Is the Fields gone for good? Is it coming back?

The honest answers is: we don’t know. The developer can refile the exact same application (or a modified version) at any time. However, the process would start all over again from the beginning. 

Ideally, the Hwy 82 Future Land Use Map (FLUM) should be changed to reflect common sense land use designation with the Fields parcel as Large Lot Residential (LLR). This was its original designation and what all the other Arlian Ranch subdivision lots are designated. It was changed to Moderate Density Residential (MDR) erroneously. More on this in a later newsletter.

One thing is certain. There  will always be developers waiving the “affordable housing” flag to entice commissioners to approve their projects.

The Future of Development in the Mid-Valley

• We are at an inflection point  for the Mid-Valley. The collective mindset is changing from reliance on profit-focused developers to solve our workforce housing crisis to an insistence that we find a better way. 

• Habitat for Humanity hosted a housing summit. The focus was on bringing together the various towns, counties, and organizations in the Roaring Fork Valley to find a way to solve our workforce housing crisis while at the same time preserving our quality of life.

• I was  encouraged by the discussion of using "development neutral" strategies. This could involve buydowns, rental assistance and incentivizing homeowners to build ADUs to house our workers.

• You can find a summary of the housing summit and what was discussed in this article.

• I’m hopeful the newly formed Western Mountain Regional Housing Coalition can lead the effort to bring the Roaring Fork Valley together to solve this crisis without relying on profit-focused developers who push to build an excessive number of market rate units in exchange for building a paltry number of “affordable housing” units. 

• For example, the Fields developer was trying to entice Eagle County commissioners by offering to build 34 price-capped, deed restricted housing units and 20 resident occupied units with no price cap (so market rate and not affordable). However, they also would have built an additional 81 market rate units which would have added to the Mid-Valley’s need for MORE workforce housing units. The practice of relying on developers to build affordable housing does not work for the Mid-Valley.

• There are better, more sustainable ways to achieve our workforce housing goals. Developers dangling the carrot of affordable housing do not satisfy the standard of public benefit when the tradeoff involves an excessive number of market rate units.

• We must find ways to provide housing for our workforce without increasing the number of market rate units in the process.

Modular Plant in Rifle, CO

• Gail Schwartz of Habitat for Humanity is working to set up a modular plant in Rifle that could build net-zero workforce housing. This would decrease our reliance on developers to provide workforce housing.

• It’s time to insist on development neutral solutions to the workforce housing crisis. Or at the very least, only allow upzoning for workforce affordable housing projects located in close proximity (1/4 mile) to public transit. 

• Let’s define what we want our workforce housing solutions in the Mid-Valley to look like. If we don’t do it now, developers will continue to destroy our Mid-Valley.

• Thanks for caring, getting involved, and working to save our Mid-Valley!

Application Materials: Note that these will be taken off the website. If you want them for future reference, download them ASAP!

Application Materials:

SSP-9165 The Fields Subdivision Preliminary Sketch Plan

1041-9137 The Fields Permit Application

ZC-9136 The Fields Zone Change

VIS-9169 Variation from Improvement Standards

SSP-9165, ZC-9136, VIS-9169 Application Materials - March 25, 2022

SSP-9165, ZC-9136, VIS-9169 Application Materials - November 9, 2021

SSP-9165, ZC-9136, VIS-9169 Referral Form

SSP-9165, ZC-9136, 1041-9137, VIS-9169 Referral Responses November 9, 2021

1041-9137 Application Materials

Public Hearing Information:

BoCC - March 21st, 4:00 pm El Jebel Mt Sopris Room - Packet Materials 

Attachment 1 Previous Staff Reports

Attachment 2 1041 Permit Staff Report

Attachment 3 Application Materials

Attachment 4 Public Comment (Dec 31- Feb 10, 2023)

Attachment 5 Public Comment (Dec 21 - Jan 22, 2023)

Attachment 6 Public Comment (Dec 20, 2022 and Earlier) 

Attachment 7 Referral Letters 

Attachment 8 Public Comment (Feb 11-17, 2023)

Attachment 9 Public Comment (Feb 17-20, 2023)

Attachment 10 Public Comment (Jan 25-30)

*Hearing agenda start time is approximate

Public Comment Information:

Written public comment: planningcomments@eaglecounty.us

If you would like to watch the meeting, there is a live feed at www.ecgtv.com or on Facebook Live .