The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
More like Skyland South than C.B. South?
The issue of what is unattractive in Crested Butte South has been a topic of debate for years. It is a topic that has been discussed at almost every property owner’s association (POA) board meeting for the last two years. At the last meeting on April 20, the POA board tried to clearly delineate what is acceptable and what isn’t.
Going down a laundry list of situations, the board voted on individual scenarios. So for example, a pop-up trailer can be in one’s Crested Butte South driveway for longer than 24 hours if it is closed. If the pop-up is open, expect a visit from Crested Butte South POA manager Chris Behan, who will likely write a warning letter that could lead to a hearing and eventually a fine.
“It has been a contentious issue out here for a while, so I am glad the board finally took votes and made it clear what direction the association needs to take,” said Behan. “Last summer, I probably wrote about 90 warning letters and probably 90 percent of the situations were taken care of pretty quickly.”
So while motorboats can be parked in the subdivision, horse trailers with living quarters are prohibited. For a look at the chart of what is prohibited, go to www.crestedbuttenews.com.
“Essentially the board came to the conclusion that they have a duty to uphold and enforce the covenants for Crested Butte South,” explained Behan. “There is not a perfect way to go about enforcing these regulations so they used their best judgment while acknowledging there would be some displeasure.”
“The board has to interpret and enforce what is on the books,” Behan continued.
According to the minutes of the meeting, residents Rich Crawford and Fran Wickenhauser made the case for stricter enforcement of the covenants. Wickenhauser argued that not having RVs throughout the subdivision added a nicer ambiance to the area. “There is too much stuff in Crested Butte South,” commented Crawford. “This is an opportunity to limit some of the unsightly clutter.”
Crested Butte South resident August Hasz said people living in the subdivision should be able to park any licensed vehicle in a driveway in Crested Butte South.
Board member Duane Johnson said the board should seek a nice-looking neighborhood and not be “the land of NO.”
Behan said, “We have approximately 1,500 residents out here—that translates to 934 property owners—in some 530 residential units, so this obviously will leave a few pockets of disgruntled owners, but the board felt their ‘disgruntlement’ was not sufficiently shared by the majority of the owners here, when considered within the constraints of the covenant language, and the state statutes that govern all home owners associations, such as ours.”
So, things should look tidier in Crested Butte South this summer. If not, expect a visit from Mr. Behan.
To view a complete list of the regulations, please click here .
