Area proposed to be repurposed in application. Courtesy photo.
During the Salida City Council meeting on August 18, the council passed ordinance 2020-10 unaminmously and 2020-11 in a five to one vote. These ordinances rezoned a piece of city-owned land at West Third Street, M Street, and East Crestone from R-1 to R-2 and allowed for vacating a portion of East Crestone Ave. The plan is for these changes to clear the way for construction of housing affordable for critical workers in the community such as teachers, nurses and police officers.
During the public hearing on the proposed rezoning, it became clear that more citizens were in favor of the project then against it. Many wanted to remind the public that those seeking affordable housing are essential workers. Others said they felt they were being villainized for not welcoming the project.
The rezoning and street vacation are only the first steps to the project approval process. There is a proposed plan by Chaffee Housing Trust to build five to six affordable housing units which would need to go before the Planning Commission in a Limited Impact Review.
The city says it is looking at multiple housing concept plans for the rezoning and vacation of Crestone Ave. and they are still in the early planning phases.
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