An inactive gravel mine in the Animas Valley cleared a major hurdle Tuesday in its attempt to formally shut down and repurpose the land for a large-scale commercial development.

La Plata County commissioners voted unanimously to approve a land-use designation change for the property, located at 876 Trimble Lane (County Road 252), from industrial use to commercial.

As per county codes, landowners or developers must first request a change in land-use designation. At a later stage in the process, actual development plans are submitted and must be approved by county officials.

“There’s general commercial in that area already,” said Commissioner Julie Westendorff. “So it makes sense to me moving this to general commercial.”

For the past few years, the nearly 50-acre gravel mine owned by Four Corners Materials Inc., near Trimble Crossing and along the Animas River, has sat idle.

Last month, however, the owner, Pat Palmer, announced his intention to pursue commercial development on the land. The proposed zoning adjustment received the unanimous recommendation of the Planning Commission on April 9.

No one spoke during a public comment period Tuesday. But at previous meetings, some members of the public were concerned about the fate of a boat ramp on the property, which provides access to the Animas River.

All county commissioners on Tuesday expressed a desire to see the boat ramp remain open to the public.

“I see the boat ramp as an asset to the property,” said Commissioner Clyde Church.

Andrew Arnold, representing the project, said because there is no specific development proposal at this time, he couldn’t comment about what will happen to the boat ramp.

But Arnold said the owner, Palmer, recognizes the importance of the ramp to the community.

“(Palmer) is very open to discussing those comments, and taking those inputs when creating a conceptual development plan going forward,” Arnold said.

The final construction phase of Engineer Village near Purgatory Resort is a go after commissioners unanimously approved subdividing two parcels, totaling 23.02 acres, into 15 residential lots.

Parcels owned by JMG & LRG Properties LLC will be subdivided into 12 lots with one single-family unit on each. The remaining land will be reserved for future development.

Parcels owned by Santa Maria Otazua Holdings LLC will be divided into two tracts that will be further subdivided at a later time.

Both properties are part of Phase 4 of the Engineer Village Conceptual Plan.

“This project is the end of the road for Engineer Village,” said Nancy Dosdall, representing the project.

No one spoke during public comment Tuesday. Dave Gallagher, with the nearby Black Bear Townhomes Home Owners Association, submitted a letter that highlighted concerns with drainage issues with the new development.

La Plata County planning staff said it is confident construction plans adequately addressed drainage issues.

jromeo@durangoherald.com