This week, Basalt Town Council convened to discuss — and approve — the much-revised sketch plan for the Black Mountain development on Emma Road.
Though not an item of discussion during the night’s meeting, the Town of Basalt posted news for residents of, and visitors to, historic downtown Basalt. On Monday, March 4, construction crews will be mobilizing equipment to resume Phase II of the Midland Avenue Streetscape Project.
Last construction season saw the replacement of existing water and sewer lines. This year will see the installation of underground utilities, such as storm drains and electric infrastructure, as well as an above-ground facelift. At the end of Phase II, Midland Avenue will sport fresh paving, new amenities (like bike racks and benches) and wider sidewalks at the cost of parking spaces. Until then, the temporary asphalt paved during the winter will be torn up, and visitors can expect more machinery, less parking and flaggers on Midland through the end of the year.
Black Mountain
Town hall was once again a full house for the Jadwin/Black Mountain development’s continued public hearing. This development proposal for the nine-acre lot at 431 Emma Road has seen continuous changes since being brought to council last fall, originally containing over 70 housing units, short-term rental cabins, a riverside park and glamping pads.
The plan was most recently discussed at a public hearing on Jan. 23, at which the applicants stated their intention to increase the proportion of deed-restricted units to 50%, exceeding the Town’s requirement of 30% minimum. The remaining 50% of units will be available exclusively for those who work at businesses and nonprofits located within the Valley. Additionally, per recommendations from the Roaring Fork Conservancy, a developed park/fishing area on the shore of the Roaring Fork River was nixed in favor of preserving the riparian ecosystem on the property.
Following comments and questions from the council on Jan. 23, the Black Mountain team returned with more revisions to the plan. The period for which non-deed restricted units will be reserved for Roaring Fork Valley employees (referred to as the First Tracks Program) has been increased to 90 days. Per council’s request, all eight glamping pads have been removed. The total residential unit count has also been reduced to 64, from 72, removing overall site density and also helping to reduce traffic — one of the council’s primary concerns.
The applicant also performed a traffic analysis to re-evaluate daily vehicle trips after these new changes, which shows a 29% reduction in projected daily trips as well as a 39% to 65% reduction of trips during peak morning and afternoon hours.
Regarding concerns from the council about accessibility to the site by emergency services, the applicant’s engineer drafted design improvements to the Emma Road/Highway 82 intersection, which were sent to and approved by the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Currently, the plan still features three main areas: the 64 housing units, an open space and 12 short-term rental “river cabins,” stated by the applicant to be a critical component for the financial success of the project, which also enables the 50% proportion of deed-restricted housing. Additionally, the site will feature a full-time manager for whom on-site housing will be provided.
During a busy period for public comment, most comments were in favor of Black Mountain’s current plan. Many of those who voiced their support were business owners and representatives of public organizations, such as the Roaring Fork Fire Rescue Authority and the Basalt Public Schools, arguing that any housing either affordable or held specifically for their workers is a huge boon and a rare opportunity. Two residents of Emma Road did, however, voice additional concerns about traffic density.
Councilor David Knight argued that although the First Tracks Program may work in the short-term to provide housing for Basalt locals, a priority for locals should exist in perpetuity. Council more generally asked for a closer look at the Emma/82 intersection, with traffic remaining a primary concern.
While Councilor Elyse Hottel abstained, the Town Council unanimously approved the development’s sketch plan review, meaning that the development will now be entering its preliminary planning phase.