A proposal to build 14 townhome units on Florida Road is moving ahead after the Durango Planning Commission approved a conceptual development plan Monday.
Local developer Mark Williamson has under contract a site east of the intersection of Florida Road and Colorado Avenue.
The project would include eight single-family homes and three duplexes. The single-family homes would be about 1,600 square feet, with three bedrooms and two and a half baths.
Williamson most recently built four townhomes on 15th Street between Second and Third avenues. He previously developed the Oxbow Townhomes on Animas View Drive and Santa Rita Townhomes near Santa Rita Park.
The proposed project, known as Silverview, is the first project since Williamson founded a new company, Agave Group, with Jim Philippon. Philippon is a construction industry veteran; he most recently worked with Madera Construction, a custom home builder.
“I think our skill sets complement one another nicely, so we decided to form the Agave Group,” Williamson said.
He said it’s too early to name a price point for Silverview but said they’ll be less expensive than the 15th Street homes, which sold for $550,000 to $625,000.
“We’re trying to make (Silverview) more affordable,” he said.
Williamson said he would take a suggestion from Planning Commission members to build a playground for small children in Silverview.
“We’re not going to challenge that,” he said. “That’s a good idea.”
Agave Group would build the units. Tracy Reynolds of Reynolds + Associates in Durango is the architect.
Planning Commissioner Joe Lewandowski urged Williamson to be sensitive to the hillside. “I really don’t want to see another hillside get torn up needlessly,” he said.
The homes will have xeriscaped yards, Williamson said. They’ll use passive solar orientation and be positioned to take advantage of Animas Valley and mountain views to the north.
Silverview will be within walking distance of Riverview Elementary, Chapman Hill, the Lion’s Den trail and downtown attractions.
“Because you’re in town, we feel the residents are going to use the town’s amenities,” Williamson said.
The project is slated for City Council consideration in January. Williamson said he hopes to begin construction in March or April and have some homes available by September.
cslothower@durangoherald.com
