Purgatory Resort may move its administrative offices from Bodo Industrial Park to north Main Avenue this year.
The city’s Board of Adjustment granted the company’s parking variance request Wednesday, allowing a proposed remodel of the former Hassle Free Sports building to move through the city’s building permit process.
“It’s going to be an improvement, certainly, on the building. I don’t think parking is going to be a problem,” said board member Paul Stuart.
Offices for all four of James Coleman’s ski resorts, including Purgatory, may move into the building at 2615 Main Ave. after the remodel is finished, said CEO Gary Derck. If approved, the remodel is expected to be finished by the winter.
The company plans to add a third floor, which will expand the building from 8,719 square feet to 15,000 square feet. It will house about 32 employees in the administration offices and at a retail store. The retail side of the business will be similar to Hassle Free, offering bike and ski gear, Derck told the board.
Employees and visitors will share 28 parking spaces, with 22 set aside for employees and six set aside for visitors, according to city documents.
The expansion normally would require 42 parking spaces under city code, but the company was granted 12 parking-spot credits for providing and encouraging alternative transportation. The Board of Adjustment approved the company’s variance request for the remaining two parking spaces.
This is the first time a business has taken advantage of the alternative transportation option allowed under the city’s Land Use and Development Code approved in 2014, city planning manager Nicol Killian said.
The company is providing bike racks, a company shuttle and cash incentives for car pooling. The company also will provide some new landscaping in the parking lot.
About 55 percent of Purgatory’s employees live within 2 miles of the location and could potentially walk to work, according to Purgatory’s transportation plan.
Purgatory staff agreed to provide annual reports for seven years on how well they are managing staff parking, according to documents.
The city staff supported Purgatory’s plan because it is line with the larger vision the Durango City Council has for redevelopment along north Main Avenue, Killian said.
“This is an example of staff supporting something after giving a lot of consideration of what we want to see along north Main,” she said.
The adjacent business owner, Karen LaVallee, voiced concerns about the variance because the business Doughworks relies on parking spaces that turn over quickly. But she stopped short of opposing the project.
“I wanted to establish my position and my concerns,” she said.
The board encouraged her to work with Purgatory and let management know if resort employees infringe on her parking.
“My sense is that you will be able to work that out with them,” said board member Jack Cassidy.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
