Planning Proposals

The Planning Commission's next meeting will be 1/23/19.

Land Use Applications


New Online Access for Application Review


Citizen Access for Planning & Building permits is now available online. Look up development information and plans, via the Accela hosted website: https://aca.accela.com/archco/

(Note: Our mobile app is still a work in progress. For best results, access via a desktop connection.)

 

Pending Land Use Regulation Changes


The Planning Commission adopted a comprehensive revision to the Archuleta County Community Plan on October 11, 2017, which was endorsed by the Board of County Commissioners on November 21, 2017.  For more information visit the Community Plan page.

The Planning Commission is now reviewing the Archuleta County Land Use Regulations, as provided in the Implementation Section of the Community Plan.  The Planning Commission held a Joint Worksession with the Board of County Commissioners in December 2017, and is discussing potential updates during their regular monthly meetings at the County Administration Building.
 
Proposed Adoption of 2015 Building Codes
Pursuant to CRS 30-28-204, the Planning Commissioners of Archuleta County, Colorado, will hold a public meeting to consider updating the County Building codes from 2006 International Residential Code (IRC) & International Building Code (IBC) to 2015 IRC & IBC with modifications, along with revision to the Archuleta County Building Safety Regulations. The language proposed to be adopted is available for review in the County Building Department 970-264-1390.

The public meeting will be held on Wednesday January 23, 2019 at 6:00 PM in the County Commissioner’s meeting room at 398 Lewis Street, Pagosa Springs, Colorado, at which time all interested parties will be heard.

Recently Heard Planning Items


IMPROPERLY DIVIDED PARCELS
By Colorado Statute, any parcel under 35 acres created since 1972, must be approved by the Board of County Commissioners through Subdivision Review, or exempted from Review. Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners have adopted Resolution 2018-54 providing a process to legalize by exemption certain Improperly Divided Parcels (IDPs) which have not been previously reviewed and approved. Applications will be accepted through calendar year 2019.

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SHORT-TERM RENTALS:  On July 3, 2018, the Board approved Resolution 2018-14, to permit Vacation Rental of dwellings (homes/condo/townhouse) with an Administrative Conditional Use Permit (Vacation Rental permit), effective October 1, 2018.  Contact the Planning Dept. at 970.264.1390 to schedule a Pre-Application conference, in person or over the phone. 

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On 19 June 2018, the Archuleta Board of County Commissioners approved amendments to the Archuleta County Land Use Regulations, as recommended by the Planning Commission. The proposed General changes to Sections 1, 2, 3, 5 and 11 were intended to improve general clarity and references; streamline Land Use Permit review; place primary responsibility for Conditional Use review with the Planning Commission while creating a Board CUP for more thorough public review, with comprehensive revisions to Table 3: Uses by Zoning District; and clarify Development Standards, Abbreviations and Definitions. The proposal also includes a comprehensive revision of RV Park and Campground standards.  Changes took effect immediately and have been incorporated into the Land Use Regulations available online.
  
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On 15 November 2017, the Archuleta County Planning Commission recommended against approval of the Pagosa Dogsled Adventures Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) to operate as a Commercial Kennel and Wilderness Lodge.  Applicant Pagosa Adventures LLC withdrew their application and has vacated the property.
  
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On 4 April 2017, the Archuleta Board of County Commissioners approved amendments to the Archuleta County Land Use Regulations.  The changes classify utility distribution lines, including those installed above ground in any zone, as Conforming structures, amending Section 1.3.2 and adding a definition of Electric Power Distribution Line to Section 11.2.1.
 
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On 17 January 2017, the Archuleta Board of County Commissioners voted to approve an application by Black & Veatch, representing Verizon Wireless, for the Verizon Escobar Telecommunication Facility Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and Variances, on property owned by Sydonia Poenish, the N½SE¼NW¼ S6 T35N R2W NMPM, at 3700 County Rd 600 (Piedra Road), Pagosa Springs, CO. The CUP would have permitted a new Commercial Mobile Radio Systems (CMRS) wireless communication facility with a 65’ monopole cell tower and antennas, approximately 1,000 feet west of the road (PLN16-114 and PLN16-115).  This approval expired in January 2018.

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