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Residents press county on linkage‑fee exemption and question Crested Butte South cell‑tower process
Summary
During unscheduled public comment on May 19, 2026, Scott Wagner asked for a linkage‑fee exemption citing 20 years of residency and a rejected application tied to a Morrison P.O. Box; Shamai Buckel criticized the process for an 85‑foot Crested Butte South cell tower as rushed and asked who has final decision authority; the Board clarified the Fire Protection District has jurisdiction over the tower decision.
Two unscheduled public commentators raised distinct concerns during the Gunnison County Board meeting on May 19.
Scott Wagner asked the Board to reconsider an exemption from a linkage fee applied to his building permit, saying he has lived in Gunnison County for 20 years and that his application was rejected based on listing a Morrison, Colorado P.O. Box. Wagner said he had attended the prior meeting and sought acknowledgment and a fair process. Chair Laura Puckett Daniels said the Board had been advised by County Attorney Hoyt at the prior meeting to limit responses but that staff would provide what follow‑up they could.
Shamai Buckel spoke about the proposed 85‑foot cell‑tower project near Crested Butte South. Buckel said many community members felt the process had moved quickly and lacked sufficient evaluation of alternative locations, and she asked for clarity on who has final decision authority. The Board responded that the Crested Butte Fire Protection District is a special district with its own elected board and authority granted by state law; therefore, the County does not have authority to override the Fire District’s decision on the tower siting.
Neither public comment resulted in an immediate change to a county action in the minutes; the Board indicated it would follow up where it could regarding the linkage‑fee question and clarified jurisdictional limits on the tower decision during the public comment exchange.
