Crystal Valley Echo readers may be familiar with DJ Sugar Monkey’s former synopses of Marble’s Board of Trustee meetings. The pen-named author has offered to add a Marble Report to The Sopris Sun’s robust mix of local government meetings coverage.
Those interested in the latest from Crystal were in for some answers during the Marble trustees meeting in early March. Two representatives from Treasure Mountain Ranch (TMR), Stuart Gillespie and Philip Supino, came along to solicit local support for their plans to develop the area. TMR owns a total of 700 acres in Crystal and its environs, encompassing three miles of river frontage, most of the buildings there and the jewel in its crown, the Crystal Mill, which attracts an astonishing 30,000 visitors annually.
Large sections of forest on Bear Mountain belonging to TMR, Gillespie reported, are unhealthy and overcrowded as a result of clearcutting from former mining days. He explained that this posed extreme fire risk and compromised habitat for wildlife. TMR has worked in conjunction with Colorado State Forest Service to develop a comprehensive forest management plan to include thinning and patch cutting operations. Using a combination of land exchanges and conservation easements, TMR plans to divest all but five acres of its holdings and establish a high-end community ranch for 20 owners, offering enviable summer recreation and catskiing opportunities.
It is envisaged that the community will provide seasonal employment for a dozen staff, and there are plans to create pools fed by mineral springs. The mill would go into a conservation trust and Forest Service Road 314 would remain open to the public. Funding would come from the proposed land exchange. Gillespie and Supino requested that the Board of Trustees and town residents write in support of the project to the Forest Service, Gunnison County commissioners and their congressional representatives.
A brief Q&A followed, in which concern was voiced over a proposed staging area for heavy equipment at the foot of Daniel’s Hill, and the issue of heavy tourist traffic on 314 came up. TMR insisted there are no plans to improve the road. Town Administrator Ron Leach agreed to draft a letter of support for the idea on behalf of the board.
Next on the agenda was a Dark Skies presentation from Jessa Young. A regular and cherished visitor to Marble hailing from Utah, Young has organized several stargazing walks over the last few years in collaboration with Mayor Pro Tem Larry Good. Her slideshow featured outdoor lighting tips and photos of photosensitive wildlife, including a Lunar Moth, one of nature’s most prolific pollinators. Trustee Dustin Wilkey quipped that perhaps it was time to unplug his bug zapper. Long-term Marble resident and night owl Tim Hunter voiced his support for the Dark Skies initiative, listing an impressive array of nocturnal creatures to be found on his riverside property.
Additionally, the adoption of the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code was discussed. Leach pointed out that the measure ran the risk of increasing building costs in town, and would have to be adopted by early July.
After an exceptionally dry winter, there is high anxiety over fire risk. Hunter confessed that he “had a bad feeling about this year,” adding that he intended to construct a “rain curtain” over his home. He warned residents “to think about what you’ve got to do to get the hell out of here quickly.”
The board agreed to stage a fire mitigation day on April 18. A chipper and a trailer or two will be made available for townsfolk to dispose of any dead debris on their property. The Town will focus on clearing congested public rights of way.
Then came the inevitable debate around a mixed-use corridor, an agenda item that has hung around like a lingering smell for at least the last several months. Wilkey led the charge with a brief presentation, recommending that all property lining the main drag through town be granted mixed-use (residential and commercial) zoning status. This, the board has argued, would protect the Town of Marble from legal action stemming from “subjective” spot zoning. The issue of use by right versus use by review would also need to be ironed out.
Trustee Amber McMahill highlighted the significant expense involved in getting up to (commercial) code. Mayor Ryan Vinciguerra added that Marble was a hard place to start a business. Good struck a more conciliatory tone, recognizing that four out of the five board members were all local business owners and proposed that the issue might be better decided at the ballot box.
It was agreed that Leach draft an ordinance on the matter in conjunction with the Town’s lawyer and let the county commissioners know by June if it is to be on the ballot in November.
The next Board of Trustees meeting will be held on Thursday, April 9 at 6pm.