If 13,000 people move to town by 2040, the city expects at least some will move to dense development in town, and to new housing in the Animas River Valley, Three Springs and the top of Farmington Hill.
The Durango City Council and Planning Commission reviewed these housing plans as part of the Comprehensive Plan update Tuesday. The draft is expected to be finalized in April.
Some disagreement was sparked by the idea that hundreds of units would be built in an area previously called River Trails Ranch northwest of Durango on County Road 250.
Councilor Sweetie Marbury said she didn’t want to see plans for a large development in that area revived because about 15 years ago a similar plan triggered lots of concern about additional traffic on Florida Road.
She also voiced distaste for a plan to provide city water to 64 homes on large lots in the River Trails Ranch area.
“Is that best use of our water, to send it to 64 mega-mansions?” she asked the group.
Director of Community Development Kevin Hall and city councilors said the city should stay involved in conversations about the future of the property because it is going to be developed eventually.
The council also considered plans to eventually increase density on north Main Avenue, Camino del Rio and Florida Road. To encourage density, the council might consider minimum height requirements of two stories, but these would be area-specific.
Consultant Michael Lauer also suggested the city renegotiate its intergovernmental agreement with La Plata County and define a boundary for water service in the Three Springs area to help with future planning.
As part of the update to the plan, the city is also including a new section on arts and culture.
To bolster this segment of the economy, a working group would like the city to pursue creative district designation through the state.
This could also create new grant opportunities, said Tom Borrup, a consultant with Creative Community Builders.
The group would also like to see a broader arts board created called Creative Economy Commission.
The city currently has a Public Art Commission that focuses mainly on the city’s art collection and new acquisitions.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
