The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Taking a regional approach
by Mark Reaman
A public meeting focused on the local housing crunch will be held Thursday, May 28 at the Crested Butte Center for the Arts.
Crested Butte town manager Todd Crossett told the Town Council at the council’s May 4 meeting that there has been a lot of “anxiety” over finding housing by many people in the valley this spring. “There is no simple solution,” he said. “The town is trying to deal with this issue. There’s Anthracite Place, blocks 79 and 80, and the VRBO study should be back soon.”
Crossett said some local government officials and private business representatives met last Friday to discuss the situation and do some brainstorming.
“It was decided we need to take a hard look at a new needs assessment study,” Crossett said. “And we would like to have a town hall-type meeting and invite representatives from the whole valley to talk about the situation.”
Crossett said Thursday, May 28 seemed to be the best time to hold such an event. It will be held in Crested Butte at 6:30 p.m.
“The idea is to go over what is happening,” Crossett explained. “Then this would help put the required focus on the issue. Finally, it would allow people to share their experiences. It would be healthy for the community and let the people communicate to the people in leadership positions.”
Crossett, town planner Michael Yerman, Gunnison Valley Regional Housing Authority director Karl Fulmer and Gunnison County community development director Russ Forrest will lead the meeting.
Councilman Skip Berkshire thought such a meeting would be valuable to see what other local entities are doing in the workforce housing realm. He pointed out that it cannot be up to only the town of Crested Butte to solve the problem. “It’s not just a Crested Butte problem. It’s everyone’s problem,” he said.
Councilman Jim Schmidt said he would rather take any money spent on a new needs assessment study and put it toward a real solution. “It sure seems like there is a need,” he said. “That’s obvious.”
“I’d rather take the money and hire someone part-time to go knock on doors of accessory dwellings in town and make sure they are being used appropriately for affordable housing,” seconded councilman Shaun Matusewicz.
Under town regulations, accessory dwellings in Crested Butte get a break on the tap fee when constructed but they must be rented long-term. Tap fees are charged for water and sewer hookups.
“If the town thinks there are maybe 25 such units not being used correctly, and we can get five or ten to adhere to the regulations, then that can have real near-term value on the rental market,” Matusewicz suggested.
“But if they don’t want to rent long-term, the town doesn’t have the teeth to make them,” countered mayor Aaron Huckstep. “They can ask for $3,500 a month in rent and we can’t do anything about that.”
Matusewicz said some new owners of such units might not know about the town’s requirement. Schmidt and councilman Roland Mason said Matusewicz’s idea might be worth pursuing.
Yerman said contributing to a new needs assessment study would be worthwhile for Crested Butte. While there is obviously a “need” in town, Yerman said the study would be broader. “This would look at the entire valley,” he said. “It would include Crested Butte South and Gunnison. There is value in getting a regional needs assessment survey. For this issue to be solved, it will take a regional effort, not just a town effort.”
Citizens are encouraged to participate in the public meeting on May 28.
