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Basalt, Eagle County sign land use pact

Aspen Times Staff Report
Aspen, CO Colorado

BASALT ” Eagle County and the town of Basalt signed an agreement this week to coordinate land use reviews in areas of common concern to the two jurisdictions.

The coordinated approach had been discussed for years as a way to make sure development proposed in one jurisdiction didn’t have an adverse impact on the other jurisdiction. However, officials weren’t able to agree on a formal policy until now.

As part of the agreement, Eagle County agrees to follow the goals and intentions of the 2007 Basalt Master Plan when reviewing projects outside of but on the fringe of Basalt.



In return, Basalt will honor the goals and intentions of the 2005 Eagle County Comprehensive Plan when it reviews projects adjacent to county land or annexation requests.

The agreement will help guard against “jurisdiction shopping” ” where a development firm tries to gauge which government will give it a better deal or easier time.




One of the key elements of the agreement is assessing if urban-scale development is appropriate and consistent with sound land use planning while Eagle County completes an update on its Mid Valley Community Master Plan.

Another provision requires preservation and protection of sensitive areas and natural resources such as wildlife habitat.

Basalt already has a similar land use agreement in place with Pitkin County.