A new subdivision that would bring nearly 40 manufactured homes to about 20 acres southeast of Elmore’s Corner was given the initial green light Tuesday to start research and development plans.
La Plata County commissioners unanimously approved what’s called a “conceptual development plan” for the project, which allows a developer up to three years to resolve issues such as water availability, sewer access and traffic impacts.
The Windsong Manufactured Home Community would be located about a mile south of Highway 160, off Highway 172 and accessed by County Road 221. The development would bring 39 manufactured homes to the lot, on top of one existing home. The official address is 857 County Road 221.
Naomi Riess, a representative for the project, said the area in question was pegged as a growth hub in the most recent district plan update and is slated as one of the hotbeds of new development in coming years.
“This is a spot that’s appropriate for intensive development in the near future as La Plata County grows,” she said.
Riess added the homes would be priced as a reasonable option for senior citizens, people on a fixed income and young families, filling a need in the community for affordable housing.
Most of the concerns raised Tuesday by county commissioners, as well as members of the public, revolved around whether there was enough water to serve the new neighborhood in a part of the county notoriously water-strapped. Issues were also raised about road access and traffic impacts.
“There’s a lot of infrastructure coming in this area, and we’re showing it’s just not feasible,” said Debra Pearson, who lives nearby. “This is a very heavy burden and concern for those of us living in this area.”
Linda Boulder, who has lived in the area for 27 years, said the project is “putting the cart before the horse.” She said any large-scale developments should have to wait until after water lines are connected to central systems.
“Water is a really precarious thing up here,” she said. “It’s a really serious deal.”
Approving a conceptual development plan, however, does not give a developer the go-ahead to start construction. Instead, it provides three years to conduct studies about issues such as water availability and road access. Developers then have to come back before the county for approval of construction plans.
“It’s not a done deal,” Commissioner Clyde Church said of his yes vote Tuesday. “But it moves it forward to do the research and build a dialogue with the community.”
Commissioner Gwen Lachelt said the developer has “a lot of hurdles to get through” to resolve the issues raised Tuesday. But, she voted yes to give the applicant a chance.
“I certainly share the concerns about water in this county,” she said. “But that said, there is a huge need for affordable housing.”
According to county records, the developer says the manufactured home community is in an “urbanizing area,” central to schools and businesses and only a few miles east of Durango.
But water lines have yet to reach the area, and the development would require two new water wells to serve its new homes, causing concern among current residents that their wells will run dry.
“No further housing should come before domestic water,” Kim Welty, who lives in Southwest Horizons Ranch, wrote as part of a public comment.
Commissioners also unanimously approved a new complex for a local construction company on 2.54 acres in the Grandview area, just east of Durango.
The project, to be located at 29486 Highway 160, met county requirements and was approved with little discussion and no public comment.
It calls for one 5,616-square-foot office/warehouse building, another 3,024-square-foot office/storage building, a roughly 15,000-square-foot outdoor equipment/material storage yard and a 4,200-square-foot self-storage and covered RV storage to accommodate 14 RVs.
The previously vacant site will now be used by Durango-based S&S Construction. County officials said the proposal is in line with other businesses in the area along Highway 160.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
