Bidwell plan to get another look

ASPEN ” The Aspen City Council voted on Monday, by a margin of 3-2, to set aside an earlier denial of the Mountain Plaza Building development project, and agreed to take another look at the project.

The development plan, for a property long known as the “Bidwell Building” after its builder, the late Bert Bidwell, called for demolition of the existing 11,800 square-foot structure, construction of a taller, more massive building and subdivision of the site so it could be sold off to separate interests.

The council based its May 27 denial on an outcry from citizens, who spoke against the project, arguing its height, density and mass is too much for the popular downtown space.

But Monday, planner Mitch Haas argued successfully that the applicant was blind-sided by the vehemence of the opposition and that a new plan would be more to the liking of the community.

Mayor Mick Ireland and council member Jack Johnson voted against the motion to reconsider the application.

jcolson@aspentimes.com