Editor:
Like many others, I support the six-month emergency moratorium. Both residential construction and short-term rentals are on the rise. Give me a break! This is the chorus that’s being sounded all over town. Fundamental changes have been accelerated by the pandemic and associated real estate frenzy. Long-time residents often talk about moving. It’s extremely alarming, and it’s heartbreaking.
The Aspen Area Community Plan is the basis of government decisions. But, who has read, understood, and appreciated the AACP’s community values and goals?
We have approximately 1,000 construction sites and a population of around 7,000 people. Development accounts for about a third of our traffic. Some people can never have enough. Our community is reduced to a commodity in the new Aspen.
The AACP states that construction can harm the character of communities and the long-term sustainability tourism-based economies. We must coordinate amendments to both the city and county codes in order to manage the effects of construction. The purpose of managing the impacts of construction is to maintain our high standard of living by limiting traffic congestion, noise disturbances, dust, disruptions, air pollution, and the disruption of the visual or aesthetic character of our neighborhoods. This plan focuses on the management of the impacts of intense construction activity.
The document also mentions that while there are still potential areas for residential development, the primary source of future residential building will be redevelopment. It has been shown that residential redevelopment is a process that involves the demolition of existing homes and then replacing them with larger structures that are almost always built up to the maximum square footage. This has had many negative consequences for our community.
There are approximately 1,500 short-term rentals available in Aspen. These houses can be used as luxury hotels. STRs cause disruption in our neighborhoods and decrease rentals for residents. The AACP says that the Zoning and Land Use Processes should result in lodging development compatible with the neighborhood. This is to: Provide certainty in land development. Prioritize maintaining our mountain views. Protect our existing lodges. Protect the small-town community’s historic heritage and character. Limit energy consumption and building materials. Limit the burden on public infrastructure, and reduce ongoing public operating expenses. Short-term and long-term job creation impacts such as traffic congestion, and demand for affordable housing can be reduced.
The AACP’s Ecological Bill of Rights has these goals: To be free from excessive noise. The right to see the night skies without interference from artificial light due to growth, urbanization, and highway development. The right to be exposed to radioactive substances, toxic chemicals and other energy forms that are hazardous to your health at a minimum.
A healthy environment is essential for a healthy economy.
Erik Skarvan
Aspen
