{"id":128991,"date":"2026-05-14T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/dolores-board-approves-concept-plan-for-riverside-and-third-street-apartments\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T04:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T10:00:00","slug":"dolores-board-approves-concept-plan-for-riverside-and-third-street-apartments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/dolores-board-approves-concept-plan-for-riverside-and-third-street-apartments\/","title":{"rendered":"Dolores board approves concept plan for Riverside and Third Street apartments"},"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. According to KKV Development, the design of the homes intend to incorporate a modern mountain look and feel to match the town landscape. (Anna Watson\/The Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

DOLORES \u2013 After a lengthy debate extending well into Monday night, the Dolores Town Board approved a concept plan for the new development proposed at Riverside and Third Street by KKV Development\u2019s Broc Smith.<\/p>\n

Twelve locals addressed town trustees during a 30-minute public comment period. Many raised sweeping concerns from the proposal\u2019s density, height, added traffic or lighting to the units being likely to increase the town\u2019s population, which they weren\u2019t in favor of. The sentiment was raised initially during another long-lasting public comment session at an earlier Dolores Planning and Zoning Commission meeting<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t Dolores, I\u2019ve lived here since 1980,\u201d Emily Budd said during public comments. \u201cThe stress is unbearable to think about what\u2019s happening across the street from me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Others expressed worry over a change in neighborhood character.<\/p>\n

Another commenter, Holly Asher, said, \u201cIt is really a tough situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

The long meeting was tense at times. Town attorney Ethan Sumrall reminded the board their job in their acting quasi-judicial role is applying the existing code to the facts of the concept plan \u2013 not to rewrite the town law during the meeting.<\/p>\n

The conceptual review does not grant final building rights. The decision was about whether the concept can reasonably meet code in the future, not whether the designs fully complied Monday evening. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended it for approval at a meeting last week.<\/p>\n

Town employees continually brought extra chairs to accommodate a growing crowd. The meeting concluded with Sumrall raising concerns about Mayor Pro-Tem Chris Curry\u2019s proximity to the project site and personal statements he made.<\/p>\n

Sumrall suggested Curry recuse himself from the vote.<\/p>\n

Reflected in board minutes is Curry\u2019s statement upon adjourning that he can fairly participate in the discussion and decision making:<\/p>\n

\u201cI would like to make a disclosure for the record. I own a home in proximity to the proposed planned unit development project. While I do not have a financial interest in this application and do not believe this rises to the level of a conflict requiring recusal, I am disclosing this relationship in the interest of transparency.\u201d<\/p>\n