Developers propose 29-unit condo, 20-acre conservation easement for Alta site; commissioners press for water, access, massing details

Representatives for the property owner presented a conceptual plan on Jan. 22 to the Alta Town Planning Commission proposing a condominium building on the lower four acres of the Alta Passam Marley parcel, a 20-acre conservation easement on the upper portion of the site, and public benefits that include workforce housing and a possible public restroom.

The presentation by Doug O'Hooley, who identified himself as representing the estate that owns the parcel, and Wade Budge outlined a proposal for a multi-tiered building with three stepped heights (one tier at elevation 8,860 feet, a middle tier at 8,860 feet and a top tier at 8,875 feet as presented) and a conceptual maximum of 29 residential condominiums plus a minimum of three workforce housing units, for a total of 32 dwelling units when an ADA-accessible unit owned by the HOA is included.

Why it matters: the project would replace a previously approved 10-lot single-family subdivision and change winter over-snow vehicle parking and access patterns on the lower site. Commissioners said the proposal could offer community benefits — notably a conservation easement on the upper 20 acres — but they pressed developers for more precise analysis on water supply, driveway alignment, building massing relative to the treeline, parking and operations before moving the project forward.

Most important facts: the project team said their drone survey and field walk showed the proposed building massing would remain largely below the adjacent…