Planning commission recommends rezoning and approves special‑use permit to formalize Clark Store in Clark

The Routt County Planning Commission voted on May 7 to recommend approval of a minor subdivision and a zone change for a 5‑acre parcel in Clark that will contain the Clark Store and nearby housing, and separately approved a Special Use Permit (SUP) formalizing the Clark Store’s existing operation. The subdivision and rezoning recommendation and the SUP each passed the commission unanimously, 9–0.

Walter Magill of Four Points Surveying & Engineering, representing the applicant Entelco Corporation, told the commission the proposal would create a 5‑acre Historic Town (HT) parcel containing the existing Clark Store, a duplex and a four‑plex, with the remaining land staying in Agriculture/Forestry. Magill said the Clark Store has operated continuously at the site since 1971 as a legal nonconforming use and that the request would align zoning with existing uses while supporting limited community‑oriented development, including modest accessory expansion such as outdoor seating for summer events.

Staff planner Michael Fitz described the 64‑acre parent parcel, the site’s long history (structures dating to about 1932 and store activity in this location since 1971), and said the HT district is a good fit because it allows small‑scale commercial uses and higher density in historically developed areas. Fitz noted that multiple prior PUD proposals had not been completed and that a 2005 subdivision created land for the North Routt Community Charter School. He said water‑system improvements are underway with the Division of Water Resources and that the wastewater system has been upgraded, but added that future new development would require additional augmentation or permitting.

Key conditions and clarifications attached to the Planning Commission’s recommendation include: a final plat to be recorded within three years; concurrent recording of the final plat and the zone‑change resolution; payment of a fee‑in‑lieu of $1,313.76 prior to recordation; dedication of rights‑of‑way for County Roads 129 and 62; establishment of defined “no build” zones (including slopes of 30% or greater and waterbody setbacks); required easements; and an unbuildable 0.86‑acre outlot that must be merged with an adjacent parcel within one year of recordation. The staff report and plat notes also state that availability of septic permits and water permits for the lots has not been established and that the zone change will only become effective upon a Board of County Commissioners resolution amending the Official Zoning Map.

On the SUP, the commission approved a permit valid for the life of the use (it lapses automatically if the permitted uses are discontinued for one year). Approved uses listed in the SUP include a restaurant/bar, enclosed retail, a post office, and assembly/community uses; employee housing is not required for the existing operations but would be required for any expansion of operations. The SUP approval is conditioned on compliance with the Routt County Unified Development Code and applicable federal, state and local permits, proof of a Sales Tax Account prior to operation, evidence of liability insurance, and other standard requirements.

Commissioner Andrew Benjamin moved the motions to recommend the subdivision and zone change and to approve the SUP; both motions were seconded by Commissioner Bill Norris and carried 9–0, with Acting Chair Brian Kelly voting in favor. Planning Director Kristy Winser told the commission that any complaints about the operation could prompt review of the SUP and potential amendment or revocation of permit conditions.

Next steps: the Planning Commission’s zone‑change recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for adoption of a resolution to amend the Official Zoning Map; the SUP is effective under the terms approved by the Planning Commission and the permit requires the permittee to provide proof of all required permits and insurance before commencement of operations.