A new 192-unit apartment complex between Walmart and Home Depot cleared an early hurdle Monday.
The Durango Planning Commission unanimously voted to increase the density at the site from 18 to 24 units an acre. The density was set through an amendment to the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
While the density will be higher, the units will be smaller than the previous developer had envisioned, said Cameron Winters, the developer.
The new complex could have 260 bedrooms, which is 100 fewer than the previous proposal, making it less dense, he said.
“We want to make this a community where everybody is happy with what we’re doing,” Winters said.
The commission applauded his efforts to develop the property, which was formerly home to the Rocket Drive-In.
“I really appreciate you coming forward with rental housing … that has been something that has been missing in La Plata County,” said Peter Tregillus, a commissioner.
The developer is also interested in building a transit stop and pedestrian access to the Animas River Trail.
The president of the The Boulders at Escalante Townhome Owners Association raised concerns about additional traffic, noise and light pollution. But he was the only one who addressed the issue.
“It’s hard for us to understand why higher density is better,” he said.
The development could face more public comment because the property still has to be annexed, and a formal proposal must be approved. The process could last six months, said Greg Hoch, director of community development.
The area is largely surrounded by commercial property, but that could be changing because the property owners in the area are paying for a new $2 million extension of Escalante Drive between Walmart and Home Depot.
This road is planned to be similar to Florida Road.
Developers could bring 300 to 400 new residential units to the area, Hoch said.
“You can accommodate them if you design them right,” he said.
Most of the property near Escalante Middle School is underdeveloped, in part, because the funding has not been available to complete Escalante Drive.
Now, however, the property owners plan to vote in November to assess themselves to pay for the road over time, Hoch said.
Goodwill plans to move to Baker Lane and U.S. Highway 160 it will pay for construction of Escalante Drive along its property.
But Goodwill Industries could still join the area’s special improvement district formed by the other businesses to get repaid for any costs that exceed its fair share of the roadway construction, Hoch said.
Once the road is complete, the frontage road along Highway 160 will likely close, and it could become part of SMART 160 trail, which is planned to connect Three Springs to the Animas River Trail. The businesses will use Escalante Drive.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
To comment
A public hearing in front of Durango City Council on how many units should be allowed at a potential new development between Walmart and Home Depot will be held at 6:30 p.m. April 19 at Durango City Hall, 949 East Second Ave.
