Briefs: Crested Butte

By Mark Reaman

Summer parklets!

The summer seating parklets on Elk Avenue will be set up on June 17. The parklets provide opportunity for outdoor seating during the summer months. The Bruhaus, Wooden Nickel and Elk Avenue Prime, properties all owned by Mark Walter, will be providing their own parklet infrastructure. 

Solar Farm lease approved

With a 6-1 vote, the Crested Butte town council approved a 30-year option and lease agreement with the Gunnison County Electric Association (GCEA) for town land near the Baxter Gulch trailhead. The property will be used for a 1.62 MW DC solar array on the Avalanche Park property. Councilmember Anna Fenerty voted against the ordinance. 

Town manager Dara MacDonald said the contractor, Outshine Energy, plans to build the solar array outside the high avalanche hazard zone so the town will not be doing avalanche mitigation on the site. She also reminded the council the site is named “Avalanche Park” for a reason and thus there is limited opportunity to place habitable structures on the site as has been suggested by some people.

“So this energy will cost more to us than it would without the solar but it meets our climate action goals and that’s why we’re willing to do this, right?” asked councilmember John O’Neal.

The answer was yes, and the council approved the lease.

Lose the holiday lights — it’s June!

The town has contacted businesses that have yet to turn off their holiday lights. Some residents have complained about the lights still being on and town manager Dara MacDonald said compliance has increased after the contacts were made but no citations have been issued. 

“It feels like a bit of a blow to have the local businesses not complying with the code,” said mayor Ian Billick.

Chamber of Commerce executive director Heather Leonard said she has touched base with some businesses with lights and there has been some confusion over the regulations. “There seems no intent by businesses to violate the code, they are just trying to understand it better. I was even confused.”

If businesses do not ultimately comply and turn off the lights, they will be issued citations that could lead to dealing with municipal court and possible large fines.

Federal grant limbo

The council expressed some concern with federal grant funding, particularly with potential transit grants given uncertainty with federal budget cuts. Plus, the fact the Colorado Department of Transportation is in a legal squabble with the feds over some provisions in grant documents adds to the uncertainty. Additionally, Gunnison County was listed as a so-called “sanctuary community” with no clear explanation and the federal government is threatening to not provide grants to any such government entity, which also adds to the uncertainty.

“Right now, nobody knows what’s going on with federal grants,” concluded town attorney Karl Hanlon.

Alley history survey

The town’s consultant with Tatanka Historical Associates will pick up in mid-June where he left off last fall with the historic survey work within town alleys. Ron Sladek is surveying existing outbuildings from the current “period of significance.”  The survey data will help with the Design Standards and Guidelines update slated for later this year.

Stuff:

—Council sent a letter to the Western Colorado University Foundation, owners of the 40-acre parcel along the town’s east border, asking them to explore the possibility of reopening a trail segment connecting the Rec Path Bridge to McCormick Ranch Road.

—Council agreed to enter into a professional services agreement with Kimley Horn engineers for 60% design services associated with the Red Lady Roundabout.

—Sales tax for April was up 5.5%. For the year, sales tax revenues are up about 3%.

—Town street crews will be crack sealing through June. Striping will begin as soon as weather allows.

—The barn at Town Ranch is being disassembled. Materials will try to be salvaged for a future town project.

—Council approved an ordinance cleaning up some language in the town code addressing vacation rental licenses.

—Many of the town’s summer recreation programs are already full and have wait lists.