This week: Armory, Growth, County Energy Code
What's happening...
(ACC - Aspen City Council, BOCC - Pitkin Board of County Commissioners)
🏛 Armory Supplies Food, Bars, Retail, Visitor Center with Face-lifted Facade
Council received an update on the Armory that was well documented in today's ADN article. The most recent programming looks similar to the uses in the Sundeck on Aspen Mountain - food, bar, gathering space, small retail, plus a visitor center. Council discussed the historic integrity of the proposed plans to modernize the historic building.
🔢 Accounting for Growth
Council will review the Growth Management Quota System (GMQS) and decide how much of the unused allotments to carry-forward. The staff memo sheds light on where growth in the community has occurred over the last 5 years.
There have been 6 free-market new residential allotments (greenfield development) granted in the last 5 years. Between the regular and 35+ year resident allotments, 28 demo allotments have been granted. This is redevelopment where there was an existing home. And finally, there have been 313 new affordable housing units approved over 5 years.
Objectively speaking, Free-Market Residential Units on land that's never been developed has all-but reached build-out, and the creation of new Affordable Housing is making progress relative to the ratio of overall Free-Market Residential Units, while redevelopment of tear down homes has been restricted through the Demo Allotment program.
Commercial square shows a similar story: Essentially Public Facility square footage created is outpacing new free-market Commercial and Lodging development.
This built environment growth is occurring as Aspen's local population over a decade period was minimal and perhaps is largely assignable to new affordable housing residents.
⚡️ County Getting Closer to 2030 Net Zero Goal
Following the BOCC's adoption of stricter energy codes last April that reduced outdoor energy to 200 Million BTUs, which essentially eliminated outdoor pools in the county, the BOCC will review another phase of increased energy code standards with different tiers of ratings, incentives, and mitigation fees based on home size. Staff is targeting the new code amendements to take effect in April if approved at first & second readings.
🏠 Good Deeds in Affordable Housing
The West Mountain Regional Housing Coalition provides an update to the COA on achieving success in it's first five months. With $2M in funding, the program has deed-restricted 8 homes with price caps including: 3 homes in Carbondale, 4 in Glenwood springs, 1 in Rifle. Among the residents, 4 out of 12 are workers in Aspen.
♻️ Construction & Demo Debris Diversion
The ACC has second reading today to approve an ordinance to increase the diversion of construction and demo waste from the landfill. At the last hearing, council asked for feedback on the impacts to the construction industry. Stakeholder feedback includes: 1) additional labor to separate building materials, 2) concerns for delayed building times due to slower demolition practices, 3) space constraints for onsite sorting.
📝 City Manager Contract Negotiations
After news of the Aspen City Manager being named as a finalist for a front range position, council has on its closed executive session agenda discussion and negotiations regarding City Manager review and contract.
✅ Council Goals
During Monday's work session, staff presented council's goals and focused on Customer-focused Government and Community Building and Health (Armory Redevelopment).
