Prior to the regular meeting, Council held a public work session for the preliminary planning of a new campus for Basalt’s Police Department and Public Works.
During the regular meeting, all seats were occupied, primarily by citizens looking to share their opinions on the Black Mountain housing project, while many others resorted to standing. Even beyond the conversation about the Black Mountain development, housing was a recurring topic throughout the night.
The Town has highlighted a lack of necessary operational space in both the Police Department and Public Works buildings and issues with insufficient/insecure parking. Additionally, both areas have been recognized as not being particularly welcoming spaces to the public.
Through 2024, Town Manager Ryan Mahoney stated that the planning team will primarily be searching for grant funding and, by the end of the year, a schematic design might be in the works, likely for one of two parcels of land at the intersection of Original Road and Highway 82.
Councilor Elyse Hottel recently met with the West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition and stated during the period for council comments that, while the presentations and the data gathered in the coalition’s research have yet to be released, the true numbers for how much it costs to purchase a home in the Valley is “shocking.”
Hottel also tearily said that she will not be retaining her seat on the council after this April’s general election, as there is simply not enough housing security for her to remain in her position for the next few years. “This has been an amazing experience,” Hottel said. “The townspeople of Basalt are wonderful people and I hope that you guys will continue to all work together in the spirit of camaraderie that we have been.”
In the manager’s report, Mahoney congratulated Finance Director Doug Pattison, as the Town recently received the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for Basalt’s annual finance report — the highest form of recognition in government accounting.
There was one presentation on the Midland Avenue Streetscape Project. Besides a two-day closure on Homestead Drive following this paper’s publication, work will pause until spring.
Black Mountain
Finally, the meeting reached the much-contested Black Mountain development from applicant Jadwin Park, LLC. This potential development would be located on nine acres at 431 Emma Road, just down the street from the Post Office and Basalt Library. Currently, the developer plans to construct 72 dwelling units, 12 short-term rental cabins and four “glamping pads” across the Roaring Fork River from the Rocky Mountain Institute, approximately.
Since its last hearing in October, Jadwin Park has adjusted its plan to increase the percentage of deed-restricted units from 35% (24 units) to 50% (36 units). This is much higher than Basalt’s standard requirement of 20% for affordable housing. In addition, the applicants have proposed that the non-deed-restricted units have purchase/rent priority for families and individuals living and working locally.
Reportedly, Jadwin Park, LLC has already met with 14 local civic and nonprofit groups to see if any would like to partner up to obtain housing for their employees.
Since October, the plan has also shifted to reduce visual as well as environmental impacts — planned community amenities like seating decks along the Roaring Fork River have been eliminated, due to recommendations from both the council and Roaring Fork Conservancy.
Furthermore, the applicant initially wished to purchase a parcel of land, referred to as the “dog leg,” adjacent to the primary parcel to dedicate to the Town in lieu of providing space for a childcare facility. However, this area is beyond the Town’s Urban Growth Boundary, so, instead, the applicant has proposed to provide $700k towards community benefits including childcare.
A full house of citizens lent their voices to the discussion, many of who argued that this development would endanger Basalt’s small-town charm and its environmental health. Still, many agreed that housing is the biggest issue the Valley faces, and the applicant’s move towards more affordable housing is a good one.
For now, the council has not taken action and instead directed additional questions for the developers, regarding phasing of housing availability, cost of deed-restricted units and more, to be answered at a public hearing scheduled for Feb. 13.