Chaffee County holds planning commission candidate interviews; decisions expected in early February

Chaffee County commissioners interviewed multiple applicants for three openings on the county planning commission and said they expect to make appointments at the board’s first meeting in February.

Applicants interviewed included Alex Lunsford, who described civic and federal‑contracting experience and said he had read and advocated for the new land‑use code; he asked for clarification on rural open‑space incentives and conservation credits. Lunsford said he would rely on staff expertise and the county attorney when technical or legal questions arose and said he could generally meet the commission’s time expectations while traveling for work.

Other interviewees included candidates with prior planning‑oriented public‑service experience. One applicant who previously served on a municipal planning commission and council described the importance of being prepared and of site visits and said she supports the new code’s shift from discretionary to “shall” standards. Another candidate, a lifelong county resident and volunteer, said he wanted to ensure rural residents had a voice and described his experience with local boards and search-and-rescue operations.

Commissioners pressed candidates on handling public conflict and on how they would work with staff and the county attorney. Candidates repeatedly said they planned to defer to staff expertise on technical matters, to study the new land‑use code, and to favor in‑person participation for development hearings.

The board will continue interviews next week and said it plans to finalize appointments at its first February meeting.