The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Most of the units are in compliance
The town has completed its most recent survey of deed-restricted housing units in Crested Butte and it looks pretty good. Of the 136 total accessory dwelling units in town, the vast majority is being used appropriately by locals and is in compliance with the town regulations.
The survey is conducted every two years and of the 123 long-term rental units, 104 (85 percent) are in total compliance. Ten are out of compliance and another nine are in what the report calls “questionable” compliance. On the owner-occupied unit side of things, nine of the 13 units are compliant. There are only eight vacancies in deed-restricted accessory dwellings, compared to 14 two years ago.
“It is challenging to ensure proper compliance by all homeowners,” stated a memo to the council written by Jesse Earley and Bob Gillie of the town Building Department.
“The 85 percent number is pretty good,” Gillie told the council at the October 1 meeting.
“The numbers are good but could be better,” said councilperson Shaun Matusewicz. “If you think about it, getting three more units into compliance is a lot cheaper than our building three more new units.”
“We are still keeping an eye on it all and we aren’t done with enforcement,” said Gillie. “We aren’t sitting on our laurels.”
Mayor Aaron Huckstep said the town might consider publishing the names of the property owners who are out of compliance, since peer pressure might help bring them back in line. “The community has a real sense for the importance of affordable housing,” he said.
“We’d love to get 100 percent compliance,” said Gillie.
The council will continue to consider how best to tighten up the rules governing the deed-restricted units.
