Briefs Crested Butte

Special meeting for affordable housing exemption
The town council held a special meeting on Friday, March 9 to set for public hearing, an amendment to the current affordable housing ordinance. The ordinance change is meant to exempt the first 500 square feet of commercial development from the town’s affordable housing impact fees. A public hearing on the ordinance will be held at the Monday, March 19 meeting. The special meeting to speed up the adoption process came after a local commercial property owner requested that the Town consider returning funds that he initially deposited based on the town’s higher affordable housing fees. Mayor Aaron Huckstep agreed to the accelerated process given the overall council’s indication the members all wanted to make that exemption.

Town finances hanging in there
Crested Butte Finance Director Lois Rozman gave the council some good news at the March 5 meeting. Sales tax figures for 2011 came in better than expected and January figures for 2012 weren’t as bad as anticipated. 2011 revenues were ahead of budget so the draw on reserves was only about $130,000, compared to the budgeted amount of $250,000. The main draw came for the Big Mine ice rink roof. As for the first month of 2012, sales tax was down about 3 percent from 2011.
“I’m shocked it was down just that much,” said Councilperson Jim Schmidt.
“You and me both,” said Rozman. “Anecdotally, I had heard it was an extremely tough month and I thought it would be worse than it was. Compared to other resort areas, we are doing okay.”
Mayor Aaron Huckstep said Mt. Crested Butte was down about 13 percent in January and Gunnison was down close to 7 percent in sales tax revenues.
Huckstep also pointed out that Crested Butte was an anomaly among ski resort communities, with summer being a stronger sales tax collection period than winter.

Affordable Housing discussion delayed until next meeting
The controversial Ordinance 19 that would adjust and set affordable housing fees on new commercial projects will be on the council agenda for the March 19 meeting. It was originally scheduled for March 5. The council asked Town Planner John Hess to bring the associated administrative procedures to the council at the same time.

Shout out to ORE
Office for Resource Efficiency Andris Zobs presented a quarterly report to the council. The eight-year-old organization works closely with the town and receives about $5,000 a year from Crested Butte. “Our Energy Smart Colorado is our biggest program right now,” he told the council. “In Crested Butte, 202 people signed up for one of the services provided by the program. That resulted in almost $100,000 in energy upgrades spent in the town. That money went primarily to local contractors. It ultimately helps people save money on their energy bills and gets people back to work.”
Zobs said ORE and the town are still exploring ways to develop solar opportunities in town and the organization has held more than 30 educational events in the count, with half being in Crested Butte.
“We have a really good relationship with ORE,” confirmed town Building Director Bob Gillie. “They do things that we might not. The value ORE has brought us is money well spent for the town. They are watching and identifying opportunities for us.”
The council voted to enter into a cooperative agreement with ORE.

You’ll be able to time the bus at the Four-way
The council voted to accept the gift from an anonymous donor of a freestanding Verdin clock. It will be placed at the Four-way Stop. The council agreed to spend $1,500 in installation charges and would pick up annual maintenance and electric fees estimated to be about $650 annually. The value of the gift is about $20,000.

Council supports effort to protect nearby ranch property
The council approved a letter of support to Great Outdoors Colorado for an application that would help fund a conservation easement on 160 acres of land south of town. The easement is being organized by the Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy and would be placed on property at the Lacy Ranch. The letter states it would help preserve views and irrigated hay meadows close to town.

Towns may have to help pay for air service in the future?
The council held an extended discussion over the current dilemma with the airline program. Rural Transportation Authority board members Roland Mason and Huckstep reported to the council that the cost of getting airlines into the local airport was rising significantly. “This will be a major issue for the next several years,’ said Mason. “It is a tough situation. There could come a time soon when the towns in the valley have to look at using some public municipal funds to support the air program.”