Development Services

Units constructed and occupied by type and price category

1. Create housing opportunities to support a multigenerational & mixed-income community workforce and increase affordability to bridge the disparity between income and home/rental prices

1.1 Identify and commit resources and revenue towards implementing a long-term plan that encourages housing opportunities for mixed-income demographics with emphasis on workforce housing

1.1.1 Ensure there is adequate city staff to focus on ways to increase affordable and workforce housing inventory through a variety of mechanisms that include land and on

infrastructure acquisition (or bank), changes to code, and public-private incentives

1.1.2 Explore funding opportunities for the Regional Housing Alliance and other city housing programs

1.2.4 Explore the possibility of combining the Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustments and making other adjustments to Board/Commission procedures to simplify processes

1.1.3 Undertake Fair Share Program review and identify program improvements for implementation

1.1.4 Participate in evaluation of affordable and attainable housing, housing social services, and shelter sales tax ballot initiative for future election

1.2 Support the production of a variety of housing types through incentives, partnerships, efficient review processes, and other mechanisms with a particular emphasis on middle-income housing

1.2.1 Establish Policies to allow use of Housing Funds to Facilitate Unit Construction

1.2.2 Ensure Land Use and Development Code Alignment Project promotes development of affordable housing by reviewing standards for density, multiple dwelling units, mixed-use definitions, street, and access design, ADUs and conversion of motels to long-term residential rental units

1.2.3 Assess potential for housing development on city-owned properties

2. Act as an economic catalyst by working with regional stakeholders to encourage new businesses and business expansions by providing innovative opportunities for growth

2.1 Build partnerships and commit resources to help advance key development projects such as La Posta, Durango Mesa, and Three Springs

2.1.1 Work with La Plata County to create more economic diversity and how best to successfully implement new investments

2.1.2 Continue working with property owners on La Posta to advance annexation of the area into City Limits

2.1.3 Commit resources and seek additional funding's towards infrastructure to advance development in La Posta, Three Springs, Durango Mesa, and other areas

3. Support economic vitality and advancement opportunities in ways that enhance community character and resiliency

3.1 Increase business retention by supporting existing groups that work with and advocate for solopreneurs and other local business ventures

3.2 Support business development and expansion proposals to add jobs annually to the economy

3.3 Reduce barriers for established and new businesses to encourage new investment and longevity

3.3.1 City staff to meet with developers and emphasize how best to assure the completion of projects

3.3.2 Leverage business enhancement grants to make properties more readily available to small businesses

• Per Building permit data, there have been a total of 32 Certificates of Occupancy issued between January 1 to June 15, 2022. The breakdown of C.O.’s is 4 Commercial, 2 Duplex, 18 Single Family, and 8 Townhomes.
• The Building Division, within Community Development Department, estimates that 90% percent of building inspections were completed within one working day of request
• As of June 15, 2022, the Division has received 102 Land Use Applications and received 144 building permit applications along with sign permits, fence permits, and many other land use permits. For context, in 2021 there were 293 land use applications and 499 building permit applications.
• Development Services staff managed the review of 21 larger commercial and residential projects.

• Collaborated with La Plata County, La Plata Economic Development Alliance, and La Posta Road property owners to develop desired future land uses, annexation discussions, and funding allocation of funding for infrastructure and road improvements.
• Oversaw the development processes at the Three Springs and Twin Buttes master planned developments.
• Implementation of the contract with MUNIRevs on the Vacation Rental Enforcement Program to minimize illegal VR activity.
• Coordinated meetings with CDOT, DFPD and La Plata County to ensure intergovernmental communication and alignment of goals.
• Expanded the use of CitySuite application and permitting software to achieve greater transparency and efficiency.
• Refined processes and protocols to ensure expectations are communicated clearly and consistently through increased outreach to the development community.
• Continued education and outreach with Board and Commission members to enhance understanding and application of City standards.
• Reviewed benefits of combining the Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustments to simplify processes.
• Continued public education for the recently adopted 2018 International Building Codes