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Forest Service, county move Hilltop housing project toward lease and NEPA approval
Summary
Routt County and the Forest Service reported progress on the Hilltop housing project June 9: appraisal complete, categorical exclusion (NEPA) expected this month, and lease negotiations underway between the agencies and city partners.
County and U.S. Forest Service staff told commissioners on June 9 that the Hilltop affordable-housing project is advancing through environmental review and real-estate steps that must precede construction.
Michael Woodbridge said the Hilltop property — about 8.5 acres owned by the Forest Service — has an appraisal completed and that the agency expects to sign a categorical exclusion (the NEPA-level review the Forest Service will use) in June. Meanwhile county and city attorneys have been negotiating a lease that, when final, will allow developers to move forward with design and financing.
Woodbridge said that a previous dependence on shorter-term authorities (an earlier “farm bill” authority) had slowed similar projects in the past, and he welcomed the longer-term authorization created in the EXPLORER Act. He said progress at Hilltop has also benefited from comparative lessons with Summit County and other mountain communities pursuing Forest Service housing collaborations.
Why it matters: Hilltop is positioned to deliver housing tied to a Forest Service land-lease model that many mountain communities are using to accelerate housing for local workers. Commissioners said they want to maintain momentum and will look for the Forest Service to return with the signed categorical exclusion and a near-term update on the draft lease.
Ending: County and Forest Service staff said they expect continued progress this summer and will return to the board with updated timelines once the lease and NEPA paperwork are finalized.
