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Council adopts development agreement and approves four-unit affordable housing at 640 West 8th
Summary
City council approved a development agreement allowing extra density in exchange for four deed-restricted units at 100% AMI, and separately approved a conditional-use permit for Rabbit Ears Ltd.'s four-unit infill project at 640 West 8th Street. The deed restriction will be administered by the Lake County Regional Housing Authority.
Leadville — The City Council on March 3 adopted an ordinance authorizing a development agreement with Rabbit Ears Ltd. that allows an increase in site density in exchange for four deed-restricted housing units at 100% area median income (AMI). The council followed that adoption by approving a conditional-use permit for a four-unit multifamily building at 640 West 8th Street (PL-2026-00001).
Staff said the site is within the R-1 zoning district and that the development agreement — modeled on an earlier 2024 code allowance — would permit a gross density increase (to 25 dwelling units per acre on this 0.163-acre parcel) in exchange for deed restrictions ensuring long-term affordability. The Lake County Regional Housing Authority will administer and enforce the deed restrictions and conduct annual income verification, staff said.
Justin Ernst, the developer, described the project as a modest infill of one-bedroom units intended for local workforce housing. "We are very much trying to build this for locals and for the local workforce," he said, describing energy-efficient construction and an intent to operate the units as rentals.
Neighbors provided mixed reaction at the two public hearings: supporters cited the city's housing-needs analyses and the benefits of infill close to schools, hospital and businesses; opponents raised concerns about parking, traffic and neighborhood scale, noting tight street geometry near the site.
Staff and the planning commission found the project complied with applicable dimensional and conditional-use criteria when paired with the development agreement. The project provides four required off-street parking spaces for the four one-bedroom units and will record a deed restriction guaranteeing the affordability terms. Council approved the ordinance and then the CUP by roll-call votes.
Next steps: staff said the development agreement will be recorded with Lake County, and the project will move to building permit review. The Regional Housing Authority is scheduled to act March 18 to accept administration duties for the deed restriction.
