TOWN OF TELLURIDE BRIEFS

TELLURIDE – Valiant efforts to save a century-old, single-family home located within the town’s Historic Preservation Overlay District but outside of the Telluride Historic Landmark District from demolition seemed unlikely to prevail after the Telluride Town Telluride Council on Tuesday contemplated the practicality of relocating it for eventual use as affordable housing as suggested by those hoping to preserve the structure.

The home, located at 609 E. Columbia Ave., has been the subject of a lengthy controversy concerning the preservation of historic structures that have been so altered from their original forms that they no longer contribute to the historic character of the neighborhoods where they are located, but with rehabilitation could.

The issue culminated when council approved plans for a replacement structure on the site during its own review of a redevelopment application for the lot during a call-up hearing last month, making way for the building’s demolition.

Amidst numerous questions over who would pay to move the structure and how, the cost to refurbish it, and where to store it until a permanent location could be found, ultimately the issue boils down to time because the owners, represented by attorney Tom Kennedy, would like to break ground in early November.

“If the timing can be worked out,” said Kennedy, “ They’re not opposed to cooperating in trying to help the town achieve [moving the structure] if that is what the town council is interested in doing.”

“At this point I can’t figure out how to put all the pieces of the puzzle together,” in that timeframe, said Town Manager Frank Bell.

Still, if proponents of the move (which include Councilmember Bob Saunders and council candidate Brian Werner) can figure out those details in terms that are agreeable to council, a short window of time remains open until November.

No Money for Valley Floor Plan Yet

During a review of the Open Space Commission’s proposed 2010 Work Plan on Tuesday, council directed the commission that it may proceed with obtaining bids for a Valley Floor Trail/Conceptual River Restoration Plan that has been identified by the commission as its most significant recommendation for the year ahead, but made no commitment to fund it.

The plan would ensure integration and compatibility between the two projects so one plan would not inadvertently interfere with another, as well as form the basis for future grant applications for trails and restoration work.

“We said bring back this quote that doesn’t cost us anything to get,” Telluride Mayor Stu Fraser explained.

“We want to see more information,” he continued. “If [Real Estate Transfer Tax increases we’ll see what we can do.”

The Valley Floor Preservation Partners has offered a $30,000 matching grant to help pay for the plan.

While staff recommended that council consider funding the commission’s priority activities up to $100,000 and review additional activities in the late spring relative to the town’s budget picture at that time, it would not.

“We really have to have the money in the Open Space Fund to make sure we have money for the [Valley Floor bond debt] payments,” said Fraser. “That to me is far and away the far greatest issue we have to deal with.”

TMC Health Fair a Success

During its 22nd annual health fair held at the Ah Haa School on Oct. 3, the Telluride Medical Center provided 257 people with discounted lab services and free consultations and tests with physicians and other practitioners – a 27 percent increase over the previous year, according to Hospital Administrator Gordon Reichard.

Reichard estimates that the annual event has saved the community about $485,000 in costs related to those services since 2001, not to mention revealing serious medical conditions that might otherwise have gone unrecognized.

“We generally diagnose a couple of cancer cases per year at the fair and then a dozen diabetics or so,” he said.

Liquor Sales OK Near Schools

With little ado council voted 6-0 (Councilmember Jill Masters was absent) on Tuesday to approve the second reading of an ordinance eliminating a Municipal Code regulation negotiated with the R-1 School District in 2002 that prohibited the sale of alcohol within 500 feet of schools.

The vote remedies a code conflict created in August when council passed an ordinance allowing schools as a use permitted on review in the Historic and Commercial Zone.