Briefs Crested Butte

People looking forward to affordable housing lots and rentals
Town planner Michael Yerman told the council at its March 16 meeting that after an article in the Crested Butte News about the intention to put infrastructure into blocks 79 and 80 for affordable housing, he has fielded a lot of calls from locals interested in buying into the area on the northeast side of town. He told the council that this coming summer will be focused on putting in the infrastructure. Building won’t occur until 2016 at the earliest. Under current zoning, 61 units could be constructed there. He said the staff and council would review and possibly adjust requirements for people to obtain an affordable housing unit. That discussion will likely start in earnest in the late summer or fall.
In that regard, town building and zoning director Bob Gillie told the council the Anthracite Place affordable housing rental complex slated to start construction this spring likely won’t be ready for occupancy until next May or June. “It looks like it will take a full year for the build,” he said.

 

 

Next cop car will look like a cop car
At the request of the Crested Butte Marshal’s office, the council gave a nod to a patrol car design that uses primarily black and white graphics. The council had earlier expressed some concern that such a choice would be too harsh for the community. After seeing the designs and listening to the practical aspects of black letters fading less than colored ones, the council approved the proposed black and white patrol car.

Baxter Gulch trail work this summer
Town planner Michael Yerman said a summer work crew will be coming in to work on the Baxter Gulch trail, which will ultimately allow access to Whetstone. It will be the third summer that Americorps volunteers will help extend the trail. Yerman said he expects the crew to begin work in July.

Clean it up
May 16 will be the Town Clean-up Day in Crested Butte.

Some of the Whatever $ is being spent
Work will begin this spring on completing the Mt. Crested Butte Recreation Path inside the town of Crested Butte. Currently the path runs between the two towns and the hard surface ends at the bridge on the north side of Crested Butte. As part of the Whatever USA money collected after the September Bud Light event, the two towns agreed to spend the $500,000 on three primary projects: affordable housing, Big Mine Park and the completion of hard surfacing the rec path between the bridge and Elk Avenue. That project is expected to cost about $60,000. The rest of the Whatever money is in the bank.

Alley paving?
Public works director Rodney Due told the council that the town has been approached by Crested Butte businessman Eric Roemer about paving the alley between Elk and Sopris and Second and Third Streets. That alley runs behind the Wooden Nickel. Due said Roemer asked if the town could participate by conducting some of the preparation work and the pavement itself would be paid for by the businesses in the alley. Due said the town is looking into the matter. “Once one gets paved, they’ll all want paved,” Due noted. “It’s a big benefit and drainage will probably be the biggest issue.”

The planner on creative meetings
Yerman said meetings concerning the Creative District in Crested Butte have been well attended. “There’s a lot of buzz with the idea,” he said. He told the council there might be some budget and financial ramifications for the town as the Creative District moves forward.

Better communication?
The council held a 30-minute philosophical discussion on a number of topics at the February 17 meeting. They tried to clear up the restrictions placed upon them in a “quasi-judicial” setting and tried to determine exactly when that applied. The council agreed in general that better communication between the council and the staff is needed. Several councilmembers felt they were not being kept in the loop about some important issues. And the council agreed to not be afraid to go into closed-door executive session when appropriate. It was determined that a retreat might be needed between the council and staff to further hash out the details of the philosophy.

Subdivision executive session
Council held an executive session concerning a subdivision proposal from the Kapushion family that owns property in the north side of town. The council discussed things that could end up in negotiations including the potential relocation of the McCormick Ditch, an agreement between the Kapushions and the town signed in 1986 and a letter from their attorney.

HCCA update
Representatives of the High Country Conservation Advocates gave the council an update on the work they are doing to keep an eye on the public lands in the area.