Basalt & Development in 2015
2015 promises to be another action-packed year for development planning in downtown Basalt. Town officials say last year was about “setting the base.” Now, things may start taking shape.
Town officials and community members have been envisioning what may be built on about thirteen public and private acres downtown. Last month, a committee charged with coming up with ideas presented its findings to Town Council.
Now the elected leaders will consider next steps. Town Manager Mike Scanlon says there’s a lot to go over.
“What do we want to do in terms of formalizing all this work that was done in 2014, into a planning district? Do we want to go to a form-based code for the downtown area? Do we just want to establish a special downtown area district? And then, how do we start taking some of those public pieces and work on them? So, getting the parks to a standard and a quality that we would expect.”
Already, a development group has shown interest in building on 2.3 acres downtown. Lowe Enterprises told town officials it envisions building a boutique hotel and some residential units.
Fees Could Increase for Vail Pass Winter Rec Area
The U.S. Forest Service is proposing to raise fees for those using the Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area. The area covers 55,000 acres. More than 100 miles of trails are used by cross-country skiers and snowmobilers.
The current fees to use the area are $6 a day and $40 for a season pass. The fees haven’t been raised for a decade and the Forest Service says the increase is needed to cover the cost of operation to pay for things like trail grooming and visitor information. The proposed new fee is $9 a day and $100 for a season pass. The Forest Service is taking public comment via email and phone.
Colorado Gets Child Abuse Hotline
On New Year’s Day, Governor Hickenlooper’s office launched a statewide child abuse hotline. The hotline may help with a rising number of child abuse and neglect referrals in Pitkin County.
The hotline is the latest in a series of efforts to help improve child welfare in Colorado and improve the delivery of such services.
In addition to the statewide hotline, there’s a local, Pitkin County phone number, ensuring the call will be received. Pitkin County has seen a dramatic rise in the number of abuse and neglect cases. In 2008, the county had 60. Last year, it dealt with 250 referrals.
Director of Health and Human Services Nan Sundeen says it’s because Pitkin County added Basalt and El Jebel to its service area and law enforcement is referring every domestic abuse case where children are present.
“There’s a lot of domestic violence in our community and we’re working pretty rigorously to support families in understanding how domestic violence impacts children.”
In addition to the new hotline, the County will launch a website next month aimed at stopping domestic violence, particularly around children.
State Asks Feds for Right to Research Non-Federal Pot
The State of Colorado is asking Washington to give them the OK for colleges to grow marijuana for research purposes. The Denver Post reports the state attorney general's office sent a letter recently to federal health and education officials asking for permission to obtain pot from non-federal sources for research. The letter explains current scientific research into marijuana is not solid and part of it has to do with getting materials and the federal government should assist and cooperate in the endeavor. While marijuana is legal in Colorado, the plant still remains illegal under federal law. Only one federally approved research facility at the University of Mississippi is operational. While the facility is growing more marijuana for research, the state of Colorado’s letter says it’s not keeping pace with the kinds of products available in Colorado’s retail market.
