Commissioners grant Flying Dog Ranch West activity envelope, amend development permit

Pitkin County commissioners on Sept. 10 approved a resolution granting activity‑envelope review, a major amendment to a development permit and a seven‑year vested property right for the Flying Dog Ranch West property outside Carbondale.

Staff recommended approval following revisions the applicant made after an earlier hearing; the amended plan reduces the number of principal dwellings the applicant may build from three to two and limits the north cabin to its current historic floor area. The applicant and staff also agreed the activity envelope and a development agreement would be recorded with the county; the applicant requested a 90‑day period to submit those documents.

Attorney Glenn Horn, representing the owners, asked the board to allow 90 days to submit the activity envelope plan and development agreement. “We would ask that that could be changed to 90 days,” Horn said. County staff said the 90‑day request was acceptable.

The resolution adopted by the board includes the amended provisions limiting new floor area relocation, preserving historic floor area, reducing principal dwelling units and granting a seven‑year vested right tied to the recorded activity envelopes and development agreement. Staff emphasized the conservation easement covering the property remains in force and that new construction must comply with the recorded covenants.

The board voted to approve the amended applications; the approval requires the applicant to file an activity envelope plan, a covenant agreement preserving historic resources and a development agreement consistent with the resolution. If the applicant does not record those documents within the allowed period, the approvals may lapse or be subject to additional review.