Briefs: Crested Butte

By Mark Reaman

Solar farm land use app approved by county

The Gunnison County Planning Commission approved the Outshine Solar land use change permit application on June 6. The solar farm is planned for just south of town near the Baxter Gulch trailhead. The next step is for Outshine to apply for and receive a building permit for construction.

Buy, add and flip a deed restricted unit

The Crested Butte council authorized the sale of 822 Gothic Avenue. The house was a deed restricted unit purchased this spring by the town from the previous occupants. Town then added some additional income limits ($129,780 for a household of three) and asset limits ($519,120) to the deed restriction. The unit will now go into the town’s affordable housing lottery to be held July 24.

Pothole not going unnoticed

The Sixth and Elk pothole will be repaired as part of the 2024 CB paving project. That work is expected to commence the first week of August. In the meantime, street crews will continue to monitor the situation and make temporary repairs as needed. 

How best to message bike awareness in town

Councilmember Kent Cowherd suggested, given a recent bike/car accident involving a longtime local, that signs be erected making people aware that Crested Butte is a bike friendly town and drivers should be aware of that. Town manager Dara MacDonald said the town was trying to reduce the number of signs in town since too many resulted in people not taking in the information and the signs are not effective. Most of the council agreed with the importance of the idea but preferred a more in-depth overall plan that included several tools for how to seriously address the situation. 

Stuff:

—The council will consider a proclamation this fall designating a day as “Pointed Laccolith Day” in Crested Butte.

—The council agreed to let Cowherd pen the first of a regular report to the community about council actions. The idea is to get the council point of view to the public that is not “filtered” through just (newspaper) stories. Council will rotate the writing assignment on a regular basis yet to be determined.

—The council approved the transfer of a retail marijuana dispensary permit for Backcountry Cannabis Company. It is being purchased by the longtime manager of the operation.

—The residential drop-off composting program launched on June 7. 

—An estimated 700 community members were served at the CB Town Picnic.

—The council held an executive session to discuss legal options over an issue with the Mt. CB Water and Sanitation District.