Briefs Crested Butte

Renewing the Land Trust vows
Former councilperson Skip Berkshire approached the Town Council at the June 20 meeting with a request that they approve a resolution in support of the Crested Butte Land Trust. “When I was on the council, the Land Trust underwent a tumultuous period resulting in public angst,” he said. “It is still one of our premier organizations in the valley. The dust has settled now. It would mean a lot for the town to take a stand saying the Land Trust is a valuable organization. It’s a thumbs-up from the council.”
Berkshire said it would stamp the CBLT as the “go-to” organization in local open space matters. “Having a local presence is huge,” he said. “It would alleviate some anxiety and even confusion.”
Berkshire, a recent appointee to the CBLT board, left a draft resolution for the council to consider.
“It’s like re-affirming our vows,” observed mayor pro tem Dan Escalante.

Weed issues (the real kind of weed)
Town Parks and Recreation director Jake Jones gave the council a heads-up that his department is spraying for weeds. “We do it this time every year and we always get some inquiries and complaints,” he said. “On the surface it may seem incongruous with some of our other values as a town. But we are very conscientious about using the minimal tool to control the problem. I think of it as changing the oil in your car. It protects our valuable turf areas.”
Jones also argued that it protects the wild and natural areas outside of town by eliminating some of the seed base that could get blown toward
those areas.
“I was told Durango didn’t spray so I called their department,” Jones said. “They actually have two chemical-free parks and their guys said they are full of weeds.”

Nordic deferment?
Council heard and approved a request from Nordic Center director Keith Bauer to allow the organization to defer the payments for water and sewer tap fees for a newly proposed maintenance barn. “It would help us out with fundraising and give us some leeway,” he explained. “You did the same thing for the Mountain Express.”
“The difference was we knew where the cash would come from with the Mountain Express [sales tax] and less so with the Nordic Center,” explained acting town manager Bob Gillie.
“We’re thinking of opening a dispensary at the yurt,” said Bauer.
“A new smoke shack?” asked Escalante.
That was good enough for the council, which approved the request.

Planning changes
Council held a work session on revamping the town Land Use Plan. Requirements and restrictions over trails, roads, and view corridors were discussed. A public hearing on any changes will be held later this summer. Changes to the town building code will also be reviewed. A public hearing on that issue will be held July 5. Town planner John Hess shared with the council a letter to Gunnison County expressing some concerns with a plan by Irwin Backcountry Guides to add some buildings above Lake Irwin.