Mayors Minute

May Mayor's Minute

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Hello neighbors, Below are highlights from last month's Town Council and some upcoming topics for this week's meeting. As always, I hope you can join us for Thursday's meeting or consider sharing your feedback with us about any of these matters. April 25 Meeting:

  • Karen Guglielmone, Town of Telluride Public Works Environmental and Engineering Division Manager, presented an update on the Telluride Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Master Plan (TRWWTP) and key milestones for 2018 and 2019. We also discussed the potential costs and funding options to finance the TRWWTP Master Plan implementation through 2030.
  • Town Council resumed discussions and took a first vote to approve an ordinance that would implement a dismount zone in the Village Center plazas for bicycles and skateboards. Simply stated, the dismount zone would require cyclists to dismount and walk their bike across the plazas, an area equivalent to one city block, or cyclists can choose to continue riding using the designated bike bypass routes. The town has worked extensively with Telluride Ski Resort, local bike shops, and the Parks and Recreation team to craft a mapped plan with bike bypass and test-ride zones, which aims to balance the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, and merchants.We all are looking forward to the upcoming expansion of the Telluride Bike Park and access via Lift 4, so it is important to all involved that we plan for a successful and safe biking season. We appreciate the many community members who have taken the time to share their thoughts about the proposed changes. This month, Town Council will hold a public hearing and vote on second reading. If approved, the dismount zone will go into effect this summer.
  • Town Council heard an update about the status of the Market on the Plaza. Our summer farmer’s market runs Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Heritage Plaza, June 19 through August 29. The 2019 Market will be 25 percent larger than the 2018 Market, with a record 35 vendors. This summer there will be seven vendors with fresh produce and prepared and baked foods; face-painting and stories read by our friends at the Wilkinson Public Library; live music; and loads of local art, jewelry, clothing and other regional goods. We hope you’ll come out and support our local farmers and merchants.
  • Lastly, we appointed Council Member Natalie Binder to the Plaza Vending Committee and Dan Caton and Laila Benitez to the Business Development Advisory Committee.
If you would like more specifics about any of these topics, you can watch a video of last month’s meeting on the town’s website and March’s minutes will be posted online after they are approved at Thursday's meeting. May 16 Meeting: 
  • As part of our annual budgeting process, we will have a worksession to establish and refine the budget goals for projects, programs, and infrastructure in 2020. The Finance Committee and town staff will use this direction as they draft the 2020 budget.
  • We will hear on first reading and vote on an ordinance amending our Community Development Code (CDC) residential lighting regulations. These proposed changes are being considered to better balance our need for residential outdoor illumination that allows us to enjoy our homes while minimizing unintended negative impacts to neighbors and the surrounding community.
  • Town Council will also hold a worksession to consider a CDC amendment that clarifies the permitted uses of efficiency lodge units and adds the definition of “short-term accommodation”. These clarifications are being proposed to ensure that properties that were zoned to function as hotel rooms or “hot-beds,” are not used as a primary residence or as long-term rentals.
  • We will consider and vote on second reading a density transfer and rezone for the expansion area of Elkstone on Lot 600A. The proposed expansion area is located adjacent to Elk Pond, off Mountain Village Boulevard. If approved, the density would be increased by six person-equivalents.
  • Town Council will consider the appointments of one new member to the Design Review Board (DRB) to fill the seat recently vacated by Luke Trujillo. On behalf of the town, I want to thank Luke for his many years of service and commitment to Mountain Village.
  • Lastly, the Telluride Tourism Board, Colorado Flights Alliance, and Gondola Subcommittee will provide their quarterly reports.
A full packet and agenda have been posted on our website; we welcome your input and hope to see you at the meeting. Warm regards, Laila Benitez Mountain Village Mayor

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