve always felt the Land Trust was a home-run organization and everything you’ve done is good. People come to Crested Butte for some of the uniqueness and that includes open space. I haven’t seen you stub your toe.”
Bernholtz reminded Berkshire of the toe-stubbing during the Niccoli negotiations. “I don’t want that type of relationship in the future,” he said. “When we ask legitimate questions about a deal that will use town money, I want the council to be treated with respect.”
Hermanson promised that the Land Trust wanted “to proceed with a relationship predicated on more hugs.”
Better communication is expected in the future and the idea of a councilmember sitting on the Land Trust board will be investigated further.