Planning commission approves Veer backcountry site plan for small Weston Pass cabin with conditions

The Lake County Planning Commission on May 28 approved a backcountry site plan proposed by property owner Sam Veer for a small cabin near the top of Weston Pass, finding the submission met county code criteria for backcountry structures and attaching conditions recommended by staff.

Planning staff described the application as a minimal-footprint, seasonal-use backcountry structure sited on a 10.3-acre parcel bisected by Weston Pass Road. Staff said the cabin footprint is about 234 square feet, the structure will be used only part of the year under a backcountry license rather than a building permit, and the application includes a roof-mounted 12-volt solar system and an incinerating toilet. Staff noted Colorado Parks and Wildlife has designated the area as high-quality habitat and recommended best-management practices in conditions of approval. Staff told the commission a variance was approved April 9 by the Lake County Board of Health for the on-site waste system.

Sam Veer, the applicant, told the commission the cabin is designed to “blend in” with historical structures on the pass and…