Dear Editor:
The Town of Pagosa Springs has received a revised application for a Sketch Major Subdivision for the Pagosa West Major Subdivision. The Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 5:30 pm at 551 Hot Springs Blvd to consider this application.
The original map presented in March, 2025 included high density residential and commercial buildings over the entire 100 acres. It also required zoning changes and special permits. The revised proposal has deleted all parcels except two—those labeled for 88 WF housing apartments and a gas station located directly across from the hospital. The purpose of a subdivision sketch plan is to present the overall concept for the subdivision. This revision does not present a concept, rather seeks permission to move forward on the developer’s priorities without any detail on how these two projects fit into a larger concept for the subdivision.
Per the LUDC, there are specific requirements needed to be submitted BEFORE a ‘Sketch Plan Approval’ (LUDC Section 2.2.4). Some of these include:
-Information on water supply including number of water taps, estimated water needed to serve the development;
-Sewage disposal information;
-Lots and block with approximate acreage or square footage for each lot;
-Proposed gross residential density or intensity of commercial uses on the property;
-Location of public and private open space, including acreage or square footage calculations;
-Location of footprints or building envelopes for all structures, excluding single family residential units, if applicable.
The proposal is vague in terms addressing these issues. Because of the significant community negative feedback over the prospect of commercial businesses such as another storage unit, another car wash, tiny houses on 1/6th acre lots, etc., I question whether the elimination of individual parcel detail in this revision isn’t a way of making the proposal more palatable and hasten its approval without full review. This does NOT meet the LUDC requirements for sketch submission, and yet the Planning Commission is still planning on considering it.
Pagosa already has hundreds of miles of failing infrastructure — roads, streets, water lines, sewer lines and needs new schools — that the tax base cannot support. Within a few hundred feet from the proposed ‘Pagosa West’ subdivision are acres and acres of vacant, undeveloped commercial and residential parcels. At last count, there are over 30 commercial properties for sale in Pagosa. ‘Pagosa West’ is not “needed”, nor wanted by large segments of our community, not at this point in time, anyway.
Jane Weitzel
