The developer behind a proposed luxury RV resort in the Animas Valley has resubmitted a second draft of plans, nine months after the first draft was deemed noncompliant by La Plata County development regulators.
The revised version of Roberts Resorts Durango Village Camp is similar in appearance to the first version, submitted in 2023. Plans now boast 275 RV stalls (down from 277) which includes 214 30-foot sites, 19 45-foot sites, 17 pull-though sites, 13 40-foot sites and 12 35-foot sites. It is no longer specified how many sites will contain the “park model” tiny home-esque cabins that technically qualify as RVs.
Initially, the park models were situated in sites now marked as standard 30-foot stalls. The proposal is situated on 36 acres along the Animas Valley off Trimble Lane (County Road 252).
Scott Roberts, the developer, says he is still hopeful the project will proceed without too many more hiccups. The first whiff of his proposal stoked the ire of a small but vocal and determined group of oppositionists who now call themselves the Animas Valley Action Coalition.
“We feel we've met all of the requirements under the zoning,” Roberts said. “Our traffic study proves that very little improvements, if any, need to be made. The sewer company has given us a will-serve letter, the water company has given us a will-serve letter (and) the electric company has given us a will-serve letter.”
Although an initial review found that the park’s proposed density was not aligned with nearby Dalton Ranch subdivision, Roberts said the density is still far lower than the allowable density per the county code.
As Roberts works to transform the former gravel pit into a bustling refuge for tourists, he remains committed to developing the unofficial river put-in that exists on the property at present. Although he has commissioned proposals for developing the put-in, no entity has stepped up to manage it. Roberts said Monday that the resort may end up assuming the liability itself if no other organization will take over the river access.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the county staff and all of the other county officials to finalize this application (and) get the application in front of the county commissioners in a reasonable matter,” Roberts said.
The La Plata County Community Development Department will review the plans before moving forward.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
