Briefs Crested Butte

Sending a letter to Hick
The Crested Butte Town Council unanimously approved a letter to be sent to the state criticizing Governor Hickenlooper for the “decision to sue the City of Longmont for adopting rules to protect its residents from the risks and potential adverse impacts of oil and gas drilling within its geographic jurisdiction.”

The letter was drafted by sometimes Crested Butte special attorney Barbara Green, intended to be signed by several municipalities from around Colorado. It advocated for some local government controls over the impacts of the industry while supporting “responsible oil and gas development when pursued in appropriate locations and in a manner that limits environmental, public health and socio-economic impacts.”

Solar gain
Building and zoning director Bob Gillie got the nod from the council to continue pursuing details of a plan that would place solar panels on the roof of the town’s new clarifier building at the water plant. The general idea is to work with Gunnison County Electric Association to sell the panels to GCEA members who would then see the benefits. “It is sort of a solar garden concept,” explained Gillie. He will gather more information on the idea for the council.

Polling place has changed in C.B.
Mayor Aaron Huckstep wanted to remind people that the Crested Butte voting location for this November will not be in the town hall. The county and state have decided to shift the location to the Parish Hall building at the Catholic Church, citing ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and security concerns. So voters at the north end of the valley in and around Crested Butte should be prepared to vote at the corner of Fourth and Sopris.

More down-valley buses
Councilperson and Rural Transit Authority board member Roland Mason informed the council that the winter bus schedule has been released. The RTA will provide eight trips a day between Gunnison and Mt. Crested Butte and nine trips on the weekends. The schedule will start November 21.

RETT tweaks?
Town attorney John Belkin will conduct some research and create a council memo dealing with potential changes to the Real Estate Transfer Tax. While being very careful not make any substantive changes to the law, Belkin said he would look at potential administrative changes to the Crested Butte RETT regulations in matters such as possible foreclosures, divorce-related transactions and transactions involving trusts. Under the state’s Tabor amendment, RETTs are no longer allowed in Colorado and Belkin indicated any substantial changes could result in Crested Butte’s RETT being nullified.

Public hearing
The council set for public hearing an ordinance changing the town code to include “congregate housing” as a conditional use in the Commercial Zone of town. That hearing will be held October 1.