An inactive gravel mine in the Animas Valley plans to formally shut down and repurpose the land for a large-scale commercial development. The move has some in the rafting community wondering what will become of a popular river put-in along the Animas River.
For the past few years, the nearly 50-acre gravel mine owned by Four Corners Materials, Inc. at 876 Trimble Lane (County Road 252), near Trimble Crossing and along the Animas River, has sat idle.
On Thursday, however, the owners requested a change in land-use designation for the property, from industrial to commercial, which would allow a range of new developments on the land.
As per county codes, landowners or developers must first request a change in land-use designation. At a later stage in the process, actual development plans are submitted and must be approved by county officials.
Nancy Dosdall, a land agent representing Four Corners Materials, said there are no firm development plans for the property as of yet.
Calls to Four Corners Materials were not returned.
The main issue at a La Plata County Planning Commission meeting Thursday was the fate of the river access point to the Animas River, just downstream of the Trimble bridge.
The boat ramp is privately owned by Four Corners Materials, but for years, the company has allowed the public to access the Animas.
During public comment, residents worried future development plans would close off the access point.
Kent Ford, a professional kayaker who lives in Durango, stressed the importance of the boat ramp, which is the only take-out for boaters who run the Animas down from Bakers Bridge, and the only put-in for river runners traveling to Oxbow Park or 32nd Street.
“There’s enough public interest in the river access that I’m quite confident we could spearhead a volunteer effort … that could step up to enhance and care for public access there,” Ford said.
Dosdall was noncommittal about the future of the access point, saying it is too early in the process.
“It’s a big ask to have a private property owner provide a public river (boat ramp),” she said. “But we hope to find a good option for keeping that river access.”
The Planning Commission approved the request for a change in land-use from industrial to commercial. Now, county commissioners must vote on the final approval.
Actual development plans would go through a separate process that would include public comment.
Planning commissioners also unanimously approved subdividing two parcels, totaling 23.02 acres, into 15 residential lots near Purgatory Resort.
Parcels owned by JMG & LRG Properties LLC will be subdivided into 12 lots with one single-family unit on each. The remaining land will be reserved for future development.
Parcels owned by Santa Maria Otazua Holdings LLC will be divided into two tracts that will be further subdivided at a later time.
Both properties are part of Phase 5 of the Engineer Village Conceptual Plan.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
