Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Code Rewrite topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Basalt planning commission reviews 50% draft of sweeping land-use code rewrite
Summary
Consultants from Design Workshop presented a 50% draft of Basalt’s land-use code rewrite, outlining chapter reorganizations, a new conditional-use category, and policy tools aimed at producing an estimated 500 affordable/attainable housing units; commissioners questioned wording on transit connections, ADU incentives and parking reductions.
Design Workshop consultants on March 3 presented the Planning and Zoning Commission with a 50% draft of Basalt’s comprehensive land‑use code rewrite, laying out structural changes, new policy concepts and a schedule that leads to a 90% draft and further public engagement before a final draft in spring/summer 2026.
"We're really excited to be with you all to run through the progress on the code update," said Jessica Garrow, principal at Design Workshop, who led the presentation. Garrow and consultant Christian described the rewrite as a reorganization into distinct chapters: annexations (new chapter 14), zoning districts (chapter 15), a consolidated development standards chapter (16) and existing subdivision rules remaining in chapter 17. The consultants said the goal is clearer navigation with consolidated definitions, graphics to explain measurement and stronger process sections so applicants and staff can find review procedures and notice requirements in one place.
The consultants tied the rewrite to the town’s 2020 master plan, emphasizing housing goals. "One of the goals is producing 500 units of affordable and attainable housing," Garrow said, and the draft includes a toolkit and proposed funding approaches aimed at mitigating displacement.
Key policy changes highlighted in the 50% draft include a new conditional‑use category (decided by P&Z rather than automatically routed to council), relocation of some uses (for example, certain medical or natural‑medicine uses), consolidated environmental‑hazard standards, and an expedited/consolidated review pathway for projects that deliver 100% affordable housing (noted to align with Prop 123 fast‑track incentives). The draft also sets criteria for potential parking reductions (up to 25%) tied to transit proximity, shared parking, multimodal facilities and transportation‑demand management.
Staff and consultants emphasized that the 50% draft is formative. Garrow told commissioners the team will refine wording, add flowcharts and graphics in a 90% draft and bring options for conditional‑use thresholds and formula‑business definitions for further input. The consultants asked the commission for specific guidance on definitions, how strictly to tie code language to the master plan, and whether to include administrative approval thresholds for small parking or PUD adjustments.
The commission will have an opportunity to comment again as the team refines the draft; staff said a council work session is scheduled next week and the 90% draft will reflect the commission’s feedback. A public‑engagement plan that can include open houses and website materials will follow.
The meeting adjourned after routine staff updates and a motion to adjourn passed without a recorded roll‑call vote.
