Planning commission adopts northwest area plan

Posted by Erin Eddy

by Margaret Henderson
Oct 07, 2008

RIDGWAY – After months of meetings and discussion between the town, developers, members of the community, and planning consultants, the Ridgway Planning Commission unanimously adopted the Northwest Area Master Plan on Sept. 30. The plan is intended to complement the current 1999 Land Use Plan and the 2000 Comprehensive Plan and, according to the document itself, “serve as a guidance document for future development of the Northwest Areas and future master planning of the Town.”

The plan will be presented to town council for further discussion.

The 13-page plan was intentionally kept basic, with the understanding that the zoning and subdivision processes will define the final parameters, explained Jack Petruccelli, chairman of the planning commission.

Under the basic parameters of the plan, the 138 acres of what is currently open pasture-type land stretching from Charles Street north to Eagle Hill could potentially be developed into 800 to 1,500 dwelling units over time for an estimated potential population of 2,850, with a growth goal of 5 percent per year. The area would contain a mixture of residential neighborhoods and open space with mixed-use neighborhoods that could include higher-density residential development alongside commercial units such as a neighborhood store or sandwich shop.

Transportation networks would be built on a grid-like system similar to the historic layout of Ridgway, except where geographic issues may need to be considered.

Trails, parks and open space would include pedestrian and bicycle routes connecting town to the new development and providing transportation throughout. More direction on open space provisions in the Northwest Area Plan will come from the Parks, Trails and Open Space Task Force that is currently working on an open space plan to be appended to the Ridgway Master Plan.

Additionally, the plan addresses issues of affordable housing and water and wastewater infrastructure demands.

The final draft of the Northwest Area Plan is available on the town’s website at www.town.ridgway.co.us/.

Increased Building Footprint Considered

The planning commission engaged in an informal discussion with Jack Young, owner of the Chipeta Sun Lodge, about future plans for a vacant lot at the east end of the Chipeta property. The 1998 platting process provided for a building footprint, which Young would like to increase by 2,500 square feet. The area is currently used for parking and equipment storage.

Town Manager Greg Clifton noted that the increased size of the proposed building was not of particular concern because it is in harmony with the architecture of the neighborhood. However, the increased building size also increases parking requirements. Town Engineer Joanne Fagan suggested that a currently unused utility easement be made accessible for additional parking. The commissioners also discussed visual impacts, impacts to County Road 23 and drainage. The commission agreed to work on further details with Young while considering how to proceed.

Young stated that he has no immediate plans to build on the lot but may proceed with the project when the economy improves.
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