Annexation would allow 12 townhomes on Goeglein Gulch Road

A dozen new townhomes could be built on an unincorporated property of La Plata County on Goeglein Gulch Road if the property is annexed into the city. Durango At least week’s Durango City Council meeting, City Council gave city staff the go ahead to schedule a public hearing about the annexation. (Courtesy of the city of Durango)

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A dozen new townhomes could be built on an unincorporated property of La Plata County on Goeglein Gulch Road if the property is annexed into the city. Durango At least week’s Durango City Council meeting, City Council gave city staff the go ahead to schedule a public hearing about the annexation. (Courtesy of the city of Durango)

Another dozen townhomes could be coming to Durango. But before that is decided, Durango City Council will hold a public hearing at its next regular meeting to receive more details.

The 12 proposed townhomes would be on an acre of property at 756 Goeglein Gulch Road (County Road 238), immediately south of Mercy Housing’s Valle de Merced apartments, according to last week’s City Council meeting agenda.

Annexing the 1-acre property into the city would allow construction of the townhomes. If approved, the property would be classified as a residential zone of medium density, which means eight to 15 units per acre can be built on the property, Durango Community Development director Scott Shine said at last week’s meeting.

At a Planning Commission meeting in February 2022, city planner Mark Williams said each of the 12 townhomes, if built, would have two bedrooms and a garage. The units are intended for sale, which means the city’s fair share policy. The policy requires developers to accept deed restrictions on 16% of units for a given project of four-plus homes or pay a fee in lieu, would apply to the development.

A 2022 city of Durango planning document shows the architectural plan of a proposed townhome project that would introduce 12 new two-bedroom townhomes to Goeglein Gulch Road. First, an acre of land where the project would be built needs to be annexed by the city. (Courtesy of the city of Durango)

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A 2022 city of Durango planning document shows the architectural plan of a proposed townhome project that would introduce 12 new two-bedroom townhomes to Goeglein Gulch Road. First, an acre of land where the project would be built needs to be annexed by the city. (Courtesy of the city of Durango)

He said the property would be managed by a homeowner’s association and would have multiple snow storage spaces, plus three amenity areas along the sides of the buildings. The project includes two townhome buildings with six units in each building. The three-story buildings would be about 30 feet high, possibly reaching 34 feet into the air at certain points.

Twenty-one parking spaces were proposed for the project, three more spaces than required by city land use code for a property of the Zick annexation’s size, he said.

City Council approved the annexation of the property in April 2022, but developer Tracy Reynolds worked with city staff this year to finalize development details, the City Council meeting agenda says.

A public hearing on an ordinance outlining the 1-acre annexation will be held at a future City Council meeting, where councilors will decide whether or not to stick to their initial approval made last year.

cburney@durangoherald.com