CB council wants to be involved with county corridor planning

Taking another look at the Three Mile Plan

By Mark Reaman

The Crested Butte Town Council will take the advice of frequent council attendee Kent Cowherd and try to get more involved in corridor planning by Gunnison County.

Cowherd said he read a recent article in the newspaper that the Gunnison County commissioners and county planners were focusing on policy related to the drive corridors coming into both Crested Butte and Gunnison.

“It is important to let them know what is important with our Three Mile Plan and the entrance to our town,” Cowherd said. “I know the county never officially adopted our Three Mile Plan but it is critical the town and Mt. Crested Butte collaborate on a recommendation on what are appropriate uses in the corridor into town. It is important for both towns to work together; otherwise the county will decide what is best for us.”

Town manager Dara MacDonald told the council that she, community development director Michael Yerman, town planner Bob Nevins and Mt. Crested Butte community development director Carlos Velado had all recently met with county community development director Cathie Pagano to discuss the issue. “They have reached out to us to expand the dialogue,” she said, saying the emphasis was on how to guide commercial and industrial development on the outskirts of town.

Councilwoman Mallika Magner expressed an interest in having the council review the Crested Butte Three Mile Plan and see if any insights could be gleaned on what direction to take. “The Three Mile Plan is old but a lot of work and effort went into it,” she said. “Is it relevant today? I would rather be proactive than reactive. Can we look at it? Our corridor is a real joy and I would love to preserve it.”

MacDonald said the county strategic goals with the corridor planning include preserving the rural character of the area and protecting things like the view sheds along those corridors while supporting compact development patterns. The interest by the commissioners came because they wanted to get a handle on that development before the corridors became impacted in a way that did not align with community values.

“Coming from Breckenridge, I understand how we once had a beautiful corridor and now there is none there,” said councilwoman Mona Merrill. “I agree we should be engaged.”

The Three Mile Plan is available to read on the town’s website. Council appeared to want to fully participate in the planning process. Pagano is scheduled to update the council on the county efforts later this spring.