Sixth and Butte housing concept starting to take shape for CB

Parking, desirability, toy storage all issues

[ By Mark Reaman ]

The first two preliminary concepts for an affordable housing project in the new Slate River subdivision at Sixth and Butte contain 76 and 70 units respectively. Concept A has 34 one-bedroom units, 30 two-bedroom units and 12 three-bedroom units. Concept B has 32 one-bedroom units, 28 two-bedroom units and 10 three-bedroom units.

The configurations include large multi-family buildings, four-plexes, carriage houses and apartment buildings. There is a mixture of rental and ownership potential. Given the topography of the land, it is expected that Concept B would cost less to construct.

The town planning staff has been holding “listening sessions” with the public to solicit ideas for what should be included in the project and an update was given to the town council on July 19. The goal is to take the feedback and develop a final master plan for the site by September. That plan would be reviewed by the BOZAR (Board of Zoning and Architectural Review) and the town council, with the council then giving final approval to a plan in early October. From there, town staff hopes to partner with a private developer to construct the housing in phases between 2022 and 2024.

“What we heard is that people want to make sure the project fosters a sense of community,” town planner Mel Yemma told the council. “There should be a variety of housing types and diversity of people living there. Thoughtful density is a priority. People want a place to store their toys and want to have dogs.”

Community development director Troy Russ said density is always an issue. “Parking and snow storage are two big things that drive the density,” he said noting that the conceptual plans allow one parking space for one-bedroom units. “If we assume two cars per bedroom then we would have to drop the density from the 70s to the 50s.”

“I’m concerned about the amount of parking,” said mayor Jim Schmidt. “In Poverty Gulch every unit has at least two vehicles. We just need to be realistic. People will park in the street but there needs to be enough.”

“It is definitely worth continuing the parking discussion,” agreed Yemma.

Russ said the staff is still considering a few things like a dormitory-type building or a building that includes the so-called “space to create” additions for people to have a place to do some work like an art studio.

Councilperson Jasmine Whelan suggested perhaps there could be offices included for local non-profit organizations, especially if the town sells off 308 Third Street where many such groups have office space.

“I anticipate a lot more pressure over there on Butte Avenue by the Gas Cafe,” said councilperson Jason MacMillan.
“No question,” replied Russ. “I would strongly suggest a four-way stop there.”

Russ said the most consistent request from the public is a place to store toys like bikes, skis and boats. “That too impacts density and is planned for our next level of investigation.”

Yemma said applying to get a LIHTC (low income housing tax credit) project like the one at Anthracite Place would allow lower income people to live there. Schmidt said that while that was true, the federal regulations involved came with a lot more strings attached.
Schmidt also advocated for ownership since that would quickly offset costs to the town. Whelan said that the Paintbrush project in Gunnison has hundreds of rental applications in the queue so that shows a need for more rentals.

“We can see the type of demand that is out there as it is phased in,” said Yemma.

“More rentals with broader range of incomes can address the immediate need in town,” said councilperson Will Dujardin.

“It is important to have a good project with great living space to create desirability,” added councilperson Mona Merrill. “Things like balconies and big windows should be included for example. That might make it more expensive but it will be more desirable.”
“How do we pay for it?” asked Schmidt.

Russ said that question would be considered in the next part of the initial planning phase and that would come back to the council in September.