Public hearings open on 14.78‑acre Venus/La Nina parcel for townhomes; resident raises flooding, traffic and density concerns

Grand County commissioners on Dec. 16 heard staff describe a request to rezone about 14.78 acres in the Venus/La Nina area (address cited as 191972 Plateau Drive) from a mix of highway commercial, general business and large‑lot residential to a single zone to allow multifamily/townhome development.

Staff told the commission the property is part of a recently approved Venus subdivision and cited existing townhomes on Plateau Drive as the model for the proposed buildings. Staff also summarized the Planning Commission’s handling of the item: an initial vote did not meet the commission’s four‑vote bylaw threshold, and the Planning Commission subsequently voted to forward the item to the county commission without a recommendation.

During the county hearing, a commissioner asked about flood risk because the site sits at the bottom of a draw and an applicant representative, Mr. Naylor, and the project engineer said drainage was addressed in the construction drawings, that the plan includes a culvert and a piped system, and that a retention basin is planned to collect runoff.

A nearby resident, Patina Finister, identified herself as living on the north end of Plateau Circle and urged caution about density and safety. Finister said she is "not against the development" but that she is "concerned about the density," questioned the retention‑pond location, described recent flooding on her property and warned of narrow roads without sidewalks, vehicles parked on the street, and hazardous intersections at Plateau Road and Bonnies Way. She asked whether traffic could be routed to Skyline Drive and emphasized the safety of children near bus drop‑off points.

The county left the hearing open to accept written or phone comments through Dec. 31, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.; staff said written submissions are preferred. No final county decision was made on Dec. 16.