Longstanding discussions over the future of Hermosa Meadows Road were revived Wednesday as La Plata County commissioners informally agreed they would support acquiring the private road if it’s repaired to county standards.
Hermosa Meadows Road, which provides access to Animas Valley Elementary and residential lots, runs east off U.S. Highway 550 through private property purchased in a tax lien sale about four years ago.
Animas Valley is the only district school that isn’t accessible by public road.
Talks have been ongoing for years about turning over maintenance responsibilities, which are handled by homeowners, to the county. It would be maintained with county funds and plowed when it snows.
On Wednesday, County Public Works Director Jim Davis floated two proposals for repairs, for which Durango School District 9-R would contribute 40 percent and five area homeowners associations would pay 60 percent.
An $800,000 option would pay for complete reconstruction of the 0.8-mile section of road, with base gravel.
A second option is half the cost, but county officials said the $400,000 proposal would not bring the road up to county standards.
“It’s a private road maintained through HOA funds, though the district contributes some funds for snow plowing,” said Julie Popp, school district spokeswoman. “It would make a lot more sense if it was maintained by the county. That way we could redirect those taxpayer funds to the core of our business: educating children.”
Popp said if it meant the county would maintain the road, the school district would support putting dollars toward its improvement, but the decision on repairs is largely up to the homeowners association, she said.
Cost has contributed to the project’s standstill.
“Every time we re-engage, the $800,000 is the show-stopper,” County Manager Joe Kerby said.
Representatives of the HOAs could not be reached Wednesday for comment.
Commissioners Brad Blake, Gwen Lachelt and Julie Westendorff agreed they would support county acquisition, but only if stakeholders pursue the costlier, more-thorough option.
The road is primarily traveled by residential and school traffic.
If the county assumes future maintenance responsibilities, officials would have to negotiate a deal with the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for a right of way across the tracks.
jpace@durangoherald.com
