YOUR AD HERE »

Eagle crafts compromise for commercial building

A for-sale sign sits out front of the Trinity Recycling building in west Eagle. The large commercial building was built back in 1971 and finding a use that is compatible with neighboring residential properties has been a challenge.
Pam Boyd/pboyd@eaglevalleyenterprise.com |

EAGLE — Two weeks ago, a proposal to locate a roofing company business in the west Eagle neighborhood drew a large contingent of protesting neighbors to Eagle Town Hall.

This week, the exact same proposal brought comment, but not opposition, from one person. It just goes to prove that it’s all in how you ask.

Earlier this fall, Umbrella Roofing applied to change the zoning at a large commercial building located at 850 Castle Drive. The building, which was constructed in 1971, is out of place in the largely residential neighborhood and was also zoned as residential multi-family. The roofing company wants to house its Eagle Valley operations at the site.



Trevor Cannon, of Umbrella Roofing, said his operation would involve a maximum of five deliveries per week and none of the trucks would be parked along Castle Drive. Additionally, he said there would be virtually no retail sales at the site and generally the operation would involve having roofing teams load up at the area and then travel to their job sites. Cannon said only minimal sheet metal work would happen at the site.

Recycling company leaves

Support Local Journalism



That proposal is far less intrusive than the current occupant of the building — Trinity Recycling. The operations at the metal recycling company have drawn complaints from the neighboring properties and earlier this year, the Eagle Town Board granted an extension of the business’ special-use permit only after owner Josh Thompson pledged to put his property up for sale and search for a more compatible operation. Umbrella Roofing stepped forward and both the town and the neighbors generally agreed that the operation would be a much better fit for the building. However, nearby residents were concerned about the proposal to rezone the property to commercial limited, saying it would adversely affect their property values.

At the request of the staff two weeks ago, the Eagle Town Board tabled a decision regarding the Umbrella Roofing request to see if a different solution could be worked out. Seemingly, it has.

Tuesday night, the town staff proposed leaving the RMF zoning in place and modifying the town regulations to allow a special-use permit for warehouse operations in that zone district.

“It is a commercial property and it has been zoned improperly,” said town board member Doug Seabury. “That said, I do like the solution presented.”

“I like the idea of a space use. It’s certainly an odd piece of property. It is something that deserves a special look whenever we consider something different,” said town board member Kevin Brubeck.

Cindy Callicrate was the only property neighbor in attendance for Tuesday’s discussion.

“I think we are on the right track,” she said. “I believe the neighbors have been listened to.”

While the Town Board applauded the staff’s proposed solution, the actual approval won’t come until later this month. First, the proposed land use code amendment must be approved by the Eagle Planning and Zoning Commission.

That is slated to happen next Tuesday. Then the Town Board is scheduled to act on the land-use issue and the special-use permit at its Oct. 27 meeting.


Support Local Journalism