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ENLARGE
A construction worker frames the roof at 138 Charolais Circle Friday in Singletree in Edwards.
EAGLE COUNTY - The sky hasn't fallen, but Karl Berger is still waiting to sell a piece of property in Dotsero.
About halfway through a county-imposed ban on approval of new subdivisions, the county's planning department is about as busy today as it was a year ago.
The ban was imposed in October of last year, with the idea that no more new subdivisions would be approved until the county could revise several of its land use regulations.
That's slowed down the sale of Berger's property. Berger, of Eagle-Vail, has a contract to sell a piece of land to 84 Lumber, a national lumber and building materials company based in Pennsylvania. The company won't complete the sale until it has county approval for a lumber yard at the site. That probably won't happen for another several months.
"There has been a delay," Berger said.
But not much else has been put off during the first half of the ban.
The ban has a provision for "hardship" applications, but so far, only two applications have been filed. One, to Red Cliff homeowner Penelope Salcido, was granted. The other, which was requested by 84 Lumber, has been turned down.
About halfway through a county-imposed ban on approval of new subdivisions, the county's planning department is about as busy today as it was a year ago.
The ban was imposed in October of last year, with the idea that no more new subdivisions would be approved until the county could revise several of its land use regulations.
That's slowed down the sale of Berger's property. Berger, of Eagle-Vail, has a contract to sell a piece of land to 84 Lumber, a national lumber and building materials company based in Pennsylvania. The company won't complete the sale until it has county approval for a lumber yard at the site. That probably won't happen for another several months.
"There has been a delay," Berger said.
But not much else has been put off during the first half of the ban.
The ban has a provision for "hardship" applications, but so far, only two applications have been filed. One, to Red Cliff homeowner Penelope Salcido, was granted. The other, which was requested by 84 Lumber, has been turned down.
Whether any other applications for an exemption to the ban are filed may depend on how quickly the ban is lifted. That's up to the county planning department, the volunteers of the Eagle County Planning Commission, and ultimately, the county commissioners.
In October of last year, Commissioner Arn Menconi promised the work would be done in nine months, or June of this year. The head of the planning department says the regulations may be done in time to keep that promise.
"There's no question in my mind we're on track," said Eagle County Community Development Department Director Keith Montag. "We'll draft and present the regulations, but there's no promise about adoption."
The proposals now churning through the county's bureaucracy include changes to how far from streams homes can be built and what type of landscaping new homes can have. Other changes involve buildings on visible ridge lines and hillsides, and how to build homes closer together, or "cluster" them, on agricultural property that's converted to homes.
Some of the regulations have already gone to the planning board. Others are still being written. One, regarding wildlife protection was sent in for an overhaul even before the planning staff was finished with it, due to opposition from local ranchers.
"We're going to re-evaluate the direction those will take," Montag said. "We'll be talking to the interest groups about them. We've got some good ideas."
While the planning staff works on the new regulations, they're also working on building applications. Through the first two months of this year, there's actually one more application under review than there was last year.
And people remain busy.
In October of last year, Commissioner Arn Menconi promised the work would be done in nine months, or June of this year. The head of the planning department says the regulations may be done in time to keep that promise.
"There's no question in my mind we're on track," said Eagle County Community Development Department Director Keith Montag. "We'll draft and present the regulations, but there's no promise about adoption."
The proposals now churning through the county's bureaucracy include changes to how far from streams homes can be built and what type of landscaping new homes can have. Other changes involve buildings on visible ridge lines and hillsides, and how to build homes closer together, or "cluster" them, on agricultural property that's converted to homes.
Some of the regulations have already gone to the planning board. Others are still being written. One, regarding wildlife protection was sent in for an overhaul even before the planning staff was finished with it, due to opposition from local ranchers.
"We're going to re-evaluate the direction those will take," Montag said. "We'll be talking to the interest groups about them. We've got some good ideas."
While the planning staff works on the new regulations, they're also working on building applications. Through the first two months of this year, there's actually one more application under review than there was last year.
And people remain busy.
Rick Pylman, an Edwards-based planner, said he hasn't seen much of a slowdown.
"I know people who were contemplating purchasing land who decided not to," Pylman said. "Whether (the ban) was a factor, I don't know."
While it looks like the subdivision ban is on track to expire in June, Berger has his doubts.
"I think there's a false appearance that they were concerned with what people think," Berger said. "I think they're furthering their own agenda."
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Four questions:
What is it? A ban on new subdivisions in Eagle County
When did it start? October
"I know people who were contemplating purchasing land who decided not to," Pylman said. "Whether (the ban) was a factor, I don't know."
While it looks like the subdivision ban is on track to expire in June, Berger has his doubts.
"I think there's a false appearance that they were concerned with what people think," Berger said. "I think they're furthering their own agenda."
================
Four questions:
What is it? A ban on new subdivisions in Eagle County
When did it start? October
When is it supposed to end? June
Can I still get a building permit? Yes, as long as an application doesn't request an increase in the number of buildings already allowed on a piece of property.
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Staff Writer Scott N. Miller can be reached at 949-0555, ext. 14624 or at smiller@vaildaily.com
Vail Daily, Vail, Colorado
Can I still get a building permit? Yes, as long as an application doesn't request an increase in the number of buildings already allowed on a piece of property.
=================
Staff Writer Scott N. Miller can be reached at 949-0555, ext. 14624 or at smiller@vaildaily.com
Vail Daily, Vail, Colorado
