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Aspen City Council considers time limit for government development proposals

Aspen City Council is getting up to speed on a time limit for how long the municipal government has to review government development projects. The city's planning department is recommending Aspen follow a mandatory 60 day time limit for ruling on a municipal development proposal. That's according to state law.

The City is required to follow that law for proposals from government entities, like Pitkin County or the Aspen Ambulance District. The planning department says it became more aware of the timeline after working with Pitkin County on the library expansion.

The requirement means automatic approval of a development project if the City doesn't make a formal decision within the 60 days. Mayor Steve Skadron questioned why that timeline is coming up now. "Already this conspiracy theory is starting,” said Skadron on Monday night. “The City has this public facility need; this is getting passed so the city can facilitate its expansion."

Skadron is talking about up to 70,000 square feet and $43 million in new city government office space that’s in the works. To address those concerns,  Council is leaning towards making sure the 60 day requirement would not apply to City projects, allowing more time for review and public input.

On Monday night, Council also considered changing affordable housing requirements, and a measure to protect small lodges. All three topics will be taken up again at a later date.