On Sept. 8, the Pagosa Springs Planning Commission, sitting as the Design Review Board, approved a final design application for the redevelopment of Healing Waters Resort and Spa.
Healing Waters is a lodging and hot springs establishment located at 140 Hot Springs Blvd.
The applicant came before the board to propose the final design of a two-phase redevelopment project of the resort.
An agenda document on the matter states that the redevelopment is intended to “better serve customers, reduce maintenance and energy costs, and to adapt to the changing trends of Pagosa Springs.”
The applicant’s “master plan” for the site includes a reorganization of the entire property, expanding the soaking pools, lodging capacity, and the amenities provided to guests,” the application states.
The hopes are to make a “more cohesive resort that would better serve both guests and the community,” the application states.
The redevelopment plan for the property was originally brought before the board in 2024, when the sketch plan was approved.
The final design contains only a “slight deviation” from the original sketch plan, explained Planning Manager Owen O’Dell.
Phase one of the redevelopment would consolidate the lots, create “clarified and safer access through the site,” improve the landscaping, and improve the utility service areas, the document states.
O’Dell said that phase one of the project “is slated to begin late this year, with completion roughly a year later.”
On consolidation of the lots, he explained that, in its existing configuration, the site is technically two separate parcels and that the owner will attempt to consolidate them through a different process than the design review application being considered currently.
He explained that while the applicant has not yet indicated when phase two of the redevelopment would take place, it would include the demolition of one existing lodging building, the removal of the existing modular cabins and the additions of new laundry and hotel buildings.
Phase two would also include construction of four new cabins, the application states.
The second phase would “likely happen in 2028,” O’Dell said.
In total, Healing Waters would stand at a room count of 26, which would include 14 rooms in the new hotel, eight rooms in the renovated old lodge and four new cabins, the application states.
O’Dell explained to the board that town staff recommended the approval of the final design application, but with certain conditions, with a few of the conditions, including:
• Submittal of storm water drainage and snow storage plans.
• Approval from the town’s Public Works Department for the conveyance of raw geothermal water from the site.
• Provide evidence that the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District (PAWSD) is willing and able to serve this site.
• Ensure that all mechanical equipment is properly screened from street view.
When opened to questions, planning commissioner Chris Pitcher sought clarification on if the board was deciding on both phases of the project at this time, with O’Dell explaining that the board would be approving both phases with the exception of the soaking pool renovations.
One of the architects on the project, Lauren Davis, explained “that all of the pools will be done in a later phase,” even though they are included in the master plan presented to the board.
This would be a “sort of phase three,” O’Dell explained.
Planning commissioner Brian Reid explained he thinks the project will be “a benefit to downtown,” and “you’re not adding very many new units compared to other things being considered” by the board, so the impact on local utilities wouldn’t be as major an impact as other developments.
He added that cleaning up and upgrading the site would likely make utilities usage more efficient.
When a motion was made to approve the final design, with the conditions, it was passed unanimously by the board.
derek@pagosasun.com
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