Glenwood Springs council clears 80‑unit Canyon Vista housing plan despite water-rights objections

The Glenwood Springs City Council approved the Canyon Vista major site plan and a related 1041 state‑interest review, clearing the way for an 80‑unit affordable housing development on the former Glenwood Gardens site.

City planning staff described Canyon Vista as an 80‑unit LIHTC (low‑income housing tax credit) project that will serve households at roughly 20% to 80% of area median income, with advertised example rents as low as $358 for a studio at the lowest AMI level and about $1,434 for a studio at 80% AMI. Staff said financing combines LIHTC, county private activity bonds, eight anticipated project‑based vouchers and a locally allocated workforce housing fund. The staff presentation listed seven site‑design flexibility requests — for height transition techniques, parking in a front setback, retaining‑wall treatments, narrower landscape islands and other adjustments — and recommended approval with conditions.

Developer representatives from Cohen Esri, led by Nick…