Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Code Amendments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council initiates batch code amendments including sign rules and a fee deferral/waiver program
Summary
Council approved Policy Resolution 118 to begin amendments to the Aspen Land Use Code covering special review standards, residential signage rules, right‑of‑way sign removal to engineering oversight, and creation of a fee deferral/waiver program; staff will take each change through P&Z and ordinance readings.
The Aspen City Council voted Sept. 9 to adopt Policy Resolution 118 (Series of 2025), authorizing staff to proceed with four grouped code amendments to Title 26 (Aspen Land Use Code).
Haley Hart, long‑range planner, told council the package includes: revised review standards for special review to add clarity around hardship criteria; possible updates to residential sign rules to evaluate time, place and manner limits; relocation of two public‑property sign subsections into engineering oversight to align with CDOT and right‑of‑way responsibilities; and the creation of a fee deferral and/or waiver program modeled on existing programs for affordable housing and small lodge preservation.
Hart said each change will return to council through separate ordinances (first and second readings) and also be presented to Planning & Zoning and the Historic Preservation Commission as appropriate.
During the public hearing, Patrick Raleigh of Raleigh Design Planning spoke in support of fee relief and predictability for longtime locals facing construction costs, urging targeted reductions or waivers to help retention of residents who have lived in Aspen for decades.
Council moved and unanimously approved the resolution to initiate the code‑amendment process and directed staff to pursue appropriate P&Z and HPC review and public engagement where needed.
Staff will prepare individual ordinance texts and outreach plans if an amendment appears to require broader public engagement.
