Community Vision for the Aspen Area

AACP Meeting tonight

2011-05-10T09:20:00.001-07:00

The P&Zs will be discussing 100% mitigation, economy/moderate lodging, and the guiding/regulatory nature of the plan at their meeting tonight. 4:30pm in Council chambers. The packet is available at: http://www.aspencommunityvision.com/page_51

Comment on the draft AACP

2011-04-18T15:30:00.001-07:00

Do you have questions about the AACP? Have comments about the draft? Post them here!

Special work session scheduled

2011-04-15T15:27:00.000-07:00

The P&Zs have scheduled a special work session on April 19th to review the AACP process. This meeting starts at 4pm in the Plaza 1 meeting room. no packet is available for this meeting.

P&Z meeting continued

2011-04-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

A meeting of the joint city-county Planning and Zoning Commissions to discuss the draft Aspen Area Community Plan was originally scheduled for this evening. Due to a lack of quorum, this meeting is being continued to April 26^th at 4:30pm in the Sister Cities meeting room. The next AACP meetings are scheduled for:

April 26: P&Z to review re-drafted document. 4:30 - 7:30, in Sister Cities.

May 10: P&Z to review re-drafted document. 4:30 - 7:30, in Council Chambers.

May 24: P&Z to review re-drafted document. 4:30 - 7:30, in Sister Cities.

A copy of the packet all meetings future meetings will be available on-line at www.aspencommunityvision.com.

We want to thank you all for your participation in the AACP process. If you haven’t had an opportunity to read the revised draft of the 2011 AACP, you can get a copy online at www.aspencommunityvision.com, or from the Community Development Department. You can comment by attending an upcoming P&Z meeting, sending an email to aspencommunityvision@gmail.com, replying to this email, or posting your comments on the AACP blog or on Facebook. Both can be accessed on the Adoption page at www.aspencommunityvision.com.

Revised document released!

2011-03-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

The revised draft of the Aspen Area Community Plan has been released. You can pick up a copy in the Community Development Department, or download it www.AspenCommunityVision.com.

A complete schedule of the P&Z review is available on our website as well. The first P&Z meeting is on April 12th at 4:30pm.

P&Zs editing draft AACP

2011-02-07T10:59:00.000-08:00

Since the clicker sessions last November the Planning and Zoning Commissions along with City and County Staff have been working on edits to the document. The feedback received at the Small Group meetings and Clicker Sessions are being used to update and edit the document. Check out the latest changes on our website.

Updated version of the following sections are available:

Introduction
Environmental Stewardship (formerly Environmental Quality)
The Lifelong Aspenite (formerly Planning for the Lifelong Aspenite)
Historic Preservation
The Aspen Idea (formerly Sustaining the Aspen Idea)

Thanks to our survey participants

2011-01-28T10:51:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who filled out and returned the random AACP Survey. We received 566 responses, which is an excellent response rate! Preliminary Results of the survey will be available in mid-February. Stay tuned to the website for details!

Thanks to all the Clicker Session Participants!

2010-11-30T10:49:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who participated at the recent clicker sessions at the Wheeler. The results of the meetings are available on our website www.aspencommunityvision.com.

Environmenral Quality small group meeting

2010-10-20T16:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the city and county hosted a small group meeting on the Environmental Quality chapter in the Aspen Area Community Plan. Some highlights from the discussion include:

Make sure regulatory barriers to installing solar panels and other alternative energy methods are eliminated.
Strive for aggressive goals around reducing our energy consumption.
Educate the public on the Noxious Weed Act and strictly enforce it in the UGB.

Check out all the comments at: www.aspencommunityvision.com and leave your comments here.

Parks, Recreation, Open Space & trails Small Group Meeting

2010-10-20T15:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the city and county hosted a small group meeting on the Parks, Recreation, Open Space, & Trails chapter in the Aspen Area Community Plan. Some highlights from the discussion include:

Promote bikes as a form of transportation in the winter.
Ensure there is adequate funding for trails, parks, recreation, and open space.
Ensuring recreation facilities are affordable is a priority

Check out all the comments at: www.aspencommunityvision.com and leave your comments here.

2010-10-19T09:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the city and county hosted a small group meeting on the Managing Growth & Economic Sustainability Chapter in the Aspen Area Community Plan. Some highlights include:

Any pacing system should be carefully explored before implemented. Some felt a better construction management system was the way to go, while others felt a full construction pacing system was needed.
House sizes should not be reduced in the City or County.
Explore diversification of our economy - we can't just be based on tourism. Look to green industries, etc.

Check out all the comments at: www.aspencommunityvision.com.

If you'd like to make additional comments, please comment here, or come to our next meeting on Managing Growth on Thursday October 21st from 12 - 1:30 in Sister Cities.

Small Group Meeting on Transportation

2010-10-19T09:11:00.001-07:00

Last week, the city and county hosted a small group meeting on the Transportation chapter in the Aspen Area Community Plan. Some highlights include:

Explore an aerial connection as part of our transportation system.
Provide amenities in buses and at bus stations to help increase bus usage.
Ensure we are getting good, reliable data for transportation decisions.

Check out all the comments at: www.aspencommunityvision.com.

Small Group Meeting on Historic Preservation and the Aspen Idea

2010-10-14T08:42:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, the city and county hosted a small group meeting on the Historic Preservation and Aspen Idea Chapters in the Aspen Area Community Plan. Some highlights include:

Ensure we are engaging the entire community is Aspen's Story.
Historic Preservation should consider open spaces and landscapes, not just buildings.
The public sector should be a leader in Historic Preservation and should lead by example.

Check out all the comments at: www.aspencommunityvision.com.

Small Group Meetings Begin with Lifelong Aspenite Chapter

2010-10-13T14:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the City and County held the first of 11 small group meetings on the update to the Aspen Area Community Plan. This meeting focused on the "Planning for a Lifelong Aspenite" chapter.

Some highlights from the discussion include:

The plan should include regional solutions to health and human service gaps.
There needs to be more clarification on what services are provided by the government, and what is provided by the community at large.
The regulatory obstacles to personal agriculture, composting, greenhouses, etc should be eliminated.
Clearly define the terms used, including: "at-risk," "access," and "comprehensive."

If you have comments about the chapter, please post them here. The full comments can be found on-line at www.AspenCommunityVision.com.

Preliminary draft AACP released!

2010-09-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

The preliminary draft of the joint City-County 2010 Aspen Area Community Plan (AACP) was released today, and is available for review at www.aspencommunityvision.com.

The initial public feedback phase of the 2010 AACP was held from October 2008 through February 2009, and included focus groups, a community survey, a blog, a Facebook page and instant voting sessions. This feedback was used by the joint City and County Planning and Zoning Commissions as the preliminary draft was generated.

The preliminary draft of the 2010 AACP includes nine chapters, each of which features a Vision Statement, Philosophy, Policies and Action Items. The chapters are: Planning for a Lifelong Aspenite, Historic Preservation, Sustaining the Aspen Idea, Transportation, Managing Growth & Economic Sustainability, West of Castle Creek Corridor, Environmental Quality, Parks, Recreation, Open Space & Trails and Housing.

The public will have several opportunities to provide feedback on the preliminary draft, including a series of Small Group Meetings, starting on October 12 and running through October 22. The public is invited to attend as many of these brown bag lunches and evening meetings as they would like. More information on these meetings is available at www.aspencommunityvision.com.

AACP Process wins THIRD Award!

2010-03-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

The AACP public involvement process won it's third award -- this time from the National American Planning Association!

We were recognized by the Small Town & Rural Planning Division for "Outstanding Planning Initiative." The award is given to one outstanding initiative or program in public education, workshops, ordinances, or enforcement that promotes planning in small towns and rural areas.

The award will be presented at the National Planning Conference in New Orleans on April 12th.

Find out more about the National American Planning Association and the Small Town & Rural Planing Division.

Historic Preservation Draft Complete

2010-03-15T08:23:00.001-07:00

The joint Planning and Zoning Commissions completed their review of the draft Historic Preservation Chapter last week. Look on our website for the draft document. Next up...Transportation.

Contact Jessica Garrow at jessica.garrow@ci.aspen.co.us for more information.

AACP Process wins SECOND award!

2010-03-02T15:48:00.000-08:00

The 3CMA (City-County Communications & Marketing Association) recognized the AACP public process in their recent awards. We were recognized with a "3CMA Award of Excellence" in the Citizen Participation and Community Visioning category. Thanks to everyone who participated in the process to make it a success!

The City and County P&Zs are working on the draft plan now. Want to get involved? Check out our website, stay tuned to update shows on grassroots, and comment on our blog!

Historic Preservation

2010-02-19T15:22:00.000-08:00

Our next meetings are on Historic Preservation. Come join us!

February 23rd, 4:30pm - 7:30pm in Sister Cities (Philosophy discussion)
March 9th, 4:30pm - 7:30pm in Rio Grande (Review of first draft chapter)

Contact Jessica Garrow at jessica.garrow@ci.aspen.co.us for more information!

Community Workforce Housing Chapter

2010-02-18T15:13:00.000-08:00

The City and County P&Zs have completed their review of the Community Workforce Housing chapter (formerly called Housing). Visit our website for the draft.

P&Z members Marcella Larsen (county), Mirte Mallory (county), Jim de Francia (city), and Jasmine Tygre (city) will be taping a Grassroots show on the chapter in the next week weeks. Stay tuned for more details!

Housing Chapter

2010-02-11T15:07:00.000-08:00

The P&Zs are beginning work on the Housing Chapter. One of the first discussions the group was answering the question, "Who is affordable housing for?" They used the results from the community keypad sessions in the discussion - those results showed that the community is split on who housing is for. Is it for our "workforce" or should it be used to promote "community?"

After a lively discussion, the P&Zs determined that affordable housing should be for our workforce and our community in general. The group agreed that calling it "Community Workforce Housing" was most appropriate.

Stay tuned for more information on the chapter! The next meeting on Housing is on February 23, 2010.

Managing Growth & Economic Sustainability

2010-02-01T16:15:00.000-08:00

The City and County P&Zs have completed their review of the Managing Growth & Economic Sustainability chapters. Check out their draft on our website.

P&Z members Jack Johnson (county), Cliff Weiss (City), and Stan Gibbs (City) participated in a taping on Grassroots that outlines what is included in the chapter. Be sure to check the show out on Grassroots!

Colorado Planners recognize the AACP Process!

2009-10-16T16:10:00.000-07:00

The state division of the American Planning Association (link) recognized the Aspen Area Community Plan public process at their state conference in Estes Park. We won in the category of Community Engagement. The selection committee was impressed with the extent of public feedback mechanisms and with the number of people who gave input. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Residential Build-Out

2009-09-24T13:35:00.000-07:00

City staff have completed a Residential build-out study to supplement the information in the State of the Aspen Area. Check it out on the website.

Other interesting data is available on our website's Adoption Data page. We'll update this page as we do more research for all the chapter.

Update on Process

2009-08-15T15:24:00.000-07:00

The City and County P&Zs are begging their work on Managing Growth and Economic Sustainability. Stay tuned to our website, www.aspencommunityvision.com, for more details on meetings and discussions.

Housing

2009-06-08T09:01:00.000-07:00

Please post any comments you have regarding the Housing topic here.

Revised Environmental Quality Goal Statements and Action Items

2009-05-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

There are 9 Revised Goal Statements for the Environmental Quality Chapter. Each Goal has a series of Action Items associated with it. This post lists all the goals. The posts below it include each Goal and it's associated Action Items. The Goals are numbered, and the Action Items are lettered.

1. Overall: The Aspen Area will be a state, national, and global leader in environmental quality. This includes investing in renewable energy production and influencing national policy to reduce emissions.

2. Overall: The City and County should provide continued public education and awareness on environmental quality efforts and issues in the Aspen Area.

3. Stormwater: Reduce the amount of urban pollutants in the Roaring Fork River.

4. Water: Ensure consistent water levels (minimum stream flows) in the Roaring Fork River.

5. Recycling: Reduce the amount of waste produced in the Aspen Area.

6. Air: Improve the overall air quality in the Aspen Area.

7. Development: Ensure the Aspen Area has environmentally responsible development.

8. Energy: Reduce the carbon footprint of the Aspen Area.

9. Weed Management: Ensure proper resource management on all land in the Aspen Area.

Environmental Quality - Goals 1 & 2 with Action Items

2009-05-28T10:48:00.001-07:00

1.Overall: The Aspen Area will be a state, national, and global leader in environmental quality. This includes investing in renewable energy production and influencing national policy to reduce emissions.
a.The City and County should demonstrate leadership in the area of environmental stewardship through improvements and/or retrofitting existing public buildings with renewable energy sources, efficiency improvements, and stormwater best management practices.
b. The City and County should influence other energy providers in the area to provide more renewable energy instead of coal powered energy.
c. Pursue collaboration among governments, businesses and non-profits that enable the Aspen Area to become a center for innovation in green design, energy efficiency, renewable energy technologies and national environmental policies.
d. The City and County should adopt and refine a strategic plan(s) related to Environmental Quality. The strategic plan should address ways to improve water quality and quantity, minimize the impacts of stormwater runoff in the Roaring Fork River, improve air quality, minimize the carbon footprint of the Aspen Area, and ensure all development in the Aspen Area is done as environmentally friendly as possible.

2.Overall: The City and County should provide continued public education and awareness on environmental quality efforts and issues in the Aspen Area.

Environmental Quality - Goal 3 with Action Items

2009-05-28T10:47:00.002-07:00

3. Stormwater: Reduce the amount of urban pollutants in the Roaring Fork River.
a. Conduct master planning of the City’s subwatersheds and install regional stormwater treatment facilities to capture and treat runoff, beginning with the most heavily developed areas.
b. Consider the environmental impacts of impervious areas and create standards or incentives for reducing impervious areas in the Aspen Area.
c. Reduce runoff from impervious areas
d. Treat runoff before it enters the Roaring Fork River
e. Reduce the number of pollutants/potential for pollutants in the river.
f. Amend the City and County Land Use Codes to ensure proper site drainage for all development.

Environmental Quality - Goal 4 with Action Items

2009-05-28T10:47:00.001-07:00

4. Water: Ensure consistent water levels (minimum stream flows) in the Roaring Fork River.
a. Develop a reliable methodology for dedication of water rights for instream flow purposes.
b. Increase mitigation efforts to offset the detrimental effects of river diversions for that stretch of the Roaring Fork River between Stillwater and the confluence with Maroon Creek.
c. Improve the water quality of the Roaring Fork River as it is impacted by various return flows and storm drainage systems throughout the Aspen Area.

Environmental Quality - Goal 5 with Action Items

2009-05-28T10:45:00.002-07:00

5. Recycling: Reduce the amount of waste produced in the Aspen Area.
a. Increase the amount of recycling and effectiveness of recycling, including diverting most construction and organic waste from the landfill.
b. Implement programs to significantly increase recycling and reduce waste. Aspen’s recycling rate should meet or exceed the national average because all businesses and residents will recycle whenever possible. All residents and businesses should have recycling pick up of at least the 4 basic commodities (office paper, comingled, magazines/newspaper, and cardboard) and use this service.
c. Ensure adequate facilities exist in the City and County to accommodate increased recycling.
d. The City and County should collaborate to develop system for food waste pick up and a permanent food waste compost operation at the landfill.
e. All events in the Aspen Area should meet the zero waste and low impact requirements established by the ZGreen Program.

Environmental Quality - Goal 6 with Action Items

2009-05-28T10:45:00.001-07:00

6. Air: Improve the overall air quality in the Aspen Area.
a. Improve air quality such that there is no wintertime brown cloud, no PM-10 levels over 50, and 98% of days have PM-10 levels below 35.
b. Begin addressing ozone levels in the Aspen Area, including improving tracking of ozone levels.
c. Improve public education and awareness of toxic pollutants, such as pesticides, so their use will be decreased.

Environmental Quality - Goal 7 with Action Items

2009-05-28T10:44:00.002-07:00

7. Development: Ensure the Aspen Area has environmentally responsible development.
a. Require all construction in the Aspen Area go through an “environmental review” prior to receiving a building permit. Create minimum environmental standards that apply to all development in the Aspen area.
b. Expand the residential and commercial REMP programs to cover all development, including inside and outside structures.
c. Coordinate the Land Use and Building Codes to allow and encourage the use of on-site renewable energy systems, like photovoltaics.
d. Explore the idea of reducing the ability to pay a fee (cash-in-lieu) instead of providing on-site mitigation for environmental requirements.
e. Require the deconstruction of buildings, rather than the demolition of buildings in order to increase the amount of construction and development materials that are recycled.
f. Explore opportunities to create incentives in the building process for using the Pitkin County landfill. This could include giving discounted access to the Pitkin County Landfill, coordinating landfill/building permit fees when a building is deconstructed instead of demolished, or prioritizing building permit review based on the amount of construction and development waste that is recycled.
g. Explore opportunities in the state to recycle construction and development waste that cannot be accommodated at the Pitkin County landfill, including the possibility to recycling sheet rock at the plant in Gypsum.

Environmental Quality - Goal 8 with Action Items

2009-05-28T10:44:00.001-07:00

8. Energy: Reduce the carbon footprint of the Aspen Area.
a. Energy from the City Utility will be from 100% renewable sources.
b. Reduce the community-wide carbon footprint by 30% from 2004 levels through increased use of renewable energy combined with energy efficiency in the public and private sectors.
c. Reduce electricity and natural gas usage in the urban growth boundary by 15% from 2004 levels.
d. The City and County will provide Aspen area residents (full and part-time) with voluntary ways to reduce their personal carbon footprints by 30% from 2004 levels.
e. Explore reducing energy use in our existing building stock by creating a “Clean Energy Financing District” that would allow government bonding of residential and commercial energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. This “loan” would be attached to the building’s property tax assessment to be paid back over time.
f. Explore the creation of a “Construction Carbon Mitigation Program” to address the energy impacts from the construction and operation of new buildings within the Aspen Area.

Environmental Quality - Goal 9 with Action Items

2009-05-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

9. Weed Management: Ensure proper resource management on all land in the Aspen Area.
a. Educate the public on specific techniques to limit the spread of invasive noxious weed species.
b. Explore opportunities to partner with other governments, business, educational facilities, and non-profits in the Roaring Fork Valley to address proper resource management.
c. Continue policies that enable partnerships and cost sharing between government and property owners.

Revised Aspen Idea Goal Statements

2009-05-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

Aspen Idea Revised Goal Statements

Goal Statements

1. A sustained cultivation of the arts and culture is a core element of the Aspen Area’s identity -- enriching the quality of life for the Aspen community, reinforcing its national and international profile and diversifying its arts and culture economy.

2. Through collaboration, local non-profit groups and businesses can illustrate how they are honoring and carrying forward the Aspen Idea through dramatically improved outreach to those who live, work, play or visit in the Aspen Area.

3. As mind, body and spirit are fully integrated parts of a whole and balanced person, local non-profits and businesses have an opportunity to integrate their offerings together to reflect the Aspen Idea. This approach can rebuild local enthusiasm for the Aspen Idea, provide common ground to reduce unintended stratification in the community and diversify our visitor base.

4. Aspen at its best represents a place of education, personal improvement and new experience.

5. The future potential expansion or development of arts and cultural facilities should:
• Provide multi-purpose space for the Aspen Area community;
• Integrate the wide range of people who live, work and play in the Aspen Area;
• Reach outside the facility and into the public realm, making art and culture visible in the community;
• Facilitate meaningful and affordable local participation and local talent;
• Emphasize reuseable materials and renewable energy;
• Collaborate with other non-profit groups to broaden the purpose of public space;
• Maintain high quality facilities.

6. Sustaining the Aspen Idea should be a goal that is shared by local governments as well as a wide range of local organizations. Public-private partnerships can lead to a myriad of opportunities that could strengthen the Aspen Idea.

Aspen Idea Revised Action items

2009-05-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

Aspen Idea Revised Action items

Action Items
1. Local non-profit organizations should explore reconvening a local Council on the Arts to promote collaboration and mutual support between arts and cultural organizations. The mission of such a Council on the Arts could include methods to better integrate the wide range of people who live, visit and play in the Aspen Area, to establish a more powerful web-based “information outreach and clearinghouse,” to explore shared housing opportunities for visiting artists and other mutually beneficial purposes.

2. Local non-profits and businesses should explore integrating their offerings into a package of activities and experiences that reflect the balance of mind, body and spirit, clearly carrying forward the unique heritage of the Aspen Idea.

3. Explore options for the housing of visiting artists to assist local non-profit organizations in their effort to produce special events. Options include an ADU database available to non-profit groups.

4. Propose amendments to the City Land Use Code to include standards to ensure that community needs with respect to Arts, Cultural and Educational facilities are addressed when facility expansion and/or development is proposed. Future expansion or development of Arts, Cultural and Educational facilities should:
• Provide multi-purpose space for the Aspen Area community;
• Integrate the wide range of people who live, work and play in the Aspen Area;
• Reach outside the facility and into the public realm, making art and culture visible in the community;
• Facilitate meaningful and affordable local participation and local talent;
• Emphasize reuseable materials and renewable energy;
• Collaborate with other non-profit groups to broaden the purpose of public space;
• Maintain high quality facilities.

Updated Review Schedule for the Aspen Area Community Plan

2009-04-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

The City and County Planning and Zoning Commissions are currently reviewing the draft Aspen Area Community Plan. Their packets are available on our website www.aspencommunityvision.com. The revised schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, April 7: Review Adoption Scheduling and Process Discussion of Growth, 4:30PM in Sister Cities

Tuesday, April 28: Aspen Idea, 5:00PM in Sister Cities

Tuesday, May 12: Environmental Quality, 5:00PM in Plaza 1

Tuesday, May 26: Lifelong Aspenite, 4:30PM in Sister Cities

Tuesday, June 2: Housing, 4:30PM in Sister Cities

Tuesday, June 23: Housing, 4:30PM in Sister Cities

Tuesday, July 7: Economy, 4:30PM in Sister Cities

Tuesday, July 14: Economy, 5:00PM in Plaza 1

Tuesday, August 11: Historic Preservation, 5:00PM in Plaza 1

Tuesday August 25: Aspen Airport Business Center, 4:30PM in Sister Cities

Tuesday, September 1: Transportation, 4:30PM in Sister Cities

Tuesday, September 22: Transportation, 4:30PM in Sister Cities

Tuesday, October 6 (tentative): Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails, 4:30PM in Sister Cities

Tuesday, October 20 (tentative): Managing Growth, 4:30PM in Sister Cities

Tuesday, November, Date TBD: Managing Growth

November, Date TBD: Public Check-in on draft, Open House, Clicker meeting, etc.

December 2009/January 2010: Adoption

Check back here, or on the website for scheduling updates

Community Vision for the Aspen Area Available

2009-02-20T12:38:00.000-08:00

A first-draft of the Community Vision for the Aspen Area is now available at www.aspencommunityvision.com. On the site you will see that the document is divided into two sections: The Executive Summary, and the Community Vision for the Aspen Area.

Please feel free to use this blog to submit any comments and suggestions you may have as you read the document.

Large Group Meeting Questions

2009-02-02T15:11:00.000-08:00

Recently, more than 450 people participated in large group meetings on January 27 and 31, using instant voting "clickers" to register their position on more than 70 questions covering 10 topics. The results are available at www.aspencommunityvision.com.

The questions were derived from a series of small group meetings held in October and November, attended by 174 adults and almost 40 high school students from Karen Greene's civic class. The small group meetings were not intended to produce a consensus, but to express a range of goals and visions to be evaluated at the large group meetings.

Below, you will find all of the questions asked at these large community meetings. They are arranged by topic:

Demographic/Warm-up Questions
Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trail
Environmental Quality
Housing
Economics
Historic Preservation
Managing Growth
Sustaining the Aspen Idea
Planning for the Lifelong Aspenite
AABC
Transportation

Please, feel free to answer the questions by leaving a comment after each topic.

Demographic/Warm-up Questions

2009-02-02T15:07:00.000-08:00

Question 1
Where do you live?
1. “Innie” – inside of the Roundabout
2. “Outie” – outside of the Roundabout as far as the Airport/AABC
3. “Far Outie” – I live past the Airport/AABC

Question 2
I am:
1. Male
2. Female

Question 3
I am:
1. Under 20
2. 20-24
3. 25-34
4. 35-44
5. 45-54
6. 55-64
7. 65-74
8. 75+

Question 4
I live in:
1. Aspen – Full Time
2. Aspen – Part Time
3. Pitkin County – Full Time
4. Pitkin County – Part Time
5. Snowmass Village
6. Basalt/Carbondale/Glenwood Springs
7. Other

Question 5
I’ve lived in the Roaring Fork Valley for:
1. 3 years or less
2. 3-5 years
3. 6-10 years
4. 11-20 years
5. 21 or more

Question 6
What does “sense of community” mean to you?
(Select up to three)
1. People look you in the eyes and say “hi” on the street, in the post office.
2. A small town where people live and work together and respect each other.
3. I enjoy the community of families centered around local schools.
4. Not needing to lock your house or car, feeling safe in my everyday life.
5. People are involved though volunteerism or in other ways.
6. People from all walks of life share my values.
7. There are special “locals places” where I enjoy hanging out and seeing people I know.

Question 7
Which of the following do you think is missing in the Aspen area community? (Select up to three)
1. People look you in the eyes and say “hi” on the street, in the post office.
2. A small town where people live and work together and respect each other.
3. I enjoy the community of families centered around local schools.
4. Not needing to lock your house or car, feeling safe in my everyday life.
5. People are involved though volunteerism or in other ways.
6. People from all walks of life share my values.
7. There are special “locals places” where I enjoy hanging out and seeing people I know.

Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails

2009-02-02T15:05:00.000-08:00

Question 1
What are two aspects of open space that are most important to you? (Select two)
1. Passive recreation (i.e. picnicking)
2. Trails
3. Bio-Diversity/wildlife preservation
4. Natural beauty
5. It defines the edge of town
6. Creates access to public lands
7. Other, my choice isn’t here

Question 2
What are two aspects of parks that are most important to you? (Select two)
1. Active recreation (i.e. ballfields, organized sports)
2. Trails
3. Bio-Diversity (i.e. urban wetlands)
4. Place to take my dog
5. Relief from urban feel
6. Special Events (i.e. Ruggerfest, Food and Wine)
7. Other, my choice isn’t here

Question 3
In terms of purchasing land, which of the following is your top priority? (Select one)
1. Trails
2. Open Space
3. Playing fields
4. Neighborhood parks
5. We’ve bought enough
6. Other, my choice isn’t here

Question 4
In terms of Aspen’s recreation facilities, which of the following statements best reflects your opinion? (Select one)
1. I’m satisfied with the existing facilities and range of recreational options. We can work with what we have.
2. We need to focus on the expansion and creation of new recreation facilities to meet future needs.

Question 5
If the City were to expand its recreation facilities, which of the following would you be MOST excited about? (Select one)
1. Indoor Tennis
2. Expanded fitness facility
3. Multi-use gymnasium (basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, etc.)
4. Expanded climbing facilities
5. None of the above, this isn’t important to me
6. Other, my choice isn’t here

Environmental Quality

2009-02-02T15:03:00.000-08:00

Question 1
If you only had enough funds to work on improving one of the following, which would you focus on? (Select one)
1. Air Quality
2. River Water Quality
3. Development of New Renewable Energies (i.e. solar power, geo-thermal, etc.)
4. Recycling
5. Energy Conservation

Question 2
Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley should diversify the economy to become a center for innovation in green design, energy efficiency, renewable technologies, and national environmental policies. (Select one)
1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Disagree
4. Strongly disagree
5. I don’t know enough about this to have an opinion
6. This does not matter to me

Question 3
In order to improve the environment, I would support the following government actions: (Select up to three)
1. Mandatory recycling
2. Higher taxes to support environmental initiatives
3. Limit the number of special events to reduce driving and air travel
4. Limit the amount I can expand my home
5. Build UP instead of OUT
6. Require development to meet stricter environmental standards
7. I’m not willing to support any of these actions

Question 4
In order to improve the water quality of the Roaring Fork River, I am willing to support the following: (Select up to two)
1. Fewer surface parking spaces
2. Limiting the size of my home (i.e. smaller building footprint)
3. Limiting future commercial development (i.e. smaller building footprint)
4. Converting some areas of neighborhood parks to wetlands
5. Less sanding of streets in winter
6. Less washing of streets in summer
7. All of the above
8. None of the above

Housing

2009-02-02T14:52:00.000-08:00

Question 1
In terms of affordable housing, what does “quality” mean to you? (Select up to three)
1. Energy efficient appliances
2. Units with more living space than the average affordable housing unit
3. Attractive exterior design
4. High quality interior finishes
5. Basic amenities, such as storage
6. Place to park my car
7. Not hearing my neighbor sneeze
8. Durable Materials

Question 2
Which of the following statements do you agree with the most, regarding future affordable housing development? (Select one)
1. We should spend the money needed to design quality units.
2. We should spend the money to house as many people as possible.

Question 3
Which of the following statements do you agree with the most? (Select one)
1. We should use our housing program to create a balanced community, with a range of incomes and ages.
2. We should use our housing program to respond primarily to the workforce demand.

Question 4
Given that there are limited resources, which statement do you agree with more? (Select one)
1. Working residents should be able to retire in their affordable housing units.
2. We need the housing for young families and young people.

Question 5
A ranking system that favors essential employees (such as teachers, firefighters, nurses, police etc.) over other kinds of employees should be created for public affordable housing. (Select one)
1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Disagree
4. Strongly disagree
5. I don’t know enough about this to have an opinion
6. This does not matter to me

Question6
Which of the following statements do you agree with the most? (Select one)
1. Future affordable housing should be in the town side of the S-curves.
2. I support affordable housing outside of the S-curves, up to and including the Aspen Airport Business Center.
3. I support both 1 and 2. It should be built anywhere in the Aspen area.
4. We don’t need any additional affordable housing.

Economics

2009-02-02T14:48:00.000-08:00

Question 1
If the downtown is the place where first-time visitors form their impression of the City’s identity – are you generally satisfied with the feeling that is created by our mix of retail stores? (This is not about the visual aesthetics of the downtown.) (Select one)
1. Very Satisfied, I wouldn’t change a thing
2. Satisfied, it’s OK with me
3. Not satisfied, I don’t like the impression we make
4. Totally unsatisfied, I’m embarrassed when friends visit for the first time

Question 2
Aspen needs more small shops with unique local merchandise and fewer high-end shops. (Select one)
1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Disagree
4. Strongly disagree
5. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
6. This does not matter to me

Question 3
I believe the escalating price of land and rents in the downtown area poses a threat to essential businesses that provide day-to-day necessities, such as pharmacy, gas, dry cleaning, pet store, convenience store, etc. I think … (Select one)
1. This is not a real problem.
2. It’s a problem, but the local business community should solve it.
3. Local government should continue to explore this issue.
4. Local government should make it a top priority.
5. I don’t know enough to have an opinion.
6. This does not matter to me.

Question 4
Considering that there are retail options down valley, on the internet, and in Denver, I am satisfied with the retail options in the Aspen area (Select one)
1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Disagree
4. Strongly disagree
5. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
6. This does not matter to me

Question 5
We should encourage the creation of gathering places and businesses that cater to younger generations to enjoy the downtown, including nightlife.
(Select one)
1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Disagree
4. Strongly disagree
5. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
6. This does not matter to me

Question 6
Let’s talk about price of lodging. Which statement do you agree with most? (Select one)
1. This is a world class resort, so we should focus on deluxe accommodations.
2. We need to focus on inexpensive lodges that provide a place for the next generation of ski bums to discover Aspen.
3. I don’t think prices are a problem.

Question 7
If a lodge can’t be both small and affordable, which statement do you agree with the most? (Select one)
1. We should try to preserve small lodges with unique character, even if they are expensive.
2. We should encourage less expensive lodging, even if the buildings need to be larger.

Historic Preservation

2009-02-02T14:47:00.000-08:00

Question 1
Historic preservation is important to me (Select one)
1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Disagree
4. Strongly disagree
5. I don’t know enough to have an opinion

Question 2
Historic preservation is vital to Aspen as a community, and as a taxpayer I would be willing to support it through a new dedicated public fund. (Select one)
1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Disagree
4. Strongly disagree
5. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
6. This does not matter to me

Question 3
In order to illustrate Aspen’s history, I think it is important to preserve structures from Aspen’s Post-War history, such as European chalets, and modernism. (Select one)
1. Yes, it’s important for our history.
2. Yes, but only the most superb buildings.
3. No, I’m not convinced yet.
4. No, we’ve preserved enough.
5. I don’t know enough to have an opinion.
6. This does not matter to me.

Question 4
In terms of the interiors of historic publicly accessible buildings, which best describes your position: (Select one)
1. I believe that interiors that truly reflect the time period they were built should be designated.
2. I do not believe the City should be in the business of designating the inside of buildings, even if they are publicly accessible. Exterior preservation is good enough.

Managing Growth

2009-02-02T14:33:00.000-08:00

Question 1
Do you think there are too many people in Aspen? (Select one)
1. Yes
2. Sometimes, but I can live with it
3. No

Question 2
Should there be an annual limit on the number of homes that are demolished and replaced? (Select one)
1. Yes
2. No
3. I don’t know enough to have an opinion

Question 3
With regard to the growing trend of demolishing and replacing existing homes, what concerns you the most?
(Select one)
1. It doesn’t really bother me
2. The greater size of the new homes
3. The waste of environmental resources
4. The pace and overall construction impacts
5. The fact that many are converted from local’s housing to 2nd homes
6. I don’t know enough to have an opinion

Question 4
For Aspen neighborhoods, like the West End and Cemetery Lane, which statement do you agree with the most?
(Select one)
1. Our residential neighborhoods are seeing larger houses that don’t reflect my vision for the Aspen Area.
2. I agree that homes are getting larger and our neighborhoods are changing, but they are evolving in a way that I can live with.
3. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
4. This does not matter to me

Question 5
For the surrounding county neighborhoods, like Red Mountain and Mountain Valley, which statement do you agree with the most? (Select one)
1. Our residential neighborhoods are seeing larger houses that don’t reflect my vision for the Aspen Area.
2. I agree that homes are getting larger and our neighborhoods are changing, but they are evolving in a way that I can live with.
3. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
4. This does not matter to me

Question 6
Regardless of the pace of growth or the type of growth (assuming there will be some growth in the future) where should growth occur? (Select up to three)
1. The core commercial areas – from the river to the mountain.
2. The neighborhoods surrounding the core commercial areas.
3. The traditional lodging area – base of the mountain.
4. The Buttermilk/AABC area.
5. Downvalley from the airport.
6. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
7. This does not matter to me

Question 7
Which statement do you agree with the most?
(Select one)
1. We need to grow and redevelop to reach my vision for the community.
2. We can reach my community vision by changing the uses of existing buildings rather than building additional structures.
3. When we grow and redevelop, we get further away from my community vision.

Question 8
I would place the most growth restrictions on the following kinds of development:
(Select up to four)
1. Free market housing
2. Affordable housing
3. Larger lodging units
4. Smaller lodging units
5. Tourist-oriented retail space
6. Day-to-day retail services (basics, essentials)
7. Office space
8. Public/Institutional
9. Arts and cultural facilities
10. Let the market decide

Question 9
I would place the fewest restrictions on the following kinds of development: (Select up to four)
1. Free market housing
2. Affordable housing
3. Larger lodging units
4. Smaller lodging units
5. Tourist-oriented retail space
6. Day-to-day retail services (basics, essentials)
7. Office space
8. Public/Institutional
9. Arts and cultural facilities
10. Let the market decide

Question 10
Some like the idea of more people living in affordable housing in the downtown area, and some like to see more businesses that serve year-round residents. If I had to choose between them, I’d prefer to see the most space set aside for: (Select one)
1. Affordable housing
2. Businesses that serve year-round residents
3. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
4. This does not matter to me

Question 11
I believe that if there is more affordable housing in the Aspen area … (Select one)
1. The free market will provide more businesses that serve year-round residents.
2. It doesn’t matter. High rents make it difficult to open businesses that serve local residents.
3. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
4. This does not matter to me

Planning for the Lifelong Aspenite

2009-02-02T13:51:00.000-08:00

Question 1
Working residents should have a reasonable expectation to retire here with affordable and accessible
support services. (Select one)
1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Disagree
4. Strongly disagree
5. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
6. This does not matter to me

Question 2
In terms of long-term senior care, which statement do you most agree with?
(Select one)
1. Seniors can find a way to take care of themselves privately in their own home.
2. We should focus on public services, like nutrition, transportation, and home care services.
3. We should focus on building additional long-term senior housing facilities in town.
4. We can rely on other communities to provide long-term living facilities for seniors.

Question 3
In terms of educational opportunities at CMC, which statement most closely represents your opinion? (Select one)
1. CMC provides comprehensive continuing education opportunities.
2. I’d like to see CMC provide a broader range of classes in order to meet my needs.
3. CMC doesn’t meet all my needs, but other cultural and educational programs do.
4. I don’t know enough to have an opinion.
5. This issue is not important to me.

Question 4
I am most satisfied with the quality of the following in Aspen’s schools: (Select up to two)
1. Educational performance
2. Facilities
3. Faculty
4. Sports programs
5. Support services
6. Transportation program
7. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
8. This does not matter to me

Question 5
If there are limited resources for child care, what would you focus on?
1. New facilities to increase capacity
2. Additional subsidies for lower income families
3. Higher quality child care programs
4. Increased staff support to reduce turn over
5. Stipend to allow a parent to stay at home
6. I don’t know enough about this issue
7. This issue doesn’t matter to me

Question 6
How would you prioritize subsidies to users of the waiting list for publicly subsidized Aspen child care facilities in Aspen? (Rank up to Three)
1. People who live in Aspen
2. People who commute to work in Aspen
3. First on the list, first served
4. Lowest income served first
5. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
6. This issue is not important to me

Question 7
In terms of health care services available in the Aspen area, which most closely represents your opinion? (Select one)
1. All health care services should be available and affordable in the Aspen area, including specialized services.
2. Services in the most demand should be in the
Aspen area, but specialized services can be
offered regionally.
3. I don’t know enough to have an opinion.
4. This issue is not important to me.

Question 8
Knowing there are limited resources, what should be our top priority?
(Select up to two)
1. Substance Abuse
2. Mental Health
3. Youth and Family Services
4. Senior Support Services
5. Access to Low Cost Health Care
6. Access to Low Cost Legal Aid
7. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
8. This issue is not important to me

Question 9
People who don’t live in Aspen, including our commuting workforce, part time residents, and tourists, are a vital part of our community. (Select one)
1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Disagree
4. Strongly disagree

Sustaining the Aspen Idea

2009-02-02T13:45:00.000-08:00

Question 1
Could you explain the Aspen Idea to someone who has never heard of it before? (Select one)
1. Yes
2. No
3. Kind Of

Question 2
When it comes to nurturing Mind, Body, Spirit, where has our community as a whole been most successful? (Select one)
1. Mind
2. Body
3. Spirit

Question 3
When it comes to nurturing Mind, Body, Spirit, I think the area that needs the most work in today’s Aspen is: (Select one)
1. Mind
2. Body
3. Spirit

Question 4
The Aspen Idea is: (Select one)
1. Lost in today’s society
2. Alive and well in Aspen
3. No longer what it used to be but still there
4. A John Denver song

Question 5
I would participate in arts and culture events more, if… (Select up to two)
1. They didn’t cost so much
2. I didn’t have to volunteer to attend
3. Locations were more convenient
4. Times were more convenient
5. I didn’t have to work so much
6. There weren’t a language/cultural barrier
7. The events were more relevant to me
8. It didn’t feel elitist
9. I participate, this is not an issue for me

Aspen Airport Business Center (AABC)

2009-02-02T13:20:00.000-08:00

Question 1
In 20 years, the Airport Business Center (AABC) should have: (Select one)
1. A focus on residential development
2. A balance of residential and
commercial/office/light industrial
3. A focus on commercial/office/light industrial
4. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
5. This does not matter to me

Question 2
What level of growth are you willing to see along the Highway 82 corridor between the roundabout and the airport if there are no substantial improvements to today’s transportation system?
1. Much more than exists today
2. A little bit more than exists today
3. About the same rate as today
4. There should be no new growth in this area
5. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
6. This does not matter to me

Question 3
What level of growth are you willing to see along the Highway 82 corridor between the roundabout and the airport if there are substantial improvements to today’s transportation system?
1. Much more than exists today
2. A little bit more than exists today
3. About the same rate as today
4. There should be no new growth in this area
5. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
6. This does not matter to me

Question 4
What level of growth are you willing to see along the Highway 82 corridor between the roundabout and the airport if there are no substantial improvements to today’s transportation system? (Select one)
1. Much more than exists today
2. A little bit more than exists today
3. About the same rate as today
4. There should be no new growth in this area
5. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
6. This does not matter to me

Question 5
What level of growth are you willing to see along the Highway 82 corridor between the roundabout and the airport if there are substantial improvements to today’s transportation system? (Select one)
1. Much more than exists today
2. A little bit more than exists today
3. About the same rate as today
4. There should be no new growth in this area
5. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
6. This does not matter to me

Question 6
An increased number of lodging units should be built in the area between the Airport/AABC and the roundabout to provide more lodging options in the Aspen Area.
(Select one)
1. Strongly agree
2. Agree
3. Disagree
4. Strongly disagree
5. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
6. This does not matter to me

Question 7
Most of the AABC is one to two stories in height. Are you willing to accept one additional story at the AABC? (Select one)
1. Yes
2. No
3. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
4. This does not matter to me

Question 8
The public can currently access government services for both the City of Aspen and Pitkin County in Downtown Aspen. In terms of the location of government services, which statement do you agree with the most? (Select one)
1. Pitkin County government services should remain in the downtown as they have been historically.
2. Pitkin County government services should be located outside of Aspen in the AABC area to serve the county wide population.
3. I don’t know enough to have an opinion.

Transportation

2009-02-02T12:33:00.000-08:00

Question 1
Given all the improvements that have been completed, what is your feeling about the transportation system?
(Select one)
1. We’ve done a lot. Let’s wait a while to see how everything works.
2. We can’t afford to wait around. Let’s move on to the next step.
3. I don’t know enough to have an opinion.

Question 2
Considering limited resources, local transit agencies should focus time, energy, and funds on which of the following: (Select one)
1. Transit service that accommodates people who typically don’t use the bus system such as contractors, families, dog owners, etc.
2. Transit service that gets the most people on the bus the most efficiently.

Question 3
Other than single occupancy vehicles, what user groups should we focus on to reduce traffic problems? (Select up to two)
1. School system
2. Large private employers
3. Tourists
4. Construction workers
5. Dog owners

Question 4
What do you think is the greatest physical contributor to “traffic problems” in the Aspen area? (Select one)
1. Not enough park and rides
2. S-curves
3. Roadway capacity (not enough vehicle lanes on Highway 82)
4. Not enough pedestrian/ bike connections
5. Lack of in-town parking
6. Lack of dedicated transit lanes from roundabout to 7th & Main.
7. Too much in-town parking

Question 5
Should we continue to limit traffic on Hwy 82 at the Castle Creek Bridge to 1993 levels? (Select one)
1. Yes, I support this goal
2. No, we need to limit traffic further
3. No, we need to stop limiting traffic
4. I don’t know enough to have an opinion
5. This doesn’t matter to me

Question 6
Aside from increased and improved transit services, how would you improve the operation of our transportation system? (Select up to three)
1. Expand paid parking
2. Traffic light timing and coordination
3. Car-share (a group using a pool of shared cars)
4. Financial incentives to businesses or individuals to encourage alternative transportation
5. Allow High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) to use new bus lanes
6. Additional or expanded Park and Rides
7. Increased carpooling or vanpooling

Question 7
In terms of parking, which scenario would you prefer? (Select one)
1. Parking should be limited in town with mass transit being the main option for getting into and around town.
2. There should be more parking available in town.

Remember Your Name!

2008-11-17T10:42:00.000-08:00

Thanks for visiting the blog for the Community Vision for the Aspen Area. Please remember to leave your name when you are posting comments. Thanks, and enjoy the blog!

Welcome

2008-11-12T12:14:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the City of Aspen and Pitkin County blog for the update to the Aspen Area Community Plan. This blog is intended to give you an opportunity to provide feedback on the issues and ideas that are part of the updated Community Plan. The posts are based on the topics that will be in the updated plan, and you are able to leave comments regarding each of our posts.

All the comments will be part of the citizen input record, and will help inform the questions and conversation at our large group meetings in 2009. Sorry, but anonymous posts are not accepted.

To leave a comment, simply click on the "comment" link at the bottom of the post and type in your comment. You will be asked to identify yourself. If you have a google account you can use that to leave a comment, otherwise pick the "Name/URL" option and just leave your name.

Thanks, and enjoy the blog!

Sustaining the Aspen Idea

2008-11-12T12:12:00.001-08:00

Imagine it is 2018. You have been the Grand Poobah of Arts & Culture for 10 years. Walk me through the arts and cultural life of Aspen. Have you built on the legacy of the Aspen Idea? Why? Is this important to tourists or locals or both? Why?

Sustaining the Aspen Idea

2008-11-12T12:10:00.001-08:00

Have you been concerned about catering to different groups i.e. young, old, tourist, local, ethnic groups? If not, why not? If so, why? How?

Environmental Quality

2008-11-12T12:08:00.002-08:00

Imagine it is 10 years from today. You have been Prime Minister of the Environment for 10 years. What have you accomplished? What partners have you worked with to achieve your goals? Have you tried to make Aspen a national or international model? Has that worked? What are you most proud of?

Aspen Airport Business Center

2008-11-12T12:08:00.001-08:00

Imagine it is 2018. You have been in charge of everything that happens in the Aspen Airport Business Center for 10 years. What is the “identity” of this neighborhood today? Is it a satellite of Aspen or more like a small town? Why?

Aspen Airport Business Center

2008-11-12T12:07:00.002-08:00

Describe the “identity” of the Aspen Airport Business Center neighborhood today, stretching from Burlingame and Buttermilk to the North 40. Does it feel like a satellite of Aspen, made up of businesses and institutional uses that just didn’t fit in the City of Aspen, or does it feel more like a small town with all the services a small town should have?

Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails

2008-11-12T12:07:00.001-08:00

Imagine it is 2020. You have been the Parks, Recreation Open Space and Trails Czar for 10 years. You are floating high above town in a transparent bubble, taking some friends on a tour to brag about your accomplishments. What do you show them? What are you most proud of?

Historic Preservation

2008-11-12T12:06:00.001-08:00

Imagine it is 2022, the 75th Anniversary of the Aspen Idea. You are hired to design and run a tour using a solar-powered cart. Where do you go and what buildings do you show to help teach tourists about the Aspen Idea, the post-WWWII era and the beginning of the ski resort?

Historic Preservation

2008-11-12T12:05:00.000-08:00

Imagine that several old friends are coming to Aspen for the first time and you’re going to bring them on a tour. Where do you go? What buildings do you show them to give them a sense of Aspen’s identity?

Managing Growth

2008-11-12T12:04:00.000-08:00

Imagine it is 2018. You have been the Grand Poobah of Growth Management, with complete control of approving land use applications and handing out building permits in the Aspen area. What has been your biggest accomplishment? Have you set a tough limit on the number of building permits issued, to make sure construction impacts don’t denigrate the quality of life? Have you allowed the free market to do what it wants? Or somewhere in the middle?

Managing Growth

2008-11-12T12:01:00.000-08:00

Imagine it is 10 years from today. You have been in charge of managing growth in the Aspen for 10 years. You have decided how much new residential growth, how much new commercial growth, how much new lodging, how much affordable housing, what new essential public facilities have been built. What has happened under your tenure? Assuming there has been at least some growth, what kind of growth have you emphasized? Why?

Economy

2008-11-12T12:00:00.000-08:00

Imagine it is 10 years from now. You have been the Airline Czar for service into Aspen. What have you accomplished? What are you most proud of?

Economy

2008-11-12T11:59:00.002-08:00

Imagine it is 2018. You have been the Prime Minister of Lodging, with complete control of what you want to build or redevelop. Walk us through the lodging stock in Aspen. What do you see? What different types of lodging do we have? What kinds of people does it cater to?

Economy

2008-11-12T11:59:00.001-08:00

Imagine it is 10 years from today. You have been in charge of downtown Aspen for 10 years. You have done whatever you wanted, regardless of the landlords, the City or anyone else. Walk me through your new downtown Aspen. What do you see? Describe the buildings, the stores that are here, the parks, the people, the feeling. What has changed? What hasn’t changed? What are you most proud of?

Transportation

2008-11-12T11:57:00.000-08:00

Imagine it is 2018. You have been the Grand Poobah of Transportation for 10 years. What have you accomplished? What is different about getting into and out of Aspen today? What does the downtown feel like in terms of vehicles and traffic? What are you most proud of with regard to the transportation program?

Transportation

2008-11-12T11:53:00.000-08:00

Imagine it is 10 years from today. There have been great strides in the valley’s transit system. What does it look like? Is it buses or a rail system? Either way, assume you use the system regularly: Describe the experience of using this service. What has improved?

Housing

2008-11-11T15:41:00.001-08:00

Imagine it is 10 years from today. A new affordable housing complex has just been completed somewhere in the Aspen area. You think it’s terrific. We don’t need to know exactly where it is or how big it is, but walk us through this new little neighborhood. What is the mix of people who live there? How does it relate to the neighborhood around it? What makes it successful?

Housing

2008-11-11T15:40:00.000-08:00

Imagine it is 2018. You have been the Housing Czar for 10 years. What have you accomplished? What is different about the program today? What is the mix of people i.e. young, old, worker, retiree, ethnicity? What are you most proud of with regard to the housing program?