The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Deed restricted commercial, holiday lights, night skies, digital signage
by Mark Reaman
The Crested Butte council continues to discuss an update to the town zoning codes. At a work session on May 18, staff and council discussed a number of topics from changes to the commercial zone to holiday lights.
On the Belleview Avenue commercial area, town and staff discussed allowing more free market housing units in exchange to get some deed restricted commercial spaces along with at least one deed restricted housing unit. Community development director Mel Yemma said in practicality given development costs, it takes residential development to make commercial/mixed use developments pencil out in that area. Council appeared okay with allowing some free market housing and a small reduction in parking requirements along Belleview to incentivize the building of deed-restricted commercial space.
They had a similar view with the Sixth Street corridor. The council was open to more free market residential and reduced parking requirements to obtain deed restricted commercial space and deed restricted housing units. There, they also felt an increase in Floor Area Ratio would also be appropriate to incentivize developers to obtain community benefits.
Mayor Ian Billick asked whether some of the incentives could be built off the proposed site. Staff said they would look at the idea.
The council received some pushback from residents of the Crested Butte Mobile Home Park over proposed changes there (See May 22 issue). Current residents did not like the idea of town permitting taller structures or stick-built homes in exchange for deed restrictions.
Lighting in the zoning code would not change much but staff recommended all holiday lights be required to be turned off by April 15. The council asked staff to be sensitive to the town’s dark skies potential and eventually the Elk Avenue streetlights might be replaced with more night-sky friendly fixtures and even using colors such as red lights to lower the impact.
Signs would be regulated for placement and size but not content. Digital signs would be allowed for government agencies such as the Crested Butte Community School.
Floor Area Ratio calculations would be made easier and more consistent with “no meaningful change” to size or scale. New zoning might allow for more and bigger front porches on houses.
The subdivision process in town will be made simpler while supporting the town’s housing goals.
The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the zoning update. The council hopes to approve the new zoning code by late summer.
