The Town of Basalt, located at the confluence of the Frying Pan River and the Roaring Fork River, has evolved over the years into a beautiful spot for recreation and mid-valley hub to the greater community. This evolution has not happened on its own. There has been a short but rich history of land planning in Basalt through the years:
Mid 90’s - major flooding causes concern leading to new floodplain maps and planning efforts. Portion of Two Rivers Road is washed out. Design Workshop holds charrette in Basalt, leads to new Master Plan. Basalt jumps public land and annexes west Basalt neighborhoods Willits, Aspen Junction, Basalt Industrial Park and City Market.
1996 New Master Plan - includes first Basalt Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), emphasizes good planning and protection of the rivers. Town recognizes a need for a more comprehensive document.
1999 Basalt adopts a new Master Plan - includes stronger UGB, protection of rivers, typologies showing what development should look like, and emphasizes that citizens desire small town character and a need for community housing.
2001 Town approves Willits Town Center a 26-acre mixed use development - the first buildings to be built are the General Store and Alpine Bank. Town approves an Open Space Bond based on work done on the River Master Plan and begins buying properties by the river to implement the Town’s goals, including the Confluence Property and the Levinson Property where Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and the Roaring Fork River Center are now located.
2002 Adoption of River Master Plan based on input from a 50 person steering committee - includes 300 foot buffer centering the Roaring Fork River to allow more natural floodplain and advocates moving folks out of harm’s way.
2007 Town updates Master Plan - includes tighter UGB, promotes mass transit, connectivity between areas of town with trails and underpasses, supports affordable community housing, and updates the Neighborhood Typologies.
2007 Town adopts a Greenway Master Plan for Two Rivers Road - key portions by RMI and Roaring Fork Conservancy are now implemented.
2011 Town and Community Development Corporation (CDC) purchase the Pan & Fork Mobile Home Park - Town approves amendments to Willits to encourage Whole Foods.
2013 Town adopts a revised plan for the El Jebel area - responds to the County’s adoption of a revised Mid-valley Area Community Plan.
2013 Town adopts a Parks, Open Space and Trails Master Plan prepared by the Parks, Open Space and Trails Board.
2013 Voters approve significant funding - moving trailers, fixing the river and wetlands, and creating Midland Park (“Fix the Fork”).
2014 Our Town Master Plan Process begins - major planning effort instigated to plan for the land uses on key parcels in Downtown: Community Development Corporation (Pan & Fork), Basalt Center Circle (Clark's), Lions Park and Merino Park.
2016 Our Town Master Plan Amendment is adopted - reflects goals of the Downtown Area Advisory Committee (DAAC) as refined by the P&Z and Town Council.
2018 P&Z and Town Council express that they want a High Aspiration Master Plan.
2019 The CTA Team is hired to prepare this plan.
To read more about these planning efforts go to the links below or read uploaded documents in the Documents Library in the menu to the right (represented in the text above in italics).
Helpful Links:
Basalt Municipal Code
2007 Basalt Master Plan
2003 Basalt River Master Plan - if page wont load, must allow flashplayer to run.
Our Town Planning
Pitkin County
Eagle County
RFTA Regional Access Plan
Basalt Chamber of Commerce
Helpful Images:
The Town of Basalt, located at the confluence of the Frying Pan River and the Roaring Fork River, has evolved over the years into a beautiful spot for recreation and mid-valley hub to the greater community. This evolution has not happened on its own. There has been a short but rich history of land planning in Basalt through the years:
Mid 90’s - major flooding causes concern leading to new floodplain maps and planning efforts. Portion of Two Rivers Road is washed out. Design Workshop holds charrette in Basalt, leads to new Master Plan. Basalt jumps public land and annexes west Basalt neighborhoods Willits, Aspen Junction, Basalt Industrial Park and City Market.
1996 New Master Plan - includes first Basalt Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), emphasizes good planning and protection of the rivers. Town recognizes a need for a more comprehensive document.
1999 Basalt adopts a new Master Plan - includes stronger UGB, protection of rivers, typologies showing what development should look like, and emphasizes that citizens desire small town character and a need for community housing.
2001 Town approves Willits Town Center a 26-acre mixed use development - the first buildings to be built are the General Store and Alpine Bank. Town approves an Open Space Bond based on work done on the River Master Plan and begins buying properties by the river to implement the Town’s goals, including the Confluence Property and the Levinson Property where Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and the Roaring Fork River Center are now located.
2002 Adoption of River Master Plan based on input from a 50 person steering committee - includes 300 foot buffer centering the Roaring Fork River to allow more natural floodplain and advocates moving folks out of harm’s way.
2007 Town updates Master Plan - includes tighter UGB, promotes mass transit, connectivity between areas of town with trails and underpasses, supports affordable community housing, and updates the Neighborhood Typologies.
2007 Town adopts a Greenway Master Plan for Two Rivers Road - key portions by RMI and Roaring Fork Conservancy are now implemented.
2011 Town and Community Development Corporation (CDC) purchase the Pan & Fork Mobile Home Park - Town approves amendments to Willits to encourage Whole Foods.
2013 Town adopts a revised plan for the El Jebel area - responds to the County’s adoption of a revised Mid-valley Area Community Plan.
2013 Town adopts a Parks, Open Space and Trails Master Plan prepared by the Parks, Open Space and Trails Board.
2013 Voters approve significant funding - moving trailers, fixing the river and wetlands, and creating Midland Park (“Fix the Fork”).
2014 Our Town Master Plan Process begins - major planning effort instigated to plan for the land uses on key parcels in Downtown: Community Development Corporation (Pan & Fork), Basalt Center Circle (Clark's), Lions Park and Merino Park.
2016 Our Town Master Plan Amendment is adopted - reflects goals of the Downtown Area Advisory Committee (DAAC) as refined by the P&Z and Town Council.
2018 P&Z and Town Council express that they want a High Aspiration Master Plan.
2019 The CTA Team is hired to prepare this plan.
To read more about these planning efforts go to the links below or read uploaded documents in the Documents Library in the menu to the right (represented in the text above in italics).
Helpful Links:
Basalt Municipal Code
2007 Basalt Master Plan
2003 Basalt River Master Plan - if page wont load, must allow flashplayer to run.
Our Town Planning
Pitkin County
Eagle County
RFTA Regional Access Plan
Basalt Chamber of Commerce
Helpful Images:
