A home will be demolished to make way for a new business in the Grandview area off U.S. Highway 160, east of Durango.
The property owner, Georgia-based Leaf Properties, whose president is Doug Kinsey, requested approval Thursday from the La Plata County Planning Commission for a new 9,180-square-foot commercial retail store to be located at 29639 U.S. Highway 160, the land east of the Fun Center.
Tiffany Rhodes with Southwest Land Services representing Abrams said it’s unclear what kind of retail store would be located there.
“We don’t have a 100% decision on our occupant,” Rhodes said. “If you know somebody, let us know.”
Rhodes said, for reference, the Fun Center is about 30,000 square feet.
“We’re definitely way smaller than that,” she said.
The property is about 1.87 acres, with an existing home on the eastern part of the land and a mobile home on the southwestern corner.
The home will be demolished to make way for the commercial space. Abrams then must decide whether to remove the mobile home or subdivide the land so the mobile home is not located on commercial property.
Commissioners raised concern about drivers turning into the property off the busy highway. The Colorado Department of Transportation, not in attendance, sent a letter to the Planning Commission saying it would approve access to the property off Highway 160.
Ultimately, planning commissioners approved the project.
“I think it will contribute to the economic vitality of the Grandview area,” said Planning Commissioner Geri Malandra. “I feel like we can’t use those (concerns over access) to slow down development.”
La Plata County planner Daniel Murray said it’s uncommon for a developer to propose building commercial space without a tenant in mind.
“Retail is retail, and we’ll take it for what it is,” he said. “But we’re kind of scratching our heads.”
A call to Rhodes on Friday morning was not returned.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
This story has been updated to correct the owner of the property. Incorrect information was provided to The Durango Herald.
