Housing Master Plan

In early 2019, the Snowmass Village Town Council revisited its policy objectives and community goals, incorporating the framework and strategic initiatives outlined in the 2018 Town Comprehensive Plan. As a result of this process, the Town Council reaffirmed its pledge to “a near-term strategy that will actively identify opportunities, creative approaches, and partnerships to address housing needs, and incentivize the development of an additional 185 units.” This goal is incorporated again in the 2021 Town Council Goal Statement.

Project Goals In response to this focus, the design team and Town staff embarked on the development of a “Conceptual Master Housing Plan” for the advancement of approximately 185 units of affordable workforce housing for Snowmass Village. Several over-arching goals guide the plan: 

•    Remain true to the aspiration statement, guiding principles, strategic initiatives, and other critical values, such as fiscal responsibility, called for in the 2018 Comprehensive Plan. 

•    Include a mix of affordable rental and deed-restricted homeownership opportunities that meet the needs of a diverse workforce.

•    Fit within the character and environment of the surrounding neighborhood(s) and the Town of Snowmass Village as a whole. 

•    Build attractive, sustainable, high-quality homes that are cost-effective, well-designed, and blend seamlessly into the community. 

•    Concentrate development in and around the existing nodes of activity and, where, in proximity to local and regional transit.

Read the Housing Master Plan (PDF)

Goals of the 2021 Housing Master Plan

Meet the immediate and future capacity needs. Two things were clear at the outset of the project: first, the sites owned by the Town were not simply greenfields awaiting development. They were complicated, physically and politically. It was unknown whether 185 units across all sites was even possible. Second, 185 units would only meet the increasing affordable housing demand for so long. If potential sites could support more than 185 units, those should be noted for future study when the need arises. 

Identify potential and suitable sites for future housing development. These sites will provide the roadmap for housing development in the Town for the next 10 years. The most suitable sites were prioritized for development as funding becomes available and interested partners emerge. Moderately and least suitable sites could be considered and reassessed down the road if housing demand continues to increase in the long term. 

Develop both aspirational and realistic development opportunities. Highly developable sites were tested for construction feasibility and unit output. Architectural massing studies, schematic site designs, financial consideration summaries, and input from developers all helped to test feasibility. However, clear-cut projects alone will not achieve the desired housing goal and the team challenged themselves to think outside the box, present daring ideas, and seek innovative means to bring projects to reality. These innovative means were sought not only in the sites themselves but in the delivery of projects and funding mechanisms. One such challenge that directed the design team was the goal to maximize land for housing itself and provide scaled-back parking requirements than is currently required by zoning. 

Create highly desirable and equitable housing. The Town has prided itself on developing affordable housing that blends in with market-rate housing. The units and neighborhoods should be well-designed, cost-effective, and sustainable. They should fit into the character of Snowmass and should blend seamlessly into the community. The projects should create neighborhoods brimming with identity and pride. 

Meet the needs of a diverse workforce. Housing projects should cater to a wide range of family living, single living, senior living, and accessible living. This can be done by including a mix of both affordable rental units and deed-restricted homeownership units. Units should also be diversified in size and bedroom count. Concentrating development in and around existing nodes of activity and in proximity to local and regional transit will allow residents without private transportation to gain access to goods and services with ease.