Garfield County commissioners may delay Spring Valley Ranch decision

Dennis Webb
Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado
November 13, 2007

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A decision scheduled for today for the massive Spring Valley Ranch development may be delayed to give Garfield County commissioners a better chance to review the proposal.

"I think that we need more time to look at it," said Commissioner John Martin.

He said he will ask fellow commissioners to agree to delay the hearing.

Jim Lochhead, an attorney for the developers, said Commissioner Trési Houpt also has asked for more time, and developers now are anticipating making their presentation to commissioners on Dec. 6.

The nearly 6,000-acre project would be one of the largest developments in Garfield County history, and would be built southeast of Glenwood Springs. The plan includes 577 housing units and two golf courses. However, that's far downsized from an earlier plan for the property that called for more than 2,000 homes.

The county Planning Commission unanimously approved the proposal in September.

County planning staff earlier had recommended denial of the project, but then called for approval after revisions that included reinserting 75 income-restricted housing units into the project and adding 24 employee housing rental units.

San Francisco-based Spring Valley Holdings, which bought the property for $25 million in 2005, is proposing what is essentially an amended version of a previously approved planned unit development for the property. One change involves building a nine-hole course in place of one of the two 18-hole courses originally planned for the property.

Martin said he had voted against the existing development plan. Many of the concerns that existed then continue to give him pause now, such as the adequacy of water supplies and of proposed improvements to steep access roads.

He said he wants a delay "simply because there are so many things that we need to consider."

"I'll have to ask some tough questions" of developers, he said.



Contact Dennis Webb: 384-9119

dwebb@postindependent.com



Post Independent, Glenwood Springs Colorado CO