Commissioners flag data centers, historic preservation and limits on formula businesses

Basalt commissioners used the March 3 Planning and Zoning meeting to flag several specific policy concerns for the ongoing land‑use code rewrite: potential limits on data centers, tools to protect historic buildings from demolition, and rules to limit formula or chain businesses in downtown areas.

One commissioner warned that data centers may be inappropriate for the valley given local resource constraints. "I think given the lack of water in our valley... I think we want to do anything possible to discourage that type of use," the speaker said, noting electricity and water demands as primary concerns. Consultants said data centers could be categorized under industrial uses and routed through a special‑review process with stricter criteria if the commission chooses.

On historic preservation, commissioners said the town has lost structurally sound older buildings in part because designation has been voluntary. Commissioners urged the code to include "hooks" that would allow the town to control demolition of designated resources. Staff noted that locally designated structures do have protections, but voluntary designation has left some important buildings unprotected.

Commissioners also discussed formula‑business (chain) restrictions downtown, with consultants proposing prohibiting formula businesses not already present in the C2 (Midland) zone while allowing them in other commercial areas. The commission compared numeric thresholds used elsewhere (three or more locations in some towns, 10 or more in Aspen) and discussed whether a straight prohibition or a conditional‑use off‑ramp would better serve downtown character and small businesses.

Consultants said they will provide draft definitions and options for conditional‑use procedures for P&Z consideration as the rewrite proceeds.