Did you go Barefoot in Basalt this month? With painted feet, kids and dogs at your side? If yes, then you know that the Town of Basalt is working toward the Guinness World Record for the largest painting created purely by foot and paw prints. Whether you were part of creating hundreds of individually-designed panels or want to sideline cheer on Basalt's new quirkiest fame, come out to Willits Town Center this Saturday morning to see the painting that Basalt feet wrought. There will be refreshments, bike painting, a bike parade, an official proclamation and the first Basalt community photo. Details are below.

   
A full slate of new and lively events is rolling out this summer for Basalt residents and valley visitors. After skyrocketing to Guinness World Record fame (we hope!), Basalt offers the June Habitat for Humanity Community Party and Lemonade Days in downtown Basalt. August kicks off with the " All-In Community Country Dance" and closes with Motors on Midland both on Midland Avenue. The Chile Chili Festival debuts September 19 in Willits Town Center. Beginning July 8, every Wednesday until August 12, music returns to Lions Park with the " Basalt ArtsBeat & Summer Concert Series." The Basalt Sunday Market is back as of June 15, and Basalt Bike Nights continues every first Tuesday of the month at different restaurants downtown. Download the full 2015-2016 Basalt Events Calendar, watch for updates and spread the word. Basalt is rocking!


While the winter's snow melted and rain nourished spring's baby blooms, new shops were settling in at the east end of Midland Avenue in Historic Downtown. Stop by after work this Friday from 5 to 6:30pm and explore the new pop-up Designer Outlet, snazzy Saphire Rain (soon to offer "Just Men" items), Dusty Locker Kids Consignment, Salon Tulio, Cut Salon, Trendz and Tania Dibbs' new Art Studio/Gallery. You'll have a smashing good time at the top of Midland, and there's live music to boot in the Riverwalk Courtyard featuring "Wink & the Signal." Then stick around for a great meal at one of downtown's hoppin' restaurants.

Last Wednesday, I stopped by the The Tree Farm Open House in El Jebel to review the proposed residential and commercial project plans. There was a good crowd, with plentiful chili and bar-b-que from Sure Thing Burger and a full display of renderings and conceptual plans. If you didn't read in last week's newsletter, property owner Ace Lane, through his company Woody Ventures LLC, has revived and enlarged the sketch plan approved by Eagle County commissioners in 2009 before the recession stalled the project. The current proposal looks like this:

Residential

• 64 town homes averaging 1,688 square feet
• 46 affordable apartments averaging 1,020 square feet
• 154 rental apartments averaging 1,020 square feet
• 136 lofts averaging 1,020 square feet

Commercial

• Up to 134,558 square feet with a range of uses that could include restaurants, retail and possibly a hotel.

The Tree Farm Planned Unit Development (PUD) is spread out over 71.71 beautiful mid-valley acres around a lake across from Willits Town Center and includes 41.5 acres of open space and 2.1 miles of public trails. If approved, the development team envisions building an average of 20 to 26 residential units and approximately 6,700 to 8,900 square feet of commercial space per year with full build-out expected by 2030 to 2035. According to a post on the Eagle County website, the Roaring Fork Valley Regional Planning Commission will begin their review of the PUD preliminary plan during their regular meeting on June 4, with a public hearing at 4 p.m. at the El Jebel Community Center, 0020 Eagle County Drive in El Jebel. This is the first of several anticipated hearings on the preliminary plan. To view the application and staff report and to submit comments, click here.