Pitkin County Manager Jon Peacock urged commissioners in a memo to “respectfully overrule” a directive from Aspen city council downsizing a new county office building.
In a special meeting this afternoon, commissioners will vote on the final development plans for the Courthouse Plaza Building. Two thirds of the council must vote in support of the design in order to override Aspen City Council’s May 9th resolution requesting changes to the plans.
Certain county offices are required to be built in Aspen because it is the county seat. City council has the authority to review the development, but according to Colorado law the county does not have to be held to the city’s directives.
Peacock defended the courthouse’s size, writing to the commissioners that it is the best solution for housing the many county departments. He also wrote that city council’s complaints about the Courthouse Plaza’s aesthetics are in contrast to public feedback received during design open houses.