Dolores trustees approve garage and RV-park conditional-use permits with conditions to protect river and neighborhood

The Dolores Board of Trustees on July 13 approved two conditional-use permits after public hearings and staff presentations.

Sarah Pritchard, the town’s contract planner, recommended approval of a conditional-use permit for a roughly 1,280-square-foot residential garage at 200 South 8th Street, concluding the accessory building complies with dimensional standards and conditional-use criteria. Pritchard told trustees the applicant must verify easement boundaries with the town and obtain a building permit before construction; she also recommended that outdoor lighting be downward-directed and that the garage be re-permitted if the parcel reverts to commercial use. An applicant representative said the siding will match the house and that trees will be planted as screening. Trustees closed the hearing, adopted staff findings and approved the CUP with the proposed conditions.

The board then opened a public hearing on a conditional-use permit for an RV/travel-trailer park at 18390 Highway 145. Staff described the plan as placing RV sites on the undeveloped southern portion of the commercially zoned property with central water, sewer, a dump station and required on-site circulation. Pritchard and staff emphasized the project must meet the town’s RV-park standards (minimum site size and spacing), obtain final engineering and building permits, and comply with grading, drainage and erosion-control rules. Trustees pressed staff and the applicant on riparian buffers and traffic safety; staff said the closest proposed site would be about 68 feet from the top of the berm along the Dolores River and that Army Corps riparian and floodplain guidance will control development near the river. The board approved the CUP subject to the engineering, landscaping, lighting and utility conditions recommended by planning and zoning.

Both approvals were framed as conditional on later engineering and permitting: Pritchard noted final site plans, easement verification and a building permit are required; for the RV park, the town will require final engineering review to verify fire access, grading, utilities and drainage. Trustees also asked staff to pursue traffic signage and other safety measures along Highway 145 where vehicles will turn for the RV park.

The board’s votes were recorded by voice for the garage CUP and by voice for the RV-park CUP; staff and the planner will monitor compliance with the conditions before issuing permits.