The Elk Grove addition, a 62-unit single-family home project proposed for the South Fork character district west of Three Springs and Mercy Hospital, received approval Tuesday from Durango City Council.
The project developer is Wesley Properties and the development site is 455 and 589 High Llama Lane.
Durango City Planner Mark Williams said the total project area is about 25 acres large, although the development itself, including water detention and treatment areas, roads and amenities, will occupy about 19 acres of space. Open spaces will take up about 6 acres in total.
Each single-family home is planned to have a floor space of about 1,300 square feet and two bedrooms, he said. The project scope includes internal city streets with street trees, open space and other neighborhood amenities such as picnic areas.
The project is planned to be built out in three phases, with the first phase scheduled to start as early as May. Nineteen homes are planned to be built in the first phase. Another 23 homes will be built in phase 2, and phase 3 will conclude with 20 more homes being built. Construction is slated to finish in 2026.
Wesley Properties will pay a fee in lieu of deed-restricted units totaling $1,563,392, in line with the city’s Fair Share program. The fee will be paid in three installments during each construction phase.
On Tuesday, City Council approved an ordinance to annex the project site into the city and a resolution outlining a preliminary plan for the project.
Williams said Durango Planning Commission reviewed the project in September and voted unanimously to recommend City Council approve it.
Some project area residents submitted concerns to the Planning Commission about light pollution and road construction.
“We’ll probably ask that the applicant make sure that all lights are dark skies compliant,” Williams said.
Tom Stoltz, one such resident who lives on High Llama Lane adjacent to the development site, said during a public hearing on Tuesday he is concerned about not only light pollution but congestion and traffic, too.
He urged the city to consider how it approaches future developments with congestion in mind.
“I understand the challenges because there’s a lot of people coming here. It’s a beautiful place. I love living here in Durango. But we, I think, (need) to concern ourselves with the future,” he said. “... You have to be careful. Because these congested areas, they haven’t turned out like they were originally planned. That’s why I just ask for caution, prudence, and I know you are all interested in the best for Durango.”
Another resident of High Llama Lane who identified herself as Erin said she is curious whether existing residents near the project site will be able to tap into city water and sewer services, noting many of the residents there now rely on wells and septic systems.
Williams said in an email the Elk Grove developer Wesley Properties will extend city water and sewer services much closer to existing residents, but residents will be responsible for connecting to that extension beyond its northern limit. That requires hiring and paying an engineer to design the extension.
“The City would also require the residents to sign what is called an Implied Consent Agreement (ICA), which is a document that obligates, as a condition of utility service, the lots be annexed by the City if the City ever wants those properties to be annexed,” he said. “I couldn’t predict whether the City would ever want to annex these properties.”
The Durango Herald reported in September the new homes in Elk Grove will be offered in the $590,000 price range.
cburney@durangoherald.com
