Roberts Resorts, a developer of RV parks based in Scottsdale, Arizona, has submitted plans to LaPlata County for an RV park to be situated on the Animas River at Trimble Lane. Its plans for the Animas Valley include 137 RV sites 30- to 40-feet deep, plus 140 cabin or small home building sites, which adds up to 277 home sites, mobile and fixed.

The documents they have provided to the county for planning approval include a traffic study that shows it anticipates 1,374 vehicles per average weekday (p.10, Roberts RV Access Permit Application, Laplata County’s website). That number could include as many as 274 motor coaches per day.

These are enormous numbers for Trimble Lane to be able to handle without major roadway improvements from Highways 550 to 250, immediately to the east. Pedestrians and bicyclists should be included in any roadway redesign. Hwy 250 is a gorgeous country road and should be preserved as is from this onslaught.

So 687 more vehicles, including 137 motorhomes, could be coming north on 550 through the city of Durango every day. And 687 more vehicles, including 137 motorhomes, could be going south on 550 through the city of Durango every day.

Is this something the citizens of Durango want? Is this something the citizens of the Animas Valley want?

Please, let your opinions be heard by the LaPlata County planning department.

Robert Tabak

Durango