Dear Editor:

The city of Aspen clearly does not believe that the world exists outside of its boundary. How can they justify the change of use from the lumberyard to employee housing?

I believe that there is no land currently zoned in Pitkin County or the city of Aspen for the use of a lumberyard. So when they move, the closest the yard can locate is Basalt, but most likely farther down valley. With that in mind, think about the number of lumber trucks that will be added to Highway 82 and the number of contractors’ vehicles using the highway all day long in place of a quick trip to the Aspen Airport Business Center.

Not exactly fuel efficiency or green building, is it? Building costs are already out of control, and now those of us in the building trades will have to up our prices because of the delays in receiving supplies. Of course, City Hall’s attitude seems to be State Highway 82 ends at the Castle Creek bridge and the wealthy can afford more costs. After all, it’s only money and only people who live downvalley that will be impacted, and the people who live in the newly created housing can drive downvalley to work in the relocated lumberyard. Hail to the bureaucrat who sold otherwise intelligent people on this. One other thing to ponder: Why didn’t this transaction take place when the lumberyard was owned by BMC?

John Ostwald

Redstone