The Grand County Planning Commission on Nov. 24 recommended approval of a zone change for the LaVena Subdivision on Plateau Drive, a roughly 14.78-acre parcel staff said is consistent with the county’s Future Land Use Plan.

Staff presentation and applicant goals

Andrew Jackson, the planning and zoning director, summarized staff findings and told commissioners the parcels are currently zoned a mix of highway commercial, general business and large-lot residential. Jackson said the proposal—and the draft ordinance in the agenda packet—would allow townhome-style residential development and that staff’s recommendation assumed answers to a list of issues (A–K) covering traffic and utility concerns. Applicant Troy Naylor said the project aims to provide “affordable housing for people that live in the community” by adding townhome units that match existing onsite architecture.

Resident concerns and technical issues

A local resident, Karen Feary, told the commission she was "really concerned" about building in what she described as a ravine and said she could not see development without increased flood risk, adding that the local lane-and-a-half road would face additional traffic pressure. Staff and the applicant described engineering measures—piping, catch basins and retention areas—designed to address the drainage and erosion observed after recent storms.

Deliberation and vote

Commissioners discussed whether to rely on the Future Land Use Plan versus the current land use code when deciding rezoning requests, whether the proposed density should be handled through clustering or planned-unit development, and whether required traffic and infrastructure work would mitigate neighborhood impacts. After deliberation, the commission voted to recommend approval of the LaVena rezone, with the record reporting a 3–2 favorable recommendation and one abstention; staff will forward the recommendation and responses to the A–K questions for County Commission consideration.

What happens next

The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Grand County Commission; staff indicated the item will appear on a future county commission agenda once required clarifications and the 10-day comment window process are confirmed.