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Mayor hopefuls voice opinions: Part 3 of 6

Karl Herchenroeder
The Aspen Times

Aspen Mayor Steve Skadron and former Councilman Torre will compete for the mayor’s seat in the May 5 election. This is part three in a six-part series with the candidates. (Read part one and part two.)

Today’s question: Where do you stand on Referendum 1 and why?

Steve Skadron



Opposed. I understand the sentiment behind the referendum. My concern is the manner in which we govern ourselves. Buildings like the (Aspen) Art Museum and that thing next to Little Annie’s more or less result from:

– Infill legislation passed in 2002




– A porous land use code

– Inconsistencies between our land-use code and the community plan

– A failed attempt to initiate a moratorium triggering a “development rush”

Torre

It seems a shame that it has come to this citizen action, but we still have a land use code that doesn’t reflect our community values. It allows for the arbitrary negotiations that trade away public requirements in exchange for profitability. This continually squeezes out local business. I will vote “yes” on Referendum 1. It fully allows council to make the changes to design guidelines and land use codes to give the community and developers clarity and assurity. It also still allows variances to be requested, considered and potentially approved by council and the community. The Ordinance 9 recently passed by this council limits the ability to even hear a proposal for what might be a community beneficial project. We need a forward thinking code that ensures for local business, local residents and continues Aspen’s dynamic built environment.

herk@aspentimes.com