Carbondale planning commission approves 11‑room downtown lodging project with parking waiver

The Carbondale Planning and Zoning Commission on April 24 approved a minor site plan, conditional use permit and an alternative‑compliance parking request for a proposed 11‑unit lodging development at 888 Main Street.

Planning staff recommended approval and commissioners voted to adopt Resolution No. 4, Series 2025 with the updated conditions of approval; the motion passed unanimously among commissioners present.

The project, presented by project architect Bob Ramsey and owner Mike Arnold, would place two small buildings around a central courtyard with 11 lodging units (nine ~600‑square‑foot units, one smaller “hotel‑style” unit and one ADA accessible unit), amenities including a sauna, bike parking and a fire pit, and 10 on‑site parking spaces. The applicant asked the commission for a one‑space reduction from the Unified Development Code requirement (11 spaces) and proposed removal of an existing curb cut on Main Street to create one additional public on‑street space nearby.

Ellie, a town planning staff member, told the commission the project meets dimensional standards: proposed impervious cover is about 73% (below the 80% maximum), maximum height is 23 feet (below the 35‑foot allowance), and setbacks meet the code (5 feet from Main Street and the west property line; 20 feet to the rear and to Main Court). Staff also recommended conditions to add a planting schedule and to require review by the tree board for any public‑right‑of‑way trees; the town arborist had requested removal of one spruce tree, which the applicant accepts.

Why it matters: downtown lodging is a stated objective in the town’s comprehensive plan for the “new urban” designation on this block, and commissioners described the project as a…