Crested Butte council asking for specific annexation comments

The land won’t always be a pasture even if it’s not annexed

The proposed 44-acre annexation north of Crested Butte has apparently piqued the interest of local citizens. Councilman Jim Schmidt said Monday, February 2 the council has received several letters and emails commenting on the proposal and he appreciated the input. But, he said, “There has not been much talk about the concept of cluster development in the comments. Placing development by development has always been a goal of Crested Butte in the past.

“I’d like to see what people have to say about that,” Schmidt continued. “Keep in mind that if we don’t do the annexation, that doesn’t mean the growth will stop out there.”
“I think the impression with many people is that if that land is not annexed, it will stay as open space,” concurred mayor Aaron Huckstep. “That’s not accurate.”
“We would also lose some opportunities if [developers] go to the county,” added councilman Glenn Michel. “They might not be required to use the grid system, for instance. The impression that it will stay a nice pasture isn’t probably right. I assume the developers will want to do something with that property.”
Huckstep said many letters and emails mention the idea of getting a recreation center on the property as part of the annexation deal. “People don’t seem to understand that’s not very feasible from an annual operating cost,” he said. “It would be very expensive.”
Town manager Todd Crossett said swimming pools would cost millions of dollars to operate and the way to acquire a pool or rec center is to form a recreation district and set up a mechanism for collecting operating revenues before even beginning to think about construction. “Those are tough to run off a straight business model,” he told the council.
“Plus it would have an impact on the Gunnison facility and I know a lot of people who take the free bus down there and use it,” added councilperson Skip Berkshire.
Councilperson Roland Mason said that as opposed to a rec center or even fire hall, there might be some thought about relocating the post office to a public site within the annexation.
“With all the changes coming to Elk Avenue it might make sense,’ he said. “What do we do with the post office parking and traffic as town gets busier and busier?” he asked. “That could be a place to look at down the road.”
“That suggestion could incite riots,” said councilperson Chris Ladoulis.
“I’m just saying it is something to consider in a general, bigger picture down the road,” said Mason. “The [post office] being where it is brings a lot of traffic to a busy area.”
The council is continuing to encourage public comment on the proposed annexation. They have received letters and emails in support and expressing concern. Currently the developers and town staff are in discussions over a pre-annexation agreement.