Believing, Achieving, Succeeding for YOU!
If you are considering a move to Steamboat Springs, Colorado or the surrounding communities let me help you. We moved to Steamboat nine year ago from the Littleton area (near Denver, CO) when our kids were 3 & 5. We have loved every minute of being here. This is a great community to raise your family, build a business, and enjoy nature. We love that we are in a resort area with all the amenities, yet we have room to breath with all the wide open spaces. I am an advocate for my buyers and sellers. Its all about your dream and what you want. Call me and tell me what you hope to find and I will be happy to look for you. The internet is a great tool, but I can make your search much easier. Describe your dream home to me, and I can set you up on an automatic search that will peruse our MLS system daily for "just listed" properties that match your dream home parameters. The system will automatically send the home's description and pictures to your in-box. If you see something you like, then call or e-mail me, and I will find out more detail for you I will also preview the property for you and take additional pictures. Whatever you are looking for, I can help you find it.
Steamboat is a great town because we have a real sense of community here. I have never seen so many charitable golf tournaments and fund raisers (and love them all). We all seem to just help each other. Every time I go to the grocery store I see someone I know. Everybody looks after each others kids too. It’s a safe place to relax and really live. If you are considering a resort with world class skiing, an airport close by, schools of excellence, and a real hometown feel, consider Steamboat. We have something for everyone. Our average home prices are below similar resorts like Aspen, Telluride, Vail, and Jackson Hole. I also love to worship here. There are numerous church choices and plenty of Bible studies to join in. No matter what activity you love, you will find a friend who loves to do what you love to do. I hope you will consider Steamboat Springs if you are looking for a simpler, happier, calmer life style change. My life has been so blessed by being a part of this community.
I am happy to help - call or e-mail me... Thank you for your business. Please read my testimonials at www.SteamboatDream.com
Michelle Diehl, GRI
(970)846-1086
MichelleDiehl@comcast.net
To obtain information on any property in Routt County including Steamboat Springs, Hayden, Stagecoach, or the surrounding areas with Buyer Representation, contact
Michelle Diehl, GRI Broker Associate at Century 21 Ski Town Associates.
I am happy to help...
WEB: http://www.steamboatdream.com/
E-MAIL: MichelleDiehl@comcast.net
CELL:(970)846-1086
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Yacht Club & Backdoor Sports Buildings (not businesses) on Yampa Purchase
Whitewater Run development would transform river frontage
Currents of change on Yampa Street
By Tom Ross (Contact)
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Steamboat Springs — Principals in Riverfront Partners LLC have formally announced their purchase of the Yacht Club restaurant building and attached open space, plus the steel building on Yampa Street housing Backdoor Sports.
The intent is to refurbish and keep the Yacht Club operating as a restaurant. However, there are new development plans on the site.
“Approximately 20,000 square feet of the site will be redeveloped into a mixed-use project with retail at the first level and residential on the upper floors,” Ellen Fauss said. “In addition, the owners expect to work closely with the city and the fishing and kayaking communities to further improve some of the riparian areas of the riverfront.”
Fauss is associated with R.L. Fauss, a construction contractor that has headquarters in Fremont, Neb. The company has built public schools, convenience stores, apartment buildings and hotels.
Morton and Ellen Hoj of the Yacht Club previously confirmed to the Steamboat Pilot & Today their plans to open a new restaurant, The Diplomat, two blocks away in The Victoria, nearing completion at 10th Street and Lincoln Avenue. The Yacht Club continues to serve lunch and dinner this summer.
“Riverfront is courting several prospective operators to assure a smooth transition,” Fauss said about the future of the restaurant.
Peter Van De Carr of Backdoor Sports said although he would prefer to remain in his current location, he has an option to move a short distance down Yampa Street to 655 Yampa, another riverfront development project. It would replace a large white house on the site.
The building that houses Backdoor Sports was at one time a diesel repair shop; it is adjacent to a city parking lot and the foot bridge over the Yampa River.
The transformation of Yampa Street goes further. The project known as 751 Yampa would replace three small buildings including the Colorado Group Realty sales center, Hell’s Wall sporting goods and the building that houses Sweet Pea Produce and Sunpie’s Bistro. Both businesses previously have confirmed they are looking at other sites.
Whitewater Run would occupy a large green lawn and a private parking lot between the Yacht Club and Backdoor Sports. Conceptual drawings for the new building show a three-story elevation along the river with gabled roofs breaking up the mass of the buildings. Another prominent feature is a pedestrian pass-through open to the air and leading through the building to the riverfront.
Coleman Cook of Colorado Group Realty will market the project. The architect is Eric Smith Associates.
END OF STEAMBOAT TODAY AND/OR STEAMBOAT PILOT ARTICLE (STEAMBOAT'S DAILY NEWSPAPER)
To obtain information on any property in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, Stagecoach, or the surrounding areas with Buyer Representation, contact
Michelle Diehl, GRI Broker Associate at Century 21Ski Town Associates.
I am happy to help...
WEB: http://www.steamboatdream.com/
E-MAIL: MichelleDiehl@comcast.net
CELL:(970)846-1086
Currents of change on Yampa Street
By Tom Ross (Contact)
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Steamboat Springs — Principals in Riverfront Partners LLC have formally announced their purchase of the Yacht Club restaurant building and attached open space, plus the steel building on Yampa Street housing Backdoor Sports.
The intent is to refurbish and keep the Yacht Club operating as a restaurant. However, there are new development plans on the site.
“Approximately 20,000 square feet of the site will be redeveloped into a mixed-use project with retail at the first level and residential on the upper floors,” Ellen Fauss said. “In addition, the owners expect to work closely with the city and the fishing and kayaking communities to further improve some of the riparian areas of the riverfront.”
Fauss is associated with R.L. Fauss, a construction contractor that has headquarters in Fremont, Neb. The company has built public schools, convenience stores, apartment buildings and hotels.
Morton and Ellen Hoj of the Yacht Club previously confirmed to the Steamboat Pilot & Today their plans to open a new restaurant, The Diplomat, two blocks away in The Victoria, nearing completion at 10th Street and Lincoln Avenue. The Yacht Club continues to serve lunch and dinner this summer.
“Riverfront is courting several prospective operators to assure a smooth transition,” Fauss said about the future of the restaurant.
Peter Van De Carr of Backdoor Sports said although he would prefer to remain in his current location, he has an option to move a short distance down Yampa Street to 655 Yampa, another riverfront development project. It would replace a large white house on the site.
The building that houses Backdoor Sports was at one time a diesel repair shop; it is adjacent to a city parking lot and the foot bridge over the Yampa River.
The transformation of Yampa Street goes further. The project known as 751 Yampa would replace three small buildings including the Colorado Group Realty sales center, Hell’s Wall sporting goods and the building that houses Sweet Pea Produce and Sunpie’s Bistro. Both businesses previously have confirmed they are looking at other sites.
Whitewater Run would occupy a large green lawn and a private parking lot between the Yacht Club and Backdoor Sports. Conceptual drawings for the new building show a three-story elevation along the river with gabled roofs breaking up the mass of the buildings. Another prominent feature is a pedestrian pass-through open to the air and leading through the building to the riverfront.
Coleman Cook of Colorado Group Realty will market the project. The architect is Eric Smith Associates.
END OF STEAMBOAT TODAY AND/OR STEAMBOAT PILOT ARTICLE (STEAMBOAT'S DAILY NEWSPAPER)
To obtain information on any property in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, Stagecoach, or the surrounding areas with Buyer Representation, contact
Michelle Diehl, GRI Broker Associate at Century 21Ski Town Associates.
I am happy to help...
WEB: http://www.steamboatdream.com/
E-MAIL: MichelleDiehl@comcast.net
CELL:(970)846-1086
Affordable Housing in Steamboat Springs - One Man's Opinion
Robert Miner: Get rid of agenda
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
I’m sure all of our local politicians and bureaucrats celebrated Independence Day. July Fourth should be a celebration of American freedom, independence and self-reliance.
Were our politicians and bureaucrats celebrating in good conscience the independence of American citizens that is based on self-reliance and lack of government interference, which leads to our free enterprise system, which leads to the most prosperous nation in recorded history?
How can the Steamboat Springs City Council and other local government bureaucrats celebrate American independence yet aggressively promote a socialist agenda — to each according to his need — through its so-called “affordable” housing initiatives, zoning and other policies?
“Affordable” housing as promoted by our local bureaucrats is subsidized housing in one form or another. All of the subsidized housing schemes are wealth transfer payments of some kind. A very limited number of housing units are subsidized from taxes or by requiring a large portion of home owners to pay a relatively higher price for their homes in any development to subsidize part of the home cost of the so called “affordable” homes.
If the objective of the subsidized (affordable) housing schemes is to make available lower-cost housing, they have precisely the opposite effect to the community at large. Because unsubsidized housing (“market priced”) must be priced relatively higher than the price in a free and unsubsidized market in order to cover the cost of the “affordable” housing subsidy, the majority of buyers must pay more for their housing to pay the difference of the below market priced, subsidized housing.
These subsidies have a much more costly, long-term effect to the community. Because the unsubsidized homes are sold for a higher price than they would be sold in a free market of unsubsidized homes, the relative values of all comparable properties in the community are raised. The result of the “affordable” housing programs is the majority of the homes in the community are priced higher than they would be if there were no subsidized housing programs forced on developers. The result is exactly the opposite of what the “affordable” housing bureaucrats claim they are striving for.
All costs of the affordable housing initiatives are passed on to the home buyers of the “market priced,” unsubsidized homes. Plus, all of the additional costs born by the developers to comply with the “affordable” housing laws are also added to the price of the unsubsidized homes, making them even more expensive and further raising the price of resale homes, which are priced by comparable sales of the higher-priced, unsubsidized homes.
Our local politicians and bureaucrats who are forcing the “affordable” housing programs on developers in our community are in reality making housing relatively more expensive for the vast majority of the community. Not just for new home buyers in developments that must mark up the price of the unsubsidized homes to cover the subsidized cost of the “affordable” home but for resale home buyers as well through the higher comparable sales prices. All because of the socialist ideals of our local politicians that could not be further from the principles of independence and self-reliance that we celebrate each July Fourth.
This community was founded by independent and self-reliant men and women who took great personal and financial risks to found a ranching community. They succeeded or failed on their own terms. This community has thrived and prospered because of the initiative and sacrifice of men and women who developed the ski and tourism industry into a prosperous community for all.
If our local politicians and bureaucrats truly believe in the principles of independence, self-reliance and free enterprise secured at such great cost by so many of our citizens over so many years, they will revoke all “affordable” housing laws, initiatives and deed restrictions. Only then can they in good conscious celebrate Independence Day in 2009.
Robert Miner
Steamboat Springs
END OF STEAMBOAT TODAY AND/OR STEAMBOAT PILOT ARTICLE (STEAMBOAT'S DAILY NEWSPAPER)
To obtain information on any property in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, Stagecoach, or the surrounding areas with Buyer Representation, contact
Michelle Diehl, GRI Broker Associate at Century 21Ski Town Associates.
I am happy to help...
WEB: http://www.steamboatdream.com/
E-MAIL: MichelleDiehl@comcast.net
CELL:(970)846-1086
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
I’m sure all of our local politicians and bureaucrats celebrated Independence Day. July Fourth should be a celebration of American freedom, independence and self-reliance.
Were our politicians and bureaucrats celebrating in good conscience the independence of American citizens that is based on self-reliance and lack of government interference, which leads to our free enterprise system, which leads to the most prosperous nation in recorded history?
How can the Steamboat Springs City Council and other local government bureaucrats celebrate American independence yet aggressively promote a socialist agenda — to each according to his need — through its so-called “affordable” housing initiatives, zoning and other policies?
“Affordable” housing as promoted by our local bureaucrats is subsidized housing in one form or another. All of the subsidized housing schemes are wealth transfer payments of some kind. A very limited number of housing units are subsidized from taxes or by requiring a large portion of home owners to pay a relatively higher price for their homes in any development to subsidize part of the home cost of the so called “affordable” homes.
If the objective of the subsidized (affordable) housing schemes is to make available lower-cost housing, they have precisely the opposite effect to the community at large. Because unsubsidized housing (“market priced”) must be priced relatively higher than the price in a free and unsubsidized market in order to cover the cost of the “affordable” housing subsidy, the majority of buyers must pay more for their housing to pay the difference of the below market priced, subsidized housing.
These subsidies have a much more costly, long-term effect to the community. Because the unsubsidized homes are sold for a higher price than they would be sold in a free market of unsubsidized homes, the relative values of all comparable properties in the community are raised. The result of the “affordable” housing programs is the majority of the homes in the community are priced higher than they would be if there were no subsidized housing programs forced on developers. The result is exactly the opposite of what the “affordable” housing bureaucrats claim they are striving for.
All costs of the affordable housing initiatives are passed on to the home buyers of the “market priced,” unsubsidized homes. Plus, all of the additional costs born by the developers to comply with the “affordable” housing laws are also added to the price of the unsubsidized homes, making them even more expensive and further raising the price of resale homes, which are priced by comparable sales of the higher-priced, unsubsidized homes.
Our local politicians and bureaucrats who are forcing the “affordable” housing programs on developers in our community are in reality making housing relatively more expensive for the vast majority of the community. Not just for new home buyers in developments that must mark up the price of the unsubsidized homes to cover the subsidized cost of the “affordable” home but for resale home buyers as well through the higher comparable sales prices. All because of the socialist ideals of our local politicians that could not be further from the principles of independence and self-reliance that we celebrate each July Fourth.
This community was founded by independent and self-reliant men and women who took great personal and financial risks to found a ranching community. They succeeded or failed on their own terms. This community has thrived and prospered because of the initiative and sacrifice of men and women who developed the ski and tourism industry into a prosperous community for all.
If our local politicians and bureaucrats truly believe in the principles of independence, self-reliance and free enterprise secured at such great cost by so many of our citizens over so many years, they will revoke all “affordable” housing laws, initiatives and deed restrictions. Only then can they in good conscious celebrate Independence Day in 2009.
Robert Miner
Steamboat Springs
END OF STEAMBOAT TODAY AND/OR STEAMBOAT PILOT ARTICLE (STEAMBOAT'S DAILY NEWSPAPER)
To obtain information on any property in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, Stagecoach, or the surrounding areas with Buyer Representation, contact
Michelle Diehl, GRI Broker Associate at Century 21Ski Town Associates.
I am happy to help...
WEB: http://www.steamboatdream.com/
E-MAIL: MichelleDiehl@comcast.net
CELL:(970)846-1086
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Torian Plum Plaza Promenade Update
No promenade before 2010
Pedestrian pathway at base of ski area still beyond horizon
By Tom Ross (Contact) - Reporter Steamboat Pilot & Today
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Roundabout on time
Steamboat base area redevelopment Project Manager Joe Kracum reported Friday that the new traffic roundabout at Après Ski Way is on time for completion Sept. 15. The first lift of asphalt has been paved on the eastern half of the roundabout and cars already are driving on it, Kracum said. The first run of asphalt should be in place on the entire roundabout by Aug. 11, he added. The project is tracking several thousand dollars less than its $1.9 million budget, Kracum said.
Steamboat Springs — Construction on the much-anticipated pedestrian promenade at the base of Steamboat Ski Area almost certainly will not begin until the summer of 2010.
Members of the city’s Urban Redevelopment Area Advisory Committee stopped short Friday of ruling out 2009 construction on the first section of the promenade, in front of Torian Plum Plaza. But the hurdles remaining to be cleared suggest 2010.
Not the least of the challenges is a group of 100 individual condominium owners at Torian Plum. Also intensely interested are business owners who occupy the commercial condominiums at Torian.
Many of the owners are working hard on the base area improvement project. Others want to be reassured that the public improvements funded by property taxes earmarked for base area redevelopment won’t detract from the advantages their properties already enjoy.
“We have to have 67 percent of our owners in favor,” Torian Homeowners Association board member Ron Harrelson told the Advisory Committee. “The majority of our board members are all for (the promenade), but we’ve even got some board members who are opposed. And unfortunately, there’s a minority of the owners who are adamantly opposed and have been sending fliers and leaflets around.”
The owners at Torian aren’t blocking public improvements at the base of the ski area. But Harrelson said board members need help selling the improvements. The needs of Torian owners, and the complexity of meeting them, are indicative of the challenges ahead.
Harrelson said they feel strongly that their condos offer some of the truest ski-in/ski-out access at Steamboat and are concerned that the new promenade, as some design alternatives show it, would increase the distance from the edge of the snowline to the Torian Plum entrance.
The promenade would wrap around the bottom of the ski area like a horseshoe, providing much-needed cohesion to a resort village that always has been dysfunctional in terms of pedestrian accessibility. Along with construction of the promenade, Burgess Creek would be daylighted in the summer where it flows across the lowest ski trails on the mountain.
Project Manager Joe Kracum said a spoke on the horseshoe, linking the new One Steamboat Place with Après Ski Way, could be built next summer without much difficulty. But the logical first section of the promenade itself is in front of Torian. Before that could begin next summer, a tricky operations and maintenance agreement must be forged with private property owners no later than the end of August. And it would be helpful to know how much property tax revenue will be available for the roughly $9.3 million project, Kracum said.
Other issues
Doug Terry, owner of Terry Sports in Torian Plum Plaza, sounded a confident note about the O&M agreement.
“If we do it, and do it professionally, we can get it done,” Terry said.
However, he agreed that November is a more realistic target date than August.
Nicole Horst of consulting planners Wenk Associates presented a variety of design solutions Friday for different segments of the trail.
She described the complexities of striving for a consistent 5 percent grade along the trail for accessibility and pedestrians in ski boots. Horst has designed multiple ramps feeding into short staircases to surmount elevation changes such as the 20 feet to the top of the grass-covered parking lot at Torian.
Horst wants to leave ample room for fire pits, small amphitheaters for gatherings and a large performance stage. All of those considerations are secondary to ensuring fire trucks can drive within 150 feet of the mountainside of condominium towers.
One feature that could be in jeopardy is a small ice skating rink.
“What I heard during the design charette was that an ice rink might be nice,” Horst said. “But maybe a larger rink located more centrally.”
END OF STEAMBOAT TODAY AND/OR STEAMBOAT PILOT ARTICLE (STEAMBOAT'S DAILY NEWSPAPER)
To obtain information on any property in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, Stagecoach, or the surrounding areas with Buyer Representation, contact
Michelle Diehl, GRI Broker Associate at Century 21Ski Town Associates.
I am happy to help...
WEB: http://www.steamboatdream.com/
E-MAIL: MichelleDiehl@comcast.net
CELL:(970)846-1086
Pedestrian pathway at base of ski area still beyond horizon
By Tom Ross (Contact) - Reporter Steamboat Pilot & Today
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Roundabout on time
Steamboat base area redevelopment Project Manager Joe Kracum reported Friday that the new traffic roundabout at Après Ski Way is on time for completion Sept. 15. The first lift of asphalt has been paved on the eastern half of the roundabout and cars already are driving on it, Kracum said. The first run of asphalt should be in place on the entire roundabout by Aug. 11, he added. The project is tracking several thousand dollars less than its $1.9 million budget, Kracum said.
Steamboat Springs — Construction on the much-anticipated pedestrian promenade at the base of Steamboat Ski Area almost certainly will not begin until the summer of 2010.
Members of the city’s Urban Redevelopment Area Advisory Committee stopped short Friday of ruling out 2009 construction on the first section of the promenade, in front of Torian Plum Plaza. But the hurdles remaining to be cleared suggest 2010.
Not the least of the challenges is a group of 100 individual condominium owners at Torian Plum. Also intensely interested are business owners who occupy the commercial condominiums at Torian.
Many of the owners are working hard on the base area improvement project. Others want to be reassured that the public improvements funded by property taxes earmarked for base area redevelopment won’t detract from the advantages their properties already enjoy.
“We have to have 67 percent of our owners in favor,” Torian Homeowners Association board member Ron Harrelson told the Advisory Committee. “The majority of our board members are all for (the promenade), but we’ve even got some board members who are opposed. And unfortunately, there’s a minority of the owners who are adamantly opposed and have been sending fliers and leaflets around.”
The owners at Torian aren’t blocking public improvements at the base of the ski area. But Harrelson said board members need help selling the improvements. The needs of Torian owners, and the complexity of meeting them, are indicative of the challenges ahead.
Harrelson said they feel strongly that their condos offer some of the truest ski-in/ski-out access at Steamboat and are concerned that the new promenade, as some design alternatives show it, would increase the distance from the edge of the snowline to the Torian Plum entrance.
The promenade would wrap around the bottom of the ski area like a horseshoe, providing much-needed cohesion to a resort village that always has been dysfunctional in terms of pedestrian accessibility. Along with construction of the promenade, Burgess Creek would be daylighted in the summer where it flows across the lowest ski trails on the mountain.
Project Manager Joe Kracum said a spoke on the horseshoe, linking the new One Steamboat Place with Après Ski Way, could be built next summer without much difficulty. But the logical first section of the promenade itself is in front of Torian. Before that could begin next summer, a tricky operations and maintenance agreement must be forged with private property owners no later than the end of August. And it would be helpful to know how much property tax revenue will be available for the roughly $9.3 million project, Kracum said.
Other issues
Doug Terry, owner of Terry Sports in Torian Plum Plaza, sounded a confident note about the O&M agreement.
“If we do it, and do it professionally, we can get it done,” Terry said.
However, he agreed that November is a more realistic target date than August.
Nicole Horst of consulting planners Wenk Associates presented a variety of design solutions Friday for different segments of the trail.
She described the complexities of striving for a consistent 5 percent grade along the trail for accessibility and pedestrians in ski boots. Horst has designed multiple ramps feeding into short staircases to surmount elevation changes such as the 20 feet to the top of the grass-covered parking lot at Torian.
Horst wants to leave ample room for fire pits, small amphitheaters for gatherings and a large performance stage. All of those considerations are secondary to ensuring fire trucks can drive within 150 feet of the mountainside of condominium towers.
One feature that could be in jeopardy is a small ice skating rink.
“What I heard during the design charette was that an ice rink might be nice,” Horst said. “But maybe a larger rink located more centrally.”
END OF STEAMBOAT TODAY AND/OR STEAMBOAT PILOT ARTICLE (STEAMBOAT'S DAILY NEWSPAPER)
To obtain information on any property in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, Stagecoach, or the surrounding areas with Buyer Representation, contact
Michelle Diehl, GRI Broker Associate at Century 21Ski Town Associates.
I am happy to help...
WEB: http://www.steamboatdream.com/
E-MAIL: MichelleDiehl@comcast.net
CELL:(970)846-1086
Steamboat Springs City Budget Crunch - According to Rob Douglas
Rob Douglas: Something’s got to give
By Rob Douglas
Friday, July 11, 2008
Rob Douglas
Rob Douglas’ column appears Fridays in the Steamboat Today. Steamboat Springs — This week, the rejuvenated Steamboat Springs City Council heard the most refreshing words spoken in Centennial Hall since voters expressed their displeasure with the profligate spending habits of the last council by electing five new faces in November 2007.
In fact, on Tuesday evening the phrase “something’s got to give” echoed through the Citizens Meeting Room, not once but twice.
Those sobering words were occasioned by the council’s first glimpse of just how bare the city’s financial cupboard is when illuminated by the harsh light of a stagnant economy. The lagging national economy now is impacting a city hobbled by previous councils that threw dollars at wish-list projects — instead of prudently building reserves — as though Rabbit Ears Pass would inoculate us from any economic downturn.
Specifically, Tuesday saw the first public review of the Preliminary 2009 Revenue Projections and Funding Requests Report. The report anticipates 2009 revenue to decline by 4 percent with potential increased losses in 2010.
The knee-jerk reaction by many to learning of a projected decline of 4 percent will be the same as mine: “No big deal. A cut here and a cut there, and we’re home free.”
Not so fast, kemo sabe.
Hold your horses a few more moments and you’ll understand why — when the council asked city finance staff how to bridge the gap between decreased revenue and increased spending requests — city Finance Director Lisa Rolan and Deputy City Manager Wendy DuBord proclaimed “something’s got to give.”
With revenue projected to decrease 4 percent next year, city departments — as instructed by the Finance Department — requested 3 percent operating increases. Reasonable from a preliminary budgeting perspective and manageable with well-placed cuts and line item budget transfers.
However, non-city departments — community groups seeking your tax dollars to fund their organizations — requested an aggregate 31 percent increase.
Yes, you read that right. Community groups that are not directly a part of core city-run operations are seeking 31 percent more for 2009 than they received in 2008. The requested increase follows several previous years of dramatic increases.
Since 2003, community support has received the following percentage changes: 2003 (plus 3 percent), 2004 (plus 16.2 percent), 2005 (minus 4.4 percent), 2006 (plus 13.3 percent), 2007 (plus 12 percent) and 2008 (plus 1.3 percent).
Quite simply, the city is on a path where declining revenue is about to collide head-on with a growing population’s need for essential city services, compounded by outsized community support requests. And, as though that were not enough, the city’s reserves are far below where they should be, and essential capital projects including road, water and other core infrastructure maintenance are long overdue for attention vital to preserving a safe city.
Given the current financial reality, there are two courses of action the council can take.
The first is to follow in the footsteps of previous councils by patching together a budget for next year that further deflates reserve funds and allows continuing infrastructure deterioration while spending funds on utopian projects and community groups — long addicted to public funds — instead of pushing them toward self-reliance and private funding.
That path entails gambling with the financial health of the city by betting the local economy will rebound overnight. Politically, it is the easy path as it will satisfy the special interest groups parading before the council with their hands out.
The second course of action takes political courage. It requires throwing out the failed budget practices of previous councils and a return to what government was meant to be — a provider of services and infrastructure that individuals and the private sector can’t provide, coupled with aid for the truly needy. This path would immediately free funds to build appropriate reserves for future economic downturns.
The financial detritus of past councils now lies at the feet of the current council. The council must choose whether to continue the policies of the past or make their mark by returning city government to providing services only government can provide while allowing the free market to operate.
There is reason to believe there are some on this council who seek to rein in government spending, but the reality is that on Tuesday evenings they are far more likely to hear from those seeking public funds than those seeking limited government.
The squeaky wheel is the one most likely to get greased.
That’s how we got where we are today.
Rob Douglas can be reached at Douglas@privacytoday.com
END OF STEAMBOAT TODAY AND/OR STEAMBOAT PILOT ARTICLE (STEAMBOAT'S DAILY NEWSPAPER)
To obtain information on any property in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, Stagecoach, or the surrounding areas with Buyer Representation, contact
Michelle Diehl, GRI Broker Associate at Century 21Ski Town Associates.
I am happy to help...
WEB: http://www.steamboatdream.com/
E-MAIL: MichelleDiehl@comcast.net
CELL:(970)846-1086
By Rob Douglas
Friday, July 11, 2008
Rob Douglas
Rob Douglas’ column appears Fridays in the Steamboat Today. Steamboat Springs — This week, the rejuvenated Steamboat Springs City Council heard the most refreshing words spoken in Centennial Hall since voters expressed their displeasure with the profligate spending habits of the last council by electing five new faces in November 2007.
In fact, on Tuesday evening the phrase “something’s got to give” echoed through the Citizens Meeting Room, not once but twice.
Those sobering words were occasioned by the council’s first glimpse of just how bare the city’s financial cupboard is when illuminated by the harsh light of a stagnant economy. The lagging national economy now is impacting a city hobbled by previous councils that threw dollars at wish-list projects — instead of prudently building reserves — as though Rabbit Ears Pass would inoculate us from any economic downturn.
Specifically, Tuesday saw the first public review of the Preliminary 2009 Revenue Projections and Funding Requests Report. The report anticipates 2009 revenue to decline by 4 percent with potential increased losses in 2010.
The knee-jerk reaction by many to learning of a projected decline of 4 percent will be the same as mine: “No big deal. A cut here and a cut there, and we’re home free.”
Not so fast, kemo sabe.
Hold your horses a few more moments and you’ll understand why — when the council asked city finance staff how to bridge the gap between decreased revenue and increased spending requests — city Finance Director Lisa Rolan and Deputy City Manager Wendy DuBord proclaimed “something’s got to give.”
With revenue projected to decrease 4 percent next year, city departments — as instructed by the Finance Department — requested 3 percent operating increases. Reasonable from a preliminary budgeting perspective and manageable with well-placed cuts and line item budget transfers.
However, non-city departments — community groups seeking your tax dollars to fund their organizations — requested an aggregate 31 percent increase.
Yes, you read that right. Community groups that are not directly a part of core city-run operations are seeking 31 percent more for 2009 than they received in 2008. The requested increase follows several previous years of dramatic increases.
Since 2003, community support has received the following percentage changes: 2003 (plus 3 percent), 2004 (plus 16.2 percent), 2005 (minus 4.4 percent), 2006 (plus 13.3 percent), 2007 (plus 12 percent) and 2008 (plus 1.3 percent).
Quite simply, the city is on a path where declining revenue is about to collide head-on with a growing population’s need for essential city services, compounded by outsized community support requests. And, as though that were not enough, the city’s reserves are far below where they should be, and essential capital projects including road, water and other core infrastructure maintenance are long overdue for attention vital to preserving a safe city.
Given the current financial reality, there are two courses of action the council can take.
The first is to follow in the footsteps of previous councils by patching together a budget for next year that further deflates reserve funds and allows continuing infrastructure deterioration while spending funds on utopian projects and community groups — long addicted to public funds — instead of pushing them toward self-reliance and private funding.
That path entails gambling with the financial health of the city by betting the local economy will rebound overnight. Politically, it is the easy path as it will satisfy the special interest groups parading before the council with their hands out.
The second course of action takes political courage. It requires throwing out the failed budget practices of previous councils and a return to what government was meant to be — a provider of services and infrastructure that individuals and the private sector can’t provide, coupled with aid for the truly needy. This path would immediately free funds to build appropriate reserves for future economic downturns.
The financial detritus of past councils now lies at the feet of the current council. The council must choose whether to continue the policies of the past or make their mark by returning city government to providing services only government can provide while allowing the free market to operate.
There is reason to believe there are some on this council who seek to rein in government spending, but the reality is that on Tuesday evenings they are far more likely to hear from those seeking public funds than those seeking limited government.
The squeaky wheel is the one most likely to get greased.
That’s how we got where we are today.
Rob Douglas can be reached at Douglas@privacytoday.com
END OF STEAMBOAT TODAY AND/OR STEAMBOAT PILOT ARTICLE (STEAMBOAT'S DAILY NEWSPAPER)
To obtain information on any property in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, Stagecoach, or the surrounding areas with Buyer Representation, contact
Michelle Diehl, GRI Broker Associate at Century 21Ski Town Associates.
I am happy to help...
WEB: http://www.steamboatdream.com/
E-MAIL: MichelleDiehl@comcast.net
CELL:(970)846-1086
Steamboat 700 Development a Step Closer to Annexation
Steamboat Planning Commission votes to expand urban boundary
By Kristi Mohrbacher - Reporter Steamboat Pilot & Today
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Urban Growth Boundary amendment public hearings
When: Thursday, July 17, 2008, 5 p.m.
Where: Routt County Courthouse Annex, Commissioners' Hearing Room
Steamboat Springs — Steamboat 700 has won a small victory in the battle to be built.
The Steamboat Springs Planning Commission voted, 4-3, late Thursday night to recommend an expansion of the Urban Growth Boundary in western Steamboat Springs to accommodate 185 acres of the proposed Steamboat 700 development.
The Steamboat 700 team still needs to win a recommendation for approval from the Routt County Planning Commission, and the final decision about its urban growth boundary re-quest will come Aug. 12, during a joint meeting of the Steamboat Springs City Council and the Routt County Board of Commissioners.
The UGB is a line that was established by the Steamboat Springs Area Community Plan to delineate between land to be developed for future urban use and lands that should be kept for rural use.
Inclusion of a site in the UGB is a step toward annexing the site into city limits.
Steamboat planning commissioners Kathi Meyer, Karen Dixon, Tom Ernst and alternate Brian Hanlen supported a UGB expansion for Steamboat 700, while commissioners Rich Levy, Sarah Fox and Cedar Beauregard voted against an expansion.
City Planner Jason Peasley advised the commissioners to ask themselves, “Is this property appropriate for developing and does it meet the needs of the community?” when deciding whether to extend the UGB.
Steamboat 700 is a proposed 700-acre development — 185 acres of which lie outside the UGB — that could include up to 2,200 residences and 300,000 square feet of commercial space. The area that lies within the UGB is designated by the West of Steamboat Springs Area Plan to be developed into a mixed-use community for future growth.
“The biggest part of this was that, in my opinion, moving the UGB here is a logical change,” Meyer said of her decision to recommend approval. West of Steamboat Springs already is identified as the direction the city should grow, Meyer said, and the applicant demonstrated that the existing UGB wasn’t based on any physical constraints on the property.
Although Levy agreed that development should occur west of the city, he disapproved of the amount of development proposed by Steamboat 700.
“I think this kind of expanded development is premature,” Levy said, citing the lack of a traffic study and unknown capacities of U.S. 40. He said the UGB was created as a growth-rate control mechanism and is the only such tool at the city’s disposal.
“The community stated rapid growth as one of their top concerns,” Levy said. “And I think this is what that is.”
Meyer said one person spoke during public comment to encourage following the guidelines of the West of Steamboat Springs Area Plan and allow growth to take place in the area.
“We are pleased that they approved it,” Steamboat 700 land-use attorney Bob Weiss said. “The applicant is proposing a master plan that encompasses the whole property and in order to provide all of the things the city wants, such as affordable housing and a trail system,” the UGB needs to be amended to include the entire property, Weiss said.
He added that if the UGB isn’t amended, the way the land is currently zoned, then “it will end up being several large-lot trophy houses, and I don’t think that is in the best interest of the community.”
The UGB line is not permanent and is intended to be a growth management tool that requires lengthy community discussion about the future growth goals of the city before it can be amended, city planners said.
There are three more public meetings to discuss this year’s five applications to amend the UGB before the Steamboat Springs City Council and Routt County Board of Commissioners make the final decisions in August.
— To reach Kristi Mohrbacher, call 871-4243 or e-mail kmohrbacher@steamboatpilot.com
END OF STEAMBOAT TODAY AND/OR STEAMBOAT PILOT ARTICLE (STEAMBOAT'S DAILY NEWSPAPER)
To obtain information on any property in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, Stagecoach, or the surrounding areas with Buyer Representation, contact
Michelle Diehl, GRI Broker Associate at Century 21Ski Town Associates.
I am happy to help...
WEB: http://www.steamboatdream.com/
E-MAIL: MichelleDiehl@comcast.net
CELL:(970)846-1086
By Kristi Mohrbacher - Reporter Steamboat Pilot & Today
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Urban Growth Boundary amendment public hearings
When: Thursday, July 17, 2008, 5 p.m.
Where: Routt County Courthouse Annex, Commissioners' Hearing Room
Steamboat Springs — Steamboat 700 has won a small victory in the battle to be built.
The Steamboat Springs Planning Commission voted, 4-3, late Thursday night to recommend an expansion of the Urban Growth Boundary in western Steamboat Springs to accommodate 185 acres of the proposed Steamboat 700 development.
The Steamboat 700 team still needs to win a recommendation for approval from the Routt County Planning Commission, and the final decision about its urban growth boundary re-quest will come Aug. 12, during a joint meeting of the Steamboat Springs City Council and the Routt County Board of Commissioners.
The UGB is a line that was established by the Steamboat Springs Area Community Plan to delineate between land to be developed for future urban use and lands that should be kept for rural use.
Inclusion of a site in the UGB is a step toward annexing the site into city limits.
Steamboat planning commissioners Kathi Meyer, Karen Dixon, Tom Ernst and alternate Brian Hanlen supported a UGB expansion for Steamboat 700, while commissioners Rich Levy, Sarah Fox and Cedar Beauregard voted against an expansion.
City Planner Jason Peasley advised the commissioners to ask themselves, “Is this property appropriate for developing and does it meet the needs of the community?” when deciding whether to extend the UGB.
Steamboat 700 is a proposed 700-acre development — 185 acres of which lie outside the UGB — that could include up to 2,200 residences and 300,000 square feet of commercial space. The area that lies within the UGB is designated by the West of Steamboat Springs Area Plan to be developed into a mixed-use community for future growth.
“The biggest part of this was that, in my opinion, moving the UGB here is a logical change,” Meyer said of her decision to recommend approval. West of Steamboat Springs already is identified as the direction the city should grow, Meyer said, and the applicant demonstrated that the existing UGB wasn’t based on any physical constraints on the property.
Although Levy agreed that development should occur west of the city, he disapproved of the amount of development proposed by Steamboat 700.
“I think this kind of expanded development is premature,” Levy said, citing the lack of a traffic study and unknown capacities of U.S. 40. He said the UGB was created as a growth-rate control mechanism and is the only such tool at the city’s disposal.
“The community stated rapid growth as one of their top concerns,” Levy said. “And I think this is what that is.”
Meyer said one person spoke during public comment to encourage following the guidelines of the West of Steamboat Springs Area Plan and allow growth to take place in the area.
“We are pleased that they approved it,” Steamboat 700 land-use attorney Bob Weiss said. “The applicant is proposing a master plan that encompasses the whole property and in order to provide all of the things the city wants, such as affordable housing and a trail system,” the UGB needs to be amended to include the entire property, Weiss said.
He added that if the UGB isn’t amended, the way the land is currently zoned, then “it will end up being several large-lot trophy houses, and I don’t think that is in the best interest of the community.”
The UGB line is not permanent and is intended to be a growth management tool that requires lengthy community discussion about the future growth goals of the city before it can be amended, city planners said.
There are three more public meetings to discuss this year’s five applications to amend the UGB before the Steamboat Springs City Council and Routt County Board of Commissioners make the final decisions in August.
— To reach Kristi Mohrbacher, call 871-4243 or e-mail kmohrbacher@steamboatpilot.com
END OF STEAMBOAT TODAY AND/OR STEAMBOAT PILOT ARTICLE (STEAMBOAT'S DAILY NEWSPAPER)
To obtain information on any property in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, Stagecoach, or the surrounding areas with Buyer Representation, contact
Michelle Diehl, GRI Broker Associate at Century 21Ski Town Associates.
I am happy to help...
WEB: http://www.steamboatdream.com/
E-MAIL: MichelleDiehl@comcast.net
CELL:(970)846-1086
Friday, July 11, 2008
Expanding Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) - Emerald Mountain (Lyman Orton) Denied
Growth borders remain
Planning Commission votes against Emerald Mountain proposal
By Kristi Mohrbacher - Reporter Steamboat Pilot & Today
Friday, July 11, 2008
Steamboat Springs — Steamboat Springs residents could one day see a new neighborhood and Nordic ski lodge on Emerald Mountain — but it likely won’t happen anytime soon.
The Steamboat Springs Planning Commission voted, 5-2, against an application by Lyman Orton, who proposed an extension to the city’s Urban Growth Boundary on Thursday night. Orton was one of five applicants requesting extensions to the city’s UGB for proposed developments.
The UGB is a line established by the Steamboat Springs Area Community Plan in 1995 to identify which lands should be annexed into the city and developed for urban use and which lands shouldn’t be annexed because they are designated for rural use.
Orton proposed a neighborhood on 464 acres on the north side of Emerald Mountain, just outside of city limits. The proposed neighborhood includes mixed-income housing units, many of which would be designated as affordable housing.
For many members of the public Thursday, the most attractive part of Orton’s proposal was a Nordic ski lodge that would house the offices of the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps and offer recreational opportunities for local youths and avid trail users on Emerald Mountain.
Numerous supporters spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, representing local nonprofit groups, cyclists, trail users, longtime residents and Emerald Mountain enthusiasts. Despite the strong public support, five commissioners voted against the request.
“The public benefit is off the chart,” Commissioner Rich Levy said after moving to deny support for the application, “but it’s not an ideal location for development and is not a logical change to the UGB.”
City planners recommended that commissioners not support the application because it only meets one of five criteria necessary to approve an amendment to the UGB. The level of public benefit was the only element of Orton’s proposal that City Planner Jason Peasley found to be consistent with criteria for expanding the UGB, which is a first step toward annexation into city limits.
Peasley recommended that Orton’s application be tabled until 2009, when the city re-evaluates the community plan — a process that will provide an in-depth look at the goals for future growth.
“I think this project warrants a broad community process,” said Commissioner Kathi Meyer, who also did not support the proposal. “If we move the UGB we create an expectation of annexation, and I don’t think we are there yet.”
She said the public benefit was a wonderful opportunity, but she wanted to see the project meet all of the other criteria, too.
“I’d like to give him the opportunity to go forward with this,” said Commissioner Cedar Beauregard, who supported the proposal. “It just makes sense.”
He mentioned the opportunity to preserve Emerald Mountain for future generations as a huge benefit to the city. Commissioner Tom Ernst echoed Beauregard’s comments and said he wanted to give Orton the chance to move forward with his ideas.
Although disappointed, Orton expressed understanding of the vote against his proposal.
“I’m actually quite pleased there was a lot of support for the vision,” Orton said, “Their hands aren’t tied, but they aren’t able to say ‘Hey, this sounds good; let’s do it,’ so you can see why they made the decision they did.”
In other action
The commission unanimously recommended an extension of the UGB to incorporate a half-acre parcel owned by Butch Dougherty, but did not support a proposed UGB extension that would include 40 acres of riverfront property near the Tree Haus subdivision.
A presentation by developers of Steamboat 700, who propose extending the UGB to include 185 acres west of Steamboat Springs, continued beyond press time Thursday night.
The presentation for 360 Village, including a proposal to extend the UGB more than 240 acres west of the city limits, was postponed because of the late hour. Notice will be provided when details are confirmed for that proposal’s next hearing.
END OF STEAMBOAT TODAY AND/OR STEAMBOAT PILOT ARTICLE (STEAMBOAT'S DAILY NEWSPAPER)
To obtain information on any property in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, Stagecoach, or the surrounding areas with Buyer Representation, contact
Michelle Diehl, GRI Broker Associate at Century 21Ski Town Associates.
I am happy to help...
WEB: http://www.steamboatdream.com/
E-MAIL: MichelleDiehl@comcast.net
CELL:(970)846-1086
Planning Commission votes against Emerald Mountain proposal
By Kristi Mohrbacher - Reporter Steamboat Pilot & Today
Friday, July 11, 2008
Steamboat Springs — Steamboat Springs residents could one day see a new neighborhood and Nordic ski lodge on Emerald Mountain — but it likely won’t happen anytime soon.
The Steamboat Springs Planning Commission voted, 5-2, against an application by Lyman Orton, who proposed an extension to the city’s Urban Growth Boundary on Thursday night. Orton was one of five applicants requesting extensions to the city’s UGB for proposed developments.
The UGB is a line established by the Steamboat Springs Area Community Plan in 1995 to identify which lands should be annexed into the city and developed for urban use and which lands shouldn’t be annexed because they are designated for rural use.
Orton proposed a neighborhood on 464 acres on the north side of Emerald Mountain, just outside of city limits. The proposed neighborhood includes mixed-income housing units, many of which would be designated as affordable housing.
For many members of the public Thursday, the most attractive part of Orton’s proposal was a Nordic ski lodge that would house the offices of the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps and offer recreational opportunities for local youths and avid trail users on Emerald Mountain.
Numerous supporters spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, representing local nonprofit groups, cyclists, trail users, longtime residents and Emerald Mountain enthusiasts. Despite the strong public support, five commissioners voted against the request.
“The public benefit is off the chart,” Commissioner Rich Levy said after moving to deny support for the application, “but it’s not an ideal location for development and is not a logical change to the UGB.”
City planners recommended that commissioners not support the application because it only meets one of five criteria necessary to approve an amendment to the UGB. The level of public benefit was the only element of Orton’s proposal that City Planner Jason Peasley found to be consistent with criteria for expanding the UGB, which is a first step toward annexation into city limits.
Peasley recommended that Orton’s application be tabled until 2009, when the city re-evaluates the community plan — a process that will provide an in-depth look at the goals for future growth.
“I think this project warrants a broad community process,” said Commissioner Kathi Meyer, who also did not support the proposal. “If we move the UGB we create an expectation of annexation, and I don’t think we are there yet.”
She said the public benefit was a wonderful opportunity, but she wanted to see the project meet all of the other criteria, too.
“I’d like to give him the opportunity to go forward with this,” said Commissioner Cedar Beauregard, who supported the proposal. “It just makes sense.”
He mentioned the opportunity to preserve Emerald Mountain for future generations as a huge benefit to the city. Commissioner Tom Ernst echoed Beauregard’s comments and said he wanted to give Orton the chance to move forward with his ideas.
Although disappointed, Orton expressed understanding of the vote against his proposal.
“I’m actually quite pleased there was a lot of support for the vision,” Orton said, “Their hands aren’t tied, but they aren’t able to say ‘Hey, this sounds good; let’s do it,’ so you can see why they made the decision they did.”
In other action
The commission unanimously recommended an extension of the UGB to incorporate a half-acre parcel owned by Butch Dougherty, but did not support a proposed UGB extension that would include 40 acres of riverfront property near the Tree Haus subdivision.
A presentation by developers of Steamboat 700, who propose extending the UGB to include 185 acres west of Steamboat Springs, continued beyond press time Thursday night.
The presentation for 360 Village, including a proposal to extend the UGB more than 240 acres west of the city limits, was postponed because of the late hour. Notice will be provided when details are confirmed for that proposal’s next hearing.
END OF STEAMBOAT TODAY AND/OR STEAMBOAT PILOT ARTICLE (STEAMBOAT'S DAILY NEWSPAPER)
To obtain information on any property in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, Stagecoach, or the surrounding areas with Buyer Representation, contact
Michelle Diehl, GRI Broker Associate at Century 21Ski Town Associates.
I am happy to help...
WEB: http://www.steamboatdream.com/
E-MAIL: MichelleDiehl@comcast.net
CELL:(970)846-1086
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