PRESS RELEASE
City Seeks Input on the Future of Residential Building and Short-Term Rentals in Aspen
Aspen, Colo. – Tuesday, February 15, 2022 – The City of Aspen is actively seeking community participation to shape the future of residential building and short-term rental activity in Aspen. The initiative, “Shaping Aspen’s Built Environment,” seeks to address key challenges through change in the Land Use Code related to stressors put on our community, environment and economy.
On December 8, 2021, Aspen City Council approved Ordinance No. 27, which placed a moratorium on the issuance of new residential building and short-term rental permits in Aspen. This pause grants staff, Council and the community space to evaluate current development trends in Aspen and align development regulations with existing City policy. The moratorium for residential building is in place until June 8, 2022, and the pause on the issuance of vacation rental permits goes until September 30, 2022.
“Through Ordinance 27, City Council made a clear statement that it is essential for residential development activities to support, not undermine, climate action policies, community sustainability, and our shared sense of place,” said Community Development Director Phillip Supino. “The moratorium creates space for inclusive community dialogue about the intersection of these issues and to arrive at creative solutions. The outcomes sought by Council will influence the future of development in the community.”
While residential building and short-term rentals are intertwined, the City is conducting two coordinated engagement efforts to solicit feedback on potential policy changes to:
- Development impacts and affordable housing
- Short-term rentals
The community is invited to participate in this initiative through online storytelling and neighborhood meetings beginning now through April 2022. Feedback collected from these opportunities will directly inform the development of ideas and solutions proposed to Aspen City Council in the coming months.
For more information and a schedule of upcoming events, please visit aspencommunityvoice.com/aspens-built-environment or email AspenEngage@aspen.gov.
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Contacts:
Phillip Supino, Community Development Director, City of Aspen, 970-319-0833, Phillip.Supino@aspen.gov
Denise White, Communications Director, City of Aspen, 970-765-1391, Denise.White@aspen.gov.