{"id":128147,"date":"2026-05-08T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/kkv-development-proposes-12-rental-and-for-sale-homes-for-downtown-dolores\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T05:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T11:00:00","slug":"kkv-development-proposes-12-rental-and-for-sale-homes-for-downtown-dolores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/kkv-development-proposes-12-rental-and-for-sale-homes-for-downtown-dolores\/","title":{"rendered":"KKV Development proposes 12 rental and for-sale homes for downtown Dolores"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"An
An empty lot at 207 S. Third St. in Dolores is the proposed site of a new housing development currently under review by town officials and the board. According to KKV Development, the design of the homes intend to incorporate the modern mountain look and feel to match the town landscape. Each unit would be 1,350 square feet, including an upstairs and downstairs. The homes will have two to three bedrooms. (Anna Watson\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

DOLORES \u2013 A local developer\u2019s proposal could bring affordably priced housing and commercial space to downtown Dolores at Riverside Avenue and South Third Street.<\/p>\n

KKV Developers is proposing a 12-unit, three-story building with six for-sale houses and six long-term rentals at an empty lot at 207 S. Third St. with the aim of addressing a housing shortage for teachers and workers. But the proposal was not made without pushback from some residents.<\/p>\n

Some opposition acknowledge the need for more housing but say the higher-density apartments would potentially forego Dolores\u2019s small-town feel by adding traffic and more to a town of a little over 960 people<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Others worry about added lighting, site overcrowding and increased parking. One commenter at a Dolores Planning and Zoning Commission meeting argued a three-story building with no similarly sized Riverside structures to the south is too tall.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts just way, way too high,\u201d resident Jay Swanson said in a public comment. \u201cThe land-use code talks about livability. With a plan like this, the livability in the whole west end will really be affected.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another person mentioned a potential culture change.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want more people to live in Dolores \u2013 we definitely need more housing \u2013 but do we want to sacrifice the lifestyle and culture we have for that?\u201d said Sarah Vass.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the concept plan was recommended by the Dolores Planning and Zoning Commission.<\/p>\n

Town Manager Leigh Reeves said Thursday the developer will likely edit its proposal based on feedback before the town board reviews it Monday at a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 601 Central Ave.<\/p>\n

Much of the public commentary extended gratitude to Smith and the work of KKV Development toward local economic expansion, even if disagreeing on the current project terms.<\/p>\n

Marianne Mate, a former mayor, read from Dolores\u2019s 1997 Comprehensive Plan, which is currently being updated. She quoted a section about preserving the town\u2019s historic, small-town character by building in appropriate locations.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think about the visual impact of this development to Riverside and that whole neighborhood, the character of that whole neighborhood, it just does not fit,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The proposed project area is originally platted for downtown mixed use. Some attendees opposed allowing greater zoning changes requested by the developer. But Reeves said by changing the zoning to a planned unit development, the town creates an opportunity to negotiate specific trade-offs and request community benefits that would not be possible under standard mixed-use zoning.<\/p>\n

Not all commentary was opposed. Attendee Linda Johnson, a business partner with the Smith organization, voiced support for how it could bring more people to Dolores.<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody likes change, I don\u2019t care how young you are, old you are,\u201d Johnson said. \u201c\u2026 Dolores needs to do something because we have nowhere for anyone to live.\u201d<\/p>\n

If the proposal receives approval from the town board, the developer can move forward to the site plan application. That will require additional reviews and decisions from the town board and the Planning and Zoning Commission.<\/p>\n

Developer plans 12 units, three stories and two to three bedrooms<\/div>\n

Smith said on Tuesday he hopes to build attainable housing to alleviate a housing shortage for teachers, workers, and longtime residents.<\/p>\n

Each of the 12 units would be approximately 1,350-square-feet large, featuring ground-floor tuck-under garages to accommodate parking and the flood plain regulations.<\/p>\n

\"A
A conceptual site map outlines the proposed development area at 206 and 207 S. Third St. in Dolores, where developers are seeking to build additional housing units and mixed-use commercial space near Riverside Avenue. (Town of Dolores board documents)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

\u201cI was trying to achieve affordability with a 1,350 square-feet unit in maximizing the space, that way people could afford the 1,350 square-foot house,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n

Smith estimates the units to have two to three bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and sell for around $350,000 to $360,000 per unit and, according to board documents, rent for about $1,000-$1,500 on average \u2013 subject to change depending on build and development costs.<\/p>\n

The development also includes four two-story, mixed-use structures, including a front-level commercial space with four second-floor apartments above at 206 S. 3rd St. Each unit would range in size from 750 to 1,000 square feet. The project would include six off-street parking spaces, with 12 additional spaces on-site.<\/p>\n

\"Part
Part of the conceptual plan presented to the Dolores Planning and Zoning Commission. (Courtesy of the town of Dolores)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The
The proposed Dolores development must still undergo the town\u2019s site plan and planned unit development review process, which includes the following additional submissions. (Courtesy of the town of Dolores)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Born and raised in Dolores, Smith said his family has a lot of various business interests in the town.<\/p>\n

He said KKV Developments have revamped buildings and given Dolores an improved appearance.<\/p>\n

KKV Development has built several similar Cortez housing subdivisions, but the organization has not done so in Dolores, Smith said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need housing in Dolores, we need it badly. We are building a brand-new school, we are going to need housing for teachers, students,\u201d he said. \u201cLong-term friends of mine can\u2019t even live in Dolores.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarah Pritchard, an on-call town planner, presented a staff assessment.<\/p>\n

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