Trustees approve rezoning of central parcel, Ordinance 592

The Dolores Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 592, changing the zoning of a central parcel from mixed commercial/residential to NR3 residential. Mayor Holstead called the roll and each trustee voted yes, advancing the property’s shift toward housing rather than commercial use.

Planning staff reviewed the development submittal requirements trustees will expect if future landowners seek to build: a project narrative, preliminary plat or site plan, drainage studies, building elevations, landscaping, and a traffic-impact analysis only if a project is estimated to generate more than 200 average daily trips. Planning staff Sarah summarized that “per the land use code, an applicant exceeding 200 daily trips would need a full traffic impact analysis; otherwise we require an engineer-stamped trip estimate.” During public comment, Rachel Bass urged the board to consider whether permanently removing commercial zoning in a downtown core is wise, noting the trade-off between short-term housing needs and long-term commercial opportunity.

Trustees framed the vote as alignment with neighborhood character and with the comprehensive plan’s residential goals in that block. The board recorded the motion and passed Ordinance 592 by roll call (Mayor Holstead — yes; Pro Mayor Curry — yes; Trustee Peterson — yes; Trusty R. — yes; Trusty Beckman — yes; Trusty McCoy — yes; Trusty M. — yes).