Roberts Resorts is attempting to put a high-density glamping resort in the Animas Valley. Its new application, uploaded on Aug. 3, depicts 140 cabins and 137 luxury motorhome RV sites, plus a 4,500 square-foot community building adjacent to the Animas River off Trimble Lane.
Scott Roberts claims in his Project Narrative (p. 16) that this development “most closely resembles an RV Park.” In his Sketch Plan, Roberts requested 49 cabins (really tiny homes on wheels) and 257 RV sites. Now, his actual Planning Application has more cabins than RV Sites. He intends to have 180-day – and longer – stays.
This is consistent with his statements at the Jan. 12, Planning Commission hearing, indicating his ultimate intentions to eventually convert more of the RV sites to cabins, ending up with an even higher ratio of cabins to RVs. Also, he plans to sell some of these cabins to private ownership (so, even more VRBOs).
This is not an “RV Park,” where our county limits stays to 60 days (LUC 73.5 3.H.). This development fits, not just “closely resembles,” the definition (LUC 62.5) for a “Mixed Use Development”: a development “with two or more different principal uses.” This is a Manufactured Home Park, which allows private ownership and long-term stays, with an RV park on the side. However, Mixed Use Developments are not allowed per our code on his parcel due to zoning.
Calling it an RV park is a charade.
A wolf in sheep’s clothing might “closely resemble” a sheep, but it’s still a wolf.
Dot Wehrly
Durango
