On July 21st there was a hearing to decide upon the Tree Farm Project in El Jebel. This project includes building 319 homes and 96,000 sq. ft. of commercial space along Hwy. 82 across from Willets. The Basalt town council pointed out the problems with building such a dense project. Basalt is concerned with having to supply schools, police protection and other services to this project which is in unincorporated Eagle County. They pointed out that there were already around 500 housing units approved in Basalt but not built – many of them across from the proposed project in Willets.
During the public comment period only around 13 people commented with around 10 being for the project and friends of Ace Lane, the Project Owner. Where was the public who will be impacted by the increased traffic, higher taxes, maybe devaluation of their homes as the market gets more flooded with cheap homes, fewer City Market parking spots, etc. ?
Two of the Eagle County Commissioners have taken sides – one for the other against. It looks like Sara Fisher will cast the deciding vote. She can be contacted at sara.fisher@eaglecounty.us . Don’t be lethargic voice your opposition to this project.
In Aspen, a cluster of weird, bizarre people really care about the issues, go to the meetings, and sometimes run for office.
There’s no analogy for that in Basalt or El Jebel and so things go by with little scrutiny.
Also, keep in mind that the horse is out of the barn with the development in Willits, and by comparison it seems Ace Lane is incremental.
And: people have to live somewhere. Where would you put them?
Best, Michael!
I would put them where there are jobs – Aspen, Glenwood Springs, etc. There is no planning for jobs for folks when the building boom is over. The main industry in this valley is construction, which is not sustainable. Commissioner Runyon suggested the project be an old age facility.
People could also live in the approximately 500 homes already approved by Basalt but not built, some of which are employee housing. The year old state of the art Basalt health center, which is in foreclosure, could be converted to low income apartments.
Currently there are lots of folks looking for jobs but very few looking for housing. There is lots of empty commercial space. I say lets wait 3 years and see if there is a demand for more housing currently there is not.
If one reviewed the plans for the Tree Farm, one would see that the units are small and according to the builder’s representative the 169 deed restricted units would be built below cost so you know they will be cheaply built. This is the recipe for a future slum.
Cathleen is right. There is already enough housing available. Have you seen all of the For Sale and For Rent signs and ads? People are losing their jobs and leaving the valley in droves.
So why do we need more housing?
Besides, we need to stop pandering to the developers at the expense of our community and the environment. Enough already!