River Trails

Entitlements are still difficult for new urban projects in many locations around the US, and the key issue is density. The latest project to go down in defeat is River Trails, designed by Calthorpe Associates, which would have been the first major new urban community in southwest Colorado. Durango City Council voted 3-2 November 4 not to approve the proposal. The plan called for 800 homes and a mixed-use town center on 242 acres of land north of the city, one of the few remaining parcels suitable to build a neighborhood near the city. The current zoning allows for 67 houses on large lots. These homes will be built for wealthy customers, says the developer, architect Bob Wolff. Wolff said he and his development partner spent $400,000 planning River Trails to no avail. Said one of the opponents, Judy Fairchild, who lives nearby: “Sixty-seven homes is a lot less than 800. It’s all numbers to me. The density has been the biggest obstacle that we have been fighting against.”