Commissioners approve Alexander Ranch road vacation and lot‑line changes to create 5‑acre wastewater parcel; wetlands delineated, conditions set
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Summary
San Miguel County commissioners on Nov. 5 approved two related land‑use actions for the Alexander Ranch parcels in the Ilium valley: (1) vacation of County Road L 63.7 (Res. 2025‑37) and (2) a subdivision exemption approving lot‑line adjustments that create a 5‑acre parcel intended as a potential regional wastewater treatment site (Res. 2025‑33).
San Miguel County commissioners on Nov. 5 approved a two‑step land use proposal from the Alexander Ranch that clears county right‑of‑way and rearranges parcel boundaries to create a 5‑acre lot identified for potential use as a regional wastewater treatment facility.
Planning staff said County Road L 63.7 has not been used for access for several years and that its historic connection to Highway 145 had been physically removed by construction of a passing lane and guardrail. The board voted to vacate the entire county road segment (resolution 2025‑37) after the planning commission unanimously recommended approval and staff verified notice and referral steps.
The board then approved a subdivision exemption and lot‑line adjustment (resolution 2025‑33) that redraws seven legacy placer‑claim parcels into six more regular lots, including a five‑acre lot (Lot 1 on the plat) the town of Mountain Village has contracted to acquire for a potential regional wastewater treatment plant. Mountain Village and the Alexanders said the lot division also clarifies and dedicates road right‑of‑way and recreational trail easements that will be recorded with the plat.
During the public hearing, resident Dan Collins asked whether wetlands had been surveyed on the proposed wastewater lot. David Olsen, the surveyor for the applicant, and Mountain Village representatives said an on‑the‑ground wetlands delineation had been done by consultant Chris Hazen and that wetland flags were incorporated into the existing‑conditions survey; Mountain Village said the narrow wetland area would not be used for plant construction and might instead be preserved or enhanced.
Commissioners approved the lot‑line adjustment subject to conditions requiring the applicant to satisfy 40 technical surveyor comments, address planning director notes and county manager requests (including labeling of dedicated ROW on the final plat), and to obtain a Colorado Department of Transportation access permit for the wastewater parcel—s eventual access from Highway 145. Both resolutions passed by recorded votes (three ayes).
Why it matters: The actions clear legal encumbrances and prepare site control needed for regional wastewater planning while dedicating rights‑of‑way and recreational trail connections. The approvals do not authorize construction of a treatment plant; any future facility will require separate permitting and environmental review, including Army Corps, state wetland and floodplain permits as applicable.
What comes next: County survey and planning conditions must be addressed and the applicant must obtain a CDOT access permit before final plat recordation. Any future wastewater facility application will undergo its own land‑use and permitting review.
