During the March 10 council meeting, Basalt resident Kathleen Brehm came to the podium to voice concerns regarding e-bike safety. Brehm first came to Basalt Town Council on Jan. 27 to share her story. Two years ago, she was injured by an e-bike rider while walking on the Rio Grande Trail. After several surgeries, Brehm began advocating for e-bike safety in the area. After Brehm’s comments in January, council directed Town staff to look into how e-bike safety could be improved.
Town Manager Gloria Kaasch-Buerger organized an interagency meeting on March 3, attended by reps from the Town, the Basalt Police Department, Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA), WE-cycle and Pitkin County Open Space and Trails. The group concluded that there is not currently a collective, regional response to e-bike safety issues. Kaasch-Buerger relayed three main components to address: challenges with enforcement, consistent safety messaging and education, and collecting incident data.
One of the possible strategies suggested was to employ RFTA’s existing free helmet distribution program. Other suggestions included outreach campaigns, updating signage and expanding education programs within schools. “There are resources that each of us have that we can contribute to this cause,” Kaasch-Buerger said.
Council approved the official formation of the e-bike safety group. Town staff intend to invite representatives from Carbondale and Glenwood Springs to the next meeting in hopes of a regional approach.
Chief Munch
Town Hall swelled with visitors to Tuesday’s meeting to observe the appointment of Lieutenant Aaron Munch as Basalt’s new chief of police. Friends, family and members of the police department heartily applauded once Munch was sworn in by Mayor David Knight.
Munch succeeds former Police Chief Greg Knott, who retired after 13 years of service. Munch joined the department in 2014, and has worked in the field of law enforcement for more than 25 years.
“Chief Munch’s tenure and excellent rapport with his colleagues and the community makes him the perfect fit for this position,” wrote Kaasch-Buerger in a press release. “He has the experience, integrity and vision to lead the Basalt Police Department into its next chapter.”
Munch was also presented with a commemorative golden clock by his colleagues as a token of appreciation for his dedication to serve.
“I want to say thank you to everyone here for having the confidence in me,” Munch said, “most importantly my family.”
Midland design guidelines
Representatives of GMSHAY Architects presented a draft of the new Midland Avenue District Design Guidelines.
After the completion of the Midland Avenue Streetscape Project, the council approved a services agreement with GMSHAY to establish architectural design guidelines as a proactive tool to help preserve the area’s existing character when developing in the future.
In the past eight months, the consultant team engaged with the public through two open houses to inform a draft. The document creates guidelines both for new construction and the restoration of existing historic buildings. It also designates essential “contributing” buildings which exemplify various 1800s and 1900s architectural styles, such as the Colorado Midland Depot where Alpine Bank is today and the Railroad Hotel which houses Tempranillo.
The document comprehensively covers standards, from window and door proportions to encouraged and prohibited materials for exterior siding. It also allows for green certifications for sustainable development and restoration of existing buildings, which could, for instance, take the form of native-vegetation landscaping or rooftop solar arrays set back from the street so as not to disrupt façades.
The document does not replace zoning rules, but will act as an “overlay” to existing codes. Additionally, applicants can file for waivers for individual projects. Due to the size of the document and level of depth, council requested an additional meeting with GMSHAY to clarify how the document will be used before it is approved.