Taylor: ‘Pillow count’ issues
The recent emphasis on Pitkin County managing and controlling growth through “pillow count” is as flawed as controlling auto traffic by adding more lanes to Highway 82.
I repeatedly see that the tourists’ traffic will be kept in check by available rooms, frequently citing the occupancy rate in the local hotels. What I have seen in practice is a “pillow count” that expands to accommodate all the people who show up … and in fact encourage more and more people to come.
My neighborhood has gone from having neighbors and rental houses with local employees to sitting empty much of the time, so they can house VRBO renters when needed. I no longer have neighbors — the housing is transient, like living surrounded by hotels but with fewer rules and more community destruction. A recent article quoted 45% of housing in Pitkin sits empty much of the year. The need for property management does not take a break, and the needed employees are unable to live anywhere close to these properties — they are commuting.
I have been involved with and aware of several permitted construction projects and have watched as existing properties add units and “caretaker” cabins to create more and more options for “pillow count.” The “caretaker” units are not limited to or even specified as long-term living units for caretakers. They could easily show up for short-term rental upon completion. I was told I wasn’t even allowed to ask about the plan for them.
The short term units near me may have been rated for a family of 4, and yet, the ads will state “room for 16.” So where is the “pillow count” here? The county says 4; VRBO says 16.
I know what I have witnessed. I have watched as the Board Of County Commissioners have approved additional residential units to existing properties with no restraints and no requirements for affordable housing, no rent caps, no requirement for long-term rental. No reason we haven’t just added more STR units to the ever growing “pillow count.”
The “pillow count” will grow to accommodate as many people as we can lure to the county in any way possible.
I’m sure SkiCo would like them to all come for ASPENX. I’m sure the developers are excited that we might get more retail. We haven’t gotten Chanel and Etro yet, there is room for more. (Nothing that helps the locals, though.)
The latest vote for the growth of the airport indicated that “growth will be controlled” by the “pillow count.” That’s rich. The “pillow count” is forever moving to accommodate the people who show up. The county is clueless about how many pillows we have now or will be available at any future time.
No one is managing overgrowth. We already have more than the infrastructure can handle.
Who will take a stand for current residents? It isn’t obvious.
Susan Taylor
Woody Creek
