You can count on The Sopris Sun to point out when it makes a mistake, and we let a doozy slip by last week. The Oct. 29 Basalt Report in The Sun incorrectly stated that the proposed storage-residential facility at 555 Basalt Avenue was approved by Basalt Town Council during its regular meeting on Oct. 27. It was not. The second reading was continued to Tuesday, Nov. 10, on a 5-2 vote from council.
“No approval or denial occurred on Oct. 27,” Town Planner James Lindt reiterated in an email to The Sun.
Based on the council’s review and feedback, the applicant reduced its proposed number of units, which now sits at 42 residential units (down from 48) and 42 “storage/light industrial business spaces” (down from 54 commercial spaces), according to Lindt. Twelve of the residential spaces would be considered “live/work” units. The current application also includes two community-serving commercial units.
A proposed amendment to the town’s Master Plan was also discussed and continued to Nov. 10. The amendment “would remove the ‘existing land use designation’ from the property to permit redevelopment of the site,” Lindt continued. The lot is currently zoned as industrial.
The application has been reviewed extensively by council in 2026, including during its March 24, April 28, May 12, May 26, June 9, June 23, July 14, Aug. 11 and Aug. 25 meetings.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval if the applicant increased the amount of affordable housing from its original proposal, which it has, increasing the deed-restricted housing to include nine price-capped units and 18 primary-resident units, according to Lindt. The applicant also proposed to fund a down-payment assistance program for three of the deed-restricted units and to sell the two commercial spaces at 80% of market value.
At the Oct. 27 meeting, Mayor David Knight and Councilor Greg Shaffran supported a motion to deny the amendment to the Master Plan, which failed by 5-2. The same five councilors who denied that motion voted to continue the public hearing regarding the amendment to the Master plan. A second motion was also passed (5-2 as well) to continue the hearing for Ordinance 18-26, which, if passed in conjunction with the Master Plan amendment, would pave the way for the development. The continuance to Nov. 10 was meant to give staff time to address additional amendments and conditions with the applicant.
Opposition and support are split among the public as well, with several members of the community, particularly from nearby neighborhoods, encouraging the council to deny the project.
The Sopris Sun apologizes for the mistake and appreciates the opportunity to correct the record. Coverage of the Nov. 10 meeting will be included in the Nov. 12 issue of the paper.