The Animas Valley Action Coalition – a band of residents seeking to protect their community from unwelcome development – are preparing to confront their main adversary later this month.
Arizona-based developer Scott Roberts, who is pursuing the development of a luxury RV park called Roberts Resorts Village Camp Durango on Trimble Lane (County Road 252), is scheduled to meet with Animas Valley residents at 5:30 p.m. April 29 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds Extension Building, 2500 Main Ave., in Durango.
Roberts’ first proposal was rejected by La Plata County Planning Division a year ago for being noncompliant with land-use code. But he’s back with a revised proposal to build 275 RV stalls.
AVAC members gathered at the Durango Public Library on Saturday to reorganize ahead of the neighborhood meeting with Roberts. Residents showed no signs of easing up on their resistance to his proposed development.
AVAC member Darlene Koontz said last month that Roberts reached out requesting to attend. AVAC declined his request, deciding his presence could easily take over the entire meeting, and a separate meeting between residents, Roberts and the Planning Division would be ideal.
Roberts said in an interview Tuesday he hopes to address misconceptions about his proposal, listen to residents’ concerns and make it clear he is open to reasonable changes to the project to make it a stronger fit for the community.
Koontz said the coalition has struggled to find a land-use attorney willing to lend its expertise, but it recently hired an attorney from Hoskin Farina & Kampf in Grand Junction.
One resident suggested the coalition should try offering to help Roberts find another suitable space to develop outside the Animas Valley.
“It’s worth a discussion with Scott Roberts, and that is, ‘This is how many people (that) have shown up. Here’s what your opposition’s like. We’re going to be all over your case forever,’” he said. “And so we should put it out there: ‘You want to look at possibilities, we will help you find places that facilitate that.’”
Louis Meyer, coalition member and co-founder of engineering firm SGM, said the coalition has already tried a cooperative approach with Roberts and Roberts never responded.
AVAC member Brenda Hernandez said she expects Roberts’ resubmitted proposal will run into more land-use compliance and compatibility issues, including fire preparedness and emergency access.
She said a traffic study has yet to be completed but the Roberts Resort team does not expect traffic volume to significantly impact the neighborhood, drawing skeptical laughs from attendees.
Roberts said he’d seriously consider an offer of $8 to $10 million to buy the property back from him. He purchased the property for around $5 million.
Hernandez said developing the RV park does not maintain the character of the area.
Roberts said his proposed RV park is in line with the property's designated commercial use, and he received “will serve” letters from Hermosa Sanitation and other service providers.
“If I have traffic, I have sewer, I have water ... if I’m meeting all of the guidelines and not asking for any variances, it’s going to be pretty hard for the county to turn me down,” he said.
Meyer said development in the Animas Valley is inevitable, but residents can influence the direction it takes. He said residents need a vision for the future so the community can grow in smart ways.
He recommended residents consider what makes their community unique and think about how to preserve certain values. Values he’s already heard about from residents include the protection of wildlife and agricultural heritage, including elk herds; the need for community spaces such as coffee shops, meeting spaces and farmers markets; and more recreational opportunities such as walking and bike paths.
Residents want to avoid high-density development and urban sprawl and keep the community rural, he added, noting the community is already at “critical mass.”
cburney@durangoherald.com
