The "Traffic Variance": A License for Gridlock

The developer admits their project is too big for our roads. Now they want a waiver to break the rules.

The El Jebel Crossing project (File #VIS-009583-2025) has hit a major roadblock: it will generate so much traffic that the intersection at El Jebel Road will fail. 

Instead of fixing the problem or reducing the size of the project, Aspen One is asking for a "Variance" (waiver) to ignore the safety standards. If the County approves this, they are voting to accept gridlock as the new normal.

🛑 Why You Should Oppose This

A variance is a special permission to break the rules. It is supposed to be used for physical hardships (like a cliff on the property), not for maximizing profit.

Here are the 3 arguments you should use in your public comments:

1. The "Self-Imposed Hardship" Argument

• The Reality: The land isn't causing the traffic problem; the size of the development is.

• What to Say: "Variances are for unique physical hardships, not financial ones. The developer created this problem by choosing to build 111 units. They can solve it by building fewer units. Do not lower our safety standards to protect their profit margin."

2. The "Ambulance Test" (Public Safety)

• The Reality: Traffic standards (Level of Service) exist to ensure emergency vehicles can move. "Level of Service F" means gridlock.

• What to Say: "If you grant this variance, you are knowingly creating a safety hazard. When an ambulance or fire truck gets stuck in gridlock at El Jebel Road, seconds matter. Are you willing to compromise the safety of existing residents for this project?"

3. The "Pay to Play" Argument

• The Reality: If a developer breaks the road network, they must pay to fix it (e.g., traffic lights, roundabouts).

• What to Say: "If the applicant cannot afford the road upgrades required to handle their own traffic, they cannot afford the project. Taxpayers should not subsidize this development by accepting worse traffic conditions."

📝 Action Plan: What You Can Do

Don't just be angry. Be effective.

Step 1: Demand an Independent Review

The developer pays their own consultants to produce the traffic study.

Write to the County Planner (Taylor.ryan@eaglecounty.us): "I formally request that Eagle County hire an Independent Third-Party Traffic Engineer—paid for by the applicant—to verify the traffic numbers for File VIS-009583-2025. We believe the impact is understated."

Step 2: Testify at the Hearing

Keep your comment under 2 minutes. Use the Sandwich Method:

1. State the Rule: "The regulations require Level of Service C or better."

2. State the Breach: "The applicant admits they cannot meet this and wants a waiver."

3. State the Conclusion: "You must deny the variance. If the project doesn't fit the road, the project must change."

📂 Project Details for Your Reference

• Project Name: EJ Crossing Variance from Improvement Standards

• Applicant: Aspen One (Heather Henry)

• Request: Variance for "Level of Service" at El Jebel Road & removal of internal Right-of-Way.

• File Number: VIS-009583-2025

• Planner: Taylor Ryan (Taylor.ryan@eaglecounty.us)