By Karl Onsager
In 2021, the Town of Pagosa Springs initiated an update to its Land Use and Development Code (LUDC). The project was supported by a steering committee of appointed public representatives and subject matter experts along with a professional consulting team. Initial public input from survey responses and open-house attendance provided direction to the steering committee, consultant and staff to begin revising the LUDC draft.
Draft regulations were published for public comment. The project, however, was put on hold, due to staff capacity.
In February 2023, the Town re-started the project by reviewing the redlined draft with all steering committee comments. Since then, Town staff has been working diligently to synthesize the comments, accept changes, and make further revisions to meet the project goals.
Staff received additional direction from a joint work session with Town Council and Planning Commission on residential standards, requirements for the sustainability menu, the proposed East End Overlay, the proposed Put Hill Overlay, and revisions to the sign code.
Your feedback is essential to ensure the code revisions align with the community’s needs and vision. The Town needs public input on questions like:
- Should tiny homes on wheels be allowed as Accessory Dwelling Units?
- Should sustainability standards be required for new construction, and also for major modifications to existing commercial and multi-household developments?
- What standards are appropriate for the new East End Overlay and Put Hill Overlay?
- Input on the sign code, among other things.
Please take ten minutes to complete the survey at www.mypagosa.org.
The next iteration of the draft code is anticipated to be ready for public comment in late June. With adequate public response and support, staff anticipates bringing the revised code to a public hearing for Planning Commission’s recommendation in August. The Town Council public hearing for consideration of adoption is expected in September or October, 2023. Contact the Senior Planner, Karl Onsager, with any questions at konsager@pagosasprings.co.gov
Karl Onsager, AICP is Senior Planner with the Town of Pagosa Springs.