This week: emergency moratorium, affordable housing, litigation
What's happening...
(ACC - Aspen City Council, BOCC - Pitkin Board of County Commissioners)
❌ Emergency rural Short Term Rental moratorium
BOCC will discuss an emergency moratorium on Short Term Rentals in rural/remote zone districts in the county. Packet material will be distributed on the day of the meeting, May 7th.
🏠 Affordable Housing Strategic Plan update
ACC will discuss the city staff's recommended updates to the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan. Three primary updates: 1) the ongoing effort to explore Community Land Trusts as a vehicle to create new affordable housing, 2) a review of deed restriction purchases/buy downs previously left out of the plan, 3) progress on improving the sustainability of affordable housing HOA capital reserves.
👀 Litigation lingers and looms
ACC will hold an executive session to discuss the ongoing Centennial Owner's Association lawsuit. Also on the agenda is potential litigation by 6 different property owners appealing demolition allotments.
👮🏼♀️ Breaking the law
ACC will hear an update on local citations. On average, 330 citations are written each year. Speeding tickets are the majority of citations, followed by failure to maintain wildlife protection. Less than 1% of all citations are contested in court.
🛫 Airport Advisory engagement sky high
The Airport Advisory Board has 7 new applications for 1 alternate board member vacancy. BOCC will make a decision on 1 regular position renewal and choose a candidate for the alternate vacancy.
🌊 Keeping the Crystal River a jewel
BOCC will get an update on the Wild & Scenic Project, which seeks to protect the Crystal River by limiting future development near the river, preventing dams & diversions, managing sustainable recreation & tourism, and implementing other measures to protect the river corridor.
🧹 Spring cleaning fever
May 6-9 is the annual spring clean-up event. This is your chance to responsibly dispose of any timber, metal, trash, tires, and leaves. Place your items in a compostable bag and call 970-920-5130 to schedule your pick-up. Learn more about this event and next week’s E-waste collection event here.
♻️ What to do with debris?
The city is seeking input on a potential new ordinance to mandate recycling of construction and demolition debris. We encourage you to take part in the survey here.
✈️ Airport votes are in
BOCC has voted (4-1) to amend the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport planning document. The resolution approves a change to shift the runway 80 feet west as requested by the FAA. Well-organized and researched groups both supported and opposed this change, and we suggest watching the BOCC meeting to form your own opinion. The revised plan will be submitted to the FAA for approval.
🏞️ A new look for Hanging Lake
The US Forest Service is starting its $4.5 million dollar project on the Hanging Lake Trail to restore and strengthen the trail against natural disasters. The trail will remain open on a limited basis during construction this summer, and you can make reservations here.
💐 May is for flowers, not flying
The dates are in for the annual airport maintenance closure to conduct necessary work on the runway and other areas of the airport that ensure flight safety. From May 6th - 23rd, Sardy Field will be closed to both commercial and general aviation.