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Board discusses selling Whistler parcel and advances plan for 22‑unit staff housing
Summary
District staff recommended exploring sale of the 9.2‑acre Whistler parcel (preferably to the city to preserve park/open space) and outlined an RFP winner — Rural Homes — proposing 22 units with the district buying roughly 10 units (project ~ $10 million; district share ~ $5 million). Board support is contingent on water and entitlement feasibility.
The Steamboat Springs School Board discussed the future of the Whistler parcel and a separate proposed staff‑housing development during its Aug. 11 meeting. District staff said community feedback indicates the district likely cannot develop the 9.2‑acre Whistler parcel and recommended pursuing a sale, ideally to the city to retain park and open‑space use. Staff told the board an updated appraisal is scheduled for September.
The board also reviewed responses to an RFP for staff‑affordable housing issued in April. Staff said four proposals were received and one — Rural Homes, led by Paul Major — emerged as the strongest candidate after interviews. Rural Homes’ proposal envisions 22 units; the district would seek to purchase 10 units for staff occupancy while the developer markets 12 units for sale. Staff estimated the full development would cost about $10,000,000 with the district’s purchase portion roughly $5,000,000; staff said the district will not pursue "prop 1 2 3" funding because it limits units to 100% AMI and would not meet staff needs.
District staff and board members agreed the project’s first critical hurdle is water availability: the Whistler/Sleeping Giant area lacks direct water service to that parcel and any development would require coordination with the city and the local water district. Board members expressed conditional support but asked staff to resolve water, entitlement and neighborhood‑fit questions before further commitments. Parks and recreation director Angela Cosby spoke in public comment to thank staff for collaborative conversations and to express the city’s interest in exploring a win‑win outcome. Community broker Kathy Kanell urged reliance on formal appraisals to reach fair market value in any sale.
What’s next: staff will obtain an updated appraisal, evaluate water and entitlement feasibility, visit comparable Rural Homes projects, and return to the board with more definitive financials and recommended next steps.
