Loss of snow storage lots expected to impact town

Extra crew? Land purchase?

by Mark Reaman

As Crested Butte grows, one consequence is fewer vacant lots around town on which to store winter snow. This could be a real issue in a big snow year—and Crested Butte sits on the edge of big powder in El Niño years like the one forecasted for 2015-16.

Crested Butte public works director Rodney Due told the Town Council at a budget work session on Monday, September 21 that two major lots used for snow storage in the core of town would not be available this coming winter.

Throw in the upcoming loss of blocks 79 and 80 that will provide deed-restricted affordable housing in two to three years and the gravel pit will soon be one of the only places to store snow in the winter.

So Due gave a heads-up to the Town Council that a second crew will need to be hired to haul snow out of the core area of town during a snow event instead of letting it sit on a vacant lot and hauling it away between snow storms. That cost is estimated to be about $100,000 if the town hires a crew, or $150,000 if they contract out the work. Due is pessimistic about being able to hire a qualified five-person crew.

An alternative would be for the town to purchase vacant lots in the core, but land values have been skyrocketing and such lots are in the seven-figure range.

“We have lost several storage lots since I started here and we are losing more,” Due said. “That lot by Third and Elk is very important to the snow plan. The owner doesn’t appear interested in a lease, so now we have a dilemma. Not plowing the alleys behind the businesses is probably not a real option. If we don’t come to an agreement with [the Third and Elk] lot, either through leasing it or purchasing it, we could be in trouble.”

Due pointed out that given the costs of an additional crew, a million-dollar lot would essentially pay for itself over six or seven years. Councilman Glenn Michel pointed out that the lot behind Pita’s could provide ten to 15 parking spaces in the summer.

“My main concern is trying to get through winter and trying to save taxpayers’ money,” said Due. “I’ve been talking about purchasing that lot since I got here. It has been key to our snow removal plan.”

“The land is zoned residential. Have you done a cost analysis of it going commercial and the amount of sales tax it could bring in?” Michel asked Due.

“That’s not an automatic. A change in zoning would have to go through town and council so it is unrealistic to look at it that way. It is zoned residential and that’s how we look at it,” said Due.

“We are between a rock and hard place,” added town manager Todd Crossett. “We don’t have wide streets like Gunnison to handle snow the same way.”

“This is hitting us today,” said Due. “Everyone always seems to want more commercial development. I guess we could leave the snow in the alley.”

“Everyone up here would love to buy that lot but the heartburn is with the cost,” said councilperson Shaun Matusewicz. “Are there other options?”

“We could leave snow along the streets in our right-of-way but that loses a lot of parking,” said Due. “We need the bigger discussion. It shouldn’t be delayed.”

“Land won’t be cheaper in downtown Crested Butte in the future,” said Michel. “Do we bite the bullet with what seems like a lot of money but in ten years will be valuable?”

“I would suggest we budget for an extra crew with the upcoming winter,” said town finance director Lois Rozman. “Either the town hires them or we plan for a more expensive contractor.”

“Let’s not forget that the local contractors use the gravel pit for snow storage, too,” said councilman Skip Berkshire. “So it works both ways. They don’t get to just play hard-ball one way.”

“I think you need to increase your snow removal budget—period,” said Rozman.

Matusewicz used the discussion to bring up one of his favorite issues, asking, “How much money could we save if we didn’t pull the snow banks off Elk Avenue?”

That will be part of the annual snow plan discussion in November.

Mayor Aaron Huckstep said the council would likely continue talking about a possible lot purchase somewhere in the core of town. “But in the meantime, I’d suggest we budget for dealing with the winter without that lot,” he said.

Councilperson Chris Ladoulis said the town should thoroughly look at other options.

The discussion will be expected to continue for the next several months as council went into executive session at the end of its meeting to discuss possible land purchases.