Board weighs selling Whistler parcel and advancing a 22‑unit staff housing proposal
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Summary
Board members signaled support Aug. 11 for investigating sale of a 9.2‑acre Whistler parcel, discussed partnering with the city to preserve parkland, and heard a Rural Homes proposal for 22 townhouse units (10 potentially purchased by the district) with an estimated $10M cost and a roughly $5M district share; water availability is the primary feasibility hurdle.
The Steamboat Springs School Board on Aug. 11 discussed selling the district’s 9.2‑acre Whistler parcel and reviewed progress on staff affordable housing proposals for the Sleeping Giant area.
District staff recommended putting the Whistler parcel on the market after community feedback indicated limited local appetite for district development there; staff said they would seek a new appraisal in September and pursue conversations with the city and Parks & Recreation to explore preserving the site as parkland if possible. "Having been through two rounds of potentially trying to build something on there ... I don't think that the school district will be able to effectively utilize it as an asset for either a school or housing," Katie Lee told the board.
Staff reported an RFP process (issued in April) that produced four proposals, with a nine‑member review committee interviewing three finalists. Rural Homes (lead Paul Major) emerged as the preferred developer offering a 22‑unit townhouse plan. The district would consider purchasing 10 of the 22 units while 12 would be offered for sale; staff estimated the full project at about $10,000,000 and the district’s purchase portion at approximately $5,000,000. The district said it would not pursue Prop '1 2 3' funding because its 100% AMI restriction would not meet staff affordability needs.
Public comment included Angela Cosby, the city’s parks and recreation director, who thanked district staff for collaborative conversations and said the city hopes to find a solution that benefits both the district and the city. Community member Kathy Kanell, a local broker representing Steamboat Diggs Dogs, urged use of proper appraisals to determine fair market value.
Board members welcomed further due diligence but stressed that any sale should obtain top market value and reflect community preferences. Multiple speakers flagged a critical technical constraint: water service for the site is not currently connected and would require coordination with the city and water district. Staff said resolving water availability is the first hurdle before entitlements and other approvals.
Next steps: staff will order a September appraisal, pursue water‑feasibility analysis, visit comparable Rural Homes properties, and return to the board with more detailed financial and entitlement information for a board decision.