Aspen Planners Consider Mark Hunt Proposal on Lodging
Planning officials in Aspen are considering whether to allow certain exceptions for one of the development projects Mark Hunt is involved with. The Chicago businessman has purchased more than a dozen properties in town in recent years.
The project would be built on Main Street, where a Conoco gas station is now. Aspen’s planning and zoning commission is reviewing a laundry list of exceptions that Hunt is asking for. Aspen Senior planner Sara Adams says one is canceling what’s called impact fees.
“So that comes to a total of about $91,400, roughly, in impact fees.”
Hunt is also requesting a height increase, more than doubling the amount of floor space, eliminating the required two to three affordable housing units while leasing more than twenty parking spaces in the Rio Grande Parking Plaza rather than building more parking for guests.
The proposed building would be three stories tall with a gable roof and a rooftop deck. The rooms would be on the smaller side. Hunt has said the effort is to boost the affordable lodging in Aspen. Again, city planner Sara Adams
“First floor is retail, restaurant, lodge lobby. Second and third floor are all lodge rooms. You know a hundred and seventy to a hundred and eighty square feet, average size, bunk beds.”
In the basement there would be amenities like a bar and a Turkish steam bath. The proposal is goes before the Planning and Zoning Commission tonight. Members will decide what recommendations to make to City Council which will consider the proposal. Another Hunt development that’s very similar will be considered in January.
Basalt Lights Menorah
The Town of Basalt is holding its first-ever Menorah lighting tonight to celebrate Chanukah. The nine-foot tall Menorah will be installed next to Town Hall.
The Menorah installation was the idea of a local townsperson who approached town government and the Chamber of Commerce. Together the entities funded the Menorah and organized its travel from New Jersey, where it’s made, to Colorado.
Robin Waters is president of the Chamber. She says the interfaith lighting ceremony will celebrate the beginning of Chanukah.
“I get the goosebumps when I think about it. It’s such a lovely thing to be inclusive and share our holiday traditions.”
Rabbi David Segal of the Aspen Jewish Congregation will preside over the lighting ceremony which begins at 5:15. The Menorah will automatically light each night of Chanukah.
ACS Ranked in Top Colorado Schools
The Aspen Community School is one of the top-ranked schools in the state according to a new analysis. The charter school near Woody Creek is ranked 6th out of 500 middle schools.
The organization Colorado School Grades ranks nearly 2,000 public schools using data from the Colorado Department of Education and a formula that looks at academic achievement and growth and gaps in education.
Aspen High School scored a “B-plus” and Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale received a “C,” as did Glenwood Springs High School. Bridges High School in Carbondale had one of the lowest scores in the state.
Health Insurance Signup Effort in the Valley Continues
The first major deadline has passed for people buying health insurance for next year. Those purchasing coverage through the online exchange had until yesterday to get the best price and ensure coverage starting January 1st.
Pitkin, Eagle, and Garfield Counties have joined forces in trying to get more people. Megan Burch is overseeing that collaboration.
“Our health coverage guides have been very busy fielding phone calls, having fully scheduled appointments on their calendars, we’ve also done a number of open enrollment events to try to capture as many people as we can.”
The goal is making sure those folks have health insurance next month. For people who meant to sign up, but weren’t able to, Burch is encouraging them to call or make an appointment to at least get coverage starting February 1st.
Gay Youth Have Tougher Time in School
Students who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual face more challenges than students who identify as heterosexual according to a statewide survey of youth in Colorado.
Students who call themselves lesbian, gay, or bisexual are more likely to be bullied, attempt suicide, or be forced into sex. They’re also more likely to smoke cigarettes or marijuana, according to the 2013 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey. It found LGB teens are less likely to attempt suicide if they have someone to talk to, participate in extracurricular activities, or feel safe at school.
