Planning commission recommends resort‑commercial rezoning for Steens property, with conditions on administrative updates
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Summary
After public testimony from applicants Ashley and Mark Steens and a lengthy discussion over annexation, density and future‑land‑use alignment, the planning commission voted to recommend rezoning a Steens family parcel from range‑and‑grazing to resort commercial to the county commission, asking staff to resolve required application updates and legal questions before county consideration.
The Grand County Planning Commission voted to recommend a zoning‑map amendment changing a Steens family parcel from range‑and‑grazing to resort commercial, following applicant testimony and extended commissioner deliberation on appropriate densities and annexation.
Applicants Ashley and Mark Steens told the commission they had responded to planning commission feedback from an earlier meeting and that the parcel already supports commercial activities, including a zipline operation. Staff summarized the background, noting the request aligns with the county’s future land‑use plan for Spanish Valley but that the application requires certain up‑to‑date documents before county‑commission action, including a current title report and confirmations of annexation discussions.
Commissioners expressed differing views about whether resort commercial is the correct zone or whether a lower‑density designation (such as resort special) would better protect scenic and watershed‑sensitive areas. Several commissioners urged caution about potential densities under resort commercial, citing the county’s future‑land‑use guidance and ‘do not harm’ place‑type language in parts of the plan. Other commissioners argued that the applicants had met staff requests and that further delay would harm a long‑standing local business and employees.
After public comment and commissioner deliberation, a commissioner made a motion to recommend the rezoning to the county commission; the motion passed. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate with legal counsel and to confirm required administrative updates before the county‑commission hearing.
