Briefs Crested Butte

Keeping the locals living in poverty… gulch
The residents of the Poverty Gulch affordable housing subdivision in Crested Butte want a better return on their investment. If they add on or improve their dwelling, they want the opportunity to recoup what they spent. They made their case to the Crested Butte Town Council Monday night and the council is willing to give them some of what they want, but not the whole enchilada.

Under current affordable housing rules governing the subdivision, the residents can get back only the equivalent increase of 10 percent in improvements of the original purchase price over ten years. So, for example, the person who spent $44,000 on their one-bedroom home in 1999 can get back a total of only $4,400 in improvements when he or she goes to sell the property. They can spend more, but only the $4,400 would be allowed to be added to the town’s “Maximum Sales Price” when the unit is sold.
The council agreed some compromise is in order, given financial realities of the current home improvement market, but wants to conduct a comprehensive affordable housing needs assessment study this summer.
From that study, they hope to smooth out the various deed restrictions in Crested Butte and perhaps have a cohesive, overall affordable housing plan.
“We want to keep people that are living over there living in the community,” promised mayor Alan Bernholtz.
“It is to the advantage of the council to consult with the consultant and figure out the parameters,” said councilperson Margot Levy.
The council is leaning toward allowing residents to recoup at least half the money they spend on home improvements or expansions.

Old Crested Butte Academy buildings coming down
The old Crested Butte Academy buildings will be coming down this fall. The Crested Butte Board of Zoning and Architectural Review (BOZAR) gave approval last week to demolish the buildings located at Sixth Street and Whiterock Avenue. BOZAR also granted a conditional use for the soon to be empty lots, to be used for parking and snow storage.
A landscaping plan will be implemented next spring and also must receive approval from the town. The property owner, Academy Place LLC, is currently conducting asbestos mitigation inside the buildings with the idea of having the structures down before the ski area opens at the end of the month.
The old cinderblock garage building at the west end of the property was built in 1951 and has been deemed historical. It will not be demolished.

Let’s talk some more about medical marijuana
A more detailed proposal regulating medical marijuana dispensaries in Crested Butte came before the council. A further draft ordinance will be presented at a future meeting. Under the proposed regulations drafted by town attorney John Belkin, dispensaries would be a conditional use in the Commercial Zone. They would have to be located at least 200 feet away from parks and would follow a stringent permitting process. Fashioned after similar ordinances drawn up in municipalities like Breckenridge, the Crested Butte ordinance allows the dispensing of medical marijuana but not the growing of the herb.
“The Colorado Court of Appeals made a ruling last week concerning primary caregivers and who qualifies,” Belkin explained. “It’s an area of the law that is in flux. We will defer to the state statute when it comes to growing and let the dispensaries figure it out on that matter. This is unplowed ground.”
Town building and zoning director Bob Gillie agreed. “The grow operation is probably the area most fraught with problems,” he said. “This draft sidesteps the issue but it is an issue fraught with problems.”
Belkin will continue to tweak the draft proposal before bringing it back to the council. He said when approved, the ordinance would sunset in a year so the council could evaluate the issue.

Let the sunshine in
Based on comments from the public, the council had directed the town staff to go back and review its design guidelines dealing with solar and alternative energy. The changes were brought to the council Monday evening and approved. The changes in the guidelines now encourage “the use of solar applications and alternative energy measures within the Town.”
Nine changes were suggested by citizens to BOZAR, which agreed with them all, except raising the height of solar pole mounts from 16 to 20 feet. Essentially, the guidelines will allow more solar energy collectors to be utilized in Crested Butte.
“The process worked really well,” Crested Butte building assistant Molly Minneman told the council.

Here kitty, kitty
The council approved a one year test ordinance to see how snowcats work driving on town streets. Originally requested by Irwin Backcountry Guides to transport guests and refuel, up to five “rubber-tracked” snowcats will be allowed on the streets this winter. A specific snowcat route will be designated by the town manager.

Support for an Arts Center expansion, budget on the cusp
The council revised its resolution supporting expansion of the Crested Butte Center for the Arts. The new resolution essentially supports expansion at the current location.
The council also set for public hearing the myriad of ordinances needed to approve the budget. A special meeting will be held November 16 at 6 p.m. to deal with approval of the budget.